Oscar Szydlowski

What were some of the highlights of the weekend?

The highlights were just getting to work with everybody. I haven’t yet had too much of an opportunity to skate with Brandon Del Bianco or Corey Sheppard. Brandon is pretty insane; he will skate anything until his feet fall off.

What were some of the difficulties?

I guess it was tough getting everybody to agree on spots. The weather was also kind of shitty at times, but also went to this warehouse and set up a bunch of cool shit in there. We showed up and there was already a digital Shoot to Thrill team in there. It was also difficult to keep sticking to our ideas as well. It’s hard to stay within your idea and not just get out and start shooting skateboarding everywhere.

Are you used to shooting 16mm?

I’ve only shot it once before, and I’ve never actually had to change the rolls myself. But my friend has the same camera, and I went over there the night before and he showed me how to do everything.

Were you sketched out at all wondering if everything didn’t turn out properly?

The whole time I was because the light meter was kind of acting, so I was kinda sketched out. There is one roll that I’m not sure will turn out or not. We shot a lot of good stuff on that roll. I hope it does. I think I just over thought it at the time, but I think I am over thinking that too, y’know?

I completely understand.

I am a bit paranoid right now. I’m pretty sure everything will turn out.

What was your overall strategy or goal?

We tried to keep a mix of skateboarding—enough to keep people interested—but we also wanted to incorporate some comedy skits in there that focus on kind of like, the etiquette of skateboarding. So we made a good comedy out of it.

Were there times when you felt that you might not come out of this with anything?

Yeah, well on Friday we didn’t do too much but we kind of agreed to rethink our idea; something with more detail. So Jeff and I went out for coffee and drew out each skit shot-for-shot in our heads and then on paper. The thing was everyone knew what we had to get done. Nobody gave up.

From your team’s perspective, what is Shoot to Thrill all about?

It’s a test of getting your shit together; in getting everyone on the same page. If you can keep everything together for 72 hours, that’s a challenge. In short films, you can always take breaks but with a certain time restriction it’s a real challenge to stay motivated. It’s a great challenge in keeping on top of your shit. If you can keep the THRILL up, then you’ll have a great final product. But, if you give up halfway through, then it’s not going to work.

The level of commitment must be a bit scary.

I know how it’s supposed to get done. I’ve gone to school for it, but it’s really nice to have a whole crew.

Out of the other teams, which do you think will be giving you the most competition, or, which team’s film are you most looking forward to seeing?

I’m curious to see Antisocial’s team. I’m curious to see what French Fred did. They will be a pretty creative team, with guys like McCrank as well on the team. I also want to see the Winnipeg’s team.