Meet The Team | Steve Alexander
Welcome to the latest instalment of our meet the team series, which, as the title implies will dive into the background of the amazing people that make up The Finish Line. Meet Steve Alexander who joined us in February 2015.
Back in the late 80’s when his father bought him a state of the art VHS-C recorder, Steve was quickly hooked on the idea of home movies. He always wanted to be behind the camera. Partly because his father was doing it but also because he unknowingly loved the artistry that went into it. Steve’s introduction to editing began at the age of 9 with VHS to VHS videos. Over the next 5 to 6 years 8 bit graphics were added to the mix and the father/son team built themselves a weekend earner (albeit a small one). His love for filming and editing carried through to the early 90’s where Steve and his school friends created homages to Hollywood films. Even at the age of 13 Steve knew this was something he wanted to do for a living.
With little guidance on where to go after school or how to get into this glamorous industry, Steve ended up at Bradford University studying Media Technology and Production but was ultimately frustrated with the minimal editing and camerawork available. After coming out of university Steve sent out letters (not e-mail kids). Little did he know that entry level started with making tea! To this day he still has all 100 rejection letters. In due time Steve’s CV landed at Framestore CFC where he was offered the role of a runner (naturally). Shortly after being promoted into the MCR he left Soho for a West London Post house. As his colleagues in MCR left, Steve was the last man standing with a pretty full workload but his patience paid off for the company decided to rapidly expand. They needed an editor and he jumped at the chance. It was a bit nerve racking being thrown in at the deep end but that’s the only way to learn; by doing.
Over the next 11 years Steve developed his skills as an online editor and colourist but something was still missing. Things had become a touch stagnant and he wasn’t learning anything new. Whilst writing scripts and serving as a human climbing frame to his children filled his spare time, work was no longer a challenge. So after 13 years Steve joined the ranks of The Finish Line to pursue this new endeavour.
We asked Steve what advice he would give to his younger self to which he replied:
Why do we fall down? To learn how to get back up. No, that’s Batman (though I have used that with my kids). Work isn’t work if you enjoy it. Once it stops being fun, stop. And; life isn’t about work – that’s not going to give you a big hug at the end of the day. Being with family, around for those fleeting moments when your kids want you around is worth more than the money you will earn by sitting behind your desk. Life is much shorter than you know, just go for it.
You can find Steve’s credit list here and for bookings drop us an email on bookings@nullthefinishline.pro
