Finding My Way Back to the Camera, to Community, and to Myself

Returning to the camera after so many years felt like opening a door I thought I had locked by accident. Life, work, family, responsibilities, they all had a way of pushing creativity into the background. But the moment I picked up my gear again, everything clicked. It felt familiar, necessary, and strangely new at the same time. 

This is my first blog post in a long time, shared on ELGATO Family, and it marks the beginning of something bigger. Not only for me, but for the communities and people I am working with. This journey is personal, cinematic, cultural, and rooted in one simple idea: stories deserve to be seen. 

Rocket Monkey Roastery, community, and a spark

My return to filming properly started with Rocket Monkey Roastery in Ayr, and with Andrew, the owner. He trusted me with his story and allowed me to capture the reopening of the roastery. Filming there reminded me why I love this craft. Good coffee, good people, and honest work, all happening in the middle of a community that deserves to be highlighted.

This project taught me something important. Filmmaking is not only about visuals, it is about connection. About taking a space that feels ordinary to some and showing the world why it matters. The story of Rocket Monkey is not just about coffee, it is about restarting, rebuilding, and believing in what you create. It matched perfectly with the stage of life I am in.

Back to university at 45

Starting at UWS again as a mature student, with 45 years on my shoulders, felt like diving into a cold river. You do not know if the shock will wake you up or freeze you. But I can say this with honesty, returning to study was one of the best decisions I have made.

The TV, Radio and Podcast Production course has given me purpose. It pushes me creatively and reminds me why storytelling matters. I sit beside students who are much younger than me, and instead of feeling out of place, I feel inspired. I learn from them, they learn from me, and together we are building work that makes us proud.

AMGFilmPro is no longer just a name or a hobby. It is becoming a professional path, connected with my assignments, my community work, and the projects that keep arriving.

Why community matters

Filming Rocket Monkey showed me something simple. If we get behind small businesses and local creators, we all grow. This is why ELGATO Family, AMGFilmPro and my work at UWS all connect. They are different branches of the same tree, rooted in people, culture and collaboration.

From Andrew’s coffee, to the students in my class, to the families I support in my daily work, everyone has a story that deserves a frame. 

The Rocket Monkey Game, two coffees

To celebrate this comeback, I created a small activity for anyone visiting Rocket Monkey. You can scan the QR code in the shop or Here, watch the video, leave a comment on the video, and you are automatically entered into a draw to win two coffees, one for you and one for someone you choose. A small gesture to bring people together, and a fun way to connect the physical shop with the digital story.

The winner will be announced in one month on Instagram: 

Follow : https://www.instagram.com/amgfilmpro/

What comes next

This is just the beginning. More filming, more blogs, more behind the scenes, more stories from Ayrshire and beyond. Projects with UWS, new collaborations, ideas that grow into films. And at the heart of everything, the same feeling that came back the moment I hit record again.

Creativity does not disappear with age. It waits patiently for you to return.

🎮 Ayrcade: A Pixel-Powered Trip Down Memory Lane

 

There’s a little place in the heart of Ayr, Scotland, that brought back some of the best memories from my childhood,  memories I never thought I’d relive quite like this. It’s called Ayrcade, and it's more than just a retro gaming spot. It's a portal. A time machine. A beautiful mix of laughter, nostalgia, and connection across generations.

This isn’t about being a gamer. In fact, I’ve never been too interested in modern video games. But this? This was something else.

I grew up in Anserma, Caldas, a small town tucked in the Colombian Andes, during the ‘80s and ‘90s. A time when owning a video game was almost like owning a spaceship,  rare, exciting, and far out of reach for most of us. Back then, some families had relatives in the United States,  those legendary “rich uncles” or “aunties from abroad” who’d send things like clothes, toys, and sometimes even video game consoles or arcade machines.

