Red Bull Exclusive: DVS "Skate and Create" Director's Interview

RB: How long would it take between each shoot for setup, etc?

CK: Most of the time it took about an hour or two. There were a few times where it took 3 or more hours and then there were a few times when it took 45 minutes or so.

RB: What about the smoke and single light highlight, who's idea was that, and did it turn out how you anticipated?

CK: Using a singular light source was the brainchild of DVS' Creative Director, Matt Deak. He also wanted to use a lot of diffusion (aka smoke). As far as it turning out how we wanted, I'd have to say it surpassed our original vision.

RB: What about your camera of choice on this project?

CK: The camera choice for the project wasn't so much of a choice as it was a given. DVS owns 3 Panasonic HVX200's so we knew that's what we'd be shooting on. Their great cameras and they're really portable, so they were easy to get into any position we wanted.

RB: Who was the skate MVP for DVS's "Skate and Create"?

CK: The MVP according to Transworld was Torey Pudwill. He definitely came through time and time again. I'd have to say that everyone put in their fair share of elbow grease and ingenuity though. Daewon came up with some great obstacles. Zered skated the sketchiest and gnarliest setup of our time in the warehouse and Andrew Brophy was a work horse.

RB: What did you think of the other "Skate and Create'rs" Anyone that you really enjoyed their take on it?

CK: I thought there were some really beautiful shots in the Emerica piece that Miner and Manzoori did. Some of the setups that Duncombe and Haslam skated were ridiculous. When we were at the awards ceremony for S&C and they showed everyone the videos for the first time, when Haslam did the wall ride to back lip at the end of the Globe piece, I thought, "Well, there it is. That's the cover for sure. Globe's taking this thing."

RB: What skate creation was the hardest to make or to shoot and why?

CK: Zered's pole jam into the bank was the hardest thing to make, shoot, light, etc. We practically built the framing for a small house by the end of constructing it. Omeally was the one who really wanted to see that one happen and when at first it looked like we wouldn't be able to pull it off, he kept finding a way to make it more sturdy, longer, sketchier, etc. Basically, the thing that made that obstacle so tough was the shear scale of it. It was too big to light the whole thing with just the one light, it was too big to shoot without getting any of the rafters or beams in the shot (the entire shoot we tried 110% to eliminate all exposed beams so as not to give up the gag that we were in a warehouse. That's why it's the last clip in the video too, because it's like a giant reveal on the location.) Most of the obstacles we built we gave nicknames. I dubbed the Zered pole jam one, "Bob Villas' This Old House" after an old home repair show in the 80's.

RB: Was their any wild hairbrain'd obstacles that you weren't able to build?

CK: Daewon at one point toyed with the idea of building a 3/4 pipe. Not quite a full pipe but more than a half pipe. I think that obstacle ended up becoming the 1/2 circle that ended up on the cover of TWS.

RB: Looking back, you had such a diverse crew of dudes. As one spot was built specific to one skater, was it often that the other skaters would do tricks on those creations? If so, did you use the tricks in the final video?

CK: We didn't really build any spots with ONE skater in mind. There were spots that ONE skater really wanted to skate, but it was never like, "Hey, this spot is for Zered so just hang out for a while and we'll build one for you next." Everyone was welcome to skate everything, it just turns out that most of the guys wanted to skate different obstacles. So, there were times where something was built because a skater really wanted it, but then he didn't even end up filming on it. It's just like going skating in the streets, sometimes you've got an idea at a spot and your buddy just comes along to hang out. Then, you realize you don't have anything for the spot after all but your buddy's got a trick for it. Just typical skate psychology I guess.

RB: What are your thoughts on Skate and Create? Did you like the concept and format?

CK: I felt honored to be a part of the first one, that really meant something to me. I'm not usually the guy who's involved with things like that, so I personally was excited. Like any contest, there were a few hiccups that could be adjusted, but overall it was a great idea and an enlightening experience. Being in a dark, smoky warehouse for 9 days will do a number on your moral. (Colin Kennedy pictured left)

RB: Lastly, as returning champions, you got any secrets on what you will have in store for next year?

CK: We don't have any secrets up our sleeves, we're just going to hang even more black paper than last year, rent a bigger, brighter light and double the amount of smoke in there. It should take a lot of people by surprise, I don't think they'll see that coming. Like when you play Rock, Paper, Scissors and you do scissors two times in a row because you know the other guy is going to do paper. Gets 'em every time.

RB: Thanks Colin, fucking rad. Congrats on the DVS team and your terrific video.

TO SEE THE DVS BEHIND THE SCENES CLICK HERE!