Hidden Masters: The Route Setting Documentary || Rare Insight Into Competition Climbing

Instagram for the crew of setters
/ sergioverdasco
/ killian_arc
/ maelys.agrapart
/ jackygodoffe
Instagram for the crew
/ juliachew
/ viannmagic
/ teodorwik
/ micky_rivs
/ lilluffe
/ eric.karlsson89
/ nikkendaniels

[@magmidt]

This is a masterpiece of a video!!!

[@EricKarlsson]

Magnus! Thank you so much man :))

[@poolkrooni]

@@EricKarlsson * prays for a collab *

[@filippecha7909]

No figure 4 tho 😂

[@balaenopteramusculus]

Couldn't agree more! So interesting!

[@walkerl7485]

Eric, you are seriously such a talented documentarian. Never give up on your craft. I'm so proud and stoked to witness your growth as an artist. Cheers from the US!

[@jonathanyes112]

Super inspirational as someone wanting to get into routesetting. Proper documentary level filming and editing too!

[@TheMattAMusic]

This was SO well done. I would've never thought to show a climbing competition from the setter's perspective, but I was enthralled the whole time. Following Niken's journey on this channel is one of my favorite things on KZbin.

[@Joewaard]

You’ve outdone yourself again, Eric! Amazing insight into how much goes into each comp, but what was most powerful was the human element - how humbled Nikken and Sergio were to be working with Jacky, how much you could see the nerves, pride, emotion on their faces. Incredible! The only flaw… Now we want more of this!!!

[@piespont]

I second this and all of the other comments! I absolutely loved the style of this video and the emotion in it. We need more!

[@Khoriume]

This seems like great advertisement for the IFSC cups. Both for attracting competitors(by following Emil and Fredrik), and for inspiring routesetters (and potential routesettsers). It's almost like the F1 documentary. Maybe you could let the IFSC pay you to do a few more of these (potentially uploading at their channel if they pay well). Just a thought

[@casperras]

What a beautifully crafted film Eric! The color grading and sound design really got across the feeling of nervousness of both the climbers and setters during such an event.

[@Egg-ii3nn]

Such a nice video, great shots and great music selection. You outdo yourself everytime you post !

[@maryglass3600]

Such a great video. Gave me a much better appreciation of the everything that goes on behind the scenes and the stress and excitement that routesetters experience during comps!

[@sdixon91]

Wow. You are not just a KZbinr but truly a filmmaker. Also routesetting is one of my biggest passions so I was geeking out hard . You da man Eric. Keep crushing it

[@JayantWakode]

Really great to see the routesetters being called up on the mats at the end and applauded which doesn't happen usually. They deserve all the appreciation and respect. Without them, there would be no novelty and no comps like these.

[@piotrosc]

This is unbelievable that behind this production is just one person. I am speachless. This is masterpiece of telling the routsetter and the comp story.

[@george1303]

only 8 ins in and had to say what a classic. Taking me back to when I first started climbing! Nikken / Emil / Frederick - the OG SQUAA. Okay resuming the vid. I'm happy :)

[@kavali6320]

I'm impressed with this look behind the scene of a competition both from a setter's and a climber's perspective. Didn't anticipate that route setting was such a nail-biting job. Well done everyone, in front and behind the camera👍. Music choice was 👌again ;)

[@tronco1093]

I definitely hope @Netflix understand the value of magnificent work such as this in a growing sport. Most of us would like to know more about this and Eric's amazing work is a window into this secret world

[@alphachimaera437]

As someone who has been watching the channel for many years, I am constantly being blown away by the quality of the films you've been producing. This may be the first of this specific format, but I have no doubt there will be many more and continued successes to come! And it means so much to see not only Nikken featured, but to see Emil and Freddy again after such a long time feels super nostalgic. Thanks for making this Eric!

[@ThePianistOS]

This is art bro. Storytelling, sound design, the emotions. Keep it up!

[@thierrylevasse494]

Eric, we need a full length documentary like this one! This was insane!

[@NinjaViking1337]

What amazing film making, from the color, to the pacing, to the shot framing, the narrative building, to the music and sfx. Can't wait to open up Netflix and have a full length documentary of this kind. 11/10

[@andreseichmann5984]

This is such a nice climbing film Eric. Congrats on the whole project! Looks awesome, feels awesome!!

[@jorisdeclercq1601]

So cool to see how emotional these competitions are for the routesetters. I'd have never thought about it. Awesome

[@klimmersimon]

We're so lucky that Eric has a route setter friend but also comp climbing friends. Makes for a great documentary! ❤

[@grennangoeshiking]

Just brilliant!!! Congrats to the setting team on a great comp!

