Lone Wolf Productions - Graham Agassiz...Need I Say More?

Dec 6, 2011 at 23:01

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www.lonewolfproductions.ca
It's been an interesting season following Aggy around and watching him ride. Each time we shot it felt like I had a different rider on my hands. One day he's chilling out dirt jumping, next he's super energized hiking trails over and over again, and another he's a fierce competitor riding in the world's biggest mountain bike contest. While some people might think this is some sort of a mental disorder, I think it boils down to Graham being a fun loving guy, with the knowledge that while riding bikes is exhilarating, it is also his job. I deal with many professional riders and not many have the foresight Aggy has. I often hear him refer to his "career" as a mountain biker, which is not something you hear many riders say. What looks to be a roller coaster ride of a life to some is infact a carefully planned out set of career moves timed out to build his exposure and personal brand equity. That's right, I said brand equity, because after all Graham Agassiz is essentailly a brand that companies use to help sell their products and promote their companies. Aggy knows this, so he utilizes and builds his name more every season, and we couldn't be happier to have been a part of the Aggy show this year. In this instance he is promoting Bell Helmets, who are the sponsors of this section. Make sure to check out their website for affordable, quality helmets for every faset of riding.

For this section we shot for roughly 4 days through out the season. Aggy wanted a well rounded section that would really showcase his ability to ride many different disciplines, so we decided on shooting some dirt jumps, a day of trail, and some contest footage at Crankworx. It was great to be working with Graham as a lot of this section was actually shot early in the season when I was still relatively green with my camera equipment, and his consistency on a bike allowed me to play around with different angles, and learn as I shot. A big thanks goes out to Graham for working Lone Wolf into his extremely busy schedule, and we wish him success on his other ventures. Make sure to check him out in the new movie Inside Out, and the much anticipated Strength In Numbers.

If you liked the photos in this article make sure to check out TNL Photography here: tnlphotography.com

For early releases and more updates make sure to like us on facebook or follow us on twitter @lonewolfteam

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71 Comments

Score Time

+ 20

Nobble (Dec 7, 2011 at 9:51)

Since when did "edit" replace the word "video"?

Does anyone else dislike this change? I think it sounds hipster "no, i dont make videos. I produce edits"

+ 12

Lone-Wolf-Productions (Dec 7, 2011 at 10:04)

Talk about being bogged down in semantics

Nobble (Dec 7, 2011 at 10:05)

Not really, it's just a change i've noticed...

andybob (Dec 7, 2011 at 10:47)

I don't find it annoying - perhaps some use it interchangeably and are trying to sound cool, but to me, it can mean a specific use of footage for these shorter videos. With digital film, you can get hours of footage that might turn up in several places.

nathanlawrence (Dec 7, 2011 at 11:20)

Or an EDIT is a string on videos fused together...........

MXRacer58 (Dec 7, 2011 at 11:31)

To me an edit means a short or a teaser length video. A video would be a full on production such as Inside Out

hillatoppa (Dec 7, 2011 at 11:51)

Yeah it's bullsh*t ain't it. Edit is a verb. A film is something put together by the process of editing... but anyhoo.
BTW Aggy rocks, just blows up sh*t when he rides. Blasting around all over the place yet soooo smooth. Loved it!!!!

DARKSTAR63 (Dec 8, 2011 at 18:09)

lol

austens (Dec 9, 2011 at 13:18)

how bout all the teenagers who begin their crappy "edits" with a 'production' company name and logo? haha. it kills me every time........i hope the word "edit" will get replaced with my favorite pseudo word for "video": snippet. hey, have you seen my latest snippet tape on youtube? search for 'backyardboyz productions'

nathanlawrence (Dec 13, 2011 at 8:44)

@austens

phaggot

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+ 19

chalky (Dec 7, 2011 at 2:00)

Yeh boy, hands down favourite rider.

viccityburner (Dec 7, 2011 at 9:42)

Is everything from kamloops filmed in the summer or is it always either dry or snowed in?

