Screenshot: The Orchard
I was pleasantly surprised to see that this most recent installment of the Good Company web series is twenty-seven minutes long. The first installment was nearly half of that, and I thought that would be the standard length of each episode. But that proved to be the wrong impression — and the length of the “Two” is more movie and less vlog.
The one thing I’ve always appreciated about Kyle Decker and Tom Wallisch collaborations is the diverse soundtrack. It’s tempting for me to fall into the trap of relishing action sports media that use catchy, ethereal tunes. Those beats are enjoyable, no doubt. But for me, the mark of a good soundtrack is when songs that I would not appreciate on their own suddenly become catchy when edited to the right footage. Its a tall order, but the new episode of “Good Company” succeeds in spades.
“Good Company” is one of the first ski movies that makes urban skiing look overwhelmingly fun. Most depictions appear gritty, painful, and requiring serious perseverance. Decker & Co. include those shots — the falls, the cursing, the slamming of poles — but those cutaways do not influence the overall feel of each segment. The skiers seem to really be enjoying the journey. Tom’s positive energy is a big reason for that. The behind-the-scenes teaser released a few weeks ago speaks to his leadership in the group.
His effect on the vibe is tangible. He never seems stressed.
Other urban skiing stories tend to paint the athletes as rogue warriors, fighting the good fight in the streets while conventional skiers enjoy pow landings and well-manicured terrain parks. None of that narrative comes through with “Good Company.” Instead, it feels more like watching some of the best skiers in the world have, once again, fun in their natural habitat. They’re not suffering for our enjoyment. This is what they would be doing whether or not they were paid to do it. Even the name of the web series even sets a different tone for the urban content. It’s about being with the boys, first and foremost.
Screenshot: The Orchard
The skiing is just a byproduct of hanging out. It’s refreshing to see good vibes underscore urban segments.
Lastly, the backcountry segments we’re out of left field. And the crew absolutely killed it.
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It’s always great to see Delorme, and his smooth style perfectly compliments the laid-back vibe of the series. The ethereal song makes the pow landings look even floatier.
I thought I was going to watch 15 minutes of urban, but instead was surprised with 27 minutes of both urban, park, and backcountry. “Good Company Two” covers the full spectrum professional free skiing.
That being said, in the end, it didn’t blow me away. Now, maybe I should be blaming myself for that. I’m expecting (and hoping) for a certain kind of video that they aren’t trying to produce. Ever since Tom and Kyle teamed up with “Jibberish at Breck” edit, which jumpstarted my delve into online edits, I’ve wanted them to produce something that I watch over and over and over again.
I get the feeling that their collaborations are more about showcasing Tom’s life, and less about producing catchy media; more documentary, less viral video.
Furthermore, maybe my qualms are not an issue of their content, but rather the present repetitiveness in the industry as a whole. If this was the first documentary-style urban video, I’m sure I would be blown away. But it’s not really anything I hadn’t seen before. And I don’t think that’s what they’re trying to do. These days, being unique is hard to achieve for ski filmmakers.
Somehow, these movie-making experts have to figure out, year after year, how to showcase slight progressions in the sport in a new way. As I said before, it’s a tall order. And once more, I don’t think that’s what Good Company is trying to do here. I think this group just really enjoys skiing and hanging with each other, in many different venues, and they’re simply putting in the work to share their lives with likeminded fans. Speaking as one of those fans, it is much appreciated.
Screenshot: The Orchard
To watch “Good Company Two,” buy the movie on Vimeo on Demand. The movie is also available on iTunes.
