411 Movies Interviews: Rob Dyrdek

Posted by Steve Gustafson on 10.19.2009

411's Steve Gustafson sits down with the skateboarding icon to talk about life at the Fantasy Factory, filming Street Dreams, and what's next with MTV.

Is Rob Dyrdek bigger than skateboarding? He lives the fantasy life inside the fantasy factory while he balances corporate meetings about toy lines with the pressures of investing in hotels and restaurants. His life has been the focus of two reality shows, he's involved in opening skate parks, reps DC shoes, and trying to get a skateboarding street league off the ground. He's constantly on the grind, and not just in the skate sense. He knows no bounds and seems to have a relentless amount of energy. Outside of Tony Hawk, no one is more associated with skateboarding to the general public. But at the end of the day, who is Rob Dyrdek?

If you've been watching Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory on MTV for the past two seasons you have an idea of who he is. More importantly, you know he can't be classified by a simple label. To give you some background. He was born in Kettering, Ohio in 1974 and at the age of 12, Rob picked up a skateboard for the first time. Shockingly, a month later he won his first competition, becoming the youngest member of the G&S skateboard team. Skipping his senior year of high school, Dyrdek became a professional skateboarder at the age of 16 while simultaneously becoming one of the founding members of the legendary Ohio-based Alien Workshop skateboard team. Rob moved to San Diego in 1994 to become more visible in the skateboarding world and to be closer to the center of the industry.



It was during this time that Rob would start laying the foundation for the work ethic he's known for. Rob began working closely with former pro skateboarder and filmmaker Greg Hunt in the first ever DC Shoes skateboarding film. Together, they came up with the entertaining idea of hiring a security guard to protect Rob while he was filming his video part. It was there Rob was introduced to Christopher "Big Black" Boykin; he and Rob immediately hit it off. It was only a matter of time before MTV gave them their own show and Rob & Big became a success from the start. After 3 popular seasons the show ended and we were gifted with Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory. Season two's finale airs this Thursday at 9:00 PM on MTV.

I had a chance to grab some phone time with Rob and touch on the many ventures going on in his life with the show, his movie, and numerous other projects.

Steve Gustafson: They say that you shouldn't let your job description be your self description. Rob, you are a skateboarder icon, actor, entrepreneur, producer, and TV star. At the end of the day, how do you see yourself?

Rob Dyrdek: For me, I'm a skateboarder. You know? The passion for what I'm doing, the show, and what I have cracking, if I'm not skating then I'm going crazy. The big deals, if I'm not skating, it's not worth it, you know?

Steve Gustafson: No doubt. Alright, with the release of Fantasy Factory Season One DVD, it gave fans a chance to go back and relieve the craziness and excitement of your life. What are some of the highlights from the first season that stick out to you?

Rob Dyrdek: Man, there are so many that stick out. I mean everything. Obviously, things like breaking the skateboard landspeed record with Danny Way is up there. Making the jump in the rally car with Drama, screaming my power animal as I made the jump. The worlds largest skateboard, being attacked by sharks. (Laughs) Sharks all around me, trying to bite me...

Steve Gustafson: (Laughing) Incredible. How about something that didn't make it on TV or DVD that MTV couldn't let you show?

Rob Dyrdek: Can't think of anything offhand, really. Nothing off the top of my head. I will say we got a lot of really, really, really foul comedy that will never ever make the show or the DVD filled with out of control, mindless moments. Got a little crazy sometimes. (Laughs)

Steve Gustafson: I can only imagine. What has been some of your favorite moments from Season Two?

Rob Dyrdek: Oh man. There's so much that happens. But it was pretty hardcore jockeying a horse. Even with all the cameras we had, it's impossible to capture the reality of someone who has never ridden a horse before, in their life, to go from that and then go on and win a race. You know how crazy that is? You can't fathom what's it like to be on a horse as it's galloping full speed. Everything that went into that and how that was put together. That's how crazy the show is. It started with an idea that I got from my builder, Joe C, who owns racehorses and just took off. I'm so, so bummed we didn't have a camera inside the gate to capture those few moments when I was in there. Just crazy.

Steve Gustafson: Whoa! How much longer do you see yourself doing the show and what comes next?

Rob Dyrdek: I don't know. I've been working the television show for 5 seasons and I've learned how to manage it. How to control it. So who knows?



Steve Gustafson: The Wild Grinders toys are currently available at Walmart and look to be another success, selling out everywhere. How soon will we see an animated show based on those toys?

Rob Dyrdek: We'll be packaging a DVD with the toys after January 1st, so it will have that when it hits the shelves. We have a couple of specials and other programs lined up but it takes 18 months to get the regular series on the air so we are still a ways from that.

Steve Gustafson: Cool. In previous interviews you said that it's important for you to see skateboarding portrayed in the right way. Do you feel that it is when it comes to mainstream television and movies?

Rob Dyrdek: Absolutely not. Absolutely not. All the coverage of skateboarding sucks. They couldn't care less when it comes to how skateboarding is portrayed. But I'm not worried about what they're doing. All I can do is portray it the right way when it comes to me. So skateboarders can look at what I'm doing and say, "Yeah, the only person doing it the right way is him." That's why Street Dreams was so important in being 100% true to skate culture. That's why the Wild Grinders are important in showing the different styles of street skating. That's why I get involved in building the skate parks. All I can do is show skateboarding the right way.

