Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexander Elatassi.
Hi Alexander, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
How I got into music videos was quite unconventional. I had always been interested in the music industry, but I wasn’t sure where exactly I fit in. During my junior year of high school, while still deciding on my career path, I came across a course called audio and video production. I initially thought it would be about producing music and creating instrumentals and beats. However, upon joining the course, I discovered it focused solely on the video aspect—learning how to shoot content and movies. Initially, I felt forced into a realm I didn’t intend to start in, lacking motivation for shooting videos. However, as the school year progressed, I began to grasp the basics of shooting and started experimenting with new things in my free time. This journey brought me to where I am today. My senior year coincided with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, but school remained open, and I attended in person every day. I stuck by my production teacher, often being the only student in his class. He guided me comprehensively, teaching everything from camera basics to staying organized in post-production. Without his mentorship, I probably wouldn’t have progressed as much as I have now, providing me with a significant head start before college. Despite not excelling initially in photography or my first year of the production class, I witnessed significant progress after leaving school. To the point where students and teachers from my high school would send me direct messages, expressing how talented I had become. It’s the support from those who have been there from the beginning that motivates me today.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
This journey has been quite an uneven road, often feeling one-sided. It involves the necessity of doing unpaid work to build your portfolio, as it’s challenging to find paying opportunities without prior examples of your craft. I prefer to view it as a valuable learning experience and something worth continuing for the connections it can offer in the music industry. This path is marked by clashes of ideas, delayed payments, and occasional negative comments on the internet due to choosing an unconventional route. It also entails encountering false promises and grappling with growing mental health challenges when dedicating entire days to sitting in front of a computer. Despite these challenges, it’s essential to persevere and view them as steppingstones toward personal and professional growth in the dynamic world of music videos.
As you know, we’re big fans of Unified Atlantic. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about the brand?
My production group currently consists of just me, but I’m actively working on expanding it by bringing in friends or freelancers to assist on specific projects. I’m moving away from handling everything independently and aiming to build a solid team, whether they’re friends or external collaborators. This collaboration can involve on-set assistance in person or remote support during the post-production phase. The flexibility of having a diverse team allows me to choose the best person for each video-related task. While I’m still in the process of establishing a distinct persona for myself, I don’t claim to be known for anything specific just yet. I believe in continuous self-improvement and don’t see myself as superior to others in the field. We’re all on the same playing field, and I advocate for mutual support and collaboration, especially in our city, where there may not be as many recognized creatives. I take pride in the positive reputation my name holds among people. Reading private messages from artists who unknowingly spread my name brings a sense of accomplishment. It’s gratifying to see people discussing me positively without my direct involvement. Looking ahead, my production group aspires to gain more recognition in the South and contribute to reshaping the music industry in the lower part of the US. Witnessing the success of others in major northern cities motivates me to believe that, with my group, we can achieve similar accomplishments in our region.
We love surprises, fun facts, and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
One aspect that often surprises people is the balance between my age and talent/maturity. Despite being just 20 years old, I delved into this field when I was around 18. It’s not necessarily about the work or brand but more about my personal demeanor. I carry myself with a high level of maturity, a trait instilled in me by my parents. Seeing them as the child of immigrant parents, I observed their strong work ethic, and it has influenced how I present myself as their son.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unifiedatlantic/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjkODaMrglUivFTbXRdcQAQ
Image Credits
@Iminsomnious
@alexanderzavala_
