Introducing Ripitup Films

By John Pellan

I recently came across some entertaining ATV racing videos and decided to talk with the videographer that made them, Andrew Mahey, aka “Gloop” to get some incite on his company with the clever name, Ripitupfilms.

How did you get into ATV racing?
Well I used to race in 2001, I even have a couple District 6 championships under my belt. I used to work at a local track called Sleepy Hollow and always loved anything with wheels. I love the sport and the competitiveness that goes with it.

What was your first ATV?
My first quad was an Eton 90 that was actually called a Monsoon. I started racing hare scrambles with it and loved riding ever since.

How did you get into making ATV videos?
I was a photographer for about two years and just got tired of the same routine that goes with shooting stills at the track, so I ventured into shooting video because I always loved making short videos when I was younger.

I like the name of your company and your logo. What’s your goal with Ripitup Films?
Thanks. I would like Ripitupfilms to be known everywhere someday. I want people to appreciate the exposure of the ATV industry and understand that racing an ATV is no walk in the park.

Do you shoot anything other than ATV racing?
I haven’t really filmed anything other than motocross related stuff. I have made a couple videos on car shows and some dirt bike stuff but I mainly focus on the ATV racing industry.

Below are a few videos of yours that I enjoyed watching. Can you give us some behind the scenes info on these, and maybe describe some of the off camera fun for each? And who is this Donny charector?
The videos you’re talking about were shot in 2011 Bowling Green, Kentucky at Ballance MX. The first video was of my Pro Am riders and that weekend. They all seemed to have bad luck that weekend, whether it was getting hurt in practice or blowing up motors, it wasn’t a good weekend for any of them.

In Part 2 of the weekend’s series I filmed the two pro riders that I have been following Joel Hetrick and Nick Denoble. Joel had motor issues once again on his Kawasaki, which was another disappointment for the weekend. Nick however had a good run for the weekend and took a 6th overall.

Donny and I friends. I this video we were outside of Rage ATV’s shop in Texas and we wanted to make a short funny clip that would sort of introduce Donny into “THE RIDE” series I had started. I basically asked the questions and he did the rest of the work from there. He’s definetely fun and outgoing.

“Fast Lines and Fun Times” was a video I shot from Splendora, Texas where I wanted to show the viewers a little bit of goofing off and not just the riders training all the time. The guys had a lot of fun messing around and we loved watching it over and over in Sean Taylor’s Trailer. We also got to see Donny’s walk through inside of Rage ATV’s shop.

For Hetrick’s new ride video I wanted to have a video that came out the day of Budd’s Creek showing some of the people that were not there that Joel is now on a Honda. Joel made the switch because they were just tired of having mechanical problems and they switched to the Honda because they felt it would be cheaper to build and they would be able to get more power from the motor.

Excellent work. You’re videos are far from boring. What do you enjoy most about making videos?
I would say the feedback I get from friends and family. I have met so many people throughout the years and I love meeting new people. Making videos seems to connect me with new people all the time and I like showing just how great ATV racing truly is.

What don’t you like?
I don’t like the lack of respect that videographers sometimes get. We are not just pushing a button and instantly making a video like many people might think. I have taught myself all the settings of the camera and spend hours and hours learning the basics of editing. There’s a lot of time and creativity that goes into making short videos.

I know you enjoy the sport and showcasing it in your videos, but there’s not much money to be made as a videographer in the ATV industry, so what’s your day job?
Actually right now this is my day job. I spend all my money travelling places just to film racing. Most of my money I spend on expenses for filming comes from buying and selling stuff on eBay. I just got a couple sponsors for the year which really helps out with expenses a lot. I would really like to someday make enough so I don’t have to do side jobs and I could just focus on the filming itself.

Do you plan to sell DVDs someday?
I really would love to make a DVD someday I just don’t have the support or money right now for such a big project like that. Making a DVD takes a lot of time and money and with the way things are going right now I would need a lot more help and
support from advertisers, but maybe in the future.

