We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Eddie Covarrubias a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Eddie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

Before I was a cinematographer and video editor, I was a musician and producer. Both careers have so many similarities that it became an easy transition from one dream to another. Both allow you the opportunity to tell a story, which is something I’ve always been interested in since I was a kid. As I ventured into the realm of videography in the sport of Roller Derby, I was completely enamored with the speed and chaos that Roller Derby offered. I picked up so much useful knowledge, skills and ideas from the photographers that were shooting the sport before me that it helped me become the person I am today!

The way I learned to film was really simple. I just did it. I picked up my GoPro 3 and started filming the most interesting thing in my life at the moment, which was Roller Derby. I didn’t have any prior knowledge on filming other than taking my dad’s camera when I was 9 and I would make small videos with my Legos and action figures. I didn’t know I would like Roller Derby as much as I do now, but it’s because I was intrigued by the emotions and actions of the participants of the sport. It took me 10 years to film and edit the way I do, but I could have done so much to speed up the learning process. As a Cinematographer, I wish I would have had more influences in the world of sports videography to influence me. My two biggest influences were ESPN and WWE pre-packaged video reels. The way both companies’ editors were able to capture the minds and hearts of millions around the world, me included, was definitely what influenced my style of storytelling. Sports movies and live sports on a screen didn’t and still don’t influence me as much as a photographer sitting alone and shooting for the love and passion of creating. And as a video editor, the feeling is the exact same. Movies, actors, directors or producers have never influenced the way I shoot or tell a story. I’m not interested in telling a Hollywood story, I’m interested in telling a story of human experiences.

Eddie, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Eddie Covarrubias and I’m the cinematographer and video editor for HitSquadTv. HSTV started in late 2014 as a way to continue being creative since I personally made the decision to walk away from music to be fully focused on my family. We started with filming Roller Derby but have since evolved in creating promotional material, short and full-length films for individuals and organizations in and out of the derby-verse! What sets us apart from any cinematographer and video editor is the amount of time we have spent perfecting our craft to tell the best story we can tell. The work we are most proud of is collaborating with Indigenous Rising, Jewish Roller Derby, Latino Fuego and Black Diaspora to help tell the stories of these wonderful human beings and their struggle in this world. Our goal is to expand our reach to the masses and tell the stories we have encountered through the sport that gave me my career, Roller Derby!

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My overall goal has changed over the past decade of filming. When I first started, I wanted to be the best cinematographer and editor in my region. That goal soon turned into being the best in the state, then nation and eventually the world. But during the journey, I realized that being the best wasn’t the end goal, it was just another step. It dawned on me that my goal for filming and editing was no different than my actual goals in life. My goal for my career is to have fun with whatever I’m doing and do it to the best of my ability. The moment my true goal became clear, it felt like the road opened up to me and I was able to do anything and everything I desire. Always do it for the love and passion of your art.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist/creative for me is the handshakes and stories that people tell me about how my work on HitSquadTv affected them. I’ve been told so many stories of people picking up filming/photography because they loved the camera work, or they enjoyed the editing. I’ve also been told by the athletes that they picked up the sport because they saw our videos and influenced them to reach out to their local leagues. Being able to influence individuals positively using your creativity and talent is the ultimate reward for me.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.thsuniversity.com
• Instagram: Instagram.com/HitSquadTv
• Facebook: facebook.com/Hitsquad15
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/HitSquadTv15
• Other: TikTok/HitSquadTv

Image Credits
Robert Oldhcdude Cortez.