Matt Raimondo Interview

Matt Raimondo has been involved in the Australian inline scene for basically as long as I can remember; I recently had the chance to hang out with matt while he was on the ROCES tour filming for the new 32#1#6 video and at the Australian titles. Matt is no doubt one of the most sincere people I have ever meet, you know his the kind of guy that says his gonna do something and does it. Mr. Matt Man as I like to call him, is the producer and founder of the 32#1#6 video magazine the newest video mag to cover the Australian Inline scene. His videos are put together with a style of editing that is defiantly his own, check out the interview below and see what makes this man tick!

DaKlinic.Com: How did you get into skating ?
Matt Raimondo: I started playing In-Line Hockey when I was about 12 and after a couple of years I just started going down to the local vert ramp and then I saw the movie airborne and dare to air and I just got inspired to keep going with it.

DaKlinic.Com: Is there a certain method that you Produce your video's ?
Matt Raimondo: I try and put a lot of effort into the format of the videos with different sections and stuff, I really like to be creative and try and do things differently in each video I make.

DaKlinic.Com: If you're a kid and you want to start skate video production, what do you do?
Matt Raimondo: I started off just from skating, we had some footage from comps and stuff and then I just started puting it together on 2 vcr's and it looked good so I kept doing it, at first I didn't even have a camera I just used other peoples cameras and footage, as I developed more as a skater I decided I wanted to do this for real and I got into a course on video production because of my home videos I had made, but the course was dodgy I feel most of what I know is through my own experience. You can't just go out and make a pro rollerblading video, I started from nothing and just built it up through my travels as a rollerblader meeting people and showing off my tapes till the point where many of the skaters all over Australia knew what I was doing long before issue 1 was release

DaKlinic.Com: Wouldn't it be better to start with a digital camera ?
Matt Raimondo: Digital is the way to go, but you can only use what you've got

DaKlinic.Com: In the video is everything shot on digital ?
Matt Raimondo: Every thing I shoot is digital but sometimes I get non-digi footage sent in and if the skating is good enough I will use it because it's all about giving the skaters respect for what they are doing not making the video look pretty.

DaKlinic.Com: Did you teach everything yourself ?
Matt Raimondo: I guess I learnt a lot from my 2 year diploma on video production but there is so much more... you can't be taught how to be creative.

DaKlinic.Com: There's a lot more to shooting a good footage than having the right equipment. A lot of it is who you shoot do u agree ?
Matt Raimondo: It could't be done without the skaters we've got so many good skaters in Australia and now they can be recognized. I can only do so much the rest is up to the talent.

DaKlinic.Com: Whose else's video's do you like?
Matt Raimondo: I like how Joe Navran edit's his videos also I kind of look at the VG series because that's kind of how I want to be... the VG of Australia. I would rather watch any Australian video though because we can relate to it better and see all the people we know skating.

DaKlinic.Com: You could be a good camera guy, but do you find that you have to be able to get along with the skaters personally ?
Matt Raimondo: If you don't get along with the skaters nobodys going to want to skate with you... I am a Rollerblader and generally Reollerbladers stick together and get along really well... getting to know and hanging out with all the skaters is probly the best thing about what I'm doing... and they are what inspire me to keep doing it.

DaKlinic.Com: What's the best tip you can give someone?
Matt Raimondo: Just do what you love to do and if it's meant to be it'll be

DaKlinic.Com: What would a dream session be for you?
Matt Raimondo: The dream skate session for me would be just with all my favourite people I like to skate with at my favorite skate spot, and when it's over we just go chill.

DaKlinic.Com: Do you ever cut it on the the turntables?
Matt Raimondo: I don't know how to use turntables but I've always loved turntablism and I want to learn

DaKlinic.Com: What do you think about contest skating?
Matt Raimondo: I used to love competing in vert but now I'm not really into competing as much any more, I still love comps though but it depends on how they exploit skating comps like the X games where the just care about money and sponsors they dont give a shit about the skaters and make it look crap on TV, but a comp like the Australian Titles where it's organised by skaters for skaters and it's more relaxed and evreryone gets together and has heaps of fun, that is what a comp should be about.

DaKlinic.Com: What inspires you to keep going big?
Matt Raimondo: I skate all the time and it's easy to not try, but when the motivtion levels are right you just don't care about getting hurt.

DaKlinic.Com: What are some cd's that you have been listening to lately?
Matt Raimondo: Well whilst making issue 2 I was just searching for tracks for the video going through lots of stuff, I mostly listen to hip hop and R&B but I like all kinds of music.

DaKlinic.Com: What is your skate setup right now?
Matt Raimondo: I just got new Black Roces Kooties with Cozmo wheels

DaKlinic.Com: What are your other interests other than skating?
Matt Raimondo: Before I got into the video stuff I wanted to be a graphic designer, I love to paint but I haven't been able to do much art work since leaving school I have a few designs though and I'm trying to get back into it.

DaKlinic.Com: Which would you rather be Rockstar or Pornstar ?
Matt Raimondo: A rock star

Click Here to check out Matt's 32#1#6 video page

Interview by: Shep