Tired of formulaic shop profiles? Then check out this video highlighting Evan’s Trim Shop in Toowoomba, Australia. The maker, artist Andrew Millist, shot the documentary-style video onsite, providing an intimate, behind-the-scenes look at the Queensland auto upholstery shop’s operations.
Evan’s Trim Shop is unique for several reasons — not least of which is that it has changed its name, location and even ownership several times.
In 1968, a trimmer named George Boulos founded the business as George’s Trim Shop on Donation Lane in Toowoomba. In 1985, another trimmer named Evan Kuhrt purchased the shop and changed its name to Evan’s Trim Shop. The shop was sold again in 1993 to Peter and Jan Twidale, who kept the shop’s name but relocated it to nearby Mann Street. The shop was sold for a third time in 2003 to current owner Chris Anscombe.
Former owner Peter still works at Evan’s Trim Shop. In fact, he serves as narrator of the video — introducing viewers to the shop’s team of four and sharing insight on what drives their passion for the craft of auto upholstery.
The result is a film that feels deeply personal and provides a rare glimpse into the life — not just the work — of trimmers. Best of all, trimmers from all over the world can relate, as the story portrayed is strikingly similar to what we all experience each day.
Interested in where the idea for the video came from, we reached out to current owner Chris who told us it started as an art project.
“The video was actually the brainchild of a mate, Andrew Millist. He is an artist that wants to get into making short films,” Chris explained. “He has a passion for cars and asked us if we would be interested in being his guinea pigs. I had no expectations or any real idea what we would end up with. I gave him complete freedom. Needless to say, I am pretty wrapped with the response.”
Chris recommends that other trim shops, from Toowoomba to Tallahassee, shoot similar videos, as it “gives our customers an opportunity to see us as car guys like them, and familiarizes us to new customers.”
In the end, Chris said that he’s very proud of the film, his team and the strong reputation they’ve built: “None of us do it just for the money, we love cars.”
To learn more about Evan’s Trim Shop, visit EvansTrimShop.com.au. Also follow them on Facebook. You can see more of artist Andrew Millist’s work at AndrewMillist.com (he designs shop logos too!).
Glad you guys published this article. We’ve been thinking a lot about doing some videos for the shop. Part of me resists things like Facebook, Twitter and videos because I lament how people have lost the ability to read and/or focus on anything for more than 30 seconds at a time. On the optimistic side, video is a creative art form like your article says, so it can help you express what’s unique about your business model. Now if I could just find some students needing an art project . . .
Thanks Jim! We completely agree.
Consider contacting your local college. There are plenty of talented film students out there who’d be willing to take on such a project at a discount price. Craigslist is also a good source.