the golden rules of being a pro skater part one


















Hygiene series concept by Nate Sherwood. 2004.













Golden Rules of Being a Pro Skater

I do not care if you have the creativity of Deawon Song, the technical ground breaking of Greg Lutzka, the next level insight of Chris Cole, the magic work of Haslam or the style of Gino. No matter what you will run into hoops to have to jump through as a pro and here are the top 5 golden rules to remember.

Rule number 1 of being a pro skater: never let anybody edit your video parts unless you are present at the time. You might end up with what I got with the Film This video, nothing but toss out footage and filler crap and stuff that was only fit as a joke in a Chomp On This setting.

It is not going to last forever is the number 2 rule. Learn a craft in the field. I like to think most of us skaters are creative types who want to be innovative and have fun with any art form. I picked up a video camera back in '92 and have not got out of it since. For me, being behind the lens is just as fun as being in front of it. Plus you can save your sponsors mad cash if you film other team riders and help out in the never ending video part that is and will be your life as a skater.


Number 3: If you get hurt, which you will, make sure to stay in touch with your sponsors. Go into the office, give input on laying out ads, crack jokes, brain storm with the boss about concepts for future videos skits, ad campaigns and of course, product design. Never, and I mean never, act like you know anything about anything you do not know about. Know it all's suck at life and chances are, unless you are a member of Mensa, you are not going to understand half of what is going on in an office due to the fact you have spent your whole life outside of one. There are people who will kick your ass for even coming up to their desk and bugging them. One time I went to Syndrome, back when Plan B was just about to re-launch, with a bunch of sketches for deck graphics for Plan B that D Way and Colin already gave me the thumbs up on my HygienE Series concept weeks prior. I decided to walk in without calling and had Jason Maxwell take me to the art dump. The dudes looked at me like I fucked their girlfriend for even acting like I was a graphic artist. I showed them my idea's and they just nodded and gave me a mean mug that made Suge Knight look like Rodney Mullen. It was creepy to see tight pant, white slip on shoes, side bag wearing, ram horn glass on face having, Mac laptop sitting behind dudes turn into UFC fight pregame faces. I learned a valuable lesson, even if you are head banging to metal and skating with the bosses you still cannot just jump into a field you know little about. This is something you need to take with stride. Many cats go to school for years for these jobs and get pissed at you for rolling up on them with a half ass drawing you did with a sharpie. Just think how pissed you would be if some fuck who did not know the difference between a hard flip and a inward heel started to tell you how to skate, where to skate, where to film and how to dress. It would be like that. Just respect everybody and you will go far. Even if you have a great concept in your head leave it to the people in that trade to put it out for you rather than you drawing it up and messing it up.


Number 4: Never burn any bridges. You will end up on an island, trust me.


Number 5: Ego trippers never act spoiled. Nobody wants a prima donna on their team who would never get in the dirt on the playground. I do not care if you are a 15 year deep pro skater who has ridden for some of the biggest brands out there. At some point it will dry up and you will need to trade in the 4-star hotel for a 4 pole tent. You will have to stop bitching about grainy photos and you will have to ride shop brand bootleg bearings rather than Swiss. Grow up and realize you are not the shit. Time to be humble, stop being ego tripped out. Who cares how much coverage you have, who gives a fuck if your last video part was off the chain? Kids will forget about you as soon as the next video comes out from whomever and the next month's issue has been run. I had a column in Transworld titled the "Overheards" that ran for a year straight from '04 to '05 and as soon as it was done, nobody knew I worked for them at all. For real, it happens that fast.








Comments (4)

pwesquire3000
Posted on June 26, 2009 02:50 PM
lolol yes sirrrrrrr, keep it fucking real! it's about time!
NATE SHERWOOD
Posted on June 26, 2009 07:22 AM
thanks guys u rule
Cheazy-E
Posted on June 25, 2009 10:57 PM
best article ever.
i811st
Posted on June 25, 2009 11:21 AM
One more thing: don't get caught with 15 year-old girls in your bed.ask Patch.

