I actually think a lot about his move back to Richmond. I live in LA now and work in the film industry, but I'm from Kansas City and have lived in Kentucky and Alabama for a little while. I feel like somehow, this work that I used to feel really jazzed about and privileged to do, is just a little less fun out here. Everyone is expecting something and competing with each other. When I was just making movies because I liked it, it all felt a lot more organic and like I could really make choices that just felt good to me. Out here it feels like you're balancing what you love with 20 other people's expectations of what you should be doing.
I think a career in skateboarding is a lot like a career in any creative field (usually starts as a creative passion, you get noticed if you're good enough, you can move to LA and be very productive and make a lot of money, etc.). But there's definitely something a little soul-sucking about this city that was constructed entirely as a backdrop for creative commerce.
Gilbert seems like a great dude.