In the vibrant tapestry of skateboarding culture, a unique phenomenon has emerged, captivating skate nerds and casual observers alike: the “Same Spot, Same Angle” (SSSA) clip. These are not just any clips; they are instances where different skaters perform tricks at the same location, captured from an identical perspective. It’s a niche that has gained significant traction, thanks to Instagram accounts like @SameSpotSameAngle, run by John Arbuckle, who has become something of an authority on this phenomenon. Let’s dive deep into this world of skateboarding déjà vu, exploring the allure and implications of ABDs (Already Been Done) in skateboarding.
The rise of ultra-niche skate Instagram pages like John’s indicates a growing community of skate enthusiasts who enjoy dissecting every detail of skate culture. While these pages might appear to be operated by some secret society, the truth is much more down-to-earth. It’s a collective of individuals deeply passionate about skating, each with their unique focus. John mentions several other Instagram accounts such as @memoryscreen, @deadhippie, and @muckmouth, highlighting this diverse landscape of skate-centric profiles. It’s a testament to the varied forms that skate fandom can take, from the technical to the nostalgic.
John’s passion for SSSA clips began when watching Ed Templeton’s part in This Is Skateboarding. Templeton’s back board to fakie down a kinked handrail triggered a memory of Arto Saari’s front board slam in Really Sorry, both filmed from the exact same angle. This realization sparked the idea for his Instagram page—not with the intent of comparing skaters but to display the intriguing recurrence of angles in skateboarding history. The goal of @SameSpotSameAngle has always been to showcase these visual parallels and acknowledge the depth of skate filming.
The concept of compiling tricks that have already been done might seem trivial to some, but for John, it’s more about the fascinating visual archive it creates. He’s amazed by how deep skate videos actually go and how the same angle can be found across different eras of skateboarding. These ABDs are often unintentional, highlighting the natural evolution and progression of skating.
The validity of ABD clips is a complicated discussion. Skateboarding is, after all, an art form. John agrees with Jason Dill, seeing skateboarding as a personal expression rather than a competition. If a skater feels good about a trick, even if it has been done before, that’s all that matters. However, when it comes to video parts, the discussion becomes more nuanced. There’s an unspoken rule that you should strive for originality when documenting your skills for the world to see. The situation is comparable to music, where jamming on the same riffs is common, but copyright issues arise when recording and releasing original material. Releasing a trick at the same spot that someone else has already done lacks originality, yet in most cases it’s unintentional. The exception is when an ABD is an intentional tribute.
The question of a “statute of limitations” on ABDs also arises. While skaters and filmers should do their best to research to avoid repeating the same tricks at the same spots, it’s becoming increasingly difficult as the skate scene grows. John points out that at some point, it becomes impossible to avoid these repetitions, and we will likely see even more ABDs in the future.
So, why do we see so many of the same tricks from the same angles? John points out that “same angle” can be subjective. Also, the architecture of certain skate spots often dictates specific camera angles. Iconic locations like Wallenberg, with its raised platform, or Hollywood High, with its rooftop view, naturally suggest certain filming perspectives. John also suggests that a lack of creativity in filming might be at play. While a lot of skaters are purists, experimentation in filming should be welcomed. He commends Bill Strobeck for his unique and original filming style, which stands apart from the norm.
One of John’s favorite ABDs is the comparison of Rayssa Leal’s back lip at Hollywood 16 with Jamie Thomas’ from Misled Youth. This shows not only the same trick at the same spot but the incredible progress of female skating over 23 years. Another example is Jeff Pettit (1988) and Brian Delatorre (2016), both bombing the same hill at Black Rock in SF, illustrating how even after many years, the same stoke of skateboarding remains.
A trend John has noticed through his 500+ posts is that he’s posting newer ABD clips more often than older ones. This suggests that skaters today may be less aware of what’s been done due to the sheer volume of content, often leading them to just do whatever inspires them. Back in the day, there was less footage, allowing for more uncharted territory. Also, lesser-known skaters often get outshined by more famous skaters. There are also situations where skaters accidentally release the same trick, leading to someone being unable to use their clip or instances where both parts come out around the same time making it too late to take out the ABD.
John’s Instagram page has become quite popular and he has had interactions with skaters, filmers, and brands. Scuba Steve DM’d him about a match he posted of PJ Ladd and Eric Koston, amused that he had filmed both clips the same way on different days. John has also been called out by Beagle on The Nine Club for filming an SSSAST of Bryan Herman and Jake Hayes without even realizing it.
In conclusion, while the etiquette of avoiding ABDs remains important, the sheer volume of skate content will make it increasingly challenging to avoid them in the future. The best way to avoid it might be to find new spots, as Ricky Oyola suggests. Or, maybe it’s time for a massive wiki archive of every spot and every trick that’s been done there! Either way, the “Same Spot, Same Angle” phenomenon continues to fascinate and spark discussion within the skateboarding community, offering a unique look into the evolution of tricks and filming.
