Blake Shipman
- Updated: December 8, 2011
With very little mainstream exposure, the ATV industry relies on manufacturer support, aftermarket professionals, excited enthusiasts, and passionate photojournalist and videographers to further fuel it along.
Not since H Bomb Films’ Wes Miller and Premis Industries’ Brad Phillips have I noticed a more professional, passionate, dedicated, driven and talented film maker in our industry. He’s my kind of die hard, since age 4, Oklahoma City’s Blake Shipman has been riding bikes and quads, and he has been making films since he was 13. Click on any of Blake’s You Tube clips and I think you’ll understand that Blake sure is following his calling. With that I decided to fire a few questions at him…
|
|
Man o man, you’re not playing around are you?
I take film-making very serious. I have always done so since day one. I remember some people thinking I took it a little more serious than needed, but I always believed that if I worked hard long enough and did what I knew how to do as well as learn from my mistakes as well as others that I would end up somewhere positive. I feel like a lot of that hard work is beginning to pay off, but I cannot stop here. I’ve got a whole lot more I want to get done.
Are you planning on sticking with this for a while, or is there something else you want to tackle next?
If I had to gauge it, I’d say I’m about 1/5th through my list of things to do with film production.
Do you think quad riders of today have more respect than those of the past?
Yes I do. You see a lot of guys hop on bikes daily. You can (for the most part) dial them in easier than getting a quad ready to race. Racing and riding quads has been called a lame sport but you know what they say, If it was easy, then everyone would do it.
Besides some really creative camera angles, fun slow motion shots and artistic transitions the audio you pair with your scenes really tells your story well. How do you go about selecting audio for your films?
I have always loved music and by the time I began to edit footage, I had music stockpiled on my computer and on burned CDs that I listened to over and over. I would get ideas from the punk rock I listened to even back in 6th grade, which everyone hated by the way, and now it is what inspires me to edit what I have done.
So sometimes you’ll build a video around a song you like?
Absolutely. 90% of the time I do that exact process. I’ve got tens of thousands of songs on my iTunes account and yes I have bought the songs that bands/labels haven’t sent me to use.
Have any bands contacted you yet? I would think you could do a lot of good for an up and coming band.
Some do but I’m extremely picky believe it or not. Some viewers complain about music I use and it is mostly harder tunes but I’m a stickler for music I use. Now we are getting into the days of stepping it up and working with labels and rights which some filmmakers do not do but it is a huge deal to get caught selling content you do not have permission to use.
Like the several different ATVs most of us upgrade to, I’m assuming you’ve done the same with editing software? What did you start with and what do you use now? Do you have to spend a lot of money to make a great video?
I started out with a humongous VHS recording camera that my dad used when I was literally a baby to shoot birthdays and family events. Then, I stepped up to a little handy cam that used mini DV tapes, which was standard definition at the time. HD cams weren’t going for $400 at Sam’s Club when I was 13 so I used what I had around me and it was a great way to learn what I wanted and what I did not want. Now I use a Panasonic HMC-150 and a Canon 7D DSLR. I began editing on software that I bought from office depot called Pinnacle Studio and it was pretty much the same as what comes on PCs and MAC computers now days but probably not as extensive. Now days if you had to, you could edit an entire DVD with iMovie which is nuts if you stop and think about it! I asked for my own computer, which was an HP Desktop for Christmas one year when I was probably 17 and then began using Adobe Premiere Pro to edit. After all of the blue screens and constant headache from that mess, I went out and bought a MAC laptop three years later and bought Final Cut Studio software which was one of the best purchases in this whole process thus far.
What was your first machine? Did you race?
My first machine was a Honda ATC70 three wheeler when I was four, and then just went up the ranks with bigger motors and better bikes. I had gone up to a Suzuki 80 from that and then a Polaris Trailblazer. Then, it was a Honda 250X, a Honda 400EX, Honda TRX450 and now a Yamaha YFZ450R. I raced some things but nothing like Nationals. Also, I was never good at racing to tell the truth. I just liked to jump and still do on occasion.
A creative clip of Blake riding his Yamaha YFZ450R. Blake shot this with a GoPro HD Hero and a Canon 7D.
There aren’t many people your age that got their ATV start on a three wheeler. Much respect.
It was a blast I loved that little thing!
You’re an action sports film maker. So this isn’t just aboout ATVs, correct?
Yea for the most part though I like sticking to motocross. I’ve shot some wake-board video and BMX but ATVs is where my heart is. Seems like I’m still in awe at the racing and freestyle aspect of it.
So shooting a football game doesn’t quite do it for you?
No way [Laughing] I cant even sit down to watch a game. I have watched 50% of a game one time and that was enough to hold me over for a few years. There’s nothing like motocross. Just like with everything else, it’s like, “yeah well I saw that on TV last night so, lets see something new.”
Would you rather put together race or freestyle video?
