Tuesday, 29 July 2014

Checkin in with Shane Auckland


Skateboarding seems to be progressing at a frightening pace. Companies are going through dramatic changes and more gizmos have been bought in, to capture the crazy tricks of today. Therefore, it's refreshing when you come across a company such as SK8RATS which embodies Shane Auckland's outlook on skateboarding. His decision to film with both HD and VX cameras shows his dedication to producing aesthetically pleasing videos. 

Did growing up in NW, Washington DC inspire your videography at all? What was the skate scene like?
 The local homies Jordan Sanchez and Andy Froberg and all the older guys from Snohomish and Seattle we’re the ones that inspired me the most. Andy Froberg taught me how to use a vx1000. The Seattle Skate scene is awesome. I miss it so much. I wish I could move back to Seattle but there are so much more options running SK8RATS out of LA.

You started your own skate company SK8RATS did this simply manifest from your YouTube channel or has it been a long term goal of yours?
It all started back when I was like 14-15, I made my first skate video called SK8RATS with a bunch of friends, the name stuck with our little click of friends and then around 2006 YouTube came about and I made my YouTube channel and called it sk8rat, and just kept making edits and people would call me sk8rat. And then when I was working for The Berrics, I had my own video segment called SK8RATS. And then when I parted ways with The Berrics I got my business license and sellers permit and trade marked “SK8RATS” and have been doing my own thing sense.

You recently released a full length video ‘Rat Poison’ were you happy with the final product and how it turned out?
Yeah I was pretty hyped on it, for sure super nervous but after the first week of it dropping, I was super hyped on the way it turned out!

What was the hardest part about making ‘Rat Poison’?
The hardest part was probably finishing up everyone’s part. Probably about half way through filming the video almost everyone moved away from LA haha. My buddy Jake moved to Nor Cal, Cory moved back to WA, Bert Wootton was living in Florida and then moved to LA. Jesse Alba got hurt really bad and was out for like 5 months. So having everyone scattered about made it a little difficult. But it all worked out in the end. 


You've filmed with both VX’s and HD cameras, do you have a preference?
For anything Im producing I always try to keep it VX for my edits and what not. My commercials for SK8RATS, I like to do it HD. Gonna try to keep my VXs alive as long as I can.

Once upon a time you were a filmer working at The Berrics, was it a dream come true living in LA working with some of the best skaters in the business? 
It was indeed! Will never regret those days. Still will always be surreal. 

 Living and working in Los Angles which most consider the center of the Skate industry, was it an experience you’re grateful for?
For sure, there is so much networking you can do down there. But then you always see the kooky side of the industry and can bum you out on skating too haha.

How do you keep your patience when you're filming a trick?
Luckily I just have so much patience haha. But in the end you just gotta be filming because you love it. Gotta be doing it for the right reasons.

Are there videos in and out of skateboarding that you draw influence from?
For sure on that, so many rad filmers out there. Tys videos and Jasons work, all of it you can draw something from it. Beagles wildness and Vics Market, can always spark ideas.



 Do you have any tips for filming a video part?
Creativity and originality, try to do your own thing and find your own style. Get your framing right if its VX or HD. Don’t chop heads. Find that right pocket when filming fish. And find songs that fits the skater, something that the skater will be hyped on and not just the editor. You wanna make the skater enjoy his or hers part.

 What’s next for Shane Auckland? Any new projects in the works?
We are working on our fall line right now and for sure wanna do another video down the road but gonna concentrate making some more gear right now. Just working on building the company up. More SK8RATS wildness to come!

 Thanks Shane, any last words? 
No worries man! And keep skating fun! Never let it get too serious, and always support your local skate shop! 

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