In the 6th grade I got my first deck, a classic yellow Enjoi based after my favorite skater Rodney Mullen. That’s when I fell in love with skating and when, I believe, I unknowingly sparked interest in filmmaking. The school my dad worked at had a concrete spot inside their gym on the second floor with two quarter pipes, a box and a rail where I would spend countless hours and weekends practicing and dreaming of skating and making skate videos as a job. Despite neither of those things happening, throughout the years skating has continued rent the garden apartment in my life, like I imagine, it does for all who used to skate.
When Alright, OK came up on my YouTube I knew I was slightly late to the party but I was just happy to have gotten there because this short film is nothing short of fantastic. Director Greg Hunt reunites Vans teammates Elijah Berle and Gilbert Crockett on their second film with guest appearance from Justin Henry. Berle’s timeless form and Crockett’s eccentric style blend together beautifully and is only heightened by Henry’s class. All personalities shine through from the insane tricks and spots they attack, to their music choices and dare I say even their style. In many cases its style vs substance but this particular piece has a nice balance between the two.
Hunt struck that balance in his choice of blending digital with 18mm and 35mm film to mirror the personality of each skater. Crocketts love for art is highlighted when reading or sketching between tricks contrasts Berle’s Western Americana persona in search of direction via surfing and music. The timelessness of the film is tied together by the crisp soundtrack.
A Look Inside Alright, OK is an important extension of the short film (for those who like those kinds of things and for those who don’t, watch anyways). It paints a better picture of the experiences of each person during the filming. I’m sure we all can relate specifically to Berle, when at the lowest point in his skating career, is extended a hand of support. Without that lift from his team he would not have gained that persistence, over the span of two years, to film the best and arguably most difficult tricks of his career.
Both films are a reminder that finding balance in ones life is achievable even in a word where ones attention is demanded 24/7. Crockett and Berle are short and sweet in recounting their search for balance and how rewarding it is when you are able to find it. In many ways vert was conceived from a search for balance at a point in which I felt I was fed with my life and career path and would not look back.
I was at a low point with no direction and no outlet. Until I was asked by a friend to fill in on a project she was working on. I couldn’t pass it up, despite my unhappiness, I had to keep going. What was meant to be a short stint turned into a full time gig for five months and let me tell you it was the much needed water for my drought. Although I had worked with some of the crew before, it was their attitude, work ethic and friendship which helped me recalibrate my mentality and therefor my perspective. With a rejuvenated and more motivated mind I was able to recognize what was the source of my unhappiness. The steps needed to be taken to help balance that source of instability became clear during this project and the changes I needed going forward, eventually led to vert.
Alright, Ok poises filmmaking and skateboarding beautifully. It allows us to relate to finding balance in life and how that search evolves as we mature. It makes you think and want to act, which is a sign of good art (of all kinds). Skateboardings values of Inclusivity, resilience and freedom of self expression are held true here and are things we can carry more of in our pocket. Let’s surround ourselves with people with those beliefs. Find someone, or be someone who’s able to extend a hand and dust you off when you fall. With a little more of these things in our life, we all may be alright, ok.
For those who are interested
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