BMX Union

BMX filming: A cost effective way

February 7, 2008

It is 14 degrees out, snowy out, and I don’t have class or work today…

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So I was sitting around and I got thinking about my camera set up. It seems like Youtube and Vimeo has a hundred new videos on their sites a day with kids riding BMX. It is insane how good some of the videos are that pop up on there are, but then again there are A LOT of video that after 5 seconds I start searching for a new video to watch instead. Then there are kids out there who complain “I can’t get a dvx or super nice camera so my videos won’t be good. That is where I kind of have to laugh because it is so easy to get stuff for cheap and still make it look good. My set up total, for everything was about $650? That is a rough estimate but I cannot imagine it is much more than that.
This is my filming set up.
Panasonic GS320- $375

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Sunpack 5800D Tripod- $25

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Handle- Custom Made $10

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Kenko Fisheye .43x- $40
Cokin Wideangle- $30

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Adobe Premiere-…. Yeah you can find ways to get this..
Firewire Cable- $40
Mini DV Tapes- $20
Camera Bag- $20
Total: $560.. that is rough because shipping and stuff was not included.

You can get a lot of stuff on Ebay and forums like Bikeguide.org and The Come Up Board in the For Sale sections where people are always selling good stuff and willing to trade for parts and other random things… Always a way to get something you want for cheap, and used is not neccesarily bad.
I have been filming and editing stuff for like 4 years… I have never had some awesome camera to use, I never felt like I had a need unless I was doing a DVD. Web edits and everything can turn out the same as the high quality if you save the settings right and the filming is smooth it will turn out just fine.
If you don’t want to find a way to get Adobe Premiere, or Final Cut Pro, or one of those expencive editing programs, you can use Microsoft Movie Maker, or iVideo or whatever Apple calls their video editing, just don’t use the cheap titles that spin and move and stuff, that will make it look bad.
With how much technology has progressed in the recent years, camera prices have dropped substantially. The camera I have now, if it was two years ago probably would have been in the upwards of $600. So you can get a 3CCD camera which is good quality without going broke. You can find great information on cameras on those forums I listed up above. For example this thread on bikeguide Video Camera Information Thread has a lot of really good information! Or how to make a Steady Cam handle
There is also this thread with more Filming Advice than you could ask for on how to film and edit really great videos.
This is more than enough information to help you get set up on putting together some good edits, gets some friends together and show the internet what you are up to. Many riders go unknown then a video of them pops up on youtube and then they are well known riders who end up sponsored.. I know I heard of Mike Spinner probably a year before he was pro from videos of him on youtube.

Also check out Skateperception.com it has a lot of real good stuff to get you going. Plus for some reason Skate videos are a lot better than most BMX videos?

Also, when looking for camera gear, make sure you check out BH Photo & Video. I tell you this because a lot of those really good prices on cameras on websites are frauds and they will end up screwing you over. If you don’t go with them, check this website before you buy Resellerratings.com. This site allows you to check what previous customers went through getting their order.

8th Annual Bicycle Film Festival

February 6, 2008

The EIGHTH ANNUAL BICYCLE FILM FESTIVAL is now accepting entries.
Deadline For Entries Is February 19th(-ish)

We are looking for films with a strong theme or character of bicycles. This includes all mediums and styles such as animation, experimental, narrative, dοcumentary and music videos.
The BFF is held in over 15 cities around the world including Tokyo, New York City, Los Angeles, Milan, and London. In 2007 the total BFF attendance was nearly 100,000 people.
BFF is a celebration through film, art and music. Past BFFs has been have included works from legendary artists such as Jonas Mekas, Michel Gondry, Mike Mills and Jorgen Leth. The emerging artist is showcased as well.
The Bike Film Fest is expected to be a huge success in 2008. All cities have been selected and dates for NEW YORK are May 28th – June1st. All other dates will be set within the month.

For more information and entry forms, visit the BFF website: http://www.bicyclefilmfestival.com
hit it up. doesn’t have to be banger after banger… make it a day in a life. here’s your chance to show off them film making skills.
do a roadfools style road trip and dοcument it.

Albes Sale!

