Made In Venice, a documentary featuring the inside story of the skateboarders of Venice, California, and their struggle to make the dream of a skatepark come true, will be released nationwide on August 25, 2016, via Abramorama. The feature-length documentary carries the viewer through the history of Venice to present day, as it tells the story of the decades it took a relentless crew of skateboarders, surfers and civic activists to convince the City of Los Angeles to build a skatepark in the area that gave birth to modern skateboarding.
Made In Venice is not just a skate movie. It’s a tale of audacity, guts and hope filled with counterculture characters that overcame all obstacles to claim victory for the masses. Anyone that has fought for what they want can identify with this film. This is the story of visionaries that refused to give up the goal to build concrete terrain for future generations.
The film captures the firsthand stories and recollections of 40-plus years of skateboarding in Venice that started with the Z-Boys, and continued with its legendary street skaters and the iconic Venice Skatepark. Never-before-seen Super-8 and early video footage, along with rare black and white stills, take you back to innovative demos on the Boardwalk and skating the walls of the Pavilion, as the Venice skaters pushed the boundaries of street skating and put it on the global map.
Made In Venice features appearances by skateboarding legends, professionals, heroes, skatepark activists and skate icons: Jesse Martinez, Geri Lewis, Christian Hosoi, C.R. Stecyk III, Skip Engblom, Jay Adams, Jeff Ho, Aaron Murray, Scott Oster, Cesario “Block” Montano, Jim Muir, Tim Jackson, Ray Flores, Eddie Reategui, Eric Britton, Dave Duncan, David Hackett, Joey Tran, Pat Ngoho, Wally Hollyday, Jimbo Quaintance, Joff Drinkwater, Nathan Pratt, Solo Scott, Jamie Quaintance, Asher Bradshaw, Kiko Francisco, Bart Saric, Heidi Lemmon, Anthony “Tonan” Ruiz, Lance Lemond, Susanne Melanie Berry, Jereme Schadler, Dennis Ogden, Steve Mayorga, Julien Martinez, Victor Blue, Steve “Primo” Primeau, Mary Prideaux, Lauren Seagrave, Katie Sullivan, Adam Hamilton, Karington Smith, Mike Sherrod, Pauline Bronon, Mario Narango and Zack Wormhoudt.
Made In Venice will be showing Aug 25-Sept 1 at the Laemmle Monica in Santa Monica, California. Following its Los Angeles openings, the film will roll out in theaters across the country, including skateboarding hotspots such as Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Salt Lake City, Denver, New York City and more.
Opening night, Thursday, Aug 25th, sold out in less than 24 hours, so opening nights with the cast have been extended to Friday and Saturday night’s shows as well as the Pasadena (8/30) and Hollywood (8/31) shows. Geri Lewis’ band, Col. Klink will play at Danny’s in Venice at 9:30pm for the after party.
MADE IN VENICE MOVIE: Screening Dates and Locations
8/25 – Laemmle Monica – Santa Monica, CA – 7:30PM
8/26 – Laemmle Monica – Santa Monica, CA – 9:55PM
8/27 – Laemmle Monica – Santa Monica, CA – 10:00AM
8/27 – Laemmle Monica – Santa Monica, CA – 9:55PM
8/28 – Laemmle Monica – Santa Monica, CA – 10:00AM
8/28 – Laemmle Monica – Santa Monica, CA – 7:30PM
8/29 – Laemmle Monica – Santa Monica, CA – 9:55PM
8/30 – Laemmle Monica – Santa Monica, CA – 9:55PM
8/30 – Laemmle Playhouse 7 – Pasadena, CA – 7:30PM
8/31 – Laemmle Monica – Santa Monica, CA – 9:55PM
8/31 – Laemmle NoHo 7 – North Hollywood, CA – 7:30PM
8/31 – Megaplex Gateway Theatre – Salt Lake City, UT – 7:00PM
8/31 – The Maple Theater & Kitchen, Detroit, MI – 7:00PM
9/1 – Laemmle Monica – Santa Monica, CA – 9:55PM
9/1 – NorthWest Film Forum – Seattle, WA – 8:00PM
9/5 – Gateway Film Center – Columbus, OH – 9:00PM
9/7 – SIE Film Center – Denver, CO – 7:30PM
9/8 – Krikorian Buena Park, Buena Park, CA – 7:30PM
9/8 – Kirkorian Downey Cinema 10, Downey, CA – 7:30PM
9/8 – Krikorian Monrovia Cinema 12 – Monrovia, CA – 7:30PM
9/8 – Krikorian Redlands Cinema – Redlands, CA – 7:30PM
9/8 – Krikorian San Clemente Cinema – San Clemente, CA – 7:30PM
9/11 – Hollywood Theatre – Portland, OR – 7:30PM
MADE IN VENICE SOCIAL MEDIA:
Facebook @Made In Venice – The Movie
Instagram @madeinvenicemovie
Twitter @madeinvenicedoc
Tumblr @madeinvenicemovie
Tag #madeinvenicemovie for all social media.
