ok, so here's the story...and before i lay this all out, i'm going to say that the ski community is a huge gossip box, and that it isn't impossible that I recieved misinformation for whatever reason.
If that is the case, I would appreciate, and I'm sure everybody else on here would, if Ostness, Henrik, Steve Winter, Helly Hansen's promotion director, or anybody else who would be directly involved came on here to clear up the issue.
anyhow, in feb. or so i was told this by a friend who filmed with ostness and was part of the original TBC film, who will indefinately remain nameless due to the controversial nature of this.
the story goes: at the beginning of the season, TBC was lined up to make a second film, and began filming for it. they cut some of riders from the original film, and were going to make 'super pro' only film with 8-12 of the biggest names.
a little way into the season Steve Winter sat down with Helly Hansen to work out funding for the new MSP movie. Wanting more money for the film, Steve popped in a copy of Teddy Bear Crisis while with someone from Helly Hansen, and played the movie, counting the minutes and seconds of Helly Hansen product exposure and Oakley product exposure. All said and done, Oakley had more seconds of product exposure per dollar of funding contributed than Helly Hansen. Steve Winter explained to Helly Hansen that this was bullshit considering HH was TBC's presenting sponsor. HH also is the presenting sponsor for MSP's movie. Mr. Winter then told HH that no such discrepencies had occured in MSP's film, nor would such a thing happen in next years film. Explaining that MSP had much more promotional value to offer HH per dollar, Steve effectively convinced HH to withdraw from TBC as presenting sponsor, and rather to contribute the money to MSP instead.
Ostness, then struggling to find a presenting sponsor who could contribute as well as HH had, found TBC in a tight spot to be able have the neccessary funding in order to create a movie on the level of the original and still support himself.
Steve then offered Ostness more money than he could have made himself sans HH's funding, to film for MSP. Ostness, needing a for sure income and wanting to continue filming skiers for a living, accepted. This whole thing assured Winter more funding, more exclusiveness of the riders in his film (as MSP and TBC shared many of the same athletes), and effectively insured less competition when it came to DVD sales. This also effectively deprived us, the DVD consumers, of one of the most innovative film companies to come out in years.
Ostness is, as far I have heard, currently filming for MSP.
Like I said, if this is not what actually went down, I would like to hear it from someone directly involved. I for now believe it entirely, it would not be the first time Steve Winter pulled some bullshit to further his own cause at the expense of smaller and more creative film companies, who with proper funding would certainly out shine MSP; that, and this came from a reliable source.
Until I find out without a doubt that this isn't at all true, FUCK MSP.
Actually, either way, FUCK MSP, for the bullshit with Berman, and for holding back ski films in general by gobbling up massive amounts of sponsor $$$ and for gay sound tracks, gay editing, and gay business practices.
Ostness, you are too talented to not make your own films!
