$mart Surf Filmers Look Beyond The Horizon For Cash

There ain’t a ton of money in surf cinematography. 

That’s why the best of our industry are typically lost to the world of commercial film, where a one-day shoot can pay upwards of 10-gees. Mathematically speaking, you just can’t beat the pockets of Audi, Pepsi, and Coors. 

But while those gigs may bring in the big bucks, they do little to fulfill the filmmakers on a spiritual level. That’s why many high-profile filmers still take time to stand on the beach for hours on end, waiting for the right combination of swell, wind, tide, light, and surfer to grace their lens for one or two clips per day, only to repeat this cycle for months until enough waves have been collected to produce a short film.

Recording the ocean and its parasites is undoubtedly the least productive use of a filmaker’s time and skills, but still these guys are up before dawn, ready to embark on another penniless adventure with their friends. 

Perry Gershkow gets it, and we appreciate him for that. 

Above is his 2018 film reel. It’s got surfing and then some. We hope you’ll understand.