Real Skateboards: Since Day One Video Primer

Within a couple of weeks Real Skateboards’ long awaited full-length video Since Day One will be released through skate shops as a collective worldwide premiere and a benefit for the Johnny Kicks Cancer Foundation on Monday, April 11th. Without question, this skate video project has been a long time in the making, but it’s certainly going to be well worth the wait once the footage hits our perceptive eyeballs and brains.

With the San Francisco premiere nearing, I put forward a few questions to Jim Thiebaud, Deluxe’s VP and Real’s co-founder, lifer and ringleader, along with Dan Wolfe, veteran skate filmmaker and Since Day One editor, and Real’s forthcoming hotshot team rider Davis Torgerson. Dig in and hear what each of them had to say about the workings behind this momentous and preeminent project and its relation and effect upon the greater skate world around us.

- Bryce Kanights


Jim Thiebaud

Real’s Since Day One video will be released early next month with an accompanying 100 page book featuring of Gabe Morford’s photography with the Real team. Can you give us a rundown of the overall concept and direction behind this highly anticipated and collaborative video/book project?
To be honest, with Gabe being such a huge part of everything we do at DLX it was kind of a given that whatever project we planned with Real would have Gabe be a part of it. More than just his photographic talent, Gabe just “gets it.” He is included in almost all of the design and big picture plans when it comes to REAL. He has just been there almost as long as we have been going.

The book accompanying Since Day One is just a continuation of that reality. Since Gabe was there for almost the entire journey of this DVD, it only made sense that we would use his visual road map to help tell the story. So many photos he shot didn’t get printed in magazines or used online so this book just made sense on many, many levels.

For those newer skaters that might not be familiar with Gabe’s history and his work, what has been his connection and importance with the team and the brand over the years?
Gabe has been a part of Real almost since the beginning. Back in the day, when all adverting was done in print magazines and zines, we used to scramble to get photos of the guys for ads or interviews. Having a dedicated photographer made sense and Gabe became that person. Throughout all the years he has always been in it as hard or harder than everyone else on the team or behind the scenes. Just about every single tour, every single mile, Gabe has been there. Nowadays when the riders are doing such gnarly things — where they can get really really hurt if they don’t make it or they are at a spot where they may only get one chance — I think having Gabe there to document their efforts is crucial. The riders don’t have to worry about whether or not the guy behind the lens will get the shot and if their efforts are going to be for nothing. Gabe is always there giving it 110% and has the crew covered. I think that carries so much weight.

With the continual release of web videos and digital downloads, do you feel that full-length skate videos are still viable as a tangible consumer product? Do DVDs matter?
Great question. I may not have the answer other than I do think the changing times force us to change the way we go about things so that we are doing the absolute best we can for anyone connected with us. We can’t do stuff one way just ’cause “it’s always been done that way.” At the end of the day great skateboarding will always have a place, in any format or length, forever. Is a DVD as viable a product for the future as it was a few years ago? Probably not. As a medium to hold and save and put on my shelf — of course — but is it still the main consumer “product” for skateboarding media — probably not. The heart and soul of what is on that DVD is still there, but the way media is distributed is changing and skateboarders are at the forefront of those changes. The local crews who post their videos to YouTube and get more views now than we ever used to with VHS tapes back in the day. There were times with this project when I felt like we were making an LP in a digital world — but we had all got on the train and we were not going to get off until it crashed to the end. Screw it — full speed ahead.

Making a full-length skateboard video takes so much collective effort. I think that “teamwork mentality,” and that “group effort at all costs” will never go away and skaters will continue to create amazing full-length skateboard videos for years to come. It may get harder to get everyone involved along the journey though. Pros are pulled in so many directions now. I think it’s crazy to expect that one skater can give 100% to say, three projects at once. Physically and mentally that takes its toll. Maybe companies will have to come together and put aside some of their differences and “end goals” and focus on what is best for the riders.

I also think with the way information travels so fast now, it’s going to take fucking balls to ask an entire team to commit to what has become the full-length formula; i.e., go off the radar, film for two years, stockpile and guard the footage, and edit for weeks. I look to the riders to direct the way they want to head down the road. I will work to maximize whatever plan they set forth for themselves. If they want to do a full length — I’m down — but I feel like the weight is on us to figure new exciting ways to go about it and change the process up so that they are covered during the entire trip and at the end it worked on many levels.

