BÖIKZMÖIND is a 30 minute documentary film about riding fixed gear bikes in beautiful Bristol. The film shows the diverse cross section of riders and asks why ride bikes with no gears in a city full of hills. It also shines a light on the community and camaraderie that comes with the simple joy of riding bicycles.
This is an small excerpt from the finished film, which is now screening all over the world (boikzmoind.com/#screenings). If there’s not a screening near you then get in touch, more than happy for the film to be seen all over the world!
The DVD version which will be accompanied by a photo book is in the works right now, and you can sign up to register your interest here: boikzmoind.com/#preorder
The music is ‘Backwell’ by Beak>. All the music in the film is curated by Redg Weeks of Invada Records (invada.co.uk). Invada Records is the Bristol-based label set-up by Portishead’s Geoff Barrow in 2003, serving as a home for a diverse roster of artists from Thought Forms to Gonga.
Last Sunday saw a trip to Newport Velodrome with the trackdropouts.com. It’s the first time I’ve ever visited a track and was surprised at how steep the corners actually are, they don’t look anything close to that vertical on the TV! With both me and Gav armed with Canon 550D’s and an assortment of lenses, the order of the day for us at least was to film. The Trackdropout boys did an awesome job on the track, getting out there just after the Irish Olympic team had finished their own practice and we managed to get a nice collection of shots to be included in BÖIKZMÖIND, however the best shots we picked up that day were our dolly shots. Luckily the amazing folks at Glidetrack had lent Gav one of their Glidetrack SD’s to test out, and so with the track mounted onto two Velbon tripods we gave it a little trial from the centre of the track.
The first two attempts were a bit of a failure as we simply tried holding the camera and dragging it along the track, but after a few minutes we’d decided to change our tactic. With one of us at either end, Gav pressed record on the camera, and I pulled it along the track using the shoulder strap. It took a couple of attempts to get the speed right with each pass the guys took on the track, but after a short while the results were really pleasing.
The Glidetrack really is an awesome piece of kit and I can’t wait to use it again with a bit more familiarity. We can see a sneak peek of the results below.
Yesterday saw a trip to Newport Velodrome to shoot more footage for Böikzmöind. Footage was shot using the Canon 550D with the 18 - 55mm kit lens, 50mm prime and a Tamron 70 - 300mm zoom lens. Also used for a few shots was of the SD range’s of track from glidetrack.co.uk.
We were super happy with the results that the Glidetrack gave us, and can’t wait to get stuck in to use it again!
I’m a bit late on posting this. My internet has been restricted to iPhone access for the past few days, so have been unable to get them embed code!!
But moving on, here’s the first trailer for the fixed gear scene film I’m working on with Gavin Strange (www.jam-factory.com), BÖIKZMÖIND. The film itself will focus on the culture and social aspects of fixed gear and single speed riders in Bristol. We’re hoping for a full DVD launch on this one, and the final film will be released sometime in 2010.
In the meantime, sit back and enjoy the trailer.
Editing on the ‘BÖIKZMÖIND’ trailer has progressed well tonight. Half of the piece is all done, minus the grading and tomorrow we will commence the second half. Then they’ll just be a bit of grading to do before it’s all good to go this time next week at the second No Gears night at the Cube cinema here in Bristol.
More stills from the past weeks filming for the forthcoming ‘BÖIKZMÖIND’.
More stills from the past weeks filming for the forthcoming ‘BÖIKZMÖIND’.
More stills from the past weeks filming for the forthcoming ‘BÖIKZMÖIND’.
More stills from the past weeks filming for the forthcoming ‘BÖIKZMÖIND’.
