Skate News Network

Mixed Effect Premiere

Skate News Network — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 13:58:00 GMT

Everybody better make an effort to come to this premier on Saturday night for Mixed Effect

- my good friends Jay Brown and Leeroy have worked their asses off on this video, and it's going to be a really good one (it will actually get a fully positive review from my diverted brain). Leeroy's filming is almost too good, and Jay's sensual editing will take your breath away... along with Nash's long dancer legs combo-ing more lip to switch something's with a spin out, as your brain can handle. Bret's "Ian Reid" style vid will most likely get your skate brain going while providing lots of positive entertainment as well, before the main even comes on. Make it out for the homies and yourself!

New Video Updates

Skate News Network — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 17:02:00 GMT

Lot's of talk of a new emulsion apparel video underway. On the CONTRARY - Elliott Vecchia and myself are working on a new video - setup much like our previous release, Dirty Water. This is NOT an Emulsion Apparel video, but rather another independent video featuring some emulsion riders, but also some non-emulsion riders with other sponsors. Emulsion Apparel will be one of the sponsors of the upcoming video, with it's continued support of the local community.

With that said, check out a few new video updates:

Zoo York - State of Mind Video Review

Skate News Network — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:28:00 GMT

Zoo York - State of Mind Video

Two words - East Coast. Thank god for that. It’s been year’s since a successful video came out that was primarily filmed on the East Coast.

The skateboarding it-self in this video is legendary already. With a great deal being filmed in New York and Boston, I have much respect for the tricks done at the spots. These spots aren’t your skatepark ledges and rails that you’ll find on the opposite coast from which I currently reside. When you roll up to a ledge, or a some stairs, or, let’s say a handrail here on the East, you don’t have the luxury of paved concrete. The typical situation here is that you’ll have to ollie up on a curb first, then deal with a ground that usually has some sort of a warp, or wave in it, and then a nice, 1inch by 1inch crack EXACTLY where you need to pop your trick. If you succeed there, you get to deal with the crusty ledge itself and it’s unforgiving landing, usually glazed with broken glass, rocks, heroin needles and a little vomit that’s been cooking in the sun for a few days. Now apply the above description to almost every spot in this video, and you’ve got to have a great deal of respect for the quality tricks that are in here.

Brandon Westgate open’s the video with an amazing part. He’s got so much pop that it’s kind of scary considering he looks like a little guy. He’s also got one of the most unique flip-catch combination’s ever - but I’m loving it. Big UP’s to him - one of my personal favorites. Matt Miller then goes to blow your mind with all sorts of switch back noseblunts and even some hardflips into some regular ones. For another little guy, he’s also got some impressive snaps. Following my usual path of review, I will skip on to the parts that stood out to me. Anthony Shetler is still really good, and goes real big on the handrail’s. Impressive part. Ortiz’s section was exactly what you would expect, the big rails and kickflips into them, but he can hold his own on the grimyness of spots too. Give him a few more years to grow into his abilities and the style will form. He’s got some really impressive fakie tricks, and really good back smiths.

Donny Barley hold’s a place in my skate-heart. Being a local of Mystic/Groton, CT myself, I have much love for the way this guy skates. I don’t even know how old he is now, but he just keeps getting better and continues to push faster than ever. In my mind, Donny really started the whole Busenitz style of skating, and he didn’t even mean to either. I wish his part was a little longer, but good job Donny. Let’s skip once again to some more mind-sparks and go to Suski, who really is a beast. He can skate the gnarliest stuff without question. Then the Boston head - Eli Reed. WOW, he killed Boston in this part. I was so psyched for him, and Frankie Nash and I even got BGP’s in his second line at EGGS - wait for Frankie’s line from that same day coming out this Saturday in Mixed Effect

! Then Zared Bassett destroyed NYC. Im going to leave it at that, because I don’t need to say anymore. He is officially a talented skateboarder who can dress the part.

