This Is Alex Patrick
Filmmaker Alex Patrick Playlist & Interview 27 Videos ･ Last Updated: Dec 15 2023
My first introduction to the world of surfing was at 8 years old when a classmate took me bodyboarding. Bodyboarding led to surfing, which led to skating. I was soon hooked on old VHS skate videos, made with nothing but a cheap camera and creativity. My parents bought me my first camera soon after, and I spent all my time filming. The edits were done using two VCRs, and audio was added afterward by filming the screen and playing music in the background… it just worked.
However, skate videography was not a valid career choice in France at the time. So instead I spent years skating, surfing, doing odd jobs bouncing around Europe, California, and Central America. I finally landed in Mexico, and it was love at first sight.
Videography came back half by accident, half by fate. I made an edit for a few local sponsored groms, and they liked it enough to ask me for more. We did a trip down south the next season, and our film blew up. It was shared internationally and proved to me that I should do something with this passion I have. I picked up the camera again, asked for help, taught myself a thing or two, and here we are.
Nickname: Alex
Born and raised: France
Stance: Regular
When and how did you start surfing?
In France around 1990 but then I stopped and spent a lot of time skateboarding, then I went back to surfing.
Who are the surfers that inspires you?
A lot of people, to be honest, I will name people around me, my friends Kalle Carranza, Diego Cadena, Guillermo Cadena, and Mateo Cadena because I travel with them a lot, Miguel Sinclair, Lola Mignot, Israel Preciado, Grant, and Brad Beck, Chilo Rodríguez
Where are your favorite surf spots that you've been to?
Where are the surf spots you want to visit in the future that you've never been to?
Damn, hard one, maybe somewhere UNCROWNED.lol
Which type of surfboards and fin setups are you into?
I'm into all kinds of boards, twin fins are my favorites.
Which one video would you highlight in this playlist and why?
Hola Lola, because is the newest and I feel I am learning more and more and evolving.
Gear: Panasonic LUMIX GH5, Canon EOS R5 at the moment, looking for a cine-camera like the RED KOMODO or EOS C70.
Editing tool: Final Cut Pro
What's your favorite focal length?
I love SIGMA 18-35mm F1.8 and Canon RF50mm F1.2.
When and how did you start filming?
Circa 1994, filming skateboarding.
Who are the creators that inspire you?
My background comes from skateboarding a long time ago, I was watching the 411VM, TransWorld SKATEboarding like "Feedback", "The Reason", Spike Jonze videos, and more.
What are the surf films/videos that inspire you?
Taylor Steele's videos and the old series of Lost Surfboards I was watching at my friend Will's house or Lucio's house in France circa 1996.
Other than surf films?
A lot of movies, I love cinema. Spike Jonze movies, Guy Ritchie, French cinema, "Cidade de Deus(City of God)", "Sleepers", and the list goes on...
Who are your favorite bands and musicians?
The Mystery Lights, Donovan, Whitney, Tim Maia, Nina Simone, A Tribe Called Quest, La Femme... same, the list goes on.
10 tracks you love?
- "The Road Back Home" by F.J. McMahon
- "They Don't Want" by Electric Wire Hustle
- "No Woman" by Whitney
- "Nous étions deux" by La Femme
- "Goodbye Horses" by Q Lazzarus
- "Waiting for You" by Verzache
- "Didn't I" by Darondo
- "After Laughter" by Sweet Tea
- "Khala My Friend" by Amanaz
- "Cold Was the Ground" by The Limiñanas