Experiencing Interruptions?

INK180

Wanted by Homeland Security. Wanted by the FBI. Wanted by the Chicago Police Department. Chris Baker is the most wanted tattoo artist in America.

In a race against time, this unlikely tattoo-covered hero works tirelessly to remove the ink from people who are locked in battles for their very lives. “I love tattoos,” says Chris, “but there are some tattoos that just shouldn’t exist in this world.” For most people tattoos are a sign of individual expression, but for victims of sex trafficking, or those escaping a gang life, these markings can lead to brutal deaths. Through the Ink 180 shop doors files a stream of changed individuals, desperate to be rid of the perilous ink on their bodies. They come looking for a selfless man they heard could change their lives forever, and are amazed to discover that at great personal cost, he does all his work for free.

  • Joel Mains
    Director
  • Greg Bogdan
    Producer
  • Jerry Rose
    Producer
  • Joel Mains
    Producer
  • Nick Alyinovich
    Associate Producers
  • Jeff De Vries
    Associate Producers
  • Pam Zeleck
    Associate Producers
  • Joel Mains
    Editor
  • Nick Alyinovich
    Editor
  • Joel Mains
    Writer
  • Chris Baker
    Key Talent
  • David Purnell
    Original Score
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Runtime:
    58 minutes 37 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    September 1, 2014
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Emmy® Winner: Best Documentary - INK180
    Chicago Midwest Region
    Outstanding Achievement Documentary (Topical)
  • Emmy® Winner: Best Directing - Joel Mains - INK180
    Chicago Midwest Region
    Outstanding Achievement Directing (Off-Air)
  • Emmy® Winner: Best Editing - Joel Mains - INK180
    Chicago Midwest Region
    Outstanding Achievement Editor (Non-News)
  • Justice Film Festival -- Official Selection
    Chicago
    June 7, 2015
  • JP2 International Film Festival -- Official Selection
    Miami, Florida
    October 10, 2015
  • Churches Making Movies Film Festival -- Official Selection
    New Jersey
    October 11, 2015
Director Biography - Joel Mains

After graduating from Chicago's Columbia college with a degree in film, Joel went on to work various jobs in the television world. Climbing his way through the ranks in such varied positions as sports broadcasting, 3D animation, and non-for-profit television, Joel eventually become producer/director/editor at Four:2 Media. During his career Joel has held interesting and varied positions, such as working with NBC for the final championship games of Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls, and also as lead editor on the popular children's animation series VeggieTales. Having a passion for the social issues in the INK180 documentary, Joel used his twenty plus years of experience to act as producer, director, writer, and editor of the film.

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Director Statement

The essence of all of drama is crashing up against challenges, struggles, and that greatest of risks -- personal change. It's one of life's privileges to interview interesting people in the middle of those challenges, and to be granted spontaneous, heart wrenching revelations during our talks. I accept those moments of raw intimacy with the utmost respect, and do my very best to honor both those who have shared them, and those who will some day be changed by viewing them.