This piece chronicles the ambitious endeavor to produce a documentary film about an unusual bicycle jousting event in London, from shooting to final edit, all within a single day. The event itself, a creative brainchild that escalated from a joke to a widely attended performance art spectacle, drew hundreds and later thousands, despite a cautious advisory from Lime, the e-bike provider. The filmmaker and a collaborator, equipped with specific camera gear, aimed to capture the essence of this vibrant, Halloween-themed gathering, emphasizing community and context over mere action sequences, culminating in a ten-minute short film.
The concept of bicycle jousting was brought to life by London creatives Cameron Carnegie-Brown, also known as Camtholomew the First, and Jack Carden. What began as a jest about using rental e-bikes for jousting quickly transformed into a viral sensation. The inaugural joust, held in early October, attracted a substantial crowd to London Fields and garnered over four million views on Instagram, demonstrating its unexpected appeal.
Despite the immense popularity and the enthusiasm generated, Lime, the e-bike company, issued a statement advocating for safety. They clarified that their bikes were intended for urban commuting, not for jousting, and discouraged similar events to safeguard participants and bystanders. Nevertheless, the second joust proceeded, with thousands registering online. The location was disclosed just two hours before the event to registered attendees, and organizers even incorporated charitable fundraising initiatives.
The film's creation involved a swift production schedule for the second joust on October 31st, 2026. The filmmaker utilized a Nikon ZR paired with a Tamron 28-75mm lens, praised for its suitability in photojournalistic contexts. Concurrently, Amanda Dombroski employed a Panasonic camcorder for B-roll and alternative perspectives, enriching the visual narrative. This setup allowed for efficient run-and-gun filmmaking, essential for covering such a dynamic event.
The Nikon ZR's compact design, superior image quality, and natural stabilization proved invaluable in the fast-paced environment. The 28-75mm lens offered adequate reach for capturing the action, while the camcorder’s extended capabilities ensured a wealth of diverse footage for the editing phase. This combination was crucial for producing a documentary that effectively conveyed the community spirit and broader context of the event.
Elliott Gunn, a photographer featured in a previous film by the author, assumed the role of a presenter. He engaged with various "Squires," "Knights," and attendees, even conducting a whimsical interview with one of the armored Lime Bikes. His interactions helped bring out the quirky and communal aspects of the joust, adding depth to the mini-documentary.
The filmmaker arrived at 2 PM, an hour and a half before the main event, allowing time to capture candid moments and conduct preliminary interviews as the crowd gathered. The wired microphone, though occasionally cumbersome, delivered surprisingly clear audio thanks to the ZR's 32-bit float capabilities. The editing process began shortly after returning home at 6:30 PM, concluding in the early hours of the next day, a testament to the team's creative flow and efficiency.
The final ten-minute, thirty-second film thoughtfully covered the event, with a particular focus on the community. The documentary included interviews with the individual who crafted the foam and softwood lances, as well as various knights and spectators, offering a more profound insight into the gathering. The aim was to create an authentic record of the event, distinct from typical highlight reels or fragmented social media content, reflecting the diverse perspectives and underlying spirit of the occasion.