Ripe Surfing

After working on some of the most hyped and successful surf films of all time Matt is taking another step forward with a new production company started by Bruce and Andy Irons. Hear about their first surf movie and his experience working for Poor Specimen…

Ripe: How did you get involved in making surf films?
Matt: I got my start in surf film making when my father bought our families first high 8 camera. I quickly made it mine and had it with me down at the beach filming my friends and other guys out in the water. I made friends with the local crew of ammeter surfers and made my first film for my senior project in high school. I had some friends that knew Taylor Steele and ended up getting him to my cheesy premier at a local restaurant. Taylor ended up offering me an internship, then a year later a job, then 5 years later, a management position for Poor Specimen. I had a blast working for Taylor and really regard him as my mentor, professor, and friend. All those years acted as film school for me.

I had a blast working for Taylor and really regard him as my mentor, professor, and friend.

You have worked on some of the most hyped and anticipated surf films over the last 5 years, what film have you been most proud of and what has been the most commercially successful?
My favorite films I have worked on would be Campaign 2, Trilogy, and the Drive Thru’s. Trilogy and Campaign were a blast because of the involvement of all the surfers. These films shipped me all around the world and it was important for me to be a part of the films from start to finish. The Drive Thru’s are the most amazing experience. You don’t realize how cool of a project a Drive Thru is until you get home and have time to reflect on what you have just done. When you arrive home you think to yourself, “I just circle navigated Europe, Africa, and New Zealand!”. From a commercial success prospective, Campaign 2 was the most successful.

Describe the best filming session that you’ve had (in terms of getting clips) and what has been the best move/barrel/sequence that you’ve missed while filming?
The best session I had filming was back in 2006 in Mundaka, Spain. Myself and Andy Irons were staying together in France for the WCT and the word on the street was that Mundaka was going to be going off the next morning. We loaded up the car and made the three hour drive at 4:00 am. When we showed up it was pumping! The only problem was that the entire top 44 had the same idea we did and it was packed. It ended up being the most action packed session I have ever filmed. Every wave was Kelly Slater, Bruce Irons, Joel Parkinson, Occy, and many others.

Bruce’s wave was way to thick and too fast to make but as I turned away he came flying out and I missed it.

This session also made for the worst missed wave I have ever had. Bruce Irons took off on a heavy one and I sat there filming his barrel for a solid ten seconds when I made the call to swing out the back and film his brother, Andy, on a set. Bruce’s wave was way to thick and too fast to make but as I turned away he came flying out and I missed it. Let’s just say he was not happy with me! It’s all good now, he must have forgiven me seeing he asked me to run his production company. It took a few months though.

What were the reasons for starting Irons Productions and who is involved?
We started Irons Brothers Productions for a few reasons. We wanted to start something new and fresh. Both Andy and Bruce were passionate about documenting their lives for the next five years. There were certain things we wanted to do in the surf film world that wasn’t being done in other films the boys were involved in. There is one way to have 110% creative control in a film, make it yourself!

The first feature, Dude Cruise is about to be released…..what can we expect (You’ve stated that the movie takes a different direction from the standard 2 minute chop up of years of logged footage)?
Dude Cruise has the fast surfing that we all love, but it has much more. You get to see the DC surf team; Bruce Irons, Dane Reynolds, and Ry Craike, being themselves. We wanted to make a funny surf film that gave all the athletes personality. A lot of surf films coming out these days have such a serious connotation. We wanted to bring the fun back to surf films. I think this film is very well rounded!

How did Bruce, Ry & Dane feel being filmed out of the water?
The boys were a little camera shy for the first few days but warmed up to hit as time went on. Greg Browning is a master of capturing the funny stuff that you have to get on the fly.

What kind have things have you brought into the project to make sure it meets the high levels set by DC’s skate films?
There are many things we have done to make sure this film can stand up with other DC films. Everything from an amazing cast, to soundtrack, to camera equipment. We mean business at Irons Brothers Productions and come to make the best film out ever time.

What do you see for the future of Surf Films and how they are viewed & distributed?
The future of surf film making is production value. I feel that it is time to bring Hollywood production value to surf films. Helicopters, new camera rigs, and creative ideas. We have a film being proposed that will just this. Stay tuned for what we have up out sleeve. The surfing film industry has grown immensely since Taylor Steele first pioneered commercial surf films. The sky is the limit!

To find out more about Irons Bros Productions and their upcoming release, check out:
Irons Bros Productions Website
Dude Cruise Website