Insight – Rich Redmond/Hate This
Posted by Prashant - 10/02/09 at 08:02:23 amThere isn’t much introduction needed for Rich Redmond if you ride BMX in Ottawa, or the surrounding areas. He’s been a staple of the scene for many years, always at the forefront of progressive riding here, and spear heading initiatives throughout the community. Always outspoken, and ready to call out bullshit when he sees it, but can dish out the compliments just the same. His new video, Hate This, is set to premiere at the end of the month after a lot of hard work, so I got a chance to ask him some questions about the video, filming, future projects, and more. Click below to get a little more insight on Rich Redmond and Hate This.
Invert way up there
Three years ago you made the first scene video Ottawa had seen, Scene Here. What was your motivation behind making this new video, how does it differ from your last video and what about it would you say is similar?
My main motivation was the itch to create a film that had been brewing in my brain for a while. I really enjoy the final product that can be offered and remembered. Chitaroni has owned the video making process with an iron fist the last few years and I did a lot of filming for those videos. So I would often find myself filming it in a way that I want to see the riding, but I don’t get to edit it the way I want to see it, no matter how much I bug him about it. A lot of the motivation comes from how well Scene Here did as well. I still get a lot of flattering comments on that video, whether it be to humor me or comments that are truly sincere, I still get goosebumps watching some of that video and hearing people reminisce about it. Hate This is going to differ a bit from the main lineup and the spots (we filmed all over). Similarities will be the simplicity of the look and feel, the catchy music and attempt at epic editing.
Can you give a little bit of insight on the title of the film, Hate This?
Well I was starved for ideas from myself and everyone kept saying Scene There. But what would that be implying? I dunno, seemed like relying on Scene Here’s success to me, so I couldn’t do it. Kyle Lafleur came up with Hate This pretty easily after living in the Hate House, 39C for a bit. To me it make sense when your scene has stickers that say HATE HATE HATE. It also makes sense in the fact that I do a fair amount of shit talking on the internet, all under my own name of course. So to me the title is dedicated to all the anonymous pussies that will really love the video at heart. Thanks Kyle and world wide hate.
Snapping photos of a Bison.
Can you name the full parts that people can expect with this video?
You can expect full parts from the usual suspects, Jeff, Jorden, myself, Chitters, Ginger. But I have a few different people this time around Ben Kaufmann, Paul Berger, Kyle Lafleur, Charles Deschamps, Pat Denis, Tommy Hains, Dylan Burkhalter to name a few. Now the only thing is setting the actual main lineup. All these riders and more provided excellent full parts, but I have a time limit for the premiere, so we’ll see!
This video has a much more global feel to it, with sections filmed from all sorts of different parts of the world. What was your favorite trip/city that you got footage from?
Saudi was not my favorite trip by any means, but I am really psyched on Paul Berger’s part. It was filmed 100% in Saudi and while it’s not a full depiction of what Paul is capable of, I think the edit and solid riding makes it for a good one. My fav trip had to have been NYC/NJ/Philly with you (Prashant), Jeff and Ginger. Lots of different spots, tons of laughs and easy filming. Just point the camera at Chris Bryan, he kills every spot we go to. You’ll see.
Here’s another cliché question, but when it comes to riding vs. filming at a spot, which do you prefer? How do you separate yourself when you’re at a spot that you know you want to get a clip on, but need to film others at for the end result of the video?
This is an interesting question to a nerd like myself who can talk forever. I really tried to put the emphasis and priority on getting footage of the other riders. Sometimes we roll up to a spot and I know I have nothing, so I don’t feel bad not even riding. Other times I am dying to ride, but I know I have to hold back otherwise the film will be shit. You can see riders getting close to pulling something gnarly and if you don’t put the bike down and pick up the “no fun gun”, you won’t get it. And riders are frustrated enough with the camera out, you don’t want to have to ask them to do it again, that’s selfish. I get selfish every now and then. I prefer to ride, but if I am making a project, I will dedicate myself to that most of the time. I think I have enough drive to be good at what I do, but I wouldn’t quit riding to make films like Chad Shack. (as close to quitting as you can proclaim)
When filming a video, you accumulate a lot of DV tapes. Editing gold mine.
I know you’ve already sold your video camera, but after going through the producing process, would you make another video, or what else do you have in store for the future?
I would make another video in the not so near future. I think I would do it with more of a plan. Like a smaller project, say 5 confirmed riders and nobody else, no matter how well they are riding in front of you haha. This makes for more room to focus on the rider’s part and overall look and feel rather than a large film like Hate This. Just follow those riders and really put a lot of work into every clip, not some nice clips and some “OK” clips that were filmed on a tripod or buddy. So future? Not next year for me, look to Chitaroni he has a great looking project in the works.
