Over the past year Canadian cinematographer Taylor Loughran had been working on developing, planning, shooting and editing a 25 minute mountain bike film called “You Like This”.

I discovered the film and was amazed by the quality of the images and the diversity of the shots including aerial shots, dolly/crane shots, etc…a Mountain Bike Film done with passion and hard work. As Taylor says:

Good things come to those who work. So, work hard, know what you want, and don’t let anyone tell you different!

If you like “You Like This” go ahead and take a look at Taylor Loughran’s interview below.

Cameraman: Tell us a bit more about yourself and how you got started with “You Like This”.

Taylor: I started filming in the fall of 2006 while living in Whistler BC, Canada. For me the best way to get started as a cinematographer was to shoot snowboarding, being surrounded by the best athletes in the world and some of the best terrain for the sport helped. After my first day out shooting snowboarding in the Whistler backcountry I knew I’d be spending a lot of time back there learning not only how to capture snowboarding but also how to navigate through the mountains.

After the first winter had gone, Mountain Biking started as a way to practice for the next winter.
“You Like This” came about because I wanted to make a Mountain Bike film for a few years. After doing some editing for a few Mountain Bikers, I felt that we had the locations and a talented group of riders to make “You Like This” on a level that people who Mountain Bike would want to watch it.

Cameraman: Tell us about the pre-production.

Taylor: The pre-production for the film consisted of me and a few of the riders driving through the mountains using old logging roads to gain access to the backcountry. Once we had found a few areas we knew would work, we then spent the next few months building and prepping the areas so they would be ready when the time was right.

The most planned out shoot of the film logistically was the aerial shot. I had three groups of riders waiting so that after we shot one, the helicopter could move to the next group, while the previous group got into their next position. It all came together great. I just wish we had more time in the helicopter. Its amazing how fast an hour goes by.

Cameraman: Talk to me about the crew.

Taylor: The production crew consisted of myself, Kevin Landry, Justin Hannewk and Jon Hunwick.

Along the way we had people come out to help for a couple of the shots like doing a second angle, helping to move the gear or building the lines.

The crew of riders that you see in the film range from World Cup DH Racers to Freeriders (who search the mountains for stunts and features to build and then film). Along with a few dirt jumpers we ended up having a well rounded crew of athletes. We covered more areas of the sport of mountain biking than I thought we would with the film.

Cameraman: What camera equipment did you use? What was the reason for that choice?

Taylor: The main camera that was used to shoot “You Like This” was the Canon 7D, we also used the Red One, a Canon 5D MKII and a T2I/550D along with a Sony EX-1.

For the aerials I got the chance to shoot with a Cineflex V14 attached to a jet ranger helicopter which was supplied by Mountain Shadow Productions out of Vancouver BC.

The reason for choosing the Canon 7D was its affordable price, its ability to use the full range of Canon lenses and its light weight and portable, allowing me to also bring cranes and dollies far off into the backcountry. For the aerial shots in the alpine the cineflex was really the only choice no other camera on the market can come close to what it can accomplish for the range of its zoom while staying incredibly smooth.

Cameraman: Would you please tell us about the camera setup?

Taylor: The Canon 7D set up was pretty basic.

The cameras settings where almost always set to super flat. The lenses used where a Sigma 10-20mm 3.5, a Canon 24-70mm 2.8, a Canon 70-200mm 2.8 IS with a 2x extender, a Canon 50mm 1.8 and a timer remote for the timelapses.

There was no external monitors, follow focus devices or shoulder mounted rigs attached to the camera. I just didn’t have time to fiddle with extra gear if it was not going to be used 90% of the time.

Cameraman: What were some of the biggest challenges you faced when filming “You Like This”?

Taylor: This is where you normally would talk about the films budget but we started with only the money in our pockets and went after some money once the film was in post. So my biggest challenge faced during the filming of “You Like This”’ was the weather. We battled all types of weather from having to much sun to digging trails out of the snow or being rained out of the high alpine at least twice. I didn’t start shooting “You Like This” until September to get the changing colors of fall in the alpine.

Cameraman: Some of the shoots are incredible. I hope nobody got hurt!

Taylor: During the shooting of “You Like This” we were was fortunate that none of the riders got hurt too badly. There was some crashes off some large stunts that made for some sore bodies but the riders in the film are very good at what they do and part of that is knowing how to hit the ground at high speeds.

Cameraman: Do you ride mountain bikes yourself?

Taylor: I still ride when I have the chance and have a few favorite trails around my home at Squamish BC. Before I started filming you could find me in the Whistler Bike Park almost every day in the summer. That’s what grew my love for filming action sports. I realized pretty early on that I wouldn’t be a professional mountain biker but I wanted to be involved at the highest level possible, so the natural step was to get a camera and start learning the ins and outs of shooting action sports.

Cameraman: Tell me about the editing.

Taylor: Oh editing…it was a long process. I was logging, sorting and transcoding as I was shooting the movie. I had a rough idea of what I wanted the film look and feel like. Once I started editing my rough drafts, the film came together pretty quickly. After I had done my version it was time for Justin Hannewyk to do his edit, and then, we would take from both his edit and mine to make the final product.

While we were working on the editing, Jon Hunwick was working on the name titles to introduce the riders. Once Justin and I finished the editing, it was time for Jon to do the color grading.

Cameraman: Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

Taylor: I’d like to thank everyone who helped see this film, come from me talking about the idea to a flash mob premiere on the side of a building in downtown Vancouver BC.

I’d also like to thank the companies that came on board to help make the film possible: Scion, Hayes Bicycle Group, Manitou, Pinkbike.com, North Shore Bike Shop, Light Craft Workshop & Chromag.

If you are new to the filmmaking world you’ll see that sometimes it looks like it is time to stop and give it up…just DON’T!

Over the years I’ve had to face many job experiences and had to make the difficult decision of whether keeping my job or to going for a career as a filmmaker. At that moment I never thought about leaving the job. But they say good things come to those who wait, …. and I think good things come to those who work. So, work hard, know what you want, and don’t let anyone tell you different!

Cameraman: Thanks a lot Taylor and congratulations to all the team!

“You like this”

Credits:
Taylor Loughran – Principal Cinematographer, Director
Kevin Landry – Producer – Also has opening section of film
Jon Hunwick – Colorist, & Graphics
Justin Hannewyk – Editor & Graphics

Art Barn Productions: Artbarnproductions.blogspot.com
Art Barn Facebook Page: Facebook.com/ArtbarnFilm
“You Like This” Facebook Page: Facebook.com/YouLikeThisFilm

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