That’s a tough call. I like to shoot both about the same, it just depends on who is riding and if I’m burnt out on fmx or moto at that time. If I have ideas for a moto shoot then Ill pursue that until I get that done or vice versa.
Working for yourself usually means you put in way more hours than most people.
That’s true, but working a 9-5 job reminds me that I do not want to quit being a film maker. I did this for free from age 17 to 21 and that doesn’t seem like a long time but when it comes to this business, a lot of favors can do you wonders.
Do you have an old memory that perhaps reminds you that you’re doing what you love?
I remember my friend and I riding BMX in our neighborhood and there was a creek by us that had a concrete ditch. We would pretend it was a half-pipe. I set the old VHS camera down and put a headphone speaker with metal music playing up to the mic so we could hear music in the background of the video we shot. Back then I had no idea you could edit on a computer so we rigged it more or less. [Laughing] We thought it was the best thing ever!
How about editing? Is there a particular kind of footage that you enjoy putting together more than others?
I love when any shoot comes together regardless of the sport. If I go out and have a good shoot full of new angles and unique shots, it makes me feel like a kid on Christmas while I drive home. I cannot wait to get to edit the footage from that day and it isn’t always like that so it makes you appreciate the “job” still to this day.
What was your first hit, “Unsung Heroes”?
Man, I wish! No I would say my first hit was four DVDs into my career with “The ATV Movie: Revolutionary”.
How many titles and DVDs have you made so far?
I’ve done Unsung Heroes 1 and 2, Snake Hunt 2010 (which is a Little Sahara DVD), Shred Dirt, (which was my first completely moto DVD), The ATV Movie and the latest is Moving 4Ward.
Do you create your own DVD covers and albums?
I designed Unsung Heroes, a friend designed Unsung Heroes 2 and Shred Dirt. Throttle Video designed The ATV Movie and I am currently working on a design for Moving 4Ward. I’m not quite as into graphic design as video. I can do some things but it just depends on what I have in mind.
Tell me more about Moving 4Ward. And very clever name by the way.
Thank you! I always want to explain the movie I am making by its title, that’s always the goal anyway, but with The ATV Movie it was originally titled “Revolutionary” because I wanted to release a revolutionary DVD of ATV riding. Moving 4ward is about the few riders I shot and how they are pushing this somewhat small sport of ours to become bigger.
Available early 2012, BShipman Films “Moving 4Ward” features some of the best ATV riders/racers in the industry. Featuring Thomas Brown, Jon Guetter, Hunter Miller, Devin Humphrey, Ty Leary, Caleb Moore, Colten Moore, Dustin Nelson, and Chase Snapp. “Moving 4Ward” showcases ATV Motocross, ATV Freestyle, Cross Country, SideXSide’s, Freeriding and exclusive interviews along the way.
Where can someone purchase your DVDs?
They’re available at impactvideo.com and throttletv.com. Moving 4Ward will soon be available at Wal-Mart.
Wal-Mart? For real? How did you land that? That’s fantastic for you and our sport.
Yeah my producer hooked that up. It’s definitely a major leap for myself as far as exposure and I think it’s good for the sport too.
Is your stuff available to download? If not have you looked into making them available on iTunes?
I would like to get more into digital downloads because it is so easy for fans to buy and it makes my job a lot easier. Production costs are something people don’t understand because not only do I pay for the shooting and spend time editing but with my first videos I paid for DVD duplication and paid to have the DVD menus maid. Which adds up extremely fast. My first film unsung heroes sold like 400 copies and I didn’t even break even.
How did you get hooked up with All Terrain Research (ATR), and the Moore brothers?
I actually met the Moore bro’s before ATR and had known Austin Wilson before that as well. Austin introduced me to ATR a year or so ago and when I shot with the Moore bro’s it really seemed like we got along really well and were on the same page with what we all liked to do. At first I will say I was kind of like “Wow, it’s Caleb and Colten this is kinda cool.” [Laughing] When their manager BC and Jeremy Bratcher at ATR came together to put on the RZR flip, they agreed to bring me on to shoot the process and put together the first-ever Side-by-Side back-flip.
Below is the feature you created. Did you think they would pull this off, or were you predicting a big crash and burn video?
Some things you just have to go for and with ATR and Caleb Moore involved it was a project filled with enthusiasm which goes a long way in this sport.
Speaking of BC Vaught, (great guy by the way). How does that work? As the managers and event planners behind the Moore brothers, isn’t BC, through H Bomb Films, creating upcoming video features with the Moore Brothers? Have you teamed up with H Bomb?
BC and I met when I shot at a show for th
e boys and when we realized it was a good opportunity for myself to get more content and for him to have promotional clips. We decided to keep working together after that. As far as H-Bomb Films, I haven’t worked with the company. Wes has been shooting off-road trucks and different projects still.
You’re a big music guy, did you know he was the drummer in (hed) PE, Breaking Benjamin and others?
