At one time or another, whether its a daydream, or an actual goal, most skateboarders think about sponsorship.  Who wouldn’t want to get paid to travel the world, make millions of dollars, and have unlimited free product to skate? While this type of scenario only happens to less that 2% of the skate population, we feel it is our duty to help aid you on your way to reaching your goals, or at least set you up to not fail as bad as you would have.

1.DO NOT BEAM THE CAMERA

This one is important.  Nobody wants to see you stare the camera down after you land your trick.  While you may be in shock you landed your trick after 2 hours, just keep the eyes on the prize and away from the cameraman.  If you feel the need to stare at something, pull a Bobby Puleo and stare down at the obstacle you just conquered.

2.KEEP YOUR SHIRT ON

I get it, it’s hot out.  You have been putting in tons of work at the skatepark, and it’s really difficult to grind that over waxed skatepark box.  Trust me, nobody wants to see a farmers tan on an anorexic 15 year old while watching footage.  If it’s that hot and tiring, try removing your winter beanie first.

3.DO NOT FILM TRICKS YOU ARE NOT GOOD AT

Now, I’m not saying don’t learn new tricks, or work on ones you have difficulty with, but there is no need for a potential sponsor to have to watch you struggle with your rocket kickflips or improperly done pivot fakies.  Work on the tricks you have trouble with until you can do them cleanly, and then try filming them.  Less is more.

4.HAVE A DECENT CAMERA

The IPhone may be great for Instagram clips, but if your goal is to get a sponsor by sending out the footage, I would suggest using the proper equipment.  Now, this may not be the most important, because if you’re really amazing at skateboarding, you may be able to get by sending out whatever you have, and the sponsor may fly you out to use their filmer, but that’s one in a million.  If you like the more underground skating, invest in a VX1000 and a roll of duct tape, for when the front element snaps off while your filmer mimics Mandible Claw. For the Street League types, invest in a higher end HD camera and some dolly tracks.

5.KNOW WHAT TRICKS WERE DONE AT WHAT SPOT

Ok, so you roll up to the clipper ledge to get your ender for the tape you want to send to Real Skateboards.  You decide to go to your “go to” trick, and manage to land a crooked grind.  Reality check.  This damn hubba ledge has been full cab nose grinded.  Nobody cares about a crooked grind, unless its by a kid under 11 years of age, and even then that’s not really pushing the envelope these days.  Know the spots, and know the tricks, and make sure you are bringing something new to the table.

6.MAKE SURE THE TREND YOU’RE CHASING MATCHES THE TIME YOU ARE SENDING YOUR FOOTAGE OUT

Body varials were the hot trick LAST WEEK.  Make sure if you are trying to be “ON FLEEK” with your trick selection, that you do it while it’s still cool to be doing so.  Chasing down the latest “vintage” Tommy Hilfiger polo so you can wear it in your video is ok now, but if it takes you 2 years or so to get the tape done,  the footage will be outdated and almost useless.  Remember the woman’s pants with puffy shoes trend? Yeah, that’s not going to fly in early 2017.

7.NO LIFESTYLE SHOTS

Nobody cares if you like to roll around and drink a sugar free Redbull before you go skate a stair set.  These kinds of shots have nothing purpose in a Sponsor Me video.  I understand thinking a finished edit will make it all seem better, but nobody cares.  Save that until after you get sponsed.

8.DON’T ROCK COMPANY A’s GEAR AND SEND FOOTAGE TO COMPANY B

 

If you are filming a Sponsor Me tape, try and not wear big company logos of brands you have no intention of sending your footage to.  In a perfect world, after you get “Sponsed” you could possibly be able to use some or all of your footage for a welcome part, or a part in their next video product, but not if you are wearing a different brands gear.  Plan B wont want to use a part of someone decked out in DGK gear, as it doesn’t promote their brand.  Last thing you want to have to do is re-film a body varial to switch 5050 down Hollywood high.

9. DO NOT WEAR HEADPHONES

Ugh, this one should be a no brainer.  I’m not even getting into this.  If you are by yourself and nobody is around and you want to listen to music, great, but don’t film with the ear buds in. Just don’t.

10. JUST SKATE FOR FUN, FUCK SPONSORSHIP

Basically, you are better off just skating, because it’s fun as hell.  Film a video with your friends, enjoy the process.  This way there are no rules to follow.  Pro skating pays next to nothing, and doesn’t last very long in most cases.  Get a job at UPS, skate at night and on the weekends, and retire in 25 years.  Sounds like a good plan to me.