Skateboard (1978) Factory 25 Kickstarter Campaign

[whiteberry]

Help save SKATEBOARD: THE MOVIE

This 1978 skateboarding cult classic is in danger of disappearing forever.

Hi there – I'm Matt Grady from Factory 25, and I'm here to ask you to get on board and help us create a new archival print of the cult classic indie feature film Skateboard: The Movie. Together, we can rescue this piece of moviemaking and skateboarding history from the destructive forces of time, and help it reach a wider audience than it's ever had the chance to before.

The only known existing print — until we found this one — was a beat up 16mm print that played BAM Cinematek in Brooklyn in 2012. I was in the crowd and realized how much I still loved the film that I’d seen as a kid. Then in 2022, mid-pandemic, I became obsessed with finding a better print. It took close to a year of searching and inquiring with film print collectors around the world before finding a usable 35mm print. And now — with your help — we have the opportunity to show everyone the film in its original glory and preserve this bit of history for future generations.

First, we can create a new print of the film from which copies can be made. This means the film will be available to replicate and screen for future generations.

With your help, I want to release it digitally and on Blu-Ray, and put it in at least a few theaters in all its glory, so new, broader audiences will be able to watch it easily.

Kickstarter Campaign:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects...and-re-release

Factory 25 Website:
https://www.factorytwentyfive.com/skateboard

Poster:


Trailer:

Skateboard ≣ 1978 ≣ Trailer - YouTube

TV Spot:

1978 "Skateboard" Movie Trailer - YouTube

[meremortal]

Looks like a fun movie and hope they can preserve it.

[SpiderNerd09]

Always had a fondness for skateboarding and its history.
Hope the restoration project goes well.

[VideoPhonic]

universal has zero film elements on this?

[Walter Kafka]

I'm a huge Allen Garfield fan!!! This is awesome!!!

[Member-222782]

Didn't Scorpion release this on DVD?

[MifuneFan]

Scorpion did release it on DVD. I'm not sure if their source is the same 'beat-up 16mm print" referenced in the paragraph above, but it looked pretty decent based on these DVDbeaver caps, especially the colors. I guess I was expecting something way cruder based on their description. No doubt it can be improved on though, so I do wish Factory 25 the best in getting it restored.

[MifuneFan]

DVD Drive-In's review states Scorpion's DVD was sourced from Universal Vault elements.

https://www.dvddrive-in.com/reviews/...eboard7778.htm

Scorpion is thrusting forth SKATEBOARD THE MOVIE in the hands of eager fans with a new transfer from Universal’s vault elements (complete with opening Universal logo and “When in Hollywood, visit…” after the end credits). Presented anamorphic with a 1.78:1 aspect ratio, colors fair very well and detail is extremely sharp, with only some minor instances of grain, debris or light lines most likely due to the budget restraints of the original production. The mono audio track (the soundtrack features some energetic 1970s rock and power ballads from the likes of Dr. John and “Starship” frontman Mickey Thomas) also comes off fine, with no noticeable distortion or other significant shortcomings.

[benricci]

Not to be a Debbie Downer, but does Factory 25 actually have the rights to distribute this film? I don't see it mentioned anywhere that they secured any rights, just that they tracked down a print and talked to the director at some point.

It's great that they want to restore a film print they have, but without the actual rights to the film, there's not much they can do with that restored print. They definitely cannot screen it publicly, release it on home video or make merch around it.

Perhaps they can clarify the rights situation before people start donating their money?

It would be a shame if they went through all that trouble, only for us to find out they never licensed the film from the current rights holders.

[Ruined]

Originally Posted by benricci

Not to be a Debbie Downer, but does Factory 25 actually have the rights to distribute this film? I don't see it mentioned anywhere that they secured any rights, just that they tracked down a print and talked to the director at some point.

It's great that they want to restore a film print they have, but without the actual rights to the film, there's not much they can do with that restored print. They definitely cannot screen it publicly, release it on home video or make merch around it.