On to the VIDEO itself. As much as I’m hyping the skating, that's unfortunately all I can hype. As a great East Coast video should, it’s got a good mix of music, but also a good mix of filmers. The problem now is the continuity of the look of Video Footage itself. The footage was so different in this video, that it was hard for me not to notice it. There’s ton’s of Panasonic footage mixed in with Sony footage and even a few Canon’s in there I think, which is painful for me to look at. Especially that awful blue ring around the fisheye on any Panasonic shot. It makes a strong man shudder. Also, I must say that the majority of the editing was not up to par. There was no cohesion between the editing and the music - especially with all the slow motion used. It hardly ever had it’s place with the music, and although the tricks typically deserved the slow motion, it wasn’t done with too much flavor (Sorry R.B.).

All in all, this video is really, really good... because after all, it’s all about the skateboarding isn’t it? That's what a skate video is... despite production quality. It will be held as an all time high point for the East Coast, as it has just brought us up to a new level in terms of both filming, and skateboarding. This video is DEFINITELY worth buying to watch in good quality. Bring on the Snow.

- Chris Fiftal

Baby Steps

Skate News Network — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:37:00 GMT

First entry in months...

This blog has been forgotten for a long time. Over the last three months' I've been building up Emulsion Apparel with my friend Dave DiAngelis, and we've come really far in these months! Have a look for yourself at Emulsion Apparel.

I havn't reviewed a video in a long time, and definitely have about four lined up for the next month, including a Zoo York: State of Mind review, Flip's Extremely Sorry and Orchard Skateshop's recent gem, Out of Body Experience.

If anyone still follows this, start checking back more often! Now that the Emulsion site is up and running, I'll have far more free time. Follow the Emulsion Blog for some awesome video, photography, art, and everything in between.

Remember This Blog Guys?

Skate News Network — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 21:39:00 GMT

Hello World.

Remember this blog? I still do, I swear! My computer which I run this off has been turned off for the last 3 months due to no internet and moving out of the city. But I"m back! We have an official Emulsion Apparel studio set up, and since you've read this last, we've got lots of new clothing made and are in full production! I'll post a link up to the new site (Emulsion Apparel) later this week once we get a shopping cart set up. Already Emulsion has hit the Boston skate scene hard and is the most hard to find, unique clothing line out there on the city. Keep an eye out for it!

Emulsion Apparel New Update

Skate News Network — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 20:38:00 GMT

Here's Elliott's new update for the upcoming Emulsion Apparel video - the newest clothing line out of Boston. Their site should be up soon, and from the sneak look I got at the line it looks SICK. Check back weekly for more updates, and keep on eye on their SITE

Chris Fiftal's Polaroid/35mm Photography

Skate News Network — Mon, 11 May 2009 22:18:00 GMT

Check out some recent Polaroid and 35mm photography I've got to shoot on my off time: Click for Photo's

Stefan Janoski - Nike Update

Skate News Network — Mon, 11 May 2009 02:09:00 GMT

I saw this update from Nike today featuring Stefan Janoski. I was so psyched to see some originality in video artwork, mixed with skateboarding again. It's been years since I've seen something like this that I was so excited about. The skating is amazing, (note the switch bs flip over the rail, into the bank), as is the artwork. I'm hoping Nike has the ability (and creativity) to put out a full length video with this sort of vibe to it. Good job mates:

Digi Cam Footage Will Never Be Cool

Skate News Network — Sat, 09 May 2009 15:53:00 GMT

I don't care, but digi cam, bro status footage of skateboarding will never be cool if you try to make a video out of it. If it's a single trick it is cool. If you try to hype a video full of it, your boring to me. Had to get that one out of my system.

Emulsion Apparel Video Update 1

Skate News Network — Sun, 03 May 2009 19:47:00 GMT

Here is some extra/throwaway footage that I've shot over the last few months for the new Emulsion Apparel video we're working on. It features some team riders, and friends.

Emulsion Update 1 from Chris Fiftal on Vimeo.

Best Place to Get your Sony VX-1000 Fixed - Video Camera Repair

Skate News Network — Fri, 01 May 2009 02:23:00 GMT

So you film skateboarding, but do you really film skateboarding? There are numerous ways to mimic the look of the skateboard videos you buy from your local skate shop, but when it comes down to it, your doing exactly that - mimicking it. You may be shooting with a Panasonic, and we hope your not shooting with a Canon GL2, but either way it’s not going to look exactly how it should. Want a tip? Get your hands on a Sony.

