Daniel Kinney Interview
Thursday August 13th, 2009Written by Jeff
Rollerhome.com: Daniel, Thanks for taking the time to do an interview. What got you interested in Rollerblading? How long have you been skating?
RH: What made you decide to start up BCSD almost 10 years ago and what makes you continue with it to this day?
DK: BCSD started as a bit of an after thought. Initially I was organizing a video premiere for my first video "Universal Appeal" at a local skate park. Everyone had a great time and things snowballed from there. One thing led to another, to another and so on and everyone seemed to really like the way I did things. So more and more companies and pros started attending until it became what it is today. Currently the Bitter Cold Showdown is actually a financially viable venture for me, which basically just allows me to justify all of the hours I put into working on it. In the end though, I continue doing BCSD and will continue because there is nothing like it within the industry. I think many underestimate how much money passes through the event. From the companies in the trade show to the winner of the event; I would even go out on a limb and say currently, the day of the Bitter Cold Showdown is the most profitable single day for the rollerblading industry. Of course Christmas is a big season for any industry, but I am talking about one single day.
RH: Now that BCSD is part of the World Rolling Series, where do you see it going from here? What impact do you feel these events have on the growth of rollerblading in general? Speaking of growth, how was the response of having non-rollerbladers and press at the 2009 BCSD?
DK: I see the World Rolling Series only going as far as the growth of the inline industry. I think many feel like the World Rolling Series and events like BCSD are here to save rollerblading when in reality they are here to support and give structure to the current state of the industry. As the industry grows so will WRS and BCSD, not the other way around. Honestly the response from non-rollerbladers and local press at this years event was pretty much non-existent. There was a story or two in local papers but nothing much.
Lately I have begun to feel more and more strongly about what will truly help rollerblading. Of course, events like BCSD help a bit. Getting more and more young kids to blade is always good. But recently, I have begun to feel that what is truly going to save rollerblading is just one or two rollerbladers. If you look at skateboarding, I think the argument can be made that Tony Hawk saved skateboarding. He marketed himself correctly and became a celebrity and a doorway for other skateboarders to step into the spotlight. From there it is a simple formula. Kids look up to personalities and celebrities, not just a sport or activity. No one says when they are young, I love basketball because I just love the sport. They say they love basketball because they want to be like Michael Jordan. Kids need to see enough of Shima or Haffey on television or YouTube, etc. to want to be like them. Not just because they want to rollerblade like them but because they want to be like them. More attention needs to be put towards marketing rollerblading's personalities and creating media surrounding that. // Rant.
RH: You've also always done all the video editing for the events, correct? Just how much of the event is on your shoulders every year? Who else helps out and what roles do they play? How much of an impact do the sponsors have on the event and would you still be doing it without them?
I have created all of the BCSD DVD's and have just recently completed the 2009 DVD. To accomplish this I work with a director / cameraman that handles all the interviews with the competitors for the DVD and I coordinate appropriately with all the other rollerbladers that film the event and gather the footage.
As far as the event goes I admittedly shoulder way too much of the responsibilities. It has become very difficult for me to delegate the different things that need to be done because I get very specific on how I want them done. However, in 2009 the owners of Modern Skate Park played a huge role in handling admissions and various other things. I always have help, but in the future I plan on starting the process of showing others how things are done to ensure that BCSD will continue even if I were forced to no longer be directly behind it. =A
RH: How long has a trade show been part of the event and what has it done for or against the event as a whole? How long did it take for sponsors to help support the event?
DK: Simple answer. The trade show has been a part of the event since the very beginning. At the time it was a completely original aspect of the event. It wasn't just a trade show where companies would come and show new product, it was a marketplace where company owners could sell directly to its consumers. Since then it has been the key reason for the events exponential growth.
RH: What's your role in Bearings And Bruises (http://bearingsandbruises.com/) and the rolling/skateboarding clinics (http://vimeo.com/5684234) for kids to learn how to skate?
