Published: December 10, 2007 9:37 PM EST
By: Isaac Joseph Davis Junior (Juniorscave.com)
December's Spotlight: Austin Weiss Exclusive on JC Interviews
Austin Weiss
Designers are always looking for that next new look that will blow the competition away and amaze the consumer. There is a lot of hard word, sweat, blood, and determination that goes into making that perfect design or building the perfect prize. It doesn't matter if it is clothes, cars, or in this case motorcycle/bikes. The way that a finish product looks is a direct reflection on the designer.
Enter Austin Weiss, 24, who perhaps is considered one of the top designers and builders in the Motorcycle Industry, is living out his dream. In fact, Austin was one of the six chosen Master builders that are on the Easyrider's Events Centerfold Tour. I recently had a chance to catch up with this busy young man to ask him some questions about his field and what is he up to next.
Isaac-Joseph: Austin, thank you for taking the time to do this interview. You are from Stuart, Florida. Describe your hometown and your upbringing in this area.
Austin Weiss: No sweat, I don’t mind doing interviews.
Isaac-Joseph: You are a fantastic designer/builder. Where do you get most of your inspiration from?
Austin Weiss: Thank you for the compliment on that, I get most of my inspiration from the way I think things should flow, I like flowing lines, I like expensive cars, watches, boats, etc... I see things from a design point and make the function part work within my needs.
Isaac-Joseph: What has been the biggest job that you have ever done?
Austin Weiss: That's a tough question, there are so many big projects I've done, Fabrication wise it has to be this bike I’m doing for Carlos Mencia the comedian from Mind of Mencia, This bike is over the top in every direction, He said the word green light on budget and I’ve seriously redesigned the wheel. Everything is one of a kind, no expense spared anywhere on it. It’s taken me almost a year to date to where it’s at now, which is paint, but it was worth it. It’s sick....
Isaac-Joseph: Has there ever been a time where you designed/build a custom motorcycle and thought to yourself that, "I screwed up". If so, how do you handle that type of mistake?
Austin Weiss: I try not to, because it cost too much to fix, but I’ve been there, you think, you breathe, you then find a solution, it’s just metal with a fancy paint job, and anything can be worked out. I built it once I can fix what needs to be done.
Isaac-Joseph: You were chosen as one out of six Master builders for the Easyrider's Events Centerfold Tour. How has this tour been for you and what have you learned from this experience that will help you as a builder/designer of motorcycle? (Part 1)
Isaac-Joseph: You are a certified in welding by the American Welding Society in a numerous of position. Elaborate on some of those areas for the readers of our magazine who are not familiar with welding. (Part 2)
Austin Weiss: I have what they call a 6G certification and that means I'm certified to weld on a pipe that is stationary in a 45 degree angle. They say it is the hardest position to weld in and once you have that you can weld in any other position. I have certifications in Stainless steel, Mild steel, Chromoly, titanium, Magnesium, aluminum, and inconel. I love to weld and just figured I would use those certifications one day, not all materials do you get a 6G certification in. But as far as methods I am certified in Stick, Mig, Tig, Gas, and Underwater.
Isaac-Joseph: I also have read in your bio that you were a head fabricator at one of the leading bike builder. Later, you decided to branch out on your own and take a risk by starting your own Streamline Design in 2005. What was your first thoughts when you decided to take this plunge and how has this been for you since you started this back in 2005?
Austin Weiss: I used to work for Thunder Cycles doing the biker build offs for Discovery Channel and V-twin TV for Speed and it was a blast working there. I needed a small raise to get my own apartment and I had been there awhile and when I asked he kept promising me but never came through. My father then said he would back me to build a bike and it was a risk but it has paid off. It was extremely nerve racking in the beginning but all in all it was well worth the efforts.
Isaac-Joseph: What has been the most rewarding aspect you have experienced since starting Streamline Design in 2005?
Austin Weiss: Building bikes for clients like Lil Jon, Carlos Mencia, Black Eyed Peas, Budlight, Krieger watches, it’s unreal to meet and talk to these people and become friends with them. There celebrities and here I am a punk kid from Miami Beach.
Isaac-Joseph: "Get Loose" was your first bike design/build. Describe the feeling you had once you completed this project.
Austin Weiss: I finished it at 3:14 am the day before the show. My boy Mike Ammons and Tommy stayed late to help me finish putting it together after Keith wired it up, we loaded it drove up to Mikes house passed out and left first thing to get there by 9 am to Daytona. And when I won best of show and was asked to shoot it for Cover of American Iron magazine I was blown away... It felt great, I have built bikes for my old boss that went cover but this was my design, my name. It was awesome.
Isaac-Joseph: What has been the worst aspect you have experienced since starting Streamline Design in 2005?
