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The Locals Project

@locals_project

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The Locals Project is a digital storytelling agency focused on producing authentic story-driven content in the outdoor & action sports industry.

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6 years ago

End of the Road // Chronicles
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Jordan Manley moved to this area when he was 4-years-old. To him, he considers that the moment that he was truly born. He’s a unique blend of free-sprited, nature-loving hippy and a gritty cowboy. “Here’s a cowboy wearing a rainbow hat”, he says, describing himself. Jordan has earned the nickname, “Canyon Foot”, for his love (some might say, obsession) with nature. His affinity for the natural world has undoubtedly shaped and guided his path in life. Once working as a ski guide and avalanche forecaster for the local avalanche center, he is one of a handful of backcountry skiers. He now runs a ranch and wrangles cattle in a nearby canyon. Jordan also posses deep knowledge about the Native American history of this area and knows everything there is about the flora, the fauna, and everything in-between. He’s even been known to go off-grid for weeks at a time on horseback, living off nothing but the plants and animals that are provided by this area. “Civilization is a mass hallucination”, Jordan says. It is his belief that our disconnection from nature has strayed the human race far from the core of our primordial instincts, creating a wider gap between ourselves and Mother Earth. This, to him, has disrupted search for and understanding as to why we are even here on earth. •
// Watch our newest short film, End of the Road! Link in bio // by @locals_project

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7 years ago

End of the Road // Chronicles
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This entire mountain range and surrounding area has a fruitful history. It was once a welcoming summer refuge for a local Native American tribe who would hunt, fish, and gather during warmer months. As such, the local community has taken to the respect and spiritual connection for nature demonstrated by the native people before. They believe that the inherent value of the land far outweighs the short-sided economic value associated with the extraction of its resources. As such, the modern manifestation of the natives’ admiration of this place is seen through the way in which the local people interact with the land through recreation–horse-packing, backpacking, and skiing–hunting and fishing, and the sort. And the backcountry skiing is good, like really good. The town’s surrounding designated wilderness area holds a deep snowpack in the winter. With lush forests, alpine peaks, and a tendency to get lower density pow characteristic of the Pacific Northwest, a fitting tribute to those before. .
📸: @willsaundersphoto by @locals_project

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7 years ago

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7 years ago

// Link in Bio // We interrupt your sense of viral doom with an important message...”End of the Road”, a 3-year passion project created alongside @oster.jacob, @tommypittenger, @willsaundersphoto, @elsaasmithh, @skifreejh, @walktalkit, @kirkskovlin is now live!
📸: @willsaundersphoto
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The Road. It takes us from point A, through point B, on the way to point C. In a small nook of Oregon lies an often overlooked part of the state. The cows outnumber the humans and its surrounding wilderness has engrained itself as a spiritual guided and bond-maker among the local population. Two Jackson, Wyoming natives–Elsa Smith and Sam Schwartz–traveled to Oregon in search of skiing at its rarest. Yet what (and who) they discovered transcended skiing. As the majority went one way, we went another. Maybe, just maybe, the end is actually the beginning.
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Thank you to everyone who were directly involved with the project or lended a much-needed helping hand–@terminalgravitybrewingco, @wallowaalpinehuts, @wallowaavalanchecenter, @erichroepke, and @larmstrongroepke. Without the help and hospitality of so many generous people, we would never have been able to create this project. by @locals_project

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7 years ago

People.
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Our 19 days in Cuba was driven by our unique insight into the country. Because of our friends’ willingness to give us a truly local experience, we were able to crack the cultural door and shed light onto some of the foundational ideologies of Cuba life. •
When we were shooting at an abandoned olympic-sized pool-turned-skatepark, there was a father watching with his two sons. He was so proud of his sons and for no apparent reason other than purely existing in his life. The father insisted that I meet them. He then told me that he taught himself english at home, something that he was also super proud of. When we left, I shook his hand and let him know how nice it was to meet him. He held onto my hand, looked me in the eyes and said, "My heart is yours". He didn't know me for more more than 5 minutes but he genuinely meant those words. I turned away and a tear fell from my eye. •
Cubans' sense of solidarity and love for one another and for us, in the face of extreme lack of opportunities, was genuine and without any expectations in return. •
I wondered to myself if Marxist ideologies, especially the ones associated with equality, had permeated the collective consciousness of the Cuban people? Or was this genuine solidarity? Or rather a sentiment that digs much deeper?
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“Cubans are very hospitable,” Roberto said. “We’re a [type of] people who are very humanitarian. It’s in our blood to be honest, attentive, affectionate, and helpful.” In a country whose economic and technological growth has been stifled, the individuals have taken it upon themselves to uplift the whole. •
During our final night in Havana, our buddy @huffxgordito_ss turned to me in the middle of a conversation, seriousness in his eyes. In the best English that he could conjure up he told me, “I only have love in my heart. Hate is not my problem.” And I believed him. Not because of his words. But because of his actions, and the actions of every other Cuban that we came across along our journey. ¡Viva Cuba!
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✍️: @oster.jacob 📸: @willsaundersphoto taken in Havana, Cuba by @locals_project

