Ok Nice with Diego Meek
Filmmaker and artist Diego Meek stops by for a few questions and a playlist
No one is having more fun in the world of skateboarding than Diego Meek, the filmer/editor behind many Frog Skateboarding videos, such as this one, which is possibly my favorite skate video of all time. He has also produced several features of his own.
I’ve known Diego for a majority of my life. We grew up together in Mesa, AZ and spent a lot of time in a van belonging to his sweet mother, who was always kind enough to usher a group of crass stinky boys to skateparks far away.
Diego was introduced to me as an artist—I had a ton of his work on my bedroom walls. And then I found out he also skated. He was just as creative on the board—doing weird one foot manuals, front foot impossibles (I think?) and skating things no one else would ever register as spots. And then I found out he also filmed skating. He had a little HD handy-cam and he made it look better than anything I had ever seen. In the edit, he really shined. He was producing at a Jackson Casey level in like 7th grade. I also filmed at the time, but seeing how much further Diego had already taken it, I knew my time was fizzling.
He would bring the best out of the same pool of talent and make the dullest of tricks look magical. He was doing things in after effects at like 13 years old, finding new and interesting ways to reframe the standards of skate filming. He never stopped pushing the envelope.
If I remember correctly, the camera he uses currently was a perk of backing a kickstarter. Apparently some dude crowdfunded his way into making a camera, which seems insane, and Diego has one. I believe he shot this on it. It looks gorgeous and it comes as no surprise that he’d be the only person in skateboarding to have one.
Even if Diego is following the “rules” of skating and using a VX (what nearly every skate video is shot on, although more and more are switching to HD) he makes it look different—tilting the camera to make long lines more visually appealing and also losing the warmth so many VX videos have and opting for cooler, almost purple-y, super exposed visuals. I think he was also one of the first to stretch out the VX, filling the frame as opposed to leaving it 4:3. All this aside, he’s making it look fun.
Diego continues to bring skating to new heights—consistently producing stuff with tons of personality, creating a body of work that is so incredibly distinct. You know when you’re watching a Diego joint, and that’s so cool.
I’m grateful he stopped by and gave a bit of insight into his process—I’ve been intrigued for a long time and I’m happy to get to share it.
What’s your day to day look like?
Lets imagine I’m having a me day, bed at 12:00 wake up 8:00. Chug water, have a cup of black coffee and a bite of kimchi for some reason, gut biome on point! Then this secret oatmeal a friend introduced me to, oatmeal, peanut butter, raisins, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, Chinese 5- spice powder, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, maple syrup and maybe 1/2 a banana. Give it a try! After this I spend hours on YouTube or searching for music, going through all my bookmarks for any updates!
Unfortunately the creative process can be very very slow for me, many elements must be in line with each other in order to work. After the breakfast routine I enjoy a morning exercise, wether it be skateboarding, roller blading, a hike, or running. I try and switch it up, anything to sweat! Room should be clean, music must be hittin, good nights rest must be checked off the list. Anything that could shroud my focus needs to be destroyed! Here I can get stuff done. Much of my work either is on a loose deadline or, if its a personal project, not on one at all. This allows for endless experiments, and plugging and playing until I know its right. I will sit on things for a looooong time, I am trying to change. I’ll edit a skate video part for example, spend weeks/months on it, finish it and a few days later conclude yeahhh this just isn’t it. Delete and start again, no looking back! I must become so familiar with each clip. I get to this sweet point where I’ve memorized the footage, almost tired of looking at it. Here you can listen to the music with your eyes closed and say, yep that belongs here and so on. I tend to edit to the hot parts of songs first and fill in the rest later. That’s if I’m having a solo day, otherwise I wake up, skate all day with friends, have some sweet sweet delicious beers, and go home.
Best advice you’ve been given?
On the spot I can’t remember many specific times.. hmm one that I do remember is to “forget everything you know”. Say whaaaaa, but diego that makes no sense!?!? Meaning to let go of predetermined ideas you have about yourself, others, experiences etc. like if you tell yourself “Yeahh I just can’t do karate” you probably never will, end of story. But if you catch yourself in those moments and realize you’re the only thing getting in the way you can unlock a lot of powers. Like I remember Norm Macdonald saying somewhere that while he was watching a sunset he realized he didn’t like sunsets. But he lived his whole life thinking he liked them cause well, simply, that’s what you’re supposed to do, you’re supposed to like sunsets.
Favorite thing you own?
Probably my glasses. I’m looking around my room I don’t see anything I’d be that heartbroken to loose. Well actually my camera, ooh and my hard drive, gosh darn I like my files, ooh and this wind up toy from sharper image from when I was a kid. Whoop, that went from 0-4 real quick!
What’s your go-to beverage?
Just water cause its just so good.
Favorite piece of art?
Hmm I like music videos. Either Chris Cunninghams video for Bjork’s “All is full of love”, and this other one he did for Aphex Twin’s “windowlicker”. But as of recently I think my favorite piece of video is world4jack’s “Videopix” stuff. he’s a ridiculous source of inspiration.
Anything you’d like to plug?
ehh probably just that oatmeal I mentioned earlier, and my friend pat’s twitter, @jazzfuk
Listen to Diego’s playlist for ok nice here.
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