At 16, my driver’s license meant stoney burritos at Del Taco and Blink-182 on PCH. I still remember how it felt in the front left pocket of my skinny jeans, an all-access pass to the parts of life too far for feet. But now, it’s just another thing I have to carry — like one of those items in Pokémon you can’t toss. I’m looking at my younger self, and I’m thinking of those old Acura commercials. “The road will never be the same,” was the slogan. I imagine the copywriter was influenced more by capitalism than philosophy, but even still, it’s hard not to acknowledge the phrase’s truth. Back in my hometown, driving the area I have known my whole life, eating the Del Taco I have tasted a million times, listening to the Blink I have heard through and through, I whisper the street names as I pass them, “Magnolia, Newland, Beach,” and they sound no different than ever before, yet I can tell you with certainty, the road simply does not feel the same. And for the first time in my life, I know it never will be. Everything is different now. The burrito, cold. The music, stale. The joy, expired. The memories, a spec in my rear view mirror.
(Inspired by going to the DMV at 16 vs 30 3)
Dear Dad, a very beautiful short film I created with my friends
🌸💋
Cast
Toady Smith as himself
Jason Nash as Todd’s Dad
Harry Jowsey as IRIS Agent
Joe Vulpis as IRIS Agent #2
Executive producer Todd Smith
Written by Carlos Alvarez and Todd Smith
Directed by Carlos Alvarez
Assistant Director David Alvarez
Director of Photography Nick Eagleston
Camera Assistant Ben Hacker
Sound mixer Matt Somogyi
Gaffer Evan Appel
Editor Jake Zieman
Special Thanks to
David Dobrik
Scotty Sire
David Knott
TODbless,,
never forget to massage your hamstrings with warm milk 🍼💦🫦
TODAY IS MY DAY. TOMORROW CAN BE YOURS
Santa Teresa, Costa Rica
your style is a visual statement about your identity; your style is your voice when you don’t want to speak. your style is Gothicmochas. remember, Gothicmochas will make you look cooler than you already do,
as well as surf much better. TØDbless
@gothicmochas // @sammilsmith
Film Friday – Costa Rica/Lake Como
Film Friday – Costa Rica/Lake Como
Film Friday – Costa Rica/Lake Como
Film Friday – Costa Rica/Lake Como
Film Friday – Costa Rica/Lake Como
Film Friday – Costa Rica/Lake Como
Film Friday – Costa Rica/Lake Como
Film Friday – Costa Rica/Lake Como
Film Friday – Costa Rica/Lake Como
Film Friday – Costa Rica/Lake Como
I fall in love like Leo on a sinking ship. Crank that soulja boy at a stranger’s quinceañera. Run 5ks in Crocs for twenty-dollar bets. Never hit the brakes on the bumper cars. Bunny ears in every photo. Because Simon Says jump and Simon Says run and Simon Says love and Simon Said son, live life to its fullest. So I can attribute all this to my father… who never said stop.
I fall in love like Leo on a sinking ship. Crank that soulja boy at a stranger’s quinceañera. Run 5ks in Crocs for twenty-dollar bets. Never hit the brakes on the bumper cars. Bunny ears in every photo. Because Simon Says jump and Simon Says run and Simon Says love and Simon Said son, live life to its fullest. So I can attribute all this to my father… who never said stop.
I fall in love like Leo on a sinking ship. Crank that soulja boy at a stranger’s quinceañera. Run 5ks in Crocs for twenty-dollar bets. Never hit the brakes on the bumper cars. Bunny ears in every photo. Because Simon Says jump and Simon Says run and Simon Says love and Simon Said son, live life to its fullest. So I can attribute all this to my father… who never said stop.
I fall in love like Leo on a sinking ship. Crank that soulja boy at a stranger’s quinceañera. Run 5ks in Crocs for twenty-dollar bets. Never hit the brakes on the bumper cars. Bunny ears in every photo. Because Simon Says jump and Simon Says run and Simon Says love and Simon Said son, live life to its fullest. So I can attribute all this to my father… who never said stop.
I fall in love like Leo on a sinking ship. Crank that soulja boy at a stranger’s quinceañera. Run 5ks in Crocs for twenty-dollar bets. Never hit the brakes on the bumper cars. Bunny ears in every photo. Because Simon Says jump and Simon Says run and Simon Says love and Simon Said son, live life to its fullest. So I can attribute all this to my father… who never said stop.
I fall in love like Leo on a sinking ship. Crank that soulja boy at a stranger’s quinceañera. Run 5ks in Crocs for twenty-dollar bets. Never hit the brakes on the bumper cars. Bunny ears in every photo. Because Simon Says jump and Simon Says run and Simon Says love and Simon Said son, live life to its fullest. So I can attribute all this to my father… who never said stop.
I fall in love like Leo on a sinking ship. Crank that soulja boy at a stranger’s quinceañera. Run 5ks in Crocs for twenty-dollar bets. Never hit the brakes on the bumper cars. Bunny ears in every photo. Because Simon Says jump and Simon Says run and Simon Says love and Simon Said son, live life to its fullest. So I can attribute all this to my father… who never said stop.
I fall in love like Leo on a sinking ship. Crank that soulja boy at a stranger’s quinceañera. Run 5ks in Crocs for twenty-dollar bets. Never hit the brakes on the bumper cars. Bunny ears in every photo. Because Simon Says jump and Simon Says run and Simon Says love and Simon Said son, live life to its fullest. So I can attribute all this to my father… who never said stop.