Extra Butter: bHappy - Happy Days

bHappy is an independent film company from Tahoe, CA. Basically it's a bunch of friends who started filming 3 years ago, the illegitimate love child of Paul Heran and Bryce Hymans, a happy-go-lucky little shred posse that throws down big moves. Their latest movie Happy Days just dropped and it is the TRUTH, kid! Read on to find out how to bHappy and enjoy their movie, we sure did!



Tell us a little about the bHappy crew. How did this all get started?
Bryce, Joel (Vandruff), Sammy Spiteri and I started boarding together a bunch and had a great time. Inspired by videos like Neoproto and Robot Food, we wanted to share our experience with the world and spread a positive message in the snowboard community. "Because sometimes snowboarding gets too serious" was our first slogan. We were sick of watching videos of people hucking themselves with metal music. We just wanted to show how much fun we were having together, and hopefully inspire others to do the same.Sammy Spiteri tail grab-o redirect-o in Tahoe. Photo: GrayThompson

Seems like the production quality has sky rocketed since the first movie Happy Meals. What would you attribute this to?
For me, working at Windells has been the ultimate boost in my filming career. I cannot tell you how grateful I am for Tyler Malay, Alexandra Erickson, Jake Strassman and Greg Weaver. Those guys took me under their wing as an intern last year and showed me how it was done. Also, Tim Bradley and Rob Balding have always been super helpful when I come to them with questions. I honestly wouldn't be where I am today without he help of these people, and I am so thankful to each one of them.

Also, being able to afford new equipment and travel around to film the video this year was a giant leap for us as well. Couldn't have done that without the help of Arbor Snowboards, Elm Company and Coal. The good people at these companies had our backs this year and enabled us to get out of Tahoe a bit and upgrade our equipment.

Did you (Paul) and Bryce go to school for film or is this something you both just learned in the field?
I originally went to San Francisco State University to study film, but there wasn't enough hands-on experience for me, and I wasn't learning much about making video sitting in a classroom. So I moved up to Truckee last year and started getting after it on my own. "Learn by doing" are words I have always lived by. I don't like reading instructions too much...

Curtis Woodman pat down back 3 off a windy windlip in Tahoe. Photo: Gray Thompson
Looks like this year you added a few guys that weren't in the original crew. Is the "homie" vibe still alive at bHappy?
At bHappy the homie vibe will always be alive. But don't expect to see a bunch of lazy video parts, these guys worked their asses off this season and came up with some banger clips. Snowboarding would not be very fun without homies, if you ask me.

What are the future plans for bHappy? Can we expect to see a 2012 release or will you guys be moving up to the big leagues and working for other production companies?
We are trying to get support to do another video. All I can tell you is that I would love more than anything to do another bHappy video. If we can get proper backing, there will be a 2012 video, but if not, we will probably still make some edits throughout the year, But we all need jobs to pay for stuff... if you know what I mean. With Happy Days this season, I had to do freelance work and other jobs to make ends meet. It has been a dream of mine to spend the whole season focusing on a bHappy video and traveling a bunch to film, so I am trying to make it work this year. I'll keep everybody updated as we figure out the season's plans.

Durrell Williams rubbing his base on a container, alley oop wallride. Photo: GrayThompson

Tell me about DP?
DP is some dude that just loves to have a good time. He's been known to get wild from time to time. Be on the lookout for him around Tahoe, he's a party animal.

Who eats the most candy in the bHappy crew?
Colton. Hands down.

www.bhappysnowboarding.com