The COLD COAST Review, Obama's Failed Deflate Gate Joke, and the latest on Bruce Jenner.

One of the things about being a filmmaker is, you had better have thick skin. Because if you are anyway serious about your work, critics will see it and review it. Especially when you submit your movie.
And this I'm sure is true for all filmmakers. From the bottom of the barrel peons like me, to the top of the ladder like Scorsese. Every one has that moment of dread.

Will they like it? Or will they crucify me?

It's the risk you take if you want to get your product out there.
So I had been waiting for ESM to review my latest movie
The COLD COAST for the last two months.

When it came out this week, I was both relieved and happy.
Click on the image below to see a larger version.



Of all the reviews I've gotten over the years (I have 18 DVD's under the Surf Free Or Die label) this review hit the nail on the head. Nick got it right with my approach to making these local movies. And I
can't tell you how happy that made me.

I am not of the new school of filmmakers who make 3 minute clips showing a dozen or more airs with guys landing them and a soundtrack with a booming bass beat. That's not what I do. I love surfing for what it is. I love to watch empty waves peel by me.



Like this frame. That's my office at the end of the tunnel.

These images are all stills from the movie. It's the same in music. I have some great reviews and some not so great reviews. Music is a tough nut to crack. There is no rhyme or reason to it. It all boils down to the critic's taste.

They either like you or hate you.

If it's the latter it can get pretty brutal for those with sensitive feelings. Thankfully, I am not one of those. I am sensitive when the good reviews come out simply because it adds credos to your passion. That someone out there gets it, and sees your vision.

And as a multi media artist it is a wonderful feeling.



I am confident in the knowledge that we live in a true wonderland during certain times of the year. And winter is one of them. The movie is all about the Winter Storms that hit us the winter of 2014. Like this still from the movie. Sea smoke at sunrise is an amazing experience and I highly recommend it for anyone who lives here in the winter.



All natural formations formed by the weather. Look at this. I mean, you can't carve or shape something like this. Only the wind and the snow drifts can produce such natural art. It was so cold when I shot this, yet I couldn't pull myself away. I was fascinated by this image.

Same with this still. There was not a single branch or leave that was not covered in that brilliant white snow. Just mind blowing scenes.



I took this video of Jon Kiskinis as he went below me as I got sucked up the face. It was I believe the first time I was able to get this angle on video. I was using my GoPro. Check the guy way inside raising his arms in either a hoot and salute for Jon or hooting his own wave he just got. Either way, he is stoked.



I remember this swell. It was Winter Storm PAX. And it just so happened to fall on Valentine's Day. How fitting to have these pink and purple skies on Valentines Day. That glow on the water stayed with me for quite some time.



It was cold out there many of those winter mornings. Who cares.



Of course there's some insane waves that the boys had.
This is Perry Reynolds on the barrel of the winter.



The movie was a lot of work. But it's a labor of love.

I'm not sure how many of you know this, but I do everything myself. Shoot, edit, design the DVD box, and disc, do all the promo and handle the shipping. But mother nature provides the weather and the surf. And all of you local surfers provide the talent. The music is also provided by some local talent as well. QWILL has a bunch of tunes in this movie.

And the four surf shops on our NH seacoast are all great.

They help with the selling of these local products every year. A portion of the proceeds are going to the Wounded Warrior Project. I have a special connection with those guys. We run the Wounded Warriors HIT THE BEACH every summer, and once again, all four surf shops pitch in and provide all the gear.

My Veteran's post has the Tee Shirts and food and drink. But most of all it is all of you local surfers who I thank more than anyone else. You take time off from work and family, and volunteer to something special each year.

I have two new movies coming. "PR 2014" and "After The Deluge." The latter is all the footage I shot last summer. Including the paddles for Ed, JT, Alan, and Rick Savastano. The Cold Coast was in
memory of Ed and JT.

And "After The Deluge" will be in memory of Rick Savastano.

PR will be dedicated to the memory of Alan McGregor.

"Surfing and Surf Movies Heals All Wounds"