Do you think you know what it really takes to not only become a professional skateboarder, but to maintain that status? Sure, the fame, the fortune and the world travel seem awesome (and not a bad way to make a living), but in reality there's a lot of hard work that goes into it... way more than most people realize. Take, for example, filming a full-length video part for a big-time skate video and the pressure that goes along with it. It's nearly impossible to understand that pressure without actually experiencing it.

I had the chance to interview "Toronto's next pro" Morgan Smith to get his perspective - and advice - on filming a video part. Fresh off his much-anticipated part in The Blind Video, Morgan had plenty to share about his experience growing up and paying his dues to get to where he is now, and what it was like to skate and film alongside the guys he looked up to as a kid.

Keep reading, kids... you just might learn something.

Frontside flip to manual, 180 out. Oscar Szydlowski sequence.

Over the years, what have you learned about filming video parts?
I've learned you have to just film exactly what you want, because if you don't, your not gonna be hyped when you see all your footage. Just going street skating is the best way to start thinking about what you want to film; checking out spots and just doing tricks that come to mind right away is usually how it works out. I usually just have a gut feeling about what tricks I want to do, they just pop into my head right when I see a new spot.

Yeah, I guess it's a pretty personal thing to be pumped on what you're filming and just do what comes naturally... How important is it to make sure you have a well-rounded video part?
I think it's pretty important to try and skate everything, but you've got to skate what your good at, too. For example, if your trying to skate tranny spots and you're not that good at tranny, then maybe don't try to film anything until you feel comfortable. Other then that, I like trying to get a little bit of everything so you don't get cornered as just a "rail skater" or "ledge skater", you know?

In your opinion, what does it take to make a good video part?
You've gotta have a bunch of good footy and a good track. Getting a bunch of footy that you're hyped on is the hardest part; it might take years of travelling and just learning new tricks. You want your video part to be something you're proud of. It's hard to satisfy yourself, but I guess you have to just keep skating and trying to one up yourself. After all the filming, a good song is basically whatever fits your skating, like a faster song if you skate fast , or maybe just a song you're hyped on.

Do you ever plan out a video part before you start to film it?
Not really... I don't plan a whole video part. I will definitely think of tricks I want to do; that's all I think about. I'll usually have a spot and a trick in mind and just go and try to do it. Sometimes I just have nothing planned though, and just go skate and see what happens, and that can work out really well too sometimes.

How long does it take to film a good part? Is there a timeline, or is it usually given to you?
Filming a good video part takes over a year for sure, but it depends... I know kids who can film 30 clips in a week. Usually there is a deadline, and it's a year or two away, so it's always in the back of your mind, like, got to film, you know? I find most of your good footy gets filmed a couple months before the deadline just because the pressure is really on.

Do you think that it's easier now-a-days for people to film a video part, compared to when you first started skateboarding?
I think it was easier to film a video part when you first start skating, because you're just a little kid and you just go around your city and just film whatever you can do on any spot. You're not really too concerned, you just want to skate. Now-a-days you have to find good spots, and try to get stuff that you're really hyped on, so it's a little harder to get clips... but it's still fun, you just have to try a little harder, I guess.

As far as the filming, what role does the filmer play with the video part? Can you film with anyone, or do you really have to trust them?
A good filmer is definitely key. I'm down to film with anyone, but I like filming with friends, just because it's more laid-back and less business. If it's just you and your friends going skating, that's when it's the most fun, and that's when you skate the best, I think.

In your opinion, how does editing affect the making of video part?
Editing affects the video part a lot. I just like basic editing, nothing to flashy. If something is edited all crazy, then its really hard to watch the actual skating even if its amazing footage.

Swtich flip to nose manny, flip out. Oscar Szydlowski sequence.

You mentioned music earlier... is it important for you to make sure that your footage works well with the song?
Yeah, for sure... Like I said before, if you skate fast, use a fast song. If you just use any song and put it to your skating, it might just turn out kind of awkward.  Usually just listening to a song you can tell if it's going to work for a video part or not.

In your experience with filming a video part, how much footage actually gets used in comparison to how much gets shot?
It really depends on the skater, I think. Some dudes will only film what they want and end up with amazing parts and no extra footy. Most people usually have a lot of extra footy lying around after you edit a video part, just because you're always filming and there's always B-footy.

Yeah, I guess that's the case when you're trying to get the best footage you can.  What was your first video part and what's it like watching it today?
My first part was for the skate shop DBS; it was called Cinco. It was the first video for the shop and I was really hyped when the owner [Brad Hainschwang] told me I could have a part. I just went filming with my friends and tried my best, pretty much. I ended up getting first part in the video. Watching it now-a-days is kind of funny; things were just so different, but it brings back a lot of memories so that's pretty cool.

Were you stoked on your part in The Blind Video?
I was pretty hyped on the part, but there is always stuff you want to make better about your skating. You are your own worst critic, I guess...  Bill Weiss put it all together and I was hyped on the song and clips he used.

How do you stay motivated? Do you keep a trick list?
When I lack motivation, it's usually because I'm getting frustrated because I'm not getting tricks or whatever, so I usually just take a break and just try and skate some parks or whatever. When it comes to staying motivated though, I just try to think about being at the premiere and just trying to make myself satisfied, basically. Trick lists can be really good or really bad... I usually just try to keep mental notes of what I want to do.

What's the most time you've ever spent trying to land a trick on film?
I've tried ledge lines or manual tricks for hours and hours and not even gotten them, and that is, like, the worst thing ever. You just want to land the trick so bad, but usually you just have no energy left. Your brain wants it, but your body can't do it. I don't really remember what tricks specifically; I guess I try to forget that kind of stuff.

What's it like watching yourself along side big names on the Blind team? Has it set in yet that you're actually skating with some of the people you grew up watching in videos?
It honestly hasn't set in yet at all; it's just a new group of friends that are cool to skate with. Watching the video is sick because all of those guys are amazing and I get hyped for them because I know they are good people too, you know? It's crazy to think that I used to watch all these dudes, and I know their whole skate history... [laughs].

What is your top three skateboard video parts of all time?
Josh Kalis or Brian Wenning in Photosynthesis, Mark Appleyard in Sorry, PJ in Wonderful Horrible Life.

You recently started a You Tube channel that you constantly update, right?  What was your motivation behind this?
I just have a digi photo camera, and it records video too, so I just started filming stuff. My friend said, "post it on You Tube" and I did. It was fun to just get clips and post them for all my friends to watch. It was getting all my friends hyped and that makes me feel good, so I'll just keep doing it, I guess.

Any advice for people out there trying to film a video part?
Just go skate. Go skate with your friends and see what happens... try to keep it fun and just film stuff that you think will make you satisfied. Look for new spots or just check out old ones and just do what tricks come naturally. Keep in mind how spots and surroundings will look on film, and think about how the clips will fit together in your part. Basically just go skate every day and stuff will work out.

Check out Morgan Smith's recent return to The Berrics for a Bangin!

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Related:
Run It Back with Morgan Smith
Morgan Smith's Blah Blah Blah
Morgan Smith at The Berrics