For more information and upcoming screening dates go to
Made In Venice Trailer:
What people are saying about Made In Venice!
“Made In Venice is a step by step manifesto for skate/civic activism. It is a remarkable documentation of hard working visionary individuals transforming society.” – C.R. Stecyk III – Dogtown Chronicles
“Made in Venice – the movie is a story about skatepark advocacy in one of the most colorful places on the planet. Check it out!” – Tony Hawk Foundation
“Go and see the Made In Venice movie. It’s got a great story and you’ll learn a lot about skateboarding. Support skateboarding worldwide.” – Jesse Martinez – street skating pioneer
“Made in Venice – the movie – a must see! This film is an essential piece of history, acknowledging and paying tribute to the ground soldiers whose tireless efforts brought to fruition a skatepark on the sand that millions now enjoy.” – Alex Stowell – Venice Paparazzi
“Venice is a place where respect is earned! Jesse Martinez epitomizes that statement. Made in Venice documents the lives of those who fight for their community and the cause to make a way for future generations of skateboarders. Fight for your dreams and they will become a reality!!! – Christian Hosoi – skate legend
“Through sheer perseverance, anything is possible.” – Jake Phelps – Thrasher Magazine
“Made in Venice celebrates the hard work and countless hours that it takes to not just build a skatepark but to build a skate community.” – Derek Rinaldi – SkateDaily.net
“Made in Venice will help others prepare for all the bs surrounding government projects. Thanks for making this.” – NYSkateboarding.com
“Made in Venice is a must-see documentary. Skateparks are a vital part of the evolution of skateboarding culture, which has become a worldwide phenomenon.” – Jeff Ho – founder of Zephyr, Z-Boys
“You should go see this movie if you’re trying to get a skatepark built in your town because it shows what a community can do when they really get together and work towards something they want that would also benefit the community as a whole, especially the kids. Isn’t that what it’s about?” – Eric “Tuma” Britton
“Going to see Made in Venice brings my generation of skaters full circle from the days when the Dogtown scene influenced us in the ’70’s! – Jim Murphy – Stronghold Society, Wounded Knee Skateboards
“Made in Venice is an inspirational story for any skateboarder to never give up. People don’t understand what it takes to get a skatepark built and Made In Venice tells that story. – Dave Duncan – skate legend
“Made In Venice tells you the history of Venice skating. I dug the movie. It had a lot of really cool history that I didn’t know before. I knew Jesse, but I didn’t know all the history that went down in the ‘80s in Venice. I used to watch those guys skate at the Pavilion. There was a lot more going on that was in the movie that I didn’t know that was cool. I was stoked to see all that.” – Wes Humpston – Dogtown skate art icon
“Being a ramp builder, I know the struggles of cutting through red tape to get a skatepark built. The Made in Venice movie was an amazing journey and I loved it.” – Eddie Reategui – skate legend, park builder
“An epic tale of what people will do for the love of skateboarding.” – Lou Metal – Metal Skateboards
Juice Magazine “Made In Venice” Hero Spotlights:
Jesse Martinez asked us to help get the word out about the “Made In Venice” movie, so we will be bringing you some behind the scenes stories of the Venice icons of skateboarding with this feature called “Made In Venice” Hero Spotlights.