+ 11

VTwintips (Dec 7, 2011 at 14:08)

Lone Wolf Production is for all the right reasons, but the colors in the edits are soooo f*cking ugly. I suppose it is just the kind of camera though. Everything seems sort of bland that way. Could it also have to do with the time of day for filming? Whereas Seasons, or even most of NWD has that crisper video going on. In saying this, I am also saying that I hold Lone Wolf to be in the same quality as Seasons, so that should be taken as a compliment. I am just voicing a repeated frustration that I have. Does anybody else share this with me?
Don't get me wrong, the edits are good and all - the riding is amazing, and some of the shots are even somewhat artsy, but even a gopro in winter can get a better picture. I would think this is done on Final Cut Pro or some other good editing program. I am sure you can adjust contrast with it in some way. I am no expert. I only have an eye for what I like to see, and I am trying to say what I think the difference is.
P.S. This is meant to be completely constructive.

Here is the kind of thing I am talking about: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sS8uRfDpDxE&feature=related

+ 11

Lone-Wolf-Productions (Dec 7, 2011 at 16:13)

Hey VTwintips, thanks for the comment. You nearly hit the nail on the head here. The drab colour you speak of is a combo of things. One was that a lot of this was shot early in the year before I got my better lenses, which effects the colour. Second is unlike many of the big film companies I don't usually have several days to shoot with a rider, so if it's overcast I have to make the best of it. Lastly colour correction may be something we should spend a little more time on. Thanks for the suggestion I'll look into it. Also, to see someone say they put me anywhere near the same category as Seasons or NWD is a huge compliment for me especially since I have been shooting for under a year. Thank you so much! Hope you keep watching and thanks for the constructive criticism.

danhillracer (Dec 7, 2011 at 17:09)

Is it just me or does that kona sound like it's falling apart?

VTwintips (Dec 7, 2011 at 18:39)

There is no doubt I am going to keep watching. The name says it all. Lone Wolf Productions lets me know that there is absolute shredding. Good luck with the color correction!

LTmtb (Dec 7, 2011 at 19:11)

@VTwintips - I can definitely see what you're talking about, but I'll have to disagree. The blandness does take a little away from the video in the last jumps section, but what can you expect, all the dirt is the same color and it in the shade. As for the Cranworx part, the colors were not a issue at all. For the trails section, it was pretty brown overall but I think that helped the mood of the video and showed us what the forest was like. In general, I think color editing is way overused (NBC). The example you gave was very overdone. If you have stuff like that for a couple seconds it's cool, but I would hate to see every second of every bike video look that unnatural. And I'm not verbally attacking you or anything, just stating my opinion like you were.

VTwintips (Dec 8, 2011 at 14:17)

LTmtb. Obviously the crankworx sections is fine. It is not like you can choose the conditions to film in on an event. As for the dirt jumping. I agree - everything looked really white and dull to me. I think it is the camera. Is anything really that dull and bland? Its more vibrant in Vermont even.

I personally am not colorblind. I see everything in vibrant colors, and go wooah, thats real, and beautiful. Overdone is not a good word, more done realistically. I am also an artist - a painter, besides other mediums. I guess from what you are saying, it is in reality dull in boring in the woods out there where this is filmed. But look at the pictures of my dirt jumps even. That has the worst lighting ever and its in a forest after the leaves have already fallen off. What did I do? I photographed the interesting stuff. Green opposites red, so I used it to my advantage. Its a matter of filming, and where you point the camera. If you point it into the sun, the contrast is going to be little to none. (Such as that picture thats going to win POY), but that was on purpose. Larocke also does it on purpose in his shots against the sunset. The shots from Lone Wolf are not artistic, they are by accident.

In my opinion one of the best colors in a segment ever was Claw's segment from the Collective. All mist, all shade. But it works because the sun doesn't come through and disrupt everything like the contrast. As a result you have vibrant colors. You have to film at certain times of the day if you want to be a good filmer in my opinion. Larocke does this. Lone Wolf is working on it. You can't say something is overused if it makes it better, and more lifelike. (Unless your Amish).

