About Boston
Boston is one of America's most beloved cities, with a long and storied history that dates back to its founding in 1630. It is the largest city in New England and the capital of Massachusetts. A vibrant cultural hub, Boston has a rich cultural and historical tapestry, from the iconic Freedom Trail to Fenway Park, the beloved home of the Red Sox baseball team.
The city also boasts an active skateboarding scene, largely due to its diverse range of skate parks that offer ample opportunity for professionals to get creative with their tricks. Additionally, there are numerous indoor facilities that provide access to ramps and other obstacles as well as classes on topics like safety & technique; making them great spaces for both seasoned skaters and beginners to congregate.
Boston’s skate park spaces double as filming and photography locations. The ‘skater-friendly’ vibe provides plenty of local talent for up-and-coming filmmakers who wish to capture skaters in action for their projects.
Skate Space Options in Boston
- Film Equipment
Working on a photo or video shoot at a skate space requires a range of filming equipment, including tripods, cameras, lighting, and microphones. Depending on the specific project, other specialized gear may be needed, for example, camera dollys to achieve smooth movements over terrains, sliders for tracking shots, and a jib for recording aerials.
- Decorations and Props
To create an interesting and unique filming atmosphere at skate spaces, it is essential to incorporate decorations and props. This includes banners promoting skate brands, obstacles or ramps that could be used in the shot, signs with inspiring messages about skating culture, and other items like graffiti artwork or street art installations that help set the scene.
- Clothing and Accessories
Clothing and accessories complete the look by allowing skaters and other talents to express their individual styles whilst respecting any specific dress codes that might be required by the venue owners or directors. Jackets, shoes, hats, caps, and other apparel should complement each other without detracting from the focus of each scene. Specialty items like sunglasses or jewelry can accessorize any outfit for added effect.
Skate Space Vendors
- Boston Photo Rental
With a vast inventory of lenses, lighting setups, and more, Boston Photo Rental has everything you need for video and photography projects. Their team of local experts handpicks and maintains all of their equipment, keeping them in top shape. They also offer a variety of services, such as sensor cleaning and lens rental, that are designed to help photographers get the most out of their shoots.
- Thuro
Thuro carries a comprehensive collection of snowboards, longboards, skateboards, surfboards, rollerblades, and scooters from leading brand names like Satori, Technine, Vox, Niche, and Special Blend. They also offer discounted footwear and apparel.
- One Gig
One Gig is a skate company that manufactures more than 90% of its products locally, from hoodies to hats to accessories. In addition to decks, completes, cruisers, longboards, carvers wheels trucks bearings grip, and skate tools; customers can purchase one-of-a-kind products or have a previously owned item customized.
Pros and Cons of Skate Spaces in Boston
Skate spaces in Boston provide striking backdrops for photo or video shoots. But before you commit to any skate space in the city of Boston as a filming location, it is essential to weigh both its advantages and drawbacks.
Advantages
- Skate spaces offer a more organic feel with intricate lighting and cool angles, which has the effect of giving video projects an edge.
- Skate environments are open spaces filled with vibrant culture, art, and creativity, and these are all great elements to include in any video project.
- Skaters often do tricks on ramps, rails, boxes, and other structures that can create some really exciting shots for video projects.
Disadvantages
- The landings and grinding of skateboarders create a loud noise that can disrupt audio recordings at skate spaces. If you don't use external equipment like Lavalier mics or wireless systems, it makes it more difficult and time-consuming to record crystal-clear sound for interviews.
- It is a challenge to protect camera equipment from the dust and dirt particles created when wheels grind against rails, as well as keep any expensive gear away from getting cracked due to accidental bumps/falls.
- Filming outdoors presents the challenge of exposure levels since too much sunlight can cause overexposure or washed-out frames.
Tips on How to Organize Photoshoots at Skate Spaces in Boston
If you're planning a video or photo shoot session at a skate space in Boston, it's important to ensure that the space is prepared and ready in time. To help guarantee the success of your project, here are some tips for organizing photo or video shoots at skate parks in Boston:
- Find an Appropriate Space – Depending on what type of video or photo shoot, finding the right skate space with the appropriate terrain is key. Try scouting out several different locations before deciding which one best fits your needs.
- Familiarize Yourself with the Available Equipment – Assemble the gear needed for your project and familiarize yourself with each piece of equipment. This includes lighting kits, camera gear, and other necessary equipment.
- Handle Transport Logistics – If your crew is going to travel between different skate spaces, figure out transport logistics beforehand so that no time is wasted in between. Make sure everyone has a pickup/ drop off schedule as well as a location and shooting schedule.
- Know Your Surroundings – When getting ready for a video or photo shoot, it’s important to keep safety in mind as well as consider any potential risks or hazards that could arise while working in an unfamiliar area. For example, certain ramps require protective padding or railings if they are located near pedestrian traffic or busy roads, posing a risk of the unexpected.
- Schedule Breaks During Production - As skaters often overwork themselves while trying to perfect their tricks or delivering lines, it’s important not just for them but also for everyone involved that there are breaks scheduled throughout the production day. This helps keep everyone energized and focused on getting the best possible shots without burning themselves out too quickly.
Famous Locations in Boston
- Boston Bricks
A stroll down Winthrop Lane in Boston reveals a fun and charming surprise. Along the pavement are one hundred bronze reliefs, called the 'Boston Bricks'. This unique art collection celebrates a variety of historical events, unique to Boston's past and present. From a classic baseball glove to what can only be described as a tribute to the city's aggressive drivers, these raised bricks invite passersby to take a closer look. Best sampled after walking around on the Freedom Trail, their smooth surfaces tell stories that may otherwise go unheard.
- Harvard Stadium
The Harvard Stadium, built in 1903, is home to the Harvard Crimson football team and is one of the oldest stadiums in America. This stadium is known for its incredible view of the Boston skyline when the sun sets behind it on game days. Roman-inspired and located away from most of Harvard's activity, it has become a popular venue for various events. However, what makes the Coliseum truly special is how integral it was to developing football's field measurements.
- Copley Square
Copley Square is a historic public square in Boston, named after painter John Singleton Copley. It's a great place to take a break and enjoy some green space in the heart of the city. The square has changed a lot over the years - most notably in 1965 when Sasaki Dawson added trees, benches, and a cascading pool. Right now, it's home to the historic Tortoise and Hare statue as well as the John Singleton Copley statue and fountain. And if you're into running, it's also right near the finish line of the Boston Marathon.