Joe Carlino Interview
By: Joe Carter
- Joe Carlino filming for the new TWS project. -Photo by John Centi
I've known Joe for a while now. I met him when I lived in Vermont and we moved out to California together. Over the years he has done some awesome stuff from making web edits and promotional videos when he used to work for Bear Mountain. Now he works at Transworld traveling everywhere to make their new video "These Days." He has always had a strong work ethic and really knows how to use his camera and put everything together to make some entertaining snowboarding. Joe has also paid his dues working his way up in the industry and is always a great person just to be around. So I caught up with him while in Southern California to pick at his brain a little bit. Enjoy.
How old are you and where are you from?
24 years old, From North Salem,NY. Its just about an hour north of NYC
How did you get into filming?
I got into shooting video kinda just like all the other kids, shooting your friends and watching movies
Explain how you paid your dues from working weddings a while back to now making the Transworld Videos?
Dang, I donno how to explain that. It was mellow shooting and editing wedding movies. I learned how to edit fast and all the proper ways to edit that way. I think if you want to be good at something you just have to do it all the time as much as you can and that’s what I did. I tried to shoot or edit whenever I could.
What was it like working for Bear Mountain a few years ago?
Working at Bear was so much, I started there just doing web movies for Bear’s site. Then with all the footage we had, we came up with the idea to do a “promo” video for the mtn. Its cool to see them still doing them.
Why did you choose Bear instead of Mammoth, Tahoe, Utah, or someplace else?
I wanted to move to Bear because I always saw Bear and Snow Summit in the Mack Dawg movies and it looked so fun. Spring time all year, sunny and tons of park stuff.
What was it like being offered to make a Transworld snowboarding movie. Did you feel a lot of pressure being put in the same boat as dudes like John Holland and the other guys who make those amazing Transworld skateboarding videos?
Yeah man, it was heavy when I started thinking about it. Jon and Jason make my favorite movies. Those guys are amazing and have set the standard so high. They have a really good style and super creative. I still cant believe we were able to make Transworld first snowboard movie. Its an honor for sure.
Besides being close to your office what do you like best about living in Southern California?
Surfing man, I try and surf at least once a day. Twice or three times if its good out.
How was this past season different from all the others so far?
The biggest difference was that I did a lot of backcountry, I learned a lot about being safe and snowmobiling. It was a really big learning expierence for me.
Where are some of the places that you've traveled to that you've enjoyed the most?
Shoot, ummm New Zealand was super fun, Australia was awesome cause Evan Lefevbre and I were on a month long trip between NZ and OZ. It was like the craziest paid vacation ever. Also this winter I went to India and that was fucked up. Just saw crazy shit like snake charmers and dudes with guns all over.
Do you have any upcoming plans for this season yet? Are you going to make another video?
Yes we are making a new movie this year. I think the crew is going to be heavy. All new riders, totally different feel.
-Joe Carlino filming Jed Anderson for the new TWS project. -Photo by John Centi
What kind of camera do you use when your filming?
I shoot with the Panasonic HVX200
How much does your bag weigh?
Not exactly sure, but its heavy. It’s a workout.
Tell us a crazy story that you have had while traveling.
Ummmm, I’m pretty boring, but heres one about my friend. He was flying to the US Open and when he switched plans on a connection his flight got canceled. So in the line waiting at the airport to get a hotel voucher he was locking eyes with a girl who was also stuck there. He man’d up and said, “hey I’m getting a hotel if you want to stay with me.” She was good to go and stayed with him all that night if you know what I mean.
If you could pick 5 snowboarders, anybody that you wanted. to make a video who would it be.
1.LNP
2.Austin Smith
3.Jordan Mendenhall
4.Scott Stevens
5.Scotty Witlake
Talk some shit on some videos that you don't like. Don't be shy.
I’m not going to talk shit on one video straight up, but I do think the video industry is getting flooded. Like I never made a full movie until this winter because I didn’t want to put out a video just to “make a video”. I think there are sooooo many other things that kids can start out at then make a movie when they have the right crew and money. Maybe I would just like things more if every kid who has a camera and Final Cut Pro didn’t start a “production company”
What's a so called normal day if filming like for you?
In the backcountry its always early, like leave the house or hotel before the sun comes up, drive to the sled spot, unload, find a jump, dig, shoot ect ect. Rail trips are always busy because we can shoot night or day. I just keep going till the riders don’t have the energy. I’m down to shoot whenever.
Who have some of your favorite riders to film with that you've worked with so far?
Our whole crew this year was great. Louif is always a standout. He would do tricks like 5 times then we go back and review the footage in the hotel and pick which is best. Robbie Walker is sick also, he would do anything we said. Whatever would look good he would do. Hes the man.
Do you have any advise for some kids out there that want to get into filming?
I would tell them to just keep learning and trying new things. Think different, get your ideas from outside of snowboarding. Find your own style as you get better. Keep trying and everything will work out.
Who are some of the other people that you travel with throughout the season that aren't just riders?
A lot of the photographers were with us all year, Kevin Zacker is a goodtime. Robbie Sell, Chris Wellhausen. All those guys are photographers who hung out with us this winter. Alex Pashley, the Rossi TM is awesome, he would come sledding with us and dig out sleds that get stuck, double riders to jumps. Its so much fun all the time.
Thank you, shoutouts, and anything else you'd like to say?
Thanks for interviewing me Joe Carter!
