This week, GTS sat down with the man behind the Tee V camera, Craig Shimala. He shed some light on his long standing tenure @ Threadless, his mini-golf dreams and what sucks/rules about being so damned tall.

Warning: This GTS transcript may contain special teasers that may drive you crazy until they are revealed at a later date.

GTS: Happy Wednesday everyone. Welcome back to another edition of Gettin' The Skinny. Today's guest is Mr. Craig Shimala. How are you today, Craig?

Craig: I'm pretty swell, how about you?

GTS: Air in my lungs, spring in my step and a song in my heart...can't complain.

Craig: Those are nice things to have

GTS: Indeed! Now I think most Threadless bloggers know that you're the man behind the Tee Vee camera but can you shed some light on what else you do @ Threadless?

Craig: Filming and editing is the meat of my time but I also help out with the print production team as well as the brand management team. I also help out the tech team testing and debugging the Threadless site.

GTS: Sounds like they're keeping you busy there!

Craig: Very, but it's pretty excellent

GTS: What's your hardware/software set-up like?

Craig: I use Sony Vegas Movie Studio to edit everthing together. If I need to jazz something up I'll bring it into After Effects. I work exclusively on a PC, no Macs for me! I shoot on a Canon XH-A1.

GTS: Catch any flack from fellow Threadless Mac users?

Craig: Not at all. Speedy Joe is the only Mac-man but word on the street is Ross is making the switch over.

GTS: How long have you been working at Threadless?

Craig: In January it will be SIX years!! I've had so much fun working here I haven't even noticed.

GTS: That's awesome. In what ways has Threadless grown during your time there and what, in your opinion, does the future hold for Threadless?

Craig: When I started it was just Jake, Jacob and I. Back then the Threadless warehouse was maybe a 10' x 10' section and now we have two office/warehouses coming in around 35,000 sq feet. It's pretty unreal how the community has grown over the years. As for the future, we've got some pretty amazing things up our sleeves! The end of this year should be pretty special.

GTS: End of the year special stuff, eh? Looking forward to that.

Craig: Actually you might see some stuff in October.

GTS: SWEET! Remember folks, you heard it here first! How does it feel to be the tallest person at Threadless?

Craig: It's pretty sweet aside from being called upon to get stuff down from the top shelves too often. I also get my head chopped off a lot in photos.




GTS: Haha...that photo is classic. so what do you do when you're off the clock?

Craig: I'm a real sports nut as a participant and as an observer! I've witnessed some pretty amazing things in this city though the years. I also enjoy photography even though I don't know what I'm doing. I've been on a time lapse kick as of late. I also enjoy checking out as many concerts as I can.

GTS: You're a Bulls fan, correct?

Craig: Oh yeah, although I'd like to forget last season.

GTS: Any chance you saw MJ's buzzer beater in Game 1 of the '97 finals?

Craig: Not in person, but I saw it on television which was still pretty awesome

GTS: Right on - definitely one of the greatest clutch shots in sports history. I asked Threadless bloggers to submit some questions for you. Ready to get into it?

Craig: Let's do it

GTS: Phiffer asks: If you could go to a Cubs game Bears game or Blackhawks game which one would you pick?

Craig: Bears game. I've only been to one my entire life. It's not easy to get tickets and if you do it's going to cost you.

GTS: Andy G asked: You're one of only 5 people on the planet who has experienced EPIC ZALZA. What impact has this had on your life?

Craig: True story... the other night I made some grilled cheese and added some EPIC ZALZA inside. Five hours later I woke up in pool of my own drool and sweat. I think I took it too far.

GTS: What is this EPIC ZALZA you speak of?

Craig: I don't know if I have the liberty to tell. James Bond kinda stuff.

GTS: Top secret - gotcha. littlem wants to know: what's your fave tee? is it the original "I love Threadless" tee?

Craig: Yes, I think I speak for all that own one of the original promo I heart tees. If only they didn't cost an arm and a leg to produce. As for printed designs... I love All-Conference Squirrel by Brock Davis

GTS: Here's a good one from Chipmnk: If you weren't working at Threadless, what would be your dream job?

Craig: I've always dreamed of designing/owning my own mini-golf course. Who doesn't love mini-golf?!

GTS: Amen to that! Craig - it's time to rock Pick One. Are you familiar with this segment?

Craig: Fire away!

GTS: #1 Chitown Icon: Ditka or Jordan?

Craig: OMG! I'm going with Jordan by a hair.

GTS: #2 Chip Champ: Ruffles w/ridges or Pringles?

Craig: Ruffles w/ridges

GTS: #3 Winter Wear: Mittens or gloves?

Craig: Gloves. I usually wear the ones with the flip back fingers.

GTS: #4 Ridiculous Transportation: Unicycle or pogostick?

Craig: Pogostick because I fail hard at the the unicycle

GTS: #5 Chitown Flix: Ferris Bueller's Day Off or The Blues Brothers?

Craig: Blues Brothers... Charlie and I are always quoting it!

GTS: #6 Odd Currency: Two dollar bill or Sacajewa dollar coin?

Craig: Sacajewa. There's something about a two dollar bill that makes be feel funny about spending it.

GTS: #7 Gamblin' Man: Black Jack or Poker?

Craig: Poker is a good get together game

GTS: #8: Cereal Icons: Cap'n Crunch or Count Chocula?

Craig: I wasn't big on either of those but I'll go with the Count

GTS: #9: Bust a Move: The Electric Slide or The Macarena?

Craig: If I'm being forced to select I'll choose the Electric Slide

GTS: it's the lesser of two evils...

Craig: That it is.

GTS: #10: Best Thing About Being Tall: Getting to be in the last row for class pictures or getting picked first in pick-up basketball games?

Craig: Getting picked first in pick-up basketball games

GTS: Craig, that about does it for this installment of Gettin' The Skinny. Any parting words for the folks at home?

Craig: sorry, I'm trying to think of something good and it's not there.

GTS: No worries. Maybe the lesson here is "don't force it".

Craig: and there you have it.... "don't force it" sounds great to me.

GTS:Word. Craig, thanks again for chatting with GTS and keep up the good work.

Craig: thanks dude!