Chris Long Interview

Chris is another one of those names who has been popping up more and more lately in the filming and editing side of BMX these days. Whether it’s for a Vital exclusive, or a Volume web edit, I never have to question if it’s going to be a quality video to check out. Not only that, his brother is Matty and that should create some sort of fear because of what these two combined can create. I’ve wanted to get this interview for quite a while now, and it’s finally a reality. Check out what Chris has to say and then leave him some love in the comments!

Name: Chris Long

Location: Boston, Ma

Sponsors/Hookups: Glidecam Industries

Who are some of the brands you work for? I am working with Volume/Demolition and I contribute for ESPN and Vital BMX.

Years riding: About 12 I think

What was it that first got you into BMX? Any early memories just pop into your head when you think about that?
A few of my friends rode BMX and I quickly followed suit. There was a pretty big scene in my town back then.

When did you start playing around with cameras? Did you get into it because of BMX, or they co-existed and you just brought them together?
I think I always have had a fascination with cameras, it was probably about “97-98” when I took my grandparents video camera which you had to put VHS tapes into it. I would film my friends and I dirt jumping and riding my quarter in my driveway. Soon after I got one of those super 8 cameras and so on.

For those who aren’t very good at putting two and two together, your brother is Matty Long. There are only a few well known brother teams in BMX like the Potoczny’s, and the Strieby’s that come to mind. Do you feel like you guys are closer because of BMX? Does having somebody who’s always around and down to ride motivate you to ride more than if you didn’t have him around?
Matty is by far my best friend, riding or not we can just hang. I do think that riding has had a big role in why we are so close, but we are into most of the same stuff. Since we were young we did the same things. When I started to skateboard he did too, and when it eventually became riding he was right behind me. The only difference is that Matty is exceptionally better at everything haha.

Since the east coast hasn’t been getting pounded with snow, and the weather is starting to look up. I’d imagine you have been finding more time to get out on your bike. Do you feel like having the snow keep you from your bike more than usual kind of refresh the motivation to get shit done?
I would say usually it does around here, but this winter was a pussy. We were out filming until December, there were some cold 27 degree nights out with the generator but not too bad. We took a trip to Cali for two weeks which helped a lot, and I’ve been going to Rye Airfield a lot this winter so I have been keeping pretty busy on the bike.

You have been working the MassBMX Show for a while now. How many episodes have you put together, and what got you started with that? When is the next one due out?
Yeah I have done about 20 episodes. The MassBmx Show started in 2005 by my good friend Bill Politis. Bill started MassBmx and the website, basically consisting of Bill his brother Andy, Matty and I, Rory Ellis and a handful of other people from our area. Over time it started to grow a bit and Bill started putting together the stuff from in between filming legit riding and called it The MassBmx Show. Bill sold his camera so there were no MassBmx shows for a little bit, then one day I just decided I want to bring it back and try to make it consistent. I try to get a new one out at least every two weeks.

Speaking of MassBMX.com, that seems to be a pretty solid crew ofshredders. Who all is involved with that website, and what can people expect to see from that?
Bill Politis is the mastermind that stated it and is in charge of the website. I do all of The MassBmx Show’s and post on the site, and Chris Saunders is now shooting photos and posting on the site. The site has just been re-done and we are trying to get it going in full-effect again, and expect to see a lot more MassBmx Shows.

What’s the scene in general like in Massachusetts? Who are some of the guys you find the most time to ride with? Any up and coming guys you think people should keep their eye out for?
Well it is hard to say the scene is just Mass around here lately, I feel like it is New England as a whole. I ride with more people from New Hampshire, Connecticut, and New York(even though NY isn’t New England) than I do people from Mass. On a typical day I ride with Matty, Rory Ellis, Brian Hunt, Bill Politis, Chris Saundrs, Jody Stoddard, Chris Zeppierri. When you are in the city though you could end up with anybody. Yeah look out for these shredders Matty Long, Rory Ellis, Craig Passero, and Chris Zeppierri.

You have had the chance to travel to California this winter with Matty to help film with the new Volume/Demolition video, right? How did that trip go?
It was amazing! After being there for two weeks I have decided to move out there.

Did you have the chance to get anywhere else that was warmer than ice?
Just to Cali so far for 2010.

Where are some places you have planned to go this year, or would really like to get to at some point?
I belive I am taking a trip wit Doyle in the south eastern part of the country within the next couple months. I just want to be back in California.

Speaking of the Volume/Demolition video, how much filming have you been doing for that video? What can we expect out of the Volume/Demolition crew for that video?
I haven’t filmed a whole lot yet for the DVD. Logged some clips of Doyle and Biz, Matty and I have just started filming for his DVD clips but haven’t logged anything yet.

Have you been filming any new web edits, other video parts, or doing anything like that? When can we expect to see some more of your work?
Yeah I am working on a bunch of stuff right now. Expect to see some new videos from Brian Hunt, Rory Ellis, Chris Childs, Zak Early, Aaron Smith, Skinny, Matty, and Bill Politis.

