Alex Rivera is an upstanding guy from a small town on the outskirts of Rockford, Illinois.

We talked about how skateboarding was a way for him to explore the world outside of his house. I didn't mean for the conversation to turn towards his father, since I was just interviewing him to test out my new microphone and pre-amp. But lo and behold, his dad wasn't around and he was raised by his sister's mom.

Alex was able to find role models in the skateboarding world as well as in more proximal male figures, like his roommate's father. He cites skateboarding as the reason for him moving to Chicago. You'll see more of him in the film, so be on the lookout!