Perhaps they can clarify the rights situation before people start donating their money?

It would be a shame if they went through all that trouble, only for us to find out they never licensed the film from the current rights holders.

Would also like more clarification if the $66 Blu ray will have any exclusivity, or will it be sold for $25 to those that didn't participate in the Kickstarter after it's done

[Katatonia]

$60 to get the Blu-ray?

I have the old Scorpion Releasing DVD, and while it's moderately entertaining... that seems a bit high. Plus, I don't even see it guaranteed that it'll be a pressed disc.

They should have just offered a perk for the Blu-ray only. No enamel pin, sticker, digital swag attached to it.

[MifuneFan]

A wide release Blu-ray will alost certainly come out down the line if this crowdfund is a success.

[DMRI2006]

Originally Posted by benricci

Not to be a Debbie Downer, but does Factory 25 actually have the rights to distribute this film? I don't see it mentioned anywhere that they secured any rights, just that they tracked down a print and talked to the director at some point.

It's great that they want to restore a film print they have, but without the actual rights to the film, there's not much they can do with that restored print. They definitely cannot screen it publicly, release it on home video or make merch around it.

Perhaps they can clarify the rights situation before people start donating their money?

It would be a shame if they went through all that trouble, only for us to find out they never licensed the film from the current rights holders.

Factory 25 is one of the Vinegar Syndrome partners, VS has been licensing from Universal recently so I highly doubt this is an issue.

[Katatonia]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

A wide release Blu-ray will alost certainly come out down the line if this crowdfund is a success.

Well I wish them luck. If it were a better film, I'd probably be in.

[BarnDoor]

Originally Posted by DMRI2006

Factory 25 is one of the Vinegar Syndrome partners, VS has been licensing from Universal recently so I highly doubt this is an issue.

I suspect Universal's rights to this film lapsed long ago - there had already been a DVD prior to Scorpion's one, and they weren't licencing from any of the major studios back then. Probably just a case of Universal still retaining the elements.

[Ruined]

Originally Posted by Katatonia

$60 to get the Blu-ray?

I have the old Code Red DVD, and while it's moderately entertaining... that seems a bit high. Plus, I don't even see it guaranteed that it'll be a pressed disc.

They should have just offered a perk for the Blu-ray only. No enamel pin, sticker, digital swag attached to it.

$66 after shipping. I got the DVD too. Would like to get this, but man thats a ton for a single 1080p blu-ray.

I also liked the zip up sweatshirt. That's either $83 without the Blu-ray, or you can get it as an addon for $63 with the Blu-ray. Either way that's a ton, too.

They've only raised 1/3 of their goal so far despite half the fundraiser being over, and these prices probably have something to do with that. I also have zero interest in any of the other goods besides those two things I mentioned.

I like to contribute to these things ,but when the prices are nuts I'll just gamble and wait for a mainstream release.

[Alan T]

Yeah $66 is crazy for a blind buy. I'd contribute if the Blu was $25.

[Berkanan]

Strange to see how little attention this is getting. One would have thought this would be shared on social media by Tony Hawk, Thrasher Magazine, skate brands and so on.

It's an Olympic sport now and this is a part of early skateboarding history, kinda.

[Bradsdadg]

I was trying to find out if it would come with a slipcover. Small gripe, I know. Since they didn't answer my question on Twitter I am going to assume it wouldn't. Still hoping it gets funded before the end...

[deltatauhobbit]

Not a big fan of doing no updates when it comes to Kickstarter. The fact it's half over and not a single update, that's just lazy.

I usually wait until the later part of a campaign to pledge in order to see how they run it. For creators who have run several campaigns successfully and communicate often, I have no issues jumping in right away (such as 3DFA, Lawrie Brewster, Grapevine); Factory 25 is not one of them yet.

The questions in this thread only exacerbate it.