'Silo' a New Original Short by Tristan Mershon

Considering the Tampa, Florida roots of several of us here at TOA, we're always on the lookout for anything new coming out of that region and eager to support the skaters and scene we used to call home. And for a city in which it's very difficult to film and find new spots, the Tampa scene has been surprisingly productive and motivated with lots of rad projects popping up from different crews and filmmakers including Stephen Buggica, the Shaqueefa boys and Tristan Mershon (Veer). We recently found out that Tristan was wrapping up a new video short and offered to host it on the TOA Youtube channel. Tristan was down and he partnered up with local photographer Josh Bowser who captured the filming process and was down to write a little story about working on the project. So read Josh's words below and peep his awesome photos and then click below to watch the world premiere of "Silo‚".

Wesley Box, front crook in Harlem with Tristan close behind / Photo: Bowser

Last summer after Tampa filmer Tristan Mershon finished up his latest full-length "Veer‚" he decided to move back home with his parents in an effort to save money for a move to New York City. Every now and then he would get a little stir crazy and go on late night missions in Downtown Tampa with a few homies.  "After Veer, my friends started to graduate and get 9-5 jobs while I, on the other hand, continued to work at SPoT (The Skatepark of Tampa) mainly working weekend nights. Most of the time it would just be Wesley and I skating, going downtown on weeknights, when it's practically a ghost town.‚"

Wesley Box front shuvs a massive set of stairs affectionally named the "Rat Piss‚" steps / Photo: Bowser

Skating for Wes in that period of time wasn't very easy, "All of the footage he filmed for ‚'Silo' he was carrying kidney stones. He has some problem with his kidneys where he gets kidney stones all the time. He's literally had them since last June. Sometimes we'll be on a session and he'll just get all quiet and in pain and will just have to leave the session‚" Tristan said. But that didn't slow Wes down, as he probably has the most new footage out of anyone in the video.

Sam Bellipanni-ollie up bs 180 nosegrind the Federal Courthouse in Tampa / Photo: Bowser

While most of the footage was stacked during those late nights in Downtown, a good chunk of stuff was filmed during a trip to Boston & New York last September. The rest of the footage comes from Tristan's last month of living in Tampa where, "everybody in the crew made a point to try and get a clip, even if we only were able to catch a session or two together.‚"

Eric McKenney-BS Tail over the gap / Photo: Bowser

As the project came to a close and Tristan started packing his bags for his move to New York, all that was needed was a name for the video. "Names are honestly always the hardest part in my opinion, but I knew I wanted it to be short, sweet, and something that was reflective of Tampa. The Sykes building in Downtown is easily the most distinguishable building in Tampa because of the fact that it's just a straight up cylinder, so 'Silo' is just a representation of that building.‚"  Watch 'Silo' Tristan's ode to his hometown, Tampa right now and make sure to keep your eyes peeled for his future projects.

Steve Spence-Olle / Photo :Bowser

Jacob Copher-bump to bs 5-0 / Photo: Bowser

Kris Clayton-Front Feeble NYC / Photo: Bowser

And now click below to enjoy Tristan and the Tampa crew's latest video venture, Silo! Thanks again to everyone for making this happen and allowing us to host the project!

Words and Photos by: Josh Bowser @bowsermediaÔªølab