I am verbally attacking you. Again it is constructive though and opinionated.

Also. I am not a photographer. I used the example of my dirt jumps because of coincidence, and something that I have noticed. I think my photos are awful. I'm just saying, think of the colorwheel.

LTmtb (Dec 8, 2011 at 18:17)

That was kind of my point though, that there wasn't much contrast because of the location. Woods are woods. I agree that making really good videos requires shooting at certain times of day, but Lone-Wolf said that they only have riders for a couple days and they have to make the most out of what they get.

VTwintips (Dec 8, 2011 at 19:15)

Yes, but I think it has to do with not letting so much light into the shot. The light needs to come from behind the camera, and shouldn't be in the picture at all.

LTmtb (Dec 9, 2011 at 18:09)

You really don't know what you're talking about . . . or was that last comment just a brain fart?

VTwintips (Dec 9, 2011 at 19:33)

i dont really know what im talking about. I'm no nothing about filming really. but the light should not be from behind the rider obviously else everything will be black and white more or less.

LTmtb (Dec 10, 2011 at 9:56)

You definitely don't wan't all the light to come from behind the rider unless you want a silhouette effect, but mountain biking is outdoors, there's light all over. Plus light is like information. To a certain point, more light is more information that you can edit and control in post production to get the effects that you are so fond of.

[Reply]

neondion (Dec 7, 2011 at 8:54)

Aggy is a great guy as well as a great rider, he always gives his time to chat to anyone and still gets excited talking about biking. The lone wolf guys are fast becoming one of the best teams in photo and vids around. Good to see Kamloops still on the map after all these years from Tippe, Wade,and Matt to Aggy, Ian, and Dylan. Not to forget the writer of this article Matt Brooks shreds as well,Kamloops still rules when it comes to trails and riders.

[Reply]

MikeLadurner (Dec 8, 2011 at 0:58)

Aggy is a great shredder. Lone Wolf Productions is a top video maker and the locations are just perfect.
There's just one thing i don't like. This big helmet makes the body looking alot smaller. Like a kid or something.

Even with this helmet. top edit (or video..)

Lehel-NS (Dec 8, 2011 at 2:41)

Yeah, that's possibly the only thing that makes MX helmets (i think that it is an MX helmet he wears?) stupid.... their size.

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LTmtb (Dec 7, 2011 at 18:45)

So sick! Lone Wolf and Aggy never disappoint. Just one question: Are those two different Kona Entourages from different points in the season or does he have one set up for trails and one for slopestyle?

Lehel-NS (Dec 8, 2011 at 2:38)

I think that the black one is for slopestyle. It has the Vivid Air shock, and possibly some other lighter parts?

LTmtb (Dec 8, 2011 at 9:00)

They both have Vivid Airs but I think you're right.

Lehel-NS (Dec 8, 2011 at 12:51)

Oh yes, I haven't noticed that in the video... now when I looked at the large sized pictures I see it.

Also the black one has smaller disc rotors.

BrantHavro (Dec 11, 2011 at 20:56)

the silver one was when kona first produced it as a prototype I am pretty sure and the black one is his most recent one they gave him. I remember when it first came out on pink bike as prototype it was all raw and aggy was riding it. could be wrong but thats what i think

[Reply]

pedroa (Dec 7, 2011 at 5:29)

Graham Agassiz is for sure my favorite rider and Lone Wolf Productions edits are always awesome, so nothing bad to say ! Awesome video !!! sick riding, sick bike, sick edit...

Dhracer97 (Dec 7, 2011 at 6:55)

No...... you need not say more, His unreal style and sick flo says it all Wink

pedroa (Dec 7, 2011 at 14:05)

for sure !!!

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bretttippie (Dec 7, 2011 at 18:55)

Graham kills it! He is such an amazing rider. He's been going big for a long time now and has wicked style. Really friendly and a cool, chill dude. I've bombed some 50 mph runs with him on the snowboard too. But mostly I like his Toyota truck donuts and slashs. ha ha Go Aggy and Lone Wolf!!!!