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7 years ago

The Kodak Experiment
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At the beginning of our adventure in Cuba, we handed out twenty disposable cameras to to Cuban surfers. We asked that they bring these cameras into their day-to-day experiences, capturing photos of their friends, families, work, hobbies, and everything in-between. •
This is Cuba through their eyes... taken in Cuba by @locals_project

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7 years ago

Yojany_Life
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@pyojany’s has a unique eye for the world around him. His photos invite you to think and feel, to ask questions. They’re communicative, regardless of which language you speak. And they’re timeless, expanding upon the sense that–because of a lack of economic growth within the country–Cuba has been left stuck in time.
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We strongly believe that Yojany’s photos and talent ought to be brought to light. If anybody is interested in helping us achieve this, please feel free to reach out! Thank you. •
✍️: @oster.jacob 📸: @pyojany taken in Cuba by @locals_project

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7 years ago

Yojany_Skate_2
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@pyojany documented the transformation of a dilapidated school-turned-skatepark in an area of Havana interestingly named, “Freedom City”. The skaters donated their sweat and energy to hand-shape and pour concrete quarter pipes and features. It’s a skate spot that looks like it came straight out of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater. But it’s certainly real, and it’s a communal refuge for skaters all around the city.
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We strongly believe that Yojany’s photos and talent ought to be brought to light. If anybody is interested in helping us achieve this, please feel free to reach out!
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✍️: @oster.jacob 📸: @pyojany taken in Ciudad Libertad, Ciudad De La Habana, Cuba by @locals_project

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7 years ago

Yojany_Skate_1
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@pyojany’s deep relationship with skateboarding and the skate community are clearly felt through his photography. For example, the first 4 photos are from Cuba’s “Go Skateboarding Day”, where all of the skateboarders in and around Old Havana mob through the streets as a collective organism. Between the first two photos, there is a stark contrast between feelings of freedom and the strong reality of the government’s lack of support and understanding for the sport. •
We strongly believe that Yojany’s photos and talent ought to be brought to light. If anybody is interested in helping us achieve this, please feel free to reach out!
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✍️: @oster.jacob 📸: @pyojany taken in Cuba by @locals_project

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7 years ago

Yojany_Portraits.
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When @pyojany finally opened up about his photography, we learned that he processed film photos himself in his house. Not only did this surprise us, given that access to the right chemicals is near impossible, but so did the content of his photos. He has a way of conveying Cuban life and emotion in a way that only somebody so close to the country could. His portraits are a prime example of this. Some of his subjects he personally knew and some which he didn’t. But he has a way of building instant rapport. One can sense his good heart and intentions and, as a result, allows him an intimate peek into their soul.
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We strongly believe that Yojany’s photos and talent ought to be brought to light. If anybody is interested in helping us achieve this, please feel free to reach out!
•
✍️: @oster.jacob 📸: @pyojany taken in Havana, Cuba by @locals_project

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7 years ago

Yojany
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Because skateboarding and surfing in Cuba are such small communities, our buddy @pyojany has stepped up to become sort of an ambassador for the sports. His soft-spoken personality and shy smile are reflective of the kindness that he shows to all skater and surfers regardless of their ability levels. He’s heralded as one of the top skaters, surfers, and long boarders on the island. Equal parts approachable and inspiring, he is a magnet for Cuban kids searching for an outlet, for purpose, for community, and for meaning in life. His talents aren’t bounded by board sports, though. His creativity shines through in his style, no doubt. Although we had to pry it out of his humble lips, we found that he was equally as creative, if not more, in his photography.
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Check out the next series of posts to see a collection of Yojany’s photos.
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✍️: @oster.jacob 📸: @willsaundersphoto •
Check out our documentary film, Surf Cuba, as well as an immersive digital experience which encapsulates the spirit of our efforts by following the link in our bio! taken in Havana, Cuba by @locals_project

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7 years ago