Bones Brigade: An Autobiography

This documentary delves into the vibrant and often turbulent birth of modern skateboarding in the late 1970s and early 1980s, focusing on the influential Bones Brigade. The film opens with the formative years of Tony Hawk, a skinny kid who found escape and identity on a skateboard, transforming his struggles into a lifelong passion. It then introduces Stacy Peralta, the visionary behind the Bones Brigade, whose ambition extended beyond simply forming a team; he sought to build a legacy.

The film explores Peralta's process of hand-picking raw talent, recognizing the potential in skaters like Hawk, Rodney Mullen, and Steve Caballero, each with their own unique style and drive. It examines the complex dynamics within the team, the rivalries that pushed them to innovate, and the camaraderie that bound them together.

A key figure in the Bones Brigade's meteoric rise was Craig Stecyk, an unconventional artist and marketer whose unorthodox approach to advertising and visual presentation defied convention. The film reveals how Stecyk's artistic vision, often baffling to the skaters themselves, played a crucial role in shaping the team's rebellious image and setting them apart from the rest of the skateboarding world. His influence extended beyond marketing, subtly shaping the team's identity and contributing to their lasting impact on skate culture.

However, the story takes a dramatic turn as the skateboarding boom of the late 70s abruptly crashes, plunging the sport into a period of decline known as the "Dark Ages." Skateparks close, sponsors disappear, and many skaters abandon the sport altogether. The film captures the uncertainty and hardship of this era, but also highlights the resilience of the Bones Brigade. Refusing to let skateboarding die, they take matters into their own hands, organizing underground contests in backyard ramps and abandoned parking lots, keeping the spirit alive and laying the groundwork for the sport's eventual resurgence.

Through rare archival footage and intimate interviews with the key players, the documentary explores the evolution of skateboarding during this pivotal period. It showcases the groundbreaking tricks and innovations that emerged from the backyard ramps and the competitive fire that fueled the Bones Brigade's dominance. The film culminates with the creation of their first skateboarding video, a watershed moment that not only showcased their incredible talent but also brought skateboarding to a wider audience, solidifying their place in history and cementing their legacy as pioneers of the sport. This is more than just a skateboarding story; it's a story of friendship, ambition, artistic vision, and the enduring power of a passion that refused to be extinguished.