[Reply]

DHmental (Dec 7, 2011 at 9:28)

Sweet video, so talented rider. Liked the music too, better than the usual pop music.

[Reply]

criscokid25 (Dec 7, 2011 at 8:41)

Yeah Bro! Kamloops on point!

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BeardlessMarinRider (Dec 7, 2011 at 12:02)

Graham has such a smooth and effortless style- love it!

His bike sounds like a bag of spanners over every bump though Smile

[Reply]

epavichthesavage (Dec 7, 2011 at 1:23)

Slap skis on your bike and you're good my friend

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Lone-Wolf-Productions (Dec 7, 2011 at 12:10)

If you want to see more of the band Van Damsel check their facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/vandamsel1

[Reply]

RideBikess (Dec 7, 2011 at 6:03)

Awesome video guys! i love aggy style! posted

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bbeaudoin (Dec 7, 2011 at 16:49)

Good riding... Terrible song for the style of riding in my opinion

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surgesunday (Dec 7, 2011 at 18:07)

Takes a whole minute to start actually watching the video! PLAY the video already! jezzz

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stinkysam (Dec 7, 2011 at 13:13)

Great video and great riding, enjoyed watching it Wink

-Pause the video at 3.10.......if it was better quality it would be a sick shot

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bobby-owen (Dec 7, 2011 at 16:15)

home work can always wait

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boneyard (Dec 6, 2011 at 23:43)

Awesome video! makes me wish my bike wasn't put away for winter

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surgesunday (Dec 7, 2011 at 18:23)

It takes a full minute before you actually see any ridding video. PLAY the video already!!!!

Fav rider hands down

[Reply]

biker-Boy808 (Dec 7, 2011 at 8:54)

The Shaun White of biking. Do you use conditioner?

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mstokman (Dec 7, 2011 at 19:59)

i cant wait to go back to the bike ranch again next year. rode there on a cloudy rainy day and it was still super fun!

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singletrailrider (Dec 7, 2011 at 4:14)

Sick rider indeed! It`s so good when you see how he progressed through years of riding watching old biking movies.

[Reply]

starcbiker (Dec 7, 2011 at 8:32)

one of my favorite riders, so so much style

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nate15rands (Dec 7, 2011 at 20:01)

every lone wolf edit is f ing amazing :p keep em coming through the down season!

[Reply]

fernamdinho (Dec 7, 2011 at 16:44)

As bikes da Kona agora e muito estilozas neh Eu gostei mais da preto com delates verdes q ele anda com uma nesse video

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martinez (Dec 7, 2011 at 1:24)

Nice flying!
Want to take bike and go out for ride.

[Reply]

cycad (Dec 9, 2011 at 5:41)

keep up the good work....

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freerydscott (Dec 8, 2011 at 9:03)

Killer vid. First section is on my favorite 'loops trail.

[Reply]

biker560 (Dec 8, 2011 at 16:31)

im gonna goo ride now soooooooo see ya!

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DONKEE (Dec 7, 2011 at 11:19)

That manual...

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seasonfreerider (Dec 7, 2011 at 11:25)

Sick rider, Sick flow, Sick style and the same bike for every discipline!

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RGUIGZ (Dec 7, 2011 at 12:14)

good riding smooth and engaged

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johnmorrison (Dec 7, 2011 at 9:48)

well rounded rider...

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lornny (Dec 7, 2011 at 15:04)

aww yea aggy! the sickest

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pit74 (Dec 7, 2011 at 2:33)

sick rider Smile

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PMDH47 (Dec 7, 2011 at 2:05)

nice

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austens (Dec 9, 2011 at 13:10)

day-um!

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stiancu (Dec 7, 2011 at 3:21)

sick sick sick

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T10irons (Dec 7, 2011 at 4:49)

Throwing some steeezz!

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jakemonk (Dec 7, 2011 at 8:23)

PLANET!

Such a sick edit! Can't wait to see the next Smile

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Checkers (Dec 7, 2011 at 15:19)

Graham rips!

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