Chills AND thrills
Penticton man receives $5,000 to produce ice-climbing film for 2018 Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival
Dave Mai has not only discovered ice-climbing in the Okanagan but a way to break into the adventure film business.
The 28-year-old Penticton man moved to the Okanagan from Langley in 2001, but didn’t discover his new sport until last year. He was so fascinated that he applied for and recently received a $5,000 grant to produce an ice-climbing film. The grant from the Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival and partner Arc’teryx requires a 10- to 12-minute video to be presented at the 2018 film festival.
“The first time I went ice climbing was last year, so I kinda got pulled into the scene and this film came out of it. Ice climbing was really new to me and I was really inspired. I didn’t even realize that there was ice to be climbed in the Okanagan. So it was really intriguing when I found out that there was these formations that were happening,” he said in an interview.
“I started to talk to some of the people that I rock climb with and it turned out they ice climb too. So they started taking me out with them. I’m a film-maker; I’m always looking out for cool stories that are untold, and I saw potential in it.”
Mai started taking his camera along when ice climbing and getting footage. And then, the grant opportunity came along “and the next thing you know, I’m making an ice-climbing film,” he said with a laugh.
Mai decided to call his video Ephemera, which means “something significant that doesn’t last long, like drawing in the sand or painting with water. I thought that was a good name because it really represents the ice-climbing situation here in the Okanagan.”
To date, he’s worked on personal projects, a lot of sporting events, so he has an idea of what it’s like to film something like ice climbing.
“Of course, I’m a rock climber too, so I’m pretty comfortable with hanging from a wall or hiking ropes and all that stuff.”
Mai admits he has done enough shooting “to put something together, but I would like to film next winter as well because: why not, right? I don’t have to present the film until next February, so I want to make it the best I can because it’s an opportunity to break out into adventure film-making.”
He’s also working on the interviews and building a storyline since the film won’t be just about different climbs.
“Some people call it adventure porn, but I’m looking to build a compelling story around all the adventure footage, trying to create a connection with the characters I have in the film. So far, we have Adam Tutte who is from Kelowna and Jonathan Dean Urness of Kelowna.”
The narration is by Penticton spoken word poet Shane Koyczan, who rocketed to international fame with his We Are More performance at the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.
“We’re trying to create this poetic narrative to tie into the film as well: about emphemorality, working toward a goal and building your skills to conquer this one moment where you’re ready to ascend this huge ice pillar. Basically, the film is a metaphor for life. That’s an interesting process, lots of philosophical ideas I’m trying to project.”
However, it’s not all deep thoughts about the proposed film at the climb. “Usually when you are climbing, there is one thing on your mind and that is not falling off,” he added with a laugh.
“I like ice climbing because it is such a good escape from reality and it takes you out of your comfort zone. A lot of people work in this monotonous nine-to-five job. This is moments when you get to go out, experience these locations and hang out with your friends. You forget all about that nine-tofive. It’s kind of like a reset.”
Mai has a successful video and music production company, but has high hopes for Ephemera.
“The dream is to become an adventure film-maker. That wasn’t my dream originally, but you know, I’m a true believer in following your passion. And your passions change sometimes. And my next passion is adventure film-making.”
Mai admits the field is crowded but doesn’t see it as being competitive. “I like to collaborate with other people. I don’t see my competitors as competitors really, but as an opportunity to learn more or collaborate.” True artists yearn to “capture the moment,” he agreed.
Organizers of the mountain film festival will also help him get it into other festivals, “so it’s a great opportunity for me,” he said. “I’m really excited that I have this opportunity to work with Arc’teryx and Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival. And Arc’teryz even sent us a bunch of gear to wear for the film and that’s pretty awesome. Some highend stuff. It’s great.”