Setups from FUEL TV+ is a show all about the architecture of skateboarding. The show focuses on the city and how its urban landscape has a direct impact on skateboarding culture. Skateboarders may appear to be rebellious and uncontrolled, but in reality, they have a deep understanding of their environment and how to utilize each and every inch of it to execute incredible tricks. Setups takes the audience on a journey through skateboarding history, looking at the innovators and pioneers of the sport, such as Rodney Mullen, Tony Hawk, and Mark Gonzales, and showing how their imaginative and creative approaches to skating have shaped the way we view the city landscape.
The first episode takes place in Los Angeles and begins by introducing the audience to the city's historical architecture, playing a crucial role in skateboarding's evolution. The first notable location they visit is the Hollywood High School stairset, the home of some of skateboarding's most popular videos. The audience watches as pro skateboarders analyze the set and discuss their approach to skating it, highlighting the importance of precision and understanding the space before attempting any tricks.
The show also features interviews with key figures in skateboarding and architecture, discussing how the two overlapping disciplines have such a complex interdependent relationship. The interviews provide an insightful analysis of the relationship between street skating and physical urban spaces. The show's producer and director, Eric Ehteshamzadeh, further elaborates on this subject by saying that "there's always been this push and pull between architecture and skateboarding. Architecture creates the spaces within which skating happens, and skating creates a culture that informs and shapes the way we think about our urban environments."
Another critical component of Setups is its focus on community. It showcases the skateboard community and their love for the sport, as well as the need for connectivity and companionship amongst them. The show highlights the skateboarding culture and how it is uniquely created by the skaters themselves. There is a story of real grit and dedication, with skateboarders challenged to perform complex tricks in challenging locations while trying to create something new and original.
The first season of Setups runs for six episodes, and each one takes place in a different city. The show also features skateboarders traveling to lesser-known locations, proving that skateboarding can take place anywhere there is a spot to skate. The show's distinctive approach to skateboarding and documentary production sets it apart, taking a more analytical and philosophical perspective on the topic.
To conclude, Setups from FUEL TV+ provides an excellent insight into the world of skateboarding and the urban spaces it inhabits. The show questions the role architecture has to play in the creation of skating spots, and the impact skating has on the way we think about our city landscapes. It also highlights the unique community behind skateboarding, emphasizing the importance of companionship in building and maintaining long-lasting friendships within the skateboarding community. Overall, the show is a must-watch for those interested in skateboarding, architecture, or urban life in general, offering an insightful and refreshing perspective on these topics.
Setups is a series that ran for 2 seasons (11 episodes) between November 10, 2021 and on FUEL TV+
