It’s not easy to stand out making web videos. There are just so many dropping every day, that even pretty good stuff gets overlooked often. Mike Mastroni is one of the few dudes who has been able to stand out due to his riding skills as well as his unique approach to filming and editing. It’s obvious that he puts a lot of time and thought into both his riding and the way he portrays his riding through his videos. I figured it was about time to get Mike an interview on here so we could all learn a little bit more about him.

What’s your name, where are you from and how did you get into riding?

Mike Mastroni, I’m from Kent, Connecticut. I got into BMX through watching my neighbors jump around on their mountain bikes when I was little. Then I discovered my grade school carried BMX Plus! mag in the library so I read up and went from there.

Who were your earliest influences in riding? Either specific riders or videos.

As cliche as it is, the movie Rad… So Cru Jones, and all the O.G. Terrible One guys like Joe, Taj, and Wessel. They were style before style was. Also everyone who was on Road Fools 2 (my first video) and Criminal Mischief.

You’ve got a 9 to 5 right? What do you do?

Nah, I used to, but my job got outsourced because of how things are with the economy. But it was basically just sitting at a computer all day in an office… haha not my thing anyway. Right now I try to get by doing video editing work for a summer camp.

How did you get into filming?

My skater friend Gabe and I both got video cameras for Christmas one year and we spent a lot of time filming everything from sledding to skating to riding and etc, just having fun. Then everyone kinda got faded on skating as they grew up and I kept with riding, so I kept filming.

You seem like you have a pretty distinct filming style, how would you describe it? Do you think it’s mostly because your stuff is usually self filmed?

Well when I’m behind the camera filming someone else it’s a lot different than when I tripod it, but overall I just try to make my shots photogenic using the rule of thirds and keeping things nice visually. I mean it doesn’t always work but I do spend a good few minutes setting up a shot. Also I try to find spots that are nice to look at, but living where I live, I usually just take what i can get.

(All photos by Sven)

All the self filmed stuff makes me think you ride alone a lot, is that true? How do you think riding alone compares to riding with people?

Yeah thats true, I live about 45 minutes away from the closest person who rides BMX. There are times when I am with people, but I’ll just do a still shot anyway because I like the way they look… since there’s no camera movement your spot is real crisp and focused.

Riding alone is just something I’ve gotten used to because of where I live. But, I think it’s really fun to go cruise around and just do your thing. You could work on a new trick, do your existing ones, or just icepick chink some curbs. It’s hard to explain, but it’s just an entirely different feeling to go out and be in your own little bubble with some fresh tunes or whatever riding your bike. Riding with your best friends is great too, I could never choose one over the other.

However, when it comes to filming I tend to either go it alone or only with a couple other people for a few reasons. Mainly I just like doing things my own way at my own pace. Secondly, this way I don’t feel like I’m wasting anyone else’s time. Thirdly, if I find something I want to do that’s like an hour and a half from my friends why should I drag them out there so I can get it done you know? I’m already there, just huck it. I do try to bring my friends out to any spots I think they would like though for sure…and i know they’d do the same for me. The thing about CT area spots are that they are often hard to find, hard to ride, or only suitable for just one or 2 tricks and thats about it. Also, I like to film a lot of other things I stumble upon that aren’t really bmx… like nature shots and etc, which I’d rather do on my own time. Lastly, half the time when I set out to film something, I already have a song in mind so I tend to make shots and editing choices based on what’s in my head already, as I go.

Haha that was a little long but basically it’s just really cool to have a hand in every aspect of the video making process, thats all.

What’s the most work you’ve ever put in to make a spot work? Some of the shit you ride seems pretty sketchy.

The most work was probably yesterday to shoot a photo with Sven. I found this spot with a cellar door wedge thing in the middle of a big grass patch, that for some reason was like 15 feet from the building it went into. So it was an awesome gap to ruben wallride kinda set-up. The problem was doors sat a little above the ground and the runway was all bumpy grass with not a lot of time to get speed. On top of that the only way to get to the grass patch was to round a corner up a hill haha. So I measured out the distance to the pavement for how much wood I needed and etc. That way when Sven came out to shoot it, I was all ready to roll with the wood, plus a shovel to make the doors flush with the wood on the ground. Sounds like a bit of work but it was way worth it and it worked out perfect.

On the whole though, I don’t think it’s that cool to set up spots on street. This one was an an exception just because its like… you see this awesome jump setup thats begging to get done. So you make it work.

You’re one of the dudes who can say that he got sponsored because of your web videos, how did that come about?

At that point I had a couple videos out that I made pretty much on my own, and overall I think the guys at Proper just liked my riding and the way I went about making videos. So we got to talking, things went from there and they offered me a team spot. They are all super nice guys and I couldn’t be more thankful for everything they’ve given me. I don’t really know anyone yet besides Alex Platt but I’m looking forward to traveling more and meeting everyone. Super stoked on the whole thing!

What is Team Jeff Dupaul and what is your role in it?

TJD is a big bunch of weirdos from all over who like laugh, have fun, and watch girls gone wild infomercials for hours on end looking for the sausage. I guess we ride bikes sometimes too haha. Seems whenever we all get together though, the state of CT turns into a giant sponge, absorbing our motivation to get anything done lol. My role would be laughing at Denny, riding a bike, and maybe picking up a camera once in a while. But for real, great friends, best times, on and off the bikes.

What’s your favorite web video you’ve done?

