Interview with Thrills Spills and Chills director Boomer:

Question:  What was it like working on TSC? 

Boomer:  I know it sounds like a cliché, but it was truly amazing.

Q:  In what ways?

Boomer:  Just seeing all of the footage together, it was just like,

wow! You never see all of these fantastic images all at once like it is in TSC. Actually, I think this is the first time it’s been done on this level. 

Q: There have been other crash videos haven’t there?

Boomer:  Yeah, but they were all about one sport; Skateboarding, surfing, whatever.  I could be wrong, but I think this is the first time someone’s put together a compilation like this with all these different sports, with this level of athletes.

Q:  How hard was it to do?

Boomer:    Incredibly hard, one of the hardest films I’ve worked on. So much involved from the stunt tricks, the athletes - just huge. I can say for a fact, we had no idea how hard it was going to be to put this together.

Q:  It is an amazing film to watch, it’s like nonstop.

Boomer: Absolutely, we wanted it to take people on a real ride each time they watched.

Q: It’s pretty fun, although some of the crashes are pretty intense, was that intentional?

Boomer:  No, actually the opposite. We had some test screenings and we actually toned it down quite a bit. Especially, when some people walked out. 

Q:  Really? Why?

Boomer:  For some it’s the sight of blood, others, it’s just too painful. I

even got squeamish on some things during editing.

Q:  Would you say it was overkill?

Boomer:  No, I think an all crash vid is overkill, there’s only so much you can take. From the beginning, I said that it was a celebration of athletes, and how cool and tough action sports is. It wasn’t about the pain. That’s a given. I know we're going to get that. I wanted people to see just how big these guys go every day.

Q: It shows, there are some amazing stunts.

Boomer: These guys do the impossible. So much, that we take it for granted. You can call them cool, tough, brave, even idiots on some levels, but you can’t take away from who they are and what they have accomplished.

Q:  Why do you think they do it?

Boomer: We try and touch on that in the film, but basically each athlete has his or her own story. Having gone out and shot numerous people attempting difficult stunts and tricks, I think it’s all about personal best and less to do with the outside things.

Q:  Do you ever question anyone’s ability?

Boomer:  From time to time, you have to sit someone down and look him or her in the eye and see if it’s an ego thing or if they really have what it takes. I’ve sat a few people down.

Q: What’s the craziest thing you ever shot?

Boomer: That’s a tough one. I don’t know. I’ve walked away from a lot of shoots, thanking God everyone came out okay. A lot of guys don’t know this, but I had the number of the hospital and the location of first aid on me almost every time we went out. Nothing crazy just checked the phone book the night before or I had a first aid kit.

Q: What’s the toughest thing about doing a film like this? 

Boomer:  Getting these guys recognition for what they’re doing. Most guys are content with sponsorships, but some of these guys belong in record books and should be on the cover of Time Magazine for some of the stunts and tricks the're doing.  I have a new found respect for surfers; just hitting those twenty-foot swells is awe-inspiring. Laird Hamilton and those guy’s need a statue on the beach. Just looking out to the surf till the end of time, so people can hope to see what they are feeling every time they come in.