Sun, Jul 05, 2009
 Yes, there are those who skateboard up vertical walls, including David Franklin, but don't ask us how they do it. courtesy of david franklin
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Skateboarders shine in short-film festpvillarreal@azstarnet.com
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 01.17.2008
Skaters willing to drop their boards for a couple hours should sidewalk-surf their way to the Loft tonight for the traveling, skateboard-centric short-film fest, Underskatement, Volume 4.
Two skateboarding San Franciscans, David Franklin, a photographer, and Andreas Trolf, a writer, run the festival together. Franklin started it in 2001, with the goal of being able to just break even. The tour is profitable now that Adidas has signed on as a sponsor.
Films have to be less than seven minutes long and made by skaters, but they don't have to be about skateboarding. This year they received entries from all over the world.
This is the first year Tucson is part of Underskatement's tour, which includes Portland, Ore., and Albuquerque. It started in San Francisco and later heads to Australia and Europe.
When we caught up with Franklin, 36, by phone, he was in San Francisco, and he said he was looking forward to getting some sun in Tucson. The fest starts at 8 p.m., and admission is $5.
What sort of films are in the fest?
"There's a broad range of subject matter, from documentaries about skateboarders to mockumentaries. There's a film called "Fix-Push" about guys who never put their foot on the board. They have to keep pushing all the time. It's a mockumentary."
Why did you choose Tucson?
"I have friends there. And also, because we're doing a 30-city tour within the U.S. We're just trying to get out there better this year. My friends said it would play well there. I've always wanted to go to Tucson."
Skateboarding seems to be inherently tied to filmmaking throughout its history.
"In any physical pursuit, people want to document what they're doing. Skateboarders tend to be the creative cream of the crop. . . . You have talented people coming out of skateboarding. Spike Jonze goes on to make Hollywood films that are interesting. Jason Lee has done some interesting acting. Skateboarders have always been creative in the art world."
What's one of the more creative movies in the festival?
"There's a really interesting documentary by a skateboarder from Brazil who doesn't have use of his legs. He has polio, so he sits onboard and pushes with his arms. It puts my problems in perspective, definitely. It's full of love of skateboarding. It's called 'Skate Na Veia.' "
What's the experience of watching the festival for the audience?
"I think they'll be amused and also intrigued. It's fun. It's pretty rowdy, because of a lot of the comedic pieces. We slow it down for the documentaries. There's also music video and more comedy."
What would you say to those who are on the fence about attending the event?
"I would say if you're not a skateboarder, definitely come, because you'll definitely enjoy what you see. It's not just for skateboarder audiences. I'm not a big talker. I can't really sell anybody. I'm not really a snake-oil guy."
If you're involved in filmmaking and would like to be featured in a Q&A, write to pvillarreal@azstarnet.com.
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