FEAR AND LOATHING IN RED LODGE: TGR invades small town to complete the Dream
CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS FROM RED LODGE!
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE TEASER!
We roll into town at 5 p.m., a few beers away from being anywhere close to the same level as the rest of our crew. Our car is overflowing with gear—skis, snowboards, biking stuff, bikinis, camping gear—because who knows where, or if, we’ll sleep.
Never having been in Red Lodge before, and neglecting to make the appropriate calls, the town seems simple enough—a main street with some bars and shops. As soon as we hop out of the car, an orange flash streaks by on the side street. OK, “flash” might be an exaggeration. It was more of a “thud, splurt, clink” mixed in with some “yos” and bros.
Some questions arise: Where did this truck come from and why is it here? Why are 15 of the biggest big mountain skiers, snowboarders and freeriders jammed in the back? And, more importantly, what on earth are they wearing?
Here’s the condensed version. Back in 1989, the boys who founded TGR, Dirk Collins, Steve Jones, Todd Jones and Cory Gavitt, loaded up a beat-down, bright orange pickup and headed to Jackson. For the next 10 years, the "Dream" survived, carrying whoever needed a ride to wherever they needed to go – generally the Stagecoach Bar in Wilson or Teton Village. This winter, to celebrate TGR's 10th year, the Dream was resurrected and spruced up (translation: got a new sticker and tune-up) to star in its first ski film. This weekend is its big moment—the truck is here to star in the intro of next year’s TGR flick, Tangerine Dream.
Back in Red Lodge, we’re roaming the streets in search grub and refreshments when a guy comes out of a dark bar to tell us about a party that night at the Chateau Rouge. It’s a pool party and apparently Micah Black’s been handing out flyers to all of Red Lodge. Down the street, where apparently the men haven’t seen anything but horses, cows and other men for awhile, the patrons look at us just a bit funny, finally asking if we were with the film crew in town. “Oh yeah, they’ve been in here,” the bartender adds. We receive similar questions and comments at the toy store, the breakfast place, the hotel—all the same questions and comments – in just a day and a half, it was clear an impression had been made.
When you bring an act into this town, you want to bring it heavy. Don't waste any time with cheap shucks and misdemeanors. Go straight for the jugular. Get right into felonies.
- Raoul Duke, Fear and Loathing – 1971
On this day, the athletes are starting to film their individual intro segments. In each segment, someone is rescued from their mundane job, everyday burdons or even a tragedy by the TGR Dream. The skiers and snowboarders worked with producers to come up with characters and costumes that parody their personalities or everyday lives. Some segments, like Sage washing dishes before reaching his ‘TGR Dream’ are pretty true to life, others (like the random lemonade stand) are just for fun.
The details are quarantined until September, but here’s a preview:
- Chris Collins was almost run out of town by an angry, big cowboy for "being a bum".
- Peter and Michael Olenick did their best to share the steez and dress Marvin up as a gangster.
- Sage Cattabriga-Alosa stopped by a restaurant to pretend to wash dishes and ended up getting his hands wet (the real dishwasher was being fired as they walked in).
- Erik Roner, who this season survived the 50/50 base jump, almost lost it all in a near tragic lemonade stand accident.
- The Rip Brothers, Dana Flahr and Ryan Oakden, pretended like their stonewashed denim outfits were costumes (we know better, you crazy Canadians).
- Skogen Sprang was forced to evacuate nearly choking to death on smoke bombs.
- Ankles were sunburnt, Karina Hollekim smiled a lot, the intern was worked, dollies were moved and moved and moved, and lots of 16mm was shot.