ON Video Magazine: A Skateboarding Legacy

🛹 A Deep Dive into ON Video Magazine In the early 2000s, skateboarding was undergoing a cultural renaissance. Amidst this wave, ON Video Magazine emerged as a standout media project that captured the soul of skateboarding in a way few others did. Unlike traditional skate videos that focused solely on tricks and montages, ON Video took a documentary-style approach, offering thoughtful storytelling, in-depth profiles, and a cinematic lens on skate culture.

🎬 Origins and Founders

ON Video Magazine was launched in the United States around the year 2000. It was the brainchild of filmmakers Kirk Dianda, Wing Ko, and Dag Yngvesson, who sought to elevate skateboarding media beyond the standard format. Their vision was to create a quarterly video magazine that explored the personalities, history, and artistry of skateboarding.

🌟 What Made ON Video Unique

ON Video was notable for several reasons:

• Documentary Style: Each issue felt more like a short film than a skate video. It included interviews, historical retrospectives, and cultural commentary.

• High Production Value: The editing, music, and cinematography were polished and cinematic, setting a new standard for skate media.

• Depth Over Hype: Instead of just showcasing tricks, ON Video explored the lives and philosophies of skaters, skate companies, and scenes around the world.

🧑🎤 Featured Skaters and Sponsorships

While ON Video wasn’t a traditional sponsor in the sense of a skate brand, it featured and promoted a wide array of professional and amateur skateboarders, effectively boosting their visibility. Some of the legendary names who appeared in ON Video issues include:

• Rodney Mullen

• Andrew Reynolds

• Eric Koston

• Daewon Song

• Jamie Thomas

• Mark Gonzales

• Ali Boulala

• Stevie Williams

• Tom Penny

• Guy Mariano

• Tony Hawk

These appearances weren’t just clips—they were often accompanied by interviews, day-in-the-life segments, and deep dives into their careers and philosophies.

📼 Notable Releases

ON Video released several acclaimed issues between 2000 and 2005, including:

• Summer 2000: Featuring Bam Margera, Danny Way, and Mike Vallely

• Winter 2002: A deep profile on Rodney Mullen

• Summer 2003: Featuring Ed Templeton, Jason Lee, and Guy Mariano

• Winter 2004: With appearances by Josh Kalis, Kevin “Spanky” Long, and Mark Gonzales

Each issue ran for about 40–70 minutes and was distributed on DVD, making it a collector’s item for skate fans.

📺 What Are They Doing Now?

ON Video Magazine ceased regular production around the mid-2000s. However, its legacy lives on:

• Archival Influence: Clips and segments from ON Video are still shared and celebrated online, especially on platforms like YouTube and Instagram.

• Filmmaker Careers: The creators went on to work on other skate-related media and documentaries. Kirk Dianda, for example, has continued producing content for brands like Element and DC Shoes.

• Cultural Impact: ON Video helped pave the way for more narrative-driven skate content, influencing projects like Vice’s Epicly Later’d and Thrasher’s documentary-style features.

ON Video | Summer 2000

On Video "Summer 2002"

On Video "Spring 2002"