Insight: AOTC 2

Back in 2009 when Chris and CB dropped the first AOTC video, they mentioned that they were already starting to film for the next video. Between all the school and work, they finally collected enough footage for their second video. This time around, the crew is similar, but with two more years of shred under their belt. I figured I’d hit up Chris and CB and find out what it took to get this video done, and what you guys out there can expect if you pick up a copy. Let’s see what they had to say…

Names: Chris Zeppieri, CB Coombs

Years riding: 6-9

Years filming and editing: Since 1876

All right, so what’s up with the AOTC 2 video? I saw the teaser the other day and figure that means you are getting close to done. When did you guys start filming for the video? Did you start right after the first video was done?
AOTC 2 just got back from the duplicators a few days ago… We took a whole bunch of time off, worked on some other stuff, web videos, etc. The video really came together over the last 3 months, everyone got committed, started giving it 110% and we got it done pretty quick.

Who has all got sections in this one? What about the mix section? I’d imagine there will be some familiar names from the first video?
People with full sections are: Chris Zeppieri, CB Coombs, Adam 22, Brett Silva, and Zack Cooke. For the other parts we have an Ian and Dylan Bresnahan split part, a BMXFU section from some trips to Boston, Chris Tolley/ Chris Saunders section, a Whammo (Craig Passero, Paul Cvikevich and friends) section, and Long Island, and Boston mix sections.

I’d imagine you and Chris handled the filming for the project, right? Is there anyone else throwing in clips for you guys?
Chris: CB was pretty busy with school so I handled most of the filming, but everyone has done their part giving in clips. BMXFU’s Bobby Hill came through with a bunch of clips of those guys, Paul Cvikevich has been filming with Chet Blacksmith out in Portland, Mike Mastroni filmed clips of Adam22 and the OSS house homies, and Craig Passero handled the Whammo sections filming.

If I remember right you guys have been upgrading your camera setups lately. Care to give us the low down on what you guys were working with for this video?
Chris: CB is still rocking the vx2000, I recently stepped up to a Canon t2i, but sold it quickly to upgrade to a Canon 60d. At first it was a little weird, but I’ve been using it so much that I’ve really grown accustom to the setup and love it. I still have a Panasonic DVX100b, but its getting used less and less as filming continues.

Who is handling the editing? What kind of a setup are you guys working with in that department?
Chris: With CB being busy with school, I handled most of the editing for this project. CB edited his own section and was around for most of the other editing. And I have to give him credit for picking more than half the songs for the video while I edited.

CB: I have had a really rough last semester at college. While I was at school for 10 hour days, Chris was at home editing and out filming. He also did all of the work for the initial DVD setup. I wish I could have helped more with the editing but I feel pretty good about how everything came out.

Where all did you guys get to while filming for this one?
Most of the footage that we personally filmed is from Boston, but the mix and friends sections are from all over, New York, California, Portland…

Approximately how long will the video run for? What kind of bonus section features can we expect?
The video is 38 minutes long, with 11 sections, like I said, there are a bunch of mix sections but I think it flows together really well. In the bonus we have the whole first video, and a TON of other stuff. If you watched everything on the dvd the runtime is about an hour and 45 minutes…

I’d imagine this time around you guys were able to avoid some mistakes or problems from doing the first one. What kinds of problems did you run into in the making of this one? Any lost tapes or anything like that?
Chris: We set the deadline like 8 months ago and we didn’t really get the fire going until after I hurt my shoulder. You think we would have learned that deadlines cause trouble but it needed to be done, I feel like without a deadline you just don’t get stuff done.

Any crazy stories you have from the filming of this one? Run ins with the cops, security, homeless people or anything?
Chris: We were pretty fortunate with eh filming of this one, aside form the occasional kickout, or crazy homeless person in Boston it was pretty tame, no fights, no tickets, nothing too bad.

