Skateboarding documentary

This documentary will take a closer look at the skateboard subculture. It looks at opinion, art, music

and various other topics that affect the skateboard scene in the UK.

Premise – I do not know the exact premise at the beginning of the documentary as I have not

investigated it in detail yet, it will develop throughout the documentary as learn more about the

subject however possible ideas are;

Why do skateboarders put themselves in danger to master new stunts – adrenaline rush? Way of

expressing themselves?

Pressure to be respected by friends?

Would they like skateboarding to be more recognised and respected as a ‘sport’ – professional? Or

an art form?

Interviews – I would include interviews with skateboarders to help the narrative move forward and

to help the audience identify and relate to them and to help build relationships. In the interviews I

would ask questions such as;

Why did they start skateboarding? Their first memory of skateboarding

Why do they put themselves in danger when performing new stunts and tricks – adrenaline rush?

Pressure to compete, be respected by friends, to get away from home?

Do they enjoy it?

Have they had any serious injuries from skateboarding?

Do they compete – when? Where? What happens there? Can a career be made out of it?

Are there enough skate-parks provided for them – if there were more, would this help to prevent

anti-social behaviour?

Would they like skateboarding to be more recognised an actual sport, or an art form? Instead of

hobby, gangs

Do they agree with the typical negative stereotype of skateboarders – annoying? Drugs? Dirty?

Graffiti? Vandalism? Do they think that this is fair?

Would they like to be more respected as ‘athletes’ or artists?

When interviewing the skateboarders I would like to take a more relaxed approach to interviews

instead of very structured – more like a spontaneous conversation between friends as this would

appeal more to the target audience.

Footage I would also include raw footage of skateboarders – stunts, tricks, during this; the camera

would take an observational, fly-on-the-wall stylistic approach to get a realistic insight into their

behaviour - what actually happens.

Cutaways / Montages of action, tricks

Attach a camera to the end of a skateboard

Voxpops of the public – their opinion on skateboarders

Exposition The exposition would also develop throughout the documentary, as the narrative moves

forward, learning more about the subject would help to form an argument and the audience can

decide their own opinion. The exposition will become clear at the end of the documentary.

Overall stylistic approach overall I would take a mixed stylistic approach, - a combination of

interview, observation and narration from within the frame, therefore the action, to advance the

exposition.

Target audience my target audience for this documentary would be 16-25, male and female. This

documentary would be appealing to this target audience as many people within this category do

skateboard as a hobby, most skateboarders fit this target audience profile.

Ethical