Mixtapes, highlight reels and climaxed dunks in the middle of grassroots tournaments have become the newest fascination in a multimedia driven basketball world. Let’s face it, as we are now fully in the “mixtape culture,” videographers give a picture to the visuals certain people can’t get to. It would be foolish to think every basketball aficionado has been to the Goodman League, Game 7 of the NBA Finals, the Drew League or any other event of magnanimous proportions. But what wouldn’t be foolish is to assume that a majority of fans have watched highlights of all of their favorite events.
Jaime Boyer, the creator of 8Eye Productions, the man who taped that ridiculous crossover from Anthony Downing and the man with a vice-grip on Philadelphia’s video market, started off much differently, like most videographers in the game.
He grew up in Philly, played basketball in high school and eventually Maryland Eastern-Shore, and finished at Shaw University. After graduating in 2011 from Shaw, he kept connections with local high school players Brandon Austin and Rysheed Jordan, and 8Eye began to grow.
Now in 2013, 8Eye has become synonymous with Philadelphia’s high school, professional and grassroots basketball scene when it comes to videography.
8EYE has produced numerous videos with just about all Philadelphia’s NBA Talent, the city’s top strength and conditioning trainers, music artists and has had footage shown on ESPN, NBC and featured in every major sports magazine or website.
Dime had the opportunity to sit down with Boyer during his travels to talk about the creation of 8Eye, how Philadelphia has received the brand, and how the Philly basketball scene changed in recent years.
*** *** ***
Dime: How did you get on the scene as a videographer?
Jaime Boyer: It started from the Chosen League in Philly, I got close to Brandon Austin and Rysheed Jordan from helping out in the league. I would always joke and tell them I was going to make a video of them. Then one day Brandon Austin called me and said they were having open gym I should come record it. I did it, then a week or so Rysheed told me he needed one. After I finished his, both vids spread through Philly Twitter and and boom I was in demand overnight.
Dime: Did playing basketball help with finding your niche in the industry?
JB: Absolutely. I feel like it gave me a advantage of what the players were looking when it came to the look of the videos. Most guys doing what I’m doing have never picked up a basketball a day in their life. So they only have a outsider’s perspective. And being that I’m not that far removed from the players at any level, I feel like some of them gravitate towards me.
Dime: Who’s been the best player that you’ve ever filmed (high school or college)?
JB: That’s a tough one, but I’m going to say it’s a toss up between Marcus Morris of the Phoenix Suns and Dion Waiters of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Dime: Explain what 8Eye is?
JB: Not to get too deep it just basically means enlightenment. Basically having the knowledge to assess the real from the fake at all times and not being persuaded and guided by groupthink.
Dime: How did 8Eye get started?
JB: In college, I was daydreaming in class when my teacher had started talking about groupthink and how it hold us back. My mind just started thinking about how true it was. I opened my book, sketched a logo down and ran with it. I put it on my college videos as well. But I really took off with it once I got back to Philly, got an official logo, did some vids and people started referring to me as 8EYE when they seen me in public. The light bulb came on and that was probably the true start.
Dime: How has Philadelphia embraced Jaime Boyer?
JB: Great. I get love and support all throughout the city. People see me and tell me they loved they video on their son, daughter, cousin, etc. I seem to be most popular with the kids who are about 7-10, who asking me to record them asking for T-shirts just about anywhere I go. Players who were playground legends in the ’90s and early 2000s always tell me they wish I was around when they were playing. Knowing how tough this city is and how they can be tough critics, I would say they have embraced with nothing but love.
Dime: What’s your connection with Coach Chuck Ellis?
JB: I’ve known Chuck from my years as a basketball player and we’ve always had a good relationship. Once I got on the scene doing the mixtapes he reached out to me to record a workout, the response was great and we have been collaborating every since.
Dime: Would you consider yourself the best in the city at what you do? Are there any misconceptions about your work?
JB: Absolutely. I know I’m the best. I feel like I prepare, hustle and outwork everybody. So I’m not saying it in a cocky or arrogant way, I just know the work I’ve put in and the competitor I am. I’m confident in my work. Honestly everyone should feel that way.
Dime: How important is the “mixtape culture” to modern day basketball?
