Posts
161
Joined
3/17/2014
Location
IN
US
Edited Date/Time
4/10/2018 5:46pm
Hey guys, I'm not around the Vital crowd a whole lot so I figured I'd introduce myself a little. I'm a videographer living in Indiana, I've done some work in the past with vurbmoto and motosport, and more recently with RIDE365 and Great Lakes Motocross in Michigan. My website with my videos can be accessed at https://www.jared-conley.com/
Anway, I've long wondered why there isn't more coverage of those who create the content we all watch. I would love to hear the stories Wes Williams or Troy Adamitis must have, the techniques of Danny Stuart or Kyle Cowling, etc. That was the inspiration for what would eventually be called "World of Echo," a blog where I can discuss with filmmakers and content creators in moto (and possibly other disciplines if it sticks around long enough). In addition to interviews, I plan to release my own videos on the site as well.
The first installment with Austrian filmmaker (and 2016 Racer X Amateur Film Festival Winner) Uwe Fröhlich went live today, and can be found in the link below. I'll continually update this thread each time a new interview or video is posted to the site. If you have a moment to check it out that would be awesome, and feel free to discuss here if you feel so inclined. Thanks for your time.
https://inaworldofecho.wordpress.com/2018/03/08/uwe-froehlich-interview/
Anway, I've long wondered why there isn't more coverage of those who create the content we all watch. I would love to hear the stories Wes Williams or Troy Adamitis must have, the techniques of Danny Stuart or Kyle Cowling, etc. That was the inspiration for what would eventually be called "World of Echo," a blog where I can discuss with filmmakers and content creators in moto (and possibly other disciplines if it sticks around long enough). In addition to interviews, I plan to release my own videos on the site as well.
The first installment with Austrian filmmaker (and 2016 Racer X Amateur Film Festival Winner) Uwe Fröhlich went live today, and can be found in the link below. I'll continually update this thread each time a new interview or video is posted to the site. If you have a moment to check it out that would be awesome, and feel free to discuss here if you feel so inclined. Thanks for your time.
https://inaworldofecho.wordpress.com/2018/03/08/uwe-froehlich-interview/
Charles talks extensively about growing up with his brothers in Bulverde, Texas, linking up with the Vurbmoto crew, finding his community within motocross, and some of his adventures through filmmaking. If you have the chance, read about him below.
https://inaworldofecho.wordpress.com/2018/03/15/charles-bakke-interview/
https://inaworldofecho.wordpress.com/2018/03/31/chase-dunivant-intervie…
Focus on the “factory” guys that many of us know and I’d think you’d find some demand for content there. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with.
I do plan on having some more recognizable names come on the blog in the future. I'd love to get some of the guys I listed in my initial post, as well as some from maybe the heyday of motocross media (back when DVDs and VHS ruled all). I want to first focus on building up some stories of lesser-known filmmakers who I think are making (or have in the past made) waves.
The Shop
Ignore the assholes and keep up the good work
EDIT: Would be great to ask them about any specific tips for filming motocross.
I think we're getting there with riders like Durham, Bereman... I think Axell Hodges especially is paving the way for career-made motorcyclists with no solid competition background. (Although I'm not sure of his racing background, but Seth Enslow might've been the originator of this trend, lol). Brett Cue and Dayton Daft as well with their 365 brand. And as much as I hate to say it, a lot of that change is coming by way of Instagram and Snapchat.
P.S. I'll try to throw some technical questions in there as well for people looking to get the most out their ideas/equipment. I'm admittedly not too technical on the camera myself, but I'll try my best!
Just kidding- the more moto media the better.
This week I spoke with Illinois native Jeff Urbahn about photography and his current life abroad, early influences in video, fanning out on Windham and McGrath at Party in the Pasture, and impromptu champagne showers. As always you can read more about him below.
https://inaworldofecho.wordpress.com/2018/04/05/jeff-urbahn-interview/
Your the past will guide you was a pretty sick edit.
https://inaworldofecho.wordpress.com/2018/04/12/patrick-evans-interview/
This week's interview has been close to finished for a few days now, I just got some of the photos last night from aerial sports videographer Wes Coughlin, who I was asked to interview by some folks on the MX Simulator forums. This is my first piece to branch outside of motocross. (Wes doesn't specialize in it, but we do talk a little bit about moto in his childhood and in comparison to aerial sports.) I know that some of my work even in motocross hasn't been the most popular here, so I post this with a bit of hesitation. I'll continue to post every interview if anyone's interested. If there is no interest in subjects beyond-moto, I'll continue to only post exclusively moto videographers. However, I think a lot of what Wes speak about in here could be useful to those looking to film in moto as well. Here's the link if you'd like to read more. Thanks.
