The much anticipated second half of agr’s conversation with Ian Clark and Inc Productions. Brace yrself. We got socialism, snacks, movies, and hockey moms all packed into this one.

All images courtesy of Ian Clark and Inc. Productions.

to review part 1 of this interview, click.

agr: Given your experience with cinematography in the snowboard arena, is it possible to create an artistically innovative and engaging film and have it sell? Or do the kids just want to get dizzy from ridiculous spins and sparkly twee pop?

IC: Well, Capita made that a reality, but even with their film I’d imagine that it didn’t even touch sales from some of the larger snowboard film crews. Think Thank is one of those groups too that is making snowboarding more accessible to kids.
A nice combination of comedy, hammers, and wacky, skatey stuff…

agr: Agreed. Your more recent films (Tipton et al) are not snowboard related, nor do your photos appear to be. What other subjects or themes do you focus on in your work?

IC: I’m very interested in decay. Dilapidated textures and environments really interest me as well. This is an idea that definitely resonates in a lot of the imagery in Recordings. Finding those places where the natural realm meets some kind of human intervention or element of linearity- that’s a major focus in my experimental film and photo work.
That could be interpreted as an old, soiled mattress, breaking down and becoming the earth again; or something like a blade of grass struggling through the sidewalk. I mean, really those conceptual parameters I just mentioned could apply to virtually anything.
America is looking pretty bleak these days, that’s something else that’s emerging in my work. Or perhaps maybe it’s just an idea that shares a parallel with my aesthetic, which is pretty minimalist.

agr: ohhh man. I was hoping we could talk some politics. I second your statement. Shit is way goddamn scary around this place.

Image courtesy of Ian Clark and Inc. Productions.

IC: Things are looking pretty dark these days. I’ll fucking lose it if McCain gets elected, that guy seems incredibly insincere.

agr: It seems real difficult for Americans to snap out of a jaded national perception. We ain’t the leaders of the world anymore, and as awesome as our forefathers were and all that, there might just be the slightest chance that some things in our nation might need a little tune up.

IC: Usually I just listen to NPR on the radio in my studio, we don’t own a tv. That’s probably something else that affects my psyche though, listening to the radio, and is channeled into my artwork in some form. Negativity just seems like a constant these days. Yeah, we definitely need to make a few adjustments. Socialized healthcare sounds like it would be amazing, maybe you’ll have to wait awhile before you can be seen, but as far as I understand you can pay a small amount to be on a higher priority level. I’d be willing to try that system out- probably beats paying $170 a month. The average premium went up 30% this year, it seems criminal.

agr: I hear ya. The victory of the proletariat are inevitable…That’s the same for me too. No TV, just talk o’the nation, this american life, and a lil BBC news for some international flavor. It is hard to talk with people though because I don’t know the TV shows they are talking about.

IC: Yeah, but that makes it easier to cut off a conversation that I’d rather not have. People that live their lives day-to-day through a tv show are strange to me, especially if it’s reality tv. That shit is fucking stupid.
agr: Damn, this interview kicks ass.

IC: Yeah. It’s pretty sweet.

agr: You know yr stuff ian…good on ya. let’s do some rapid fire stuff to keep the kids interested….

IC: Sounds good.

agr: Favorite non shred film director?

IC: Hmmm… how about a few? Wes Anderson, Coen Brothers, Gus Van Sant, Noah Baumbach, Godfrey Reggio, Bennett Miller… lot’s more.

agr: Solid…snacks: salty or sweet?

IC: Depends. Whichever comes first, it’s usually followed by the other.

Image courtesy of Ian Clark and Inc. Productions.

agr: Hmmm.. good point. how about, favorite mountain?

IC: Spout Springs. Located just off of the Tolgate Hwy in eastern Oregon. It’s only 450 feet vertical, no park, no pipe. Just fun terrain and night skiing, with lots of laps…
Baker is nuts too…
That place will make you become a real snowboarder. I’ve spent a good amount of time at Big Sky in Montana, and that place is huge. But last winter, shredding Baker with my buddy Tipton, that was an eye opener. It’s so big.

agr: Who did Tipton make the call too?

IC: I’ve made a re-edit that should be up on my website soon, so should I tell you? The new spot reveals the person that he’s calling.

agr: Oooohhhhh no, keep em hanging. Good snag.

IC: I’d like to turn that little sketch into a 20 or so minute short.

agr: Why can’t you pump yr own gas in OR?

IC: I don’t know. I used to think that that was kind of stupid because I like feeling self-reliable, but then my dad was like “Well, it’s just another job for someone, and less money for the oil company.” So that made sense to me.

agr: Favorite book?

IC: Life of Pi, Ishmael, 1984. The latter is kind of depressing, but seems to becoming more and more true each day.

agr: Indeed. guilty pleasure movie? Mine is Ghostbusters.

IC: Maybe the early-nineties monster thriller- Tremors.

agr: Good one. Experience or education?

IC: Both. Experience is the best way to discover what works for you, but education is an amazing thing. But, with something like filmmaking, you either have it or you don’t. A person can either compose a good shot, or they can’t. Somebody can talk all of the shit they want, or spray about what film school they attended, but in the end it’s what you’re able to create. I’m definitely on a DIY track, even though I did study fine art and media arts in school.
Back to filmmaking, education would come into play with storytelling, theory, etc. But then again, anything you could ever wish to learn is accessible on the internet or in books.

agr: Best website (besides agoodreed.com)?

IC: Haha. I mostly just check my email, MySpace, and eBay. I just picked up a pretty cool super 8 camera. An old Argus/Cosina.
www.incproductions.org is a pretty good one too…

agr: It sure is. Can we expect any updates soon?

IC: Hopefully. My friend Pat Gill in Missoula is a frequent collaborator and also manages my website. He’s finishing up school right now though, so he’s pretty swamped. We were both just in Whitefish, MT, working on a documentary, and I gave him a disc with some updates and a couple of new videos.

agr: Hells yea. Palin?

IC: I’d say I disagree with her ideologies. McCain’s running mate right?

agr: Somehow, yes. Any words you would like to share? thank yous?

IC: Sure. I’d like to thank my parents, my brother Jeff, Chris Jennings and Mike Surber at the Satellite Art Gallery, Matt Bullis at the UC Art Gallery, Desiree at Northwave/Drake, Debbie at Dakine, Matt at TrickGo, Chris Hotell at Oakley, Jake and Bacon at EOW, Brett Allen and Keith Gardner at SnowGhost Music, and to Dan, Chester, and RJ for some good experiences. Thanks to Rafael Chacon, Greg Twigg, Rick Hughes, Sean Kirby, Brian Cassidy, and Kentucker Audley for giving me some great feedback on my work. Also, thanks to anyone who’s contributed to any of the films that I’ve created. Thanks to my good friends Pat Gill, Josh Saunders, Jigga, Landon Treanor, Ross Weaver, Liam Gallagher, Shane Stalling, Kyle Miller, and to little guppy fish.

 Image courtesy of Ian Clark and Inc. Productions.

Thanks for your time Ian.

visit Ian at Inc Productions.