We're all looking for something different when it comes to ski movies, and the same format year after year gets old. That's where Optic Zipper Pictures come sin. Step into their world, and you'll see where the new wave of the ski filming industry is heading. Optic Zipper Pictures (OZP) is not your average ski film production company, and they are looking to prove it frame by frame.

Check out the Subaru big mountain comp film produced by OZP:

Jackson Hole finals 14 mgs.


OZP crew season in review 14 mgs.


Erik Bakst is the founder and producer/director of OZP. Bakst hails from Denver, Colorado and has been active in the film industry for 6 years now. Bakst graduated from film school in Boulder, Colorado shortly after the new millennium and quickly got himself involved with film work in the ski industry as well as commercial and feature film work. Bakst had a passion for film and it showed with his determination and drive. His first production, Lucky Stiff, was a feature film and had nothing to do with skiing. In fact it was a whacked out combination of the cult flicks Evil Dead and Office Space.

With some success with his screenings Bakst took the next step and decided to dedicate a winter to ski filming. That same year Bakst approached Powder magazine with some creative ideas and they struck a deal. Bakst signed on to film and produce ski movies of big mountain competitions as well as some other side projects.

"They were very supportive, I can't say enough about the quality of the people over there (Powder)", said Bakst.

Optic Zipper's base is the US Freeskiing competitors and people who follow big mountain skiing. In the winter of 2005-2006, OZP traveled around the country to film various big mountain competitions and poured all his energy into documenting the events in new and compelling ways. The films were published on the Powder Magazine website and got rave reviews from viewers across the country.

The success from the 05-06 season catapulted OZP and got them some much needed respect and exposure within the industry. So, what separates OZP from the rest of the competition?

Their focus is to get the most updated material out there, and not wait until the following Fall to release something that was filmed several months prior.

"We try to focus on sending coverage of events directly to those who want to see it but are not able to be there." Bakst explains. "All I know is that I have no plans on becoming another company that compiles all their footage and makes one release a year at the beginning of the season. That market is very saturated and I would like to deviate from that model completely."

In a world where you can check email and surf the net on cell phones and pagers, OZP is keeping up with the times fairly well. "We try to deliver content as fast as we can. Sometimes that means same-day online clips and interviews or providing that service for other companies." says Bakst. OZP delivers real-time coverage of certain events and really makes the effort to keep their material updated. For those who can't travel to see some of these competitions, OZP brings it to them.

So what's on tap for this season at the OZP headquarters?

"This season is going to be mostly about larger scale coverage of the big mountain tour and all the major park events. I want OZP to be synonymous with breaking news in the competitive freeskiing world." said Bakst.

OZP also wants to focus on filming the best competitors and athletes out on the tour in a more natural setting as well. Mix competition footage with normal everyday footage from their favorite spots and ski hills. Bakst mentioned that he will be experimenting with some different styles this coming year and hopes to keep things fresh for OZP viewers.

Location, location, location is always key when it comes to creating a great film. OZP travels to many different locations, but in talking with Bakst it seems like there's no place like home.

"I like exploration with the camera so anywhere in the backcountry is fantastic footage. The wilder the better. Sidecountry off major resorts can be fun because of the easy access. I really enjoy all of the backcountry around Vail. There are a lot of hidden gems hidden around that area. I want to spend more time covering Berthoud Pass hardcores too. It's ALL hiking and it seems like every year more and more people are discovering the beauty of earning your descents. You could probably do an entire flick all about the culture developing there right now."

OZP plans to work with Mountain Sports International and Powder Magazine again this year, but has plans for other endeavors as well. "Im talking with Drake Powderworks about their next Powder Road project." Bakst mentioned in a recent interview.

Sounds like there's a lot in the works for OZP in the 06-07 season. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled and their website bookmarked as updates and clips will be coming out throughout the ski season. Check out what OZP is all about.