Meet the SLAM videographer putting on for Toronto
Better known as Chris.Slam
At one point in life, every young kid across the globe fantasizes about hearing their name in the NBA draft. Some go on to fulfill that dream, while others rather work behind the scenes like Christopher Baelenge. Just as a lot of young kids, he started off shooting the rock but today he prefers to shoot with a SonyA6 or A6300. “I played basketball throughout high school and started shooting in grade 10” he says, “It got to a point where trying to play basketball, building a mixtape brand and school was too much for me but I kept going because I knew I could use this basketball to get where I want to go in the media world.”
"I kept going because I knew I could use this basketball to get where I want to go in the media world.”
And the 21 year old, Canada native is on the right track thanks to his job at SLAM. Baelenge got his big break at an Under Armour (UAA) tournament in Chicago last year. “It was my first time being out there, I knew that this was going to be big for me.” With his own personal experience, Baelenge was able to work and network with Justin Mages who would later create an opportunity of a lifetime for the upcoming videographer. “ He is well known in the basketball community for his mixtapes with almost 100k so I come up to him and we start talking and he says he’s seen my work before and that meant a lot to me.”
“SLAM has helped me build my brand big time. People recognize my work and I’m thankful for that.”
After the tournament, he went back home to Toronto and a few days later his DM’s went SLAM. “I got a DM from my boss now saying, “ I like your work ,would you like to work for us? I guess Justin referred my work to him or something but I never thought of a job opportunity coming out of the conversation,” he says, “I was just trying to learn from him.” Fast forward to now, Baelenge has filmed elite players such as Lamelo Ball, Serge Ibaka, Cole Anthony and Jalen Lecque to name a few. “Working for SLAM has been amazing for me, especially being one of the very few in Canada” he says, “SLAM has helped me build my brand big time. People recognize my work and I’m thankful for that.” https://www.instagram.com/p/B8Se4rJDmH9/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_linkIn 5 years, the in-tune & exciting man behind the camera as he likes to describe his work, sees himself either still working for SLAM or making that move to the actual office in New York and working for an NBA team. “I want to show kids and other shooters you can make it to league or have a future with just a camera and a laptop.” But in the meantime, Christopher Baelenge is maximizing on his SLAM-tastic opportunity and building his portfolio beyond just sports.Check out his work via Instagram @Chris.SlamFor more dope content, click here
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