Making Danny MacAskill’s ‘The Ridge’
If you ask anyone what our most iconic bike project is, they’ll likely say The Ridge. And with 80 million views (and counting) on YouTube, you can understand why.
Putting together Danny MacAskill: The Ridge video project was a little different from usual. We didn’t have a mainstream media partner, and it wasn’t about the ‘latest Danny edit’ as he’s recently dropped the amazing Epicuen with Red Bull. Instead, on this occasion, Five Ten had approached us about doing another project with them. Having been banding around the idea of The Ridge for a while, we worked with them along with ENVE and Santa Cruz Bicycles and pulled the whole project together.
Danny and I had discussed the Cuillin Ridge on Skye a few times in the past. Could it be ridden? I always knew it could make an amazing film given the backdrop, but the bottom line was that despite being from Skye, Danny had never actually been up there—and neither had I!
The idea rolled on for a few months until we found a free spot in our schedules. After initial conversations with Five Ten, we brought on some non-competing brands (ENVE Composites and Santa Cruz) to work with us on a new film and supporting content. So, Danny and I headed up the Ridge for a scout, and it was, well, let’s say, an eye-opener. Think of the worst weather you’ve ever experienced up a hill and then make it worse; I’d say it was half scouting, half survival.
The view from the scouting trip 😬
We hooked up with Matt Barratt from Skye Adventure who showed us around what we could see with the mist (not a lot). It was the most brutal day I’ve ever had on the hill, and without Matt, we almost certainly would’ve plummeted to our deaths at some point. Not ideal.
From that scouting trip, we were able to draw three conclusions:
1) Bits of it were ridable (for Danny)—awesome!
2) It would be physically the most challenging film we’d ever made. The locations were spread out, and the only way to access them was a 2-4 hour hike each time to get there and then the same to get back out—hmm, getting more difficult!
3) We would need plenty of time to ensure we get some clear weather—the usual: save the toughest ask until last!
We’re optimists at Cut Media, so we set the dates. We booked the crew, ordered the survival kit, and off we went up to the Misty Isle.
The crew was pretty minimal; Scott and I were on cameras, Lec piloting the drone with myself or Scott on the gimbal. Then, we had Matt from Skye Adventure guide and assist with climbing/rope access when needed, and our two mules, Smail and Alan (Smail was also chef for the week, which was a vital role). On top of that, we had Chris and Paul following for our BBC Scotland documentary that we’ve directed and co-produced with IWC Media and their own guide, John.
Dream team!
There is plenty of behind-the-scenes content to come, so I won’t go into loads of details of each location, but in a nutshell, we had to hike a minimum of 900m most days to get up to the Ridge, and generally 2-4 hours hiking (plus the same in return so 4-8hrs slogging each day—the joy!). This is where the team really pulled together, helped by a portable boom box, various action movie quotes (Predator was the main theme), and a mix of some pretty dodgy songs.
For the camera lovers amongst you, we had to compromise on quality vs. weight given the hiking. Keep in mind that in addition to the kit, we had to take all our food, water, etc., for the day as there’s no water on the Ridge.
Our kit list consisted of: (Update: we shot this in 2014, so our kit has definitely upgraded since then!)
1 x C300 Camera
2 x Panasonic GH4 (One for the Movi, one for the drone)
1 x Movi M5
1 x Manfrotto Tripod
1 x Hague Mini jib (we didn’t take this every day!)
1 x Canon Prime lens selection
1 x DJI S1000 Drone plus controllers/monitors
8 x spare batteries for the drone (heavy)
1 x GoPro kit
Plus, all the usual spare batteries, mic kit, etc, for the camera.
THE FRONTFLIP
The 'Bump Frontflip' on a barbed wire fence that Danny MacAskill used as the huge finale was something never seen before. Take a peek behind the scenes of this trick with Danny and the Cut Media crew.
THE GAP
Danny takes on The Gap: one of the hardest lines in the film and one that puts Danny and his body through some huge impacts.
THE LEDGE
Danny MacAskill talks through tackling 'Collie’s Ledge', one of the most treacherous locations in the film. See behind the scenes with Danny and the Cut Media crew as they capture the footage.
THE INPINN
Easily the most iconic shot of the film. See how Danny got up there and what it took to get the shot.
