Tanner Gudauskas’ YouTube page has been putting out top quality content for the last year. Over the last few years he has posted sporadically to the channel, but as of this last year he uploaded a multi part series called “Finders Keepers” based around buying old boards and diving into the history of them. His year of creating was capped off with the release of the short film “SUNBURN.”
It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a surf film that is centered around California. Sure, there was a little Hawaii interlude, but this was a California project to me. Spots you recognize, days you knew you were there, and a crew of rippers that all call California home. Headlined by Tanner and Pat, it was a reminder that they both have equally unique and fun takes on how a wave should be ridden. A couple stand out moments to me were 1:40ish, 3:22ish, 3:50ish, and 9:54ish. Nothing out of this world on these waves, but it’s fun. The kind of thing you say “I’m going to try that”, buy you know you can’t.
The supporting cast is a California classic as well. Chris Ward at Lowers and Bobby Martinez in Ventura area beach breaks. That’s nice. Yadin Nicol acted as a cherry on top. I think I would have to go back to “Dear Suburbia” to recall the last time I’ve seen that many quality clips of Yadin linked together on film. That is no way a critique. He’s busy and has a family, but I’m a fan of his surfing and missed seeing his put sessions and clips together with intention. A part in a movie will always be better than singular clips on Instagram.
Tanner and Alex show their ability to create an overall mood for a film with the music choices and art direction. The music works with the surfing to enhance the viewing and doesn’t overpower it, as often happens in surf projects. Art direction is something so many YouTube short films in the surf space lack. It’s encouraging to see it happen here. Maybe others will take note.
We can only hope that this last year will be the launching point for more consistent, quality creations between Alex and Tanner.