Unwrapping: EUDAIMONIA

Skateboarding is more than just a sport or a hobby; it's a lifestyle that has inspired generations of young people to push boundaries, challenge themselves, and express their creativity. At the heart of this culture lies numerous skateboard films and documentaries which intend to capture the raw energy and artistry of skateboarding and showcase the talents of some of the world's most innovative and daring skaters. One such filmmaker is local UW-Madison student Bennett Artman, whose latest work, EUDAIMONIA, is a thrilling exploration of the human spirit and the pursuit of happiness through the lens of vintage camcorder in Madison, WI. 

To stave off boredom during the Covid-19 lockdown, Bennet Artman rekindled his love for skateboarding during his freshman year of college. Artman said that it was because of skateboarding that he was able to create lifelong relationships, challenge himself both mentally and physically, and gave him something to pour his creative amplitude into despite the pandemic. It was also during this time, Artman began recording short clips of his skater friends for their social media pages which eventually developed into a desire to one day produce his own full-length skate film. Fast forward to 2023, and EUDAIMONIA has become his second skate film, entirely directed and produced by him.

A few months back I had the great pleasure of attending Bennet Artman's film premiere at Freedom Skateshop. With bated breaths the crowd huddled to the floor and Artman pressed play on a small, unassuming projector. There was a brief moment of silence before the room was filled with the sounds skateboards scrapping concrete and the unmistakable look of a vintage camcorder. 

(It was Artmans choice of camera which reminded me of the skate films I would watch growing up before me and my friends would hit the streets with Walmart-purchased Tony Hawk skateboards.)

W&L: "So why did you choose to shoot this with somewhat of a low camera quality instead of something that would have been 4k?

BA: "There is still a very staunch and active community or sector of skateboarding, that still uses cameras, vx 1000s, and HV x's from the 90s and 2000s. Purely because this esoteric atmosphere comes from specific cameras, it's our calling card in a way. Some people make great videos with great skating and excellent quality that are awesome to watch. But many times, some of the tricks are just so outlandish and hard. And so, thematically, it doesn't even feel like the same thing anymore. It doesn't inspire you to go out and skate, and my favorite videos, the ones that I go back to over and the ones that pop up on my feed, are almost always DIY homie videos.”

It was this initiative to produce a film that felt both authentic and approachable to the average skater that made Artman’s film so intimate. EUDAIMONIA  is an attempt to recapture the essence of what skateboarding means to people. It is also a stand against large companies that pump millions of dollars to sell people the culture of skateboarding which ironically alienates them from pursing it. 

BA: “The thing with skating is that it needs to be genuine, both when you skate and when you film it."

With this premise in mind when approaching how he would produce EUDAIMONIA, Artman decided the best way to achieve his goal would be to tape his casual skate sessions with his friends. This gave the project the impression being a culmination of happy experiences, sealed forever by the high grain of the cam corder. .Artman then took his month's worth of footage and pieced something together which he referred to as, "A love letter or an ode to Madison and the good times that I have here on my board."

My last question to Artman was regarding the obscure name of his film EUDAIMONIA.   

Bennet: "I remember in my freshman year philosophy class, we learned about the Greek term Eudaimonia which is like the philosophy of trying to live a life that results in this feeling of unfettered happiness and a sense of freedom. It perfectly encapsulates the feeling in my mind that I get when I'm pushing down State Street, you know, from the Capitol to the lake during the sunset with my friends or rolling away from a trick I've battled. I get the sense of camaraderie when I can say “Hi” to 10 different people I know while skating around. It's like this feeling of complete happiness, and nothing is a problem. And it's the only thing you want to be doing.”

If you want to watch an authentic skate film capturing what it's like to roll around Madison, WI. With a pack of your best friends, doing what you love most, you must watch this film.