Tom Knox’s Atlantic Drift part is more than just a collection of impressive skateboarding tricks; it’s a meticulously crafted piece of art that rewards repeat viewings. Jacob Harris’s masterful editing weaves together layers of meaning, creating a dialogue between past and present, individual and community. This analysis delves into the hidden details and thoughtful tributes within the video, showcasing the depth and artistry behind this remarkable part.
Tom Knox Atlantic Drift Header
Echoes of the Past: The Intros of Atlantic Drift
The Atlantic Drift series, which began on “Day 1” (January 3rd, 2017), culminated in Tom Knox’s part on “Day 1410” (November 13th, 2020), according to the blinking register displays in the videos. Harris uses music to create a specific atmosphere. The first episode featured the vaporwave track “Charlotte Iris” by Fight Bite. For Knox’s part, he chose “Charlotte Pluie” from the same album, maintaining the original song’s structure and lyrics, but with a slightly more upbeat tempo. This subtle change mirrors the growth and progression of Knox’s skating.
Each Atlantic Drift episode traditionally opens with shots of jellyfish. However, this time, before a close-up of Knox in front of a London neon light display, the viewer sees the multicolored lights reflected in his eye, an intriguing shift in perspective that highlights Knox as an active participant in the visual experience.
Day 1 vs Day 1410
Reimagining Familiar Spots
Knox and Harris consciously revisit and reimagine spots from their past work. One notable example is a three-up, seven-down spot in London. In his Eleventh Hour part, Knox executed a marathon line at this location, incorporating a hidden third set of stairs. In Atlantic Drift, he revisits the same spot, this time starting the line by grinding the top stair and gapping out to the sidewalk, a move reminiscent of his 5-0 to gap from the first Atlantic Drift episode.
Another revisited location is a rough, concrete ledge above a bumpy slate bank leading to a four-foot drop. Knox has consistently filmed tricks here over the years, from a frontside tailslide in Vase to a frontside 5-0 in his New Balance part, and finally a terrifying switch backside 50-50 in Atlantic Drift. This location has become synonymous with Knox’s unique approach to skateboarding. Another recurring location, the St. Paul’s spot, appears in nearly all of Knox’s parts, further cementing the importance of specific locations in his filmography.
Tom Knox Roof Ledge
Acknowledging Teammates: Homage to Mike Arnold
Mike Arnold’s influence is evident in Knox’s Atlantic Drift part. In Arnold’s “Lloyds” part, filmed at Bristol’s Lloyds Amphitheatre, he performed tricks like an ollie over a flat gap, a backside big spin on flat, and a switch ollie over another flat gap, all without pushing. Knox pays tribute to this by recreating a similar line at back-to-back street gaps in London, culminating in a switch big spin on flat. The inclusion of Arnold cheering in the background underscores the spirit of camaraderie within the team. This homage is further reinforced by Knox reenacting the 16mm shot of Arnold leaving a train vestibule from the first episode of Atlantic Drift.
Tom and Mike
The Mop: A Recurring Motif
The mop, first introduced in the opening shot of Knox’s Vase part where he mops the street, has become a recurring thematic element in Harris’s films. This seemingly random act has transformed into a visual metaphor, appearing during significant life moments in Knox’s skating career, such as his pro debut and stag party. In Atlantic Drift, Knox mops a mirror midway through the part, while the carnival music, which was also used in the Vase intro, plays again, further connecting the different parts.
Mop Side by Side
Musical Cues and Recurring Themes
The use of Nina Simone’s “I Shall Be Free” is another intentional nod to Knox’s past work. In Vase, this track accompanies a shot of Knox pushing down Copperfield Street. Almost five years later, in Atlantic Drift, Knox pushes down the same street as a sample of the same song plays over the Atlantic Drift theme. This repetition connects past and present, highlighting the evolution of Knox’s skating while paying homage to his roots.
Nina Simone Push
The Ender: A Full Circle Moment
The ender of Atlantic Drift mirrors the ender of Knox’s 2013 Eleventh Hour part. In Eleventh Hour, Knox ollies the first two sets of the ICA stairs, powerslides, and smith grinds the wall rail along the final set. In Atlantic Drift, he returns to the same spot to ollie the first two sets of stairs and big spin the third set. Both enders are also followed by a shot of Knox standing in front of the tower at the spot, further linking the two parts.
Ender Shot
A Tribute to Ben Raemers
The most poignant detail in the part is the tribute to Ben Raemers. Tom Knox does a line in Grosvenor Square, ending with a switch 360 flip down some stairs. Unbeknownst to Knox and Harris, everyone else on the session had already found out about Ben Raemers’s death. The clip captures the final moments before they received the news, making it an emotionally charged segment. On the anniversary of Raemers’s death, they returned to the same spot to film a second clip where Knox switch varial heels the stairs as a way to honor their friend. The inclusion of a photo of Ben blowing across the ground at that spot underscores the deep impact of this loss.
Ben Raemers Photo
Conclusion
Tom Knox’s Atlantic Drift part is a masterful example of how skateboarding can be elevated through careful editing, thoughtful tributes, and recurring themes. Jacob Harris’s work goes beyond showcasing tricks, offering viewers an immersive and emotionally resonant experience. The hidden details within the part invite repeat viewings, revealing the depth of meaning and artistry embedded in every frame, solidifying its place as a benchmark in skateboarding filmmaking. By interweaving past and present, individual and community, Atlantic Drift transcends the traditional skateboarding video and becomes a lasting testament to the power of collaboration, friendship, and remembrance.