Are there any incentives for the consumer to buy Since Day One in addition to the book? How will it be released?
There are many things we did different with this release to help both shops and the skaters buying the DVDs. For the shops, we busted ass so that the DVDs would be in their hands before the release date so that they could take part in the World Premiere/JKC benefit plan. From the UK, Canada, Japan to LA, NY, etc.— everyone will have ‘em in their stores on April11th (fingers crossed).

Other than the SF premiere and two showings in Canada, the video will not be shown in skate shops until April 11th as a worldwide premiere and benefit for Johnny Kicks Cancer (sliding scale donation at all stops). It kind of brings everyone together that day and hopefully it is important. I realize some are mad at me because we didn’t do the bar premiers, but I wanted to try and really get skaters into the skate shops that took a chance on us and brought in the DVDs. For skaters buying the DVDs — the DVD will come with a $5 off coupon good for a Since Day One deck at the participating shop.

Real’s last video Roll Forever came out in 2005, what can viewers expect to see in this video that they might not otherwise grasp with some of the previously printed photos in the skate magazines?
There is not a camera out there — not even Gabe’s — that can truly capture what it is like to see Dennis skate the way he does. It has to be seen in video or in person. Just seeing the destruction that is Peter Ramondetta in one sitting is fucked; watching Justin and how fun it looks to skate like him, the way James truly dwarfs everything he skates. Davis could not be cleaner; Ishod pretty much filmed his part starting from the very beginning of his trip out here, which is unbelievable. Max and Alex are both amazing. There’s just so much great skating. I think though, the biggest thing, is just the way the team is made up of so many different individuals. I think this video is made up of parts by and of skaters who may be completely different from each other not only in how they skate, but who they are. They are bonded by skateboarding and are going down the road together. It’s pretty sick.

The Real team is stacked with a diverse and highly skilled team that spans over a decade. In our opinion, it’s certainly one of the best squads ever. With 18 guys featured in this video, how difficult was it to schedule filming trips and acquire enough footage to exhibit their talent? How long did the process take overall?
It was pretty difficult to schedule trips and stuff for sure but it was only because the guys had commitments with other sponsors. Everyone on the team was always down to do a Real trip. Toward the end though, many of the guys’ other sponsors were probably thinking “Fuck Jim.” Like I said before—these guys get pulled in so many directions and I just wasn’t going to let that happen near the end of this project. I sandbagged a lot of stuff and have a lot of favors to pay back for sure. I think the project has been a few months in the works…. for a bit…

What is the special thing about skateboarding that keeps you involved and inspired?
I love skateboarding. All I ever wanted to be was a punk rock skater. I am very lucky to be allowed to be a part of this. It is something that I hold very close to my heart and I am thankful for it every fucking day. Thank you TG — for making that first step that set it all in motion since day one.


Dan Wolfe

Your last full-length video project with Real Skateboards was with the production of Reel to Real back in 2001. How did you get involved with Since Day One and what has been the extent of your involvement this time around?

Sometime in early 2010 I started going out filming with Gabe and the crew. I live about 15 blocks from Deluxe, so it was an easy routine. Things were going good I guess and I got a call from Darin Howard. I met with Jim a few times and I was back in the mix at Deluxe around March 2010. I’ve filmed along with Aaron Chilen and Biggs (Deluxe’s in-house filmers) for the past year. So it’s been a year now and it feels good to be back at a place where the sole focus is skateboarding, none of the other bullshit. In addition to my portion of filming, I edited the video from start to finish with each of the riders’ input.

Obviously, video equipment, production workflow, media platforms and delivery, and skateboarding in general has changed and progressed over the past ten years. How have these advancements benefited or hindered skate video production work in general?
I’m a tech nerd at heart, so I like all the internet possibilities, but I think now is the time to stop putting garbage on the internet, just put good stuff on the internet, always quality over quantity. Things that are interesting like Grosso’s Love Letters or full on legit parts like Tom Asta or Dylan should start being the norm instead of all this ‘leftover’ crap. I also think all the hate towards HD could chill out. Just because the current trend in skate videos is super dramatic, arty/pretty HD crap, that doesn’t equal ‘HD’. When I watch a skate video I don’t wanna cry like “oh my god, it’s so beautiful”, I wanna get hyped to skate. Chill out with all the slo-mo/speed-ramps and emotional drama. HD can be super raw too, it’s all how you choose to use it. Skaters and skate videographers should spend less time bitching about HD and spend more time learning about frame rates, shutter speeds and progressive vs interlaced. Part of the love for VX1000’s, I think, is that they’re basically idiot-proof. The VX1000 only shoots one resolution and frame rate so all you have to do is turn it on and set the exposure and you’re pretty much good to go. With HD you have many more options and I’d bet that most skate filmers haven’t taken the time to learn the ins & outs of all of the options. Open the manual asshole, don’t be such a ‘dude’, reading is good for you…

