Our buddies from Vurb teamed up with film producer Kyle Cowling to create this really indepth and eye-opening video about the otherside of being a professional FMX rider, featuring Unit team rider Brody Wilson. We spoke with Kyle about the production, and he was nice enough to hook us up with this write-up about the project, what it took to produce, and what the original idea was behind "From The Otherside".
It’s been a little while since I’ve worked on any projects that really focus more so on the behind-the-scenes aspect of Freestyle Motocross other than just the riding itself (I think The Catalyst featuring Adam Jones that we shot in April of this year was the last behind-the-scenes project I shot). I’d been kicking around the idea of embarking on another behind-the-scenes/in-depth sort of FMX film for a couple months, but I wasn’t sure what the full concept would be. However, after recently joining to crew at Vurb Moto, ideas and shoots seemed to instantly fall into place. My first shoot with Vurb was out at Jimmy Fitzpatrick’s house (Fitzland) with Derek Garland, Doug Parsons, Fitz, Rich Kearns, and Taka Hagishino. Once we wrapped up the day, Kearns and I decided to meet up with Unit Clothing’s FMX rider, Brody Wilson and his girlfriend Lauren for dinner. Once at dinner, Brody and I started chatting about things, and I told him I had a few ideas for a new film, and asked if he’d be interested in joining forces with me to make it happen. Brody kindly obliged and a few days later we got to work on things.
The goal for From The Otherside was/is to show whom these people is away from their dirt bike. I also want to show the general public that FMX isn’t what it was when it first started: partying, drinking, etc. Clearly FMX riders do not have to be on as strict a training regime as Supercross and motocross racers, however, at the level guys like Brody are riding, you’ve got to be in both physical and mental shape to make sure you’re coming home in one piece at the end of the day. I’m not sure that most people realize that a lot of these guys in the FMX business either go to the gym or do have trainers and put in a hell of a lot of work to be the best freestyle motocross rider possible. Thus, the vision is to show what a person like Brody does on a daily basis to keep sharp on his bike. Whether it’s hitting ramps, doing laps at the track, going to the gym, or riding some BMX trails; we covered it all and then some.
An angle that I really tried to take advantage of was Brody’s girlfriend, Lauren. I can’t even begin to imagine the mental stress she must go through while watching Brody huck himself about over a 75-foot gap, upside down. The girlfriends and wifes of FMX do a lot for their man from scheduling shows, booking flights, to supporting them at contests and taking care of them when they’re injured. I wanted to capture some of what Lauren’s perspective is being in such a unique relationship at only 21-years-old. Think about it… Most 21-year-old girls are out living it up with their other girlfriends at bars, clubs, etc. Lauren… She is going to college, working, and also doing everything she can to support Brody in his career. She’s mature beyond years, and I feel she did a great job on giving fans and outsiders of this sport some interesting perspective on what she goes through.
We spent two days filming this project for Vurb Moto. Our first day was at spent on the ramps at Ronnie Faisst’s house, which I can’t thank him enough for allowing us spend the morning in his backyard filming. From there we spent the rest of the day doing interviews and filming lifestyle shots at their house in Temecula, CA. Day II, we started around 10:30am and finished at 10:30pm! We went to Starwest MX Park in Perris, CA to film Brody spin some laps and then we headed over to these badass BMX/mountain bike trails with Kearns. I was definitely impressed with Brody’s skills on the BMX trails. I don’t think the camera justifies how big a few of those hits were. Afterwards, we did a few more interviews at home before heading to the gym where we captured Brody getting in a work out. From there, we finished the evening at Brody’s to capture a little more lifestyle footage of Lauren cooking dinner, etc. As for editing? Three days were spent piecing this thing together and the hardest part? Finding the right music, but I think what I came up with fits perfectly with the story.
Everything we shot is a typical day for Brody, so I was excited he likes to keep busy whether it’s with FMX, moto, BMX, or going to the gym. Overall, I hope people enjoy what we created and, most importantly, I hope it shows those on the otherside of the fence, spectating, what these top FMX athletes go their to be at their best come X-Games, Red Bull X-Fighters, or a Dew Tour event. They deserve a hell of a lot more credit than they’re given, and I hope From The Otherside helps achieve that goal.
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