Jack McCoy is a legend of surfing. Not for his work on a surfboard, but his work behind the camera for almost half a century. If you are a surfer, chances are you have gazed in awe at Jack’s films and camera work, and now you can hear the legend speak himself, when Jack McCoy's Talk Story hits the Gold Coast in June.
The genial Hawaiian-born filmmaker is world renowned for 25 iconic and award winning surfing films that have entertained fans with beautiful images, exotic locations and cutting edge performance surfing. His interactive lecture/conversation events around the world have held audiences captive with a mix of story-telling, film clips (some never before seen publicly) and photographs from his illustrious career.
Among others, you'll hear stories about how one of his first underwater cameras was originally designed for filming World War Two aerial bombing raids. Jack fashioned it into a homemade fiberglass waterproof housing and attached it to his wrist to tackle Hawaii’s infamous Banzai Pipeline. Or about how Jack partnered with Dick Hoole to create 1970’s seminal surfing movies 'Tubular Swells' and 'Stormriders', and has worked with the best surfers of all time.
On 14 June the show goes on the road, starting with a double-header at Sydney's Museum of Contemporary Art - part of the VIVID Ideas Festival. Following Sydney, Jack McCoy Talk Story then heads to Noosa, Gold Coast, Byron Bay, Coffs Harbour, Newcastle, and the Central Coast. Other guests joining Jack on the tour include Occy and Parko.
“I have created a program that is more of an event than a screening of one of my 25 films.” said McCoy looking back on an amazing career, “As I move closer to the end of my career, I want to give back and share some intimate moments that haven't been documented in the movies. I have been doing Talk Stories and Master Classes at film festivals around the world, connecting with audiences far and wide. “
The Talk Story event is a journey of the people and places that have made the filmmaker. The stories will include: the planning, the execution, the life and death adventures whilst working with the world’s best surfers from Gerry Lopez, Tom Carroll to Andy Irons and Kelly Slater. From crude Plexiglas water housings to filming with an underwater jet ski to capture images that no one had ever done before, he will also share the story of filming one of the three most famous waves in surfing history.
It is a behind-the-scenes look at what it took to create the images and films. Consider it a backstage pass into Jack’s life’s work. Accompanied by still photos and film clips (some of which have never been publicly released) this is not a show you will find on YouTube. It is shared with the audience who are invited to ask questions about working with the world’s best surfers or the location of a particular scene.
For camera and film maker buffs Jack will talk about the tools of trade and for music lovers he will share how he choose the soundtracks and the personal relationship he had with some legendary artists including Jack Johnson, Dave Grohl and even a Beatle.
“I have approached my art with the best quality possible in film, soundtracks, surfers and equipment and therefore in order to deliver an event like this, I have not compromised on the venue,” said McCoy when discussing venues for his East Coast Tour, which includes the Sydney Opera House for the first event.
Catch Jack McCoy when his Talk Story comes to the Gold Coast on Friday 21 June, at Twin Towns Services Club, with special guests Joel Parkinson and Mark Occhilupo. You can also see him at Byron Bay on Saturday 22 June, with special guest Mark Occhilupo. Tickets are now on sale now via jackmccoy.com/talk-story.
IMAGE (c) Jack McCoy and Dick Hoole with equipment they used to film 'Tubular Swells'.