Film
Facebook
Instagram
 
Interview with Jonny Sambo
Category: Film

Hometown: Born in Hawaii, raised in Clarksville
 
What’s your full name and where are you from?
Jonny Sambo. I was born in Hawaii, but I grew up here in Clarksville.
 
What category are you competing in (Performance, Fashion, or Film)?
Film.
 
What inspired you to submit to Artsville LIVE this year?
Everything just seemed to line up perfectly. I was already working on the video when I saw the flyer at the skate shop and figured—why not?
 
Tell us a little bit about your piece or performance.
It's a mix of performance and film, really. But at its core, it’s just me and the guys having a good time skateboarding—nothing too crazy.
 
How long have you been practicing your craft or art form?
I’ve been skateboarding on and off since I was 11 years old (I’m 30 now). I started taking it more seriously over the past three years. Filming, though—that’s still pretty new for me.
 
Who or what influences your creative work the most?
Honestly, it's a mix of skate videos—like Thrasher, FreeSkateMag, and others—and playing skateboarding video games. It’s a weird combo, but it works.
 
What’s something people might not know about your creative process?
I actually learned how to film skateboarding by playing the game Skater XL.
 
How do you hope people feel when they see your work?
I hope it inspires them to pick up a skateboard—or at least to appreciate the craft a little more.
 
Where can people follow your journey or connect with you online?
You can find me on Instagram: @ElixirDubXL, or follow our skate shop at @ClockworkCustomSkates.
 
If you win Artsville LIVE, how do you plan to use the $1,000 prize?
I’d probably use it to support our local skate shop or invest in some new camera gear.