
VICE: What's the story behind MMM?
Galen Dekemper: I started filming MMM around the hurricane, after I finished filming my previous video, Free Buzz. Matthew Mooney gave me a HD Flip Cam, so I used that to film whatever caught my eye.
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That's the prime candidate for Quartersnacks' Slam of the Year. Things involving Mooney happen often with my camera, though clips of Mooney out of TF are more rare. Mooney's step-off wallie and that slam are Gonz's two favorite parts. I'm happy the poles weren't bolted in. It's mostly low impact skating. It's a release from constant deliberate challenges.

It's within their reach. One of best parts about skating is doing a specialized, unique skill that a non-skater could never approach. For a skater to do tricks that even other skaters could never approach is impressive and heady and a chance to leave a unique mark.

Dunno. I try to avoid skate parks in my life and thus in my clips. They do provide a helpful learning curve perhaps, but are no substitute for the streets which is the best part of skating and New York. Also, I used Young Scooter in the soundtrack because he shares a similar interest in speaking to the streets. 12th Street and Avenue A was a sick New York skate park that wasn't quite a skate park, RIP. And TF is so sick because it's an anti-skate park in its way.
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Houston Bump is a favorite. With Shawn Powers, it's tight because he picks up clips on every block. We don't have to choose a spot, just choose a direction to head from Tompkins. Fresh new spots are always best. I like Gay Ledge. I like to film at spots I like to skate, but sometimes I'd rather skate too. Filming at popular spots gives a fun chance to look for new angles. I like being on top of ledges filming down. I like filming flat at places too, because it's the best way to see what angles capture the body best for certain tricks. My camera doesn't have light, but Midtown at night is a representative New York session to me.What is your prediction for the future of New York City skateboarding?
I predict DJ Roctakon 360-flipping for at least another decade, Mooney releasing a full part before the end of the year, Shawn traveling to England and reciting poetry for the Queen, QuarterSnacks making Snackman cufflinks, and more tricks down Central Park Hubba. Also, my next clip, Yeah Man, drops around end of summer.
