1 post tagged “dogtown”
Since the first video tape recorder was sold in 1951, reality has appeared directly on screens. Today, with digital cameras as common as wristwatches, and websites like youtube and myspace constantly growing in popularity, just about anyone with a laptop or cell-phone can upload clips from their lives to share with the entire world within minutes.
The art and science of
skateboarding was forever revolutionized with the introduction of the home VCR.
Released in 1965, "Skater
Dater" is thought to be the first movie ever released which focused
solely on skaters doing tricks. This revolutionary look at a relatively unknown
sport was nominated for an Oscar in 1966 and also won the Golden Palm Award for
the Best Short Film category in the same year.
These days it is a standard part of the promotion departments for many skate companies and shops to sponsor skateboarding teams and release skateboard videos of competitions and practice sessions. The availability of these videos represents a quantum leap in the art of skating instruction, making it possible for today’s skater to study directly under the tutelage of the finest athletes in the field. By watching these videos repeatedly, at different speeds and with the ability to pause those split-second movements, the 21st century skateboarding student can learn in a single afternoon skills which once took months to master.
Notable movie director Spike Jonze,
cofounder of Girl Skateboards, has raised the stakes of professional skateboard videos. Most well known for
his role as co-creator of MTV’s Jackass,
his Academy Award nominated film Adaptation,
as well as the cult classic Being John
Malkovich, Jonze directed Girl’s groundbreaking video Yeah Right! featuring trick skaters doing never-before documented
moves captured on film by other skaters.
Famous original Zephyr team member Stacey Peralta has also tried his hand as a director of skateboard videos. Focusing on the history of the movement and the evolution of styles more than specific technique tips, his documentary Dogtown and Z-Boys, is one of the more significant entries in the field, covering the inside scoop on skateboarding’s key players and pioneering moments.
Vert skating legend Tony Hawk has risen to the edge of superstardom, flying under the sails of his popular Trick Tips videos and Secret Skate Park Tour series. Though he is the subject of controversy and strong opinions, the world champ is undeniably one of the greatest names in the sport, and his DVDs continue to be highly coveted as well as fiercely defended from critics. A truly compelling video will usually combine step-by-step instruction with gravity-defying courage and a little humor.
Skateboard videos are consistently among the most viewed entries on sharing sites such as Blip.tv and Vimeo. And no wonder; for action, drama and pure belly laughs, few sights captured by camera can offer so much as footage of the skater in his natural habitat.
