Scarecrow Video with Matt Lynch

As the largest independent video store in the country with around 130,000 individual titles, Scarecrow Video is a vibrant film archive and home for a unique cast of characters keeping the in-person video store tradition alive.

Given that our relationship to film art has – more often than not – migrated to digital and streaming services, nurturing a vibrant film archive and the community that forms around it is a genuinely wonderful achievement. Matt Lynch, Marketing Coordinator for Scarecrow Video in Seattle, sat with me for a while to chat about the evolution of the place, the types of characters that sustain the store, and the challenges it faces as life turns more and more digital.

First floor of Scarecrow Video
First floor of Scarecrow Video

Matt shares some of his experiences after spending 14 years of his life with Scarecrow – including providing a public forum for obscure and amateur film makers. In addition to a discussion of the idiosyncratic charms of Scarecrow Video, we also spend some time talking about film genres and specific films that have made an impact on Matt.

I don’t really belong anywhere else. I get paid to play with my toys every day. I love Scarecrow – it’s my church, it’s my second home.

"Why Scarecrow Video?" flyer by Marc Palm
“Why Scarecrow Video?” flyer by Marc Palm

 

"Why Scarecrow Video?" flyer by Marc Palm
“Why Scarecrow Video?” flyer by Marc Palm

 

"Why Scarecrow Video?" flyer by Marc Palm
“Why Scarecrow Video?” flyer by Marc Palm

Show Links

Scarecrow Video – website

The Convenience Trap” – AV Club article

Marc Palm Comics – flyer and poster artist

The horrible, hilarious violence of Ichi The Killer” – AV Club article

Why Quentin Tarantino Doesn’t Like Netflix” – Cinema Blend

Say goodbye to the video store, hello to the non-profit foundation” – Ars Technica


Credits
Podcast intro music: “Mister S” by Luc Marcotte
Podcast exit music: “Neogrotesque” by Luc Marcotte
Art and illustrations by Marc Palm

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.