VIDEOS

    Added: 11/20/09
    Move over Tillman, there's a new skateboarding bulldog in town and this time he's taking on Tony Hawk!
    Added: 11/20/09
    MIKE COLACINO KILLING THE SOUTHBAY STREETS...
    Added: 11/16/09
    We are calling this season: The HOLLYWOOD Summit Shows "Battle Of The Summit" 12 City 1 Island.The HOLLYWOOD Summit Show's "BATTLE OF THE SUMMIT" is opening a door from the subculture skateboarding into the mainstream family lifestyle without changing its roots. Skateboarding started as a way to surf when there was none. As a sport, skateboarding attracts people from all walks of life and, as a sport, has embraced them... from grom to executive, it's always been about rippin'- not the clickin'. Morgan "HOLLYWOOD" Monroe has been skateboarding since 1973 and, over the years, also personally excelled in surfing, snowboarding, dirt/street bikes, and mountain biking. Always the innovator and risk taker, "HOLLYWOOD" has always seemed the right nickname for him... he always GOES BIG! His early love for films drove him to the industry, eventually moving him to Malibu in the 90's, acting and experiencing the many facets of the Hollywood film production industry. He remains an active member of the Screen Actor's Guild. Tom "The Ripper" Spano, co-host of the The HOLLYWOOD Summit Show's "BATTLE OF THE SUMMIT", is driven by his competitive nature. Tom "The Ripper" Spano has a long, versatile extreme sports history. Professionally snowboarding and mountain biking for years forged his will to excel. He also surfs, skateboards, wakeboards, plays volleyball and soccer, boats, and scuba dives. His energy, quick wit and infectious good nature are the perfect complement to the production. Tom "the Ripper" Spano also is an active actor. The "No Name Rippers" are out there, millions of them, only dreaming of someday having that chance to emerge. The HOLLYWOOD Summit Show's "BATTLE OF THE SUMMIT" gives them the platform to do just that. We have all watched both the extreme sports and reality-type shows gain in popularity. Morgan "HOLLYWOOD" Monroe has spent years developing a formula to fuse both extreme sports and a reality show into a proven experimental entertainment production, the first being completed May 18th, 2009 at Stirling Skatepark in sunny Dunedin, Florida. The HOLLYWOOD Summit Show's "BATTLE OF THE SUMMIT" lets the chips fall where they may, and in Dunedin, the chips fell in such a way that it shook the tradition of conventional contests. Three high energy commentators and an involved crowd, made for great performances, with contestants from 8 to 48. The trophies and prizes were big.The HOLLYWOOD Summit Show's "BATTLE OF THE SUMMIT" 12 City 1 Island 2010 Series' prizes will rival or exceed current professional events. Here's the hook: We pitt the placewinners of the three age divisions against each other... NO PROS ALLOWED. In the case of the Dunedin's "BATTLE OF THE SUMMIT", the first place winner was 11, second place was 10, and third went to a 14 year old girl. Scoring was a points system based on trick variety and level of difficulty...highest score won.The HOLLYWOOD Summit Show's "BATTLE OF THE SUMMIT" 12 City 1 Island 2010 Series is the breakout skateboard entertainment production beginning in late spring/summer. "HOLLYWOOD" has always supported industry specific charities. In Dunedin, Grind for Life and The Ian Tillman Foundation were the recipients. He also involves the local chambers of commerce and presents the mayors with a large trophy and plaque to display in the city hall. Vigorous co-operation was achieved from the Dunedin Mayor's office, who had previously recommended closure of the skatepark; Mayor Eggers saw firsthand the positive response of families and the value of having a safe and challenging skatepark for the community. Twelve top winners from the 12 skateboarding-rich metropolitan cities compete at the Hawaiian "Battle of the Summit". The reality format of hit shows such as American Idol, and So You Think You Can Dance have proven that the country loves to follow unknown, talented contestants as they achieve greatness. The HOLLYWOOD Summit Show's "BATTLE OF THE SUMMIT" 12 City 1 Island 2010 Series will "try out" the bevy of contestants in the same manner. So, what about the reality? When the Hollywood Summit Show rolls into a city near you, there will be no mistaking their presence. There will be a tour bus and support vehicles wrapped in the Hollywood Summit Show logo, as well as the various logos of all "Battle of the Summit" sponsors and supporters. Morgan "Hollywood" Monroe and Tom "the Ripper" Spano draw plenty of attention, ask anyone who has met them. A four month tour with Morgan "HOLLYWOOD" Monroe, Tom "the Ripper" Spano, cast, crew, bands, celebrity/ professional cameos and friends will present many opportunities for comedic entertainment. Fun and adventure/misadventure. The parties will consist of local locations, our house band, local live bands, local talent, and community spirit/ involvement. There will be "feel good" stories on all the competitors, especially those that continue on to Hawaii. The show will cover the athletes, their stories, families, local shops, team members, background on the local scenes/ hot spots. There will be professional skaters and Buttons Kaluhiokalani has agreed to play part in the Hawaiian segment of the show. He will take part in teaching the 12 winners to surf, and then Buttons and friends will judge them in a surf contest.Show Layout: The Battle of the Summit will consist of: 2-hour Season opener, television formatted episode. Eleven 1-hour television formatted episodes. 2-hour Battle of the Summit Finale television formatted episode
    Added: 11/15/09
    ILL STATE GRINDAHZ & KINGSIZE THE VET
    Added: 11/15/09
    Ghetto Skateboards' Tillman Hazelton killing it at The Ghetto Skate Facility in Zephyrhills Florida. Fall of 2009

PHOTO GALLERIES

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