SKATEBOOK.tv
 

Elementality : Volume One

This new one from the Element camp has been a long time coming and is, for the most part, worth the wait.

On first glance you’ll notice that Element’s newest DVD comes in a very trick designed paper sleeve, not your standard plastic clam-shell case. Upon further inspection you’ll find a nicely organized insert tucked into the front cover. This gives a nice overview of the look and feel of the team and contains some great photos as well as discussing the idea behind their wind, water, fire, and earth themes. It’s nice to see more detail go into the packaging of a product…no one wants a poorly designed cover and JUST a DVD. Element goes the extra mile and gives a complete experience. That being said, I wasn’t all that stoked on Bam’s face on the cover. No question it sells DVDs, but isn’t that flying in the face of all the ‘team’ mentality being played up here? Maybe it’s just me.

The film itself starts off with Jake Rupp and Tosh Townsend flowing street tricks to smooth reggae beats. Not a big surprise there as both are sporting the red, yellow, and green and Tosh is rocking very ‘Fred Smith’ looking dreads these days. From there they move into a very tight team trip section featuring Mike V. and Chris Senn. Senn never disappoints. Where is his full part? I kept waiting and waiting and never got it. If anyone needs a full part…it’s him.

Next we get a solid am section. Good stuff. These kids are insane, and it doesn’t take long to know we’ll be seeing them in the future for sure. Portland’s Brent Atchley certainly rips with a super unique style. He gives us a nice mix of Oregon’s best parks and Portland’s streets. But would it kill the kid to pull up his pants? You wouldn’t believe the tricks he pulls with his jeans strapped to his thighs.

Jeremy Wray and Colt Cannon go through the motions with solid skating and a lengthy trick list. Venessa Torres does a good job of representing for the girls. Thrown in between these three parts are some quality team footage and some very well shot tour and demo skating. The Element team is really well rounded and these parts really do well in illustrating this.

And then there’s Bam. It’s not all Ferraris and heartagrams, but those who pick up this video just for the Bam experience won’t be let down. I was hoping for a bit more skating, but what he does throw in certainly highlights his own take on skateboarding. Say what you want…dude can skate a mini ramp.

And in what I thought was a pretty bold move, the ender is handed to 10 year old Nyjah Huston, 2005 Tampa Am Winner and over all mind blower. Watching this kid destroy huge rails and stair sets to the sounds of Bad Brains is pretty entertaining. Did I mention he is only 10 years old? Still, I do hope that as he grows older he expands his trick list past these two areas. Part of the excitement in watching this part is knowing that this is only the beginning for Nyjah and we haven’t even begun to see his potential.

It’s good to see Element still going strong after 13 years.”Today we continue to create the art, direction and message on a constant path to bring progress to skateboarding.” Well said.

Check out the trailer here.

- Chris

05/08

07/07 - Old Man Army Body Bag
07/01 - Crimson Skateboards
05/31 - Project Vulcanized - Etnies Shecker 2
05/20 - Project Vulcanized - adidas Super Skate
- Full Archive