Discussion includes: The in’s and out’s of BASE jumping and its community, discovering the magic of editing, pioneering drone technology with Hans Skjersaa at XProHeli, filming for his first full-length documentary, and his advice to aspiring action sports filmmakers, among other things…
https://inaworldofecho.wordpress.com/2018/05/01/die-trying-wes-coughlin…
Discussion includes: Introduction to the industry as a designer with Answer Racing, thoughts on higher level education, developing your style as an artist, his time at DC Shoes, starting / maintaining META, and more…
https://inaworldofecho.wordpress.com/2018/06/01/the-digital-age-with-be…
This is probably the most film-centric entry yet, as the bulk of Colton's work lies in traditional narrative. Hollywood movie-type stuff. I still think it's worth a look for those interested in how those in the "business" conduct their business of working together to make movies. We talk about discovering his love for editing and filmmaking by videotaping him and his brother riding, his experience living in LA (and now Oregon), lessons on the visual and sound relationship in film, and so much more. Great guy, great read. You can check it out below.
https://inaworldofecho.wordpress.com/2018/06/08/colton-davie-interview/
The latest piece follows Alex and I through my perspective of three days in North Liberty, Alex's hometown. I speak about the experiences we shared while filming his part for the article, as well as conversations I had with him and his family throughout my stay in their motorhome (which doesn't sound as bad as you might think). For those who maybe haven't seen before, we've collaborated on "120,960 Minutes W/ Alex Witkowski" and my full-length video from 2016, "Live! From the Midwest." His parts from 120,960 Minutes also wound up in my video for the Racer X Film Festival ages ago.
Alex is a national champion Sprint Enduro racer for Beta USA, and he spoke about his time in public school (and what he finds wrong with it), growing up fast living in Florida during the winter, music, and his trip to France to compete in the International Six Days Enduro last year. Article includes video as well! Thanks for reading.
https://inaworldofecho.wordpress.com/2018/06/13/alex-witkowski-article/
Anyways, a few days before the RedBud National I got to speak with Jessica Young, the director and lead cinematographer on Fox Racing's 2001 feature: Terrafirma 7. (Though her work may be more recognizable with Troy Adamitis' TGO series.) I could go on and on about this flick, but to make a long story short, this is my favorite motocross movie of all time. I was ecstatic Jessica agreed to give me a call and talk about what I learned to be her first foray into motocross, fresh out of the Academy of Art in San Francisco. Jessica snagged fellow graduate Todd Bell to be her assistant director, and a kid named Nick Kleczewski to handle lead edit duties. I see T7 as the gold standard for motocross media, and every time I put it on I leave with a smile on my face.
Discussion inclues: Life before Terrafirma 7, feature-film influence, learning to shoot moto, mishaps at RC’s and Loretta Lynn’s, tales of the GZAP cam, and much more…
*If you aren't familiar with T7, you can check it out HERE, or read through the interview and have a look near the bottom. Thanks for reading.
https://inaworldofecho.wordpress.com/2018/07/09/inside-terrafirma-7-wit…
Pit Row
This installment is a special one though, for a couple reasons. To start, I've finally hit double digits! This is the tenth interview on the site (technically eleventh post, but I'll put videos and interviews in separate categories). I made a little post on Instagram, but it's been an awesome experience getting to talk to all of these people! Hearing stories and just getting to even bullshit with everyone has been an enjoyable experience each and every time. The more I do this, the more I wish I had started it sooner.
This is probably my favorite interview to date, and I hope you all enjoy it. Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Troy Adamitis!
Discussion includes: Getting hired into the industry straight out of film school, blowing Fox Racing’s budget on “Frezno Smooth,” missteps with No Fear’s “Chapter 2” and success with “The Great Outdoors” in 2002, the rise and fall of “Supercross: Behind the Dream,” “MX Nation” / “MX Planet,” and much more…
https://inaworldofecho.wordpress.com/2018/07/23/745/
This time I got to speak with documentary filmmaker Todd Huffman, who you might know from his show on Speed, The Motocross Files, or his project on John Penton in 2014. He was even a producer on the follow up to the seminal MX movie, On Any Sunday, with OAS: The Next Chapter.
That's the other thing... I suppose this is a show now! Thanks to some of the folks on the MX Sim forums, you can now listen to me ramble over the phone! The episode can be streamed on soundcloud HERE, or on YouTube (with accompanying visual aid at certain parts of our conversation) HERE. The Soundcloud link is also embedded on the blog, you just can't access the time stamps on there.
I don't think this is the best interview I've done... was definitely nervous trying to make sure I wasn't stepping over Todd since I was going to release the audio this time. I think in the future, now that I know how I'm going to go about it, I'll get better. This conversation is very much filmmaking based, so anyone who's really into the technical side of filmmaking will probably enjoy this more than the casual moto fan. Either way, hope some people get a kick out of it. Todd's a real OG, he knows his stuff.
