MTV Cribs was so damn cool. Getting to see inside of your favorite celebrities houses was teenage dream fuel. And while I’m no longer fantasizing about graffiti pin up girls or a California king, I still enjoy getting a behind the scenes look at how my favorite people live.

That’s what I wanted to know, so, I asked. Daniel Wheatley, Bobby Bils, Beagle, Ryan Lee, Trevor Dare, and Daniel Policelli heeded the call, and they offered a look at their editing command centers previously unseen to all but their respective inner circles.

What’s your preferred way to rest your eyes and take a break from editing?
Whenever I’m really in the thick of it, and I know I have probably 10/12 hours of editing per day for the next couple weeks as a deadline approaches- I always wait to eat or drink anything and work from about 8am until about 1pm. Then I drive myself to get coffee and a burrito from Tacos Villa Corona, bring it home and watch an episode of “Last Week Tonight” or whatever anime I’m watching at the time and really just zone out and enjoy myself. Even thinking about that daily little treat to myself right now gets me kind of thrilled.

Is there something you keep on the wall/on your desk for inspiration?
My desk is quite organized, but there’s plenty of tchotchkes. Little things picked up on trips that hold some significance. Looking at my desk now I have a Jerky Boys Cassette, a Dystopia Cassette, a Virgin Mary Mike Gigliotti bought me for good luck in Mexico after our van got broken into on a Lotties trip, a postcard from early 1900s LA High School that I framed (I gave AA and Spanky the same one), some photos of the fam, various pins, a Chomp On This drawing I did in high school, a Rudy Johnson signature notepad from 00s era Girl that I stole from the office (very rare), a Carpet Company D-Tool, a little Rei from Evangelion. I don’t know how inspiring any of it is, but cleaning it and keeping it all tidy is what lets my brain work properly.

Is there any piece of gear that has become essential to you?
I have such a minimal editing space. I’ve done all my videos on a laptop with no mouse. It kinda sucks and is a pain in the ass now that I think about it. My chair is so uncomfortable.

What bev/snack combo is your go to while editing?
Iced coffee and chocolate covered peanut butter pretzels from Trader Joe’s.

When do you know a project is finished?
I feel like it’s never finished, it just finally becomes the deadline and it has to be done.

How hands-on do you allow the skaters you film to be in the editing process?
They aren’t involved. It just ruins the fun in my opinion. Certain people I can’t say no to, like a Reynolds for instance. Obviously I’m not going to say no to a legend like that. That’s part of his process- he has to watch his line and send it to 10 people to get opinions on it, etc. But when you let the homies have their footage on their phone, they just immediately watch it and pick it apart for the next couple weeks, show it to all of their friends, and eventually get so sick of it to a point where they don’t like it. I think it becomes a bit narcissistic just watching your own clips over and over again. Not only that, but now all your homies know what you’re doing, what spot you’re skating, and won’t be as excited to see it when the footage finally comes out. It’s hilarious and also counter productive. We go to such lengths to film these kinda secret things, you know?

That all transfers to the video making process as well. How am I supposed to show you half-an-idea I have while editing? Like, “Hey, I’m imagining right here you have a line like this, and then you smile really awkwardly here when this part of the song changes.” This stuff is going through my head, all the way down to what I’m imagining someone to be wearing or saying, but I think it’s better left unsaid, and all kept a surprise. You want to see your footage, come to my house and watch the raw timeline. I’ll tell you what I think we need, and you tell me what you’d like to get as well.

Have you ever rage quit an editing session? If so, why?
I almost cried when I was editing the last video I made, trying to figure out how to transition the little montage into the start of Josh Pall’s section. I was having a hard time finding the right song to convey the specific feeling I was going for, but also that managed to make everything smooth and not feel abrupt, and when I finally got it right, it was such a relief. It was like two days before the premiere and I had been trying so many things, and when it finally hit right I think I might have shouted out loud “Yes!” and felt my eyes well up. Stress is a magical thing.

