Film Director Larry Clark, The Man Who Made The Skater - director of 'Kids' making new movie, other skating news

Thrasher Magazine, August, 2001

FILM DIRECTOR LARRY CLARK, THE MAN WHO MADE THE SKATER favorite Kids, is at work on a new project reportedly starring French lady killer Bastien Salabanzi. RIP, Telly. The film promises to be quite controversial as the opening scene--set at Visalia skatepark--features a depressed skater placing a nickel-plated burner to his dome and pulling the trigger, leaving quite a mess for local officials and almost positively stirring up shit with concerned mothers the world over.

Maybe he was a pot smoker. A Central Valley skateboard film couldn't be complete without local rulers Jesse Paez and brother Hamburger Jr. Clark's knack for telling it the way it is could catalyze skateboarding's return to being the activity of the outsiders, instead of a family sport featured in Good Housekeeping.

In Tempe, Arizona, the Site Design park opened on May 25th after weeks of near slave labor (starting wage = $6 an hour, 14 hour days) by many Phoenix area locals. A lot of hype and a big demo were featured, massive corporate sponsorship included, with the likes of Tony Hawk, Alex Chalmers, Danny Barley, Colby Carter, Chris Livingston and a ton of locals breaking in the wood, plastic obstacles, and vert ramp. The event party was marred by early dry kegs and chumpy BMX groupies in mullets, and much grumbling was heard about the park's annual membership dues of $500 in a city surrounded by free outdoor cement parks. Will skaters pony up the fees to ride the termite?

The highly hyped Slam City Jam arrived with the big NBC network coverage. The on site impact was an obvious increase in both security and overweight, out of shape union camera operators. Everyone was subjected to bag and body sticker searches. Ten thousand spectators spent $10 a day for admission. There was a "bigger purse" which translated to mean that the winners didn't get more, but that the new money was just spread out over more places. The somewhat physically rehabilitated Brian Schaefer made his network television debut as a street announcer and proved himself both knowledgeable and articulate. Rumors continue to fly about Schaefer being brought in to run some sort of a combination Triple Crown-sanctioned Gravity Games. Burnquist took vert, while Koston got 1st in street with Colt placing 2nd.

FLATDECKS

There was more talk about a "skater's union" in Vancouver at Slam City. The next week in Texas, a semi-formal meeting was held by many top pros. Word has it that an out-and-out full scale summit conference will take place next. Some wonder if another rebellion at the Monster Mastership in Dortmund, Germany is in the process of being developed.

Danny Way, who is rehealing, placed 2nd in a skate-surf-snow contest in Australia.

Trainwreck wears Circas.

Juliette Lewis was throwing out sturdy props to the DVS crew on the Conan O'Brien TV show.

Stefan Janoski and Tim O'Connor hooked up with Savier.

Steve Olson's (the old one) fine art career continues to blossom. At the Los Angeles Miau Haus Gallery, two of Olson's pieces were sold on opening The stuff he was presenting involved chorne fur, rust, and velvet.

Supernatural clothing is boasting a lineup of Steve Olson (the new one), Ricky Qyola, Kenny Reed, Seth McCallum, Emeric Pratt, Neal Brickson, Elijah Collard, Chad Benson, and an Hansen.

Gary Smith and Tom Krauser are turning pro for Media skateboards. Pro models will be available this summer. They will join the rest of Media's pros-Dave Duren, Tommy Budjanec, Jonas Wray, and Jake Stewart.

FLATDECKS

Where does the obsolete go to be reborn as a hot commodity collector's item? Where do they sell out of such ancient oddities as Peralta Powell Larine Mountain Cave Man decks? The answer is old school; the same place where they're still selling Shut's Jermy Henderson, Sim's Buck Smith. SMA's Natas Kaupas, H-Street's Dave Wielson, Alva's Chris Cook, and Schmitt Stix' Bryce Knights.

Obscene Press Release of the Month: "The Taz Atti-Tour" sponsored by Warner

Brothers Consumer Products and Infogames, Incorporated. This event introduces Looney Tunes characters Bugs Bunny, Tweety, Wile E. Coyete and the Tasmanian Devil into the extreme sports world....

The "IASC God Damn Am Tour" has already stirred controversy based on its name. The title, selected by Schaefer, is destined to provoke more denizens of the Bible belt. The skate industry supported series is off to a good start.

ROCKET RIDE

Legendary street and vert pro rider Christian Hosoi continues his legal battles. He has been imprisoned for 14 months so far and he's looking at a possible 10 year plus mandatory sentence. Hosoi has donated his old ramp to the City Lights Fellowship. It is Christian's desire to do youth counseling and community service work upon his release. Several notable riders have been working with Hosoi to aid him as well as to keep his spirits up. Chad Muska and Shorty's have been donating a percentage of all sales from Chad's Christian reprise sun graphic to the legal defense cause. Others who have been inspiring the jailed skater include Brian Patch, Marty Jiminez, Kelly Rosecrans, Dave Duncan, Eddie Reategui, Lance Mountain, Jamie Thomas and Steve Olson. Some unscrupulous lawyers bilked the Hosoi family out of their life savings of 30 grand, so he needs all the emotional support he can get. Letters of reference and general correspondence can be sent to: Christian Hosoi, #0010300158 J-Tank, c/o Central Detention Cent er, 630 E. Rialto Avenue, San Bernardino, CA 92408