DK: Unfortunately I have not been able to make it to as many of the B&B clinics as I would have liked because it was really a great time. The kids in Rockford, IL really gravitated towards rollerblading and were really enjoying it. By the end of the day I was playing skate with 4 other kids off of a little kicker ramp and they were having a blast. It was a great feeling. Most had never been on blades before and probably never would of without the clinics. I am certain we have started the addiction for at least a half dozen Rockford kids. Other than that though, I have worked with Tracy White on designing and maintaining the website along with being his eyes and ears in Rockford occasionally since he lives in Cali. Additionally, I will be on site the entire weekend of August 7-9 making sure things run smoothly for the entire event. Bikes, Boards and especially Blades.
RH: You have a nice collection of work at http://www.dkdigitalfilms.com and you work at ProVideo in Wisconsin. Have you always had a passion for digital media and video editing? Do you think your rollerblading editing work helped you make the transition to doing this work for non-rollerblading related work?
DK: Thank you. Like many, video production and rollerblading have had a very symbiotic relationship in my life. However, very early on, I made the decision that video production was going to be my career and not just a hobby. I went to college for video production, right out of college I went to work in video production and haven't looked back since. Now, as a hobby, I organize one of the worlds largest rollerblading events and have produced numerous DVD's and as a career I have numerous awards, a fully viable career and a few national campaigns along with a Super Bowl ad on my resume. I don't know if I would have started editing without rollerblading and I know I would not be in the place I am today without an actual career. I love what I do and could not be more grateful for everything.
RH: What are you recommendations for young rollerbladers that want to work and be successful with video editing as well?
DK: Be serious about it and don't ever be afraid to work hard for what you want. The same goes for anything you want to do in life really. If you cannot see yourself doing it 30 - 50 hours a week, move on and find something else. Life is to short to not be doing something you love.
RH: What other projects are you currently involved with? What has some of your favorite work (rollerblading related or not) been? What are you most proud of so far?
DK: Damn. Honestly, it always seems like I am involved with at least 3 or 4 projects having to do with rollerblading. Whether it be an event, a DVD, a website or anything else. Here are a few websites that will speak for themselves that I am currently involved in.
http://www.bearingsandbruises.com/
http://brassknucklebeatdown.wordpress.com/
http://www.shopintegrated.com/blog/
Or just follow me on Twitter and keep up. https://twitter.com/danielkinney35
What I am most proud of... Whatever you want to say about the content, the Internet only version of the commercial "Speeding" for GoDaddy.com is some my favorite work so far. http://www.dkdigitalfilms.com/blog/?p=3D70 And what is available online is a pretty tame version to what we originally cut. Unfortunately for legal reasons, that version cannot be floating around the internets.
As far as rollerblading goes, of course I have a tremendous amount of pride with BCSD. Other than that I am really proud of the Sixwonsix team video "Blood, Pride & True." http://www.dkdigitalfilms.com/blog/?p=3D35 I grew up blading in the shadow of Sixwonsix in the midwest and to be able to take the reigns and create the second team video for the brand was amazing.
RH: Is there anything else you want everyone to know about you or any life experience that you want to share with the community?
DK: Good question. I guess if I have one thing to say it would be if you are going to do something, just shut the fuck up and do it. Let your actions speak louder than your words ever could. With what I do, I have experienced far too many directors, producers, company owners & others talk up a huge game and not follow through on one quarter of it. No one wants to hear anyone talk all the time about they are going to do. No one cares and everyone will hate you for it. Just put your head down and focus on following through on promises and giving others more than what they would expect.
----
Thanks to Daniel Kinney for doing this interview with Rollerhome.com! Check out his latest trailer for the BCSD2009 DVD below:
Bitter Cold Showdown 2009 DVD Teaser from Bitter Cold Showdown on Vimeo.
This Article Has No Comments Yet.
You need to sign in to comment.
Need an account? Register!
Comments: