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Greg Illingworth: I was asked by Monster and Mongoose to shoot videos for them. They suggested going somewhere for a week or two with filmer and photographer and created an edit each time… one for Mongoose, one for Monster… kind of the usual stuff a sponsors expect from riders. I hate the idea of going on a trip where I am the sole focus. I also felt like it would be a waste having a filmer like Will Evans and a photographer like George Marshall out on a trip shooting photos of me alone. I figured that if I could get other riders to cover their flights they would get the opportunity to shoot with those guys too, and I would have people to ride with and explore new places.

I’ve also always wanted to make a DVD, as that’s what I grew up watching and appreciating. I loved the time and effort people and companies put in to making a full length video. So I asked all my sponsors what they thought of me using the budget they were willing to spend on me for the year to try make a full video project… somehow I managed to convince them.

FATBMX: Was it tough to find the right partners for the project?
Greg Illingworth: Not really, as far as the sponsors go I partnered with all my personal sponsors. Not all of them could afford to contribute equal amounts but we managed to make it work regardless. Everyone was stoked to be a part of the project. Partnering with The Albion was a natural collaboration as they had asked me if I wanted to work on an interview…. I pitched MIH and they were in. At the end of it all we had to put out the book ourselves anyway. All that content was meant to be in The Albion, but due to unforeseen circumstances we had to come up with our own method of print release. It worked out for the best in my opinion.
FATBMX: Did you plan the trip yourself or did you get input from other riders when deciding what places to visit?
Greg Illingworth: I planned most of it myself, with input from George Marshall and Will Evans. Then we just invited riders that we wanted to hang out with and shoot.

FATBMX: Preparing a trip is step one. Filming and getting clips is step two. How long did it take for the video and mag to come together?
Greg Illingworth: It took longer than we thought obviously. We had a massive hiccup when we discovered we couldn’t release the content & DVD in The Albion. We then had to come up with a whole new plan. It took a while for all the pieces to fall in to place. I guess it took Will a solid month of editing (bare in mind all the clips were processed and on timelines after each trip pretty much). It took George about two weeks of tireless work and sleepless nights to get the book done. They had to deal with me checking everything, making suggestions, and asking for changes. Then we had the final assembly to do. I’d say I put in about 150 hours into that, and between my girlfriend, Will, George, and a few others… probably another 200 hours of manual labuor went in to that. Six stamps on every envelope…. sticky foam disc on the inside cover of every book, dvd placement, stickers in, string tied. It was a shit tonne of work, but every time someone posts a picture online or send me a message about it etc., I completely forget how difficult it was and I just smile.

FATBMX: How is the video being distributed?
FATBMX: It's a lot of work putting a project like this together. Has the feedback been satisfying?
Greg Illingworth: Like I said before… every time someone posts a picture of it or sends me a message or something I get really really happy. Some guys have said it’s inspired them to do their own projects, others have started up old projects again… and they’ve credited MIH for inspiring them. That makes me happy. I’ve also heard really good things from some of the top industry guys in the UK, and they have taken inspiration from it. I couldn’t be more stoked on that!

FATBMX: We have three copies of Make It Happen to give away to the FATBMX visitors. Who should enter the online competition?
Greg Illingworth: Everyone should enter if they don’t have a copy already! I’d like to see them go to people that will keep it and appreciate for a long time or at least pass it on to someone that will.