Sony VX-1000's have become the camera if you want to film skateboarding correctly. The problem with VX-1000’s, is that they don’t make them anymore. In fact, they were discontinued by Sony in 1999 following the release of the VX-2000. Once you do get a hold of the VX-1000, you will soon see that it’s a very reliable camera, but due to the fact that it is now 14 years old, you may run into a few problems with it. If this is the case, and your front lens mount was torn from the camera, or your viewfinder’s ribbon cable stopped working (which is the most common problem with this camera), you’ll need a reliable place to bring this hard-to-find camera to get it fixed.

I’ve had a few of these cameras over the last few years, and it’s not a camera that anybody can fix. It’s insides are unbelievably complex, and it’s parts are very unique, so most camera shops can’t go about fixing these gem’s any longer. I recently had to send my own personal VX-1000 out to get fixed, and was recommended a place very close to Boston. The shop is simply called Video Electronics, and is located on Main Street in North Reading, Massachusetts. I took an afternoon and drove my camera there personally, as I didn’t want my camera in JUST anybodies hands. I walked in and it was a very small place with TON’S of VX-1000’s lined up on their shelves. I could tell I was recommended this place for a reason. The technician, Kerry, was a very knowledgeable guy, and a person I felt comfortable putting my VX-1000 in the hands of.

These guys know their stuff and have seen almost every problem imaginable with this camera I’m sure. They did a great job fixing up my VX-1000, and it’s working better than when I bought it. Their prices are very reasonable, and in my opinion, are the only people I’ll ever send my equipment to in the future. They can be trusted, and especially if you’re a skateboard filmer who demand’s the best for your equipment.

If your having a problem with you VX-1000, or any camera for that matter, give them a call and I’m sure they will treat you with the care they did myself. Here is their info:

Video Electronics
135 Main Street
North Reading, MA 01864
1-978-664-9992

Buy The Dirty Water DVD Here

Skate News Network — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 19:11:00 GMT

PJ Ladd has done it again

Skate News Network — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 16:45:00 GMT

PJ's gone and blown my mind again. DC Shoes must be making loads of money because even their shoes are looking a little blinged out. I'm not really going to write too much more on this topic so just watch the video below and realize why PJ rides for the highest paying companies in skateboarding. Nollie fs flip back tail kickflip to fakie, NOLLIE halfcab flip to switch crooks, and a Half cab flip crook back 270.

Alien Workshop - Mind Field Video Review

Skate News Network — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 23:26:19 GMT

Here we go here we go! Heath Kirchart for skateboarder of the year? We'll see after Stay Gold.

It's been a while since I've opened up this blog, but I felt it necessary as this entry's a little more important than my daily blogs about nothing, which you can follow HERE.

I figured I'd have done this one a long time ago, but life has caught up with me and there's been no skate filming lately - thanks to that surprise 14 inches of snow that we got here in Boston.

Mind Field! This one was great - I loved it. Let the hating begin please, because this is Photosynthesis II - or as close as a video ever could come to it. Yes I know, No Castrucci this time. But what would you have done differently to make it more like Photosynthesis? Love Park is gone, the teams changed drastically and there's no Habitat section because skateboarding is corporate now.

I loved it, the art was pretty on par minus those awful animations of the monsters and penguin with the snake in it's mouth, and they shot some film! I havn't seen much good super 8 shot lately, so that was refreshing. The soundtrack was also great, lot's of dinosaur Jr. but you had to expect that - old AWS lovers.
Everyone's parts in this were really good. I could hate on Steve Berra for putting those stupid yellow bars at two different spots and trying to trick us into thinking it was actually a spot, but now that he has the berrics he's a lazy guy - but still can do really good fakie flips. Dyrdek is an MTV star who can put together pretty good lines, and Omar is a beast - such a machine. I was psyched on his part. Who else is in this... Dylan Ryder is sick, amazing style and such clean tricks - kind of a wacky dressing style but I dig it. Grant Taylor's part was amazing with some really interesting new spots in there, including a waterpark? AVE is still awesome, but has gone 30+ year old hesh style with the red curb skating, but makes up for it in the last minute or so of his part with switch back tails to noses, nollie crooks on huge handrails and lots of ollie over to grinds on handrails. Mikey Taylor had a really solid part too, but it still wasnt in bloom. Maybe he's just meant to skate to a beat.

