The world of skateboarding content on YouTube is a mixed bag. While it’s an enormous, constantly updating archive of skate videos, from the Bones Brigade to your friend’s iPhone edits, it also features a lot of questionable vloggers and channels. Despite this, their success is undeniable. Their beginner-friendly content acts as a welcoming gateway for new skaters into our subculture. Sometimes they come up with original content, but sometimes they also borrow ideas from others. So, after seeing many of our written articles being repurposed on YouTube, we decided to get in on the action ourselves.
While we’re not planning to completely shift to video, the medium has several advantages. It requires no reading, it’s easy to include video clips (which is great for skateboarding content), and it can play in the background while you’re doing other things.
To kick off this experiment, we revisited one of our favorite old articles. Originally written by Nic Dobija-Nootens for Jenkem Vol. 2, the article explored the iconic Sony VX1000 camcorder. We’ve brought it to life in a video format for even our most “illiterate” followers.
We enlisted Alex Coles, a talented narrator, to help us visualize and narrate the original report. The result, while still a little vlog-like to keep things engaging, is a great first step in our quest to dominate the YouTube skateboarding scene.
Josh Stewart with a Sony VX1000 camera
The VX1000 wasn’t just any camera; it became a symbol of a specific era and aesthetic in skateboarding. Its distinct look and feel are instantly recognizable to anyone familiar with skate videos from the late 90s and early 2000s. The camera’s warm colors, slight distortion, and the way it captured movement all contributed to the unique visual style that defined this period.
The Rise of the VX1000 in Skateboarding
The Sony VX1000’s popularity in the skateboarding world was largely due to its durability, relatively compact size, and the quality of its image for the time. Unlike bulkier, professional-grade cameras, the VX1000 was portable enough to take to skate spots, and its robust design meant it could withstand the bumps and scrapes that came with filming skateboarding. This made it the ideal tool for documenting the raw, unfiltered street skating that was becoming increasingly popular.
The VX1000 also played a key role in shaping the visual language of skateboarding. It encouraged a filming style that prioritized movement and action, often capturing skaters from close-up angles with the camera following them along the way. This technique created a sense of immersion and made viewers feel like they were right there with the skaters. The camera’s wide-angle lens also allowed filmmakers to capture more of the skate spot and environment, adding to the authenticity of the footage. This contributed to the distinctive aesthetic now associated with the VX1000 era.
The VX1000’s Enduring Legacy
Even with advancements in video technology and the rise of HD cameras, the VX1000 continues to hold a special place in the hearts of skateboarders and filmmakers. The camera’s distinct look is often emulated in modern skateboarding videos, showcasing its lasting influence on the culture. The VX1000 has become a symbol of a certain era in skateboarding, a reminder of the raw, DIY approach that defined the late 90s and early 2000s. It’s a connection to the past that many in the skateboarding community hold dear.
The VX1000’s impact goes beyond just aesthetics. It represents a time when skateboarding was less commercialized, more about camaraderie, and more driven by the desire to create and share something authentic. The VX1000 was accessible to those within the culture, not just those outside it, leading to a greater diversity of voices and perspectives within skateboarding media. It democratized skate filmmaking, letting skaters become filmmakers and capture their own world in their own way.
The Transition to HD and Beyond
As HD cameras became more affordable and accessible, the skateboarding world began to shift away from the VX1000. While HD offered higher image quality and greater clarity, many skaters and filmmakers felt that something was lost in the transition. The VX1000’s distinct look, with its warm colors and slight distortion, had become an integral part of skateboarding’s visual identity. Some argue that HD footage, while technically superior, often lacks the raw, gritty feel that the VX1000 was so adept at capturing.
Despite the shift towards HD, the VX1000 remains a relevant and important part of skateboarding culture. Its influence can be seen in countless videos, and many still prefer its aesthetic to that of modern cameras. This shows that the VX1000 wasn’t just a piece of technology, but an important part of a cultural movement that changed the way skateboarding was documented and shared with the world.
Conclusion
The Sony VX1000 is more than just a camera; it’s a symbol of skateboarding’s history, its visual culture, and the independent spirit that defines the community. Its impact continues to be felt in the world of skateboarding, and its iconic status is unlikely to fade anytime soon. From its affordability and durability to the unique aesthetic it produced, the VX1000 played a vital role in shaping the skateboarding we know today. The camera’s story serves as a reminder that sometimes, the most impactful tools are those that allow creators to express their vision in an authentic and unfiltered way.
This video essay is just the start of our foray into video content. We hope to bring you more stories from the world of skateboarding in this format. We encourage you to share this video with your friends and fellow filmmakers on social media and let us know what you think in the comments below.
References
- Jenkem Magazine: https://www.jenkemmag.com/
- Original VX1000 article by Nic Dobija-Nootens (from Jenkem Vol. 2)
- Alex Coles YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC98WoujlQj3T3DK4ZIT5OkQ