On Thursday, Wyoming-based extreme sports production company, Teton Gravity Research's (TGR) newest film will show in Anchorage at three screenings at the Bear Tooth Theatrepub in Spenard. The latest creation from TGR chronicles Alaska's enormous 2011-2012 snow season, with a light dusting of the state's history and social evolution. The film, titled to reflect the sentiments of the TGR team, is called "The Dream Factory" in honor of Alaska and her glorious bounty of never-ending winter magic.
TGR has been making extreme snow-sport documentaries for more than a decade. Over the last 16 years, TGR has made a point of venturing north to Alaska in search of pristine mountains and clean lines -- in short, the best skiing and snowboarding the planet has to offer.
Much of "Dream Factory" was shot in Alaska during the snowy winter of 2011-12 and depicts "the history and modern progression of freeriding in Alaska." TGR explains:
And a "dream" it is. The trailer is out of this world -- inspiring and supple natural beauty mixed with blips of Alaskan history, leaving a film that Alaskans can relate to. And, for everyone else, the mention of incredible steeps, ridiculous tricks and titanic powder will cause salivation for most skiers (and snowboarders), no matter how bad their cottonmouth may be. And then there's the home-spun, dubstep(ish) soundtrack, complete with historical narrative voice over. You just can not beat this trailer ... check it out ...
"Dream Factory" may be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, considering the historic winter bestowed upon snow worshipers in Alaska last year. Who knows if we'll ever see another one like it, but at least we have excellent visual proof that it happened.
Along with footage from Valdez, Haines, Anchorage, Whittier, the northern Chugach Mountains and Girdwood, "Dream" also features shots from Jackson Hole, Wyo., and British Columbia, Canada.
Thursday's Bear Tooth screenings are a fundraiser for Challenge Alaska, an organization that strives to enrich the lives of disabled Alaskans through sports and recreation.
The first screening begins at 5:30 pm, the second at 8 pm and a third at 10 pm. The film is not yet rated; running time is approximately 90 minutes.
General admission is $15 at the door, but there are seats in a "limited reserved VIP" section available for $25 each. To purchase tickets in advance for any of the three showings click here or visit the Bear Tooth box office.
For more on Challenge Alaska, their mission and their services click here.