PODCASTS

How William Strobeck Became Skateboarding’s Most Influential Filmmaker

Published

4 years ago

February 11, 2020

Skate Newswire

William Strobeck, known simply as Bill by those closest to him, is this generation’s Spike Jonze. In 2014, he singlehandedly changed the direction of modern skate videos with the release of “cherry”. It was the first full-length from both Strobeck and Supreme, and had a similar impact to Jonze and Mark Gonzales’s Video Days when that debuted in 1991.

“cherry” introduced the world to a group of skaters that would go on to become icons. At the time, most videos felt like blockbuster movies that were far removed from the D.I.Y. spirit that birthed them. With street life vignettes that feel like you are watching the sessions live, Strobeck brought back an aesthetic that was lost sometime during the transition from standard to high definition. It had clearly been missed.

Bill’s trajectory was foreshadowed over a decade earlier. Before Tyshawn Jones, Na-Kel Smith, and “BLESSED”, there was Anthony Pappalardo, Brian Wenning, and Photosynthesis. He cut his teeth during the Josh Kalis and Stevie Williams era at Love Park. And his footage helped craft the Sovereign Sect’s look during its golden age. With that sort of pedigree, no one should be surprised by what Strobeck would go on to accomplish after.

But Bill didn’t get to where he is today without a little bit of luck. His Alien Workshop years were the start of an ongoing collaboration with Jason Dill. This friendship has landed him in “the right place at the right time” at multiple points during his career. The connection with Dill and a breakup with a longtime girlfriend were responsible for transplanting Strobeck to New York in 2002 after a seven-year stint in Philly. And N.Y.C. would prove to be a key element in the progression of his craft.

There were still shades of the old New York during those initial post-911 years. Bill, Dill, Chloë Sevigny, Ben Cho, Leo Fitzpatrick, Dash Snow, the Razo brothers, etcetera’s gallivanting between Max Fish, Sway, and The Hole is well-documented in the archives of Patrick O’Dell’s Epicly Later’d blog. They seemed to be the heirs apparent of the Downtown scene created by Warhol, Basquiat, Futura, Jim Jarmusch, Debbie Harry, and the rest of the legendary denizens of ‘80s L.E.S. Mingling with artists, designers, actors, and fashionistas allowed Strobeck to further develop his eye for what’s cool. This influence is highly visible in his output over the past six years.

Instead of just showcasing tricks, Strobeck creates a mood through providing a glimpse into his subjects’ lifestyles. It’s more in line with what Larry Clark and Mathieu Kassovitz did with KIDS and La Haine, respectively, than a traditional skate video. And it works so seamlessly with Supreme’s branding that it’s hard to imagine anyone else making its films. Currently, you’d be hard-pressed to watch one of the dozens of skate edits that are released weekly and find one that doesn’t borrow a little (or a lot) from Strobeck’s work. If those that shape the culture is the underlying theme of Mission Statement, there isn’t a more fitting guest for our 2020 season premiere.

https://soundcloud.com/user-784849561/mission-statement-episode-17-william-strobeck

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PODCASTS

Andy Jenkins Reflects on His Career on ‘The Nine Club’

Published

2 weeks ago

November 2, 2023

Skate Newswire

In this episode of “The Nine Club“, Andy Jenkins talked about his role as the art director for the newly established Girl Skateboards, the discovery of Evan Hecox, his departure from and subsequent return to Girl Skateboards after a seven-year hiatus, and the remarkable 30-year journey of Girl Skateboards, among various other topics.

Andy also became a global art director for Element Skateboards from 2017 to 2020 before returning to Girl. He also founded several magazines.

PODCASTS

Mami Tezuka on Monster Energy’s ‘Unleashed’ Podcast

Published

2 weeks ago

November 1, 2023

Skate Newswire

Mami Tezuka joined The Dingo, Danny, and Brittney in Monster Energy’s “Unleashed” podcast. Hear the story behind the two-time X Games medalist’s rise to fame and pro status above.

Mami Tezuka was raised with skateboarding in her blood: At the age of three, she first stepped on a skateboard in her native Shiga, Japan, encouraged by her father’s passion for skateboarding.

Riding skateparks and homemade ramps, Tezuka quickly built a trick repertoire beyond her age – a powerful mix of high airs and technical liptricks with a healthy dose of classic throwback moves.

On the contest circuit, this unique riding style makes Tezuka an international podium threat: Accolades include two X Games medals (one silver, one bronze) in Women’s Skateboard Park and third place in the Vans Park Series World Championships.

Additionally, Tezuka continues to push the boundaries of women’s park skating in critically acclaimed video parts for sponsors such as Blood Wizard Skateboards and Monster Energy.

Growing up in Shiga, Japan, Mami Tezuka was surrounded by skateboarding since birth. Her father, Manabu Tezuka, was part of the early generation of Japanese halfpipe skateboarders.

At age three, Mami started riding and continued the family legacy. “Me and my mom started skateboarding together. My dad already skated. I remember going to a skatepark where a lot of skaters were grinding that pool coping. And I loved that sound! Then I wanted to grind like that. It’s my first impression of skating.”

Regarding terrain, Tezuka started to focus on transition skating because her local skatepark provided plenty of ramps. “Actually, there are not that many street spots around my area. Then I just wanted to skate the quarterpipes and miniramps with older skater dudes. Because they were so cool. I was really into grinding!”

Channeling diverse influences, Tezuka cultivated a powerful mixture of new school and classic tricks. She also has no fear when it comes to tackling burly concrete bowls and DIY spots. “Am I afraid of speed? I’m not! I’m down to take a slam!”

The international competition scene was in for a shakeup when Tezuka claimed silver in Women’s Skateboard Park at X Games 2021. In 2022, she maintained her momentum by earning bronze as her second medal at X Games Chiba in 2022.

Looking ahead, Tezuka is focused on qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics in the Skateboard Park discipline.

“After the Olympics, skateboarding got really big in Japan. And so many cities are now trying to build skateparks, and many people are getting into it,” said Tezuka, adding: “You have to get enough points to be in the top three spots to qualify for your country. We started earlier this year, and now we’re keeping it going.”

Since relocating to Oceanside, California, this year, Tezuka has spent lots of time sessioning with Monster Energy teammate and skateboard icon Lizzie Armanto, one of her idols.

“She has done a lot for women’s skateboarding. I grew up watching her video parts. And see her in the Vans Park Series and all those contests. There were not many girls that could skate like her around me in Japan. So she was so inspiring. Now I’m skating with her and sharing time with her; it’s crazy.”

Courtesy of Monster Energy

INTERVIEWS

Ryan Sheckler Joins ‘Hawk vs. Wolf’ Show

Published

3 months ago

August 23, 2023

Skate Newswire

Ryan Sheckler took a trip down memory lane with Tony Hawk and Jason Ellis in this “Hawk vs. Wolf ” episode.

Ryan shared nostalgic stories that have never been heard before, including how he first met Tony during his 6th birthday party. He also talked about his life behind the cameras of his hit reality TV show and much more.