Georgia Slater of Glen Street Theatre sat down with local entrepreneur, Toby Ryston-Pratt, Founder of Adventure Entertainment for the low-down on extreme sports and the short film industry.
Toby, tell us about Adventure Entertainment and how you started the company.
Adventure Entertainment is a digital media business focused on adventure sports. We distribute films, publish a series of magazines including Wild, operate a streaming platform (ADVENTURE+) and more. I was a corporate lawyer when the idea came to me – stuck at my desk and aspiring to get out and adventure more. There was a lot of adventure content out there and I decided to bring that to Australia to inspire more people to adventure – and hopefully care more about the environment that we play in as well!
REEL ROCK 17 is the latest adventure film tour screening in April at Glen Street Theatre. What can audiences expect from the selected films?
REEL ROCK is a series of short films centred around adventure sports and rock climbing. This year’s line-up has an international flavour, taking people on a journey from Pakistan and Austria to France and Palestine following some of the world’s best climbers. We will be giving away lots of great prizes at the show from our sponsors, the best outdoor-adventure brands such as Wild Earth, Scarpa, Black Diamond and more.
Do you rock climb? What do you think people love about the sport so much?
I’m a casual adventurer and enjoy many sports including climbing, without necessarily being an expert at any of them. Climbing has become so accessible now with climbing gyms everywhere, including three now on the Beaches. People love climbing for the challenge that it offers as well as the social element of catching up with friends.
What is it about extreme sport on film that brings people together?
The films we show are mostly about inspiration. Though not everyone could get out and do the things we share, seeing people do amazing things in the outdoors inspires people to get out and have their own adventures.
You’re a local on the Beaches, what is it about the environment here that gets people outdoors?
The Northern Beaches is a wonderful environment that naturally draws people to get out and adventure, whether that be surfing at the endless beaches, kayaking on Pittwater, mountain biking near the Narrabeen Lagoon or exploring the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.
Any hot tips for aspiring adventure filmmakers out there?
Give it a go! The barriers to start shooting are gone. You can make great content now just using an iPhone. Experiment with short films. Some of the best adventure films are less than ten minutes long. What sets them apart is great story and characters. If you make a film, submit it to one of the many mountain and adventure film festivals that operate both locally and around the world. They are great ways to learn and build contacts.
What’s the best way to connect with other people in adventure sports?
Come to one of our screenings and chat to people! Join a gym like Northern Beaches Rockhouse. Generally, just get out there and don’t be afraid to say hello to the people you meet along the way.
REEL ROCK 17 screens at Glen Street Theatre on April 6, 7:30pm. For more info and to book your ticket, visit glenstreet.com.au/whats-on/reel-rock-17