Anyone who has almost been hit by a crazy 20-something on a skateboard or has witnessed extreme stunts on the grounds of Saint Louis University being videotaped has probably had a close encounter with senior Benjamin Koenig’s underground movement.

Koenig and his self-proclaimed “crew” can be found making short “Jackass”-like films during all waking hours of the day around SLU. He is occasionally accompanied by a bodyguard-or, rather, a friend with a Mario-like stick-on mustache and aviators impersonating a bodyguard-and has a wide array of other eccentric characters present in his videos.

“I am part of a really cool underground movement,” Koenig said. “I try to do a little more than sit around the house and study. There is more to life than being a student, a scholar or a soldier.”

In hopes of breaking the mold, Koenig and his friends find other ways to release their energy.

“Me and my crew make extreme vids,” Koenig said. “I do a compilation of sports vids, [which are] testimonials at parties on and off campus. They are kind of like party pics, but they are party vids. I’m out shooting every hour while the sun is out and some when not.”

Despite filming skate boarding stunts on campus, Koenig said that he had not received any trouble from SLU administrators or the Department of Public Safety.

“If anything, teachers see young cinematographers instead of young delinquents with skateboards,” Koenig said. “People may get intimidated when recorded on a random dude’s camera, but don’t turn away from the man with the camera. It’s just Ben –scholar, musician, model, chef, mechanic.”

Along with producing intensely entertaining videos, Koenig also plays guitar, ukulele and sings in a band entitled Bonx Bonx.

“When we are rocking out for the people, we like to remind everyone we are not just guys from St. Louis-we are from Earth,” he said. “People shouldn’t be afraid to approach me on campus and tell me their thoughts. I don’t judge based on race, religion, economic status or favorite foods. I just recognize everyone as being a member of Earth. If there is a record for how many gigs have been played over the three months of summer, Bonx Bonx wants to break it this summer.”

Koenig also spends his spare time writing poetry, such as “Cookie Day,” which is currently posted on Kiln webpage on SLU’s website. Kiln is SLU’s student run publication of art and literature, which Koenig said that he writes for regularly.

In addition, Koenig, the self-professed “King of Creativity,” is always interested in recruiting other creative students for his videos.

“My friends, extensive group of friends at that, recruit talent and young, ambitious minds,” he said. “We are always looking for more people.”