FEEL IT.STREAM
Taylor Steele

Taylor Steele

Directing

Biography

Taylor Steele has been involved in the surf film industry for decades. He has won awards as both director and producer. His production company, Poor Specimen, has launched the careers of some of surfing’s most influential figures and has played a role in the success of bands such as Blink-182, Pennywise, and Jack Johnson, who were introduced in Steele's early movies.

Known For

Barons
4.7

70s surf counter culture and commerce collide as a group of best friends, inspired by the ocean, create what will become iconic rival surf brands. Little do they know that their success will tear them, and their world, apart.

Barons

2022
Shelter
5.8

In 2001 Woodshed Films released their third Moonshine Experiment surf movie entitled “Shelter.” With a similar style and feel to the first two Moonshine Experiments, “Thicker Than Water” and “September Sessions”, “Shelter” is one of Taylor Steele and Chris Malloy’s best productions. This surf movie does a great job of staying far away from the politics of surfing and focuses more on soul surfing. However, don’t think that there aren’t any surfers worth watching in this movie because there are plenty. “Shelter” is jam packed with professional and well-known surfers such as Rob Machado, Taylor Knox, Joel Tudor, Mick Fanning, Dean Morrison, Jack Johnson, The Malloy’s, Kelly Slater, Nat Young, Donavon Frankenreiter, Shane Dorian, Jon Swift and many more. The soundtrack for “Shelter” is similar to “Thicker Than Water” and “September Sessions”. It has a slower and mellower feel, featuring artists such as Mason Jennings, The Shins, White Buffalo and even surfers Jon Swift and Rob Machado.

Shelter

2001
Missing
N/A

Taylor Steele’s brand new film – “Missing” – puts ASP World Champion Mick Fanning in some of the most radical places on the planet alongside his good friends John John Florence, Jordy Smith, Matt Wilkinson, and Tom Curren. Under the direction of the world-renowned film-maker, the project takes Mick Fanning out of the competition world of the ASP, gives him a boarding pass with a blank destination and for 21 days he is relocated all over the world with only a passport, suitcase and surfboard at his disposal. As a result, the surfing is special, raw, and some of the best that you’ll see on screen this year. From Africa and Ireland to Central America and Spain, the experience literally is life changing for Mick Fanning.

Missing

2013
First Point
4.7

Phillips has embarked on a new phase of work that hinges on the self-awareness of real-life subjects. Lindsay Lohan (2011) and Sasha Grey (2011), his first two films, made their debut at the “Commercial Break” film project at the 2011 Biennale di Venezia. In these "motion portraits ", the notorious actresses pose erotically—Grey in a modernist John Lautner home, and Lohan in an aquamarine infinity pool. Both actresses project self-conscious recognition in their performances and in turn point toward the transformative potential of narrative action, framed by their compelling beauty. Phillips’s third film, First Point (2012) marks his second collaboration with Lohan and third collaboration with legendary surf filmmaker Taylor Steele. A contemporary film noir, First Point juxtaposes haunting nocturnal imagery with surf sequences in which female pro-surfer Kassia Meador (Lohan's acknowledged stunt double) and Lohan herself appear.

First Point

2012
Momentum II
N/A

After Momentum I... the next logical step? MOMENTUM II. More polish. More production. More ripping. But the formula remains the same. Sick sections from the next generation of rising talents. Kelly Slater. Rob Machado. Shane Dorian. Taylor Knox. Kalani Robb. Benji Weatherly. And more. No one could have predicted the success of the first Momentum. And Taylor's immediate response -- even before it's success -- was to keep doing what he was doing: documenting a new generation of rising talent.

Momentum II

1993
Castles In The Sky
7.3

Filmed in five countries over three years, the documentary delves into the heart of the locations while the surfers travel through them with a sense of open-minded awe. With never-before seen waves and some of the best surfers in the world contributing their art, passion and athleticism, this is as close to the experience of pioneering new coastlines as you can get without getting on a plane. Written by Anonymous

Castles In The Sky

2010
Campaign
N/A

Pro surfers are the solution in coorporate marketing. As they say in the ad game, Surfing sells. Campaign is a comedy that mocks corporate America combined with the most mind blowing surfing of today.

Campaign

2003
Drive Thru California Expedition
N/A

This comedic real life approach to a road rules type of surf adventure features the misadventures of Greg Browning, Donavon Frankenreiter, Tim Curren and Shawn 'Barney' Baron. Filmed in 30 days, it covers the four surfers' journey down the coast of California while living in a rented RV. Along with the surf footage are practical jokes, footage of mishaps and complications on the trip, and the general comedy of the four guys living in such close quarters for a month.

Drive Thru California Expedition

2002
Hit & Run
8.5

After year's of silly stunts and goofy skits, HIT & RUN (2000) takes a more serious look at what makes these top pros tick through a series of intimate interviews paired with the cutting edge of performance surfing. Great sections from the Bruce Irons, Andy Irons, The Hobgoods, Donavon Frankenreiter, Shane Dorian, Rob Machado, Kelly Slater and more.