CB: I tried to get a clip at this really basic bank spot. Nothing grind able, just a pile of asphalt, and 4 times in a row I went there and got kicked out like I was breaking Faberge eggs all over the place. Eventually I got it done, and got kicked out as we were packing up, clean get away.

Whose part do you think turned out the best? Yes, you gotta play favorites.
Chris: Man that’s such a tough question, it’s a hard fight between the Bresnahan twin’s section and Zack Cooke’s. I worked really hard with these guys to film these two sections, and they are definitely my favorites. The twins part is incredible, those two kids are both so naturally gifted and can do so much stuff. They came down to Boston twice, rode for less than 4 days total and were able to put together a part that I think really shows off their personalities and riding ability. Zack’s section was a longer building process but me and Zack spent a lot of time exploring Boston, cruising late night sessions and he was really involved with the editing of his section. He has such a good riding style and his outlook on spots is so fresh.

CB: My boys, Zack and Brett. Brett’s section has a lot of bangers where Zacks section shows that he can utilize every spot. He really does the ideal trick for every spot. I am also really into the Whammo section.

Who do you think put the most work into this? You or Chris? What about on the riding side?
Chris: Honestly, I killed myself for this video haha. I separated my shoulder the first week of February, so for almost 3 months I couldn’t ride. I took that time, went against doctors orders and my own judgment and cruised every weekend to go film clips of everyone. Luckily I had footage of myself backed up from last year and before the winter so I didn’t really need many more clips to finish my section. I spent the last two months having crews from all over staying at my tiny 1 bedroom apartment in Boston, filming all day, capturing footage and editing as soon as possible, all while trying to get my shoulder back to riding shape, run the Z-Rig (www.dslrhandle.com) business, and graduating college.

CB: Chris.

How much work did you need to push and get done to finish the video on time?
Chris: Man I had to work so hard to get thie video done in time for the duplicator. The day before it had to be mailed I spent over 40 hours on no sleep just editing and mastering the DVD, CB, Zack, and my friend Nick stayed over and helped me get stuff lined up and watched the master copy with me to make sure it was all good. It was a really hard process but we got it finished and the people who I have showed the video to seem to really like it. I couldn’t be happier.

Will there be a premiere? What about more trailers and what not?
We have been talking to Lino Gonzales at the new 90 East shop and were able to line up a premiere for June 3rd at 8PM. After that premiere we have another one following a Cult Jam at Long Island Bikes June 5th. and then since CB and myself will be in Portland, Oregon for 2 weeks. I’m hoping to have a third premiere at Goods sometime in the last 2 weeks of June. It’s gonna be a good time.

Approximately how much will the video go for, and where will people be able to pick up a copy?
I will be selling them out of my backpack for $5, but mailorders, shops, and our yet to be launched online store (www.aotcbmx.bigcartel.com) will sell them for about $10.

All right, time to sell yourself. Why should somebody spend their hard earned money on AOTC2?
The AOTC dudes are just a good group of friends riding all the time. Everyone really put I hard time to get stuff done for this video and I think it shows. Plus, with all the bonus web content, and the entire first video, for $10 you cant go wrong…

Is it true with every copy, you get a Z-RIG? How about stickers or candy or something cool?
Chris: Haha I wish I could give away a Z-Rig with AOTC2, no frills, maybe if you catch me on a good day youll get a copy of BMXFU4 if you buy an AOTC2 from me on the street, no promises…

CB: haha Chris is getting a signature colorway frame from The Take soon and every frame will come with a copy of the video.

Anything I missed you want to say?
Chris: Huge thanks to everyone who helped with the video. Thanks to my Mom and Dad for lending me the money to get the DVDs duplicated. Sorry to anyone who I forgot in the credits, and anyone whos name I spelled wrong! Thanks to AOTC, BMXFU, TJD, and The Take for the support, Lucas D’Angelo, Chris Saunders, Jake Frost, Lino Gonzales, and Nick Fournier for the help! And Kurt for the interview.

CB: Thank you everyone who helped us. We really just wanted to make another video showing how much fun we have in Boston and I think we succeeded.