Tyler Breuer is likely one of the coolest people you’ll meet.  His passion for and knowledge of surfing is contagious and profound. He’s a great addition to any team and this hasn’t gone unnoticed.  He recently was a Juror at the Canadian Surf Film Festival (where this interview originated) and is part of the Screening Panel at the London Surf Film Festival. This is in addition to being an original partner of the NY Surf Film Festival and more recently, SMASH Productions.  Having significant travel experience  in Peru, including Lobitos, and invaluable perspective on the surf industry, he is a logical person to help set the direction of WAVES.

The SCFF caught up with Tyler to pick his brain about surfing, top-notch online content, family business and his favorite surf flicks.

When did you start surfing?

First time standing up on a board I was 7 years old.

You’re behind a really exciting and relatively new event called SMASH Productions (surf movies, art, shaping, history) How did S.P. come to be?

I’ll give you the short story. Basically, 2 of my now partners and I were involved in starting and creating the New York Surf Film Festival.  We are currently involved in a lawsuit with our former partner with the NYSFF. In order for us to keep doing what we love to do, the two remaining partners and I decided to start SMASH and continue being positive and doing what we love to do along with explore new concepts and events.

NY has a solid, well-established surf community that’s surrounded by a city of millions of non-surfers. Have non-surfers had a big presence at screenings?

Yes and no. It all depends on the type of event we are doing. Some of the bigger premieres and some of the lectures brought in some non-surfers. The more core films tend to be mostly surfers. But, there is definitely an appreciation of surf films and surf culture among the non-surfers in NY.

The surf community has tons of free videos, photos and websites that pump out killer content every week. How do you see this affecting the more “traditional” film experience? After all, this experience is part of what makes a festival.

I have to say that the free content and free movie premieres online have their place, but nothing can replace the feeling of going to a surf film premiere. I believe that surf film premieres are vital to surf culture. Surf film premieres are not really about the films as much as it is about bringing surfers together. Allowing traditions to be passed on from generation to generations. Plus, it’s a great way for surfers to talk about the films, critique, and share in the stoke. To be honest, I’ve never heard anyone talk about a film that they watched on their computer for free. Or at least talk enthusiastically about a film released online. But, after a film has been shown in a theater, All you ever hear is people talking about the film and sharing enthusiasm for the film. I honestly believe that the recent run of free films online is pure lazy marketing. Sure you get the numbers but it cheapens the film and the work the of the filmmaker, plus it has little impact on the average surfer. The film is disposable and lacks any sentimentality. But seeing a film in a theater, that memory will last forever.

Most of us stay current online. Take the Innersection project for example. Top-notch film project, and I don’t have to leave my kitchen. How does something as game changing as this effect the film community at large? To me it seems to help. Gets people in the water, filming, editing, etc.

I think what Taylor is doing is incredible, risky, innovative, and has yet to be fully done correctly yet. I have a ton of respect for what he is doing with Innersections and I grew up idolizing his films. But the first incarnation of Innersection didn’t fully live up to the hype. I think they have a few more kinks to work out but it’s really exciting. I also respect the fact that Taylor still does premieres in theaters and that Innersections was premiered last year on the same day around the world. It was pretty cool.

I also like the idea of how this project is encouraging filmmakers to get out there and submit their best work and giving them a bunch of exposure that a lot of them probably would have a tough time getting. It’s really inclusive and gives anybody a chance to get exposure. Look at last years winner. Matt Meola, he came out of nowhere and has blown up. That aspect is great. But, there are some drawbacks and criticisms that will hopefully be worked out in the next few years. Keep in mind, all this is really new and so we don’t know what the impact of all this will be but it’s something that we will see more and more of in the future for sure.

What film are you most excited about this year?

Come Hell or High Water should be really interesting. I’m curious to see how Keith Malloy does as a filmmaker and how he is able to express the excitement of body surfing.

In your opinion, what has been the most important surf film of the past decade?

Good question!  Modern Collective, Glass Love, and Musica Surfica.

You manage your family’s business, Sundown Ski and Surf Shop. How’s that going? Does that keep you in the water or out? Much time in the mountains?

The irony of running a ski shop is you never get to ski. And running a surf shop, it’s a little easier to get in the water because the beach is a little closer and cheaper. Running a family business is hard. Anytime you work with a parent, it’s going to be difficult because your roles are constantly jumping back and forth between son and employee. It’s a tough balancing act. But, I really enjoy getting to spend a lot of time with my father.

As a juror at this year’s CSFF, what are you looking forward to?

Seeing the Surf community getting together, meeting new people, seeing old friends, and hopefully score a wave or two…

Do you bring a different set of eyes to a screening when you’re a juror (vs. surfer)?

Of course. You’re going to be much more critical of the films. I definitely look at surf films in a different way now as opposed to when I was much younger and just loved watching any surf film.

What’s the vibe at the beach with the WCT showing up in a few weeks?

Some people are stoked. Some are down on it. I’m of the mindset that it’s going to have positives and negatives and it’s better just to enjoy it rather than fight it.

How has summer been in NY? Good times on the log?

It’s been a pretty small summer. Not much surf. But I think this autumn is going to go off!!!

What’s on the go this fall/winter (besides taking in the CSFF, and some point breaks, of course)?

Work, possibly head to London for the London Surf Film Festival. I’m working on getting Jeff Divine out for an evening. Looking to show Rio Breaks at some point as well. Oh, and planning a wedding!

All-time favorite surf flick?

Phew! Tough question. Can I pick top five? Gotta be Endless Summer– Bruce Brown, Beyond Blazing Boards– Chris Bystrom, Pump– Billabong (Greg Weaver, Spyder Willis and others) , Momentum –Taylor Steele, Litmus – Andrew Kidman, oh and one short film, Lapsed Catholics: What the Surf Magazines Don’t Tell you by Toddy Stewart. The guy is a legend.

For more information on SMASH, click here.