‘I personally enjoy a great shot of a basic trick much more than the other way around.’
Calvin Millar
August 2025
Can you tell us something about Texas that no one knows?
All my exes live in Texas.
You started skating, video and photographing pretty much at the same time. Usually, these things come in stages but not with you. What inspired you to get into these things right away?
Before I started skating, I was drawn to cameras. I’d always grab my dad’s VHS camera on vacations and play around with it. I just had a natural interest at an early age. When I started skating in 1997, my first two videos were 411vm 22 and Trouble Shooters. Seeing how skating was documented and displayed, immediately peaked my interest to do the same. I quickly grabbed my dad’s cameras and got to it.
Any established skate photo/videographer you looked up to at that time?
The first video I remember watching and paying attention to who made it was Girls ‘Mouse’ by Spike Jonze. The skating in it was so fun to watch and Jonze’s lead on bringing it all together made it one of my favorites of all time.
In the interview with Theories of Atlantis you mentioned that the talent in front of the camera creates the tone whereas filmers or photographers puts it all together to set the tone. Don’t you think your craft is far more impactful?
I personally enjoy a great shot of a basic trick much more than the other way around. I really enjoy filming amazing skateboarding and witnessing some really gnarly shit go down. Capturing those moments and seeing what’s capable of is so rad. I also love the idea of making something simple look really fun because it’s enjoyable to watch skating that most skaters can relate to and potentially do (laughing). Impact comes when the stars align with all the stars involved.
Is social media a curse or a blessing for you being a professional video content creator?
At the beginning of IG, I wasn’t interested. Then over the years I embraced it and fully utilized it. I was on cruise control for a while posting a lot because I had so much footage to share, and it was fun to post consistently. In the last couple years, mainly after 2020, I think my burnout with it hit around the same time that it feels really saturated. We are just seeing so much footage all the time, I feel full. Either way, social media is the platform to see the highlights so it’s undeniable. It’s all about moderation. It’s a blessing, a curse, and a tool.
‘I also love the idea of making something simple look really fun.’
Here is a scenario for you. Thrasher is knocking on your door. They want you to shoot the next cover or help film the next series of ‘King of the Road’. Which assignment would you pick?
The cover is coveted so it’s hard to pass that up. KOTR would be really fun too and a longer gig. I would only want to film it and not be handcuffed to a homie while I poo in a shoe.
Were there situations where you were in the process of filming and thinking to yourself that you should have taken a picture instead?
Every scenario I wish I could do both. I really enjoy shooting both mediums. The main thing I go for is filming and if they feel like doing it again, I’ll get a photo. If there’s a few filmers on the sesh and no photog, I’m stoked to ‘take that roll’.
You are originally from Houston but been living for Austin for a long time now. You think you made the same career if you had stayed in Houston?
I think my passion would have stayed the same for sure. Both cities have rad scenes, and they often blend together. Same for Dallas, San Antonio and everywhere in between. Skaters in Texas bounce around different cities and spend some time enjoying each scene. It’s a big ole’ fam. Shout out Texas!
In the same Theory of Atlantis interview you talked about potentially moving to California but also seeing more opportunities as the local industry is growing. Is this an Austin/Texas phenomenon or do you see a general shift of power across the US?
I don’t know exactly how other cities/states are doing in the industry right now, but I do know that talent and hard work meet opportunity, no matter where you are.
What are some of the challenges people in Texas face every day?
The heat and the handrails are too big.
Last Question. If you could interview any person in the world, who would it be?
I’d be down to have a beer with Spike Jonze and pick his brain.
‘Every scenario I wish I could do both.’