PCTV documentary on skate photographer airs on KPBS

SAN MARCOS – A documentary film about legendary skate photographer Grant Brittain, who attended Palomar College decades ago, aired on KPBS, Nov. 18 – the first local showing on public television for the 12-minute film by Palomar College Television (PCTV).

Entitled "The World Is a Skate Park," the documentary followed a film by Tony Hawk, "Skate SD: Building Skateboarding's Future."

"Grant is known as one of the most prominent early skateboard photographers," said PCTV Producer and Director Bill Wisneski. "He helped start the Transworld Skateboarding magazine with a few other people as the founding photo editor. He was a huge part of developing skate photography nationally and worldwide."

The film premiered in the fall of 2019, the first in a series of documentaries produced by PCTV on photographer-alumni of the storied photography program at Palomar College.

"It highlights Grant Brittain's career as a photographer," said Wisneski. "He was one of the ones who helped discover Tony Hawk – he was a few years older than Tony and some of his photos helped launch Tony's career, and other skaters."

Wisneski said the upcoming airing will be the first for the PCTV production team, although several of its award-winning films have enjoyed national public TV distribution.

He also said he sees the film as a fitting tribute to an artist whose work has helped so many people: In addition to publicizing talented young skaters, said Wisneski, "Grant has previously given lectures on campus and has been really supportive of the photography department throughout his career."

Article and photo courtesy of Palomar College.

Brittain was born and raised in Fallbrook.