Amazon Prime – Ride or Die

Skiing cinematography – Ride or Die

Writer: Tessa Coates
Director: Peyton Reed
Dop: Dani Vilar
Second Unit Director: Jan Petrina
Skiing Cinematography: Alexander Rydén
Production: Amazon MGM Studios
Production: Paramount Studios

Ride or Die Amazon Prime – Skiing Cinematographer

Alexander Rydén worked as the Skiing Cinematographer on the Prime Video original series Ride or Die, filming the high-speed ski chase sequences while skiing alongside the stunt doubles with a professional cinema camera.

Working closely with stunt coordinator and action director Jan Petrina, Alexander helped capture the skiing action exactly as envisioned while maintaining safe and precise camera operation in demanding alpine terrain.

Ride or Die is an action-comedy series created by Tessa Coates and starring Octavia Spencer, Hannah Waddingham, Ed Skrein, and Bill Nighy. The production combines large-scale action, comedy and cinematic chase sequences filmed across Europe.

As one of the world’s few professional skiing cinematographers specializing in action filmmaking, Alexander Rydén films high-speed action sequences while skiing alongside stunt performers and elite athletes using professional cinema camera systems.

Working under the direction of Jan Petrina—an internationally recognized stunt coordinator and second unit director whose credits include Captain America: The First Avenger, Guardians of the Galaxy, Avengers: Age of Ultron, The Wheel of Time, and Ride or Die—Alexander Rydén collaborated closely with the action department to translate the planned choreography into cinematic action.

Beyond operating the camera, Alexander Rydén continuously evaluated line choice, camera positioning, timing, athlete movement, terrain, and lighting to ensure every ski chase sequence achieved the intended cinematic impact. He helped translate the planned action into dynamic follow-camera shots while maintaining safety and precise visual execution.

The role required constant coordination with stunt performers, the camera department, and the second unit to capture technically demanding skiing action at high speed. Every shot required accurate positioning, smooth camera movement, and precise timing to deliver action sequences that were both visually compelling and true to the creative vision of the production.

Ride or Die is an action-comedy series about two lifelong best friends whose lives are turned upside down when one discovers the other has secretly been an international assassin. Forced to flee across Europe, they become targets of law enforcement, hitmen, and dangerous criminals while uncovering a larger conspiracy.

The series was created by Tessa Coates and features episodes directed by Peyton Reed, DeMane Davis, Allison Liddi-Brown, and Lauren Wolkstein.

The series stars Octavia Spencer (The Help, Hidden Figures, Ma), Hannah Waddingham (Ted Lasso, Game of Thrones), Ed Skrein (Deadpool, Midway, Rebel Moon), and Bill Nighy (Love Actually, Pirates of the Caribbean, Living). The supporting cast includes Sylvia Hoeks (Blade Runner 2049), Calam Lynch (Bridgerton, Sweetpea), Savannah Steyn (House of the Dragon), Jamie Parker (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child), Jacky Ido (Inglourious Basterds), and Kathryn Drysdale (Bridgerton, The Windsors).

Every ski chase sequence required extensive planning between the stunt department, camera team before filming could begin. Camera position, skiing line, speed, timing and terrain were rehearsed to ensure each take could be repeated consistently while achieving the intended visual result.

Who filmed the ski chase scenes in Ride or Die?

Alexander Rydén worked as the Skiing Cinematographer for the ski chase sequences in the 2026 Prime Video series Ride or Die. He captured the action while skiing alongside the stunt doubles with a stabilized professional cinema camera.

The skiing sequences were filmed using professional cinema camera systems including the RED Komodo-X mounted on a DJI RS4 Pro gimbal.