Hey Dale,

Just thought I’d touch base with you and get an update on how Split Second is coming along.  And we can give the locals a brief preview of what they can expect to see.

 

First off, How did the filming go?  Have you got all the footage you were after and how many hours of footage do you have to edit down?

Throughout the season the filming has gone fairly smoothly, Being a one man crew is always hard as you have to cover a lot of the track by yourself, sometimes taking its toll. Overall footage came out fairly well, races are a lot harder to film than just one on one with a rider where you can take your time. Races are un predictable, you don’t have control on what lines or what a rider is going to do which makes the job a bit harder also.

I have still got a tiny bit more to do, but from all the rounds and other various shoots I have close to 18 hours of footage to watch edit through and do final touches on. Its quite a task as you may know.

We all know riders have a favourite track to ride, but what was your favourite round to film?  Did you get to all the rounds this season?

Well I would normally say Buller as it has the chairlift and its got some amazing back drops. But this year the weather was shocking with pouring rain and even snow. So I would have to say Barjarg. Even though it’s a fair walk. It just has so many interesting parts and so technical for all riders.

 

 

 

What is your process for editing your footage?  Do you edit the footage after each round or wait until the end of the season?

My process is pretty much like, I come back from the race gather all my footage up from the round and store it. Now at the end of the season I edit all my footage as it’s a lot easier. If you edit over a 6 month period your style changes and different things don’t stay the same. So I decided to do it all at the end and keep the same style and taste, if that makes sense haha.

**editors note: It sure does!**

How close to a finished product are you at the moment?

Well lets just say there is a fair bit more work to do to get it ready… A trailer should pop in the next few weeks.

Can't wait for that!

We all saw you lugging that heavy camera up and down those hills this season, was there ever a time you thought, “bugger this I’ve had enough”?

Actually that went through my mind a lot, especially at Buller. But I’m dedicated to doing this project so I mean you just have to think of the outcome. I also have a love for filming as you may know so that always helps you to stay positive through the rain, hail or shine.

 

Speaking of cameras, what equipment did you use this year, and did you make any ghetto pieces to help along the way?

Well there was some ghetto equipment used, lets see:

Camera: Canon Xh-A1
Microphone: Rode ntg-1
Tripod: some crappy one
Other bits: home made dolly, looks hell dodgy but works well some times

I also edit on a Apple I-Mac 24” with Final Cut Studio 2.

 

Apart from the race footage, what else can we expect to see on the DVD?  Can you give away any exclusives?

You can expect to see some rider sections with some of the top elite riders, also if everyone remembers Murph at Mt. Baw Baw, we might see a bit of that in there somewhere. The rest you will have to wait and see.

 

Is there anyone you’d like to thank?  Maybe give a shout out to?

Of course! I would like to give a big shout to Trav and all the boys down at You Yangs Shuttle Service, they helped me out big time. Also want to thank Monza Imports with their help with some great gear etc for all the rounds.  Beechworth Chaingang also did a mighty fine job in helping out. Mtb Pics Online for their on going support.  Swear Words also did a great job in coming through and helping with the designs etc. 

Lastly just to everyone that made all the races possible, all the people/groups and clubs that got on board. It’s really great to see. I’m sure there will be a bigger and better one in the future too.

Well Dale, thanks so much for giving up your precious time to answer my questions.  And thanks for giving up your race season to film our Victoria riders, whether it be rain hail, snow or baking sun.  You were there.  Thank you!

 

Hux