Stunt actors are known for their ability to fall safely, a skill that skateboarders also understand well. However, stunt actors often have the added benefit of health insurance. Fidel Gonzalez, featured in Abi Teixeira’s independent video Tasteful, is a prime example of a skater who has translated his skills into the world of stunts, showcasing incredible talent and creativity.
You might recall Fidel from our previous interview, where he discussed his work as a skateboarding stuntman. His part in Tasteful highlights his expertise, demonstrating how his background as a skater informs his ability to perform daring stunts. To fully appreciate his and the other skaters’ skills, you can watch Tasteful on Abi’s Youtube channel.
An Interview with Filmmaker Abi Teixiera
Abi Teixiera
Q: Many people in Brooklyn seem to know you, often associating you with Blue Park. Is that accurate?
A: It’s funny you say that. I’m actually a bit offended by the “Blue Park Skater” label. I get that all the time, and honestly, I didn’t realize people knew me that well. Lately, the vibe at Blue has been off, and I haven’t had a good session there since the summer. It used to be that I could go there and immediately see at least three friends. Now, it’s mostly just aggressive dudes in “demo mode” yelling and throwing their boards around. It’s becoming more like LES, and I’m not a fan of that.
Q: What’s something unique about filming in New York City that those who haven’t might not realize?
A: There are so many things! The ground, the traffic, the pedestrians, the weather, the spots, the security – it all contributes to the complexity of getting street clips. It takes a lot of patience because it can be hectic. One time, while I was filming Carlos trying to noseblunt a two-step ledge, someone threw water out the window at us. Luckily, it missed Carlos and me, but poor Lorenzo ended up getting his fries and pants wet. That spot was tough; there’s so much foot traffic, you have to wait for the traffic light to ollie up the sidewalk from the busy street. The ledge angle is also tricky, and cars are always parking in the way. Carlos put in at least 20 solid attempts in an hour.
Fidel Gonzalez nose
Q: Which skate filmmakers do you find inspiring?
A: Colin Read has always been a huge inspiration for me. He’s a master with the VX. Shane Auckland from sk8rats is another incredibly talented filmmaker. And of course, Shari White – she was the first female filmmaker I met, and she’s unbelievably good. She probably has the best HD setup in the game. I also have to mention Cooper Winterson; he’s my original favorite New York filmer. I’ve been watching his videos since 2013, and he’s the reason I wanted orange wheels.
Q: Do you believe that independent, homie-style full-length videos still have relevance in skateboarding?
A: Absolutely! It’s one of the coolest things you can be a part of as a skateboarder. It’s so rewarding. Some of the best times of my life have been filming in the streets with friends, working towards something substantial. Corporate team videos are cool, but how often are you skating with people you actually enjoy being around when you’re on a trip? That’s when it starts feeling more like a job and less like a hobby. Don’t get me wrong; filming for companies has been a great experience for me. However, watching your friends grow and seeing their progress firsthand, and then getting to hug them after they nail a trick—that’s special. It takes a lot of patience, though!
Fidel Gonzalez primo slide
Q: You also work at KCDC Skateshop and DJ, right? How do you balance that with filming for a full-length video?
A: Working part-time made it manageable. Towards the end of filming, I was taking as many days off as possible because we were out filming every day. Luckily, my bosses were understanding and flexible, so I didn’t need to make up crazy excuses. I’d just tell them, “I need to go get these clips!” It was also a surprise that this would become a full-length project. I just ended up stacking so much footage in the past year and a half. I just knew I wanted to make a video.
Q: Do you think Fidel’s background as a stuntman helps his skating?
A: Definitely. He knows how to fall and get out of dangerous situations, plus he is just built for taking slams. He gets paid to sack on rails on purpose!
Q: I heard that you were eating jerk chicken almost every time you went out filming with Fidel. What’s with your obsession with jerk chicken?
A: (laughs) Well, I’m Guyanese, so Caribbean food is sacred to me. One day, Fidel wanted jerk chicken, and since I’m always down for that, we got some. Then it just became a ritual, as it’s the perfect food after a good sesh. If we don’t get any clips though, we just starve ourselves and drive home in silence.
Fidel Gonzalez tre flip
Q: There’s a story about a kid with a Fortnite setup in front of a gap Fidel was trying to 360 flip… What happened?
A: That was a weird one! It was at BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music). Fidel wanted to treflip the gap over the ramp by Whole Foods, but there was this kid with a wild outdoor video game setup in the exact spot. Fidel probably would have hit him during his run up, so he had to settle for the side closer to the ledge.
Q: You’re in the background of this video where someone tries to suck on a wheel. Was that your wheel?
A: (laughs) First of all, that was not my wheel! Second, he did that of his own free will. The video that was recorded was actually the second time he did it because someone told him to do it again so they could record. He didn’t even hesitate; he’s insane! I would have bribed him not to do that.
Video by: Abi Teixiera
Q&A by: Larry Lanza
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