Last week, we hosted the world premiere of HOMETOWN HYPE presented by White Claw to a capacity crowd at the Hero Beach Club in Montauk, New York. Our intention with the HOMETOWN HYPE project is to celebrate America’s greatest surf towns through the perspective of those who know them best: local creatives, surfers, and residents.
That sounds like a relatively straightforward ambition, but it’s mired in nuances and opportunities to misstep, if accidentally. Only the strong-willed would agree to carry out such a daunting task, and Director Drew Maloney snatched the assignment with a demure tenacity. Drew went to great lengths to include as many amazing people from the community as he possibly could – all the while operating on a tight timeline and budget.
Drew’s connection to Montauk runs deep, from childhood camping trips at Hither Hills to screening his work at local venues like the Beach House. With a keen eye for storytelling and a love for the ocean, Drew has spent the past few years living and working in this vibrant coastal town, immersing himself in its tight-knit surf community.
“I could have just strung together all the surf footage I had with some B-roll and made a cool, hyped-up video,” Maloney said. “Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but Montauk has so much more to offer. I wanted to showcase Montauk as a ‘Gateway to the Ocean’ in a way that justifies how incredible it is out here by hearing it straight from the people who know best.”
What he came back with was absolutely gorgeous. It’s an earnest love letter to a community he loves. It goes without saying, but it’s not just the surf that make these places so special. It’s the people. Drew’s short film captures that.
We hope you enjoy, and please check back for the release of short films celebrating the surf communities in North Jersey, the Outer Banks, NC and St. Petersburg, Florida.
The sold out North Jersey premiere is Thursday, but there’s still an opportunity for FREE RSVP to the Outer Banks premiere at Outer Banks Brewing Station on 8/22 and St. Petersburg premiere at The Floridian Social on 9/5. Each premiere features free White Claw samples, the surf film, music, and bites. And good vibes.
Learn more about HOMETOWN HYPE presented by White Claw here, and check back to vote for your favorite film on September 6 to help crown the Inaugural HOMETOWN HYPE Champ!
Directed by @drew_maloney
Narrated by Grant Monahan
Executive Producers @lauralrubin @zachweisberg
Producer @lil_croizzant
Photography by @alchem.media @alexdupkin @benpotter___ @drew_maloney @ihaveshittodo @saltyvisionz @jaybelsky @letstaukgrams @beststudios @suttonlynch @tlagrega @wileytwatson
Featuring @adam.mar Alexis Engstrom @arielcengstrom @eckardtaustin @charlieweimar @the_clash_archives @coreyswave @dltnart @letstaukgrams @whalebonecreative @kathleen.engstrom @leifnotleaf @tcmontauk @polsapss @mikeydetemple @nickboyatnight @pfchang @petercorreale @howz_dis_guy @tuckercoleman_ @teewizzler @waltlindveld
Additional Appearances @ethandayton @ja_wavehavens @jasonhew_mtk @montaukoyster @tripolipatterson @zack.dayton
Editor Yasuhiko Inoue
Colorist @ceen.mkv
Sound Designer @samcashtello
Music @citricfile @theline
Production Assistant @fisher.hirsch
Special Thanks @ditch_witch_mtk @lefthandcoffee @montauket_hotel Michael Maloney
