Filming skateboarding well is a skill as specialized as skating itself. The best skate filmers understand both the technical requirements and the culture they are documenting.

Camera Setup

Modern skate filming uses two primary approaches:

• Fisheye lens (VX/DSLR): The classic look. A fisheye attached to a handle gives you the wide-angle, close-up perspective that defines skate video. It puts the viewer in the action.
• Long lens (DSLR/cinema): Used for cinematic shots, follow filming, and beauty angles. Creates depth and separation between the skater and background.

Most modern skate videos combine both. The fisheye covers the trick; the long lens provides context and aesthetics.

Essential Angles

• Follow filming: Skating alongside the skater with a fisheye. This requires you to be a competent skater yourself — you need to keep up, stay in focus, and avoid obstacles.
• Tripod/static: Locked-off angles work for big tricks where the architecture tells the story. Stair sets, gaps, and building features benefit from a stationary camera.
• Low angle: Placing the camera near ground level makes tricks look bigger and more dramatic.

Audio

Sound is underrated in skate videos. The crack of a tail hitting concrete, wheels rolling on asphalt, the slam of a landing — these sounds are as important as the visuals. Use an external microphone and record clean audio on location.

Editing

Good skate editing serves the footage, not the editor. Some principles:

• Cut on the action — let tricks breathe but do not pad with unnecessary lead-up
• Music selection matters enormously. The song and the skating should feel connected.
• Show the spot before the trick. Context makes tricks more impressive.
• Include bails selectively. They show commitment but too many slow the pace.

Publishing

Once your video is complete, share it where skaters will find it. YouTube remains the primary platform, but curated sites like sk8dreams help quality footage reach a wider audience of dedicated skaters.