Video Chat With Jim Cielencki

Jeff Z.

• July 17 2008
• 2,963 views
• 5 comments

How many full video sections have you had?
My memory fails me these days, I think I’ve had like six or seven full parts. First was in the Ride BMX video entitled Parts, then the Kink videos Wasted Days and Cheap Thrills. Two Odyssey videos; the first one and Electronical. Then our Sunday shop video entitled Hey Man Woo! I know there was something else, but I can’t remember. And lots of tour videos, for sure.

To your knowledge, what clip has taken you the longest to film, either in number of tries, or repeat trips due to random circumstances?
Probably the double peg-to-crankslide in Cheap Thrills, it took an hour. It shouldn’t have taken that long, but once I feel comfortable I’ll wait for the right attempt instead of forcing it. To be honest, I really hate trying tricks for a long time; it’s absolutely no fun for me. Tricks feel so much better if you are able to get them in the first ten tries or so. If it starts to take a long time, the frustration and head games start to come in to play. I loathe that moment. I still haven’t figured out how to get around the head games.

What is your main focus while filming a video section?
My main focus has always been to do some new tricks or do something really interesting.

Which video section do you think portrayed your true riding style the best?
I think my true riding style has changed from Parts to Electronical. Parts was very technical with lots of different ideas. It was very exploratory, especially since riding was very different then and the fact that people weren’t so critical. I look back and I could totally pick apart that section, but at the time it was totally normal to do certain tricks and ride certain obstacles. Electronical is one of my favorites just because I felt more mature and my riding looks way more relaxed. I hate how my riding in my old parts looks so rushed, hesitant, and a little forced. The gear I was wearing was the worst, too. I hate what I look like in baggy jeans. I felt more relaxed in Electronical and it really shows. The song was great, editing and filming were awesome, and I had a good time with it. I think it showcased the direction I want to go with my riding.

Where is the best city you’ve visited for a filming mission?
There is definitely not one best filming city, but Barcelona is probably the closest. But I have had great times in Atlanta and Tallahassee during the filming of Road Fools 7. The Kink down south trips through Chattanooga will always be a good memory. Boston has always been fun, even though I never make it there enough. Last time I was in London, we rode so far, saw some great sites, and rode the best curved wall ride in the dark. That will always stand out to me. It was too dark to film, but it didn’t matter because we had so much fun on it.

If you had a choice of five video parts to get you psyched before a session, what would they be?
These days I don’t watch videos to get psyched, I really don’t need them to get excited. It used to be that way for sure, but now motivation comes from having time to ride, being healthy and just being in the good weather. Ideas are a major source of inspiration, too.

How much does filming fuel your progression?
That’s a weird question. I’ve always tried to progress my riding and ideas (which wouldn’t change whether filming was happening or not). I guess to what degree would I try to progress if I wasn’t filming? It’s probably somewhere around 75/25 as to how much filming fuels my progression with 25% being for filming. I’m more thinking about doing the trick and if it gets filmed then it’s even better. The trick is more important. There is something satisfying about doing a trick that isn’t filmed. It’s like it’s back to the old days before cameras came out. It fits into this whole spontaneous riding style that I’ve been into lately. But it is frustrating to not have photos or videos of something you’ve done. Especially since it could help me out a lot if it was filmed.

Ryan Sher used to refer to the video camera as the “no fun gun.” However, some people really enjoy the whole process. What about you?
No, I do enjoy it for sure. This may contradict my statements above, but it is satisfying seeing really well shot footage. I just imagine how good the section will look when I have a ton of good footage. You could have great tricks, but if the footage is bad then the trick is done no justice. Aren’t we almost at the point when filmers get called out for using shitty cameras and shaky footage? Or filming at night with no lights? Or just filming for YouTube videos? In my opinion that is a waste of time and filming. There have been countless times when I’ve watched parts online and just feel pissed because I wasted my time when the footage sucks. I’m even more-angry when I watch a DVD like that, though.

Whew! So it’s not really true that Sunday doesn’t plan to release a full-length team video on DVD?
Sunday video will be out. There will be a DVD. That was just an internet high jinx mixed with a joking car ride conversation.