[@planat96]

My favorite film of 2024. Liked, subscribed, and thanked! I love the different perspectives from setter and climber. If you have a fun challenging climb, thank your local setters. They deserve our thanks. ❤🤘

[@EricKarlsson]

Thank you so much for such a kind comment and for the financial gift :) all the best to you man :)

[@stefanrieger3402]

I usually skip in and out of videos, do something else and get distracted. I even had my coffee go cold during this cause I forgot to drink it was so captivating. Kepp up the good work Eric!!

[@EricKarlsson]

I'm so happy to hear that! It's the main goal with a film like this, so have you focused from the beginning to the end :) So thank you for telling me this!

[@Bug8802]

Have loved your videos for years and these past few have just been on another level. Can’t wait to see what the future holds for you

[@niallmccormack6359]

Please make more of this!! I need a feature length film about world cup routesetting 😮

[@MlleAudree]

Ommggg! This feels like such a long Time coming! Its just such a privilege to see you guys evolve and grow over the years:) amazing to get to see this! Congrats 🎉

[@mikew.6897]

I wish this would have been a two hour film. I loved it!

[@enesefeduzel485]

Hey

[@stefanwossner2007]

Must easily be one of the best climbing documentaries I’ve ever seen! Big congrats, Eric! 👏

[@paulpruenster5884]

Goosebumps, sweaty hands and feet all the way through. Very strong emotions. Amazing effort

[@muumarlin1731]

Really enjoy this! Keep up the great work and look forward to future videos.

[@alexrixey975]

I’ve always felt like routsetting at a high level like this is an impossibly difficult job. You are setting for elite level climbers (stronger climbers then you), and have to hit the perfect difficulty (everyone tops = failure, no one tops = failure).. it’s got to be so hard to consistently do that. What an amazing short documentary, would love to see more routesetting centered videos

[@Cr1ms0nSE]

It was obvious you really put your heart into it. Great editing, audio composition enhanced the emotional states of the athletes and setters. I'd love to see more of it! And to the setters: boulders looked amazing! Got to see every style of climbing at an incredible level! Great to see the joy you take from the experience it creates for athletes and fans alike! I love our sport ❤

[@lefef2334]

Really enjoyable movie! Good work. 👍🏻

[@roowf4685]

this is really good. so cool that one dude (i think?) can put together something this high quality alone.

[@EricKarlsson]

Thank you so much man :) this time I did it my self, hopefully in the future we can be a team and make something really big :)

[@Ethan28612]

Amazing film as always Eric! I got so excited when I saw you posted this! Awesome to see the routesetting process and the setters' emotions during the competition I thought the music was excellent, I was rooting so hard for Fredrik and it was really intense seeing him so close to holding the move on boulder 5! Really puts things into perspective seeing guys like Emil and Fredrik get shut down like that haha, they're already unbelievably strong and it's insane how the top climbers are just on a whole different level!

[@borgesinz7506]

Awesome… nothing more to say, with this documentary it only can be a good start into the weekend… thanks a lot an keep on doing this stuff 👍🏼

[@Firetoicee]

Thank you for the documentary, it was awesome seeing the routesetting process

[@EricKarlsson]

Yeah fully agreed, hopefully in the future we can make those things happen :)

[@arianebrandenburg7903]

That was so much fun to watch! Great insight into the routesetting process. And I really enjoyed the music choices throughout, well done! :)

[@ichembertal6096]

Great editing, camera framing and music. Really nice

[@aaronhauptmann869]

Really well made film! Awesome to watch. Great storytelling, cinematics and sound design!

[@Rand0m_Us3r_Aus]

Magnificient! Great job to the setters and the film-maker.

[@hugocaetano5865]

one of the first time I cry watching a KZbin video hahaha really man it's incredible how you transmit emotions throughout the music, the setters' reactions, the fails, the successes. It gives an image of the backstages of a climbing comp that is so rich and that I had no idea ! So great to see that content ! Really inspires to try route setting and to continue to grind to gain levels. Huge respect to all those who contribute to the climbing world:)))

[@EricKarlsson]

Maan thank you so much for this comment, it really puts a smile on my face reading this :) all the best man!

[@davidwilson12590]

Really great film, Eric. I was psyched for this and you delivered my man. You always hear the commentators at comps talking about the route setters and how much they care about getting it right, so it’s great to get a good look from their perspective. Also, Nikken killed it ❤

[@deslomator]

I always want routesetters to succeed, but this time I felt specially invested: the editing, the colors, Sergio's body language. Congratulations!!

