Reading Time: 12 minutes
As a surf journalist, I consume an absurd volume of content online and can readily fall victim to de-sensitization. However, despite the digital overload, Dan Scott’s videos continue to pierce through my over-saturated gen-z brain. The dedicated Surf Filmer has a unique perspective and nuance to his videography. It’s different, raw, and always reveals something unique about the surfing genius in his sights. Dan works with surfing’s cream of the crop; some of his favourite subjects include Steph Gilmore, Jack Robbo, Asher Pacey, Reef Heazlewood, Tyler Wright and Chippa Wilson, while a host of other talented wave warriors have appeared in his addictive edits. As one of the surf industry’s favourites behind the lens, Dan’s a busy man. Luckily, we caught up with him for a quick chat, which turned into a wide-ranging interview. The 30-year-old’s been on an interesting journey, to say the least ……
TRACKS: So, what got you into surfing?
Dan Scott: My Dad got me into surfing. He was a pretty avid surfer and then did it once and haven’t really stopped surfing. You know how it goes?
When did you start filming?
I started filming when I was probably like, 14. But it was a tiny little stint. Like that was the first time I ever picked up a camera, and then I didn’t pick up the camera again until I was like 25/ 26. So yeah, I’m 30 now.
What were you doing in between those age groups?
I grew up Mormon. I don’t know if you know much about that religion. But you know, how they like, go around knocking on doors, kind of like Jehovah’s Witness. They often get confused, like a lot of my teenage years was surfing but it was kind of like, getting ready to go on a mission.
I lived in Fresno, California, for two years. When I turned 18, I moved to Fresno, California. So yeah, I grew up praying. I guess it’s like Christianity, but yeah, you wear a white shirt and a tie and a name badge for two years and you pretty much work every day. You don’t get paid to do it. You pay to do it. And yeah, go knocking on doors teaching people about God. Pretty different.
Are you still a practising Mormon?
No, I haven’t gone to church for a long time. But yeah, it’s no hard feelings. It’s good morals and stuff. But I lived in Fresno. So, kind of near where the Kelly wave pool is like in the central valley of California. I lived there for two years. No surfing, no mobile phone, no TV, no girlfriend. Nothing for two years. Just like knocking on doors from nine in the morning to nine at night, every day. You saw your parents twice a year.
Are your parents still practising Mormons?
Yeah, they still are. And my brother lives in Utah, which is like the Mormon hub. So yeah, so I did that. So that kind of like put a hold on everything. Because I was doing that. And then I just kind of came back to the Gold Coast because I was still living at like around North Haven, Bonney Hills at that time. And then moved to the Gold Coast, just doing like sales jobs, and working in just random jobs up until I decided I don’t really want to do all this stuff. I actually want to film. Always wanted to do that. But I never actually knew that you could turn it into a job. So, I was like, I’m just going to give it a go. Because everyone tells you there is no money in surfing (ha).
What was your first proper gig?
First big gig would have been the Dock. I don’t know if you ever saw what STAB did. The first big gig I ever did was that. I actually submitted the idea for it and then they invited me to come shoot it.
What made you come up with the idea?
Just surfing Snapper and just seeing how many people were in the line-up. I’m like, I reckon you can run on the backs of people and get tubed out there. It’s that crowded. So, I was like, if we get something to float and like you run on the wave rather than surf it or paddle.
There’s something about your work that’s unique. Why do you think your videos have a different vibe to the others? Was this strategized? Or is this kind of just a natural process?
I think I took a bit of Morgan Maassen. I really like his style. Yeah, he was someone and like Mini Blanchard’s as well (Danes, Filmer). So, I liked how Mini did shots and then I like Morgan’s kind of colours. But I just did my own take on it. Like it was something that kind of inspired me. But I don’t really know. I just like the colour. I like to make things look nice. I spend a lot of time on that. Maybe that’s why my clips look different. But yeah, I spend more time on that more than anything, just trying to make the colours look better than real life (haha).
Do you still take photos or is it just strictly videos?
Occasionally I’ll do photos for jobs. Like when I started, I was taking photos like in the water and stuff, just to build up that kind of ability. But yeah, now it’s just all videos. So yeah, I guess that’s where it’s kind of headed.
The film Surfing? That’s a special group you got together. How did how did that all come together?
I met Steph through COVID actually. Just because they weren’t travelling, and we all live in the same area in Coolangatta so yeah, I just was just shooting and then I knew Macy Callaghan. And she kind of introduced us and then we got this like big group together. And like Tyler Wright was living up here and Nikki Van Dijk was living up here then Macy and Steph were there so we’re just shooting all the time.
No one was shooting the girls though. I always thought that was really weird. That’s definitely like a weird gap in the market that I saw. I was like, that’s really strange that no one’s like, chasing these girls and filming them. Everyone’s chasing like Mick or Parko or someone, but no one was really chasing Steph. Which I thought was strange. So yeah, I was like, I’ll film. Like, I’d love to. And then we ended up just shooting a tonne. And the waves were really good. And then we just had so much footage. I was like, oh, maybe we should make like a girl’s movie. That’s kind of it. It wasn’t a thing until it was a thing. Like all of a sudden, we have a lot of footage that we could probably make something. It was basically all funded by the girls and me.
Pros and cons of being an independent Filmer?