Any advice for someone who wants to get into making skate videos?
Watch a lot of skate videos from more than just the last 10 years. Seemingly everything has been done, so you can’t worry so much about some sort of never been done concept, but it’s good to at least try your best to come up with something that isn’t an immediate derivative of what’s relevant. Even this advice is maybe too deep for someone who is looking to get into making a skate video. Maybe some good advice would be, “Hey kid, copy Bill Strobeck.”

What’s your preferred way to rest your eyes and take a break from editing?
Usually something to get the blood flowing. Go for a walk. Go for a run. Ride my bike. Go skate. If for some reason those aren’t options, just dork around with the fingerboard.

Is there something you keep on the wall/on your desk for inspiration?
Not necessarily anything that serves to inspire me as much as just to keep the feng shui. Books, vintage cameras, plants, and frames always look nice. Makes my space feel more intentional and personal to me.

Is there any piece of gear that has become essential to you?
I think the only real essential is a good chair with lumbar support. No video is worth back problems. Also a big, high-res monitor isn’t essential but it’s a welcome luxury.

What bev/snack combo is your go to while editing?
Last summer while I was editing Honeymoon, my routine was to start editing right after breakfast, take a pause to make a peanut butter, banana, and protein smoothie for lunch, edit some more, then another pause to cook dinner. When I edit the Halloween Hellbomb videos overnight right after the event, it usually looks like Hot Pockets or something frozen that I stocked in my fridge beforehand, and some energy drinks. Not my proudest night of culinary decisions, but sacrifices are made.

When do you know a project is finished?
When it’s published. I hit export for the “final time” on so many projects, but before I know it I’ve made a million little changes only I would notice and I’m exporting at the last minute. I was exporting Honeymoon the afternoon of the premiere.

How hands-on do you allow the skaters you film to be in the editing process?
100%. The skaters are the ones who did the hardest work, their opinions on how they get portrayed always take priority. That being said, I make sure to get each video to the point where both the skater and I are happy with it. Rarely do our opinions clash, we’re all usually on the same page.

Have you ever rage quit an editing session? If so, why?
I wouldn’t say rage quit, but there’s definitely been times I’ve worked on something for a while and thought to myself “This just isn’t working”, and trash it. It’s frustrating but that’s just a part of every creative process. Throw a bunch of shit at the wall and see what sticks. Won’t be everything.

Any advice for someone who wants to get into making skate videos?
Just go for it and have fun. Take inspiration from other videos if you want, but by no means are there any real rules. Accept that you’ll never please everybody.

What’s your preferred way to rest your eyes and take a break from editing?
Luckily I have these blue light blocker glasses and they help with the strain a lot. I like to take clear eye drops too but if I’m completely fried I’ll nap for an hour.

Is there something you keep on the wall/on your desk for inspiration?
I have some sentimental art work of DJ Screw, Murdy the Dawg, myself filming Shane Heyl, and this sick Three6 Mafia collage I made from all their CD inserts (signed by Gangsta Boo).

Is there any piece of gear that has become essential to you?
My favorite addition to the editing desk is the Pioneer Wego4 turntable controller, you can remix and record songs to edit with on the spot.

What bev/snack combo is your go to while editing?
Hot coffee and bagel in the morning, cold Modelo and tortilla chips at night.

When do you know a project is finished?
After the bosses approve, the best feeling!

How hands-on do you allow the skaters you film to be in the editing process?
It’s only right to work with the skater’s input because it’s them putting their health on the line. You have to at least try their song requests too.

Any advice for someone who wants to get into making skate videos?
It’s so fun skating and filming in the field but try to stay ahead on the homework side of it (capturing, labeling, and exporting the clips). That way you can see how crispy the clips are coming out or if something’s looking sinful, like a smudge or scratch on the lens.

What’s your preferred way to rest your eyes and take a break from editing?
I just go lay in bed and close my eyes for a bit. Calling a friend is always good as well. Recently, my roommate’s cats like to hang out on my desk. So I play with them.

