The Squallywood Clinic
New for the 2007/08 Winter Season
THE SQUALLYWOOD CLINIC
Ski-the-Book with Squallywood author, Robb Gaffney M.D.
[Squaw Valley USA] Squaw Valley USA is excited to announce that Robb Gaffney will lead a ‘ski-the-book clinic’, based on his book, Squallywood – A Guide to Squaw Valley’s Most Exposed Lines. A 200-page guide to the most technical lines at Squaw, Squallywood has been coined “the Squaw Valley bible,” and is largely recognized as the best ski resort guide ever written. The Squallywood Clinic will provide hard-core skiers and riders with the opportunity to ski the book - with the guy who wrote the book. In the Squallywood Clinic’s inaugural season, Robb Gaffney will lead two 1-day clinics on January 26, 2008 and March 8, 2008.*
“The goal of the Squallywood Clinic 2008 will be to provide participants an immersion experience of being film skiing/snowboarding stars for a day at Squaw Valley USA,” says Robb Gaffney. “Using the Squallywood book as a guide, we will tour the mountain, ski some of the lines, and have the opportunity to ride with some of the world renowned skiers and cinematographers who have helped Squaw develop its Squallywood reputation.”
A cinematographer will film the skiers/riders in the clinic, and piece together a summary of the day on DVD that will be included in the price of the Clinic. Local ski cinematographer, Duane Kubischta and local action sports photographer, Jason Abraham, will ski with the group and document the clinic. The filming and photo component provides Squallywood Clinic attendees with the opportunity to experience what it is like to set up for shots, and simulate being in a ski/snowboard movie.
Gaffney describes how the Squallywood Clinic will go down:
We will start the day with a general orientation and then begin with a quick tour of the mountain. Once the group members get to know one another and we assess the general experience and skill, we will let them decide where the filming and photography will start. A film cameraman and photographer will join us and share with the group their experience of working with various skier types, snow types, wind conditions, lighting, and camera angles. Then the group members become the athletes and the focus of the lens. They will assess their lines, communicate with everyone with radios, and fully experience the anticipation of getting the shot before calling out the classic ‘3, 2, 1 dropping.' The experience will be rich with excitement, fear, exhilaration, accomplishment, and the thrill of energy escalation that is inherent with any group film shoot.
The afternoon portion of the Squallywood Clinic will be spent surveying and dissecting Robb Gaffney’s favorite Squaw Valley lines, while the cameraman and photographer return to the base to put together the DVD and slideshow. The clinic commences with an après party where participants watch their day’s work on the DVD, and, in true Squallywood style, have a drink to celebrate lines skied, turns made, and a day they’ll never forget.
Robb Gaffney M.D. began studying the slopes of Squaw Valley when he was in college. He has been a featured skier in over 10 ski films including those of Matchstick Productions, Scott Gaffney Pictures and Omen Productions. He currently practices Psychiatry near the base of Squaw Valley. Anyone who has had the privilege of watching the doctor ski can attest to his remarkable ability to make the sketchiest, most unthinkable lines look as if they were put there for us to ski.
"Robb is the most talented, top level pro skier in the world that didn't become a pro skier," states professional ski icon, Shane McConkey. "He has skied every possible line at Squaw many times; [Robb] knows the mountain better than anyone except maybe his brother. He's not only a tremendous athlete, he's also has an MD in psychiatry - so he's smart too."
Squallywood Clinic cinematographer, Duane Kubischta has been filming and producing ski movies for the last three years with the company that he founded in Lake Tahoe, Adventure Film Works. His 2006 release, Hustle & Snow was featured in many different film festivals including the Banff Mountain Film Fest and the Squaw Valley Winter Film Festival where it won the Squally Award. His 2007 release, “Weather We Change,” focuses on how global warming will effect skiing and what skiers can do to help with the impending crisis. More information can be found on his website, www.AdventureFilmWorks.com.
Jason Abraham, Squallywood Clinic photographer, began shooting skiing and snowboarding a few years ago. Despite being relatively new to the bustling photography scene at Squaw Valley, Abraham has taken some of the best Squaw photos in recent years. Abraham’s photos from the epic 2006 season are featured throughout the 2nd Edition of Squallywood, including the book’s cover shot. Jason Abraham has a photography business, Elevated Image Photography and his work can be viewed on his website, www.elevatedimg.com.
Expert skiers and riders who are interested in signing up for the Squallywood Clinic should call 530-583-6985 or send an email to scowley@squaw.com. Gaffney’s book, Squallywood can be purchased online at www.squallywoodthebook.com.
The Clinic Squallywood:
Dates: Jan 26, 2008 & March 8, 2008.
*A third date may be added based on demand and conditions.
Guide: Robb Gaffney
Cinematographer: Duane Kubischta
Photographer: Jason Abraham