Ian O’Roarty: A Creative Jamboree

By John V. Campbell

Ian O’Roarty, a.k.a “Igor” or “Blackwater”, is the man responsible for introducing the late, great Greg Betz (his best friend) to the Matuse Family. Since Greg was suddenly taken from us in the fall of 2006, Ian’s held it down as the Company’s Director of Photography (For Ian’s Profile Click Here).

Since then, Ian’s lent his Irish passion, creative energy and endless spontaneity to the Matuse Mission Statement. In addition to quarterbacking the last two “white room” shoots, Ian has Notorious-BIG-sized plans for the Matuse campaign calendar. Looking back on his own pepper-packed schedule over the last several months, Ian had the following to report:

About Ian’s renewed involvement with Richard Kenvin’s Hydrodynamica:

To RK’s credit, the film’s focus has evolved. When you ride one of these ‘New Simmons’ boards with names like Sputnik and Casper, you’ll understand. They’re absolutely the fastest things (with fins). So much fun. See RK’s new blog: hydrodynamica blog.”

“While we’re on the subject of creative shapes, I also want to make a shout out to Eli Mirandon and Derek Dunfee. Eli’s not only surfing in a special segment of Hydrodynamica that I directed and shot but he also had a timely appearance in Surfer’s Journal. In the Journal pic, Eli’s riding his family’s “Porpoise Board” and sporting his Matuse suit in fine fashion. As for Derek, people should lookout for his camera board antics in Puerto on a new Simmons.”

On the subject of Ian and film:

Lately Ian has showcased his skeelz and done some in-water stunt-double surfing shenanigans for an upcoming Italian feature film. Here’s a little clip from a recent session at Matuse point: Click Here

Finally, as usual, Ian’s has been working on various other high profile gigs behind the camera, including his work spent Directing/Producing a Ryan Howard (Phillies Star slugger) commercial for “MLB the Show.”

Among others, Ian has also recently worked with: Dennis Hopper, Gary Oldman, Amare Stoudemire, Jeremy Piven, Kenny “The Jet” Smith, George “The Iceman” Gervin, and the always timeless Warren G.

Ian’s future projects include:

A BMW hydrogen commercial and a Documentary on West African peace maker/healer: Brother Ishmael: www.ethereanmission.org/.

Another reality-style project will document Captain Jim Holmes. This piece will discuss the “Eastern Garbage Patch”… This is a trash carpet that begins just northeast of Hawaii that some scientists say has reached the size of Texas. For more check out: www.greenpeace.org/

For links to Ian’s other sites check out: www.ianopresents.com and www.theolight.com.

Last but not least, peep some footage of Ian from a fun day in SoCal: Click Here.