Directed by Anthony Burns and starring Shiloh Fernandez, Ashley Greene, Heath Freeman, Brett Cullen and Taylor Handley, “Skateland,” and crew were at SXSW a week ago promoting their drama which marks the tumultuous transition of a group of high school friends into adulthood. It premiered at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival and will open in New York and Los Angeles on May 13, 2011.
Set in the early 1980s, in small town Texas, “Skateland” is an honest snapshot of the lives of a close-knit group of friends who are forced to confront the harsh reality of the precarious world around them. The film revolves around a charismatic young skating rink manager named Ritchie Wheeler (Shiloh Fernandez), brother and sister Brent and Michelle Burkham (Heath Freeman, Ashley Greene) and the legendary, wise-cracking, Kenny Crawford (Taylor Handley) as their secure, carefree lives start to unravel.
“’Skateland’ is an iconic tribute to a culture, place and state of mind that defined small town America in the early 80s. It is a universal moment in time, when everything you know to be true starts fading.
“Skateland” is as much a story about embracing who you are as it is about letting go and moving on. The compelling drama marks the tumultuous transition of a group of high school friends into adulthood. Set in the early 1980s, in small town Texas, it is candid, unflinching snapshot of the lives of a close-knit group of friends who are forced to confront the harsh reality of the precarious world around them. The film revolves around a charismatic young skating rink manager named Ritchie Wheeler (Shiloh Fernandez), his brother and sister Brent and Michelle Burkham (Heath Freeman, Ashley Greene) and the legendary, wise-cracking, Kenny Crawford (Taylor Handley) as their secure, carefree lives start to unravel.
While “Skateland” will certainly ring true to anyone who came of age in an era ruled by malls, Polaroid cameras, Jordache jeans and New Wave, the story has universal resonance. It personlifies the pivotal period between teenager and adult, a story syncopated by turbulence and discovery, love and heartbreak, the end of the past and new beginnings. Enveloped by the brooding melodies and incendiary rock riffs of the early 80’s, “Skateland” is a place and a state of mind where aging values collide with contemporary pop culture.
Note: Burns co-wrote the film with Brandon Freeman and Heath Freeman.
Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.
She is also the CEO and founder of Magic Sauce Media, a new media services consultancy focused on viral marketing, social media, branding, events and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped companies from 12 countries get traction in the market. Known for her global and organic approach to product and corporate launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an active user of social media, she helps clients navigate digital waters from around the world. Renee has been blogging for over 16 years and regularly writes on her personal blog Down the Avenue, Huffington Post, BlogHer, We Blog the World and other sites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Magazine and is listed as a new media influencer and game changer on various sites and books on the new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed as the 6th most influential woman in social media by Forbes Magazine on a Top 20 List.
Her passion for art, storytelling and photography led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visual extension of her writing, the result of which has led to producing six photo books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
Renee is also the co-founder of Traveling Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to other countries to share and learn from peers, governments, corporations, and the general public in order to educate, share, evaluate, and promote innovative technologies.