Austin Weiss: Doing it all alone at times, Its hard to get good help, I had my best friend and probably one of the best fabricators, wirers, and all around guy working with me and we could do anything and quick, when I moved up to Stuart he stayed and Until recently I have been doing it alone, until I found Matty, Then Mike Ammons who helped me finish getting loose have been helping me on there spare time.
Isaac-Joseph: For younger boys and girls wishing to get into this-what advice do you have for them?
Austin Weiss: Go to welding school, sheet metal schools, etc. There is a school I work with for just this question in Tennessee Called Metal-craft Skill Center, Mark who runs it is unreal when it comes to sheet-metal and fabrication, great guy. I would call him up at (888) 309-9507.
Isaac-Joseph: How has your family/friends helped with your goals?
Austin Weiss: My family has been amazing, my mom and dad have been behind me from the get go and could not have done it with out them, My dad goes to every show with me and runs the booth and makes sure everything is in place, My wife is amazing in letting me do so many shows a year and working the crazy hours that I do to make this business work.
Isaac-Joseph: It is our Shout Out time. Give props to anyone that you would like to at this moment.
Austin Weiss: My parents, my wife, Matty, Mike, JR, Jeremy, one arm Mike, Bones, Bayla, All my friends, Al and Dana, Larry, David, Sean and Em, EJ, my brother in law Josh, my whole family for that matter, GOD, and to a friend who I will always miss and always love Lance Hall. My sponsors, Metal Craft tools, Famous Stars and Straps, Easyriders, Baker Drive train, Renegade wheels, Barnett, Motorcult.
Isaac-Joseph: Shameless Plug time: Give us any info on new designs/builds, appearance, or special events that you will be involved with in the near future.
Austin Weiss: New builds, Will.i.am, front man for the Black eyed peas, is getting a sick trike, Black eyed peas as a group is getting a pro-chop rigid, Krieger watch company is getting a sick bobber, keep your eye out for Will.i.am riding one of my creations to the red carpet at the Grammy’s....
Photos used in this spotlight were provided by Austin Weiss.
JC Interviews Exclusive: Tom John
Published: December 16, 2007 8:53 PM EST
By: Isaac Joseph Davis Junior (Juniorscave.com)
Tom John
Remember when you watched the video to Michael Jackson’s Thriller. The one thing that stood out was the intense choreographed scene in the video. But, the King of Pop is known for his amazing moves. Moves like those take a good choreographer to really bring out the essence of a dancer’s style.
For those who have watched MTV, BET, FUSE, or even VH1 have seen countless of music videos of some of the best choreographed dance moves around. Well, Tom John, a choreographer, best known for his innovative choreographies to music videos, has built up a solid resume. In fact, this hot choreographer was worked with such names as Quami Dela Fox (Beastie Boys), Timbaland, Alisa Apps, Cassidy, TMB, Delta Goodrem, Bow Wow, and too many more to name in this interview.
With a resume like his, it is no wonder that Tom John is HOT at this moment with no signs of cooling off anytime soon. I had a chance to do an Interview with this young man as we went one on one to learn more about Tom John.
Isaac-Joseph: How are you doing today? I am pleased that you took the time to do this interview with our magazine.
Tom John: I am doing great today, yourself? The pleasure is all mine, I love your magazine and I am honored to be a part of it.
Isaac-Joseph: Thank you! We are honored to have you.
Isaac-Joseph: You have choreographed many of the dance scenes in music videos. What have been some of the best moments about working with music artists who come with their own experience of dancing? And the most difficult?
Tom John: The best feeling in the world is succeeding something that you knew it was hard and almost impossible for you. Therefore, the best moment for me is to see a recording artist breaking his own limits and after years of being incapable of dancing, now, he is dancing like pro. The most difficult moment for me was working with a recording artist in a dance studio and he came with his rude entourage and they just messed up the whole place, broke equipment and disrespected the entire studio staff; I am still embarrassed to show my face in that place since then.
Isaac-Joseph: You are from L.A. Describe how you first begin to dance and what drove you to want to become a choreographer:
Tom John: Actually, I moved to LA from Israel – where I started my dancing hobby and made it into a career. I began as a street break-dancer, a kid performing in parks for money, just dancing in the streets all day long, I started my own crew, and we called ourselves “Take a Break”. We started to do promotional tours for corporations with my choreographies, I started to teach dance classes, and one day I just got a call from a recording artist asking me to choreograph his video and it just went on from there.
Isaac-Joseph: Have you ever had an experience where a dancer could not learn the moves? How do you handle this?
Tom John: Yes, it happens from time to time, if I have enough time I will help this dancer personally and guide him until he learns the moves. Sometimes because of time limits, I have to change choreography or I just let that specific dancer go, but usually the best thing is just to audition dancers prior to the project.