I had a friend whose family received one of those machines. Instead of keeping it all to himself, he saw an opportunity,  and turned his living room into a mini arcade. He charged us a few coins to play. They sold sweets and fizzy drinks on the side. We’d spend hours in that house, queueing for a turn, shouting, laughing, and getting chased out by his mum,  sandal in hand,  when things got too loud. That was childhood. That was joy.

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👾 

Walking into Ayrcade brought all of that flooding back.

Located at 47 Kyle Street in Ayr, Ayrcade is a pop-up retro arcade packed with iconic machines like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (four-player!), Pac-Man, Mortal Kombat II, Space Invaders and more. The setup is simple: £5 for a one-hour session, and children under 14 must be accompanied by a paying adult. No coins. No modern distractions. Just pure, pixel-powered fun.

For one full hour, I played side-by-side with my kids,  and for a brief moment, it felt like time stopped.

We laughed so much. They couldn’t believe I knew how to play these games. But truth is, I didn’t just play them,  I lived them. I watched the countdown tick away: “15 minutes left… 10… 5… 2…” and I didn’t want it to end.

When our time was up, we walked out smiling from ear to ear. That hour had given me something I didn’t expect: a bridge between my past and their present.

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🕹 Why Ayrcade Is Worth Visiting

• It’s central – right in Ayr’s town centre.
• It’s affordable – only £5 per person for a full hour.
• It’s full of character – the lighting, the machines, the energy… it’s real.
• It’s for everyone – you don’t need to be a gamer; you just need to be curious, and ready to smile.

Check out more at ayrcade.co.uk

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📍 Quick Details

Info	Description
📍 Location	47 Kyle Street, Ayr, KA7 1RS
💷 Cost	£5 per hour
👨‍👩‍👧 Age	Under 14s must be with a paying adult
🕹 Games	TMNT, Pac-Man, Mortal Kombat II, and more

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💛 Why This Meant So Much

Places like this remind me that connection isn’t about how fancy something is,  it’s about how it makes you feel. In that hour, I wasn’t just a dad,  I was also that little boy from Anserma, with coins in his pocket, laughter in the air, and the smell of sweets lingering in the background.

I’m incredibly thankful to whoever brought Ayrcade to this town. You didn’t just open a place for fun. You gave me a way to connect with my children, to share part of my past with them, and to write a new story together.

We’ll definitely be going back. Because some moments are too good not to repeat.

Check our Video Here : https://www.instagram.com/reel/DM7kS1mts6W/?igsh=NmJwZTJ2aGM0d3dw

Alberth MG (AMG)

🎸 Download Festival 2025: My Story

I used to think music was just something you listened to. But over time, and especially through the last few years, I’ve realised it’s something deeper. For me, music—particularly heavy metal—has become a lifeline. And that’s why Download Festival 2025 wasn’t just another gig. It was the culmination of something personal, something powerful.

This story begins with Gregor—not just a friend, but someone truly special that life brought my way. Over the years, we’ve built a unique connection shaped by music, cassette tapes, and shared experiences. He’s one of those rare people who come into your life and quietly change the way you see the world. 

With Gregor, I’ve discovered new sides of myself, just as he’s grown in his own way. That mutual learning, that honest companionship—that’s what makes this friendship so meaningful. 

Gregor also played a huge role in introducing me to metal in a deeper way. We didn’t just bond over songs—we created a whole rhythm of life around them. Through playlists, live shows, and conversations that went far beyond music, he helped me discover that metal isn’t just loud. It’s emotional. It’s healing.

As part of this journey, I started making cassettes. Each one is a chapter of my story—a personal diary of distortion and truth. These aren’t random mixtapes. They’re crafted with care, each representing a time, a place, a state of mind. And Cassette #5—the one Gregor made for me before the festival—was the pulse of my countdown to Download.

Every time I played it, I could feel the anticipation building—the riffs, the raw emotion, the memories waiting to be made.

When we finally arrived at Donington Park, it was everything I’d imagined: thousands of people, sunshine all weekend (no mud this year!), and a shared sense of electricity in the air. But just as things were kicking off… I caught the dreaded festival flu. 

