Chase Banking ad - Eldorado Canyon

Charles,

You were not bought off. They were trying to manage traffic on what was a very expensive film shoot. Moreover, they purchased a permit to be there.

I can't speak for you or anyone else, but I can tell you that I personally would feel pretty foolish, and rude, trying to climb through such an elaborate production.

Some of you are talking as though you own Eldo. You are paying guests in that park, and I can assure you that the permit that Chase paid to be there was much more expensive than the day pass that you paid.

Chase went above and beyond what was expected of them, by opening a thread to make the locals aware of their intentions in advance. In addition, unless I am mistaken, they made a donation to the Access Fund, which they were not obligated to do.

We need to keep situations like this in perspective so that we do not come off as antisocial hicks. Film shoots are a part of life. Be happy for Jane and her partner. They are local climbers who were given the opportunity to make some extra cash doing what we all love to do. It might be your good fortune next time.

Peace

Does this mean no for the chili cook-off?

I just read the other thread (Eldorado on Friday) and want to thank Ann for her foresight in recognizing Eldo, the climbers out that day, etc. It was neat, yet a little surreal, being out there watching some talented Boulder locals, riggers, and stage-hands that were involved in keeping concentration with a heli in their faces for hours. I agree wholeheartedly with Ken that we need to be more receptive and proactive (ie keep this in perspective) with corporate america entering the climbing world that we all dig. Besides, the ad is probably sparking rad memories for those around the world that are dreaming of a nice day in eldo. We're so damn spoiled.

Ken,

Film shoots may or may not be "part of life" and far too often, Big Business acts like it owns everything, buying off the little guy for handfuls of trinkets and beads. The fact is, we locals *do* own Eldo. Your tax dollars and mine go toward its funding and upkeep as well as the State Parks Pass most of us buy every year. Chase is certainly not a local company and their execs have even less cause to think they own the place than us locals.

HOWEVER, if Chase paid the State Park a reasonable sum to rent the Redgarden Wall for the day, my objections vanish. I hadn't seen any indication that that was the case until now. If they employed local climbers, made donations to AF, and so forth, so much the better. Bully for them.

On that note, any idea how much was paid? I realize that film shoots are inherently expensive and don't really care how much it cost Chase in total. I'm more interested in how much Eldo and AF received.

Brian: Yes, we're so damn spoiled.

Charles Danforth wrote:Ken, Film shoots may or may not be "part of life" and far too often, Big Business acts like it owns everything, buying off the little guy for handfuls of trinkets and beads. Chase is certainly not a local company and their execs have even less cause to think they own the place than those of us whos income tax dollars and annual State Park Pass purchases go toward its support. HOWEVER, if Chase paid the State Park a reasonable sum to rent the Redgarden Wall for the day, I have a lot less problem with the situation. I hadn't seen any indication that that was the case until now. If they employed local climbers and so forth, so much the better. On that note, any idea how much was paid? I realize that film shoots are inherently expensive and don't really care how much it cost Chase in total. I'm more interested in how much Eldo itself received. Brian: Yes, we're so damn spoiled.

Charles,

I don't understand your idea that Chase feels that they own everything. You made assumptions without having enough information. There is no professional filmmaking allowed in Eldo without a permit. I know this because I do this for a living and have worked in Eldo on several occasions.

I don't know exactly what their permit cost them, although it doesn't matter. The fact is that they paid for the "privilege" of shooting there. I can tell you that a production that size was very expensive. Ads like that can go into the hundreds of thousands of dollars or more - especially when you use a Director of Photography like John Seale. Read his list of movie credits.

Like I said before, They also made the effort to inform the climbing community of their intentions in advance, which they were in no way obligated to do, so I just don't understand your gripe. Do you post every route that you intend to do so that others know that you might be in their way? Of course you don't, so one could argue that Chase was more considerate than you and most other climbers, myself included.

And as I said before, you could have climbed into their production, but would you really feel comfortable doing so? I would no sooner do something that rude, as I would climb through you and your partner while in the middle of your pitch.

