THE SHAPE OF LIFE
The legacy, diagnosis & comeback of 60-year shaper Steve Walden
Documentary Feature Film
The Shape of Life
S U R F • B I O G R A P H I C A L • D O C U M E N T A R Y
A legendary surfboard shaper’s 60-year journey of innovation, resilience, and devotion to the ocean, as Steve Walden faces life’s challenges with the same passion and creativity that revolutionized surfing forever.
Synopsis
The Shape of Life traces the extraordinary journey of Steve Walden, a master craftsman who has spent more than 60 years redefining surfing while remaining as humble and devoted to his craft as the day he began. Known as the father of the modern longboard, Steve’s innovations revolutionized the sport—shaping for the legendary Lightning Bolt brand in Hawaii, becoming the first shaper to patent a surfboard design, and pioneering concepts that made his boards synonymous with performance, artistry, and timeless design. His decision to license his designs to Surftech—controversial at the time—helped usher in a new era of board manufacturing that reshaped the industry.
Yet behind the accolades and tens of thousands of boards he has shaped, Steve remains a quiet, soft-spoken craftsman whose life is rooted in the shaping bay: covered in foam dust, pursuing perfection one curve at a time. Now, facing a life-altering diagnosis that threatens the very thing that has defined him, his struggle shifts from the ocean to his own body. Unable to stand on a surfboard for the first time in his life, Steve finds himself in a fight not to regain the past, but to reinvent his future.
As the film follows his medical journey—navigating treatments, uncertainty, and the slow erosion of physical ability—it also follows his creative one: an audacious attempt to design a new type of surfboard that does not yet exist. Drawing on six decades of innovation, Steve sets out to engineer a craft he hopes will return him to the waves, becoming both the designer and the test pilot of his own final experiment.
The Shape of Life is a story of resilience, reinvention, and the unbreakable connection between a craftsman, his work, and the water that shaped him. It is a portrait of a man refusing to surrender to circumstance, using the very tools that built his legacy to carve a path back to the ocean he loves.
The Filmmakers
An experienced team of storytellers passionate about exploring the human condition through documentary film.
JEREMY JOHN WELLS
DIRECTOR | PRODUCER | CAMERA
Wells founded Vertêro Films in his hometown of Ventura, CA, where he has built a diverse slate of commercial and purpose-driven projects as both a producer and actor.
As an executive producer, Wells’ credits include BOYS OF SUMMER, directed by David Henrie and starring Mel Gibson and Mason Thames, and THE BLIND (the story of Duck Dynasty’s Phil Robertson) starring Aron von Andrian and Amelia Eve. As a producer, his work includes END TRIP, ADVENTURES IN WONDER—a 10-episode documentary series premiering in 2025 on Jon Erwin’s network The Wonder Project on Amazon—and MAYBE WE SHOULD, an inspirational true story he wrote and starred in alongside Heather Graham, Kevin Nealon, Matt Walsh, Bonnie Bedelia, and Lil Rel Howery. The production granted seven Make-A-Wish wishes during filming and is set for release in 2026.
As an actor, Jeremy started his career as a child actor in the 90s before leaving Hollywood in 2000 to become a serial entrepreneur, commercial real estate developer and fine artist in Houston, Texas. He eventually returned to California, where his recent credits include OPPENHEIMER, and SHOOTING HEROIN in film, and HBO’s EUPHORIA, ABC’s HIGH POTENTIAL, NCIS, and ALL AMERICAN among many other shows in television.
ISAIAH WAKEHAM
EDITOR | PRODUCER | CAMERA
Isaiah Wakeham is a filmmaker, editor, and producer whose keen eye for story and relentless work ethic have made him a driving creative force at VERTERO FILMS. Originally from Texas and now based in Ventura, Isaiah has produced and edited hundreds of short films, branded content pieces, and documentary segments over the past decade.
He is a producer of Maybe We Should, starring Jeremy John Wells, Heather Graham, Kevin Nealon, Matt Walsh, Bonnie Bedelia, and Lil Rel Howery, and is currently producing the upcoming documentary MAN ALONE, among several other projects in Vertero’s growing slate. With a background in both post-production and field direction, he brings precision, intuition, and heart to every frame. Outside of filmmaking, Isaiah has competed on American Ninja Warrior multiple times—reflecting the same discipline and tenacity he brings to storytelling.
Surfing
The filmmakers will creatively blend archival footage, evocative still photography, and contemporary shots captured both on land and in the water. While The Shape of Life is not a traditional surf film, it will feature plenty of surfing, with a focus on conveying the feeling, rhythm, and beauty of the experience rather than merely documenting the action. This approach aims to immerse viewers in the soul of surfing, highlighting its connection to Steve’s craft and legacy.
THE ART OF
Composer
TODD HANNIGAN
C O M P O S E R | S O U N D D E S I G N E R
Todd Hannigan is a Grammy Award-winning sound designer and composer. A lifelong surfer and Ventura local, Hannigan draws inspiration from his coastal roots, infusing his work with a distinct and authentic style. His long-standing collaborations with the Malloy Brothers, PATAGONIA, YETI, RIVIAN, DANNER, SUBARU, and ARC’TERYX have helped establish his instantly recognizable signature sound. This unique approach has earned him a place in the zeitgeist of self-made composers to watch, celebrated for his ability to craft immersive and emotionally resonant music.
Production Company
Founded in 2018, Vertero Films specializes in crafting meaningful stories through feature films, documentaries, and scripted television. The company has led projects like ADVENTURES IN WONDER (premiering on Amazon in Fall 2025) and MAYBE WE SHOULD (featuring Heather Graham, Matt Walsh, and Lil Rel Howery), serving as the primary production company for both. In addition, Vertero team members have contributed as producers on notable films such as THE BLIND (a record-breaking Fathom Events release) and MONSTER SUMMER (starring Mel Gibson and Mason Thames), showcasing a diverse portfolio of impactful narratives.
Rooted in Ventura and inspired by the Latin word “vertó” (to transform), Vertero Films is dedicated to exploring themes of virtue, community, and resilience. By blending precision and creativity, the company creates authentic and lasting stories that resonate with audiences worldwide.
CHARACTERS
Steve
Steve Walden, a pioneering surfboard shaper with over 60 years of innovation, is known as the father of the modern longboard. From his early days in Southern California to founding the iconic Walden brand, his designs revolutionized surfing by blending performance with timeless craftsmanship. Throughout his illustrious career, Steve has shaped tens of thousands of boards, earning a place as one of the sport’s most influential figures.
Despite decades of achievements, Steve’s passion for the craft remains undiminished. Even now, he continues to spend his days in the shaping room, refining techniques and seeking perfection. His enduring dedication to innovation and artistry, paired with his profound connection to the ocean, inspires surfers and craftsmen across generations. Steve Walden is not just a legend—he is a living testament to the lifelong pursuit of mastery.