Well, the biggest pro would be the flexibility, like being able to work with whoever you want. Tomorrow could be shooting with one person and then shooting with another, you know. That’s exciting. I don’t really have a routine. And things can change pretty quickly, day to day, it keeps it interesting.
The cons could be the opposite. Like it could be the same thing. Like you don’t have a routine you don’t know what to do. And like that can be stressful too. Yeah, sometimes it’s very random. You’re juggling like a lot of things. But I think it’s like, I don’t know, it’s one of those weird things where it’s something that you have in mind, you know, from a young age and you’re like it’d be such a cool job. And it’s just like really surreal to be in a position where this is my full-time job and to be able to support my family and support myself and go shoot professional surfers for a living. I never thought it actually would happen. But it’s a reality. So, anything’s possible. There is money in surfing (HA).
What are some favourite places you’d like to travel and work in?
Places I really enjoy are like Tasmania and New Zealand. They’re pretty sick. I like that kind of random, little, and colder places. Tasmania’s a sick place. There are not many people there and it’s just yeah like feels like raw Australia.
Gnarliest moment you’ve shot behind the lens?
It would go back to the Dock thing when it I don’t know if you saw that clip, but it snaps in half and almost like runs over Imaikalani deVault and Ozzy Wright. That could have really hurt them, and it was all light hearted and fun. That thing would have done some damage if it actually landed on them. That was probably the gnarliest moment.
Which surfer have you been most blown away by when filming?
Everyone has their own little things, right? Like they do something that you kind of trip out on how perfectly they have. I don’t know. It’s like Jai Glindeman has this crazy like style which is real effortless. Then someone like Chippa Wilson is just like a tactician kinda and has freakish cat-like tricks and jumps. He’s really fun to watch. Then you got like Reef Heazlewood who literally just does the biggest airs you’ve ever seen. So, I don’t know, it’s hard to pick one. And otherwise, I’d probably say like, Chippa is definitely like, you could shoot him in anything and be pretty entertained.
Outside of surfing, do you watch a lot of movies? Who are some of your favourite directors and films.
Yeah, I watch pretty much everything. I try and get different ideas on all types of different things. I really like Wes Anderson. I like the abruptness and like all the crazy lopped-off aesthetically pleasing shots. I think they’re pretty cool, one of my favourite movies is American Beauty. It’s a pretty weird movie and Magnolia as well.
Who are you most inspired by today?
That’s a good question. Mm probably Michael Cukr. He used to work for What You. I really like his style. He used to shoot a lot of surf stuff that I just really liked his aesthetic. And yeah, he’s overall editing and the style. They’re (What You) not really a thing anymore. But he works for like Vogue, Prada, and stuff. Like more high-end stuff. But yeah, I just love his style. He’s shot a lot with Chippa. He’s sick.
Are surf films dead?
I think surf films are dead. I think edits are dead. To be honest. I think TikTok’s ruined everyone. Tik Tok’s algorithm and short feed is probably to blame the next generation. Man. I just think you can see the same crazy stuff in a heat with Gabby and Italo. So, I think that’s probably like done a lot of damage to surf edits as well.
I think there’s more like value in just shocking them on Instagram. I think there’s still a place for surf edits. But I think you should be doing premieres and getting the community involved and doing like a tour or something. I think that’s where there’s still a lot of value in connecting to the audience and getting that face time with your fans. I think that’s important.
But just making a two-to-three-minute edits, and you shot it at your local beachie and maybe did like one random Trip to Indo and you’re posting online, and you get 3000 views. It’s like that money could be put somewhere else and add a lot more value added to it, you know? I don’t think there’s not much point in chasing clips for two years unless you’re gonna do like the craziest edits. Like Kael Walsh’s edit, I guess. Other than that, I don’t think it’s worth it. I’m curious to see where it goes, that’s for sure.
Surfer’s past or present you would’ve or would love to work with?
Man, I shoot a lot with Brenden Margieson. He’s the nicest guy. Like he lives just around the corner from me. We used to be neighbours in Cooly. So that’s how I got to know him. And I know his son really well too. But I try to film with him as much as possible. And he’s still an incredible surfer. But I would have loved to have been around him when he was younger. He’s just incredible. I love how he surfs. Such a nice guy, man. Like, he’s the best.
What is the greatest surf movie of all time, in your opinion?
Psychic Migrations. It’s a Volcom movie. Ryan Thomas made it and it’s shot on a 60 mil and that’s still my favourite movie.
Any advice you could give to an aspiring photographer videographer on how they can separate themselves from the pack?
Gain little pieces of inspiration from other people but create your own aesthetic. And yeah, just do your own thing, but I don’t think there’s any harm in getting inspired by other people. But if you copy them, you’re not really gonna stand out.
Morgan Maassen was someone that really helped me. He’s a videographer out of Santa Barbara. Yeah, he was probably the one that really inspired me to start shooting to begin with. But I think along the lines he was just saying like, don’t ever let an opportunity go to waste. I randomly saw him when he was in Australia once and just caught up with him. And he’s just talking about using opportunities to get to another opportunity. I guess it just comes down to like networking and just being good to work with (haha) basically be a nice guy like, yeah, if you’re a nice guy, then people want to continue to work with you. So, I just try to be easy and be nice and try to be genuine. Yeah, I guess that’s it.
Check out another recent interview we did with teenage prodigy Erin Brooks.
