Minnesota overshadows the urban snowboarding scene of Michigan, but Michigan has the second highest concentration of ski resorts in the United States only second to New York. It’s here in the mitten shaped state that a group of dedicated riders has come together to document their times in the streets with a hope that more bigger crews will come and film there. These are the words of the films main filmer and editor Nathan Kudla and the purveyor of the ender Brett Kulas.
Where did you come up with the name In Perpetuum from?
Nathan Kudla: I came up with the name by looking for alternative ways to say forever. Kind of a lame and cliche idea but with the crew splitting up and people going different ways this season I just wanted to state that my time spent filming and riding with these guys will stick with me for the rest of my life. Keep your eyes open for a reunion in the near future though.
The Michigan snowboard scene is pretty vast yet I always feel that Minnesota gets more notoriety, would you agree with that and why do you think that might be?
Brett Kulas: I do agree that the Minnesota scene is more notorious than Michigan’s scene most of the time. Mainly I think it’s because of all the big names that ride around there all the time. Dudes like Danimals, Sexton, Gesme, and way more. You just wouldn’t run into those type of people nearly as often around Michigan. Those hyper speed ropes and nice rails are practically unbeatable for someone who loves riding park so I think that’s what draws them there. Not to mention all the notorious street spots around Minnesota, but Michigan is very similar. Good spots, good parks, good people. Sometimes I feel like it’s just yet to be explored by some big named riders that would draw more people to the scene. The Michigan scene is growing a ton though and I love it here so I’m hyped.
What camera’s are you using and why?
NK: I used a panasonic GH2 and the biggest reason is Spencer Whiteman told me to. I didn’t, and still don’t, know a lot about cameras. So I always go to my specialists (Spencer Whiteman, Mike Harrington, Matt Kusbel, Jeff Sukes, and Kyle Kearns). I recently upgraded to an hvx and I am super excited to film with it.
In the intro you used a lot of 90’s VHS style effects, what is the reasoning behind this? Adding to that as well, would you say that the rise in the popularity of the grainy VHS look is similar to how older snowboard movies utilized Super 8?
NK:
I was actually watching a bunch of skate videos this summer and drew a lot of influences from them. I think a lot of snowboarding videos try and replicate classic videograss intros with amazing city sceneries, super 8 footage, and time lapses. I don’t have a super 8 and didn’t spend time shooting cool city sceneries so I tried to mold the footage I had into something that looked a little different and didn’t look like a bad copycat. And yeah I definitely see that trend and I think its good that there’s different styles. The more diverse the better.
Lets talk Kim Carnes, whose idea was it to use this song for your part and how do you feel this 80’s jam fits with the tone of the movie? It seemed to slow the pace and cap it off nicely in my opinion.
BK: I’ll give all the credit to Nate on the song. When Nate and I chilled without snow on the ground we would watch skate videos, and my favorites always came from William Strobeck. So we looked up some artists that he had used before and through some digging we found Kim Carnes. When Nate played that song I just thought it fit perfectly, and we both agreed that it would be a nice finishing touch.
Being a rider and also the editor do you feel that gives you some better insight to what works and doesn’t work when putting a part together?
NK: I really hope it does haha. Before editing this movie I watched a ton of my favorite movies (All the VG movies, Deja Vu, KTC, Under Dawgs, and a bunch of Tanner Pendletons edits) and tried to pick apart why I liked them so much. I learned so much from that and really think it benefited the movie as a whole. I also always ask the riders what clips they want included. Its their part and if they aren’t happy with it, then I’ve failed.
As a rider in an online movie, what are your thoughts on the whole “the Internet is destroying the snowboarding movie” argument? Do you see it as a boon to snowboarding or does it help riders like yourself get noticed?
BK: I think if anything free online movies are helping snowboarding. No matter what I’ll always be down to support and buy a sick snowboard movie like Videograss, Impaler, Rendered Useless, all that. If there’s something awesome on sale people will buy it. Free online movies are sick because riders can gain so much exposure and really come up through the movie, and anyone can watch it since it’s free! So I really don’t think the online movie hinders the snowboarding movie as much as people may think.
Thanks and shout outs?
NK:
Thanks to all my friends in the movie and who have helped me make the film. Thanks to all my friends who I’ve spent time snowboarding with. And special thanks again to Spencer Whiteman, Mike Harrington, Matt Kusbel, Jeff Sukes, and Kyle Kearns for camera info/advice. Thanks to Cannonsburg for giving us an awesome environment to ride and meet friends. Lastly thank you to my parents for introducing me to snowboarding and their constant love and support.
BK: A massive thanks to Nathan Kudla. Without him total revenue movies probably wouldn’t exist, and he froze his butt off to get most of the shots in the movie. Flanel Lifestyles and Mike Harrington for also filming and pushing me a ton through the season. All of Total Revenue (Sam, Sam, Harrison, Jacob, Nate, Linden, Trent) they made these past seasons the best and will be my homies for life! Levi for having my back whenever my boards broke. All my friends I have met through snowboarding that have been nice and supportive of my riding. My family, and Cannonsburg for being the best home hill ever! Luv y’all.
Follow the crew on InstagramL
@totalrevenue
@NathanKudla
@Brett_kulas4
All the pertinent film information.
Sam Schowalter- Cameo Ian Ogdahl
Harrison McIlhargey
Nathan Kudla- Cameo Jacob Craffey
Sam Ralston- Cameos Dom Palarchio and Linden Cool
Kyle Kearns
Brett Kulas
A film by Nathan Kudla
Additional Filming: Mike Harrington, Sam Schowalter, Harrison McIlhargey, Jacob Craffey, Marc Moline, Matt Kusbell, Tyler May, Jeff Sukes
Songs in order: Maitro- Snake Way, Automelodi- Ciao Ciao Ciao, Los Zafiro- He Venido,Software Blonde- Anytime, Bones- 42 Carrot, Akkilles- Chic City, and Kim Carnes- I’ll be there where the heart is.
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