My throat was done, energy gone. Still, I wasn’t about to miss Korn—a band that means everything to me. 

And that’s where Cassette #10 comes in. This one was my own creation—built entirely from Korn’s Download setlist. It’s the most personal tape I’ve made yet. Each track carries the weight of a dream finally realised. Seeing Korn live, even sick, was emotional and unforgettable.

Download wasn’t just about Korn. The weekend was packed with powerful performances. Some sparked debate—Sleep Token, for example, had mixed reactions. But that’s what makes a festival great. You never know what’ll hit home and what won’t.

And underneath all the music, there’s something deeper that’s been quietly shaping this journey: mental health.

Heavy metal has helped me through more than words can say. It’s a source of strength, clarity, and expression. Through this connection with Gregor and the wider community, I discovered a beautiful movement called Heavy Metal Therapy.

Based in the UK, this group brings metalheads together in a powerful way—using music as a tool for emotional support and connection. It’s not traditional therapy. It’s about creating safe, informal spaces where people can talk openly, be heard, and feel part of something meaningful.

One of the places that truly brought all this together for us was Raven Records in London—a spot Gregor and I visited together. It wasn’t just a record store. It felt like a sanctuary. Surrounded by vinyl, cassettes, and the energy of real music lovers, it reminded me how these spaces can become vital for mental well-being. Raven has also been connected to the work of Heavy Metal Therapy, showing how music culture and mental health support can go hand in hand.

And then, there was the kilt.

Even though I’m Colombian, I’ve lived in Scotland for 25 years. My wife is Scottish, my children are Scottish, and Scotland has shaped a big part of who I am today. The first time I wore a kilt was for a Kilt Walk event. But this one—this Download Festival kilt—was something else.

It was jet black, and the plan is to cover it with patches from all the bands and gigs that have meant something to me. It felt bold. It felt loud. And thanks to the online community, we gave it a name: “KILT ’EM ALL.” A tribute to Metallica, yes—but also a symbol of how this festival, this music, and this moment stitched themselves together into something I’ll never forget.

Wearing that kilt felt like carrying my whole story around my waist—Colombian roots, Scottish life, and a love for metal that crosses every border.

So yes—Download 2025 gave me a sore throat and a shattered voice. But it also gave me memories, inspiration, and another chapter in my cassette journey. With Cassette #5 in my bag, Cassette #10 in my deck, and “KILT ’EM ALL” on my waist, I came home buzzing.

These tapes—and that kilt—aren’t just music or fabric. They’re proof of where I’ve been—and reminders of who I am, and who I’m becoming.

Click on the video: 📼  https://www.instagram.com/p/DLW4PedtZLY/ 

by Albert Muñoz

The Importance of Music in My Life

From a very young age, music has been part of my life. And right now, more than ever, I need it. I’m the father of this family we call ELGATO Family, and music helps me stay creative, think more clearly, and focus on the good things, especially the good things within myself.

Recently, I’ve started a journey into the past, using music as my time machine. It’s a simple, affordable way to revisit memories that shaped me. I've been on the hunt for the music of my childhood, starting with cassette tapes I used to record straight from the radio. Back then, growing up in Colombia, we didn’t have the money to buy brand new cassettes or vinyl. So we found our own ways of piratear la música (pirate Our Music) .

 One of my favourite stations was Radioactiva – El Planeta Rock. That’s where most of my music came from. Sometimes my friends would bring their tapes or CDs, and we’d copy music from each other. It wasn’t just about the songs—it was about gathering together, talking about life, and letting the music speak for us.

Now, I’ve started building a music corner in our home.

I’ve got a record player that also lets me play CDs, listen to cassettes, and even record my own mixtapes just like the old days. 

One of the tapes I’ve made recently is with my wife,  little compilation of our favourite songs. You can even listen to it on Spotify if you’re curious. There’s something magical about making a mixtape together it’s like wrapping up memories in ribbon and magnetic tape.