It’s no secret that you’ve been riding for a number of years. You’ve seen trends come and go, but always stuck to your guns and been pretty outspoken about topics. What are your feelings on the current state of BMX, as far as video production goes or otherwise?
Happy to proclaim almost 10 years. Feels like I have been saying 8 or 9 years for about 3 now, so it’s almost a nice 10 now. I am not perfect (close) and wear some fantastic girl’s pants. Not all of them are, but many. Other than that I am not much for trends I am more for hating on them and losing focus on the task at hand. I have been brakeless since last spring and it has worked well for me, I learned a lot of new tricks without them. I didn’t do it to be cool as I am hardly even capable of pulling off cool. I did do it because my brakes were to so crappy that I was losing mind every time I would go to use them and loop out. I noticed guys like Teddy and that AJ Anaya kid just destroying and going big. I kind of took that approach, all without going half as high though. Sticking to my guns has got me where I am and I’ll have to go with my gut. I have a pretty big hate on for all the kids doing flyout tuck no handers and flyout whips. Like f-off, just jump the box or at least get it done. it’s hard to hate on 13yrs olds throwing down no handers on 1/4′s though. BMX film production? Well I am in love with Criminal Mischief and Forward, and I think that shows in my edits. Production is dope these days, great art and quality. Often what ruins it is the same tricks at one mile per hour to same kind of lame music, and over filming (using the same style of filming over and over). Nothing wrong with with mixing it up peeps. Keep it steady, smooth and fresh. Hopefully I practice what I preach eh?
Jeff not getting the rail while Rich films it all in Rutgers, NJ.
I hear you are quite the Sex In The City fan. Which character is your favorite and why?
Well “Big” (actor Chris Noth) is my fav character, super funny. But fav female is Samantha (Canadian Kim Catrell) I guess. Just super dirty and pretty guy-ish humour. Guys should get on this series, the chicks love it, it’s all sex jokes, and it’s really hilarious, much in a way that Seinfeld was so realistic in it’s simple ideas taken over board. You have to see it to understand! No joke, I wouldn’t fuck with you on this. It ain’t meatspin!
Anything else you want to say, give thanks, hate on, etc?
Let’s start with the hate. People stop acting gangsta PLEASE. I can’t take it. Al Capone was a Gangster, end of story. People stop trying so hard to look like Chase D, you are going to have limp wrists and hunchbacks from those queer ass stances. go back to doing perfect tables (JK). I mean what’s more important, good Chase D tricks, good tables or good posture? No brainer!
Thanks to you Prashant for running capitalbmx.net and numerous other things going, Jose for keeping Joe Mamma stocked with bmx parts, all the riders who throw down for the camera. Serious dedication there (Jeremy, can I steal that name?).
Last words are to get an education, get a job, keep riding, buy a damn car you poor bastards, hit the road and pick up a camera, “cuz you never know” happens all the time.
Rich getting his pose on.
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I love you rich, get more gay. Whose floor can me and Pat sleep on in a couple weeks???
Comment by Leland — February 10, 2009 #
Sick interview guys. Can’t wait to see the video!
Pat, Lelo, forget the floor, you can sleep in my bed. Spoontrain!!!
Comment by Landozine — February 10, 2009 #
please elaborate on that last quote: “cus you never know” happens all the time. what do you mean?
Comment by pootyy — February 10, 2009 #
that invert picture is soo good
Comment by jorden — February 10, 2009 #
Mabub now pootyy who the fuck are you guys?
Lelo you and Pat are sleeping with me! I’ll be there human sleepingbag!
Comment by cockmaster — February 10, 2009 #
cuz you never know happens all the time, you don’t get it? I will not explain this, it’s self explanatory.
Pat and Lelo, you have your offers!
Comment by Rich Red — February 11, 2009 #
39c B bring your bikes
Comment by Boudreau — February 11, 2009 #
oh and that invert is super good!
Comment by Boudreau — February 11, 2009 #
I am a french bmx French and I have to come to pass 3 months in gatineau and ottawa, i come begining may.could you indicate me spotlights , or could you give me contacts with local riders
thinks
Comment by loic — March 9, 2009 #
you have a shoe box full of tapes, hahha. talk to me when you have a room full of tapes and a closet full of hard drives, its about priority and self-lessness my friend. have fun.
Comment by chad shack — March 26, 2009 #