411VM FILMING IN KL

February 26th - March 1st 2007,

Yes, 411vm were filming in KL and this was not the first time. The first was few years back where Jerry Hsu did a ricks at the Planetarium Sundail halfpipe which was featured in 411vm "Around the World 2". Ok here's the story, Pa'Din's and myself received an e-mail from a guy name Anthony Claravall. Who the hell is Anthony Claravall? Well, he is the main filmer for 411vm. You can find his name and video blog at www.411vm.com website (check the Claravall Butters). He has been filming with 411 more than 10 years if i'm not mistaken. I think since issue 7 or 8 (Can't remember which one coz i was driving when he told me). The first question Anthony asked me in the e-mail was "Are you a straightedge?" coz my e-mail had that sk8edge thing. Hell yes and we were like have lots in common, blablabla. Anyway, guess what? Anthony is like our homie too. He used to study in International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL) around 88-90 and skate with those ISKL student with our local skaters in that era. Some of us might know him by any chance. When we meet Anthony, he seems like to know a lot of our (me, Wan Kedah and Keiron) old friends too. He seems to know Megat Fahmy (one of the guy in the early skateboard MILO commercial), Kelvin Long (early 90's pro), Hussein Mega Skate and many others skater from the late 80's. Being in KL is not something unusual for Anthony. I mean wow... Can you believe it? A 411VM main filmer used to study and skate with us here and we never realised it. That's really cool!!!

Ok here's the good news. Anthony was here with 3 wellknown amatuer skateboarders and they were Van Wastell (Krooked, Independent, Matix, Vans, Spitfire) , Andrew Allen (Anti-Hero, Vans, Indy, Spitfire), Dylan Reider (Vans, Quiksilver, Alien Workshop) and Jonathan Mehring; photographer from Skateboarder magazine. And there was Jon Goemann who can't make it here coz lost his passport. If you wanted to know who were these guys is? Well they are good amatuer skaters who were on their way to turn pro real soon. You can see Van Wastell part in Krooked skateboard video "Gnar Gnar". Andrew Allen had his part in the newest Thrasher "Shotgun" DVD. While Dylan, he is the most wellknown here. I bet you guys should check back the 2002 Osiris "Subject to Change" DVD or the latest Transworld "Time to Shine" and he also appered in Thrasher "Shotgun". He used to be a Birdhouse am rider after won the Damn Am in 2002. In 2004 he won again at Damn Am. Anyway, these guys have reached Singapore on the 23rd March for few days of skating there along with our friends from www.guapunya.com to guide them. Then they hit KL on 26th March. They reached here in the afternoon after few hours of bus trip from Lion City. Then i've received a call from Anthony and he told me that they wanted to skate in the city in the afternoon and night. But the weather seems to spoil the moods. So we all decided to meet up after dinner (I wasn't there that night coz busy "jaga anak"). Wan Kedah and others skatemalaysia crew (Bani, Din, Fasha and Shah) went to see them along with Joe Ipoh and Keiron. We thought they wanna skate but all of them seems so tired. So some of them just "jalan-jalan" and had a peek of some good spots around the Mud (Lumpur) city.

The next Tuesday morning. Keiron had to bring them to the Planetarium sundail halfpipe. Most of us can't assist them in the morning coz most of us work and some already took a half day work leave today. As for myself, I had to sent my son to school and daughter on her 1st day to the child care centre. So then Keiron took them to Bukit Kiara park to let them check out the park, hang out and had their lunch there. When we reached there in the afternoon. I showed them all issue of 3X mag for their reference of spots. Putrajaya and the Shah Alam hubba seems to interest them. So we headed to Shah Alam library first. But once we reached there. Problems accured, not becoz of security but becoz of their heights. The ceiling seems to be lower (about their height). If they grind the ledge they will sure hit the ceiling. Lucky for us then (hehehehe). So we try to peek on the 10 steps near by but couldn't find it. I guess most of us have forgotten the place. So we all heading back to our cars. While Johnathan went missing for a while. Well actually he went to look for a good spot to shoot the Shah Alam Beautiful big Mosque. So we waited for him like 10 minutes. While waiting, few Shah Alam skaters came by to guide us to the place that Pa'Din told us at section 9. It's the well-known curve (rainbow) hubba ledge near the market. From there, we did get some footage and snaps. These skaters did some tricks on the ledge without waxing the ledge. Andrew Allen tried to do 50-grind but couldn't hang on to it. While Van Wastel did a nice 50-50 grind and Keiron did it on the other side of the hubba ledge. Most impressive one was Dylan. He did a tailslide along the curbs but along the way to the end; he bails. He did it few times but then give up. It seems that they are not used to the weather here (the heat) and they get exhausted quickly. Same thing while we were walking from the car park to the Shah Alam library hubba ledge before that. They were so thirsty. Luckly there was 7-11 near by. Ok Next stop, Putrajaya. But it's almost 4pm and i had to leave. Luckly Riyaz was around and he helps us to snaps the pic over there. So i don't really know what's going on in Putrajaya. But they managed skate there till 9pm and heard Dylan broke his board.