Technically speaking, which cameras (i.e. DLSR, HD HVX, VX1000, etc.) and related video and grip gear did you use while in production with Since Day One?
All of 2010 I was filming with an HPX170 and a Panasonic GH1 with an Olympus fisheye. now my kit is GH2/AF100/HPX170, but I’m keeping a close watch on Canon stuff, I really like Canon L lenses. Aaron and Biggs had already filmed for four years or so with VX1000s, so the bulk of people’s parts are still VX. I just personally can’t deal with tape anymore; it’s too fragile. I hate telling a skater “that was a sick trick, sorry about the tape glitch that basically ruins it”. Solid state is the best for skateboarding. Interlaced video can suck it as well…

What is the toughest aspect in filming for a video such as Since Day One?
The team is really big so I’d say just the timing. People tend to get footage in spurts. And one guy might be close to done, but then another guy will still have to film a lot of stuff and the first guy’s footage can get old in the waiting. Add 18 riders to that equation and you can see what I mean.



Name one or more particular skaters’ parts in Since Day One that you feel will push skateboarding’s progression and/or blow people’s minds and the reason why.
That’s a hard one. I think each skater pushes things in a different direction. James Hardy takes unique tricks to big rails, instead of doing your average lipslide or smith grind. Jake Donnelly is sorta like a new Mike Daher; he’s got that lanky super pop. Davis Torgerson has the Koston-like perfection. Justin Brock just gets you psyched and feeling good. Ishod has the laid back style; he makes gnarly stuff look casual. Pete pretty much shreds everything in sight and Dennis is just classic skateboarding at warp speed. A few years from now Dennis’ part won’t look dated like other parts in ‘pop’ skateboarding videos.

What is the special thing about skateboarding that keeps you involved and stoked to document it?
Sometimes I do video production work outside of skateboarding and it’s always just weird. You end up being surrounded by all these “agency” people that swear they’re the coolest, hippest thing ever and they tend to take themselves way too serious. I prefer being around skateboarding where most people are down to earth and would rather have a good time and clown those goofs.


Davis Torgerson

What was the easiest and toughest part of the process in filming for your first full-length video part with your board sponsor and your teammates?
The easiest part I guess was skating spots with all the guys on Real. They’re all so fun to skate with and get you motivated to go out and do stuff. Towards the end of filming it got a little harder, especially knowing you have a deadline just kind of adds unnecessary pressure.

Out on the road, how well do the older established guys on the Real team get along with the younger upstarts on Real such as yourself?
I’ve always gotten along with everyone super well and I think it’s pretty much been the same for all the other younger dudes. Everyone on the team is so mellow and enjoys doing similar things, and just having a good time.

Does Mickey keep you guys in line like a harsh dad or does he let you slide on most of the hijinx on the road?
Nah, Mickey is really mellow actually. He’s one of the funniest guys I know. Plus, I don’t really think there was ever too much hijinx to have to deal with. Ha ha. Every trip I went on was fucking amazing, lots of skating and good times.

What was your favorite location or filming trip for Since Day One and why?
We did a trip from LA to KC and during that one, we went to some really good spots in Vegas and in Denver. It was definitely a really good crew of dudes and it just made the trip really fun. Plus Denver is sick!

What’s on your plate for the rest of 2011?
Same ‘ol shit. I just drove my car out from Minnesota to LA, so hopefully just enjoying skating in some great weather with a bunch of my friends, and hopefully just keep filming for whatever is next…

What is the special thing about skateboarding that keeps you hyped and motivated?
There are so many things about skateboarding that keeps me psyched on it. Traveling is definitely one. But I’ve always just been a little skate rat and it will always be something I’ll love. So when I see new stuff people are doing it definitely keeps pushing me and trying new things.


On April 11th hit up your local skate shop and purchase a copy of Real Skateboards’ Since Day One DVD and book. Shipping now!

Worldwide skate shop Since Day One premiere and JCK Benefit dates have been posted!

This entry was posted on Wednesday, March 30th, 2011 at 1:11 am and is filed under Focal Point. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.