I’ve been doing this stuff for a good chunk of my life – the only career I’ve ever had. And so when I’m talking about the quality of a day–the light, the crew, the shots, the vibe–I’ve got a fair bit to compare it to. Thousands of days on set. That said, today ranks pretty high on my list of epic days. It’s so late right now that I can barely type, but stay with me for a few minutes if you can stomach it, cause I’m about to lay it on pretty thick…
5:00am wake up call. More fresh snow on the gound. Sky is crystal clear.
6:00am roll out. We’re 30 people deep in 5 or 6 suvs.
7:00am arrival at snowmobile rental – same place we scouted. 15 snowmobiles with drivers haul us deep into the woods, along ridges and through valleys and into one of the most beautiful mountain basins I’ve ever seen. Moon is setting over the Wilson range as the sun is rising. Epic views is an understatement….
8:30am arrive at location. Almost 12,000 feet of elevation. Pure blue sky. Not a lick of wind. Unreal location. Crew mood is over the top enthusiasm – we keep talking how few people get to experience something like this – we all wish we could share this more easily.
10:00am. We’re shooting already. Today is entirely motion/video. We’ve got lots of toys. Stunning views. Epic snow. Hiking. At. This. Elevation. Makes. Flatlanders. Like. Me. Want. To. Pass. Out. But I love it.
10:00am – 6pm. We are crushing it. Stunning light. Multiple cameras catching every moment. We’re shooting handheld, on sticks, steadicams, cranes and jibs…and a helicopter. But not the big ones. This is the remote chopper that if you don’t know about you’ll be happy you read this post. My friends Tabb and Hugh at FreeFly Cinema are on set with us and we’re flying the AF-100 cine camera around like it’s god’s own eyes. Feeling like a kid in a candy store.
6:30 – 7. We nail the sunset shot. I mean nail it. Can’t wait for you to see this. High fives, hugs, fist bumps, everything all around. I’m humbled to be a part of this hardworking and talented crew.
7 – 10pm. Moving all the people and gear out of the mountains is a gigantic task. It seems like the people and gear multiplied while we have been up here.
10pm. Back at our car. Driving away from an amazing day.
10:45. Catch one of the last restaurants still open in Telluride. Scarfing.
11:30 Stumble back to the hotel. Must write.
12:00 midnight. Can’t do any of today the justice it deserves. Makes me feel lucky to be alive. Out.
Great series, Chase. Thanks very much for taking time out of your long days to post these. It’s a fascinating look at production behind the scenes, something many of us amateur shooters rarely see.
Do you can this work? I can this play!
Quiero hacer fotos y video con estos helicópteros… alguna sugerencia para los equipos…!
I take pictures and video with these helicopters … any suggestions for equipment …! or a website where they are and what controls are needed
Cool stuff but I must say.. It is really sad when one reads the fan base wishing they had Chases life…I love my life and all that I do and am..I am amazed that people will go through life wishing for all time to be another person or live another’s life. Life is for living and if anything I can say for this forum is that people should take example from Chase and CREATE the life they want. Use him as a personal inspiration and go make it happen!…Take great pics if that is your life goal but be epic about it! I get the feeling that Chase would not sit around reading all this saying ” Wow, my life sucks compared to this guy or gal”…Really sucks the life force out of this forum which is JUST FUN and nothing more…Yes you can learn here but for Pete’s sake let it breath!
This is crazy! Tons of respect Chase. Immensely inspired by everything you do Chase.