Insight – Chad Shackleford
Posted by Prashant - 30/03/09 at 10:03:13 am
photo by Nuno Olivera
Chad Shackleford is a name that is synonymous with video production in BMX. He’s worked on his own creative projects with the Shine and Shook video series, and done video work for numerous other companies and brands in BMX such as Odyssey, Hoffman, Micreation, System Cycle, Local Exposure Tour, and many others. By a strange twist of fate, we got in touch with Chad, and Rich Redmond asked him some questions to get some insight to what he’s been up to lately. Click below to read the Chad Shackleford interview.
Chad in Mexico – photo by Nuno Olivera
First off, it’s awesome to have you take some time for the interview here. I have to ask how in the fuck did you find capitalbmx?
Just cruising around the internet, links take you to links and post to post and so forth. It’s the “intraweb” man.
Secondly, who the hell are you and where are you from?
I’m an Editor/Motion Designer from Ohio.
When did filming come into play and evolve into the Shine series?
I graduated High School when I was 17 and started making the Shine videos with three of my friends. We were riding a lot and having a good time, so we decided to document it.
How did filming progress for you? Was it a personal decision or was it a lack of other people documenting what was going on around you?
It was just something that I found interest in. I was always artistic through High School, but never had my own computer or camera. I didn’t get my own camera until i was 19 and computer until I was 20, so I always relied on the other guys involved in the project. I learned on their equipment and eventually got my own.
Word is you are now doing some work for Stan Lee from Marvel? Care to explain what you are doing and how it came about? What can we expect from you in the future outside of bikes? I wanna know if I am watching some of your work in a movie or something! There are plenty of intricate nerds (haha sorry guys) that are into Marvel and all sorts of cool things like that here.
I wasn’t actually working for Stan Lee. I was working on a Documentary featuring Stan Lee and the story of Marvel Comics. I worked for the company for about 5 mo. before I got laid off. Its tough right now, the jobs are minimal and while being in LA provides more opportunities, there are also more people trying to jump on those opportunities.
I really don’t have too much interest in making bike videos anymore. I love doing them, but they dont really stimulate me creatively. All in all, Ive produced/co-produced about 22 BMX DVD’s, so I think its time to move on. I have a lot of things I want to accomplish outside of the BMX industry and I really need to focus on networking, building my skills and getting involved in some bigger projects.
I recently shot an Army Navy music video. The director, producer and DP were rad and the band was incredible. Id really like to do more projects like these in the future.
Being so busy with editing and video work, you have distanced from BMX riding. Now do you ever get on the bike or is it completely gone? I am sure others are curious because you are still doing some BMX work are you not? I am curious mainly because most of my best friends are on a bike, I just don’t connect with other people.
I don’t ever ride BMX. I’m not really into it anymore. I still think things that people do are cool, but for me, I’m over it. I ride track bikes a lot and do a lot of long distance rides, which gives me the same feeling as I used to get as a kid on a BMX and I think that’s whats really important. I have lots of friends that don’t ride BMX. My relationships with them, seem more real and full of substance. Its not based on a hobby or a certain image but more on our ideals, interests the way we connect. Not saying that I don’t have those relationships with fellow riders, just that I can appreciate someone and find them interesting outside of their chosen hobby.
Pulling out the old flatland tricks for good measure with an elbow glide.
Seeing as you are still checking sites, what is your take on thecomeup where it is full of internet videos that may produce too much of a spotlight so often that it’s hard to enjoy buying a dvd? Not to mention the billions of kids giving their opinions on everything, myself included.
I rarely check the (BMX) internet, only when im bored at 6am and no one is on Ichat to bother. hahaha. None of that shit bothers me, Im happy people are getting exposure via the internet and websites like the come up.
In our last “bmx house” 206, we used to religiously watch the dvd menu for System Cycles. We were too lazy to hit play, we’d sit and stare for a good hour before deciding to ride. How much did you have to do with that film? And were you really tight with Ian Schwartz to have that split part? Which ruled by the way! Love that whole vid…so good!
I just rode for my part and did some filming of some of the other guys for Will Stroud. Ian and I have known each other for quite sometime. We both come from Ohio and well BMX is small, you pretty much know everyone in your state. Thanks for the kind words about the part. It was all Ian, It was and honor to have a part with him.
Chad Shakelberg/Ian Sportz about to tear up your TV
Do you know why the Micreation film took so long to get onto shelves?
No Clue.
Ottawa isn’t known for it’s street spots, how was it that the team decided to come here?
I figured it would be cool. I had been up to Montreal and a couple of times, but never explored some of the other places around that part of Canada, so it was kinda on a whim.
What is one of the craziest things you have encountered on your many roadtrips?
Id say playing with lions in South Africa still takes the cake. I dont do much traveling anymore, so I havent had a chance to top that one.
Filming in South Africa for Electronical.
Where does a guy like Chad Shack go for vacation?
I don’t really go on Vaca. I do go AWOL to Mexico sometimes. I have a good group of friends down there and I don’t have to worry about phone calls, finances, drama when Im there. Actually a trip for me there, might be in order, haha.
Does it ever rain where you live?
It rains for about 2 weeks then maybe once or twice more throughout the year, hahaha.
I remember in one shine (I think it was shine, I hope!) there is this one black dude Rondell who does a crazy goofy whip over his head! It’s insane. Any chance you can hook us up with a pic of that? That would make my day hahaha.
Nah, I havent heard from that dude in a long time. Worms and Tyrone introduced me to him. He was cool as fuck. He rode for Bulldog, so you might be able to locate him through those dudes.
Thanks for your time, and any last words Chad?
Thanks for letting me ramble on here. Thanks to the few friends that I know I can count on no matter what happens in our lives. Thanks to all the riders who supported the Shine/Shook series and any of my other projects. I’m happy to have made some videos that some of you may have enjoyed.
2007 Motion Graphics Compilation
2008 Motion Graphics Compilation
Shine 1
Shine 2 – Rich’s favorite shot of Rondel at 19:24
Shine 3
Chad’s version of Shine 4 (video was edited 4 different ways by 4 different editors)
Shook – Winteractive Trailer
Shook – Put In Werk Trailer
Shook – Like Totally Trailer
Hoffman Bikes – Broke Off
6 Comments »
RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URI
make sure to check out crazy Rondel at 19:20 of shine 2!!! insane whip.
Comment by Rich Red — March 30, 2009 #
[...] Capital BMX has an interview up with Chad Shackelford that includes the ominous phrase [...]
Pingback by Chad Shackelford Interview. / The Come Up / BMX — March 30, 2009 #
too bad shine 2 doesnt work. video not availible
Comment by jorden — March 30, 2009 #
nevermind, it worked. and thats fucking crazy!
Comment by jorden — March 30, 2009 #
Question about the army/navy music video… egh if there already was a director and DP, what exactly did you ‘shoot’?..
Comment by ross. K — March 31, 2009 #
sick interview rich! very entertaining.
Comment by Brandon — April 2, 2009 #