Features

First off the bat, how did this project come about?  What inspired you?

Well, I had just moved to Perth. My brother (who owns his own catering business) received a phone call from a local television station asking if he wanted to be a channel sponsor. I happened to go along to the meeting and towards the end of it my brother began to explain to them that I filmed skateboarding and he asked them if they were interested in a skateboarding show.

Keep in mind that at this point in my life I had sold my camera gear. Also the laptop that I used to edit on had broken and I hadn't filmed skateboarding properly for around a year or so. The time that I took off was time that I'm glad I took to go skateboarding without a camera, try other things and to reflect, but to be honest I felt like I had lost a part of myself. One thing I've realised lately is that without passion, creativity and more importantly a camera in my life, I'm not a happy chap.

So anyways, this opportunity seemed like good way to get back into filming and creating in a way which I had never done before. Things didn't work out with that particular channel, but it gave me a motivation that I needed to get back into the skate scene, buy the new equipment that I needed and to create a pilot.

How long have you been planning something like this?

It's been on my mind for a few years but it really only made sense to think about it seriously in the last year or so. Skateboarding is going through a huge transitional period between standard definition footage/cameras and high definition footage/cameras. Both have their charm but using HD means that you can show skateboarding in a more cinematic way. It's an exciting time for all independent film makers. There are a few things that some of the older cameras used to film skating have over the new cameras but the gap is slowly closing.

Why do you prefer film to photographs?

Well for one I like editing images and music together. Editing is like putting a puzzle together that can end up looking one of many different ways. I find it really exciting. Some people only like filming, or only like editing. I like both. I think the whole process is great fun.

Were you into film first and skateboarding later...or the other way round?

I had a camera before I owned a skateboard. My dad had bought a camera off his mate and he never used it. I was intrigued by it. I wanted to learn everything there was to learn about it. I used it to make little short films with my close friends. I'd always be coming up with ideas for fake commercials and skits. I used to edit them together with two VCR's, recording from one to the other. Unfortunately I moved houses a lot when I was younger and they have been lost. I wish I still had them. I started skateboarding not long after and when I broke my leg on school camp, I became the designated skate homie filmer.

You have a pretty impressive resume... how did it come about?

Well I bought my first "professional skateboarding camera" on the advice of a long time skate photographer Guy Miller. I had already made a couple of "homie vids", but I really wanted to make a high standard skate video. I was young and enthusiastic and Guy was more than happy to point me in the right direction. I spent every weeknight and weekend I could filming for my first independent release Onset. After I finished it and premiered it, I kept filming and making skate videos until after a few years the opportunity came to go to Europe to film the Volcom team. I paid for it all off my own back and it was an amazing experience.

When I got back to Australia, I spoke to Peanut (the then Volcom team manager) about creating a tour video with the footage. He went for the idea. So that we could work on it together, I lived at his house for a couple of months. It was a really fun and creative period of time. When Volcom decided to make their full length video I put myself forward to work on it and once again they went for it. I like to think of myself as an opportunist. Something I firmly believe is that you have to take calculated risks and make many sacrifices to pursue your passions. Most of the time I'm struggling to make ends meet but a lot of the time I'm doing something that I love so it's worth it.

So why have you decided to settle in the humble city of Perth?

Well for now it suits my mindset. I like the fast pace of Sydney, but I often put pressure on myself to be out and about everyday. I love being out taking photos, walking around and observing. In Perth, I don't seem to feel that same pressure. The slow pace means that I can relax and spend the time that I need on the computer and at home working on the logistics of show. I feel like my brain can breathe a bit easier here. I do go to Sydney every few months to film, see friends and to get my big city fix.  

Why did you incorporate the art show with the preview?  How did you choose the artists?

I've always always wanted to be involved in an exhibition with friends. I guess I thought the best way to do that was to organise one myself. Since a lot of the artists are skateboarders, It seemed only fitting to hold it at the same time as the preview screening. I wanted to show the different talents of my friends and also the creative side of skateboarding instead of the destructive side, which some people seem to focus on.

Some of the other artists I've met recently through organising the project. They are either friends of friends or just random people that I've met. I make a habit of asking certain people if they are creative. A lot of people don't put themselves out there. I'm amazed at how talented some people are, yet nobody knows. It's a good feeling being able to help to get their talents out there.

Perhaps I should mention most people don't know that I spent the most part of the first 8 years of my life hanging out in an art studio. Both my parents were talented stained glass artists and so I would always be at their studio drawing, painting and making stained glass. I love being around creativity, perhaps this has something to do with it.

What’s next for J Fazac?

I'm planning to hold another TIHWR artshow in Melbourne later this year and I will continue filming for the TIHWR skate series. I'm still looking for the right home for the series but once that happens I aim to drop episodes/segments on the regular. I really want people to get behind this project because I think it will be great to expose the amazing talent within the Australian skate scene. I really just want to keep being creative and inspired! One of my ultimate goals in life is to create a full length feature film. It might be a while away but you have to have dreams!

For more on This Is How We Roll follow their exploits over at their blog. A special thanks goes out to Element Skateboards for their support and involvement of the TISHR project.