Introducing: Filmer Thomas Kesselbacher

Introducing: Filmer Thomas Kesselbacher opener

Since the online crews get more and more hyped in these last years, a different kind of pros got back to much bigger popularity again and of which we tempt to forget about too often, even though we couldn’t enjoy any of the edits without them: The filmers. Young Austrian freelancer and official Blue Tomato filmer Thomas Kesselbacher belongs to this rare species, that does have it at least as twice as hard as the riders to step out from the masses to make a living of their passion and succeed on their path. Since we’re going to work now with Thomas together on a bunch of things, we thought about to introduce him to you people and get again a filmers’ perspective on the actual snowboarding game.

ShredOn Mag: Hey Thomas how are you? All good?

Thomas Kesselbacher: Hey. Fore sure, I am a bit tired because I worked the whole month, but it was really funny.

SOM: You’ve just been to Pleasure Jam at Dachstein (full report here), right? ..just for fun or to work?

Thomas: Actually for work, but for me work is always fun. I was there with the Adidas SBN Team and did a small Team edit for them.

SOM: Tell me, how do people come to film professionally? There’s rumors saying that filmers same as media people like us would be that sort of riders, that aren’t really good at snowboarding, is that right?

Thomas: Buhh.. I don’t know. But for example myself was a snowboarder first. Did you find any contest results of me?? =)

 

Introducing: Filmer Thomas Kesselbacher Seppl Ramsbacher

No contest results, but proof on urban vandalism! Shooting with Kärnten local Seppl Ramsbacher. | photo by: David Reiner.

 

SOM: I’ll have a look on that!

But for real now: When did you get in touch with filming and did you already snowboard back then?

Thomas: I had my first contact with a camera when I was 14 years old. My uncle had an old Sony HI8 camcorder, so I took it and started to film silly stuff with my friends. But due to a bad accident I am not allowed to snowboard any more.

SOM: Sucks…

You’re 23 years old now. Would you compare that “as young as possible hype” in professional snowboarding with filming? I mean, thanks to all the online crews, filmers got a few more options now to profile really and make it happen, but there’s lots of (young) headz holding cameras out there. Some of them just holding really, but plenty of others still that really produce and edit. How is the market developing there?

Thomas: It’s difficult to compare. There are some guys out there who make really cool movies. But just one movie in one year, which means that you are just going to show your best footage of the season. As a professional you have to get the shots because it’s your job. If you really want to do business you need more than good videos online, you have also to work on your “self marketing” and so on. I think it does not matter if you are 18 or 40 years old, the only thing that counts is the result.

SOM: When you realized that you wanted to do professional snowboard filming, did you have already role models you could look up to, coming from snowboarding or other action sports?

Thomas: For sure. One of my role models was Felix Urbauer. He did a really good job in the old Isenseven movies. But there are a few more people I look up to.

 

Introducing: Filmer Thomas Kesselbacher skate filming

When there’s so many filmers out there, it ain’t bad at all when keeping up with other familiar scenes, to keep on producing like here on this skate film session | photo by: Dominik Brodtrager

 

SOM: Blue Tomato is when I got it right your first real job, is that correct? Pretty gnarly as an Austrian (snowboard) filmer, to shoot officially for Europe’s largest snow retailer, hu? How did you get there?

Thomas: It’s really cool to work there. Actually I have to thank my girlfriend because she encouraged me to apply for this job. Two weeks later I got it.

SOM: Pretty cool. So is there also other companies that hit you up to film for them?

Thomas: I am filming for Adidas, Absolutpark, Armada, Camtrol, SanDisk and a few more.

SOM: We already mentioned before, that since online crews get hyped that much with all their online productions, filmers seem to get more props for their work and speaking in general terms getting also more overall attention ..do you feel that too and do you follow any filmers in particular and if so, why?

Thomas: Since the “online part hype” you have a good chance to start your career. But it is up to you. People are watching your videos and talk about it, but if you want to get into the business people have to talk about the guy who is responsible for the video.

 

Introducing: Filmer Thomas Kesselbacher card

We needed that to get more props for the style on the layout of this ITW.

Got that name on lock: Thomas Kesselbacher. | design by: David Reiner.

 

SOM: So what is every filmer’s dream ..setting up an own production somewhen?

Thomas: My dream is to work for BBC and National Geographic and for sure run my own company.

SOM: Sounds big. Good luck with that.

You told me that you would do now a bunch of edits for adidas Eyewear and thought of making a docu flick by the end of this season now. Do you think that documentaries are getting their coming out now, with all these flicks about particular riders, or other films from earlier back like the Blankpaper stuff?

Thomas: I don’t know what will be in the future. I’d like to give a look behind the sport and the action. It’s not always that funny and that sick out there, but it is sill snowboarding and a more interesting point of view for me.

SOM: We also heard that you were working on a much bigger project now, that is planned for the next 13-14 season. Any secrets that you want to reveal from that?

Thomas: YES. I am going to buy my first PC…. =)

SOM: Guess, Señor Kesselbacher meant to say no by that ..fine!

What gear are you working with now?

Thomas: I am working with Panasonic. Right now I have two GH’2. I really like it because they are really small and light. Perfect set up for the mountain.

SOM: GoPro’s / Contours / ..etc. feel today like a standardized gadget in cinematography. Really just a gadget or something more?

Thomas: It does not matter which POV camera you use. But use it as a point of view camera and not as your main camera. I really hate videos with two minutes of GoPro footage. You have to use it in the right way, that’s the point.

The new GoPro HD 3 will be a game changer. GoPro is also looking into the pro cinema sector with the new model and the color profiles. You are getting a really good quality for less money. .

If you want to see one of the best ways to use a GoPro, check this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ea3RAkGqYC8

 

Introducing: Filmer Thomas Kesselbacher - TK x Sheckler

Don’t you worry, Thomas keeps on doing snowboard edits for sure, but hell ..it’s Ryan fucking Sheckler | photo by: David Reiner.

 

SOM: DLSR’s have gotten also almost standard you could say in action sports. We have major productions that also film (or filmed) on 16mm. Others that went over to RED cams now. It feels like there’s happening a lot in snowboard filming. What do you think of all these trends, if so to speak about them ..what do you prefer and love most of it?

Thomas: The technic is changing so fast. Now more and more people are filming with DSLR’s, because it’s one of the best options when you are in the mountains. Fore sure it’s nice to film in RAW but you also need a lot of money to get such a camera. With DSLR’s you can have a nice set up, with a bunch of lenses for less then € 3’000. That is really nice. But filming with a DSLR is not that easy, it’s not a camcorder where you can just hit record. You have to think about all the settings before pushing the button.

In the end it depends on the framing of the shot and not which camera you use.

SOM: Have you already seen The Mad Ones by Liam Gallagher (watch here)?..and if so: Do you like that artsy B/W styles?

Thomas: No. But I will watch it for sure.

 

Introducing: Filmer Thomas Kesselbacher - TK whiteout

So that was it almost. We’re totally pumped on this new collabo with Thomas and are looking forward to bring you people some rad stuff, so let’s hope for a damn white season and good footage! | photo by: David Reiner.

 

SOM: Alright then, we’re through. We read recently that shoutouts or thank you’s are not that cool anymore. Any different idea how to finish up this interview instead?

Thomas: So I will just say “Work hard and be nice to the people………”

SOM: Word up.

Thomas: See ya..

SOM: Peace.

Check out Thomas Kesselbacher on the web at www.kesselbacher.net for further info and contact, show him some love on his fanpage on Facebook at facebook.com/tkesselbacher.

| Kesselbacher.net | Thomas Kesselbacher Fanpage |





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