The Cutoff is a crusade against the mundane. A rebellion of sorts.
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This project began with a simple question: what would happen if we brought the same passion, the same resources, and the same respect usually reserved for elite performances, and directed it toward the very final finishers?
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Nearly a year since we started filming, what has emerged is nothing short of inspiring.
Can’t wait to share this one.
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Directed by @spiritofdylan
Edited by @brooksupham
Captured by @drewbdarby@africacameraman & @spiritofdylan
Presented by @aravaiparunning
Executive Producer @jamilcoury
Produced by @somocollective.co
Color/Graphics @alteregopost
Sound TMSOUNDHOUSE
7/31/24 CT Day 22
Up at 6:15, hiking by 6:45. Was pretty nervous most of the day at the amount of food I had left to make it 3 days, 75 miles. Very hungry all morn, feeling a bit weak and all I could think about was food. I put in some sermon podcasts to pass the time. When I hit 20 miles I sat down to sort my food and ration it for the next 3 days. I’d never starved to death before so I didn’t think I would die, but it was gonna be uncomfy. I sat there on that log for awhile thinking, a lot about her and how I miss her and how hard this is, not just this hike but this hike without her, and how my shadow lined up with a pinecone on the ground for my right eye and a twig for my nose. I sat there for awhile, locking eyes with my shadow, feeling hungry and missing her. I got up and packed my things, walked down to the segment end and trailhead where a middle-aged man was waiting to resupply 2 hikers I’d passed. I hoped silently he would somehow give me food. I think I said a quick prayer. I chatted with him for a bit before joking that “I hope I make it to Durango!” “Do you need anything?” He asked and I sheepishly admitted I didn’t have much food. He gave me a Mountain House and some other snacks and I gratefully took them. Dave. Really cool guy. 23ish miles today I’d guess. Sat out in the meadow by my camp after dinner and watched a lone deer come drink at a watering hole in front of a distant mountain range. It stared at me for a while before going back into the trees.
This story was a fun one to piece together for the boys at @somocollective.co and I’m pretty stoked for the full thing to come out soon! It left me with the feeling of having more questions about life than answers, but in a hopeful way. Go join the SoMo community at the link in their bio to stay in the loop about this and future films they release!
A film by @sodstudios
Featuring @badgirl_ryry
Directed and shot by @spiritofdylan
Edit & color by yer boy 👍🏼
Produced by @spiritofdylan Erik Varas and Joe Holway
Last fall, @rachelhebaus let me chase her around the mountains with a camera and shared some thoughts about running. Here are some bits from a longer (but not much longer) piece about the absolute joy of movement in pretty places! It’s in my bio 🔗
One morning, I passed an old man as I was walking through a tall aspen forest. The air was fresh and cool and the morning sun was seeping through the tree tops and bouncing around off the leaves. The man was ambling slowly to match the peacefulness. As he noticed me, he stepped off the trail and told me to pass him because he was going slow. I saw he was holding a camera and asked what he was shooting. He replied “Oh, whatever the light shows me.” “Great day for it!” I called over my shoulder as I passed, then I smiled and rolled my eyes - what a funny pretentious answer. A few minutes later, I caught myself. He had a beautiful point. I want to learn how to be moldable and redirected.
Here’s a teaser snippet of a longer project I shot and edited for @street2life recently.
Sitting here trying to find the words to describe this feeling of awe and hope. I guess I am simply grateful. That I get the privilege of being let in to the quiet tender parts of people’s lives, and seeing there is light even in the darkest places. I’m thankful for Michael and his willingness to share his story and it will never be something I take for granted. It is work like this that truly inspires me to keep making things!
Full piece will be out later this year:)
Looking back on warmer weather in my favorite corner of Colorado with @when_life_gives_you_lemmons . Still convinced we found the fountain of youth with that clear crik.