[@thomassouthgate944]

Absolutely brilliant video

[@SilverShade47]

After watching the documentary about the Mawem brothers by FlameIsLucky, the finale of this video was so much sweeter. Never have I wanted to improve at climbing more then now.

[@EricKarlsson]

Oh I want to see that Documentary too, do you have a link? :)

[@nikhil_a01]

@@EricKarlsson Maybe this one? kzbin.info/www/bejne/bKfMcpyCeMighbc

[@prowebdesignro]

I have a praise and a suggestion :). First of all, the movie is really good! It is absolutely professional, the camera work is great. The sound is great - creates a mood without being obtrusive, made me sit on edge, when people were topping out :). A suggestion though. Not cinematic, but rather from user experience perspective: hard transitions when the screen goes dark and then bright again are very hard on the eyes. Especially if a person is watching the movie in the dark room. It is a bit like this flashing lights in music videos, for which one would have to use a "throbbing light effects, may affect some people" notice. When transitions were slower (fade-in/out) it was much easier on the eyes. But bottom line - absolutely pro movie. Very interesting too! Kudos to the setters! :)

[@EricKarlsson]

Thank you for telling me man :) I'll definitely think about that for the future projects and really think about those decisions:) All the best!

[@flip_lange]

Damn Eric! This is straight 🔥🔥🔥

[@sameergawde6683]

was a fun and exciting watch!

[@PPKFilms]

So cool Erik! Love the perspective of the routesetters and seeing them stress and cheer ! Hope you go into World Cup next ! (And that Nikken sets for them too !)

[@MartinClimbs]

i really liked the color grading, tempo and overall feel of this video. the green hue over those "battles" really worked for me. Almost didnt recognise F, glad to see him doing alright :) bummer result, but good go's and awesome energy/ mentality from both

[@mpbbi1895]

This is great video, love watching the team compete in a comp and the route setting journey.

[@griffenalexander5597]

Amazing video Eric. Your colour grading is always so great.

[@brandonbrown-outdoorlife9977]

I need to get a projector and surround sound to watch your content. Legendary.

[@EricKarlsson]

Thank you so much man 😊 feels good to read it!

[@brandonbrown-outdoorlife9977]

@@EricKarlsson I know KZbin is your thing and all.... but would you ever consider making a film for Reel Rock?

[@EricKarlsson]

​@@brandonbrown-outdoorlife9977i did a few years ago, but not so much anymore :)

[@edwindejong3101]

Very impressive! This is such an excellent movie from a very interesting perspective. It deserves a very wide viewing. And I am looking forward to much more quality work from you, Eric! You have raised the bar significantly.

[@matejkeglevic]

Masterpiece.

[@tropaion4821]

Amazing video. Very captivating and fun documentary especially for not being a "official" production.

[@quitx8028]

Very good movie! even I'm deaf and understanding by youtube auto sub. Picture, editing and story are splendid! Ge aldrig upp, Eric! :)

[@tormattsson-x2n]

Grym video! Så bra spänning genom videon. Heja dig!

[@walterlotte4215]

This chief routesetter looks on the wall like the should be competing instead. Impressive skill.

[@ndmtzn]

the perfect blend of (condensed) comp footage and rare behind the scenes route setting footage. thank you thank you

[@ClimbingCaed]

Something that not a lot of people get to see is the behind the scenes. So glad that you’re able to share that with the community and showcase just how much love and effort setters put into these routes. Thank you and awesome job!

[@SendStory]

Eric, you outdid yourself. Just finished happily sharing this around a few places. You did a fantastic job weaving this story together. I love the use of ambient sounds, conversations, candid discussions, and narration to string it all together in a way that is easy to follow, but still very emotive and true to the documentary style. The sound design and subtle soundtrack also does a great job carrying it all forward with some soul. As always, footage looked great, even though I know you didn't have all the normal freedoms you have when you are doing your own videos on a controlled stage. I hope all the setters are happy you gave their efforts a chance to shine and told the story so well. Big congrats on this, can't wait to see what you string together next!

[@MatsSandfors]

Fantastiskt! Truly one of your best work Erik. The sounddesign and colourgrading really ads to the storyline of the routsetters and the tension of setting problems with the right difficulty.

[@nachCe]

That was really nice! Thx Eric!

[@toastmartin]

Awesome film. I love how you captured the atmosphere and the people. Jacky is a legend. It really gave me chills.

