2008 : First Tracks Productions : Knock on Wood

Knock on Wood has a big heart and several noble intentions, some that it pulls off quite well, others where it falls short. If you have watched even a handful of snowboard movies over the years I do not think that you will find much additional thrill that makes this one stand out. Besides some big ol’ booters and a few extra kinked rails, there isn’t much footage that really wowed me and seemed out of league from what my friends can do. It does do a good job of conveying the Tahoe spirit. I particularly liked the shots of 10 or so riders hauling through a BMX park at Sierra-at-Tahoe and then later sessioning an “after they hill closes” type booter over the Sierra at Tahoe sign. The local home shred flavor is never lost and Knock on Wood certainly isn’t overrated.

I do want to clarify that just because it is lower budget doesn’t mean it should fall short.  The editing is clean and the timing is on. A lot of attention was put into matching song lyrics with shots, like lyrics talking about rain drops while you are watching the rider through a screen of dripping icicles. It has a happy go lucky soundtrack.

Where it starts to hurt itself is the cinematography; it seems they were using two different cameras or were just getting a bit too experimental with the one at times. It isn’t like someone just happened to catch a moment on film that is most necessary for the movie but happens to be poorly captured. There is a regular split in quality. There are beautifully filmed, crisp shots for several scenes, like Ben Wynn and Drew Brighton’s (to name a few), then you have completely fuzzy, grainy, poor quality sections that make you wonder if it is just filler because it isn’t all that awesome. 

Angle of filming and location also varies from professional and creative to strange. Jumps are shot from behind trees and you completely miss the landing, or you are watching a rider on a rail through a tiny peephole surrounded by a screen of darkness. It is occasional moments like this that it screams “someone else’s home movie!” and makes you want to just stick in your own video because at least you know the people.

On a final note, I have to say that this entire movie is worth the watch for Alexis Roland. She is an 8 years old, Burton sponsored mini-shredder that flat out kills it. She holds her own against the boys and all of us. Despite her age and height, she throws down a challenge and will be a force to be contended with as she gets older. Watch out! There is a new generation of mini-boarders that are about to put us all to shame just when we thought we had the A-game.

With more than 70 snowboard videos being released for the 08/09 snowboard season there isn't much room for sub-par videos. "Knock on Wood" is a good film, with what seem to be great people and a friendly feel, but it really can't compete with some of the better films of the last couple of years, and there is little that sets it apart from the onslaught of new video releases this fall.

The bulk of Knock on Wood's problems come from the areas of riding and cinematography. These two areas are intertwined, and there are two problems here. First, there is some exceptional riding, but much of it was filmed poorly, for example, the opening montage has a great set of pillow cliff drops and the camera misses the end of it. Second, there is some high quality footage of not very great riding, some of the riders just aren't video material yet, with flaily, choppy movements and a lack of flow. The film would struggle with either of those problems, but the combination is near fatal. For each creative camera shot that works, there are two that don't work, and for each innovative feature there's a bunch of generic repeat shots. In addition, while some of the footage is shot in crisp and clear high-def, much of it isn't, and the HD quality brings into contrast the grainy, poor-quality film, and makes it look that much worse.

The editing is a mixed bag, there are some great snappy cuts, and there are areas that feel drawn out. Some of the video clicks with the music, some doesn't. Nothing horrible, but nothing outstanding either.
The movie does succeed in creating a fun "feeling" video. There is a very personal feel to it, and you can tell First Tracks Productions put a lot of themselves into the project. Unfortunately for Knock on Wood, at this point in the snowboard industry films need more than heart. Films like Afterbang, Time Well Wasted, and Picture This, to name a few recent successes, show that films can have quality riding, quality footage, and still show the fun side of snowboarding.

That said, there is one little thing that makes this film worth watching, literally. Little Lexi Roland is really the only thing that would make me recommend this video, I look forward to seeing her career unfold.