H Bomb Films, Innervision and Akraix are some of the most well known videographers that have sold DVDs in the ATV industry. Thanks to illegal downloads none of them are producing DVDs nowadays. Even if you were to come up with the funding to create a DVD product how would you plan to combat this problem?
Right now I have a couple ideas that would eliminate illegal downloads and bring in revenue so actual DVDs wouldn’t have to be produced and distributed. Right now my biggest thing before even thinking about making a DVD is getting a good amount of supporting sponsors.

Regardless of whether you’ll be able to sell your videos, I think you’re doing great work and basically establishing a fantastic portfolio for who knows what in the future.
Thanks John I really want to make a job out of filming one day and have my work known throughout the industry. One step at a time, and I believe I can get there.

As someone that knows a good rider when they see one, Is there a certain rider that you really enjoy or enjoyed watching and filming?
Yes, one in particular comes to mind. The rider I enjoyed watching and loved filming would be Cody Gibson. Cody had so much natural talent and style. This combination made him an awesome rider to watch. He was also a positive and fun person to hang around with. Someday I hope he finds his way back into the sport because I know a lot of people enjoyed watching him ride.

How would someone go about getting featured in one of your future videos?
The best way would be to contact me at Ripitupfilms@aol.com. I offer rider spotlights and private video shoots and love to film new riders and new places.

Where can someone see more of your videos?
All my videos are posted and can be viewed on www.youtube.com/ripitupfilms and sometime soon I will have my website back up and running.

Thanks for talking with me. Keep on doing what you love. Be honest and good to people, work hard and your dreams will come true. I wish you all the best. Any parting words?
Thank you! I would say support those who support the sport as my parting words for this. We all need to work together in order to accelerate the sport. If anyone has questions or would like to contact me feel free please feel free to e mail me at Ripitupfilms@aol.com, like I said I love talking with new people.

AMDREW MAHEY  BIO

Nickname: Gloop
Home: Harrisburg PA
Born in: Harrisburg
Occupation: Videographer/Editor

Marital status: Girlfriend
Education: High School / Some college
Bros Sis: None
Kids: None
Pets: 3 dogs

Began Riding in: 2001
First ATV: Eton 90
Current Quad: Honda TRX450R
Racing #: 954
Race Series: District 6
Sponsors: RideTRP, Leather, Rage ATV, Dynamite ATV, Pro Quad Performance, LSR, Mushin Mafia

Must have ATV bolt on: Suspension
Best Track: Durhmantown Plantation
Home Track: Sleepy Hollow MX
Ride Spot: Rausch Creek when it was open
Holeshot or pass to front: Rather be filming it

Whip: Dodge Voyager Van / 2000 VW GTI
First job: Hershey Park cook
Hottest Girl: My girlfriend
Favorite Place: Panama City Beach
Worst Place: Jersey

Restaurant Chain: Zaxbys
Worst Habit? Biting my nails
Pet Peeves: Bad smells
Addictions: Watching documentaries
Flicks? Bio Dome, HotRod, Talladega Nights

Laptop or PC? Laptop
Book: None
Website: Youtube
Magazine: ATVRE
Cell Phone & Carrier? Verizon

What’s on your I pod? Underoath, Swedish House Mafia, Santogold, Trouble Andrew, Minus the bear, Kid Cudi

What’s usually on your TV? Travel Channel
What’s on your walls? Posters of extreme sports
Tonight’s Dinner: Sushi

High School Extracurricular: Hockey Games
Favorite Sports Teams: None
Favorite athletes: Chris Haslam
Coolest thing you’ve won: A $200 credit towards parts

Talent you would love to have: Pro Dirtbike rider
Tatoos, Piercings: Ears are pierced
Past Crazy Fads: RC Cars
Trade places with for a day? Travis Pastrana

Who do you admire? Rob Dyrdek
New Year’s Resolution: Make Ripitupfilms huge
Bucket list? Backflip a dirtbike
Motto: Ripitup!

www.ripitupfilms.com

 

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