[@athistedthetjapper823]

That heightened the collective quality of KZbin ❤

[@norea_m]

Wow Eric!! Så så SÅ fint!! 👏🏻

[@EricKarlsson]

Norea 🥹 hoppas klättringen går bra! Såg ute bilden här om dagen och jag vill se mera från när ni var ute och bouldrade :))

[@norea_m]

@@EricKarlsson det kommer!😁 Nyss hemkommen från Albarracín och är pepp!!

[@LeoThomMusic]

Man, I could write several gem lists for this one. I'll keep it short: Congrats Nikken on setting at this European Cup! Congrats Eric on putting out a project of this quality! I feel like we've all been dreaming about this for both of you for a long time. Thanks for sharing your journey. Excited for what's to come!

[@julian.sunflower1032]

Hi Erik, first of all I would like to say that your rousetting movie was really really good and it was inspiring to see how much pressure lays on the bag of the routesetters as well as on the comeptetors. Maybe you can ask Alex Megos or someone like that to film their process on a upcomming projekct or something like this. Thanks for mákeing that movie. 🌻

[@kptain.kanopee]

This is an incredible movie... I followed you since day one and this is NEXT level, congrats !!!

[@davidprevete9594]

Loved this. The cinematography and just overall esthetic was phenomenal. Plus this was such a fun real perspective into what most will never see in the climbing comp world. Thanks for making this and sharing with everyone.

[@ilian7646]

crazy film, everything is right where we would want it to be

[@rendzkho8068]

You didn't lie about the sound design being on point. This was a delight to watch.

[@janharter5338]

That’s was one of the greatest climbing videos ever the filming, the climbing, the setting at the the atmosphere you created at the the Ende absolutely stunning. Amazing work Eric !!!!!

[@LukeSeymour04]

just got my first job as a route setter, been a dream of mine since starting climbing 6 years ago. This is so inspirational and just makes me want to pursue this dream that much harder. Love your work eric

[@isaactripp394]

Goodness me this was fantastic to watch

[@gd1037]

You made seeing the comp from the perspective of the setters more nerve wrecking for me than it ever felt from the athletes'. Amazing work Eric.

[@gaiaiulia]

If he went for the judge like that in public think how he must have behaved behind closed doors. Scary thought!

[@ryanpowell4338]

Sweet video and comp! Thanks for doing what you do Eric

[@janhagen2960]

Masterpeace

[@ShadowvailYT]

Eric, I've been subscribed for many years. The quality of your videos just keeps going up. It's insane dude. Much love.

[@jdwalker13351]

I could watch more documentaries like this about setting. I have really liked watching you progress into filming Nikken setting, super cool watching him get such a cool opportunity. Waiting for Emil to finally unlock his greatness.

[@yashpatel2817]

This is the highest level of documentation from the routesetters' perspective... Keep up the good work !!

[@kouanos]

That was so well done. Please do more!

[@themeatinthemiddlepodcast]

wow chills you nailed this! you put everyone in such a good light awesome film making Eric!

[@mattmichel]

This is fantastic! I can’t wait to binge the 10 part series on Netflix!

[@nicdes5540]

Wow Eric, you really went above and beyond with this one ! What a great video. It would be so cool if we could get videos like these from world cups. Hopefully one day you can be the one to make it for us !

[@tommeyer3871]

Beautifully filmed and very nice narrating finding a good thread to guide us through these shots. The sound is noticeably one step above everything you have put out so far, the effort shows

[@skippymctwist7]

So good, would love to have this peak behind the curtains at more comps!

[@brennen_b635]

The story telling here is amazing very well done 😊

[@tim1873a]

That's some high quality climbing doc! nicely done 👏

[@noahyonts6670]

It is awesome to watch a comp from the setter's perspective. Thanks, Eric!

[@amilbyleckie7936]

Great job, Eric! You keep raising the bar for yourself and I’m here for it! Excellent doc

[@Peamerone]

Great video

[@krushruss]

Wonderful video Eric! I've been subbed to your channel for 5+ years now. Just want to say thanks for all the climbing motivation and content all these years. Glad to see how far your filmmaking skills have come!

[@chrisembry3736]

terrific camera work, editing and story telling, Eric. Engaging all the way through and couldn't look away. Can't wait to see what you make next.

[@katielandon6554]

Thanks, one of the best climbing vids I’ve watched in a while ❤

[@EricKarlsson]

I'm very happy that you felt that way about this film! :)Thank you so much for the comment and the support :) all the best!