3rd day - Wednesday. Jonathan called me in the morning and wondering if i can come over for night skating. Sure i said yes coz i know they need the transportation and guidance. Then later in the afternoon, Wan Kedah went to visit them in the hotel since his office just 5 minutes away. Anthony went missing early in the morning and nobody knows where he went to. Later on, Wan brought Jonathan to Pasar Rakyat bus station to buy tickets for the day after to went back to Singapore. Jonathan told me about the ride and it was his first experience on a scooter. He was so scared and yet had the fun and experience. Right after that, the rest decided to go shopping to buy some souvenirs at Central Market for their family and girlfriend. And again Wan Kedah show them around the city. So there ain't much skating coz it's the raining season. Still, they wanted to skate a little bit tonight. Once again we all meet up at the lobby and this time more cars coz Kelvin Long joined in. The first spot we went to is the Pasar Rakyat gap. But none of them wanted to try since we couldn't find any plywood to cover the sewer holes. Then we went to YTL black marble curbs at Jalan Bukit Bintang. We managed to get some shots there. The night is still young and full of people around the sidewalks. After a few warm ups. John and Anthony was about to get their equipment set up. Just a few minutes then, few tourist cops showed up and forced us to leave. What a jerk and dumb ass cops. They asked us to play at Taman Tasek Titiwangsa. Are they dumb or what? Oh well, the cops spoils the mood and then we bring them to the 12 steps ledge behind Low Yatt since we were nearby. But then there aren't enough lights and again these guys were exhausted and look tired. So where next? Well, the guys can't take it the heat in KL so they wanna go back and rest. Anthony and Jonathan feel bad and they had try their best to shoot in the city. There's nothing much they can do coz it's up to the skaters. They just shoot. So we all went back to the hotel and had some chats, watching "Panorama" promo trailers and then went for "Makan". But before went for dinner, Kieron came with an Aussie old school skaters who used to study in ISKL and now currently work here. His name is Michael and he might come to the upcoming old school gathering as well. Many others was in the hotel lobby such as Joe Ipoh with his team mates Usher and Fuad, Joey Roza, Ricky CE with wife and Ah Thong. All were hoping to skate with the Am. But they were all tired so only Anthony went out with us. At first Kieron invited Anthony to go to a pub or something. But i've told them why not bring him to a place here he can't get it in US. Talking about pubs, there are so many pubs and night clubs in USA. Let's go had some "Tom Yam" and Anthony said "Hell yeah, let's go" Again we bring Anthony to the same place that we brought Warren from HK a month before. Sinar Mesra Restaurant!!! Anthony was drunk and sweating of the Tom Yam and too bad there's no "Ice kacang" there to cheer him up. Yeah he misses all the Malaysian food. A few hours of chat, laughing and a bunch of crap. We left Anthony with his old mates Kelvin Long. While Van Wastel and Andrew Allen went to drink at Planet Hollywood with Riyaz. So that's it. The day after, they all went back to Singapore till Saturday. Well who's coming here next? TUNGGU....

