Bret has been filming and editing for a couple years now, he is currently over in the USA on a couple of filming missions so we hit him up to talk about filming web videos…
What was the first web video you made?
The first webvideo I made was of Warrnambool local, Jake Arndell. It was just a bunch of clips we had left over from his section in my DVD of Warrnambool riders titled ‘Sweet Business’
Best thing about making web videos compared to a DVD?
Webvideos get out there a lot quicker and nowadays get more noticed within the industry.
Worst thing about making web videos compared to a DVD?
I’ve only ever made one DVD, and that was solely filmed around local skateparks, so I don’t really have much to say. But a down point of making web videos opposed to a DVD is that a webvideo will tend to be forgotten where as a DVD section will always be remembered.
With a countless amount of web videos coming out each day from all over the world, Do you stress much about finding a song that hasn’t been used before?
Yes, I definitely don’t song jack. I’ve probably done it before yes, but now I get all my music cleared. I tend to try and find smaller artists or bands and use their music to help get there name out.
Do you prefer Vimeo or Youtube and why?
I am a Vimeo man. I use both but every video I’ve made is on my Vimeo account so that’s the home to all of my work. Viewers seem to hit up my Vimeo account more then my Youtube. It’s just personal preference, whatever works for you, but Vimeo works for me.
Who out there motivates you to create web videos?
Filmers such as Mike King, ISENSEVEN, and definitely Allan Hardy motivate me to create webvideos. Also riders such as Andrew Ahumada, Matt Whyatt, Kyle Baldock and my mates from Warrnambool are also great influences and motivators for me.
Do you feel some people rush web videos? Do you believe you should take as much time working on an edit as you would as if it was for a DVD section?
It’s definitely hard to say. Normally with the videos I create, the rider and I will go into the project with a good idea of what we want in the video. Eg, intro, riding clips, lifestyle and the ender. So we wont be finished until we’ve gotten that done. We’ll always check the video before it’s released to make sure both sides are happy and if more clips are to be shot, most of the time we’ll do that, depending on the circumstances. Someone spending the same amount of time on a webvideo and a DVD will want to make the video very memorable. But yes, some people rush webvideos, not just the riding but also the filming/editing sides of it. I don’t believe the same amount of time spent filming a DVD section should be spent filming a webvideo.
What has been your favourite web video you have created and why?
My favourite video that i’ve created is definitely ‘Welcome To Fist Handwear Andrew Ahumada.’ Andrew and I have built an amazing friendship from making webvideos & filming together. So whenever we get together and film something it’s always such an awesome time. There’s lots of laughs and jokes while Andrew throws down tricks that I’m almost scared to film. This video was different to others as it wasn’t just filmed over one session or a weekend; instead it took a good month. We wanted to show to everyone that Andrew cannot only just shread indoors, but that if you take him to an outdoor park he will ride just as hard, so we both took the time and went out of our ways to film outdoors. We didn’t just go to one park but a good handful to show variety in Andrews riding but also to differ the shots. I feel this video sure did show people that Andrew and I can shoot outdoors, we just hadn’t been given the opportunity to before hand. There is a lot of funny moments from that video will always play back in my mind when I watch it. There is so much humor in Andrew Ahumada, one of the most talented and down to earth people I know. To think I would watch him ride in amazement, to a couple of years later be able to call him one of my best friends. It’s awesome how much a friendship can grow through one video. So definitely this is my pick for the favourite video I’ve created.
Any suggestions for people starting to get into making web videos?
The biggest suggestion I could give to people starting out making web videos is to have FUN. If you’re trying to make web videos and you’re not having fun, then you probably shouldn’t be doing it. The best thing I can suggest is, film with close mates of yours. It’s always awesome filming with your close mates. Work on the filming and editing together. Then the final product is your work. So much more satisfying! The guys I film with are some of my closest mates. Ever since my first edits with Andrew Ahumada and Matt Whyatt, we have been real close buddies. If you’ve ever seen me out filming you would have noticed it’s always a fun time and jokes are flowing. I ride myself, so I know how much fun it is making videos with close friends. That’s exactly what Andrew, Matt and I are about, just mates filming some serious tricks. Get out there and enjoy it.
If you go watch some of my first videos that I’ve made. They are some of my best memories in my life. They aren’t HD videos, they are just good times captured with mates. The more you film the better you get. Just get out there and enjoy riding and filming with your mates!
Are you working on any edits at the moment?
At the moment I am quite busy with filming and editing. I’m currently on a film trip and a holiday over in America.
Before I left for America I shot a video bike check with Renald McQueen. Within the first couple of days of being in America I was off to shoot a pre X-Games video with last years X-Games silver medalist for FMX best whip, Australia’s Jarryd McNeil. From there I’ve shot an edit with Pat Casey, as well as a video bike check and edit with Chris Hughes. Right now I’m in the middle of filming a mixed edit for FIST Handwear of Andrew Ahumada and Matt Whyatt. I’ve also shot an interview for ColonyBMX with Ryan Guettler, talking about the filming for Colonys latest DVD, I’m also shooting a video with Ryan for UNIT clothing.
A month ago I received an invitation to be apart of THEHUNTBMX video contest. Basically the top filmers in BMX were invited along side a very impressive rider line up to work together as a team to produce the best video, both riding and filming/editing wise. I was fortunate enough to receive a last minute invite and get to team up with Queenslands Kyle Baldock. So whilst I’m over here in Greenville North Carolina, Kyle and I are working together to hopefully produce a top notch edit and put us in the running for the $5K first prize.
I arrive home late July this year, expect videos to start dropping weekly after my return to Australia.
You can check out more of Bret’s edits here.
