A lot of things have changed in BMX over the past 15 years, videos in some aspects have become a thing of past with web videos and pirating becoming common-place, it makes it very tough for a company that solely focuses on videos to stay alive but the fact is, Props Visual is the original BMX Video company and it’s no coincidence that they’re the ones who have stood the test of time, we sat down with Props owner Marco Massei to get his insight on how things have changed over the years and where Props is headed in the future.

64: Hey Marco, I guess it would be cool if you could start off by giving us a bit of a History lesson, most people know that Props has been around for years but don’t really know the whole story, how exactly did props start?

MM: Props started back in 1993. We were at an all night jam at Rampage skatepark and Chris and I talked and wanted to start a video magazine. Both of us had already done some BMX videos (Chris/ BACO Myself A Few Good Men on Bikes) and we thought we would give it a try. We originally had two other partners involved, both of which left the company with in 6 months. Three months after our original idea, the first issue was released in early 1994. It was shot on Hi 8mm and edited n a rented video toaster computer. We sold enough to do another issue and on and on we went. Road Fools was started about 10 years later as an accident. Issue #23 was being released in the middle of winter and we needed content, so we decided to do a road trip, the first issue of Road Fools was actually issue #23 of Props Video Magazine. It did well so we went for #2….

64: With all of the advances in technology I’m sure there’s some upsides and downsides to it, I’m sure some of the editing, filming gear and duplication is probably more accessible but because of that I think people expect a video to cost less or be available for download, what are some of the upsides and downsides to that?

MM: Technology is good and bad. It has made a great difference in being efficient, and the ability to get projects done quicker with higher quality. Unfortunately it is not cheap, Chris just cleaned out a storage room and sold a 16gig hard drive on Ebay for $5.00….we paid over $10000.00 for it in the mid 1990’s. The thing was huge, now that size drive can fit on a keychain…In order to keep up with it and stay on top of things it is very expensive and that is why the prices have stayed the same all these years.

The downloads are a good way for somebody to check out a video but it is just not the same as having a hard copy DVD in your collection forever…We do offer downloads but it is only a small fraction of unit sales and most go overseas.

The problem today is there is so much content out there that riders can be very selective as to what content they purchase, however if a shop does not stock some BMX DVD’s, they miss a quick and easy impulse sale. DVD’s are not dead..if they were none of us would still be making them!!! That’s a tough Idea to get through to some shops these days.

64: Obviously the biggest issue these days with videos is that people will argue that it’s a lost art, with so many web videos, videos being pirated and even giveaway videos. Do you feel like this just causes everyone to step up their game and produce better videos so that it really is better than watching a video online and that the majority of riders are still willing to pay money for a video that has better content and better quality filming/editing?

MM: I don’t know if it’s a lost art really, but there is a ton of content out there and available…albeit not all of it is top quality. There is so much content floating around out there that in order to sell a DVD it has to stand out and be different. You are never going to stop the illegal downloads or pirating. But those people never bought your product in the first place. People who want to see more of your productions will pay in order to support so more is produced.

64: I don’t think its dumb luck that you guys are still around after all these years, what are some of the changes you’ve had to make over the years to keep up in the constantly evolving world of video production?

MM: Other than trying to keep up with technology we are pretty much doing exactly the same thing we did when we started 16 years ago..filming BMX.! I guess the biggest change is that after 12-13 years of constant travel I have eased my travel load greatly since having 2 small children. Stew Johnson has been working with us for I think 9 years and he is amazing. He does great work and has one of the best work ethics I have ever witnessed in anyone. We also have lots of independent guys that film stuff from all over the world which is a great help.

64: On the riding side of things has the level of riding and the constant progression made that side of things easier for you guys as far as getting content is concerned?

MM: The progression is kind of numbing after awhile….riding and the tricks are always progressing so fast it’s crazy. Actually I would say it is harder to get content because riders are so aware of what’s been done because of the internet, that I have seen guys roll up to a spot and not ride because so and so already did “everything” there…that’s amazing to me, and sometimes I feel it almost stops the progression because people only want to ride what’s “cool” and do the “in style tricks” thankfully there are still plenty of guys that don’t care and just want to ride their bikes and have fun…and that’s what It is all about. I would rather have a crew of guys that having fun on your bike comes first… as opposed to a “superstar” who is more worried about arguing via text message about what somebody said about him on the internet, and does not “feel” like riding today….

64: Like we said, the world of videos is constantly changing so what’s in store for props in the future?

MM: Just keep on doing what we do…We have a number of DVD releases slated for this year and we are also working on lots of Television content as well.

64: Thanks a lot for your time Marco, anything else you’d like to say?

MM: Thanks to everyone has supported Props over the years and of course to all the riders out there.