If you were given a van and a huge budget to go on a road trip with 5 other people. Who would you pick to bring and where would you go?
That is a tough one so many people I would want to take. I would say Matty, Rory, B Hunt, and I think Jason Enns and Chris Doyle because those two dudes bickered like a married couple when we were is Cali and it was funny as hell.

What do you think you would be up to if you never got into BMX?
Damm I don’t know, I used to be into cars a ton until I realized they were a waste of money.

What are you usually up to when you aren’t riding, filming, editing, or anything like that?
Most likely I would be hanging out with the babe.

After creeping around on your Facebook a little bit, I noticed a lot of people in your family are in the construction business. Can you tell us a little about that? Is that the back up plan if film doesn’t work out?
Yeah basically my whole fathers side of the family are union Ironworkers. My family owns a steel business and my cousins and I are the fourth generation. I am in the laborers union and I am in the process of transferring into the Ironworkers union but there actually hasn’t been too much work since September. I plan on leaving to California and trying to stay with filming but no matter what I always have a job here which is good to know. I do like working with my family they work extremely hard and take a lot of pride in their work, it’s very fulfilling but hard work.

You’re going to school for film, right? Where are you going? How do you like it? How important do you feel college has been for learning something like filming and editing?
Yes, well I am on a little break right now because it is expensive but I go to The New England Institute of Art. I actually love school, it has helped me a lot. I learned a lot from being there.

What kind of camera gear are you working with these days? Camera, lenses, attachments, etc. etc.? What are you editing with?
I have a HVX200, Century MKII with the bastard adaptor, Glidecam 4000pro, Manfrotto sticks, light panel micro light, Rode shotgun mic, and I have a generator with a bunch of lights for night filming. I have a Macbook Pro with Final Cut Pro. Glidecam just started hooking me up and are sending me some new stuff to test out.

What’s your dream setup? How do you feel about all these super HD and 3D cameras coming out?
My dream setup would be to have access to any type of equipment I wanted at anytime haha. I think I am into it, my friend worked the winter classic hockey game and was working with the 3D cameras for ESPN and said they were pretty amazing.

Who are some of your biggest influences or people you really look up to in the film industry?
Well the biggest influence to me would have to be Joe “Cookie”. We went to the same high school and when I was a freshman my buddy Charlie was also good friend with Cookie. Charlie told me that cookie filmed for Standard Domination (Domination being my favorite video) I went home put in Domination saw his name in the credits and I was amazed. I just couldn’t believe I was going to high school with someone that filmed for a video like. It wasn’t until years later that I really started getting into making BMX videos, but it was always in my mind that if he could do something like that why can’t I and eventually I decided to go to school for film. Cookie is a awesome dude and has helped me out an a few things, its good to know that people that you look up to are there to give you a hand if needed. Other people would be Glenn PP Milligan I’ve grown up watching his videos, Will Stroud, Ryan Navazio.

Would you ever consider filming porn? I feel like there is more money in that than BMX?
Yeah, I would film anything if I was getting paid for it.

I noticed you have the ability to create a powerful mustache. Have you ever considered doing porn yourself?
I can grow a pretty stylish mustache. I would love to be able to do porn but for me I think I am more in it to win it rather than putting on a performance.

I’m sure over the years you have landed in some crazy situations. What’s one of the crazier stories you could tell?
Damn, thats a hard one, I have stories for days. Bums pulling knife’s, smashing my bike off a junkies head, throwing my bike through a plate glass window at Wendy’s, tear gassing taxi drivers.. I don’t even know where to start.

What’s the last song you heard, movie you watched, and website you visited?
Curren$y-“Lemon Kush”/Bronson/Vimeo

What makes for a good night out for you? What’s the drink choice of Chris Long?
Good friends, bikes, and making back to my bed in one piece. I like to start the night off with some Irish car bombs and where ever it goes from there.

Have you ever been in a fight or arrested for anything cool like that?
I have been it too many fights and arrested too many times. I’m much more chill now, I used to be wild when I was younger. I would try to go out and get in fights all the time. Now that I’m a little bit older I realize that shit is dumb and not really worth it, but I still throw down if I have too.

Where would you like to take your film career in the next few years?
Hopefully I have the chance to stay with BMX for a bit. I really want to travel and just enjoy living. Filming has given me some good opportunity to different things and I just enjoy being behind the camera no matter if I am working on a documentary, a wedding or filming riding.

Where do you see yourself further down the road? What are some of your biggest goals that you have?
Well, my biggest goal is to be successful no matter what I do, but hopefully it is traveling filming and enjoying life.

Do you have any shout outs or thanks?
Yeah first of all thank you, also thanks to Matty, Maryn, Petey, Rory, Bill, Nick, Adam 22, Jody, Cookie, B Hunt, Bagley, Biz, Enns, Castillo, Tunney, Kyle Carlson, Burns, Albie, Chris Z, Craig, Saunders, CB, Adam, Dad, Rye Airfield, Volume/Demolition, ESPN Bmx, Vital Bmx, and anyone that I have forgotten and has helped me out in
anyway.

Anything else you want to say?
You going to fuck on me?

Here’s Chris’ latest edit…