February 6, 2008

I posted the flyer about the Albes sale that they are having…. Well just an FYI it starts today and runs until the end of the month. So Check their site everyday and maybe you will find something you wanted for super cheap. It’s going to be good stuff not the old stuff you usually see more places putting on sale.

If I am not mistaken, I think it might be this Kink Frame for $89.99… 2008? must be?

Edit: actually I lied, it was this Fly Pantera Fork for $39.99 …

The Come Up DVD review

February 3, 2008

The Come Up is on the top of the BMX websites, and when there was word of a dvd coming out, I couldn’t believe all the different reactions people had. I really don’t see why so many people hate on new things, people they don’t know, and everything. However, there was also A LOT of really excited people who wanted to see this DVD, including me. When Adam asked if I wanted a copy I was stoked, so I am doing this review.

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Now if your on the message boards and everything, I am sure you saw a few days ago somebody uploaded the video to google, which sucked, but I peeped it for a few minutes to get a feel for it and couldn’t wait for mine to come. It is down now so you gotta buy a copy to see it.

The DVD is 46 minutes long and like 23 minutes of bonus stuff. So when I was watching this I wrote stuff down to remind me what I wanted to say.

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To start the DVD out, it shows a little of what to come, and then a big 3 crash on some stairs where the dude walked away, but I guess he messed up his spleen or something? Alex Platt is real good, to be honest I never knew who he was until this dvd came out and I have a feeling people will see a lot more of him. He has the first part.

Then it is followed up by the DOTC trip, which is Adam and his friends, JJ Palmere, Hoang Tran. Hoang does the slowest, longest curved wall I have ever seen. Some dude does a Berringer style backflip out of a grass bank, and the riding in general is just good a lot of bangers.

Ben Hittle is good, his style is great and he rides really fast. His last clip is of a backwards manual, which I think is probably the longest I have ever seen without a freecoaster.

The Sputnic section is good, a lot of good stuff from Tony Malouf and Tony Neyer, they even have a lot from Casey Strong who was just added to the team.

The Bonedeth guys are wild, I’m assuming you have to have a big sprocket to be in their group, but thats not a bad thing.. Pretty gnarly drop off a U-Haul into a grass bank.

Nicky B is a guy I have never heard of, has a interesting style but good, Joof is another unknown who has clips in it, he rips! I want to see more of him.

MassBMX part was cool they seem to be a pretty tight crew a lot of different styles.

Shadow part, Seth Kimbrough and Karl Poynter, enough said, well actually, Karl does the longest tire slide in the history of tire slides. I laughed a lot everytime I saw the guy filming in the roller blades.

Steve Croteau..I don’t know about this guy. Could have had a better part from somebody else, luckily there was a mix with Lino Gonzales and some others in it.

Shitluck is awesome, they have a lot of fun. There was a lot of random clips of people, like the fatest cop (or security gaurd probably) in the world. Good riding of course.

JJ Palmere…You know this is good… He hopped over a sleeping dude on a bench, didn’t he do that in his props bio?

Yeah Savage trip, Ben Hittle rides trails like a champ, and Alex Platt takes slams like Kachinsky, you will like this.

Credits were good, funny clips of ghetto girls and other things.

Bonus- Adam has a short part at the end, he rides better than 99% of the Annonymous shit talkers on his site. A bunch of companys have parts which are good, and then Spam has a part, double pedal grind? awesome.
Crashes, Slideshow, and Baltimore DC trip all have good stuff worth checking out, the slide show really shows what the BMX lifestyle is like.

There I just summed up all of the parts from my notes.

Filming and editing: The filming was smooth and easy to watch, and the editing was chill, no special effects or anything really like that.

Music: I was reading other peoples responses to the music and I think people are too opinionated and stuck to their favorite music. I really liked it, it had a little of everything and it went with the riding. I figured it was going to be bad from all the e-thugs talking bad, they were wrong.

Overall: This video is good, Adam has a lot of people he can get to be apart of a video, and that was just it.. a BIG variety of riders that makes it super fun to watch. I am not a big street dude, however, I still was into the video, I think it was just a good feel for everyone that was apart of it. That makes the video have a good feel to watch. One of those videos you want to go ride after watching.