My personal favorite parts were Arto, even though they stole my song! (SEE HERE) Jake Johnson, who I think is one of my all time new favorite skateboarders (check his part out in Short Ends) Kalis who absolutly blew my mind, and of course Heath Kirchart. The ender part of this video was absolutly amazing and well earned. Heath Kirchard is a mysterious man and will remain so forever. His skateboarding abilites and style while going so big that I get scared watching makes me wonder when he'll start to slow down. Certainly not in this video. The style on that back lip is absouly amazing - watch the arms just throw down!

All in all, I love this video - a much different team than Photosynthesis, but the times have changed in 10 years, and so have you. Enjoy Mind Field and definitely go out there and buy yourself a copy - it comes with a nice little photo book too and is worth every penny you spend.

Transworld Skateboarding - Right Foot Forward

Skate News Network — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Did you guy's even see this one coming?

This was such a surprise here in Boston, but pretty amazing at the same time. Who'd-a-thunk- that Kellen Jame's would ever been in the same video as Corey Dufflel, or Bobby Worrest, All I know, is I"m psyched! A new Worrest part out, a new Brezinski part out, and a new James part out will be sure to blow minds. Oh yeah...and Matt Beach? Do any of you actually know how good this guy is? He can skate anything... and I mean it. I remember watching him skate one of thouse half circle, long bowl thing's in the old Firm video and just being amazed. I just never thought him and Corey...

Like it or not, Corey Dufflel is a good skateboarder. That's right kids! I said it! I'm not proud of it... but it's true. Spandex pant's wearin' duffel is an amazing skateboarder with tallent that's hard to hate on. He goes big - real big, and we know you all like it. AND he'll probably have last part. I'd like to be surprised and wrong about that last one, but it's true. I'm most excited for Kellen James though. Or maybe it's Bobby Worrest... or maybe it's Brezinski...or Beach's style? Tthis is going to be a good one...

Check back soon for somemore updates on this video. I"m hopin' they'll send me the downlow soon so I can hook all you guy's up with some info. For now:

# 27 - Heath Kirchart in Sight Unseen

Skate News Network — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 22:48:00 GMT

Another long break from blogging - it got boring for a few weeks so I took up some new hobbies. I've recently taken up brewing my own home made hard apple cider and this week I plan on moving along to trying a brew of beer. I've also been shooting a lot of 35mm lately which you can check out on my PhotoBlog which I seem to update even less than this one.

It's been a high of 20 degrees the last few weeks here so there hasn't been much filming done, other than with die-hard Jimmy Lake, so be sure to keep an eye out for his name in some upcoming videos out of Boston.

But back to the countdown!

Today's entry is Heath Kirchart from Transworld's Sight Unseen video. This is video was so gnarly when it first came out that it would make me try to kickflip as high as I possibly could on my rugged floor in my bedroom as a little grommit. It was an overall great video - one of Transworld's best, but what really made it stand out so well was the last part.

Heath Kirchart kills it - he always has and always will. It's put best by Berra I believe in Anthology, maybe its Reynolds, but he's strictly business. It shows with his temper, as well as with his tallent. This dude goes so big it's insane. I feel like a few tricks in here could have easily taken his life if he didn't have that tight-rope balance. Also, remember how they just threw that backside-noseblunt down the square handrai in the middle of his part? NO BIG DEAL.

I believe t his actually won best part of the year when Sight Unseen came out. The filming was amazing for this time, when people really began to experiment and tweak the colors on the VX-1000's. Really solid filming, as well as editing makes each trick of his as legitimate as they would be in real life. You've also got to love Transworld's night filming - their notorious for it. All this to a Moody Blues song, as well as tailslides down 16+stair, curved handrails makes this a legendary part. Number 27 on my top 30 favorite parts ever, Heath Kirchart:

# 28 - Rob Welsh in Ryde or Die

Skate News Network — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 18:44:00 GMT

Number 28 on my top 30 video parts is Rob Welsh's from Ryde or Die. This part is in my top 5 favorites skateboard wise, but this top 30 is a mix of filming, skating and editing.

