SUNDAI PRESENTS « LET’S GOAT » BY P2GOAT

After Majorca, Thomas Goutte aka P2GOAT is back behind the lens for a new project shot between Paris and Marseille. Always accompanied by his faithful friends Max Renaud, Dylan Jouanne and Tom Herror, LET’S GOAT brings together many more people this time and in particular some well-known figures from La Plaine (Marseille). We discussed about his new project available on our YT channel.

Can you introduce yourself?

My name is Thomas Goutte, I am 30 years old. I come from the Parisian suburbs, I moved to Paris four or five months ago. I’ve been skateboarding since I was ten or eleven. I started on a skateboard that you wouldn’t really call a skateboard on crusty ground in front of my house. Then little by little, a bit like everyone else, I started moving to Paris to attend to events. And I’ve been hooked ever since.

How did the desire to film come about?

During the first lockdown, I started to tell myself that I would like to film. I felt frustrated watching videos over and over on Free, SOLO, Thrasher and on top of that I had a few friends around me who know how to skate and who deserve to be highlighted a little more than they are. Skateboarding remains thankless so I told myself at my own level, I can either complain or do something. So I bought myself a camera during the first lockdown. The first day out of lockdonw, I sprained my ankle while skating so I was re-confined for three weeks [Laughs].

Where did you shoot your video and for how long?

We filmed between Paris and Marseille over a period of one year, taking into account everyone’s availability and injuries. We visited Marseille twice. We went to Marseille because the bullet train allows you to get there in a relatively short time. We have friends who live there. It’s also the opportunity to see the sea. Besides there are really cool spots like La Plaine which is very tempting. Marseille has a great skate scene.
Every time I went there after two days, I couldn’t walk anymore because there are a lot of ups and downs. Then when I wanted to do a gap, my legs didn’t follow. I filmed more than i skated. Otherwise we mainly filmed in Paris and its suburbs. We really had spots in mind and we thought about ideas for tricks that we wanted to film.
As a skateboarder, I don’t ride particularly special, crusty spots that require a certain wheel diameter, a certain hardness or a certain commitment… You can also talk about balls.
I wanted to carry out a project with the friends, and then do something in which I would have control from A to Z. I was able to choose quite a few spots, I even proposed tricks to some buddies. And because I know they’re very good, they’ve been very open to ideas. I would like to point out that I was helped with the filming, particularly to film my tricks.

What determined the choice of spots?

I really chose spots that reflect an esthetic. There are some very beautiful spots in Paris and the suburbs which are lovely to film. So I had this thing of having pretty tricks, or if possible NBDs – although I don’t have the list of tricks already done – on elegant spots so to speak.

Is there a spot that you found particularly elegant?

I fell in love with Val de Fontenay, the rounded curb. It’s a spot that I’ve always found pretty. I remember Lionel Dominioni did a Switch Back Smith all along. There were some crazy things on this spot, but it was a little forgotten over time. And it’s a great pleasure to re-skate it every time. After Paris is full of many beautiful spots, but you have to arrive with a good idea.

Can you introduce your crew?

The core team includes my friend Max Renaud, with whom I did a lot of sessions, which is why he has a very cool part. He was there from start to finish. There is Tom Herror who filmed almost all of my tricks and was very supportive. There’s Dylan Joanne, Tim Neyrauud and Gabriel Mapil. Then, some guys joined the sessions.

Your nickname P2GOAT indicates that you film with the Panasonic P2. Why this particular camera?

The skate videos I watched during lockdown were shot at P2. So I wanted to find this same image. I found one not too expensive. Otherwise, I also love the grain of the VX1000, but I have to admit that it’s a pain in the ass to film with this cam for a lot of reasons, like the tapes. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to change cameras.

4K doesn’t appeal to you? [Laughs]

I am not against. Let’s say it’s more about budget than anything else. Because the device will be expensive, but then you have to have a computer powerful enough to be able to process the images that come out of it. It’s an investment. And for the moment filming at P2 suits me very well.

Would you like to be a full-time filmmaker?

I would like to make it my job. The role of TM also appeals to me a lot. Recruiting guys, taking them to film on a spot, are things that fascinate me. But you must first learn your skills before claiming that. I turned 30 in February, I feel like my body is no longer responding like it used to.

It’s okay, 30 years old is young.

It’s no longer the same for gaping for exemple. So I’m thinking about what’s next. I would love to work in skateboarding and I am more and more passionate about the idea of filming. So in the future, the idea of becoming a filmer is an idea i really appreciate.

Your call has been received. If people in the industry read this interview, please reach out to him on Linkedin. [Laughs]

A word about the soundtrack of your video?

It was not easy. The idea was that it had to stick to the skaters even though not everyone listens to the same sounds and at the same time, there also had to be consistency in the video. During the editing, I had a moment of reflection on this subject and finally I decided by choosing coherence. The sounds mainly come from my Spotify playlist.

Any upcoming projects?

I’m working on a personal part. And then we’re going to start working on a solo part with Max. At the beginning of 2024, these parts should be released. And in the longer term, I would like to create my own skate clothing brand. This is a project that is in the works. And in the more longer term, I would love, as I already told you, to work in skateboarding.