1. You recently finished working on the new Animal video (available now!), how long were you working on it and how do you feel about the final film?

I was hired to help film the video 2 years ago. It was the first time I've filmed for such a big project for such a long period of time and just handed the footage off to someone else to edit. There were times where I would go out filming all day and just drop off the tapes to Bob Scerbo and he would even handle capturing it. Bob's pretty much responsible for the modern day no bullshit video format and I trust what he does. He makes the calls and I'm helping him with what he needs by filming the team so I'm just happy I get to be a part of it all. That being said I think the video is great and it stays very true to the style that Bob pretty much invented. It's awesome considering the company has been around for 10 years and the videos have stayed the same. A lot of the original people are still involved in one way or another and that's a rare thing in BMX.

2. What was the hardest part of making the Animal video?

Just that the team is so big and finding the time to try and film with everyone. I wish I could have worked more closely with certain people but everyone is on there own schedule and I can't be two places at once so I gotta pick and choose. I honestly wish I could have filmed everything with everyone but it just wasn't possible.

3. Animal has a pretty solid image in BMX was that something you took into consideration or did it come naturally?

I really tried to film in a style that matched the previous Animal videos. The way Jeff Z filmed a lot of stuff in the first animal video always kind of stood out in my mind and I tried to use that as inspiration. For the most part Animal videos are not a production, my job wasn't to to re-invent how BMX videos are filmed, just to stick with what works and document the riding as I see it.

4. What's been your favourite production of yours so far? and why?

I'm still really proud of Left/Right. Mainly because it was a completely independent production, looking back on it I kind of have no idea how it happened.

5. Orchid recently 'tweeted' that you were "locked" into filming their new video, can you tell us anything about the project?

As far as I know right now, they are going to be doing a sequel to Step On It. Derek asked me to come along and film, but as far as the rest of the production goes I don't know who is going to be doing what. Again, I'm psyched to be a part of it and I've known Derek for years so its awesome to help out with that.

BONUS question: Whats your personal favourite BMX film?

This is a real tough question, I don't think I can narrow it down to just one past video. But as far as recent videos goes, Bone Deth is an instant classic. Watching that the first time was like the first time I saw Seek And Destroy, I just know its something special that doesn't come along very often.

Ryan's Videography

Buy Animal Cuts in the US from empire
Buy Animal Cuts in the UK from Volt

1. You've been selling BMX films for years, which one has been the best seller?

For us, Chill Bro simply because it was our gig and it came out at a point when video sales were at their peak. Since then, sales have noticeably dropped off. Other than Chill Bro, and this is reaching back pretty far, it would be Etnies Forward. it came out on VHS first, then they followed up with a DVD, and they hit both formats pretty strong. We were packing those for days! Since then, I can't even really think of anything that's come close.

2. You've been making films since the Trend days, whats keeping the latest one?

What does that mean, some sort of Brit slang? How is it going with the latest Empire video? It's slow for sure, but we have faith in Dave Parrick's skill and vision. he works a little differently than Joel Moody, who made the last two Empire videos, so that's taken a little getting used to for the team. I'd rather it take longer and be amazing than whip it out fast and not be proud of the final product. We're sending some dudes to film at Ray's next week, and more on another trip to Spain in April. Needless to say, the budget for this one is quite a bit larger than in the past, and I think it'll be worth it. We won't show a profit, there's just no way we'll sell enough copies, but I think the video in itself will be worth the loss. Gotta pay the cost to be the boss, right?

3. Whats the most played film on the empire DVD player?

Baker has a Deathwish

4. Whats makes a good BMX film for you?

I'm not as discerning, anal, or insular as a lot of people when it comes time to offer an opinion on videos. I simply like to be entertained. If your budget is $100.00 and your video makes me say "yeaaaahhhh!", or you spent $30,000 and the production and riding make me shake my head in amazement, I can honestly say you've done a good job either way. Some people whine about some BMX videos being too epic or trying to copy skate videos in regard to production costs, like that's a bad thing. I think if someone creates a video that meets their vision of what they want to offer to the public, that's what counts. It's a piece of art, and as James Dalton once said, "opinions vary". there is not necessarily a right way or wrong way to do this shit, so crybabies can suck a big fat dick.

5. How much do you think you could have made if you charged $1 per clip to film on the ramp?

Not enough to pay Dave's salary for one week :)

BONUS question: Whats your personal favourite BMX film?

Each of the Trend and Empire video will always hold a place in my heart. Aside from our stuff, I'll go with Nowhere Fast. It still holds up today, and will continue to do so for a long fucking time.

Thanks to Tom & Tina at Empire BMX for letting us rip their previous video's

Trend Videography
Empire BMX Videography
Toms favourite, Nowhere Fast