Haha, I’m really not sure…I like them all for different reasons. But, “Web Video 4 April” I think is my favorite because it was my first video with the DVX. I remember just being really really stoked on the camera and the image quality, so it made me that much more into finding new spots and getting something made. Also it was spring, everything was getting green, I didn’t have a job, and on top of that I had some money to blow on driving around all day listening to music and finding new spots. Just a fun time with the new cam.

Your split section with Matty Long was one of my favorite web videos you’ve done, what made you want to do a split part with him?

Thanks man, it’s one of my favs too. He actually suggested it I think… and I was like hell yeah lets do it! Matty is an amazing bike rider, and super fun to film with.

Do you have any DVD parts you might be filming for? Or are you content doing stuff on the web for now.

I know Larry Rhodes wants to make a DVD in which I’d have a split part with Corey [Godfrey], but I’m not really sure about the state of all that right now. Also Proper wants to get the ball rolling on a DVD as well… but again I’m not really sure on the situation with that either. So I’ve just been trying to film regardless now that the weather is getting nicer. Maybe I will do another web video soon or maybe I will put some footage towards something… or both if I’ve got enough. But I do really like doing web videos because I like making them and editing my own footage the way i want it.

You just recently edited the Come Up Texas web edits for me, was it difficult editing someone else’s (shitty) footage?

Haha yeah that was a new challenge for sure. Like it’s definitely hard, as someone who wasn’t there, to take something that somebody else filmed and experienced, put your own spin on it, and have it come out good. Lol, your filming wasn’t that bad man. Ya just need some pointers on camera settings. It’s all good.

(The jeans in question from the TJD Defgrip Exclusive)

WTF is with those teal jeans???

LOL you would ask that. I bought them in boston at AA and made Matty wait outside with the bikes while I tried ‘em on hahah. They were like half a joke, but whatever man it is what it is, I like clothes. At this point though, colored pants are super played out. I mean look at CCS these days.

What are some recent videos that you’ve enjoyed? From a production standpoint, and then also from a riding level, or can you not really enjoy a video unless both are on point?

I’m glad you asked that last part. Like honestly, I’m not gonna get down on a video because some of the shots were bad or whatever… it’s all about the overall feel. But unless it’s my friends video or something like that, I really wont enjoy a video as much unless everything is on point and is somewhat creative. To me it’s like… bike riding is bike riding, and video making is video making. Video making is not bike riding… so therefore it’s the video maker’s job to make it bike riding. Bike riding = Awesome. Everyone who rides puts a ton of effort into, and loves bike riding. So why not put just as much effort (if not more) into portraying bike riding in an awesome way? For instance how long did it take you to learn hop whips? Forever? Now how long did it take you to plop your hop whip clip in a timeline with 5 other clips, throw a song in, and put it on the web? Less than an hour?

I just think absolutely everyones riding deserves better than that. There are a million different ways to get creative with a video even if you are a little kid with just a pocket camera. Throw your brain into it and set out to make something you are stoked on and that you and others will enjoy watching you know.

Now, just to be clear, by no means do i think my shit is fire either haha. I have a TON to learn, but i do try my best and I am learning everyday, which brings me to favorite videos…

I’m really really stoked on anything that the people at 4down have ever produced, really creative, artistic, colorful, amazing filming, dope spots, riders, music, editing…just everything is so on point.

Also SOBP or anything Joe Simon comes out with… totally amazing.

And videos like Grounded and Electronical are really inspiring as well. You can tell that the people behind those videos put their everything into creating something awesome..and it shows. There are lot of others but those just stand out as recently awesome.

In terms of web videos, what companies or riders are you stoked on?

Again, definitely anything from 4Down and their riders, or Joe Simon and the Mutiny team. Also I’m a big fan of the Tempered Bikes web videos as well as any V-Club stuff. Another thing that always kinda stuck out was an earlier trailer for a video called Refresh. I’m not really sure of the story behind that, but I just remember really liking the trailer because all the shots were on a dolly, filmed really well, at nice spots, with good quality video. Lately theres been a lot of web videos I liked a lot, but thats just one example. Also, there’s a ton of riders I like regardless of video qualities… it’s just nice to watch them in a good video though.

How much time do you spend looking for spots? You seem like you usually have some pretty unique ones in your edits.

Thanks man. It depends a lot on when I feel like looking and all, but generally I lurk around quite a bit if I’ve got the money to do so. I’d say maybe 4-5 hours a week but a lot of that is little detours from my daily travels already. Sometimes you get lucky and sometimes you don’t but either way….you’re looking. Also there are a lot of awesome spots that Jeff has showed me and other friends too.

Any shout outs before we end this?

Yeah def. Of course Mom&Dad for support when I was little. Big thank you to Jamie, Carlo, Jon Edwards, David and everyone at Proper for keeping my bike sexy, a spot on the team, and letting me have some design input on things. Big shout outs to Jeff Dupaul, and all my TJD brothers and friends – NameDrop: Matty Long, Garrett Reeves, Corey Godfrey, Chris Zep, Craig Passero, Denny, Spam, Chris Childs, Evan and Nick [KTS], Sven, Garrett Serven, E-Wips, Muffin, and Everyone in CT or anywhere else who’s been an awesome dude to hang with. Extenze energy drinks for making TJD huuuge! Also, thanks to Adam22 with TheComeUp, Nuno at Defgrip, RideBmxOnline, and any other website or blog for Posting my videos on their page. Thank you again Adam for this little interview.

Previously: New OSS Ad.| Mike Mastroni’s New Paint Job.| OSS “DNVR NGS” Trailer.