Transworld Videographer Chris Ray Interviewed Part 2 of 2
TO READ PART 1 FIRST, CLICK HERE:
RB: So, changing topic, what would be the things you'd change in Right Foot Forward?
CR: Man thats tough. I feel like theirs a lot. I mean, their is alot, but not really. I guess I am just overly critical and feel like I can film or do things all better. But then again the video are what they are after 10 months ya know. Lemme try and reword that, they are the way they are, because of the things that happen. Actually, the only thing I would change is, if their were no injuries, I just wish everyone was healthy for the whole thing. Liek too many dudes got hurt, and they got bummed on themselves. I think everyone came through, but I wish they wouldnt be soo bummed on themselves for being hurt. Its something you can't control.
RB: It's still a great video, and you want them to appreciate how good of a video it still is.
CR: Yeah, I mean we only get 10 months. Unfortunately we really can't push it back, whatever happens in that 10 months is what you get. I wish we could have more time.
RB: It is what it is.
CR: Editing wise, I am psyched on it. I mean I guess its just a couple tricks that I filmed, I still cringe when it plays. It will get better.
RB: I think everyone things that way, about the land, or whatever. But nobody ever knows that you messed up. They think its totally how you planned on filming it.
CR: I will be super bummed on something, and everyone else is like "Dude your crazy."
RB: The thing about it is, you get 1 shot. The land is the land, and you got that one chance to shoot it.
CR: Yeah, exactly. I constantly watch video's, and look at Ty's filming, or see Hernandez's filming, and I constantly compare myself to them, cause I really look up to. Sometimes I think "Man, how would Jon film this?" I been trying to not watch videos lately and think when I go to a spot, think, "Ok, what really are all my options." I want it really to stand out. Thats my goal for the next video is just try and have it stand out.
RB: Are you making the entire next video in HD?
CR: Naw, it's gonna be mixed, cause a lot of the skaters we talk to don't want it all in HD. Like when we did the And Now dvd, their was just a tiny bit of HD, cause I was just getting used to it, then with the last video, I feel like their was a perfect amount of HD. Perfect amount of a mix, like anything that we used to shoot in 16mm film, we now shoot in HD, in which we actually save money not developing film. Basically we shoot HD as a substitute for film. Keeping a nice break between the two mediums. HD and SD.
RB: Are you gonna bring back the emotional film section?
CR: Their kinda is in the new RFF. We kinda stayed away from the Rock and Roll song and then in the middle of the part, Neil Mims comes on, and it really reminded me of a older Transworld video.
RB: Who out of the 5 guys you worked with, would you say you were the most impressed with?
CR: I'd say, ummm maybe Kellen James, I mean I didn't know Beach, Kellen, Joey or Bobby, the only person I knew was Corey cause we grew up together. So I knew a lot about Corey already, but I was psyched on everyone, but Kellen... He was supposed to be in And Now, the last video and I kinda denied him, I told Jon, "I dunno about this whole SK8 Mafia thing, those dudes seem loud." But then I went down there and went skating with those dudes, and everyone of those dudes are the sickest dudes ever. SK8Mafia.. I am backing everyone of those dudes. And Kellen is such a skate rat, we will go film all day and all night, then after all thats done, he will find a parking garage to bomb. Soo down to skate, nicest dude ever, super mellow. I guess you could say I was surprised on how cool that dude was. All those Mafia dudes rip, no pre-modonna's.
RB: I knew you when you lived in Reno. It's crazy how you've gone from homie in Reno, to Lakai filmer, to TWS filmer. How'd that happen!
CR: Yeah, I guess I get asked that a lot from kids, like "How did you get here, or how does it even work?" For me.. I just I really wanted to do this, I wanted to work for Ty and Girl, Lakai and such. I kinda just wanted it soo bad, I kept it going and going. It just happened. Then after I worked for Lakai and we finished the video, the TWS spot came up.. I couldn't resist. Looking back I would have killed to film with any of those guys, even one clip.
RB: Now you are overwhelmed with a million of them!?
CR: Haha, and when I filmed the Maloof Cup, this weekend, I felt like I knew a lot of the guys in the contest.. I was thinking, "This is amazing." and I didn't even expect anyone to remember me.. and they'd say, "Hey Chris." and I was tripping.
RB: Yeah, I get nervous sometimes hanging with pro's who I'm not great friends with, and thinking about it, you have come an insanely long way from Reno, and especially knowing soo many skaters.
CR: When your filming for TWS, it's cool, cause your not filming for one certain board company or anything, you film with whomever you choose for the video. Jon and I actually kinda get to chose who goes in the video, which is rad, so its a wide variety.
RB: So if you were to give any advice.. what would it be?
CR: Just keep your faith, if you really wanna do it, keep at it.. shoot that really goes for anything, just takes time. Actually, I remember making a spot disk, and sending it out to companies, then one company, it took them over a year to get back to me. That was a seed that I planted over a year ago. So just be patient.
RB: Great! Thanks Chris for all your answers and can't wait for the new TWS video!
- All photos by Blair Alley, thanks.
- Also to purchase Right Foot Forward, head over to the TWS shop.
- OR watch it right away on iTUNES!
- TO READ PART 1 FIRST, CLICK HERE:
Thanks again to Chris Ray! Check out his blog here.
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