Meet Colin H. Clark | Filmmaker & Coffee shop owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Colin H. Clark and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Colin H., putting aside the decision to work for yourself, what other decisions were critical to your success?
After college I wanted to get into professional skateboarding but I wasn’t good enough of a skateboarder, so I figured I could film the pros. I went overseas by myself to film the international skateboarding contest circuit. This was before social media, and I would look up dates for events online that were happening in different countries. I had a train pass for the summer and would just show up to these contests, shoot them, and post them to a popular online message board. No one knew me at the time, but my videos had my name at the end of them so after a few events I would introduce myself and people would recognize my name from the videos. It worked, and by the end of the summer I had a job with an online European Skateboard magazine and moved to The Netherlands.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
With almost 2 decades of being in film making, I’d say the most unique aspects of my journey have been the different industries and locations I have worked in. Starting in professional skateboarding and action sports events, then moving into food, I have shot on every continent, and worked in all facets of production. From working in Corporate, Live TV, Reality TV, Feature Films, Short Films, Web Series, Documentaries it’s been a diverse range of avenues. I really enjoy the opportunity to meet new talented individuals and help tell their stories. Whether that is through Directing or being a part of a crew. There have been many hardships along the way, but that is certainly going to happen in anyone’s career journey. I am grateful to have been able to work with amazing athletes in beautiful locations early in my career, which set me up to be able to aim for what I want to create to this day. I’m always trying to improve my craft, and am constantly inspired by events or individuals around me. There is never a shortage of stories to be told, my struggles lately have been to find the time and effort to tell them properly.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I live in Culver City, so I’d probably start there… with breakfast at Destroyer LA. Then maybe head to Arcana: Books on the Arts, they always have inspiring art and literature. Next keep it moving to the beach, hit up Venice to see the iconic Skatepark on the beach, or up to Malibu Village… get some food at Broadstreet Oyster Co. and a drink at Joules & Watts Coffee. I enjoy museums as well, and Los Angeles has some incredible ones. Hammer, LACMA, Peterson Auto and The Broad are some favorites. Gracias Madre in WeHo is always good to grab a bite and maybe hit up a game at night. Depending on time of year, someone is playing. Whether it’s UCLA Basketball in Westwood, LAFC at Banc of California Stadium, Lakers / Kings at STAPLES Center, or USC at the Coliseum.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are too many people that have helped me in different ways throughout my career and life to be able to pin point one individual. Each period of my life has had significant people come in and really help me move onto the next level. If I were to find a moment that really made the biggest difference I’d say it would be getting sober. I had accomplished a lot in my career before getting sober 5 years ago… but it was definitely at a tipping point and a slippery slope if I didn’t make a major change. Los Angeles is a great place to get sober, with over 3,000 Alcoholics Anonymous meetings a week pre-pandemic. I’d say my sobriety was a significant moment I could say impacted me in my entire life moving forward.

Website: www.colinhclark.com

Instagram: @colinhclark

Linkedin: Colin Hadley Clark

Other: www.PushAndPour.com