Today, we find out why - and it was certainly worth the wait.
Pollards tenacity and ingenuity allowed him to overcome a trauma that would have permanently sideline most others.
If youre interested in ordering his book,the link can be found here.
Your latest film project, Drawn From Here, is set to release online in a few days.
Give us a little overview of the film and what its all about.
Its a difficult one for me to breakdown.
This project is very much about capturing skiing the way I see and experience it.
Yeah, I put everything into this film and book.
Im actually a bit embarrassed by how much time and effort it has taken.
This project, more than any, has blurred the line between passion and neurosis.
I regularly go all-in on projects, whether they are films, drawings, ski designs, etc.
It took three years to create.
Pagoda Inspiration and illustration - Photos: Nimbus
What was the process of putting together this film like?
Did you take on a lot of the editing yourself?
Its literally me working out of my cousins garage.
The process was really fulfilling.
I love to ski and capture it.
Thats really all this project is.
What was unique about this film, was the nature of what I had to say.
I wanted to show how I transpose inspiration from one world into different forms of output.
The film is all about connecting the dots for the audience.
I had a shot list of elements I needed to capture to do that.
I worked with two camera operators for the project; Jeff Wright and Zach Almader.
Jeff is a pro, and a DP in his own right.
I was able to teach Zach about photography, cinematography, and establish a style with him.
Now, at the end of this project, Zach is a pro.
Im very proud of him.
Working with cinematographers is everything.
Its making sure you are intentional, that you shoot with a reason.
Zach and Jeff were incredible to work with.
The samples were really difficult to find.
I had a lot I wanted to say, ideas I wanted to get across.
To do that, I required a lot of samples.
I crafted it into a defined story arc consisting of 3 acts.
Music is a big part of cinema.
Music is an opportunity to set the tone.
Ive created so many films and made so much music with a variety of people.
Shit, it has been one hell of a project.
It really has just been me, Jeff, and Zach.
Ideating, shooting, editing, trying things out, revising.
I didnt even attempt to keep track of the hours I put into editing this thing.
Maybe enough about that, I could go on and on about this project.
What I can say, is that I enjoyed the process of making the film.
What does it allow you to do that these other forms can’t?
Skiing is the basis for all the other mediums I do.
It is the root source of inspiration for my life.
Has that pain settled at all?
How much do you get to ski and snowboard these days?
I find that if Im focused on something, I can block out the pain.
Its all good, Ill take it.
I feel so lucky to be able to ski and to board.
The biggest problem is that hard snow hurts.
It just wrecks me.
I have to really choose my days on hard snow.
My family was absolutely crucial to my recovery.
They were the rock, the thing I could count on when everything else what out of my control.
You were always a ‘style’ guy, whose style are you enjoying watching these days?
I could go on and on.
I love watching different styles and approaches.
And then there are Legends in the sport who I still love to watch.
After all that you put into this project, were you nervous to debut it?
How did it feel to receive such a positive reaction that evening?
I was super nervous.
To be honest, I dont like to show my films at premieres.
I like to watch others films, but showing my stuff is difficult.
In that way, art shows and film premieres can be tough for me.
I was anxious, and a bit self-conscious when we showed Drawn From Here.
The standing ovation blew me away, I think I will remember that for the rest of my life.
For anyone who was there that night, thank you, that meant so much to me.
I didnt even know how to react, I was speechless.
Tell us aboutthe bookthat you are releasing alongside this project.
The book is a way to elaborate on the film and some of the subjects I touch on.
In the book, I was able to get a bit more granular.
Whats in store for you this winter?
Can we expect more content from you and Nimbus?
I think Ill take a bit of time away from cinematography to recharge the batteries.
Im definitely going to work on some new ski designs.
Pollard’s ultimate canvas?
Snow - Photo: Jamie Walter
