With the MASSIVE amount of “sponsor me” tapes coming down the tube… I thought, to be the nice guy, we would give you a “1 up” advantage. Here are some points that should be addressed (or not addressed) in every and all sponsor me tapes sent out. So if your lookin’ to get picked up, by us or someone else… Make sure you are out to impress… (this is not saying anything of videos currently received)
**NOTE: THIS IS NOT HOW EVERY TAPE SHOULD BE MADE, MAKE YOUR VIDEO UNIQUE, WE ARE JUST TRYING TO HELP! MAKE SURE TO THOROUGHLY READ THIS**
What NOT to Do When Making a Sponsor Me Tape
1. Send It Out Before You’re Ready
– One of the biggest mistakes you can make is sending out your video too early. There is nothing wrong with getting footy out there, but when skateboard companies or team managers get heaping amount of videos and links daily.. how can you stand out from the rest? Make sure, even if your a young gun, you’ve got the basics down. Don’t constantly send clip after clip. Make a part! Do your research as to how long it should be!
2. Have Your Dad, Mom or Family Film You
– Nothing is wrong with getting your fam-jam to help you out. But if your bro or father can’t grip it and rip it, filming can get sketchy. It can make your video look choppy or not taken care of! Make sure that you know someone who has either filmed skateboarding before or has experience with cameras! Worst comes to worst, use a tripod. Watch videos people!
3. Put In ALL Your Footage
– Another issue people have is throwing in EVERY last trick you’ve landed. The last thing sponsors want to do is pick through 30 videos or twenty minutes of footage! Make sure when you put your video together that it showcases your BEST stuff. Not ALL of it.
4. Go CRAZY With Effects
– DO NOT, I REPEAT, DO NOT go crazy with effects. Fades/Transitions are classed as fine (stay away anyway), but when things are magically exploding everywhere, the burn effect, filters, and anything else that reminds you of the old Windows Movie Maker days is a no go. Keep things simple. No effects, no filters. Just skating.
5. Throw in Something NOT Related to Skateboarding
– As much as everyone loves to watch hijynx, Jackass or CKY… shot-gunning a beer, ripping your shirt, or getting mad at a no-land is also a no go. This isn`t some Hollywood movie or skate part.. this is how your going to get noticed. KEEP IT CLASSY!
6. Set Everything to a Bad-Ass Tune
– Honestly.. Your skating can go well with a beat, we get it. But the best footage is RAW footage. Stay away from the Jamiroquai until you get on the team you like. Songs are for skate parts, not for sponsor tapes.
7. Wear ONLY Competitor’s Products
– It is OK to wear whatever you like when skating. But if your out to impress, companies look for people who suit their “look” or “attitude”.
So if your sending out your video to a local shop, make sure that West 49 shirt is still hanging in the closet gathering dust. Wear what you want to be sponsored by! REPRESENT! That’s another trait we keep our eyes open for!
8. Include ONLY Skatepark Footage
– Park footy is fine… But every sponsor or team always looks for diversity. Most companies aren’t going to be too keen on sponsoring skaters that only skate the park. Your sponsor me video is your chance to showcase your skills and companies want to see that you’re comfortable on a wide range of obstacles. Mix the park footage in with ample amounts of street skating (and not just handrails and stair sets). Better yet, show them that you can skate on rough, crappy terrain as well as silky smooth poured concrete and buttery ledges.
HOPE THIS HELPS!