Is there something you keep on the wall/on your desk for inspiration?
I have a baby yoda doll that my mom gave me.

Is there any piece of gear that has become essential to you?
My setup is pretty boring. I just moved into an apartment recently and my computer is just on the kitchen counter.

What bev/snack combo is your go to while editing?
I try to drink a ton of water. I’m boring.

When do you know a project is finished?
A project is only finished when it’s uploaded and all of the social edits are posted. I’ve had so many last second edit requests over the years, they keep you on your toes.

How hands-on do you allow the skaters you film to be in the editing process?
I have the skaters in the loop a lot. Whether they are with me when I am editing, or asking them for music preferences. I wouldn’t want them to be bummed on their part after filming for years.

Have you ever rage quit an editing session? If so, why?
Yeah, I often rage quit. I know that I can’t force an edit when I’m not feeling it. Just like how it works for some skaters. My computer is also super slow.

Any advice for someone who wants to get into making skate videos?
Try to learn everything about your camera ie: colors, shutter speeds, filming with the fisheye. Have fun with it, there’s no point if it’s not fun for you and your friends.

What’s your preferred way to rest your eyes and take a break from editing?
Sleep lol. Go until you can’t anymore for the day, sleep, and repeat the next day.

Is there something you keep on the wall/on your desk for inspiration?
My friends and my mom.

Is there any piece of gear that has become essential to you?
Comfy clothes.

What bev/snack combo is your go to while editing?
Coffee and Psilo gummies.

When do you know a project is finished?
After watching it 1000 times you know it’s finished.

How hands-on do you allow the skaters you film to be in the editing process?
Depending on the project, I allow input or come to an agreement on making changes. I think it’s important to have that working relationship with the skater. End of the day someone else may see things in a different light than you. But for the most part I’m trusted and given the green light to do what I see best.

Have you ever rage quit an editing session? If so, why?
Yes, been awhile lol.

Any advice for someone who wants to get into making skate videos?
Have fun with it. It’s not that serious.

What’s your preferred way to rest your eyes and take a break from editing?
Put some headphones in and go for a solo walk/get some air. Or go skate and hang with friends.

Is there something you keep on the wall/on your desk for inspiration?
I don’t know if it’s for inspiration, I’ve just collected a lot of things over the years, and it would suck to keep it all in a box or a closet, hidden. So I display some of it on and around my desk.

Is there any piece of gear that has become essential to you?
I had a Crash Bandicoot mouse pad back in the day. That was dope.

What bev/snack combo is your go to while editing?
I’d be too distracted, wiping my fingers between each bite to not ruin my keyboard! But I did just find myself snackin’ on some cookies the other day so…

When do you know a project is finished?
When it’s on YouTube, I’ve watched it a thousand times, and there’s nothing else I can do but let the world respond.

How hands-on do you allow the skaters you film to be in the editing process?
I guess it depends on the project. When I was making my video Rendered I had a specific feeling I was going for, songs in my head that I thought would work, what skaters should be paired together, the order of parts and more. The homies kind of just left it up to me for that one. Anything I edit for Crailtap, big or small, I always talk with Rick [Howard], Mike [Carroll], and Sam [Smyth] first to get their feedback. Recently, we’ve been working on something where I’ve been talking a lot more with the team riders directly.

Have you ever rage quit an editing session? If so, why?
I don’t think so. Maybe when looking for music. I’ll go into hour long YouTube rabbit holes trying to find the right song. Next thing you know its 4am and I’m like, “Fuck.”

Any advice for someone who wants to get into making skate videos?
It’s super corny, but create what you want to create. Don’t worry about what other people think or how many views you’re going to get, or whatever else may be stopping you. I had so much fun in my earliest days of making skate videos, just filming skatepark montages with my friends, cause I just did whatever the hell I wanted, even though it was probably pretty bad. I would just have ideas in my head at school. A certain angle, song, or concept, and would try to put those ideas into a video. That was a special time.

Intro and Interviews by: Ben Komins
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