“And for this shot, this gentleman will be jumping over us while we perform … I’m not kidding either.”
That comment was posted last Wednesday to the Twitter feed of rock band Ten Second Epic while shooting a video for their upcoming single Young Classics.
The shot, which featured the band set up on either side of a motocross track while riders went soaring overhead, took place at Barry Ultra Motorsports Park (BUMP) west of Busby, and the “gentleman” in question was owner/operator Frank Barry, along with some friends.
“I like getting my picture taken when it’s an entertaining one,” joked Barry.
Despite a little bit of hesitation from the band and crew about having bikes fly over their heads, they managed to pull it off.
“It’s pretty sweet,” noted director Michael Maxxis.
Hailing from Edmonton, Ten Second Epic are well-known for their singles Suck it up Princess, Count Yourself In and Every Day.
Their third full-length album is set to come out in September, but the video for Young Classics — the first single off of that album — will be out in August.
Shooting at BUMP consisted of setting up at several jumps around the park. While the band played for the camera crew, several riders, including Barry and Elisabeth Owen, sped around them, or hit jumps in the background.
Director of cinematography Christopher Walters said they heard about the Busby-area motocross track when shooting at the drag races hosted at Castrol Raceway on July 17.
One of the racers who hailed from Fort Saskatchewan suggested that BUMP was the idea spot to get some motocross shots for the video.
Maxxis, who was named the MuchMusic Video Director of the Year in 2010, said he was very pleased with the shooting that day.
“It was awesome. We had a blast,” he added.
Taking part in the video meant rounding the course countless times, which can be very wearying. Frank was notably banged up after hitting the last jump over and over.
That said, Elizabeth noted that they’ve hosted professional photographers out at the course before and they recently finished shooting a video for GROWTH Alberta. They’ve also been filmed for segments on Daily Planet, so they were used to having camera crews around.
Taking part in the video was a great way to have their friends out, and it was good to help out a group from Edmonton, especially since all of their video was shot in Alberta, Elizabeth said.
Plus, they believe strongly in promoting the County of Barrhead, as well as BUMP itself.
“You do what you can to promote your business,” she said, noting the county is a great partner for the park.
Despite some sore necks from too much headbanging, the band seemed pleased with the results of that day’s shooting.
“It was incredible,” said guitarist Craig Spelliscy. “It was hot, sweaty, dirty … Everything that rock n’ roll in Alberta should be.”