Hit & Run

2000
The Drifter
5.0

A surfer is trying to identify the rhythm of his soul in the surrounding world. He uses travel as a tool which allows him to discover himself.

The Drifter

2009
Proximity
4.0

Eight of the world's best surfers—four legends and four rising stars—search for new waves and deeper understanding in exotic destinations.

Proximity

2017
Drive Thru Caribbean
N/A

Greg Browning, the creator of The Drive Thru series, brings us his latest hilariously entertaining and action packed installment "Drive Thru Caribbean". Donavon, Benji, Pat O, and Kalani welcome Aussie aerialist Yadin Nicol as they get wrapped up in some serious hijinks during their search for waves on the thousands of islets, reefs, and cayos strewn through the Caribbean. The crew had a chance to surf secret reefs in Puerto Rico that broke unlike any other wave they had encountered. While exploring Jamaica they hung with the local Rastas after long days of scoring warm water perfection on this tranquil island nation. The search lead them to the far reaches of the Caribbean where they ripped the famous Soup Bowls of Barbados. From riding dolphins to riding waves the "Drive Thru Caribbean" puts you in shotgun on this hysterical island hopping adventure. Locations: Puerto Rico, Jamaica and Barbados.

Drive Thru Caribbean

2007
Momentum
N/A

MOMENTUM marks the beginning of a new era in surfing. Featuring some of the first sections of New School surfers Kelly Slater, Rob Machado, Shane Dorian, Ross Williams, Benji Weatherly, Kalani Robb and more, Taylor Steele's 1991 breakout VHS release changed the way surf movies were made for the next decade and became the namesake for The Momentum Generation of surfers. In 2007, Momentum was listed as #3 on Surfing Magazine's "Greatest Surf Movies of All Time."

Momentum

1992
Stranger Than Fiction
N/A

Is pro surfing a complete lie? Is modern wave-riding being faked for glory and profit? Is Dane Reynolds actually a robot? With trademark humour and a trend-setting soundtrack, Taylor Steele's latest genre-defining action flick pulls back the curtain on pro surfing's deepest, darkest secrets.

Stranger Than Fiction

2007
Good Times
N/A

With the release of GOOD TIMES, the Momentum Crew was riding a high. While earlier films were devoted to crushing the established hierarchy of surfing, now their crew was the established hierarchy, dominating competition, freesurfing and the media. Kelly Slater was world champ, with Dorian, Machado and Knox all hovering around the top 10 competitive slots. Even the bands involved with the films were riding the wave, and Good Times film release evolved into a full rock-n-roll tour with Pennywise, Sprung Monkey and Blink-182. As the name suggests...it really was a good time.

Good Times

1995
Days of the Strange
N/A

Stranger Than Fiction had so much footage left in the can that it made sense to release Days of the Strange, showcasing the days of filming you did not see. Plus a fresh batch of new bangers from all the usual suspects.

Days of the Strange

2009
Drive Thru Australia Part 2
N/A

Donavon Frankenreiter, Benji Weatherley and Pat O'Connell are joined by Shane Dorian, three time world champion Andy Irons and Australia's own Mark Occhilupo. Spend two crazy weeks driving, surfing and traveling thru some of Australia's most incredible coastlines. From kangaroos to sky diving, shark scares to golfing the Drive Thru Australia is packed with hilarious hijinks and incredible surfing.

Drive Thru Australia Part 2

2009
Drive Thru South Central America
N/A

Top professional surfers Shane Dorian, Donavon Frankenreiter, Benji Weatherly, Ozzie Wright, and Kalani Robb make their way through Panama, Brazil, and Chile in a hilariously action packed two week real world, road trip. The "Drive Thru South Central America" is the fourth installment of the ongoing Drive Thru series. Whether it's hang gliding in Brazil, off roading in Chile or stand up barrels in Panama, the "Drive Thru" offers a unique first hand experience for everyone to enjoy.

Drive Thru South Central America

2004
No image
N/A

Before there was Momentum, Taylor Steele released ONE STEP BEYOND (1991). This was the follow-up to his high school project Seaside, filmed entirely at Seaside in Cardiff...so the natural progression was to go "one step beyond." The film features his first section-based edits and his first full section with a young Kelly Slater. Also of note are sections with Tom Curren, Brad Gerlach and Johnny Boy Gomes, as well as a classic wipeouts compilation.

One Step Beyond

1991
Here & Now
N/A

This film was shot in one day. More than 25 filmmakers and surfers worked in unison to document the world of surfing in a single 24-hour period: May 2, 2012. From world champs like Kelly Slater and Stephanie Gilmore to free spirits like Dave Rastovich, Ozzy Wright and Alex Knost, this project brings together shapers, photographers, legends, beginners, third world, first world and surf world. Some scored big. Others couldn’t find a ripple. It’s all part of the surfing experience. From contests to camping, hanging at home or hitting the road, veteran surf filmmaker Taylor Steele pulls together an epic, international cast to prove the best place to be is here and now.

Here & Now

2012