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35. PROFESSIONal: Eric Arakawa Surfboard Shaper
3 months ago
33. We are 138
7 months ago
Independent surfboard designer Eric Arakawa reflects on finding the path and passion that unintentionally led him to become a world renowned surfboard craftsman.

In this short form profile, VitaBrevisFilms interviews Eric Arakawa for the third exploration of our PROFESSIONal series. Shot on location on the North Shore of Oahu, Eric gives a candid account of the people who both inspired and guided him. From the novice fabrication of his first board, to shaping the late Andy Irons last custom job, Eric shares his hope to pass his knowledge on to his young employees and those around him.

An exciting project for the entire VBF crew to have the opportunity to capture the essence of Eric's inspiration.

Aloha and Mahalo
VBF

Directed by: Skylar Nielsen
Cinematography: Ian Rigby
Camera Op: Lance Clayton / Michael Hall
Title Design: Michael Hall

Music:
Junip - Official
XX - Intro
TWDY - The Mighty Rio Grande
M83 - Wait
Lower Dens - I Get Nervous
Feist - The Bad In Each Other

EricArakawa.com
VitaBrevisFilms.com
  • Jason Sondhi staff 2 months ago
    looks great. I want a board
  • VITA BREVIS FILMS plus 2 months ago
    Thanks Jason.. so do we! they looked so good
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  • Steckdosenteufel 2 months ago
    Have fun guy! Good emotional video!
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  • David Benavides 2 months ago
    Excellent work, beautiful photography, the 10 min vid has gone fast because the way you tell the story is gorgous. congrats.
  • JJ Fabre plus 2 months ago
    +1
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  • JJ Fabre plus 2 months ago
    Thank you very much again for the inspiring piece.
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  • Clark H 2 months ago
    Sick video. Great shots of the North Shore and very inspiring. Did you rent a helicopter or was that stock footage?
  • VITA BREVIS FILMS plus 2 months ago
    Clark, thanks for watching.. We did rent a Helicopter to fly around the North Shore. What a beautiful place.. thanks again
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  • Lee Evans plus 2 months ago
    Eric made me a board in 2000 , still have it pure magic. Great soul.
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  • Aaron Eveland plus 2 months ago
    Good shaper, great man.
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  • Roberto Castillo 2 months ago
    simply awesome
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  • Patrick McLoad pro 2 months ago
    Excellent work as usual...tough gig to be shooting in Hawaii! Very nice aerials too.
    Thanks for posting.
  • VITA BREVIS FILMS plus 2 months ago
    Patrick.. thanks for the kind words.. It was amazing being able to fly around and shoot the North Shore. Thanks for checking this one out..
  • Patrick McLoad pro 2 months ago
    I've been a fan of your work since Neil Youngberg.
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  • Weldon Byrns plus 2 months ago
    Great job! Really liked when went to the cloud shots when he was talking about Andy's quiver...nice.
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  • Rafael Ribeiro 2 months ago
    Great video.. love every second!!
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  • Ryan Polly plus 2 months ago
    Awesome video man! Did you get permission from all of those bands to use their music? It's legit.
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  • michael billie 2 months ago
    beautiful video documentary, it's inspiring piece . . .
    love it so much.
  • VITA BREVIS FILMS plus 2 months ago
    Michael, Thanks so much.. we were really excited to be able to shoot the film.
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  • which camera did you use for. great look!
  • VITA BREVIS FILMS plus 2 months ago
    zehn.elf,

