HR director unveils ‘Filmed by Bike’ video

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Hood River director Manny Marquez’s short film has made the final cut and hit the internet.

Filmed in the historic Union Building’s east basement, and featuring talent from local crews in front of and behind the camera, Marquez’s piece interweaves the history of bikes in media with their modern role as instruments of adventure.

The teaser video — posted this month on filmedbybike.org — serves to hype up audiences for Portland’s 14th annual “Filmed by Bike Festival,” which will be held on May 6-8 at Hollywood Theatre. The event celebrates independent bike films from around the globe.

“The real reason we did this piece (was) to celebrate and promote our love of bikes and films about bikes,” Marquez said.

In what he called a “community production,” the endeavor pooled together the efforts about 30 people from Hood River and Portland.

Skye Wilson took on the producer and design role. Mariva England covered makeup and wardrobe. Marquez teamed up with Ross Steffey, Kris Ostness, Jesse Larvick, and Miles Sullivan on the camera and lighting crew. Then, Marquez brought in a “ton” of bikers to round out the cast.

The shoot itself took one day.

“That was crazy, because we had 13 different scenes to do. Most people would have taken two or three days to shoot something like that … we didn’t have the budget or luxury to do that,” Marquez said.

Part montage and part historic vista, the teaser splices together quick scenes with actors in front of projected backdrops for a surreal, “hokey” effect that honors traditional filmmaking.

A 19th century ringmaster, played by Hood River’s Matt Bynum, ushers in the short film.

“Ladies, gentlemen, boys and girls … I bet you’d like a pony. May I tell you that tomorrow has an alternative to ponies: the two-wheeled wonder I call the bicycle,” Bynum says.

Scenes tread quickly through history. One segment parodies Stanley Kubrick’s horror classic, “The Shining.” Instead of two stationary ghost girls, the twins ride identical bikes in Marquez’s video.

Another scene depicts a forest cyclocross event, where “hecklers” line the tracks. A fully-costumed yeti joins hipsters and lumberjacks who swig beer and pester two bikers.

Marquez said once shooting was complete, basic editing took two days. The version online was one of the shorter cuts, he said, and a full version will play at the outset of Filmed By Bike in Portland.

This year’s event will boast 59 film from 55 filmmakers across 19 countries. Genres include documentaries, animation, dramas and comedies.

“We love hosting the festival in a city with an unbridled passion for two wheels and an appreciation for the cinematic side of the films,” festival coordinator Ayleen Crotty said.

To see Marquez’s trailer video, go to www.filmedbybike.org/2016/02/28/2016-festival-trailer.