Meet Garin Sparks: Veteran, Filmmaker, and 35mm Film Enthusiast

To say Garin Sparks loves movies is an understatement. From New Orleans, LA, Garin is a multi-passionate filmmaker and fan of the 35 mm film experience. He began his career in the military; then in his 30s he transitioned to working with movie makers as a set medic, assistant director, and in other roles on more than 100 films.
 
When Garin is not working on the next great magnus opus, he travels thousands of miles to the greatest theatres across the country—including the Artcraft Theatre—to see movies on the big screen! To Garin the cinematic experience matters and what makes movies come to life for an audience. I got to sit down with Garin and talk about what his experience has been like making movies and about his experience with the Artcraft Theatre. 

How did you get started in the film industry?
I got started late in my film career in my 30s. To catch up, I would do army deployment to earn income and move to different states so I could work on movies. I did a tour of Iraq to pay for a move to Austin. I did stateside deployment so I could move to Chicago and did other deployments so I could move to New Orleans.
 
You know, everybody's like, “Well, there's got to be easier ways, right?” I'm sure there are easier ways. But an adventure for an adventure, you know?
 
But the greatest thing about going on those deployments was the connections I got to make along the way. At that time, it seemed like every director had their own website. This was pre-social media. During the deployments, I made so much contact with people while I was in Iraq. When I got back home, I had a job waiting for me for Richard Linklater in Austin, and then Rick got me work for Terance Malik and Robert Rodriguez and the Cohen Brothers. It was great!
 
During that era, you could find those directors online and make direct contact. So that is what I did. I still talk with Wim Wenders! I also read a lot of books on movies. There are so many great books and great filmmakers to study. So, literally, like all the years I wasn’t filming, I had time to catch up by making connections and learning about the craft. I have no complaints! 

What kinds of jobs do you do on set?
I retired from the military in 2012. I didn't retire with the highest rank involved, but I retired with the best stories and the best adventures.
 
I always felt like I didn't want to do one position my whole life, get rank, and then never be able to do anything else. I treated my film career like I treated my army career. As soon as a movie I worked on got an Oscar, it was on to another role! Over the years, I worked as a set medic, locations manager, assistant director, and other roles. For me, once a movie that I worked on got an Oscar, it was time to move on to something different. And it kept my career interesting and fun!

What is a movie you most recently worked on?
I worked on Ella McKay and Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, which are movies that are out this year. Working on Ella McKay with the great James Brooks was amazing. It was A-list everywhere, A-list actors, Oscar winners. James Brooks laughs during takes, but he's got the type of laugh that makes you laugh, so you're ruining the takes together. It's just a wonderful experience.
 
Spinal Tap II will be out soon, by the time this article is published, actually. It was also a blast. I got to view it before it was wildly released, and, oh, man, I laughed my ass off. I was so good. I'm so happy. I'm so happy.

Some of the movies you’ve worked on have gotten awards! Are you going to any award shows soon?
Going to the Emmys in September! Our movie Rebel Ridge is nominated for Outstanding Television Movie! And I know you may be asking, “Well, how can a movie be best picture when the Emmys is TV?” It is a new category they created, because they're spending so much on these movies for Netflix. I can't wait for the day. I've been to the Oscar afterparties before, but I've never been to the Emmys. I'm hoping for that good luck that pushes us over to a win!
 
(Author’s Note: Rebel Ridge won Outstanding Television Movie and eight other awards at the Emmys!) 

Do you have any tips for people wanting to go into the movie industry?
I would suggest building up their nest egg. Have some money. When I lived in Austin and was working on movies there, I still had to have a job… but find you a job that you truly love or that works for you. I worked for The Alamo Drafthouse. I was a bouncer at the High Ball, which is a syndicate establishment of the Alamo Drafthouse. I had bosses who were good to filmmakers. I was like, “I need three weeks off to go make this Sci Fi Channel Magnus Opus” and they always replied with “Okay, just let us know when you're available again.”
 
The movie industry is going through some hard times at this moment, but it's worth it. It's worth the fight; it's worth the struggles; it's worth everything. It's one of the greatest jobs in the world, and if you love it as much as I think you will, you know, you'll smile when you pass this. It won't always be like this.
 
I'll never forget what the great Irvin Kershner, who directed The Empire Strikes Back, told me. He said, “If you treat every day like it's your first day, and you treat every day like it's your last day. You're going to have a long, enjoyable film career.” 

What is your favorite movie and why?
 
Easy. The Tim Burton movie called Ed Wood!
 
Whenever we’re ready to start a movie, I try to keep that Ed Wood mannerism in mind. The movie is a biopic, so there is going to be some factual disagreements, but I love the heart of the movie.
 
In the movie, there is a quote where Ed says “Everybody, we’re about to embark on quite a journey. Four days of hard work, but when it’s over, we'll have a picture that'll entertain and maybe even move millions of people.” I like that attitude. All of Ed Wood’s movies were terrible—I mean, I find them enjoyable—but he just kept trying. And there's a spirit to that! It's like, man, we're doing it. We're making something. 

What is your favorite memory of visiting the Artcraft Theatre?
 
With the Artcraft, I always love the intros, the popcorn, the raffle, and everything. I actually won the raffle the last time I was there! I was pretty cocky about it, too. I won the raffle for the movie Bad Day at Black Rock. I'd never seen that movie before, but boy, that was a good film!
 
I also loved my very first screening at the theatre, which was The Bishop's Wife. You know, your first time at the Artcraft, you are just taking it all in. It was a beautiful print, beautiful theatre; it was a gorgeous day. Just a really good experience. With family living here in Indiana, I get to come to the Artcraft about five to six times a year!