I was first introduced to Brain Farm Cinema in the winter of 2009 when they released their first feature-length snowboarding film, That's It, That's All. Huddled around a small TV, my friends and I watched in amazement as world-renowned snowboarder Travis Rice took some of the world's most beautiful remote mountainsides by storm. More than anything else, though, I was taken in by the film's incredible cinematography.
Looking back on it, this was the first moment that I remember feeling truly captivated by cinematography. The film's unique blend of s16, 35mm, and HD aerial cinematography mesmerized me. And considering that my primary focus up to that point in my life had been playing guitar, there's a good chance that was the moment which planted the seed for my future in filmmaking.
So, when I caught the trailer for Brain Farm's latest project, a long-awaited film called The Fourth Phase, I had a bit of a nostalgic moment. My weird sentimentality towards Brain Farm aside, this trailer is awe-inspiring, and it might be one of the coolest things you'll see this weekend.
So here's to you, Brain Farm. Keep up the incredible work. The October 2016 release of this film can't come soon enough.
Your Comment
33 Comments
this company clearly enjoys keeping their cameras on helicopters and drones.
November 22, 2015 at 8:30PM
Because throwing them on a tripod would be the best way to capture action sports?
November 23, 2015 at 11:17AM
BMX videos often times look pretty intense, and yet.. tripod and handheld gets used just as well. vary it up a bit more, maybe?
November 23, 2015 at 12:42PM
This is a 2 minute trailer. There is likely variation in the film.
November 23, 2015 at 1:20PM
my point exactly. this is an exciting 2 min overview, but i'm left with the impression that it's going to be a film featuring 85% aerial cinematography, and i'd be more inclined to enjoy a story told at eye-level with the occassional bird-eye view. Otherwise it starts to feel like a video game (to me).
November 23, 2015 at 1:29PM
1:02, 1:05, 1:13, 1:25, 1:28, 1:33, 1:34, 1:36, 1:37, 1:38, 1:39, 1:40, 1:41, 1:42, 1:43, 1:51, 1:52, 1:53, 1:55, 2:00, 2:02, 2:05, and 2:15 are either tripod or stabilizer. There are a few more that could be either long lens helicopter or stabilizer on a snowboard.
November 23, 2015 at 1:37PM
fair enough.
November 23, 2015 at 1:55PM, Edited November 23, 1:55PM
well nope.. my socks are still on
November 23, 2015 at 2:46AM
My are too. And they aren't tight fitting either.
November 23, 2015 at 7:21AM
Mine are loose from too much bleach. Even so, they're still on.
November 23, 2015 at 9:26PM
lot of haters on this forum, this is absolutely incredible
November 23, 2015 at 5:32AM, Edited November 23, 5:32AM
So folks are haters because the trailer DID NOT rock our socks off? I could understand if the opinions were unfounded, but seriously, this is like every other trailer GoPro and DJI, etc. makes.
November 23, 2015 at 7:21AM
Comparing a trailer shot by a small company from Wyoming to a trailer cut by a billion dollar company that has access to hours of amazing footage from users across the globe.
Yeah, makes sense.
Super unimpressive.
November 23, 2015 at 11:20AM
Could you please link me to a GoPro trailer that is as captivating as the one for The Fourth Phase? I'd love to see it.
November 23, 2015 at 11:38AM
......Yes... because beautiful 6K images shot on a $500k shotover 6-axis stabilized gimbal on beautiful cinema glass is the same a a GoPro promo. Oy vey.... The inability to discern truly amazing cinematography and next level content is painful. Oh and if I am wrong, please send me a copy of this amazing GoPro or DJI promo that you are referring to.
November 23, 2015 at 12:34PM, Edited November 23, 12:34PM
This is stunning :O
November 23, 2015 at 6:47AM
Brainfarm is seriously innovative when it comes to their technology and their art. A lot of people won't appreciate this cause they don't follow action sports but this is some amazing work. Its funny because they were the reason I got into filmmaking too.
November 23, 2015 at 10:34AM, Edited November 23, 10:34AM
Even on YouTube at 1080p it looks visually stunning!
November 23, 2015 at 11:01AM
Haters = Critics. Those who can't do critique. I would take them with a grain of salt. Logistics of doing action sports on top of mountains are hard, so yes, getting stunning footage is quite a feat in itself. Flying a helicopter in thin air requires more skill then most people have.
November 23, 2015 at 11:21AM, Edited November 23, 11:21AM
Not to mention that the air temp is prolly ZERO or less with the winds whipping around
November 23, 2015 at 3:10PM
Wow, every shot is incredible. Kudos.
November 23, 2015 at 1:52PM
It seems a lot of members are easily impressed.
November 23, 2015 at 5:05PM, Edited November 23, 5:05PM
Wow, looks like those snowboarders are on the verge of death in some of those shots. Holy crap.
November 23, 2015 at 5:28PM
So glad this is getting some attention in the filmmaking world! Thanks for sharing!
November 23, 2015 at 6:09PM
This was shot in 6K? It was Red cameras then? The color was fantastic whatever camera it was.
November 23, 2015 at 9:31PM
I never liked helicopter in the clean environment of wonderful white landscapes. They bring noise and dirt with them, threatening the animals that life there. For me it's a now go. At the same time they are filming the beauty they destroy it.
November 24, 2015 at 4:41AM
A helicopter is threatening life up on peaks where no plant life survives? Explain the logic please.
November 24, 2015 at 1:41PM
Chamois and Ibex, just to name a few. And how does a helicopter get in the snow loneliness ... it must fly over areas that is inhabited by these and other animals.
November 25, 2015 at 2:51AM, Edited November 25, 2:52AM
Please stay out of cars. They drive over ants EVERY DAY!
November 26, 2015 at 11:27AM
To be clear, I'm not trying to ridicule. I appreciate the respect for nature. I'm just saying, it's not like the Chamois are being sucked up into the propellers and massacred on spot. Surely there are other atrocities that require attention before noise complaints from the high peaks are addressed.
November 30, 2015 at 10:30PM
Great trailer. I've watched a few Brain Farm films and they are at the top of the game with this sort of action sports stuff.
Would love to see a 'behind the scenes' of how they got some of those shots.
November 24, 2015 at 11:52AM, Edited November 24, 11:52AM
Some pretty amazing shots, a virtual lack of anything meaningful from a human perspective apart from "Duuuude!". Oh and er Red Bull is really, really bad for your health.
November 24, 2015 at 12:25PM, Edited November 24, 12:25PM
The shot angle of the jump between the trees with no landing is $$$$
November 27, 2015 at 2:30PM
Can't wait for this. All the cinematography discussion is getting in the way of appreciating what will doubtless be some of the most cutting edge riding on the planet.
November 29, 2015 at 12:59AM