Juice Magazine “Made In Venice” Hero Spotlight: Ger-I Lewis and Dennis “Polar Bear” Agnew
GER-I LEWIS is a champion of the Venice Skatepark and founder of the Venice Surf-A-Thon. Ger-I Lewis voluntarily led the charge, along with Jesse Martinez and the Venice Surf & Skate Association, to get a 16,000 square foot world class skatepark built in Venice Beach. Not only did Ger-I spearhead the fight for the Venice Skatepark, he has also spent over two decades running the Venice Surf-A-Thon, to promote surfing on the Westside. Ger-I has spent a lifetime giving back to the surf and skate community and without Ger-I Lewis the Venice Skatepark would have never become a reality.
DENNIS “POLAR BEAR” AGNEW (R.I.P.) – Regarded around Venice as one of the most influential skater/surfers of his time, Polar Bear was not only a powerhouse on his board, he was an inspiration off as well. Although he has left this world, Polar Bear will live forever through the hearts and minds of all that knew him. To many locals, the Venice skatepark is known as the Dennis “Polar Bear” Agnew Memorial Skatepark in honor of his legacy. What Polar Bear started back in the day at Marina Del Rey Skatepark with his aggressive style of skateboarding, continues today in the next generation of skateboarders in Venice.
Juice Magazine “Made In Venice” Hero Spotlight: Jesse Martinez and Stacy Peralta
Flashback from Juice TV archives: Jesse Martinez & Stacy Peralta at the Venice Skatepark pre-grand opening day in August 2009. Video by Dan Levy – Juice Magazine. (Video by Dan Levy – Juice Magazine)
JESSE MARTINEZ has contributed much skin, blood & tradition to skateboarding. If you ride a skateboard, you’re part of his family. After a lifetime of holding it down in Dogtown, and spending decades in the fight for a skatepark in Venice, this skateboarding legend still remains the strongest soldier in our community as he cleans and maintains the Venice Skatepark daily and sets the bar for dedication and service to the skate life.
STACY PERALTA – One of the most talented skateboarders ever to ride, Stacy also has a passion for making films. His timing could not have been better in the late ‘70s, to connect with George Powell and hone his talents in a whole new dimension. His vision to form a dream team in skateboarding, the Bones Brigade, which included Jesse Martinez, and to film movies with them was innovative and pioneering at the same time. With his experience from traveling the world and his ability to recognize, develop and push talent, he was able to launch skateboarding into living rooms around the world. Still skating today, he continues to passionately document and support skateboarding…
Juice Magazine “Made In Venice” Hero Spotlight: Jamie Quaintance
Jimmy Q was made in Venice and has spent his lifetime representing the neighborhood. When the Venice skatepark was completed, Jamie was an immediate local hero and has since become an internationally acclaimed model and brand ambassador for high end luxury companies and designers who constantly keep him busy. His real name is James Quaintance III. In Venice, we know him as Jamie. He’s the son of legendary Venice skater/surfer, Jimbo Quaintance, who has been holding it down strong on the Westside for decades and ran hard with Jay Adams and the Z-Boys in the ‘80s. In fact, Jay Adams was Jamie’s godfather. The neighborhood heavies all pitched in to bring Jamie up proper, with mentors like Chuck Katz and the Venice Originals crew showing him the way. Jimmy Q has been surfing and skating Venice since birth and in between photo shoots and acting gigs, you can find him every Monday slinging ink at the Old Glory Barber Shop & Tattoo with Foster and the homies. He’s walked the biggest runways and graced the pages of the world’s top mags and has never forgotten for one second where he’s from. If you’re lucky, you could get a glimpse of him ripping the Venice Skatepark with Dogtown style like no other…
Juice Magazine “Made In Venice” Hero Spotlight: Leandre Sanders
Leandre Sanders is one of the smoothest operators on the daily at the Venice Beach Skatepark. Here he goes up and out in a way that very few in the world would even think to do. (Video by Dan Levy – Juice Magazine)
Juice Magazine “Made In Venice” Hero Spotlight: Jay Adams Memorial Skate Session
Skateboarding in Venice is built on tradition. It’s a common ground and a sacred communication machine. This day, in true Venice custom, tribute was paid to OG Z-Boy, Jay Adams, (R.I.P) with an all out attack on the coping at the Venice Skatepark. Every generation of skateboarder was represented in the session and gave 100% in honor of J-Boy. Featured in this clip: Christian Hosoi, Seven Adams, Bennet Harada, Shane Borland, Haden McKenna, Dave Duncan, Riley Stevens, Eric Dressen, Eddie Reategui, Eric “Tuma” Britton, Sean Johnson and Tony Alva. (Filming by Dan Levy and Alicia Gilmour – Juice Magazine) The Venice Skatepark is a gathering place for the surf/skate tribe and a beacon to the world that skateboarding in our culture remains strong.
