Video: Tony Malouf

Tony Malouf is one hell of a recognizable name on both sides of the camera. Over the years he’s rode for numerous brands and there’s probably hundreds of hours of his footage floating around the internet and in DVD’s. I’ve known Tony for many years now and I’ve definitely had the chance to get to know him well enough to say he’s a good asset to the BMX industry. The endless amounts of motivation to create something is clear and that’s what BMX is about; creating BMX in your own way. I know a lot of kids out there want to know what it takes to make it as a filmer in the industry, so I shot him some questions about how he got into the filming game, what he has for a setup, his current projects along with some other questions about his rider and team manager roles. Check out what he has to say, some real good photos by Jake Geisel and David Leep and a few videos. Don’t forget to leave some love in the comments or “Like” this too.

Name: Tony Malouf

Location: Prospect Heights, Illinois

Sponsors / Hookups: BSD, Osiris, DUB, ODI, The Gully Factory, Sun Ringle, 4 Seasons Skatepark, B-Rad

Years riding: 11

Years filming and editing: About 6

All right, so let’s start from the beginning. What was it that first got you into BMX? Any early memories come to mind?
My first Memory of using my bike to get rad is when I used to ride to the pool in the summer and blast curb cuts. I had a Murray. One time I juiced one and my towel was around my neck and fell off, and it went in my front wheel and I went OTB. Busted hard as fuck. Haha awesome.

Over the years you have rode for multiple brands like Sputnic, UGP, BSD, ODI and even your own project, The Gully Factory. Who else have you rode for over the years? Did you ever think you would be living the BMX pro life?
You got most of them there. My first sponsor ever was Enemy BMX out of Illinois. It was a group of local guys I looked up to and sometimes went on trips with. I was so thrilled when the homie Jonemy asked me to ride for them and gave me a couple shirts. As far as living the pro life…. HAHAH.

How did you get into filming and editing? Was it something that came about because of BMX, or did you already have interest in it and brought the two together?
I always liked filming. Even before riding. It wasn’t until I started riding though that I learned how to edit.

You have definitely spent a good amount of time on both sides of the lens. Would you rather be filming and editing, or getting clips of yourself if you had to choose?
It depends. Sometimes I get to a spot and I’m like “Damn! Someone do something. I want to film something on this.” Other times it’s like “I got shit! Lets fucks with it” I definitely like filming more then I like being filmed though.

Over the years, you have had the chance to film with multiple brands and pros. Care to give us a run through of some of those brands and maybe your favorite people you have had the chance to film with?
I have helped tons of companies with web videos lately. Doing the U.S. videos for BSD has been really fun. Gives me a chance to do something totally different than The Gully Factory stuff. As far as riders go, I love filming with Kriss Kyle, Reed Stark and David Grant. A bunch more of course but those 3 just make my job so easy.

You also have contributed to and even produced a few DVDs. What are some of the notable videos you had clips you filmed in, and what are the DVD’s you have had heavy involvement in?
Miles and I did Tattour about 2 years ago now. That shit was mad fun. Besides that I’ve contributed footage to tons of videos. Too many to mention really. The first one was Profiles “Outlet” DVD like right when I started shooting. Or maybe Shook “It’s On” was before that. I filmed a lot of Jeff K’s section for that. That sections so good. Recently though not so much DVD stuff. A few Props a couple years back. Josh Eilkens Section in the Madera video. Some stuff in The Trip video. I helped a lot on Mega Tour 10 which should be out soon.

Would you rather be filming for an edit or a full-length video? Would you rather be riding for a chill edit or a full video part? Any reason why?
Filming-wise it doesn’t really matter. I just enjoy filming. Riding… I’d say a full length. It’s much less stressful if you have a while to work on something. That way you can have days where you only get one thing and still be pumped.

You have been working on the 12:35 video for quite a while. What can we expect from that video? Who’s all involved with that? Any set release date?
Yeah man it’s been over a year for sure. Stuff is slowly getting piled up. Riders are the original Gully Factory crew which is Josh Eilken, Jeff Wescott, Matt Markese and my self. Along with David Grant, Kriss Kyle, Reed Stark and Lil Kyle Penfold. Everyone involved has been having such a great year traveling-wise that it’s been hard to get stuff done. But it has made the times when we’re all together that much better.

