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Highlands Today

Local Skater Films Own Movie

KATHY WATERS/HIGHLANDS TODAY

Frank Branca III said he uses a special skateboard for videoing skateboarders because it cuts down on the noise while filming.

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By MANDY SHEETS | Highlands Today

Published: November 14, 2007

SEBRING — With a video camera in hand, Frank Branca III has been skateboarding all over the world.

From the streets of Barcelona to the coast of Southern California, Branca and his friends take their boards and cameras and find an adventure.

For the past year and a half, Branca, owner of Gator Board Shop, has been compiling footage for his first full-length video, "Make It Happen."

After countless hours of filming and editing, the video is nearly complete and will premier Saturday at Duffer's Sports Grille, in celebration of the shop's two-year anniversary.

"All we have left to do is put together the DVD cases because we made the covers and everything on our own," Branca said. "We are just doing the final touches."

The video is a collection of stunts and tricks set to the beat of music.

"What we really look for is the backdrop," Branca said. "We skate in really cool places that really catch your eye. Spain just topped everything though."

The team of seven Florida skaters had a set schedule for the two weeks they were abroad: skate, eat, skate and sleep.

"We would hop on the Metro with our boards and just pick a stop that sounded cool and we would get off and find a place to skate," Branca said. "Skating is just a way of life there. People skate all through the streets and crowds will stop and watch sometimes. It's like the whole city is a big skate park."

While his team members perform stunts, Branca skates behind them in a bent-over position with the camera close to the ground to catch all the action. He even has a special filming skateboard with larger, softer wheels that make less noise.

"Filming is a whole different skill, and it can be just as hard as the tricks the skaters are doing," Branca said. "Plus as the filmer, you are at the skater's mercy, just hoping they land the trick … You have to be really encouraging especially when it comes down to those last few tricks."

Branca said he didn't bother with a script or plan for the movie and just let it come together on its own.

"I just went with whatever they were doing, and it all came together really well," Branca said. "Each skater has a different style, and this video really showcases everyone's skills."

The name for the video, "Make It Happen," embodies the 21-year-old-entreupeneur's skating career.

"The name just goes with everything I've been trying to do, from the shop, to the park and the video," Branca said. "It just hit me one day - make it happen."

He plans to send copies of the DVD to sales representatives all over the world to get his name out and to possibly score some endorsements for his team members. His next project will likely be making a video highlighting local skateboarders.

"The cool thing is that this video could be the start of one of these guys' skating careers," Branca said.

To see a promotion for "Make It Happen," visit www.myspace.com/gatorboardshop.

The two-year anniversary party will start at 5 p.m. at Duffer's Sports Grille, located at 6490 U.S. 27 N, in Sebring. The event will feature a $300 best-trick contest and showings of the video at 7 and 9 p.m. Gator Board Shop will also have a sale this weekend, with 25 percent off everything in the store.

For more information about the video or shop, call 385-9253.

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