Juice Magazine “Made In Venice” Hero Spotlight: Desmond Shepherd
Desmond Shepherd pulled his first 540 at the Venice Skatepark at age 10. Dez is one of the super talented groms that grew up at the Venice Skatepark and carries on the tradition of those that paved the way before him. O.G. Z-Boy, Tony Alva spotted Desmond’s surf/skate style early on and added him to the legendary Alva Skates team. Style is everything and Desmond has it. Desmond loves the Venice Skatepark as he explained to Jeff Ho in an interview for Juice Magazine, “The Venice skatepark is so nice. I like the snake run. There are a lot of hips in the snake run. I did my first airs in the small bowl at Venice. I wake up in the morning and I try to go to Venice super early in the morning when no one is there at like six o’clock. You can practice a lot then.” (Filming by Dan Levy. Courtesy of Juice Magazine)
Juice Magazine “Made In Venice” Hero Spotlight: Venice Skatepark Clean Up Crew
The fight for the Venice Skatepark took decades to win, however the fight to keep the Venice Skatepark clean is a daily battle that continues into the future, led by Jesse Martinez, with the support of an army of local skateboarders and the Venice community. Here are just a few of the guys that pour blood, sweat and brawn into keeping the Venice Skatepark in good shape for everyone to enjoy. We all owe these crews of volunteers a huge debt of gratitude. Please tell your local city official that the City of Los Angeles should give Jesse Martinez the official job of cleaning the park as he has been doing for FREE since 2009.
Juice Magazine “Made In Venice” Hero Spotlight: Jesus Esteban Correa
Jesus Esteban Correa came to Venice from Puerto Rico with the shoes on his feet, his skateboard and the heart of a lion. He has become one of the most celebrated and respected skateboarders living on the Westside. He is also the featured skater on the “Made In Venice” poster and we are proud to have him in the 90291.
Juice Magazine “Made In Venice” Hero Spotlight: Eric “Tuma” Britton
Before the decks of the big bowl were poured, the transition of the pool had to be test ridden and Tuma threw down a frontside invert with full Venice aggro style and grace. You can now find Tuma teaching the next generation of rippers in Venice and beyond with his contagious positive attitude and love for skateboarding on the daily with his company Roll Model Skateboarding.
Juice Magazine “Made In Venice” Hero Spotlight: Grom Session at Makaha Bowl Jam 2014
When groms attack the snake run, nothing can stop the chaos. Kiko Francisco and Asher Bradshaw lead the charge at the Makaha Bowl Jam 2014. (Video by Dan Levy – Juice Magazine)
Juice Magazine “Made In Venice” Hero Spotlight: Jesus Esteban Correa, Charlie Blair, Leandre Sanders at the Makaha Bowl Jam 2013
One of the best things about a contest in Venice is you get the whole park to yourself for a few runs. Jesus Esteban Correa, Leandre Sanders and Charlie Blair took full advantage of this opportunity and put on a show for all in attendance at the Makaha Bowl Jam 2013. (Video by Dan Levy – Juice Magazine)
Juice Magazine “Made In Venice” Hero Spotlight: Fight for Skatepark in Asbury Park, NJ
Venice Beach skate documentary “Made In Venice” to be shown at Asbury Park skate fundraiser in New Jersey on July 23rd… The Asbury Park Skateboard Foundation presents their first event of the summer at the Carousel Building on the Asbury Park Boardwalk in New Jersey on July 23rd. Meet Mike Vallely and Kristian Svitak from 4pm- 6pm as they pass through on the @streetplantbrnd “Open Hearted Tour”. At sundown, the Asbury Park Film Initiative will be screening “Made In Venice”, the Venice Skatepark Documentary. Both events are free and open to all ages. #SkateAsbury. The Skate Asbury Foundation was founded in the spring of 2015 by a group of skateboarders committed to bringing a skatepark to the city of Asbury Park, NJ. Learn more about the fight for a skatepark in Asbury Park by following @skateasbury on Instagram. Read more about the July 23rd Skatepark fundraiser in a story by GrindTV @grindtv by clicking on the link in the @skateasbury Instagram bio. For more about the story of the Venice Skatepark, stay tuned for “Made In Venice” the movie, coming to theaters this summer. “Made In Venice” the movie is the inside story of the street-wise skateboarders of Venice, California, and the struggle to make the dream of a skatepark come true. #skatepark #skate #venice #veniceskatepark #madeinvenicemovie #westside #skatepark #venice #shralpin #skatelife #abramorama Follow @madeinvenicemovie on Instagram for updates on movie premiere dates and locations.