Rob Welsh has one of the best styles in skateboarding. He chooses solid tricks to do, and makes them look fun. His pop out of slides and grinds is amazing (watch beware of the flare if you have time). He kills the Pier manny pad in more ways than one, and seems to live the lifestyle that east coast skateboarders love.

The filming in this is part is solid - nothing too fancy at all, but definitely up to par to be noticed. Being an older video your not going to see any fancy 16mm film shot, or any of this stupid HVX-200 orange colored footage, but the VX footy looks really good.

The editing is really on point too - I'll say it again - if you don't notice anything bad about editing, they did a great job.

HOWEVER: While you watch this, notice those black flashes when there is fast drumming? If I ever see anybody do that again I'll tell you right to your face that your the most un-original editor that I've ever met. There is absolutly nothing worse than putting black flashes in a video. If I meet anybody who does this, you don't deserve to edit skateboarding. I hate it. You had no better footage to use, or you couldn't edited two tricks back to back? And another thing...

All this mixed with such a solid song makes this one of my favorite part's ever.

# 29 - Donny Barley - Element World Tour

Skate News Network — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 22:56:00 GMT

So remember that time I was going to post up a new part everyday for 30 days straight? Well that went right to shit. The day I posted the first one I decided to jump in my buddies car and drive down south through Asheville NC and down into New Orleans for a week of warmth. The day I got back from that I headed up to VT for the last 5 days to spend a bunch of time snowboarding in -18 degree weather. Due to how busy life has been lately, I've slacked hard over the last two weeks.

School's starting up next week so you can be assured that I'll be posting these up much more frequently.

Today's post for my all time top 30 skateboard parts is Donny Barley. This guy has killed it from the beginning. Back from the old Toy Machine days to his footage from the new Zoo York videos, Barley has always been a machine. He skates faster than you and will kill any tranny and your local park harder than your local park-shark. I remember growing up and watching him skate Groton skatepark, my local park from back home in Mystic, CT. It's one of the gnarliest park's on the east coast for sure, mainly becuase it was built by all the locals around the area. Watching him skate it made you feel kind of sick to your stomach - it was easy for him.

This part is amazing, not due to filming in any sense, but strictly to how amazing Donny is on a skateboard. Note how tech he was so long ago with the switch hardflip-5050 in the middle of his part. He skates so fast, and even has a few Barley grinds in there. Enjoy this, number 29 on my top 30.

#30 - Nate Jones from Real to Reel

Skate News Network — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 16:10:00 GMT

The countdown begins today with Nate Jones' part from Real to Reel. This has always been one of my favorite parts strictly due to how effortlessly this guy skates. His style is amazing, especially because Nate's such a tall guy. His kickflips are up to par with Reynolds and you've got to love Gonz's guest back tail. There's nothing all that unique about any of the filming, but it's all solid enough to make you not really notice anything bad about it - what a skateboard video should be. All this mixed with a Gil-Scott Heron song makes this the 30th best skate part ever made. Enjoy Nate's skateboarding.

A Month of Chris Fiftal's Favorite Skate Video Parts

Skate News Network — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 01:57:00 GMT

Happy New Year everybody - I hope you all had one that you can remember - even if it's just fragments of the night. Don't worry, I was throwing up all night, but not from a single drop of booze. NOPE. I was lucky enough to catch some sort of food poisoning that took over 72 hours of my life starting on New Year's Eve, morning.

Annnyyway.

With the delivery of a new year, means a delivery of some new ideas. We all have our own resolution, so while your most likely failing to accomplish yours, here's one of mine strictly for your entertainment, and hopefully some concrete schooling on rolling around.

For the next 30 days or so, I'm going to be posting up the best 30 skateboard video parts ever made. This includes the best filmed, best edited, and best skating. Some are legendary, and some are just my favorite for certain reasons. I will post them in order, from 30-1 according to my personal favorites. I will give you a brief description why, and then allow you all to hate as hard as you want on anything I say (which all us Dirty Water head's will most likely laugh very hard at and make fun of you for about 7 minutes straight in the comfort of our rooms).

The first one will be posted tomorrow, so start checking back each day. I'll try to post each one in the morning, but I cannot guarantee anything other than the fact that one WILL be up each day (according to this year's resolution of mine).

- Chris Fiftal