The Surfer's Journal Season 3 Episode 2 Filmmakers - Bruce Brown

Bruce Brown was an American director and producer whose films focused mainly on surfing. He is often credited with revolutionizing the documentary film genre and inspiring a whole new generation of surfers. In this episode of The Surfer's Journal, we take a look at the life and work of Bruce Brown, exploring his contributions to the world of surfing and film.

The episode begins by introducing Bruce Brown and his family. Born and raised in Southern California, Brown grew up surfing and honing his skills in the ocean. After serving in the military, Brown returned to California and began making short films about surfing and other water sports. His first big break came in 1958 when he released his first film, Slippery When Wet. The film was a huge success and opened up new opportunities for Brown in the film industry.

From there, Brown went on to make a series of successful surf films, including Surf Crazy, Surfing Hollow Days, and Waterlogged. These films were notable for their innovative camera work, which captured the beauty and excitement of surfing in a way that had never been seen before. Brown used a variety of techniques, including underwater cameras and helicopter shots, to give audiences a unique perspective on the sport.

As we learn more about Bruce Brown's filmography, we also get a sense of his personal philosophy. Brown was always focused on capturing the joy and spirit of surfing, rather than on competitions or rankings. He believed that surfing was about more than just winning or losing, and that the sport had the power to connect people to nature and to each other.

The episode features interviews with several surfers who worked with Brown over the years, including Robert August, who starred in Brown's iconic film The Endless Summer. August describes Brown as a supportive and creative director who was always looking for new ways to capture the beauty of surfing on film. Other surfers, such as Greg Noll and Miki Dora, speak about the impact that Brown's films had on their own surfing careers.

Of course, no discussion of Bruce Brown would be complete without talking about The Endless Summer. This film, which was released in 1966, is widely considered to be Brown's masterpiece. The film follows two surfers as they travel around the world, seeking out new waves and new experiences. The Endless Summer not only showcased some of the most beautiful surfing footage ever captured on film, but it also introduced audiences to the culture and communities surrounding the sport.

As we learn more about The Endless Summer, we also get a sense of the impact that the film had on the world. The film was a huge success when it was first released, and it remains a classic to this day. It inspired countless surfers to travel and explore new spots, and it helped bring surfing into the mainstream consciousness.

The episode ends with a look at Brown's later work, including his 1996 film Endless Summer II and his final film, Step Into Liquid. Although Brown passed away in 2017, his legacy lives on through the countless surfers and filmmakers that he inspired.

Overall, this episode of The Surfer's Journal provides a fascinating look at the life and work of Bruce Brown. Through interviews, archival footage, and stunning surfing footage, we get a sense of Brown's vision, his creativity, and his passion for the sport of surfing. Whether you're a fan of surfing or just a lover of great documentary filmmaking, this episode is definitely worth a watch.