The bitorrent descriptions in the photo are formatted identically. That fact suggests that each movie was originally seeded by the same person. Given the diversity and quantity of the selections, it's most likely somebody with close ties to snowboarding. Once seeded, these torrents live on their own, which means that all it takes is one asshole to ruin it for everybody.

Unfortunately the reality is, if this guy wasn't seeding them, somebody else would.

I'm not advocating piracy. But the current environment needs to change. The new tech is calling for a shift in how snowboard production companies do business. Here's what could be done:

1) The most obvious step is to lower the cost of videos. Prices ranging from $25-35 seem inflated compared to the $15 price standard for a DVD of a major release. Who can afford to watch all of this year's films at 30 bucks a pop?!? Kids are forced to pool their money together and burn each other copies in order to afford the year's biggest films. One company doing it right is Blank Paper Studios, who for the last two years entirely eliminated the price factor by offering their movies free as magazine inserts. Filmers need the costs of production to be supplemented by investments UP FRONT from within the snowboard industry. A production company should never depend solely on the retail price for revenues. Which brings us to the second point.

2) Increased product placement. There.. I said it. Who are we fooling? Every video you've ever owned has been financed by snowboard companies. For the most part these films are one huge commercial showcasing new equipment and outerwear for the upcoming season. Videos, magazines, X-games, it's all a vehicle to get exposure to the consumer. It wasn't long ago that Whitey was releasing films with 30-second commercials for DC, Solid, Tech9, etc. It was flagrant and didn't try to be something it wasn't. The increased popularity of team videos just reinforces this point by marketing a singular brand message, the only problem is we were fooled into paying $30 for it.

3) A video's success shouldn't depend solely on the gross returns. When you're broadcasting a brand identity you gauge your success on cost per impression. Every time you grab a free, weekly newspaper off of the stands to check for concert listings you are helping that paper sell ads. The companies advertising in print media pay on a rating scale tied to readership levels. The problem with videos is the only concrete number they can rely on is sales. There's so many impressions out there not being recognized. Kids watch the film in shops and premiers, or trade discs. If your film was the number one most pirated movie that should mean something. You're doing shit right! Use that to leverage investment negotiations for the next production. Since we're thinking outside the box here, include a survey in the DVD box asking about viewing habits. Give the kids an incentive to help you track this shit by offering freebies (stikers, downloadable extras, etc.)

4) Change the distribution model. Don't limit distribution just to core shops. In a market gauged by number of impressions it's in your best interests to get your film available on Netflix. Ask Netflix to track your numbers. Also, don't overlook the importance of non-physical media. Props go out to Nomis/Stepchild for offering cheap, downloadable forms of their movie. Take it a step further and attempt a pricing/distribution channel similar to Radiohead's In Rainbows album.

Look, these ideas might seem half-baked. They were written within a half-hour and are just things spewing off the top of my head. But here's the bottom line. Companies that creatively position themselves to not depend on the $25 MSRP for a bulk of their revenues will be companies that survive. The dinosaurs that can't adapt will be struggling down the road, because if there's one thing bitorrent teaches us, how are you going to compete with free?

No way I could ever download snowboard films...I pay for them in good conscience...or pay to see the premiers if I know there's no chance i'd buy it. I'm about to put down money for Optimistic and Any Means just because I want to support them even though I saw both already. Support your fellow snowboarders.

The world of snowboarding through fembot eyes

damn

It takes an amazing amount of time, effort and money to make a good video. People should support the production companies slaving away for you ingrates...