SBR x NZSB Spotlight Series, presented by FYVE | standout Filmer
It’s back! The She’ll Be Right x New Zealand Snowboarding Spotlight Series, this time presented by our friends at FYVE.
Our industry is full of talent that deserves to be seen, and the Spotlight Series is all about getting those names out there. We're shedding a light on the up-and-comers making moves across our industry, from the riders pushing their progression to the filmers and photographers capturing it all. The people you should know, follow and keep an eye on, because we reckon they're only just getting started.
Meet Kaia Jamieson, the endlessly creative, multi-talented big thinker who took out this year’s Best Filmer award! Kaia is absolutely bursting at the seams with ideas, and we feel pretty lucky she got to bring some of that creative magic to the SBR story.
I caught up with Kaia after the event to chat about her journey into filmmaking, where she finds inspiration, the story behind her winning edit, and what she hopes to contribute to the future of women in action sports.
There are SO many good bits in this one, from creative rabbit holes to some pretty poignant thoughts on belonging, representation and backing yourself. I tried to edit it down; I really did… but some things are worth the extra scroll, so stay with us. We promise it’s worth it.
P: Deanna Gerlach
CA: Hey! First up, could you introduce yourself! Who are you, where are you from and what have you been up to this season?
KJ: Ko Kaia toku ingoa! My name is Kaia. I was originally raised up north, near Muriwai Beach. Wānaka has been a big part of my life for a few years now, and I’ve been living here this year, trying to get as much time on the snow as possible. My perfect day involves sunshine, adrenaline, and creativity - so She’ll Be Right had me grinning all weekend!
CA: How did you first get into snowboarding? Are you usually out riding yourself, filming your mates or a bit of both?
KJ: I spent most of my childhood outdoors and first hopped on a snowboard when I was 16, but it was while I was at university in Dunedin that I got properly hooked. Getting up at 4 am every weekend was a no-brainer when it meant bell-to-bell days on the hill. This season, I’ve found plenty of time for riding, but have also spent hours standing on the knuckle of big-line with a camera in hand. I’m always happy to be outdoors and filming, but She’ll be Right x The Uninvited was a delicious departure from shooting men on skis!
CA: How did you get into filming and making videos? And what drew you to it?
KJ: I’m a huge fan of storytelling in all forms, and have always been inspired by the way beautiful visuals can engage a person. I found a natural combination of the two in filmmaking. I’ve been lucky enough to win a few competitions and have my films screened in some film festivals over the years. Most of these were centred on adventure and the outdoors - and often sought to foreground those on the margins or highlight political and scientific issues. I hit the jackpot early on, winning a couple of competitions that awarded camera gear in their prize packs - some of which is still part of my kit now. While studying Marine Science, Film, and Media at university, I built up a small business creating educational and promotional videos. Alongside that, I love getting involved in the fun stuff, like the 48Hours Fest and the recent Wānaka Film Awards, and making the most of amazing opportunities like SBR to focus on shooting action sports, celebrate wāhine, and collaborate with like-minded people.
CA: Where do you usually find inspiration for your videos? Are there any filmers, snowboard movies or other creatives you look up to?
KJ: Something that really appeals to me is cross-specialisation inspiration. I read a lot of poetry and fiction, play music with friends, and spend plenty of time outside. I think the creations I am proudest of always come from exploring how something I have witnessed or learnt through an unrelated experience can be brought into the traditions of whichever medium I’m working with at the time.
CA: When you're filming, do you usually have an idea of how you want it to look from the start, or does it come together once you start playing around with the footage?
KJ: It really varies! Usually I have an idea of the finished product in my mind before I start, but many of the best moments are completely unexpected, so it’s about finding a balance of following my mind map but staying really open. I also try to reflect the vibe of an event, which is something you can’t predict in advance. Documentary has taught me to be adaptable in my storytelling and to always ‘just keep rolling!’ Habits that have time and again led to my favourite shots.
CA: How did you hear about She’ll Be Right, and what made you get involved this year? Was it your first time?
KJ: My flatmate, who is on the Events Crew up at Cardrona, came home from one of his early season shifts very excited to tell me all about She’ll Be Right. He had heard the words Snowboarding, Filming, and Wāhine and immediately thought, ‘Oh, this has Kaia written all over it’!