Cheers,

KC

I think it is really cool to see your home spot represented. I am sure alot of local folks are physched that it was done. does anyone know who the male climber was? he looks very strong and is very easy on the eyes

Jed Pointer wrote:I have to say I think this film is absolutely classic. 30 seconds go by like 2 or 3. Our own Brad Bond and Jane Sears in a climbing TV commmercial, in our own Eldorado Canyon, with helicopters and sh#t. What's not to like?

Agreed. What's not to like about using real, local climbers for an ad shot in our own Eldo Canyon? I'm just jealous that I didn't shoot it.

Ken, you're not reading my entire post and/or misinterpreting me. I didn't realize that Chase (or the ad agency) had done so many things "right". Now that we know that, I've withdrawn my objections. However, I stand by my comments that yes, in fact, we *do* own Eldo, or at least a part of it. Same as we own National Parks and so forth.

Charles Danforth wrote:Ken, you're not reading my entire post and/or misinterpreting me. I didn't realize that Chase (or the ad agency) had done so many things "right". Now that we know that, I've withdrawn my objections. However, I stand by my comments that yes, in fact, we *do* own Eldo, or at least a part of it. Same as we own National Parks and so forth.

No worries, Charles. I'm glad that I was able to shed some light on the situation.

As for owning the parks, I believe that we all should assume the role of stewards (ownership in the metaphorical sense), and contribute whenever possible toward their preservation.

EricR, as stated previously twice in this thread, the male climber is Brad Bond from here in Eldo. And yes, while he is a strapping, burly, hunk of mancandy.....he is married...to woman.

Hank,
What!? Bond...Brad Bond married? I guess what happens in hunting camp has to stay in hunting camp. And Eric...I'm jealous. Just for that I'm blowing off our hot yoga session on Sunday!!

I thought I saw an ATM on pitch 2

Brian Weinstein wrote:Besides, the ad is probably sparking rad memories for those around the world that are dreaming of a nice day in eldo. We're so damn spoiled.

True true. [Written from a tiny apartment in midtown Manhattan]

Hello people...that is probably the best footage of a climbing area I have ever seen in a TV ad....Sick heli flybys. Much better than the Mission Impossible dyno's on decaying rock or cutting the rope on your partner. Too bad she didn't have her instant bolt gun to drill some protection while hanging from one hand.

So what if she forgot to belay and brought her phone on the Yellow Spur, at least it didn't make us climbers look like a bunch of retards.

So sorry you had to change your plan for the day, fortunately for you there were over a thousand other routes in the near vicinity to climb.

Speaking of cool shots, we saw the IMAX piece on the Eiger this past weekend. Some really great filming on alpine alps climbs & also some shorts on geology, climate, & snow sense.

ken,

i agree that the film footage is sexy. you sound like a public relations employee of chase though.

one of my sole enjoyments in life is poking fun at the (mis)representation of climbing in mass media.

cheers

bwillem wrote:ken, i agree that the film footage is sexy. you sound like a public relations employee of chase though. one of my sole enjoyments in life is poking fun at the (mis)representation of climbing in mass media. cheers

Not an employee of Chase, but I make my living in the film industry, so I am trying to add some perspective from that point of view. I am also a climber, so I understand how such events can seem intrusive to certain climbers - all the more reason for some perspective.

Cheers,

KC

Hi everyone. I was going to post a link to the commercial but I see you're way ahead of me.

Glad you saw the finished commercial. Personally I think it shows people what incredible athletes you are and how great to do what you love in such dramatic proportions.

As it has been pointed out, the production obtained and paid for all permits, hired locals, and made a contribution to the Boulder County Search & Rescue (in case you ever need them).

We also acknowledged that the locals "do" have proprietary feelings for Eldo which is why we tried to work with, not against, the community. The local actors and riggers did an incredible job and they are one of the main reasons it looks so great!

Thanks again. Enjoy.

Ann
Location Manager
chasewhatmatters.com/