Chasing Bubbles by director Topher Cochran

This documentary is the living definition of the phrase content is king.

What do I mean by that?

An adventurer, sailor, and all-around Midwestern boy, Alex Rust is my hero.

Hero is a big word.

Let me start with Alex.

A day trader and over the top frugal young man who lived out of his vehicle to save money. He moved to Florida, bought a boat, and through work and practice ended up traveling around the globe. Wow. That is some real adventuring.

As a skilled sailor myself, having spent three months at sea, I have total respect for the ability to do something like that. It is a massive sacrifice and a complete life change. It requires skill, a little luck, and a serious set of balls. More than anything, it is pure dream-making, at least in my humble opinion.

At some point, you have to say fears be damned and go. Alex took his dreams into his own hands and turned them into reality. That is a powerful thing.

That said, it is not all laughs and sunsets.

Alex seemed to get lost in it all. His character swings between two very different people, and he never quite finds a middle ground. He also appears unable to truly listen to those around him who wanted to help. As his travels grew more successful, his ego seemed to grow with them, and he kept pushing the envelope of reality further and further.

I have seen this before in dreamers.

In the late 1990s, I lived on a sailboat myself, and I met many versions of Alex. People with grand visions who think big but are closed off to the realities of the world. For Alex, that disconnect turned out to be fatal.

So why is content king?

Because the story surpasses the footage.

The documentary is a collage of photos and video that serves a great story. And why would it be anything else? That is what Alex shot. He was not a filmmaker thinking about story arcs or plot structure.

I imagine he was thinking something more like, crazy idea, make sure we shoot it. Nice sunset, grab a camera. This is funny, are you rolling?

Director Topher Cochrane was smart enough to understand that the story drives the footage, not the other way around. The content exists to serve the narrative.

Alex sadly goes too far in his search and does not return. You can sense throughout that this may be where things are headed, but that does not make it any easier to watch.

Questions linger. What was he seeking? Why did he insist on pushing the limits over and over again?

I have had friends like Alex. I know one thing about that type. They do it their way, and damn the consequences.

I have to admit, at times, I am a little envious of that.

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Be sure to check out our interview with Topher Cochran, director of Chasing Bubbles 
We talk about Alex, archives, evolving stories, and his distribution to YouTube, which shot up in a few short months to over 200k views.  You can listen in here.

Learn more here on the movie here: www.chasingbubblesmovie.com/
Watch Chasing Bubbles here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibP5IQxId34
The route here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=22O3K3PDfIk
Facebook page here: www.facebook.com/ChasingBubbles/
Instagram page here: www.instagram.com/chasingbubblesmovie/
Trailer here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Z3qk4Crx…a5da-001a11428abc

Andy Irons: Kissed by God by director Steve Jones and Todd Jones

I got an exclusive look at the documentary Andy Irons: Kissed by God, and it made me cry. What moved me most about Andy’s story is the heartbreaking reality that he died so alone. There was a part of me that could relate to that loneliness and a part of me that wished something better for him.

Andy Irons was a classic example of an extremely talented athlete who never fully realized the breadth of his gifts. A three-time world surfing champion, he had everything the surfing world could offer, yet struggled to see what he was truly capable of. His talent was undeniable, but addiction and insecurity often blinded him to his own greatness. Throughout his career, he lived somewhere between being kind of an asshole and kind of amazing, with flashes of brilliance that will never be forgotten.

Andy Irons: Kissed by God is a documentary directed by Steve Jones and Todd Jones and produced by Steve Jones, Todd Jones, and Enich Harris, among others, through Teton Gravity Research. the film features interviews with Andy’s brother Bruce Irons, his wife Lyndie Irons, and surfing icons like Kelly Slater, giving audiences an intimate look at both his triumphs and his inner battles.

Throughout the film, you see Andy’s character come to life through the words of the people who knew him best. You witness his brilliance on the waves and the tragedy of his struggles with bipolar disorder and addiction. The documentary does not shy away from the darker sides of his life, portraying his internal conflicts as honestly and respectfully as possible. 

In the end, I was left wanting more for Andy. More than surfing. More than fame. More than the allure of the life he built around himself, I wanted him to experience the simple love his family and friends had for him and to feel that love fully. The film makes you hope for that version of Andy, the man beyond the myth. I am not sure he ever truly got to have that for himself.

Teton Gravity Research has long been known for high-quality action sports filmmaking, and to see them tackle a story like this with such depth and care is truly impressive. I’m grateful to have been able to support the film and watch it before its wider release. I’m confident you’ll connect with it as deeply as I did.

Doc This Reviews gives Andy Irons: Kissed by God an 8.6 out of 10.

Watch the teaser exclusively here: 

And learn more about Teton Gravity Research and their great work history here:

TGR is the leading brand in action and adventure culture media company. TGR’s world-class storytelling has captivated audiences for more than 21 years. With a global, multi-channel footprint, a thriving millennial audience, award-winning multimedia film projects, a rapidly growing experiential platform, and unprecedented viral content, Teton Gravity Research is one of the fastest growing media brands on the planet. TGR is a proud member of Surfrider Foundation, 1% For The Planet, BICEP, IMBA, and Protect Our Winters. For more information on TGR, visit TetonGravity.com.