CA: How was your experience filming the event? What did you think
KJ: The entire weekend was dreamy. The sense of community, calibre of riding, and overwhelming support from the wider snowsports world (especially the event’s sponsors!) made me feel so proud and empowered to be a woman in this scene. I know spaces like this have been hard-won by the women who came before me; they are my heroes. I am so grateful to be able to turn up to something like this, and be in the park or behind the camera, and just feel a total sense of belonging and acceptance.
CA: We absolutely loved the edit you put together for this Spotlight Series! It's so fun, and the animations are such a cool touch. Where did the inspiration come from, and how did you go about putting it all together?
KJ: Thank you so much! Inspiration was everywhere the entire weekend. The non-stop stoke, send, and smiles had me riding a high all week. I wanted the video, particularly the first half, to feel a bit like a comic book. The people I shot were such stars, with so much style and flair to their riding. Specific moments, like follow-camming Bri, Cool, and Missi, inspired me to imagine my own potential and push myself on the snow. If the first half is a sort of imagining of what could be - a reflection of the vision for SBR, with all different ages and abilities getting stuck in - the second half (following the ‘Yeah The Girls!’ claim) is a celebration of the outcome: an army of women charging and playing in the park with endless grins and self-belief.
The song choice was important for me, too.
CA: Go listen to those lyrics again… we’ll wait.
KJ: I liked the symmetry between the singer and the riders in The Uninvited - women who are unashamed in claiming what they want, and confident in their ability. It’s such a joy to see women backing themselves. Tall poppy syndrome is a bit of a killer in Aotearoa, and I think it’s especially hard for women and gender diverse people to recognise their potential, justify investing in themselves, and claim their wins. Events like SBR make celebrating achievements empowering, which is particularly important for people who are socially conditioned to feel like doing so is inherently conceited.
CA: Was there a favourite moment from the weekend, or a clip you were particularly stoked to capture?
KJ: I could write an essay responding to this one! One stand-out experience was the generosity of Te Rina and Zyanya, both of whom are video superstars entrenched in the SBR family. I came into the event wanting to practice my follow-camming and learn more about shooting on snow, and each of these amazing women was happy to indulge my endless questions. It is really special to be surrounded by people who are so keen to share their expertise and uplift others. Another treasured moment came in the afternoon, when I took a break from shooting to lap one of the features with a group of riders. While each of us had a different goal for the session, we were all equally stoked for one another when we made individual progress. Ed Leigh stood next to the feature, presenting a perfect example of how men can uplift people in these spaces. He dedicated his afternoon to clipping everyone’s attempts, cheering the girls on, and offering advice to anyone who sought it out.
CA: What's it like having your edit in the spotlight? Is there anything you'd love to come out of it?
KJ: It’s a surprise and an honour! The calibre of content was so high. It’s become a running joke in my flat that every time someone looks over my shoulder, I am admiring another photographer or videographer’s content from the weekend. If winning this means my reel gets shared a few more times and encourages more women, at all levels, to get along to SBR next year, that would be pretty special.
CA: Where would you love to take your filming in the future?
KJ: I spent a few months in the northern hemisphere last year and came up with a few ideas while I was travelling around. I’d love to film a crew of girls taming wild horses for a horse-back / splitboarding expedition into the mountains of Kyrgyzstan. I reckon that would make a pretty sick documentary. I would love this to be my career. It is an absolute dream of mine to make women feel like they belong in these spaces. I know what it feels like to be seen as ‘The Woman In The Room’ first, and a snowboarder, creative, musician or sportsperson after the fact. I want to be part of making women in action sports so normal it becomes boring! If receiving this award led to any industry opportunities that allowed me to grow my portfolio and increase my experience, that would be awesome. If there are any hiring agents out there who want their legacy to be making women filming action sports boringly normal, hit me up! ;)
CA: What's next for you? Any fun plans, trips or projects coming up?
KJ: After an amazing season riding and shooting with my pals, I have my heart set on being back in Wānaka next winter. I’m pretty much already counting down to the next SBR! In the meantime, I plan to spend the summer in the water, filming and surfing and filming surfing. I’m a simple girl; put me outside with a camera, and I’ll be stoked!
CA: Have we missed anything? What else should our readers know about you?
KJ: All I can say is I feel very lucky. At its core, this weekend was a real display of the power of our community and a massive celebration of one another. I am so full of gratitude and admiration for the people who made this possible.
KJ: Ngā mihi nui <3