Skatepunk

Fake Fights In Skate Videos?

Posted by Mark - 29 Jun, 2009

I almost wish it wasn't Nike that had done this, because it just seems so beyond sensible, and I just don't want to be always bagging on Nike... but fake fights for a skate video?

It just seems so stupid to even imagine a fake fight skit. They're skaters, can't they get a real fight on film? Or is Nike too big to allow a fight in a video because they might get sued? Or what? I'd seriously like to know, but I think it's pretty silly that they film a fake fight for a skateboarding video.
PS. At the end of the video they make a disclaimer about how everything's fake... sad.

Fake Fights In Skate Videos? Check Out

Mark's blog

The Search For Animal Chin

Posted by Mark - 29 Jun, 2009

I watched The Search For Animal Chin in the Game of SKATE van last week with the crew... the crew who stayed awake. Watching it in a setting where I know I am the only one who appreciates this video for what it was, rather than simply what it is, made me a little self-conscious. I loved this video growing up. It had everything in it -- friends, heroes, great skateboarding, and a great moral, although admittedly I didn't even get it at the time I first saw the flick.

And the kids -- 18 to 21 year olds who have, for the most part, seen every video released over the last five years and the majority of the important ones from the last 15 years -- kinda get this blank stare. They can appreciate the vert skating, and the wall riding stuff was pretty cool, but a lot of the style stuff, the jump ramps, the pool skating, the freestyle, Borst's ramp -- they just don't get. And that made me feel old, but for some reason I didn't care.

The I saw an article in one of the skateboarding magazines about Stacy Peralta's recent work on the other 5 of the first 6 Powell videos, and he kinda bags on Animal Chin. I'll have to get the article in front of me, but he says that a lot of the stuff embarrasses him and he doesn't seem to be proud of the work he did on this one or any of the first three videos... And that to me is a shame. He captured an era so perfectly and to look at it through 2009 eyes and view it critically... just seems like a sad way to view his work.

The Search For Animal Chin Check Out

Mark's blog

Another One Of Those Great Weekends

Posted by Mark - 23 Jun, 2009

No need to rewrite everything here, since I'm planning on making a permanent little feature over there in features, but man, this last weekend was one of the good ones... nothing went wrong, first of all, which is always nice when doing events. But a bunch of people working together for a good cause, bringing a lot of other people together to have fun -- I love it when a plan comes together!
Heath Kirchart made it into Canada, Leo decided to get on the plane, the Goat/No Age show was super fun, and Wild in the Streets was the biggest ever for Vancouver and was a perfect size, with enough people to make the streets roar, turn a lot of heads and keep traffic at a standstill, but no so many that it gets ridiculously out of control and we couldn't possibly cook enough food for everyone... (or pizzas, New York).
Anyway, check the photos here.

Another One Of Those Great Weekends Check Out

Mark's blog

The Flyer Says It All

Posted by Mark - 14 Jun, 2009

I love this guy! Rooftop Preacher! Jereme follows his heart, can't go wrong with that.

The Flyer Says It All Check Out

Mark's blog

Best Dude Ever Can Still Suck It?

Posted by Mark - 13 Jun, 2009

Eric Koston is not only "the best," or one of the best skateboarders who ever stepped on a skateboard, but he is one of the nicest, most considerate people I've ever known. And so of course, now that he's signed on with Nike, I'm conflicted. I want Eric to do well -- if anyone in skateboarding deserves it, it's him. But having Eric riding for the single biggest non-skater-owned parasite in skateboarding sucks. It looks like skateboarding is "here to stay" this time, but I can't help but remember the last three times that skateboarding shrunk and Nike bailed out on skateboarding and skateboarders. And if "little" companies like etnies or DVS can put up $200,000 for contests, as ways of supporting skateboarding, shouldn't Nike be able to do a little more? They're a thirteen billion dollar company... The stick and ballers who only stepped into skateboarding to make money are buying the soul right out of skateboarding. They are buying legitimacy from skateboarders who have a price. That price is high for some, obviously, and that's why to a certain extent I understand it -- would I turn down a $5 million contract over 10 years? Probably not. Don't confuse this with not appreciating capitalism, I just would've hoped that skaters are more aware than most people and would've let their dollars speak for them. Anyway, a sad day for me... and Nike can still suck it.