Filming and editing a line

A line is several tricks linked in one run: ollie up a curb, manual, kickflip out, roll into a 50-50 down a ledge. Lines show flow and control in a way single tricks can't. Filming one takes a bit more planning than a single trick, because the skater moves through a whole spot. Here's how to plan it, film it on a phone and turn it into a clean clip.

Plan the line first

Before anyone films, walk the line together:

1. Where does the skater push from?
2. What tricks, in what order?
3. Where does the line end?
4. What's in the way? People, cars, rough ground.

Knowing the plan means the filmer knows where to be at every moment.

Choose a filming style

• Still shot: the phone stays in one place and the skater skates through. Easier, and works for short lines in a small area.
• Follow shot: the filmer moves with the skater, on foot or on a board. Harder, but shows the whole line up close.

For a first line, try a still shot from a spot that sees the whole line, then work up to follow shots.

Following a skater, step by step

1. Stay low. Hold the phone around knee height.
2. Keep a steady distance, close enough to see the board and far enough to see the whole skater.
3. Stay to the side and slightly behind, so you don't get in the way of the tricks.
4. Move smoothly. Bend your knees and walk or roll gently.
5. Keep the board in frame, especially at each trick.

If you're following on a board, practice rolling and filming without tricks first.

Keep it in frame

The biggest line-filming mistake is losing the skater or the board at the key moment. Keep the board and feet in frame through each trick, and leave space in front of the skater so they skate into the frame, not out of it.

Light and timing

Pick a time when the light is even. Bright sun from one side is fine; harsh sun behind the skater makes a silhouette. Early mornings and evenings are often quieter at spots, which helps with long lines.

A worked example: a three-trick line

Mia's line: ollie up a curb, manual across a pad, kickflip off the end. Her friend Jay plans to film a follow shot.

1. They walk the line together and agree on the push point, the three tricks and the end.
2. Jay practices following Mia through it without tricks, holding the phone low and to the side.
3. On the first real try, Mia misses the kickflip. They reset and go again.
4. On the fourth try, she lands all three. Jay keeps the board in frame the whole way.
5. Back home, Jay trims the clip to start a second before the push and end after she rolls away.

Filming the same line twice

Lines often take many tries, and the filmer gets tired too. If the skater keeps getting close, take a short break, check your last clip and adjust your path. Every try is a chance to fix framing: a bit lower, a bit further to the side, or starting the follow earlier so the push is in the shot. When the line is finally landed, the clip should already look the way you planned.

Editing the clip

1. Trim the start and end. Start just before the push and end after the roll-away.
2. Keep it in one take. A line is about the run, so don't cut it up.
3. Check the audio. Wheel sounds and the pop are part of the clip; consider keeping them.
4. Add music if you like, keeping in mind that some platforms mute songs you don't have rights to.
5. Export in good quality.

Common mistakes

• Not planning the line. The filmer ends up in the wrong place.
• Losing the board in frame at the trick.
• Cutting the line into pieces. It's one run.
• Filming from standing height. Get low.
• Getting too close in a follow shot and getting in the skater's way.

FAQ

How long should a line be?

As long as you can land it in one run. Two or three tricks is a good start.

Should I film lines with the ultra-wide lens?

For follow shots up close, the ultra-wide lens works well. For still shots from farther away, the main lens is usually better.

Can a line go in a game of SKATE?

SKATE is usually one trick at a time. Lines are for sessions and edits.

Next: What is Skate Labs?

Join the testers at skatelabs.app/testers and play a Game of SKATE with your friends. Global SKATE is free and in testing on iPhone and Android.