Feature: Clayton Woodley

Clayton Woodley

Party With Panda

Homepage: http://www.partywithpanda.com/
Feature By: Jonathan Earley
Photography By: Clayton Woodley

C-buz: Describe briefly the different kinds of work you do.
Clayton Woodley: Currently I'm freelancing in shooting digital video, photography, non-linear video editing, and on camera hosting. I'm also running PartyWithPanda.com full time.

CB: What was your very first experience with video or photography that set you on the path you're on?
CW: My path has changed considerably over the past 4 years. I guess my first experience that set me on my initial path would have to be when I received my first digital video camera and computer capable of editing. To be more specific it was really when I started getting As in class by having fun and making videos.

CB: When did you first get into making skate videos?
CW: I started shooting myself and friends skating when I was 12 on an old VHS shoulder mounted camera. High school is what really got me into making my first legit video. I ended up shelving it because I wanted my debut to be a professional skate video in order to make a solid name in the industry. My spring break in senior year is when I went to California and first filmed with professionals.

CB: What was the first gig that you landed where you were like "yessss, I'm moving on up"?
CW: Money wise...when I landed the shooting/directing gig at Sineplex.
Skating wise... when I was asked to co-create the skate video "Teach Them Well"
And with partywithpanda it was when Vice magazine started booking me for events.

CB: Could you drop some names of some of the celeb-type people you've had a chance to shoot / work with (i.e. skaters, musicians, djs)?
CW: Haha, sorry being asked to drop names is kind of funny. I'll rattle off a few.
Skateboarding: Greg Lutzka, Ryan Sheckler, PLG, Jake Brown, Terry Kennedy, Jereme Rogers, and many more.
Musicians/DJs: Mickey Avalon, Beardo, Andre Legacy, Lil Kim, Clipse, MSTRKRFT, Bloody Beetroots, Steve Aoki, A-Track, Mc Lyte, Freddie Gibbs, Lisa D'Amato and probably a lot of people I'm leaving out.
Celebs: I did paparazzi for a year so its not like I was "working with them" but I shot a lot of those A listers.

CB: Describe Party With Panda and how it got started.
CW: After I left the company I was working for I knew I wanted to start a nightlife and event photo/blog site. Then I just started uploading all my event photos on the site in galleries and through friends and word of mouth it started growing and I started booking gigs.

CB: Where have you worked, geographically?
CW: I've shot and worked all over the US, Australia, Russia, Finland, and Mexico.

CB: Could you describe some of those experiences?
CW: Russia by far has been one of the craziest experiences of my life. I definitely grew as in individual and feel the time I spent there significantly changed my outlook on life. On my 19th birthday I shot four (adult) scenes in one day which lead to my birthday party that started off with some cheap Russian champagne and ended up with me running away from a citizens cab, losing my point and shoot, and passing out in front of the studio in this ridiculous St. Petersburg building.

There are a lot of experiences but I think I'm going to save them for a book. My 4 years in "the real world" after North has shown/taught me way more then any college could.

CB: How long did you spend in the LA scene and how did it compare to your time in Columbus?
CW: I started getting into the LA scene in 2007, so roughly 2.5 years. I can't really compare it to my time in Columbus as what I was doing would be like comparing apples to oranges. I never partied in Columbus and LA was full of the usual sex, drugs, and rock n' roll they portray in the movies except with way more deception and unhappy endings.

CB: When you grew up here, did you feel inspired or hindered in any way creatively?
CW: Honestly if I wasn't into skating I don't think I would have been that inspired by Columbus.

“As a skater we look at the city differently. Ledges and handrails are viewed entirely different in our culture... The architecture here did help in the creative process.”

Columbus was once viewed as the "Mini-California" in an old skate magazine.

I was in the half school half work program and the closest thing to a videography/photography job was working at sears selling the equipment...that's a big problem.

CB: How can Columbus be improved and what is being done right?
CW: Columbus needs more local art programs. They've done a lot with throwing music shows such as battle of the bands and getting local bands to play at The Crump, but personally speaking I haven't seen much being done for local artist. In LA they have art walk, which is completely free, and is held every second Thursday of every month. Different venues in the city have galleries featuring local photographers and painters accompanied by live music and food and drinks. I believe more artists would stay local if Columbus brought something like this to the downtown area. There are a lot of creative people in and from this town but not a lot of people looking to back and push their own. Honestly I was stoked to see that C-Buz exists and that people are trying to make a difference in the local art community.

CB: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
CW: Married with a kid living happily ever after just creating art daily. There is no way I'm going to be in a club shooting party photos, that's for sure.

CB: What advice do you have for anyone who hasn't finished high school yet and wants to do something creative with his/her life?
CW: Figure out what you want in your life and go for it. Don't let anyone tell you "you can't". People get caught up in the logistics of what they want and forget to focus on what they truly want. If you truly believe you can do something the way will be shown to you. Definitely finish high school, but figure out if an arts college is right for you. To be creative you actually have to be creating. Ideas are just that: An Idea. They have to be acted upon in order to achieve something. Don't let a small town with small views keep you down. Go out and live your life for yourself.

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