James not only likes to surf, but he has a real interest in filming and the production of various types of DVD’s; his business, James Kates Video Productions, also handles weddings, birthdays, concerts and the like, but his main focus remains on developing body boarding footage.
His latest production is titled “Chicks” and is basically a presentation filmed over the past six months on the South Coast and edited in chronological order. “Chicks” will premier at The Illawarra Grammar School on 17 October commencing at 7pm and the DVD will also be on sale at a cost of only $20.
Tickets for the night will cost $10 and James says there will be games, giveaways and special appearances to add to the entertainment. He is already expecting an audience of some 400 people.
 The former Kanahooka resident and student at Hayes Park Primary and Kanahooka High Schools took seriously to the waves some five years ago, but he admits to having an interest in surfing for almost as long as he can remember.
A move to Port Kembla with his father Peter further whetted his appetite for the sport at a young age. James says the South Coast boasts some of the best waves and riders in the world and he believes “Chicks” reflects this.
He also admits that the full time move into surfing and filming was easy for him. “I was keen on the sport and wanted to make it an ongoing part of my life without having to put up with the daily grind,” he says.
“Chicks” will not be the first film James has produced and already his earlier efforts in this field are being well received. Last year James travelled all around Australia and visited Indonesia and The Cook Islands in search of good waves to help him complete a video titled ‘Wayne’s Addiction’.
Still learning
While admitting to still learning his new line of business James, who studied film – making at Randwick TAFE, is keen to continue in his chosen craft.
James has only just recently moved to new premises in Wollongong, but he’s still only a stone’s throw away from the surf. To help him in his business endeavours James enrolled in a local NEIS program and completed a course, which he says, has certainly been of great assistance in running his business.
You can see for yourself many of the images in “Chicks” by going to www.myspace.com/chicksvid or for more information call James on 0413919216.
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James, great work although I am not a surfer my two children and a couple of mates will be going to see "Chicks" With your promotional material above, looks great, I'm a bit confused about the theme, is it a movie with Girls riding with guys that surf.
Or about guys that pull the chicks because they surf?
Eg. girl sitting on a matress, is she waiting for her surfer man to walk out of the water, or is it a struggling surf "Chick" searching for the perfect wave and sleeping on the floor waiting for her big break, and living rough as I presume almost all non contracted surfers do.
Simply the image does not present a specific theme. Possibly I have missed the theme but now the lack of specific theme give a certain mistery to "chicks" Possibly the tourist industry could support you in the commercialization of this type of Movie come imfomercial that promotes Wollongong in the context of other surfing destinations. I'll see you on tne night. Well done.
by Ian Fulford
01 Oct 08 08:25