Sponsor-Me Video Tips: Skateboarding/ BMX/ Motocross

      If you've read How To Get Sponsored Skateboarding then you already know what you're going to have to do to get sponsored.

      Next, you're ready to start filming for your "sponsor me video".

      If you want skate companies to take you seriously then be you've gotta be serious about making a good video.

     That doesn't just mean good tricks neither... it also means good filming and editing.

Filming For Your Sponsor Me Video

      One of the most important things team managers look for in a skateboarder is STYLE.

      "It's all about style. It's not who can kickflip the most stairs." - Gailea Momolu

      Focus on landing all your tricks clean, effortlessly, and with style.

It's All About Style

      Your skateboarding should have style, but so should your filming.

     Watch professional skate videos... watch how they film and notice the where they film. Try to stay away from your homemade boxes and makeshift rails when you're filming for a sponsor me video.

Getting Rid Of Camera Shyness

      Have you ever had this happen to you?...

      You're ripping it up and landing some pretty tight tricks, but as soon as you take out the camera to film, you seem to get camera shy and you can't land jack all?

      This has happened to my friends and me many times before.

      The solution to overcoming this camera shyness to film EVERYTHING, EVERYWHERE.

      Take your camera with you whenever you're out skating.

      Film as often as you can so you can get comfortable with being filmed.

Just Be Yourself

     You're being unique when you're yourself. That's good. What I mean by being yourself is you should do the tricks you want to do, not the tricks other people are doing.

     Forget the camera is even there and just have fun skateboarding.

     Don't ever look at the camera after you land a trick either. You're forgetting that it's even there, remember? 

Plan Your Tricks Ahead Of Time

You're going to need to tell your camera guy what trick you're going to do and you can also tell him how you want it filmed. This is your video so you call the shots.

If you're having trouble deciding which angle would look better, try filming two angles either with two camera or just do the trick twice. You can edit those two angles together in your video.

The best way to learn how to make a skate video is by watching professional videos and model yours according to theirs. They might have one or two double angles in their video, but they don't do it too often either.

Fisheye Lens Vs. Long Lens

A fisheye lens or wide angle lens lets you see more of the skateboarder and the surroundings. Whenever you see someone doing a run in a professional skate video they're using a wide angle lens or fishyeye lens.

Long lens means using no wide angle lens. Most of the times skaters use this when they're filming a single trick from a distance and/ or using zoom.

With a wide angle lens you don't normally use the zoom. You just get closer instead.

Think about buying a fisheye lens.You can find cheap ones on eBay. Try searching for a Kenko lens. That's what I use and it only cost me like $34.

Make sure you pay attention to the size of your camera lens, because you might, or might not have to buy an adapter for the fisheye lens to fit on it.

Film In A Variety Of Different Spots

Nothing is more boring than watching a video that shows you skating at the same spot through the entire video.

The same could be said for the tricks you do. Mix it up!

Skateparks are a good place for practicing tricks, but take that trick to the streets then do there for film too. You could mix it up with some skatepark footage and street footage if you wanted, but in my opinion it should be all street, unless of course you want to be know for being a skatepark skater, which is fine too.

Skatepark footage has it's benefits. It shows that you would be good at skating in contests and demos. It all depends on which company you're trying to get sponsored by or what you have planned for your future.

Editing Your Sponsor Me Video

This is very important. If you don't know how to edit ask one of your friends to do it for you or ask someone online to hook you up (if you want me to edit your video I'll do it for $10 or so).

First, you need to import the footage from your camera to your computer. You can import footage with either a USB or Firewire cable. Firewire is much better quality and if you really want to make a good impression you should use this.

Not all cameras have firewire though... Mini DV cameras do and so do HD cameras, but the older model camera will probably have USB and even though it's not as good quality it's better than nothing.

If you don't have one of these kinds of cameras, ask your friend to film you with his or hers.

Your video should be two minutes in length (more or less). Team managers are busy people so you want to get right to the point and only put up your best footage.

The first 10 seconds will make or break your chances of getting sponsored. Either you'll grab their attantion and they keep watching or they won't. The last trick should be the grand finale trick. End it with a BANG.

When editing forget using all those transitions. It make your video look cheezy. Stick to the best one, which is Cross Dissolove. Again, watch professional videos and see how they transition between video clips.

When choosing a song avoid using mainstream songs... Maybe pick something you heard in a skate video. Choose something that reflects your personality and style.

Add your bails to the end of the video too. Team managers like to see to see them. They also like to see how you react to not landing a trick. Will spaze out or will you laugh it off?

IDEA: At the beginning or end of the video you could tell them a little bit about yourself if they dont really know you. Keep it short and simple though (30 seconds).

Alright, that's about it. Now it's time to start skating and getting that footy.

Time to go skateboarding!

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