NAME: Jon Hechtkopf
AGE: 24
LOCATION: Newport Beach, CA
PREVIOUS PROJECTS: Various Rip Curl projects, Some clips in The Union Express
INNERSECTION SURFERS: Owen Wright, Matt Wilkinson, Taylor Knox

THAT’S A REALLY STACKED LINEUP OF SUBMISSIONS — HOW DID YOU END UP WORKING WITH ALL OF THEM? 
I've been working with Taylor since I was an intern at Rip Curl in May, so we have built a very good relationship and he asked me if I wanted to edit his section. Of course I accepted, and its a huge honor for me. I sat down with Dylan Slater about doing sections for Owen and Wilko, then hit up our team manger Nick Greeninger about getting the boys on the phone, they were really excited to be a part of the project. The rest is history.

WAS IT A LOT OF PRESSURE TIME-WISE GETTING ALL THREE DONE? 
Yeah, there was huge amount of pressure, trying to coordinate all the music, and getting all the fresh footage from those guys in Australia is very challenging. Meeting deadlines and having lots of pressure to deliver a good piece are all a part of my job, and they keep me very motivated.

I THOUGHT JOSH LANDAN WAS DOING KNOX, DID HE PASS HIS FOOTAGE ALONG TO YOU?
I've been working super close with Landan and Taylor to make sure the section was hitting their standards. I shot most of the footage in the past 6 months, and Landan gave me a handful as well. I put the first edit together, then we would talk over the phone everyday about making all the changes. Landan knows Taylor's surfing better than anyone on film, so it's good to have him guide you through the process.

WHO CHOSE THE MUSIC? WERE YOU TRYING TO MATCH THE SURFER’S STYLE TO THE STYLE OF THE MUSIC?
I chose all the music, and I spent most of my time trying to find music that would match not only there surfing but there personality out of the water.

WAS ONE GUY’S SURFING STYLE EASIER TO EDIT WITH THAN THE OTHER’S? WHY DO YOU THINK THAT HAPPENS?
I had to approach each edit differently, and of course one is easier to edit than the other. Sometimes you sit in front of the computer and everything falls into place, and other times its a struggle. It's very challenging to change up your editing style to each individual, but it's super fun in the end.

OKAY, HOT-SEAT QUESTION: HOW ARE YOU GOING TO RANK THESE SECTIONS WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR TOP 10?
I don't want to see a section of all airs or single wave maneuvers, even though they are necessary at times.  I want to see lots of variety and creativeness in the sections, lots of really good combos...overall performance is key.

YEAH, BUT IF YOUR OWN THREE SECTIONS MAKE THE TOP TEN (TAYLOR, WILKO AND OWEN), HOW WILL YOU RANK THEM? Hmmm, that's a really hard one.

BUT IT COULD HAPPEN. BETTER WORK IT OUT NOW.
Well, if these guys all made the top 5, and depending on who else is in that top 5 its really hard to put them in order.  I would give Taylor a 9.5, and his rank on a 1-3 would be a 2.  His riding will never get old, and it will stand the test of time. I would give owen a 10, because his variety is amazing, the kid can surf anything, and he would be number 1 spot. I would give Wilko a 9.5 as well, because his surfing also insane, but very creative and unique, and he would be my number 3 spot.

 

WHEN RATING PEOPLE’S SECTIONS, WHAT DO YOU THINK PEOPLE’S MAIN FOCUS SHOULD BE? STYLE? TECHNICALITY? WAVES? FULL PACKAGE? 
People should rate the sections based on the full package. It's not a popularity poll, it's a movie, and in the end I want to see a final product that has it all.

LOOKING FORWARD, IF THESE GUY’S QUALIFY, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADD TO THEIR SECTIONS TO GET THEM READY FOR THE FINAL DVD (AND $100,000 PRIZE)?
If the boys make it in, we will be working super hard to get as many A-grade clips as possible all over the world, as well as changing out the music, so when people see the final DVD, the sections are fresh.

OWEN WRIGHT HAD A PRETTY AMAZING YEAR LAST YEAR. IN YOUR OPINION, HOW DOES HIS SURFING STACK UP AGAINST JORDY AND DANE? 
I think Owen's freesurfing progression level, variety, and consistency are insane, and I have no doubt his ability goes way beyond what we have seen thus far. Hes got all the necessary skills that stack up to that of Dane and Jordy...I think he's going to turn some serious heads in the near future.