What kind of person comes to mind when you see the word skateboarder? If you envision young guys doing insane tricks, “Skate Birds” may add something new to the image. Shot for RTÉ News by celebrated mobile journalist Philip Bromwell, the two-minute news report illustrates the growing presence of women in the skateboarding world. It also reveals how the sport provides a nurturing environment.

About Philip Bromwell

Philip Bromwell is a pioneering mobile journalist whose work appears regularly on Irish television. A master of the mini-doc, Bromwell has the knack of finding gripping stories that others overlook. The scores of subjects he’s covered are a latte artist, a team of wildlife veterinarians, airport workers, a teen COVID survivor, and a baker. Although each of his video reports is unique, cinematically most of them  feature eye-grabbing close-ups and memorable comments. Bromwell’s videos open up all sorts of possibilities for anyone seeking to create short-form documentaries.  For example, note the way he stages the interviews in the location that is key to the story.

Concerning “Skate Birds,” Bromwell wrote: “Skateboarding has become increasingly popular during the pandemic, but it’s not just the stereotype young, male skateboarder who is behind the boom. There has been a big increase in women taking up the sport, with one Irish skate crew seeing a surge in numbers.”

The video was shot using FiLMiC Pro and and edited with LumaFusion.

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The editors of MobileMovieMaking have chosen “Skate Birds” as the Mobile Movie of the Week.