I did. BC knows I am heavy into music and he introduces me to bands in the area when we are shooting. In France he introduced me to the Deftones, they signed a set of drumsticks for me. Then I met the old drummer for Taproot. BC drummed at a show we were at in France and killed it for like 20 minutes. It was so sick!
The things Freestyle Motocross riders like Caleb and Colten are doing now days absolutely amazes me, and I’m sure a lot of kids want to be just like them. With that can you sort lend a few words of wisdom to the kids out there that may be trying to instantly become discovered and famous.
I don’t want to discourage anyone out there but it takes A LOT of work and drive to do what Caleb, Colten or any of the top guys out there are doing. They are definitely working their butts off to be where they are and it shows when I show up to shoot with them.
How serious is it when you guys are shooting? What’s the atmosphere like
Don’t get me wrong, we have a blast, but when it’s time to get work done, we’ve all got our game face on.
You’ve had an opportunity to spend a lot of behind the scenes time with professional riders. What do you think makes them different people compared to average riders.
Well, there is that skill level difference of course, but some riders let it change their attitude and personalities and some don’t. It just depends on whom you’re dealing with. Some guys never present themselves as a cocky person and it makes them more approachable to the public including myself. Take Travis Pastrana and Kenny Bartram for example. When I worked with Travis at Kenny’s house I was so pumped to be there to meet Travis. Turns out he was down to earth and as ordinary as any stranger I’ve ever met. I had known Kenny for a few years now too and he’s just like one of the guys, really chill, funny and you don’t have to pretend to be something you aren’t to fit in with great guys like them. On the other hand, there are guys who don’t know me from anyone else and they just give off this “I don’t give a crap vibe” that really does not intrigue me. [Laughing] I’ll leave that to those Metal Mulisha fans.
A short clip of Devin Humphrey at Little Sahara Dunes
What are some of the not so ordinary ideas you’ve had?
It seems like more often than not I have people comment on different angles and editing styles or other things of that nature. I blame a non-schooling background for my unusual methods, which may not be the “correct” way, but it definitely has worked out so far. Speaking of angles, ATR and myself have a shoot we are planning with some pretty nifty ideas, so definitely stay tuned for that!
A lot of people enjoy the behind the scene stuff. Do you like putting together this kind of stuff as well?
I love shooting “skits” with the riders because it gives myself and them a chance to cut loose on camera and really show people we’re not “too cool”.
Is there a particular film maker’s style you admire?
I always liked Chris Sims’ style of editing in the Huevos series. He had a “gritty” feel to his editing and it was really well choreographed.
Is this your full time job?
Yes this is my full time job as of late 2009
What were you doing before you made this your full time gig?
My last job was at a pool store warehouse. Before that it was at a motorcycle shop in the part’s department. Before that I worked at an antique store and a garden store. [Laughing] Weird list of past employment isn’t it?
Where do you make most of your income?
Besides the movies I make, I do a lot of promo clips for riders. I have been known to shoot a wedding or two as well.
How about YouTube. I hear people are making good money with their YouTube channels, are you?
It is a way to do so, but since I do not own the music rights to the music I use I cannot sign up to make money off of views. This does suck but eventually I’ll be fixing that issue.
Piracy has been a big problem in this industry. Premis Industries is no longer in business because of it, and it has drastically changed how Wes Miller and H Bomb Films is doing business now days. How do you plan to overcome the fact that many people think it’s perfectly fine to download or copy your DVDs and features for free?
On one hand you’ve got the true fans who respect the people producing these amazing videos like “The Factory” and the “Huevos” series. On the other, you’ve got people who really do not think about how it affects their sport by somewhat dismantling a major contributor to the exposure side of the industry. I believe that there may be a time when my content will be available to download illegally but I’ll also do whatever I can to stop it. I’m sure my producer will feel the same and without sounding threatening, they’ve got the means to put an end to things like that.
What’s in the works?
Well, Moving 4ward will
release early 2012. I’m definitely looking forward to that! I would love to do a snowmobile movie in the future. I love all action sports videos including Slednecks and I think they put out some amazing DVDs. I want to contribute to that and do something “fresh” for myself before I go nuts.
If this stuff doesn’t become profitable, what do you see yourself doing? Maybe a job producing television programming, movies, stadium scoreboard production? There’s a lot of need for HD video talent now days…
I think in the future I’ll have a production crew of my own that I think will lead to even more work. For the most part I am a one man show with the help of different videographers at locations I am unable to reach. I’ve had the help of Levi Hutchison, Joseph Ray, Luke Parmeter, Nathan Holstedt and Ethan Strauser. Thus far, I’ve been able to handle myself and my to do list without being too overwhelmed. That being said, I’ll just keep on this path, but if I can get the guys upstairs in the industry to trust my vision to take over Yamaha’s promotional commercial work then I’ll definitely take on the job!
Any final words?
Love the site, and I appreciate the opportunity!
Check out Blake Shipman’s YouTube Channel