I think this video has been a long time coming and finally it is out. I guess this is where I should say buy it or don’t? .. Seriously, there are a lot of people out there who hate the come up because it is “the come up,” and I think people should change their attitude at least so they can check out a pretty solid video. $15 bucks isn’t a lot of money for a something you will watch more than once for sure. Buy it, you will not be disappointed.

You can pick a copy up at:
Albes
Dans Comp
Staff

Albes Sale

February 3, 2008

Flip always has some awesome stuff going on over at Albes… If you remember the February contest they had the last two years that got shut down you know the kind of deals they were giving out.. well they found a way around it and are doing it again.

So make sure you start checking their site everyday for super good deals on stuff. Click that picture for all the details..

Also while your their check out the Brandon Dosch Video they got posted

PHOTO UPDATE

February 2, 2008

bunch of photo’s I had laying around:
Levi Weert by Francis Delapena in Boise

Levi Weert by Tal Roberts in Boise

Cody Law by Tal Roberts in Boise

Jordy Kilpela (360 to fakie) shot by ME at Level 2 Skatepark, Houghton MI

Jake H. (270 invert) shot by me at Level 2 Skatepark, Houghton MI

Jordy Kilpela (tuck to fakie) shot by me at Level 2 Skatepark, Houghton MI

Jake Geisel (double tire) shot by me at National Skatepark, Milwaukee WI

Grant C (downside whip) shot by me at 4seasons, Milwaukee WI

thats enough for now. check out this vid from Levi Weert. He is a shredder:

Dustin Griess

January 31, 2008

Dustin Griess is the man.. hands down awesome all around guy.. SHREDS ON A BIKE.. shreds the internet (InterBMX.com) and just super nice… I could go on forever.. but on a noteable thought, Dustin got 2nd at the free flow am tour last fall.. and here is a video of him doing his runs which got him that spot..

AWESOME..

Mike Vincent

January 31, 2008

Taken from a Myspace bulletin from Tom Haugen

Mike Vincent is a BMX rider who has been a prominent fixture in the sport for many years. Mike has worked as a judge for all of the major competitions, including the X Games, LG Action Sports World Tour, AST Dew Tour, and the former Gravity Games. He has also been a part of most of the core BMX competitions, including Rebeljam and the CFB events. Mike is also a regular at any Los Angeles track bike gatherings and all around a great guy.
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Image taken from United Bike’s (I never met Mike or have seen a picture but I am assuming this is the same guy since hes with Jimmy Levan)- Kurt
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Some of you may have already heard about Mike’s terrible accident two weeks ago. While riding his bicycle on the way to work he was struck by a car. Although he sustained minimal body injuries, he did sustain major head trauma. After multiple brain surgeries in the initial days, Mike looked to be headed towards a speedy recovery. He was lucid, and talkative. He even managed to tell the doctors that he didn’t eat meat along with asking to go to 7-11 for Gatorade.

However, last Thursday his brain swelled dramatically and he had to undergo another brain surgery. To allow space for swelling the right side of his cranium was removed and was placed inside his stomach to keep the bone alive. This episode was a major set back in his recovery.

More bad news came a few days later when the CT revealed that his broken ribs had punctured one of his lungs, which after a few days collapsed and filled up with blood. He underwent another surgery to scrape the clotted blood and to install tubes for drainage. To help his breathing the doctors also performed a tracheotomy and will slowly wean him off the respirator. The doctors have also already found multiple blood clots, which at any point in time can cause serious problems.

On a better note, since his last surgery, he has opened his eyes for a few minutes and has been able to communicate at times by giving a thumb up or by hand squeezes. We fully believe in his full recovery, yet the reality of the situation is that it will be a long road. At the moment, the doctors have predicted that Mike will stay in ICU for another 4 to 6 weeks. This will be just the beginning of his journey to recovery.

Mike is currently staying at the ICU at Cedar Sinai. If you live in the LA area and would like to see him, feel free to come by and show your support. I know his mom appreciates the visitors. Because he is in ICU, the number of people allowed in his room is limited to two. Also, gifts such as flowers are not allowed in, so please save that stuff until he’s got his own private room and can enjoy it.

A strong group of friends are in the process of forming a non-profit organization on behalf of Mike and his parents. They will need all the love, support, help, and donations they can get. If you have any ideas and suggestions for fundraisers please send an email with details to MikeVincentUpdates@gmail.com