Juice Magazine “Made In Venice” Hero Spotlight: Scott Oster
Scott Oster has 100% surf/skate style with his amazing ability to snap at the coping, tweaking and twisting his body in a way that is simply artful. Oster has traveled the world in the name of skateboarding and his influence is still being felt through generations of skaters. He has the best G-turn in the history of skating hands-down. Skateboarding history in Venice runs deep as Oster explained in an interview for Juice Magazine, “Venice was a mecca of innovation and progression of skateboarding. It started on the walls of the Pavilion, the ramps and the flat ground. We were the next generation to resurrect Dogtown. We were bringing that same style and attitude. When we would skate, the aggression would definitely come out. Any time we went to skate a pool, it was about taking over and grinding harder and slashing harder than anyone else. It was just pushing the limits.” – Here is Oster leaving his mark on the coping on opening day of the Venice Skatepark, October 3, 2009.
Stay tuned for more Made In Venice Hero Spotlight brought to you by Juice Magazine.
Learn more about the “Made In Venice” movie at www.madeinvenicemovie.com. A portion of the proceeds from the sales of movie merchandise including hats, posters and t-shirts, will go to benefit the ongoing maintenance of the Venice Skatepark.
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For more information and upcoming screening dates go to
“Made In Venice” the movie features: Jesse Martinez, Todd “Ger-I Lewis” Gessel, Cesario “Block” Montano, Aaron Murray, Christian Hosoi, Craig Stecyk III, Skip Engblom, Jeff Ho, Jay Adams, Tim Jackson, Ray Flores, Jim Muir, Eric “Tuma” Britton, Jamie Quaintance, James “Jimbo” Quaintance, Solo Scott, Joff Drinkwater, Pat Ngoho, Eddie Reategui, Nathan Pratt, Dave Duncan, Dan Levy, Jereme “Stoney” Shadler, Bennett Harada, Julien Martinez, Steve “Primo” Primeau, Joe “Shmoe” Ayala, Victor Blue, Kiko Francisco, Anthony “Tonan” Ruiz, Bart Saric, Dennis Ogden, Scott Oster, Joey Tran, Wally Hollyday, Lance Lemond, Mark Billik, Susanne Melanie Berry, Ruth Galanter, Lauren Seagrave, Heidi Lemmon, Katy Sullivan, Mike Bonin, Steve Mayorga, Mike Sherrod, Bill Rosendahl, Adam Hamilton, John Thomas, Zach Wormhoudt, Joe Connolly, Sgt Marc Reina, Asher Bradhaw, Pauline Bronon, Mario Narango, Mary Prideaux, Karington Smith and Dave Hackett… Surfing by Rick Massie… Featuring skateboarding by Tony Alva, Shane Borland, Chris Cudlip, Kien Lieu Donger, Aaron “Wheelz” Fotheringham, Connor Getzlaff, Mark Jones, Matt Lemond, Richard Massie, Gavin Obayashi, Papo, Adam Paul, Chris Rydgren, Bobby Rodriguez, Austin Seaholm, Kevin Stratil, Chris Swanson, Ennis Miller, Jereme “Stony” Shadler, Dave Duncan, Eric Dressen, Scott Oster, Christian Hosoi, George Wilson, Steve Hernandez, Mario Narango, Karington Smith, Pat Ngoho and many more skate heroes… Coming to theaters beginning August 25th. http://madeinvenicemovie.com/
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