Lou - What films have you done?
Itoi - I am a camera person for ASP tour; I edit and directing over 50 films; 1^st job was ASP CHIBA secret Point

Why or how did you get into filming?
Itoi – I enjoy filming, started filming for fun.

Why so long to do your own film?
Itoi – it takes a long time, traveling the world making connections with surfers to come to Japan to film footage.

"Japan : Style if Everything" What Style are you meaning? Surf, clothing? Hair?
Itoi – it is Lifestyle that I mean.

Was the Film and Expression of a feeling, or guiding the viewer in a Moral to Story kind of way?
Itoi – Japan has a stereotype of small waves, no waves. I want to express and show that Japan is much more than that. We have waves of all kinds, we have four seasons and I wanted to show all that. In the film; Spring = Chiba; Summer = Miyazaki; Fall = Fukushima & Sendai; Winter = Kyoto...


What are some of your Favorite places in California?
Itoi - Captain Helm and L&L Hawaiian in Oceanside CA

Where are some of your Favorite places to film?
Itoi - Miayzaki during typhoon season in Japan (September / October).

What is your favorite spot to film in California?
Itoi - favorite spot to film is San Onofre.; I like the San Onofre waves, these waves can relate more to the good waves in Japan. Japanese Surfers can relate to these style waves better when see them in my films. I have traveled the world and now I am focusing on Japan and want to bring the Japanese culture and waves through film to the world.

What’s Next?
Itoi – I have been filming a documentary for the last year about Japanese Surf culture in Shonen. I love the Shonen, and Chigasaki surf scene and community. If I lived in Japan I would certainly gravitate there. It should be known I have never been to Chiba but I really fell in love with the area and the people there when I visited a few years back.

I love Shonen and Chigasaki; How can there so many surf shops in such a small area?
Itoi – it’s a social thing with the surf schools in some of the shops; you can leave your board at the shop. Travelers from Tokyo or people who have a small home or apartment can’t manage space for their board especially long boards.

What is the Shonen documentary about?
Itoi - Mostly Shonen local people and some Japanese professional surfers.

You won an award at the California Surf Festival for Japan: Style is Everything. What was that like?
Itoi - I'm not sure about this but It's my first time won an award so I'm pretty glad!

Thank you very much, Itoi-san. We cannot wait to see your next film!!

Itoi says he is now working on the new film and who will be in it. He is also in hopes of an early 2011 release for a photo book. We look forward to hearing from Itoi around the Green Room Festival and as he gets further along with his new film.


Interview by Lou Niles
Some photos Lou Niles other photos Itoi Yoshitaka