Here's a few info that you all should know (some guys were asking me abot this):
Why we didn't annouced about their trip?
The reason we didn't annouced it becoz they don't like a lot of people to come to see or disturb them while shooting. And secondly if I "kecoh" to all. Then next time; other pro or am who wishes to come here will not come thru us anymore coz by doing that (heboh) they will blacklisted us. They won't introduce us to anyone anymore. Then they will like "Hey don't contact this guy. He will bring a lot of people you know. Very annoying and disturbing". So hope you all understand. We have no choice!!!

Why they didn't pull any crazy stunts or hard tricks?
Well it's becoz they don't like to get injured during the trip coz it will slow them down and others too or "leceh nak travel". It's true man. I don't want to get myself hurt while travelling. This will trouble your buddy as well. Besides they ain't pro yet and they are not used to the heat here.

Why are they choosy, such as "Oh these stairs are too small, this and that"?
Well they are not choosy or not appreciate us. Please do not misunderstanding. You guys must understand that they were on their way to turn pro. With a lot of coverage with good photos or video part will turns them pro easier and quickeir. Let me ask you, will they turn pro by their sponsors if they saw them did a simple tricks in a small stairs or small ledges, etc? Well hell no. So that's the answer. They must did something like "WOW!!!"

Why didn't they come to skate at our skatepark?
Well, logically speaking. Why would they come all the way from US to here just to skate at Bukit Kiara or Shah Alam Concrete park since they had tons of indoor and concrete park in States? They want street skating man. That's represent the country dude!!! Street skating rules!!!

Who the hell is Jonathan Mehring?
Well as i type it above. He is one of the photographer for Skateboarder mag. He used to work with Thrasher and Slap magazine (still but not full time anymore). Check out www.mehringphoto.com

Lastly, we would like to take this opportunity to say thanks to Anthony and Johnathan for their friendship and thanks to the skaters too. You all are welcome here always. Not forget to mentioned those who replied my text messege about skate spots in KL even though i know all of it but just wondering if there's any new spot. I had a list of skate spot before they were here. So thanks to Ajam, A Thong, Azreal, Calvin Long, Helmi Afro, Ian Ja, Ijun Kedah, Fuad, Usher and Pa'Din (who can't joined us in the last minute). Also millions of thanks to Shah Alam crew especially Aie for the hospitality to show us around. Riyaz for the pic and also transportation. Joe Ipoh, Keiron and Kelvin Long for the transportation. To all skatemalaysia crew; Fasha, Bani, Din Siput, Shah and Wan Kedah who willing to take half day off from work just to skate!!! Lastly YOU for reading this!!!

(L to R) Wan & Din meet Anthony and John at the hotel on the 1st day; Get some goodies from Anthony (all new dvd bebeh); Sk8msia crew waiting outside the hotel on the 1st night

(L to R) On the way to the library spots; checking out the ceiling :( ; Posing while waiting for John

(L to R) Preparing the equipment; Van Wastel BS 50-50; Dylan FS tailslide

(L to R) Filming time; Johnathan setting his flash; Andrew Allen trying BS 50 while Din filming

(L to R) The art of fliming and photography; The coolest Shah Alam crew; Anthony proves that he is a straightedge drug free youth!!!

(L to R) Van Wastel FS 50; Dylan Reider FS Bluntslide; Keiron FS Nose grind

(L to R) Andrew Allen BS bluntslide 360 shove it out (as witnessed by the crew and Riyaz); Dylan Switch 50; Dylan BS tailslide

(L to R) 411 filiming in Putrajaya; Resting time (John with Dylan); Dylan emotionally broke his boards while others try to cheer him out

(L to R) Andrew Allen Boardslide; Wan Kedah filming while had the chances

(L to R) The blue tee on left is Kelvin Long (Msian 90's Pro dude!!); Van Westel BS 50; At hotel watch panorama trailer

(L to R) Me doing crazy pose while Riyaz look weird (Gila ke Boy ni?); Din Siput with Dylan Reider the jambu skaters; Dinner with Anthony and the whole Msian crew

(L to R) Yeah makan lagi; Sembang lagi sampai lebam!!!

All photos by Bani, Shah, Fasha, Wan Kedah, Din Siput, Boy Ipoh except at Putrajaya by Riyaz