In my darkest moments, music has been a lifeline. When I feel like I’m falling into that black hole in my mind, music pulls me out like a superhero. It helps me think, helps me reflect, helps me remember who I am not just as a person, but as a father. Music reminds me of how much I matter not only to myself, but to my children too.

I’d love to hear from you. What does music do for you? Leave me a comment on social media let’s talk about it. In our family, music is everywhere. When we’re driving, it’s playing. When we’re home, it’s on. Even before bed, or while we sleep, music is always with us.

I love all kinds of music, but black metal has a special place in my heart. It’s how I rock my demons to sleep, it’s my lullaby and my fire. And you know what? One of the best things about going back to the past is popping into charity shops here in the UK.

For just a pound, I’ve been rebuilding my music collection. Slowly but surely, it’s growing. Who knows? One day Spotify might vanish, the internet might crash, but I’ll still be here, with my stash of tapes, CDs, and vinyl, ready to keep saving my life, one song at a time.

And finally, here’s something I’d love you to do especially those of you who know me well, and even those who don’t but want to join in: if you’re on Spotify, create a playlist for me. Pick songs you think I’d love or ones that you love and make me a Mix Tape. 

Just 90 minutes of music. Send it my way. I’ll listen to it at a café somewhere, and I’ll enjoy every second. It’s a simple way to connect. We spend so much time on social media that we forget what really keeps us going the beautiful little things that make us human. Something as simple as a cassette, a CD, or a vinyl record can bring us together. 

Send here: ELGATOFamily 

Written by Alberth MG,
Proud father of the ELGATO Family 

Welcome Back to the ELGATO Family Adventures!

Hey there, friends! We’re thrilled to welcome you to our ELGATO Family Blog, the ultimate space for sharing our life, adventures, and the fun chaos of being a family of 8!

It’s been a while since we’ve connected, but we’re back and more excited than ever. This blog is a place for us to document our journey and share the incredible stories that come with being Mummy, Papi, and our 6 boys. From trips to music, sports, and everyday hilarity, there’s always something happening in the ELGATO house—and now you’re invited to be part of it!

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Meet the ELGATO Family

Here’s a quick look at who we are:

• Mummy & Papi: The ones holding it all together (most of the time). We love making memories with our boys and can’t wait to share them with you.
• The Boys: Each of our six sons is unique, full of energy, and passionate about something special:
  • Our Lead Singer: One of our boys is the frontman of an incredible band called The Eeps. Music is a big part of our life, and we’ll be sharing everything from rehearsals to live shows!
  • Sports Stars: With two of the boys playing or watching football and rugby.
  • The Dreamers: Beyond music and sports, each of our boys has their own interests and dreams, which you’ll get to see more of in our videos and stories.

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What to Expect

This blog and our video channel are your backstage passes into the life of the ELGATO Family. Here’s what you can look forward to:

• Trips & Adventures: We’ll take you along as we explore new places, from quick family getaways to unforgettable vacations. Traveling as a family of 8 is an adventure in itself!
• Music Magic: With a lead singer in the house, music is a constant. From band rehearsals to live gigs, you’ll get a front-row seat to all the action with The Eeps.
• Sports & Energy: Football matches, rugby games, and maybe even a few family competitions—sports keep us active and bring us closer.
• Everyday Fun: Whether it’s a family dinner gone hilariously wrong or a spontaneous day out, we love sharing the moments that make life special.

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Why We’re Back

After taking some time to focus on family, we realized just how much we missed sharing our journey with all of you. This blog is our way of staying connected, celebrating life, and inspiring others to embrace the beauty of family.

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Watch Our Latest Video

To kick things off, we’ve uploaded a brand-new video to our ELGATO Family Vlog! It’s packed with highlights from our past adventures, an update on what we’ve been up to, and a glimpse of what’s ahead.

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Join the Fun

We’re so excited to have you with us on this journey. Drop us a comment below—tell us what you’re most excited to see, or let us know about your own family adventures.

Here’s to creating memories, sharing stories, and celebrating family,
ELGATO Family