Years in the Making.

There is beauty in the everyday. Whether it’s studying a player’s routine, or watching how a chef prepares her ingredients, I like to see the behind-the-scenes - the game before the game. This is where the magic is.

One specific person I have always admired and their nuance of the every day, is my friend Kevin Althoff. Ever since we graduated high school, at 18, he was the first one working. He apprenticed with the New York City elevator union and while we were all in college in classrooms, he was in the field with the real world, learning the trades and lessons of life. I’ve always respected Kevin for that. I remember one day while in a Snapchat group chat, he posted a picture of his work uniform. Damn that shit was so fly. Carhart jacket, Timberland boots, orange and green neon shirts, helmets with all kinds of stickers on it, cables and wire belts. His everyday outfit inspired me greatly. I knew many years ago that when this brand started, Kevin would be featured in it, and he would be dressed just like this for the shoot. I hit up Kev and he knew what time it was. After a brief meeting, IG and Kevin and I decided that it was only right to capture Kev on his commute to work. He told us he usually wakes up at 3:30am on Saturdays. We didn’t blink. If Kev was getting up at three in the morning, we were getting up at three in the morning. Simple.

3AM Wake Up.

That day, Isaiah and I woke up at 3am. Luckily Kevin lives around the corner from me so it was a very quick walk to his apartment. We got there around 3:30 and Kev let us in. It was so quiet (obviously). We were nervous we were going to wake up Jackie, Kevin’s girlfriend, but with our inside voices and swift operating abilities, we began the film. The shoot was absolutely and utterly effortless from the first scene. It could’ve been seen that Kev was a Hollywood actor. From the bathroom, washing his face, to putting on his boots and jacket, to grabbing the SLUG as he exited the front door of his apartment, the shots flowed, seamlessly. We followed him as he went down staircases and doorways, and ultimately out the front of his beautiful apartment. The outdoor light casted, beautiful contrasting shadows, highlighting the silhouette of his uniform. As we waited at the bus stop, we took a quick second to reflect and take in the moment. We took some photos, looked at the time, and headed down to the ferry.

We raced to get the 5 o’clock ferry, but for once, we were early. A familiar face came by, Nick Corbet, a really great guy who I haven’t seen in a while came to say what’s up. After a few moments of catching up and talking, we said goodbye and ventured on the ferry. This ferry ride was different from others. Not only was it completely pitch black but there was silence. It was as if the buildings of New York were still tucked in their beds, lights off. We shot Kev as we passed the Statue of Liberty, as the tall buildings greeted us, and as we arrived to Manhattan.

Subway Surfers.

5:30am came and it was time to head to the subway. As we exited the ferry, we hit our stride- the leading lines of lights and paths led us to the streets. Out of nowhere, someone came up to Kevin and gave him the biggest dab. Who was it ? A friend of Kev’s he worked with in the past. He was going to work, just like Kev. What was so magical about it was that it wasn’t planned. He didn’t know we were recording. It was natural. This is just how Kev goes about his day.

We got to the subway and went right down the stairs. We came back on the other side and caught the train uptown. The train ride felt like a video game, for some reason, everything felt heightened. I felt like there was a filter on my eyes. It was moody. It was dirty. It felt like the crack of dawn. For a moment there was even a little bit of tension. Yet, we kept going. We got off the subway, traversing through the lines of people and up the escalator. What happened next was truly incredible.

Sluggin Through Space.

Probably one of the most iconic places in NYC, we entered Grand Central Station. One of the most beautifully architectural landmarks in the city, the ceilings were so high and so curved, the craftsmanship of the space felt godly. Kev to the size of the room was monumental. For a space in NYC to have this much room, felt the best kind of weird - and I think that’s what architecture is supposed to do. I love when architecture is highlighted in the films. It’s like a little nod too, my past. We kept going and gliding; it felt like we were ice skaters on the floor. We went up the stairs and took another escalator up and walked through another tall space. This whole time IG is flowing behind us directing traffic, observing, and giving input. He is always there, the glue to every piece we create.

We hit Midtown and walk through the streets. They are completely empty this Saturday. We make a corner turn to which Kev declares we are at his job site. Oh My God. His building is insane. Funny enough, I’ve seen the making of his building for years now. It is held up by what IG called a “ring prong” ; these giant steel diagonal columns, holding up the base of the building. It was spectacular and Kev worked here. Just a couple of days ago on the ferry home with Isaiah, he said whenever he thinks about our friend’s doing something, he pictures them doing it on the biggest scale. And in this case, he was so right. Kev works in the coolest building in NYC.

This is Real Life.

Kev showed his card to the security guard, right out the SLUG, and walked into work. Just like that. The time was 6:20 AM, on Saturday morning in Manhattan.

Good Morning World. That’s how you slug it.

Kev

Beauty in the Everyday. Sluggin.