Isaac-Joseph: In your opinion, how hard is it to break in as a choreographer? What are some pitfalls that you had to overcome yourself to make it?
Tom John: If you are really good and talented, it can be very hard for two reasons. The first one is budget, you have to prepare a product, which is your choreography reel, you have to hire a video editor, if you are just starting and do not have any other footage you will have to hire dances, studio space and a film crew to shoot your reel. The second thing is the big issue. After you have your final product – your reel, and even if it is great, you have to make the right people see it and that can be though to reach to those people high up in the industry and make them sit for a few minutes to watch your reel.
Isaac-Joseph: What advice can you give to young dancers who may want to get into the business of one day becoming a choreographer?
Tom John: Be creative; do not be afraid to do something else, to do something different. It is better to define mainstream than to follow mainstream. Choreography for me is just to show the world what goes in my head when I hear the song.
Isaac-Joseph: What have been some highpoints about being a choreographer and some down points?
Tom John: The highpoints is that I do what I love and I interact with amazing people everyday working with the finest artists in every field – pure fun. The down points is just working with difficult & rude people, and the worst thing is turning people down in auditions people that work hard to be dancers and every auditions 95% of the dancers getting out disappointed.
Isaac-Joseph: What has been one of the most challenging decisions you have had to make as a choreographer?
Tom John: The most challenging decision I had to make and I still encounter is when I do a choreography the way I think I should be and the artist comes and changes it into something different - that from my experience I know that it wouldn’t work and sometimes, can even destroy the whole entire project. When I was younger, I used to fight for what I believe in and it usually ends badly. Nowadays, I just advise once and I go with the will of the client trying to make the best out of it, because as a services provider my clients desires is the most important thing for me.
Isaac-Joseph: Your Company: TAB Dance Company INC —what can we expect from this company and what type of dancers are you looking for?
Tom John: TAB Dance Company is not like a usual theatrical dance company, the direction of the company is more towards the recording artist. The corporation gives the client piece in mind and a package deal as far as dancing. From booking the choreographer, making the contract for the choreography copyrights, auditioning the dancers, booking rehearsal space, making a video presentation and live pre-project presentation and just covering the entire dance aspect of the production in the music video/project.
Isaac-Joseph: How do you handle an artist that does not want to listen to your direction or is difficult to work with?
Tom John: As I was referring to before, I cannot force my ideas on no one that does not want to listen. What the client wants is what the client gets. However, usually after those artists develop a working relationship with me, they also, learn to trust me.
Isaac-Joseph: In the next few years, what are you hoping to achieve with your choreography?
Tom John: I can go on and on forever on this but for now I’ll have to say that since the day that I actually said to myself “I want to be a choreographer for the rest of my life” was the day I saw Usher 8701 tour, I would say choreographing a tour for Usher to close a circle =)
Isaac-Joseph: Describe the feeling you get when everything falls into place with a new dance sequence that you choreographed:
Tom John: It is an amazing feeling to see your final project completed to see down at home and watch the video you choreographed for the first time is just looking at your baby when he walks for the first time. Then seeing the video becomes “Video of the day”, “Video of the Week” & “Video of the Month” and being nominated for all kind of choreography awards is like to see your baby growing up and becoming the successful man he wants to be.
Isaac-Joseph: How does the music serve your choreographic intent?
Tom John: Well the music is my inspiration, it is the guide to my creations, I’m not the kind of choreographer that create a piece and then finds the right music, I have to be inspired from a song to create and when I do create it is very specific to that music & lyrics.
Isaac-Joseph: How do you assess your communication with your dancers regarding your choreographic
intentions and movement during live performances?
Tom John: At first I had a hard time to explain my dancers what goes in the picture of the dance that I see in my had, I had to struggle to explain exactly what I want. However, lately after teaching for the past 5 years more than a 1,000 Dance classes I find easy and quick ways to explain to dancers and even non-dancers my choreographic intentions exactly as is see them.
Isaac-Joseph: How have your family and friends help with you staying on track with your goals?
Tom John: Since I was little, I received a lot of support from my family and my friends, from going to my talent shows as a kid to recording music channels all day long to see my video premieres to going to big showcases that I choreographed and of course for always believing in me.
I would like to invite the readers to come and see my choreography reel at www.TomJohnDance.Com
Isaac-Joseph: Shameless plug time! Give the readers of our magazine any new updates about you.
Isaac-Joseph: Thank you for taking the time to do this interview for Juniorscave.com.
Tom John: See the Official Choreography Reel below:
Tom John - Official Choreography Reel
Junior's Cave Online Magazine/JC Internet Radio Staff Team,