Steve Gustafson: Good point and I don't think a lot of people see that angle when it comes to you. At least the average fan who might not be a skateboarder. In regards to Street Dreams you wore many hats. Writer, actor, executive producer. How was that experience, taking it from an idea to the screen, putting over three years of you life into it?

Rob Dyrdek: Man. I'm still feeling the pain! Right now I'm trying meet the DVD deadline! Street Dreams was such a obsession and driven experience to me. Starting out, writing a treatment with your friend then having someone tell you it's too independent, telling you to rewrite it. Trying to sell it and getting turned down. Then saying you'll fund it yourself. Having to choose the actors, the cast, getting the money to get it made, the shoot. But it tells the story I wanted to tell and it will be my legacy. It's not going to make anyone rich but it's all a part of the master plan and telling the history side.

Steve Gustafson: Would you do it again?

Rob Dyrdek: (Laughs) Yes, but do it in a different fashion. This was all started before Rob & Big and shooting continued while we were doing the show. We would shoot the show and work on the movie and it went on through o after we finished up the first season. But you learn so much. We went for it and made the movie we wanted to make. That was the most important part.

Steve Gustafson: Well, from what I saw, it was worth it. In selling the film, what was the craziest story that showcased how clueless big movie studios are in terms of how skateboarding is portrayed?

Rob Dyrdek: Get this. This is a painful one. Obviously we take Street Dreams to MTV Films, right? We go to MTV Films and this executive has no idea that in any way shape of form that skateboarding was illegal. He didn't get the whole joke of Rob & Big was a skateboarder needing a bodyguard to guard against other bodyguards. He's sitting there, listening to us and is like (Makes funny voice), "Oh, you mean you can't skateboard where ever you like?" The guy is just clueless! (Laughs)

Steve Gustafson: (Laughs) Wow. Can't say I'm super surprised. A while back, ESPN asked you about what the next step for skateboarding is as it continues to evolve and you answered Street Dreams and spoke about Street League, a venture to offer an athletic alternative to organized sports. I've looked around and information on it is kind of sparse. How is that coming?

Rob Dyrdek: I keep it very very thin as it develops. All aspects of it are being patented before launching. I have the instant scoring board that let's riders see their score immediately so they know where they stand, trick by trick. It's going to revolutionize the sport. But we are being very methodical in what we showcase and test out. But as things develop we'll slowly start rolling out information and that's for a lot of reasons. One, X-Games basically has ripped off the idea. Keeping the top three scores all other things. But the X-Games isn't about skateboarding. It's just one aspect for them to make money. They don't care about skateboarding. Whatever. But the fundamentals of what we are doing are there and we are learning. Seeing what works, which we already have seen a few things that are wrong and making adjustments.

Steve Gustafson: With something life that, that makes sense. You've skated in Toronto, Chicago, Columbus, San Diego, New Orleans, all over. Where has been the best place to skate?

Rob Dyrdek: Definitely Los Angeles. It's just beautiful and so much to offer. I love it. But Barcelona is beautiful as well.

Steve Gustafson: Nice. What's the latest with the Rob Dyrdek/DC Shoes Skate Plaza Foundation/Safe Spot Skate Spot program?

Rob Dyrdek: We want them all over Los Angeles. That's our goal right now. We are working with so many people to get this done and convince them this isn't just some cookie cutter design like a tennis court but each is different and unique. Kids will go to these. Once we have them all over here we want to go to cities across the nation. Every community.

Steve Gustafson: In the past you've said the best advice you could give to skaters is "Stay Inspired". How do you stay inspired, Rob?

Rob Dyrdek: Live an inspiring life. I don't do anything if I don't have a passion for it. I can't wait to get up in the morning and start the day. I just have such a passion for life and everything I do.

Steve Gustafson: Speaking of inspiring. I think a lot of people just see Rob Dyrdek, MTV star of Fantasy Factory. They see the adventures. The toys. The fun. They don't have a clue of what goes behind the scenes, the work. What's your day like?

Rob Dyrdek: I'm a 6 AM guy. I get up at 6 AM every morning so I can knock out my email, phone calls and start the day. I have a full time trainer who I work with, to stay in shape. Then I shoot half day. Do lunch. Have a lunch meeting. More shooting till 7. That's what the trainer helps with, because of the brutality of the physical stuff. Then finish up and more meetings till 9 or 10. Get up and do it all over again. But people don't want to watch a show about that. But the great part is, I think of an idea and it's made into a show. We do some insane stuff and that's what people love to see. It's about wish fulfillment.

Steve Gustafson: I think it's safe to say that you've accomplished more in your life already than most do in their entire lives. Out of everything, what are you most proud to be a part of?

Rob Dyrdek: You know, all I see is everything all together. I love everything I do and I can still remember the days of cashing my first royalty check for $2. I love it all. I love skateboarding. I have such a great life, I'm proud of everything.

Steve Gustafson: Alright Rob, thank you again for doing this and continued success in all you do!

Rob Dyrdek: Peace and be easy.



It's impossible to delve to deeply into the life of Rob Dyrdek with one interview. The man's work ethic is simple too great to be wrapped up in a few paragraphs. Like it says on his website, Rob Dyrdek is beyond characterization. Yes, Rob is a TV star, a filmmaker, a serial entrepreneur, a marketing whiz, and a multi-faceted philanthropist dedicated to supporting skateboarding. Is Rob Dyrdek bigger than skateboarding? No. Rob IS skateboarding. And that's all right with him.

The season finale of Fantasy Factory airs this Thursday at 9:00 PM ET on MTV. The Fantasy Factory Season One DVD is currently in stores everywhere.