Flush with the brand’s reverence for it’s natural and urban worlds, Sitka’s latest film project ‘Into the Thicket’ chronicles the journey of a few skateboarders’ treck into the forests of Vancouver Island to skate a ramp constructed using the surrounding environment. Starring team riders Chris Haslam, Todd Myers and Mat Howell. Full length video drops January 2013, stay tuned for premier dates.
Marking the second installment of a three part video project, Nike Snowboarding releases “Chapter 2″ under the creative direction of OG snowboard filmmaker Brad Kremer. Shot entirely in and around Austria’s Silvretta Montafon terrain resort, the video features slow motion Phantom camera footage, stunning B-roll shots and explosive park riding from Sage Kotsenburg, Louie Vito, Gjermund Braaten, Jamie Nicholls, Danny Kass, Ethan Morgan, Jan Scherrer, Peetu Piiroinen and Austin Smith. Reflective of the progressive nature of both snowboarding and the Nike brand, “Chapter 2″ captures a polished take on the raw talent that continues to push the sport forward.
Nike Snowboarding
Australian filmmaker, Kai Neville, online debuts his latest cinema-graphic project DEAR SUBURBIA, in collaboration with What Youth, on-demand exclusively September 10th… or in other words; today. The 2012 followup to Kai’s previous films, DEAR SUBURBIA is a full length production aimed at capturing the essence of trendsetting surf-lifestyle through the unscripted experiences from 14 of the world’s most dynamic and charismatic surfers. Watch the full 43:00 minute movie here, available for purchase at iTunes. Below, check out still-shots and words on the film from Kai.
Words with Kai…
Your earlier projects have always had a style all their own, what was the inspiration behind the DEAR SUBURBIA?
The film is an evolution from my first two projects, Modern Collective (2010) and Lost Atlas (2011), I wanted Dear Suburbia to pair high-performance surfing with surreal images of travel and the road, raw landscapes and artifacts of suburban life. The main inspiration was really spontaneity versus routine.What makes DEAR SUBURBIA different from other surf films?
The unknown versus the familiar. I wanted it to be a realistic interpretation of our (professional surfers) lifestyle, culture, riding waves, traveling the world — a pirouette into the absurdity of it all.In regards to to film… who’s throwing down? Where’d you go? How long were you gone?
The film features Dane Reynolds, John John Florence, Kolohe Andino, Yadin Nicol, Craig Anderson, Chippa Wilson, Dillon Perillo, Conner Coffin, Mitch Coleborn, Dion Agius, Evan Geiselman, Jack Robinson, Jay Davies, Dusty Payne, Taj Burrow, and Jack Freestone. Took a solid 10 months and 5 countries, we shot on location Japan, New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia and the Caribbean.Noteworthy mutant breaks surfed/filmed along the way?
Japan was the most amazing and exciting place. I expected crumbly beach breaks but we scored a typhoon that produced 10 foot below sea level barrels. John John was in his element that session.Any stories?
New Zealand was a funny place, one day we flew out of Auckland to the South Island, to a college town where they’d (Dane and crew) be staying, down near the bottom of the world. Down by Antarctica.They drove to the beach to check the waves and right away, new local friends appeared to say hello.
Dane said, “Hi, I’m Dane.”
“No fucking shit you are!” a kid told him. New Zealand really loved Dane, like a lot.
They were so fanatic down there, giving us shots. One kid had a quiksiover tattoo. Its was funny and rad.
In preparation for Nike Skateboarding’s September 15th opening of the redesigned, regenerated and revitalized BaySixty6 skate spot, the brand has initiated a limited time “golden ticket”-esc search for 5 custom designed umbrellas, each granting the discovering individual and two friends early access to ride the renowned West London park. Dropped off and hidden at public parks throughout East and South London, the red/turquoise sectioned umbrellas are waiting to be discovered, now.
Following up on Globe’s well received middle eastern surf film, ELECTRIC BLUE HEAVEN, featured surfer Dion Agius and best friend/filmmaker Beren Hall leak a cutting room edit aptly titled POOL SCRAPS. Sans the orignal’s yellow Lamborghini and arid desert B-roll, the video features unseen Agius airs, even more sprawling Russian models and a never ending lineup of the world’s finest man made waves. Shot on location at the Al Ain Surf Park, 90 miles southwest of Dubai’s city center, the video runs just over 4 minutes with soundtrack by Gil Scott-Heron. Check it out above.
Al Ain Surf Park, Beren Hall, Dion Agius, GlobeEach summer, Southern California beaches are flooded with raw young talent, vying for surf industry attention and chasing competitive victories at every turn, from the NSSA Nationals to Surfing America, expectations build as future rippers emerge. Among the sport’s next generation of professional heavyweights, 11 year old Noah Beschen checked in at Lower Trestles this year, for an intensive daily summer training session with dad, coach and professional surfer, Shane Beschen. Spending time with Noah and Shane, it’s rad to see the father/son/coach relationship as Shane’s ASP experience and Noah’s intense drive combine to constantly develop his dynamic surfing style. Persistence, practice, and a desire to be the best. Its amazing to see that kind of dedication from so many kids, at such young ages, and it’s easy to forget just how hard 11 year olds are throwing down these days, until of course you’re blatantly reminded. Here are two videos of Noah Beschen proving that hard work creates results… the above my own film and edit, the below filmed and edited by Shane Beschen and seen for the very first time right here.
Noah BeschenLos Angeles based hat makers, Quintin Co., reminds us what we love about seshing in the City of Angels. Manny Santiago, Danny Supa and Brett Sube take us on a aerial tour around downtown’s most legendary skate spots, with soaring camera angles captured by RC Helicopter. Check out the Quintin collection at www.quintinco.com.
