>> Making waves
Filmmaker, Mickey Smith, has been rocking the bodyboarding circuit with his unique, insider perspective of the world of wave riding. Shortly after the release of his latest film, the acclaimed ‘A Blank Canvas’, Charity Wilson caught up with him in his hometown, Penzance, to talk about passion, pasty fights and perks of the job.
To label Mickey Smith one of Cornwall’s bright, young things would be to do him a disservice. There is no doubt that, at 25 - having already made four films (including last year’s beautifully shot ‘Against the Grain’) and developed a promising career as a photographer/writer for Australian bodyboarding magazine, Riptide - Smith does indeed fit the description, but his outlook suggests a future beyond that of a poster boy for the Cornish film industry. His fearless ambition (tested in both Icelandic waters, hunting ground of the orca, and at Hawaii’s Pipeline, hunting ground of the local) coupled with his faith in those around him, seem to give Smith astuteness beyond his age and circumstance – a quality that tells onscreen.
How did you get involved in filmmaking?
I’ve always been into taking photos and swimming around with my mates and surfing.
So, it was a natural progression?
Kind of… yeah. I had this compulsion to make a film.
Who inspires you?
Cameramen… and women, like Chris Van Lennep, Scott Aichner... I like Thomas Campbell’s new film. I don’t really get inspired by certain people, just people in general.
Aside from the pasty fights, how do your films differ from other bodyboarding films?
I guess coming from a place like Cornwall, for a start, which is pretty different in itself! I think bodyboarding is a very different scene to the surfing world… if you compare the two. Really genuine people are involved on pretty much all levels of bodyboarding, whereas surfing has got this whole corporate side, which is just bizarre.
Does that mean your films are more truthful?
Maybe honest - kids having a laugh really. The only things that interest me in life are people who are positive and doing something they are passionate about.
What are the perks of your job?
Getting to explore the world and meet really inspiring people, whatever they do… people living a simple life somewhere, or people who challenge themselves with crazy waves around the world.
Any favourite places?
Tahiti is beautiful, with really lovely people. The wave at Teahupoo is amazing and everyone there seems to have a really peaceful vibe, even the agro guys! And Iceland!
What’s your next project?
I’m going to work on a genre-crossing film about wave riding – it will strip down all the bull shit and just be about any kind of wave riding, whatever’s fun. I start work on it this winter and I’m trying to base it on all the best sessions in the Atlantic. I don’t know how, but each project kind of evolves, so I just take it as it comes.
Could you be tempted to work on a fictional wave riding movie?
Something iconic in the same vein as Big Wednesday, but about bodybuilding… wait boarding, bodyboarding! (Much laughter as I bury my face behind my drink, muttering the suggestion of David Hasselhoff for the lead). Maybe…yeah. It would be good to do something away from the clichéd image, which is usually quite lame - campervans and stuff. But if it’s the right kind of thing… and if someone would pay me because I’m broke!
Do you have any advice for budding filmmakers?
Do what you are passionate about! You make your own opportunities in every walk of life… I come from Penzance, it’s not exactly North Shore and yet somehow I’ve ended up working for the biggest international bodyboarding magazine and I’m not even a great water man!
Is it the best job in the world?
For me, it’s good right now. I’m not making much money, but I’m loving life, and that’s the main thing.
I hear you recently co-created ‘spin-the-bottle-breakdancing’. If the filmmaking doesn’t work out, could this be a new career?
Maybe. That was interesting! I think I was quite passionate about it at the time, but I’m not sure it would really take off.
I’ve got a couple of guest questions…
Are bodyboards like squash balls: different colours for different speeds?
(Ben Crowe, Penzance) What? (Laughs) No.
How do you keep your skin so soft?
(Lloyd Burnard, Praa Sands) (Laughs) With his tender, loving touch.
A Blank Canvas is available from www.x-tremevideo.com
Hannah May