You recently broke your arm filming for your ODI “The Magic Bus” web series. Will this slow you down a bit or give you some more motivation and time to film for others? How long will you be out for?
I had been out for 8 weeks. I just recently got my cast off. Thing are going slow right now but I’m sure I’ll get to the day where it feels like it was never broke. Or at least I hope so. My leg was like that when I broke. Sometimes I forget which one I broke now. Haha

I know you have pretty much been all over the U.S and even some time in Scotland this past year. Where all has BMX brought you over the years country wise? Where are some places you have never been that you would like to go to?
Man I have been so fortunate to see some of the places I have. And I can’t thank Grant Smith (Owner of BSD) enough for all of it. My first time over seas was to Estonia for Simple Session. Since then I’ve been to Amsterdam, England, Germany, France and Scotland many times.

Let’s say you could take an all expenses paid trip (ITB = In the Budget) with 5 people for a week. Who would you pick to go and where would you go?
ITB huh? I would probably just head over to Scotland. Depending what time of year. And just bring my main dudes. Jeff Wescott, Matt Markese, Josh Eilken, David Grant and Tammy McHyphy. It would be awesome cause I know Scotland a bit and I’ve always told them about how dope it is. Wescott was actually just there. Lucky fucker!

What’s your current setup as far as camera gear goes? Didn’t you just add another camera to the collection?
I mainly shoot with my Sony VX2100. With that I use a Century Optics Mark 1 Fisheye. I have a small Bescor on-camera light I use from time to time, but the VX21 shoots incredibly at night. So if we have holly’s I’m all set. My second camera is a Sony TRV-950. I have a baby death for it that I never use. Actually trying to sell it. GET AT ME! For both of those I really only need a few extra batteries and a tripod. Now my third camera. Some people will probably laugh that I put this one in third. Is a Canon 60D. I just got it to work on a few non-BMX gigs. And I have to say it is a wonderful camera and I enjoy using just as much as my two Sony’s. But I just don’t have any interest in filming any riding with it. Have a field day with that one, all you HD hypes!

What’s your dream setup to be working with?
I have it. Actually if I got a bigger bag I would want another VX2100.

Who are some of the filmers that you look up to?
Walter Pieringer, BeagleONEism, Chase Gabor, Ryan Navazio, Tony Ennis, Will Stroud and Stew Johnson.

If I remember right, you have pretty much self-taught yourself everything you have done after leaving high school a bit early, right? How important do you feel education is? Do you think people should go to college?
It depends on the person. Some people certainly need that little box to be checked off later on down the road. But some don’t. Every time I apply for a job, I tell them I graduated high school and attend college anyway. And they always buy it. Haha.

What kind of advice do you have for people looking to get into filming and editing?
Start today! It takes time, but it’s fun! Get a camera and use it!

You recently took over the role of the U.S team manager for BSD as well. How did that job come about? What are some of your responsibilities with that job?
I slowly just fell into the roll. And one day I called Grant and asked him what he thought about it being official. He was stoked and so was I. Things have really been rolling ever since. Really all I did was pick the U.S. squad. Which is a dope batch of guys. Now I help make sure that they get what parts they want, when they need them. I also plan trips and do the video work for the U.S. Other then that I hear all the bitching and leave Grants ears quietly chillin in Scotland.

Do you have any team trips, edits, or anything in the works that you can tell us about?
We have some Hush Hush we’re talking about. Nothing I can discuss here. Sorry

How about for yourself? Do you have any signature product or anything like that in the works with BSD? Yeah, I’m working on a signature frame. No name yet but the design is dialed. More on that soon hopefully.

How are things going with the rest of the sponsors? Anything in the works once you get healed up?
Ehh, alright I suppose. But I’m afraid not.

What’s up with Gully Factory these days? I noticed you guys aren’t working with Fuel TV anymore? Any plans of doing a series with anyone else?
The Gully Factory is the same as ever. Same as it will always be. The site is constantly being updated with team info and edits are still coming out every so often. We have a new site dropping soon with our long awaited online store.

What are your plans for the rest of the year? Anything in particular you want to accomplish?
Yeah I have plans to make plans.

Is there anything I missed you would like to say
I have no idea. I’m far too comatose! BSDee’z Nutz and Keep it GULL!