I watched a great DVD last week called Threshold which documented the Scottish riding and race scene of 2008. Chapters included the NPS 1 and 2, the SDA’s the Scottish Champs, Fort William World Cup plus the new sport of Barbie biking and some dirt jumping (which also includes footage of the late Ben Ineson and Tom Rodgers).
I was quite impressed with the whole feel of the film so decided to find out a bit more about the two young filmers behind the movie, brother and sister Ronan and Alice Taylor from Scotland.
Name?
Ronan and Alice Taylor
Ages?
16 and 14
Where do you live?
On the Black Isle in the Highlands of Scotland. It’s quite flat here, so you have to travel to get to dh tracks, but there are decent cross-country tracks and dirt jumps if you know where to go.
How did you get into filming?
Alice: I have enjoyed filming since I was little.
Ronan: Originally I just filmed with friends to see how we were riding.
What camera and editing software do you use?
At the moment we use a fairly basic JVC DV recorder and iMovie. We’re hoping to put any profits from Threshold sales towards getting an HD camera. It could also be good to upgrade the editing software.
How long did it take to film and edit Threshold?
A: I filmed it at all the SDA and NPS race weekends in 2008
R: Editing took a long time. I kept going back and changing sections. It was pretty hard to fit it all in with school and training
I noticed on the Innerleithen film you did for us, Alice filmed and Ronan edited, is that how it works? How do you share the work?
A: I film the races
R: With Threshold, I did all the editing and I filmed the non-race sections when I either had a broken wrist or was down at the trails.
When will Threshold be released?
R: Threshold is available now from vttmedia for £8 including postage.
A: Or for £7.50 you can buy one from me at the races. I will be wearing a green Threshold hoody and carrying a bag of DVDs.
Ronan and Alice Taylor.
Do you think Barbie biking will become big?
R: Yeh, I reckon it has massive potential. I hear they’re considering it for the London Olympics.
Was that your first DVD?
A: Yes, it was our first DVD. But we’re already working on our 2nd.
Which film makers do you admire?
R: Mark Huskisson (Downhill Racer Guide, Home etc.) and Paul Roberts for making some sweet films of the regional races.
How do you choose the music?
R: A combination of recommendations from my dad and friends as well as random browsing on iTunes. It is important that the song works well with the pace of the riding/editing.
Ronan snow biking
So Ronan, you’re pretty fast on a bike then?
I’ve got a lot quicker over the past few years and I hope to continue to get better results.
How long have you been riding bikes?
A: Ronan has been mountain biking for the last 6 years and I have for the last 4.
Alice Taylor.
Do you race Alice?
No, I don’t yet. But I do a lot of riding, including some of the local downhill tracks.
What plans have you got for the future?
A: I don’t know what I want to do in the future, though I do want to carry on with riding and filming.
R: Like I said, I want to get faster. It would be cool to be able to do World Cups one day. This year I will be racing loads, and then editing and training a lot in the winter.
Order your copy of Threshold here.
mountain bike dvd Threshold: An Interview with Ronan and Alice Taylor
