Blind X2 Vision Interview with Mike Manzoori

SD: Mike this is your second involvement working on a Blind video how’d did this one come about?
MM: I think it might have started cause TJ asked me if I had any music suggestions for his new video part, and from there I think he might have asked for me to edit it? I’m not quite sure how it unfolded, I suppose they liked my editing of the last Blind video ‘Damn!’ and so Bill hit me up to edit this one.

SD: What was it like working with TJ and YURI on X2 Vision?
MM: Yuri and TJ are both pretty happy humans with good vibes and really good at skating so they are always fun skaters to film their parts were 99% shot by the time I got involved in the project so we mostly filmed the intro together it was scorching hot summer days but a lot of fun just cruising around LA with them.

SD: Once you got involved was there a set concept or theme or did you create one that you felt fit the project?
MM: When I got involved the title was in place and the basic structure was set up as a 2 person video. The first few rough cuts I did went too much into the double vision thing, and got pretty trippy. It got weird for a second there but I got wise to my gimmicks and cleaned it up haha! Also the music selection changed that direction for me a bit as it went through a few phases. I don’t think anyone was trying to get too deep with this one, we just wanted to show them skating together having fun.

SD: Where you involved in the music selection on this video? If so how to you go about choosing songs for TJ and YURI?
MM: I worked with the riders to pick music they were into and we had the help of Lory Vincent to supervise the licensing of the tracks. The music the riders suggested didn’t work out for one reason or another which is normal, but having a bunch of suggestions helps me to pick tracks that will work for editing and the vibe I’m going for, and be tracks that the skater will be down for picking the music is always important but can be tricky to find stuff that a lot of people will like, that enhances the editing/footage and is also affordable I don’t think anyone realizes the headache of finding and clearing music until they have tried to do it for a project that’s why I was glad we had Lory to help as she has a lot of experience clearing tracks for skate videos so could suggest legit tracks and connections with labels to speed up the process…

SD: What do you think of a 2 skater video?
MM: I think why not? These days attention span is so short so this is a good dose of shredding…

SD: What was the funnest part of working on 2X VISION?
MM: Cruising around LA with Yuri and TJ skating little nibbles, they are mellow and seem to really appreciate skateboarding.

SD: Is this film a mix of footage or all one format?
MM: Its shot on all kinds of cameras but the format is all just standard HD.

SD: Any spoilers?
MM: They all live happily ever after…

SD: Thanks Mike…