Some old flicks there ...

Having been an avid reader of Sidewalk, Thrasher and Transworld skateboarding magazines in my early teens I always noticed that in the majority of interviews with skaters from all around the world when asked about their favourite skate video or video part they would mention Blind: Video Days and ‘The Search for Animal Chin.’

Both films were released towards the end of the 80’s and early 90’s and feature early footage of some of the skaters that in past years could be said to have gained legendary status.



The first film on the list is Blind Video Days which was directed by Spike Jonze in 1991 and starred Mark Gonzales, Jason Lee and Guy Mariano to name a few. Perhaps it’s Mark Gonzales’s aka ‘The Gonz’ part that receives the most recognition. People have commented specifically on how his personality and creativity are translated through his style and approach to skateboarding.

I would probably say that it is the mixture of street cruising, technicality on the vert ramp and parks that makes this part brim with diversity. Plenty of old school London scenes as well help top off this part for me.



The second film in question is ‘The Search for Animal Chin’ which was released in 1987 and directed by Stacy Peralta features the Bones Brigade. What sets this film aside is that it was one of the first skateboard films to actually have a plot.



Essentially the story here is that The Bones Brigade (Hawk, Caballero, McGill, Mountain and Guererro) go in search of Won Ton ‘Animal’ Chin’ around California, Hawaii and Nevada. Along the way the early ideas of skating everything and anything are very much of the emphasis. Upon finding a large ramp in the desert with a Chinese design they reach the decision that this is ‘Animal Chin’s’ spirit.