Discussion includes: Growing up on moto and BMX in NorCal, meeting Don Hoffman at the Pipeline in Upland, why Speed Channel picked up “The Motocross Files,” stories from premiering “Penton: The Story of John Penton,” upcoming projects, and much more…
https://inaworldofecho.wordpress.com/2018/08/04/digging-deep-with-docum…
I spoke with Jimmy Bowron about PLAECO, his tenure with Motosport.com, his work on the Driven to Ride series with Derek Anderson and Tucker Saye, befriending Colton Haaker and his projects with that nut (X games real moto, HEATER, new projects). Super nice dude, had a lot to say. Read or listen below. Sorry for the wait!! I'm not ditching this project.
https://inaworldofecho.com/2018/09/26/jimmy-bowron/
Discussion includes: Freestyling with Blink-182, landing jobs with, 411 Video Magazine, Element, Stance and FOX Racing, the difference between skaters and motocross riders, working with everyone from Matt Hensley to Ken Roczen, switching careers (in relation to age), and why risking it all is the still the best move for young filmmakers, among other things…
https://inaworldofecho.com/2018/10/16/ricki-bedenbaugh/
Like I wrote about in the opener, Dayton was one of the first people I met in the moto industry and is someone I've often looked towards and asked for advice. He's super nice, down to Earth, and loves all things film and moto. We talked about starting the 365 brands, working with Travis Pastrana and BQ, and the real story behind Ronnie Mac racing the Motocross of Nations. You can read or listen through the link below. Thanks!
https://inaworldofecho.com/2018/10/15/dayton-daft/
Kyle wanted to use this interview opportunity to talk about the difficulties of the creative business, which only seem to be compounded by confusing common practice within the moto industry. Lots of crazy stuff that didn't go to print, but plenty there to make this one unique, which is exactly how I'd describe Kyle's work. It also helps that, like most people I talk with, I'm already a huge fan. Read or listen below. Thank you.
https://inaworldofecho.com/2018/12/02/kyle-cowling/
Discussion includes: Hired and fired in the nine-to-five rigamarole, working the beat as a photographer for Transworld Motocross, navigating the mental stresses of creative fulfillment vs. not starving to death, exploring narrative filmmaking and its effect on the future of Spectrum, and being Tarah Gieger’s #1 fan…
A lot has changed in my life since the beginning of the year (and since starting the site, which is coming up on its one-year anniversary here soon... jesus). I've taken up a part-time job at my family's business, a CNC shop specializing in resharp work: mostly scoring blades, carbide wheels, etc. My grandfather started the business years ago with his wife, my Dad, my Aunt, and a few uncle's and cousin's working there at one time or another. He has been able to pick up some of the slack work the last few years, but his age is starting to catch up with him, so I'm taking over a lot of his work there.
Of course, the plan is still to continue with World of Echo when I'm able to, making videos, conducting interviews, and writing articles. I honestly have plans to do more of all of those things, but it will have to wait until after I get off work during the week!
Either way, I have two interviews coming down the pipeline right now, this being one of them. It's a conversation with Avery Rost, who is an up and coming moto filmmaker out of Green Lake, Wisconsin. He interned with my last subject Kyle Cowling, oddly enough, which made for some fun conversation. He's a good kid with a lot of talent on his newly acquired RED setup. I look forward to what he has to offer in the future, and I hope after you're done reading, you will too. Some samples of his work are sprinkled throughout.
https://inaworldofecho.com/2019/03/02/avery-rost/
(Also, since I plan on tackling even more written topics this year in-between my work schedule, I've decided to retire the audio shows. I'm not sure if I will bring them back, but for now I'm going text-only again...)
I love Jordan's outlook on life, his passion for the sport (and the art surrounding it), and his willingness to do everything on his own terms. I implore you to check out his website - http://uniformco.online. Lots of abstract works in and outside of moto. The fifth installment of his "Document" magazine project is still available for purchase there as well. If you haven't already gotten ahold of any, that's a good place to start. Our conversation is linked below if you've got time to check it out. Thanks. (If you're looking for an alternative experience, consider downloading the "Read Aloud: Text to Speech" extension for Google Chrome, in lieu of my editing of the audio show for every installment.)
https://inaworldofecho.com/2019/02/06/jordan-hoover/
Discussion includes: Moto banter, the foundation of his relationship with motocross and Fox Racing, why Instagram sucks, societal conformity, challenges and rewards of running an independent publication, and plans to create the next open space for creators with “Uniform,” among other things…
https://inaworldofecho.com/2019/04/03/tom-journet/
A more formal "Discussion includes:" Growing up at Raceway Park in New Jersey, creation and evolution of the “Innermost” video series, French music, loathing editing, and almost freezing to death in the mountains of Colorado, among other things…
And Get er done. Sounds interesting and i know there is a strong interest these days of people wanting to learn how to shoot Video's and Editing, good luck.
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