Skating alone can be a real challenge. It’s tough without the encouragement of your friends, the high-fives after landing a trick, and of course, someone to capture those moments on film. However, Element am, Victor Cascarigny, recently showcased that solo self-filming doesn’t have to result in subpar footage. He produced an impressive part, filmed entirely by himself during the lockdown, proving it’s possible to create quality content even when you’re rolling solo.
Victor created this video in his hometown of Toulouse, France, during a two-week period of lockdown. While France has started to ease restrictions, Victor’s initiative serves as great inspiration, especially for those in places still observing social distancing guidelines. He’s shown us how to stay productive and creative, even when skating solo is the only option.
A Quick Chat With Victor
We caught up with Victor to learn more about his experience creating this edit and his thoughts on solo skating.
What are your top three things to do alone?
“Before the quarantine, it was hard to answer that, but now I definitely know what I like to do alone,” Victor laughed. “I read and cook a lot; it’s rewarding. I also downloaded a Gameboy Advance Emulator on my computer so I can play Pokemon – I finished it in 5 days – and Zelda. I never filmed any of those things, should I do a cooking tutorial?”
How serious was the lockdown in Toulouse?
“This area wasn’t severely impacted by the virus, but we had the same strict quarantine rules as the rest of France. Things started to change on May 11th. President Macron declared we were at war, so the shutdown was serious, with serious rules.”
You mentioned that you followed all quarantine rules while filming this edit. What rules were in place?
“Yes, I followed the “kilometer rule” and the “one-hour rule.” The kilometer rule meant I couldn’t go further than one kilometer (0.6 miles) from home. Going further could result in a 135€ fine, and I definitely didn’t want to pay that! Luckily, I live in the town center, so I had many spots nearby. At the start of the quarantine, you could go up to 2km (1.2 miles) from home, so I discovered some fun spots very close to my place! The “one-hour rule” was more difficult to respect. We were only allowed out for one hour a day for individual sports, and we had to carry a paper with our full name, address, and the time we left home. It was annoying to write this every time and made me feel watched.”
Before this, what was it like filming with French Fred for the Element video Knucks?
“Actually, Fred just edited my part from Knucks; he didn’t film me, so I can’t answer. But the first email I got from Fred was him saying he liked my skateboarding and he would edit my part. It was an amazing feeling, like landing your first kickflip. I’m grateful to Fred for his great work.”
Who do you think is a better filmer, your water bottle or French Fred?
“[Laughs] I cannot say! But I definitely recommend both of them.”
What anime were you watching at the beginning of the video?
“Naruto, of course. One of the best. But you need a shutdown to watch all 522 episodes [laughs]. Maybe the virus is a conspiracy created by all the long series we never had time to finish.”
What’s your favorite anime? What would you recommend to someone new to anime?
“There are so many masterpieces: Death Note, One Piece, Naruto, Attack on Titan. I would recommend starting with a classic Hayao Miyazaki movie like Mononoke Princess.”
After making this edit, what are your thoughts on skating alone?
“Skating alone is frustrating. Firstly, you miss your friends, and secondly, I imagined doing more tricks, but sometimes I was too afraid to fall. It would have been tough to get home with my bike and a broken leg [laughs]. However, skating alone makes you approach spots differently. Because I was scared, I had to find less dangerous, but sometimes harder, ways to skate them. Besides, nobody’s watching; you skate for yourself and the environment, which can feel good. But after these solo sessions, I missed skating with my friends. One day, I even did a video call with my friend Martin and we skated “together” on our phones, even if we were miles apart. He was showing me some perfect flips, and I was hyped on my phone. I’m grateful video calls exist during this time.”
Do you have any tips for self-filming?
“Yes! First, take a deep breath, inhale a lot of motivation, and exhale all of your shame. Be creative and open your eyes; your environment can be a great tripod. One clip was filmed on top of a fence. Use a variety of angles. And last but not least, bring an external battery.”
Victor’s self-filmed part is a testament to resourcefulness and creativity. Even in challenging situations, it’s possible to stay engaged with your passion. His experience also highlights the value of community, even when physical distancing is necessary. Use Victor’s experience as inspiration, try your hand at self-filming, and remember, even when you’re alone, you’re still part of the broader skateboarding culture.
Video by: Victor Cascarigny
Interview by: Larry Lanza
