When you think skateboarding, video usually comes next in mind. Nowadays, pretty much any kids with a part time job can afford a relatively decent video camera and edit movies on the familly computer. They then post their videos on Youtube or such, show it to their friends and familly and try to get some sponsors...

Still, good independant local amateur videos dont come out often and rarely reach national distribution. Being that it really isint a lucrative business, considering the amount of time and dedication required, one would have to be almost crazy to take upon such a project these days...

Motivated and skilled, Jeremy Elkin is crazy like that. Taking it to the streets everyday, from Montreal to New-York and Boston, after 3 years in the making, Jeremy's Floorwork video will drop in may and is expected to be the bomb!

Short Q&A with the Floorworker.

Full name:

Jeremy Andrew Elkin

Age:

Nineteen

Birthplace:

Montréal, Québec

How long have you been living in MTL?

Pretty much all my life, though I spent many summers in NYC and the past 3 years living near Boston.

Years skating:

All my life.

How did you get into making sk8 videos?

At first I used to just film my friends with this crappy still camera until I could get enough cash to get a video cam. I guess if it wasn't for the crew at the Pond like six years ago (Phil, Tyler, Shyaa, Johnny, Marty.. etc) I wouldn't have decided to pick up a video camera.

When did you get your first camera?

Hmmm in 2000 i got this still camera with a video feature, so sick! It had 10 seconds of recording time onto this 8MB card and no audio. Then I got my first video camera in like 2002, a Panasonic with digital screen!

What do you film / edit with right now?

I shoot with a Sony VX2100, Super8 cam and 16mm Bolex. I edit on a PowerMac G5 with all the trimmings. As Gauts would say, "You're living the dream!"

What video productions have you done before Xampl?

I made a film that "came out" in 2003 with Phil, Tyler, Luiz.. a bunch of old friends, even I had a part- good times. I contributed to the Underworld video, Eric's Lazy Paparazzi, Redbull Motorcade video and a couple Boston videos.

Who's gonna be in your new movie? How did you "choose" them?

Choosing skaters takes a really long time. It doesn't help that I'm extremely picky. Originally the video was really different, but it kind of morphed into what it is today. Collin Hale, Phil Knechtel, Charles Rivard, Seb Labbé, Pierre-Yves Gauthier, Jo Daraiche and Nate Bélanger have full parts. There's also two montages with friends from everywhere.

Do you handle all aspects of the movie? From filming to editing, to marketing and distribution? Where is the movie gonna be distributed?

Yeah, I pretty much do everything. Zoo is helping me a lot with distribution, so it should reach some places I wouldn't have taken it. It'll be distributed in Canada and select places in the states.

How do you pay for the production expenses?

Just working landscaping jobs and doing favors for people, I also worked a bit while I was in school in the States.

Your favorite skate movies?

Photosynthesis and Bon Appetit.

Your favorite movies?

PULP FICTION!

What makes a good sk8 movie?

People wanting to work together to produce a great film- otherwise things don't come out too well........(411)

Since almost any kid now can get his hands on a cheap video cameras and video editing software, do you think it changed skateboarding? In what ways?

Yeah for sure it has. People are seeing footage of kids of every skill level on a board, whereas it used to be only the sponsored skaters who got "coverage," it's all changed since technologies like Youtube and camera phones.

Walk us trough a typical filming day with Jeremy Elkin.

Well I guess it depends where I am. If I'm not traveling or living with skaters at my home, then I guess I just wake up and meet up with Phil and friends at the color benches and try to get some tricks on tape.

How did you make it through winter?

Watched the Habs lose, played some hockey, edited a bunch and traveled to New York City way too many times.. but I'm gonna go back there again in about two weeks, Montréal isn't exactly skatebale right now.

After the movie drops in may, what are your plan for this summer?

I already started making another film, stay tuned...

Mandatory shout outs:

In no order... Raj, Sandro, Andy, Lucas, Phil, Gabe, Miker, Matt and Paul, Jo, MVP, the Daves, Marshall, Trav, Chuck, Mitch, Seb, Gauts, Nate, Pryce, Ty, Reres, Rohan, Taji, Leo, Butt, Pierce, Mikey Fergs, CN, Falconer, Ottawa Ian, Adam Bos, Burles, SF Luke, Lamontange, Hugo, Bob, Tony, Dustin, JP, Jeru, Drew, Mains, Duke, Mcgraw, Burger, Felix, Fournier, Shane, Worona, Gian, Carl, Forte, Greenwood, Green, Lavoie, the rest of the dragwich and Brault for the interview. Cheers.

- Watch the Floorwork Teaser