ALL WORK KNOW PLAY

MY WORKPLAYCE: GARVIN HA

Name: Garvin Ha
Location: San Diego, California
Occupation: Visual Content Creator
Afiliations: Think Department
Background: Garvin Ha was born and raised in San Diego, located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California. Having been raised in a diverse and humble upbringing, curiosity and interest ignited in almost everything. Film (visual + audio storytelling) quenched his curiosity by acting as a window into different cultures and lifestyles. His passion has accessed him to the action sports industry, different visual and music artists, and travel. Intrigued by the filmmaking process, he has worked in all phases of production from planning, to shooting to post production. Not limiting his time to just one thing, he also dabbles in photography and sketches in a notebook day to day. His work can be seen on www.GarvinHa.com. You should probably go there. But first read what he has on his workspace.

What’s on his desk:

1. Vivitar 84p Super 8 Cam
2. Nikon FM 35mm
3. Stickies of projects to be completed or have been completed
4. El Museo Del Barrio reciept from NYC
5. Black notebook
6. Photo of a dope Left ride by Joel Tudor (may need to point in picture)
7. Cup of pens and markers
8. The photo I shot of my friends at a game of butts up
9. Powerbook G4
10. UHF antenna + Analog TV

AWKP: A lot of different directors and videographers use different equipment to capture their vision, why did you select the Vivitar super 8 cam and nikon fm 35mm as your weapons of choice?

GH: In one statement: these cameras use FILM. I don’t have to use photoshop or any editing programs to get a “gritty film look”. Same reason why people still listen to vinyl records.

I was fortunate enough to have these cameras passed down to me by my pops and my former boss.

Chicano Park 45 from Garvin Ha on Vimeo.

AWKP: With all the fancy slr cameras that record video do you feel that is helping or hurting the art of film? Do you feel that it allows for anyone out there to become a cinematographer? Or is there more to it than just a fancy camera?

GH: I’d have to say it’s doing both. Just like any other art or craft, digital technology has allowed any Joe Schmoe off the street to be a “(fill in the blank)”. There’s more to any art than buying fancy gear.

AWKP: With all that technology at your fingertips, you still run with the sticky notes. How come? And why haven’t those been crumpled up and moved on?

GH: Pen + Paper = RAD

The Upstarts “GOT WHAT IT TAKES” from Garvin Ha on Vimeo.

AWKP: Item #7 is such a random item to point out. Was there something interesting in that cup or were you just showing off your highlighter collection?

GH: First ever “art project”. It was supposed to be a mug made back in the 8th grade but ended up as a sh*tty pen/highlighter/pencil cup throughout the years.

AWKP: In item #7 you mention a game of Butts up. Can you please elaborate.

GH: BUTTS UP. It was the first time I had messed with ASA/ISO 3200 black and white film and I captured the first ever (non official) Butt’s Up tournament game in Downtown San Diego. Basically a photo that reminds me to always get out of the crib.

AWKP: Did you know back on June 12, 2009, the FCC set the end of high power analog tv transmissions? Why do you still have one in your room and what is it used for?

GH: It was our main family TV; I grew up not having cable TV and still don’t have cable TV. The UHF antenna and I go way back to Saturday morning cartoons and the Telemundo.

When analog video and broadcasting was still dominant(NTSC and PAL signal) having a separate production monitor allowed you to preview your project accurately. This allowed you to adjust your projects manually. I was fortunate enough to dabble with this technology and still have it involved for my projects today.

Newyork-isms from Garvin Ha on Vimeo.

AWKP: Who is your favorite cinematographer and what ways has that person inspired you to develop your own style?

GH: I don’t play favorites, but C. Doyle has a “F**k it” attitude
to the artform that really sets the bar. What I’m saying is
that there are no set rules, trust your gut.

AWKP: What are you working on right now?

GH: You’ll be the first few people to know when the projects are finished.

AWKP: Last words, shotouts, comments?

GH: Thank you AWKP for sneaking me on this site.

I’d like to give a huge shoutout to Sifu Q, FJ, Style Over Comfort, pops, moms,
brother, and other living molecules in this planet.

For more information on Garvin, please visit www.garvinha.com

Recording w/ Freddie Joachim and Question from Garvin Ha on Vimeo.

This entry was posted on Monday, November 21st, 2011 at 11:29 am. It is filed under FEATURED, VIDEOGRAPHY and tagged with cool workspaces, desk, desktop, garvin, ha, Joel Tudor, nikon, Photography, powerbook g4, upstarts, videoography, visual content creator, workspace. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.