    Thanks for checking it out.. we shot it on two Red one mx cameras.. There are also a few 5d and ex1 shots peppered in as well.
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  • Junior Paiva 2 months ago
    eric arakawa is my preferred board! i love it! awesome!!
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  • David Breßler 2 months ago
    Very inspiring work! I'm not even into surfing, but the great narrative and cinematography got me hooked and made me watch the whole documentary.
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  • John Dewberry plus 2 months ago
    Some seriously great storytelling. Good job guys!
  • VITA BREVIS FILMS plus 2 months ago
    Thanks John! We appreciate the generous comment..
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  • Carlos Alvarez 2 months ago
    Great job!!
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  • Mark Anthony Inandan 2 months ago
    This is great!!!!
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  • B Films plus 2 months ago
    Beautifully shot, very engaging, a truly lovely little short!
  • VITA BREVIS FILMS plus 2 months ago
    Bernard.. Very kind words. thank you
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  • Jeremy Rumas plus 2 months ago
    Really enjoyed this. Inspiring film!
  • VITA BREVIS FILMS plus 2 months ago
    Thanks Jeremy!
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  • FMR plus 2 months ago
    Love!
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  • Le-Joy 2 months ago
    the best board i ever owned is an eric arakawa.
  • DBE Media 2 months ago
    dito!!!
  • VITA BREVIS FILMS plus 2 months ago
    We wish we could have surfed some.. the waves were too crazy!
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  • grantimus prime plus 2 months ago
    beautiful. thank you for sharing such a great story
  • VITA BREVIS FILMS plus 2 months ago
    Thank you.. our pleasure :)
  • grantimus prime plus 2 months ago
    can I ask you what you shot with and what you used for audio?
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  • Luca Bortolotti 2 months ago
    Puravida!!!
  • VITA BREVIS FILMS plus 2 months ago
    Thanks Luca
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  • Alex Leo 2 months ago
    Great vid
    I loved it!
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  • milosh_cz 2 months ago
    Inspirating piece, Just about a few minutes after seeing it, I've started to wonder, who the next PROFESSIONal will be. It would be great to see vids like this more often :-))) Everybody can see or read about stars every day, but for me the stories of simple common people, who do great in some way, are the true inspiration. When done right, It can start something new in you. I'm a fan of surfing, so I like Arakawas story, but the previous one about Neil Youngberg just killed me, perfect. Thanks and keep goin'. M.
  • Patrick McLoad pro 2 months ago
    Milosh: There is a channel called "Men At Work" that has a lot of these little gems in it; I'll try to find a link for you.

    I particularly like the videos that show old tools and the guys that use them; here are a couple of nice ones I found on custom guitar making; both are very good:
    vimeo.com/22260045
    vimeo.com/20019655

    Here is the "Men At Work" Channel:
    vimeo.com/channels/248480

    Also:
    vimeo.com/channels/251203/page:1
  • VITA BREVIS FILMS plus 2 months ago
    Milosh_cz,

    Thanks for checking out the film.. were stoked you liked it.we also did a film called "We are 138" you could check out.

    Thanks,
    VBF
  • milosh_cz 2 months ago
    Thank you guys for links and kind words ;-) I remember a surf documentary which actually led me to explore more here on vimeo. You definitely shoudl check it! It's about irish surfers, I appreciate their attitude to homeland. Filming is also very nice. here is the link:

    vimeo.com/16697200
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  • WEREHAUS plus 2 months ago
    dope
  • VITA BREVIS FILMS plus 1 month ago
    Thanks WEREHAUS
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  • SurfCareers 2 months ago
    Thanks for this awesome video!
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  • Rupert Salas 2 months ago
    Great Video! :D
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  • Reminiscent Films 2 months ago
    I loved this! inspirational in many ways! :)
  • VITA BREVIS FILMS plus 1 month ago
    Thank you kindly for checking out the film and for the nice comments...
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  • Carlos Canhisares plus 2 months ago
    Awesome, guys!!! I just LOVE the PROFESSIONal series!! Keep it up, please!!
  • VITA BREVIS FILMS plus 1 month ago
    Thanks allot Carlos!
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  • Carlos Canhisares plus 2 months ago
    I could not find the second one from the series.
  • VITA BREVIS FILMS plus 1 month ago
    vimeo.com/16435404

    This is the first one from the series Carlos..
    Thanks for checking out the films.

    VBF
  • Jordan Ross 1 month ago
    I think what Carlos is saying, which I find to be the case as well, is that in the description it says this is your "third exploration of our PROFESSIONal series" and only two are to be found. Beautiful profile, storytelling and filmmaking. We'd love to see more.
  • VITA BREVIS FILMS plus 1 month ago
    Jordan,

    vimeo.com/26788975

    "We are 138" is the second in the series.. Thanks for the nice comments!
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  • Zamora Surf plus 1 month ago
    Amazing video! Thank you! inspirational and motivating
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  • kevin hartmann 4 weeks ago
    Awesome, inspiring and beautiful. Randomly, saw Eric's shop (from outside) during last visit to the island. So coll to come across this video.
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