By Jardine Hammond

September 11, 2000

This king of snowboard premiere theaters. crane�photo

Once again this years turnout for Mack Dawg Productions anticipated film, Amp, was larger than life. Eight a clock approached and people slowly started to arrive at Spreckels theater in Downtown San Diego. By eight-thirty, the place was filled to capacity with riders, skaters, industry mogals, and everyone in between, there to check out the film that shapes the future of snowboarding.

After Standard Film's, TB9, a short intermission and product huck-a-thon-duck-and-cover (videos nailed a few innocent bystanders in the nogin), the lights dimmed and the show began. The most expensive Budweiser probably ever purchased was in abundance and apparently wasn't spared on the crowd. Screams from the crowd came through-out the film, most for friends and sick lines (which there are plenty of) and some just for the rarity of being able to scream obscenities without get kicked out. The music varied from smooth hip hop to core, "get-pissed-and-break-shit," melodies, with the crowd seaming to dig it all.

Jason Brown hanging in the lobby. crane�photo

This year Mack Dawg�s film had a subtle difference in feel. No Forum riders. Mack Dawg also filmed The Resistance for Forum, so the team�s energy was solely directed towards the completion of that project. The vacancy was filled with mind-bending parts from riders like Chad Otterstom, Marc Frank, Kurt Wastell, Jason Brown, Trevor Andrew, Keir Dillon, Dave Downing, Kevin Jones, among many others.

"Jason Brown, Brian Thien, and Chad [Otterstrom] all had such good parts�those are the ones that I really remembered," admits M3 rider, Blaise Rosenthal.

Mack Dawg getting ready for the show. crane�photo

Tara Dakides continued to fill the gender gap with switch rodeos and slams just like the boys. Definitely not the token girl part you used to see in snow films.

"I was stoked on how it came out," said Mack Dawg photographer, Corey Grove, after the premier. "It really gave other riders [other than Forum riders] a chance to show their shit."

Amp also offered probably the worst slam section ever witnessed, ending with a sick feeling you get when watching a skate bail section. They say snow doesn�t hurt like concrete, but this section might change your mind.

When the film ended, people reluctant to leave hung out, high-fived, talked smack, or caught up with loved ones until the usher/security people forced everyone to move on to the next party.