Artist on the Lookout: Dave Constantini

Photo by Chris String

With a passion for video and skateboarding, pairing the two in a business venture seemed like the right thing to pursue for Dave Constantini.

Constantini first became interested in video after taping his friends skateboarding. From there, he could not keep his mind from wandering.

In ninth grade, Constantini teamed up with his cousin, Jimmy Giambrone, to start a DJ business called Dangerous In Public.

Around the same time, he helped start the United Skate Team, which consisted of more extreme sports than just skateboarding from rollerblading and BMX to skateboarding.

After messing around with videotape, Constantini and Giambrone decided to start their own video production group.

"We had all of these people that wanted to be a crew, and Dangerous In Public fit us," Constantini said.

Because Giambrone and Constantini liked the name "Dangerous In Public," they simply added "productions" to the end, and the video production company was formed, Giambrone said.

Constantini attributes much of his ability to do what he does to the support of his parents. He borrowed the family camcorder, and his dad, David Constantini Sr., bought him video editing software to cut his videos.

At 14, his father built him a half-pipe, and his parents loaned him the money to buy his first video camera, which he paid off monthly, Constantini said.

Constantini hosted a screening for one of Dangerous In Public Productions' video projects at the Hamilton Starz Gym in Hamilton, N.J.

Constantini charged $1 per person and more than 200 people showed up.

"That was an awakening for me," Constantini said. "My mom was like, 'Davey, you can do something with this. This isn't a hobby anymore. You're going to college in a few years. Why not take it to the next level?'"

Constantini took the advice of his mother and made plans for expansion.

Understanding the power of media convergence, Constantini has taken his business several steps forward this year with the incorporation of clothing design and promotion, while still pursuing his passion for video.

"This past year, Dangerous In Public has grown a lot," Constantini said.

He worked with a Trenton graffiti artist Leon Rainbow, 30, to designed a graffiti mural featured on the company's Web site, Rainbow said.

Constantini was "very professional" to work with, Rainbow said.

"[He] always calls me back and makes sure everything is OK," Rainbow said. "I've only had good dealings with him."

Inspired by the national cancer research charity, Skate 4 Cancer, Constantini wants to make a T-shirt for charity to sell around campus, he said.

He said he could simultaneously raise money for a charity that he hopes can make a difference while also getting his name out around campus.

Constantini eventually wants to take Dangerous In Public Productions to the level of notoriety shared by companies like Hollister Co. and DC Shoes.

"You could see a guy with DC shoes on, and you automatically know that he's into skateboarding," Constantini said. "I want to have a store in a mall where a kid can go in, buy a shirt, and if somebody sees him wearing it, can see that he lives a dangerous lifestyle."

Click HERE to visit Dave's Web site.