JB: It’s very important. Most importantly for capturing moments that shake up social media. Like the Brandon Austin vs. Rysheed Jordan game. It was a classic game, between one of the city’s best matchups in years. Right after the game it was a uproar on Twitter and Instagram about the game. Within hours the mix was up. It just gives everyone a chance to be there and witness those great basketball moments.
Keep reading to hear who is the best player in Philly right now…
Dime: What sneakers have you seen players wearing the most? What can someone usually catch you rocking? Favorite pair of sneakers?
JB: Well of course any and every pair of Jordans being released, always been a hooper’s favorite to have the newest MJs on the court. I’m a big fan of ’90s Nikes. That was the golden era of sneakers. So usually some Barkleys, Griffeys, Pennys, something along that line. My favorite sneaks are the Metallic Jordan 5s. Classic shoe.
Dime: Who’s your favorite player in the city to work with right now and why?
JB: I probably don’t have one, I enjoy working with them all honestly. But if I had to say one I would say BA or ‘Sheed just because the relationship we’ve developed over the time.
Dime: How do you decide which songs to use for which mixtape or highlight reel?
JB: Most people dont know but I’m a music connoisseur [laughs], So I just feel the vibe of the game and the player’s style of play or personality and dig into my music catalog to find the perfect song that matches the highlights. And there are the few instances where people have the requests which sometimes are perfect as well, but never as good as mine.
Dime: Have you covered any events outside of Philadelphia?
JB: A couple events in North Carolina, while I was finishing up school. Delaware, New York and Jersey have been the most common places I cover events outside of Philly. Hopefully I can continue to spread of with the growth of 8EYE.
Dime: What takes up your time outside of 8Eye? How do you balance everything?
JB: Being a father. My family. My son is my everything so no matter how much I have on my plate with 8Eye I make time for him. But honestly 8Eye is my life at this point. I eat, sleep and breathe 8Eye. But I enjoy every second of it, I work for myself and for the most part it’s stress free.
Dime: What’s influenced you the most to become a videographer instead of pursuing a career as a player after your time at Shaw?
JB: Doing something I love for a living. That was a huge influence. I get to be around the games I grew up playing for a living. I never wanted to be anything in my life but an athlete, I never visioned myself with a 9 to 5 career, so when this lane opened it only made sense for me go full throttle.
Dime: What’s next for 8Eye? How can the brand improve?
JB: A lot of people don’t know that I’m probably a bigger football fan than I am a basketball so definitely make my mark in the football world and try to give football highlights a new look courtesy of 8Eye. Also I would love for my brand to move into NBA. The same way you see hoopers around the city wearing my T-shirts and tweeting “8Eye,” I would love for a couple verified pros to be seen in some Ts and have “a day in the life'” 8EYE videos.
Dime: What are some goals you’ve set for yourself when you began the brand?
JB: To do a piece of Kobe Bryant. That was my main goal. I still feel that goal is in the making, I just hope to catch him before he hangs it up.
Dime: Do you think the level of Philadelphia basketball has decreased? What about the players the city gave birth to and are in the NBA?
JB: Without a doubt the talent has taken a drastic dip. Too many options for players to get on court these days, as oppose to actually being good enough to play. When I was in HS there were about 30 schools total. So you had to have some kind of skill with you to make the cut. Now there are about 100 schools, making room for just about any average player to get a chance to compete.
Dime: If you could pick, who’s the best player in the city right now?
JB: I would have to say Ja’Quan Newton. He pretty much separated his self from the pack this summer. Although the city is filled with players who can hold their own, he’s just probably the best right now.
Dime: Any advice for young players coming through the ranks, since you’ve been there and done that? How do players really succeed at any level?
JB: Always remember to have fun. So many people put pressure on kids to perform that they forget to just let the have fun. I’ve seen really talented guys walk away from the game or never live up to the potential because the the pressure made the game stop being fun for them, so I think that’s the number one rule. Then of course hard work and confidence. As long as you’re outworking everybody in and maintaining the upmost confidence in your ability despite what anyone thinks, you’ll be successful.
What do you think?
Follow Tyler on Twitter at @RealTylerTynes.
Follow Dime on Twitter at @DimeMag.
Become a fan of Dime Magazine on Facebook HERE.
