Josh Stewart - “Static 3”
April 01, 2008
What Is It?
As the title suggest, this is the third in Josh Stewarts independent Static series, an ambitious project which combines like minded skaters from across the world.
Who's On It?
Nate Broussard, Soy Panday, Olly Todd, Danny Renaud, Pat Steiner, Tony Manfre and appearances from recognized heads the world over, including Nick Jensen, Bobby Puleo, Jack Sabback, Quim Cardona, Paul Shier and Steve Durante.
Highights
Pat Steiner starts things off and seems to enjoy skating fast whilst putting himself into tight situations, in a similar to vein to Bobby Puleo. After a downbeat interlude, Tony Manfre brings the hammers out, with rail to bank action and a frontside 270 flip over the heavily sessioned Meanwhile gap. It goes without saying that the minute of new Jamahl Williams footage is banging, as is the 30 seconds or so of Bostons mini-Shier, Kevin Coakley.
Following a rather odd intro explaining his parents birthplaces, Soy Panday casually cruises through his first international section knocking out realistic lines a plenty around Paris, with cameos from some of his friends, including Vivien Feil and Kenny Reed. Keep an eye out for his security defying backside tailslide at the Mayors Office in London.
With a two song part, Danny Renauds section is possibly the highlight of the DVD. His skating comes across as unintentionally rawer than anyone else's, and though it is initially not as out and out mind blowing as his part on Mosaic, after a few watches it becomes clear how ballistic some of his stuff is. With more attention placed upon organic lines, gaps and different handrail tricks, Dannys part will no doubt withstand multiple rewinds.
Olly Todds section merges onto the back end of Danny Renauds, and pretty much chronicles Ollys time in London since arriving back on these shores last year. Picking up where his section on Portraits left off, Olly continues to attack London bank spots that others wouldn't touch, finding interesting lines at famous spots and unearthing some new ones in the process. His bank to bank ollie over a weathered handrail and set of stairs, and the pretty much impossible 360 flip from kicker to kicker in New York that was featured in his recent Slap interview are two of the many reasons you need to see this section. It's good to see Olly back in London and still killing it.
One time Toy Machine am Nate Broussard ends this installment of Static, which was quite a suprise having not heard anything much out of him since about 2003. It's pretty evident by the end of the first minute that he's grown into the sort of skater that pretty much embodies what Static is about; creative line skating, natural style and inventive use of otherwise awful spots. Accompanied by a beast of an Elliott Smith track, Nates line heavy section is probably the most fitting way to end Static 3.
Overall
As important as it is to support independent productions like Static, I feel the need to be honest about certain aspects of it. The attention to detail that has gone into peoples intros and all the incidental footage in-between is second to none, though it seems to rely heavily on these well shot, yet downbeat interludes to enforce the "we're just skating the raw and grimy streets" image when, in reality, the actually skating footage gets the same point across in a much more exciting way. Also, I can't help but to feel at times that the skating is almost allowed to be of a lesser quality based upon the spot looking interesting or the trick been filmed well. I know that the point of Static is to inspire you to take to the streets and skate what's there, that is, after all, the basic principle what street skating is based upon, though had stricter quality control measures been applied during the editing, I believe Static 3 could have been a much more inspiring watch. The passion behind Static 3 and the idea from which the whole Static series is spawned needs to be applauded and deserves to be supported, and regardless of whatever negatives have been pointed out here, reread the highlights, get excited, put your hand in your pocket and support Josh Stewart. Here's to Static 4!
Send this article to a friend
Page 1 of 1 pages