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.
Chase,
Thank you for sharing your amazing experience with us. I look forward to reading about it every day. Can’t wait to see final product having known all it took to get there.
You kick ass!!
Keep it goin`…
It´s amazing!!!!
Thanks & I bow down because of your passion and the fact that you share everything without any secret… You are a gift for the (photographic)world =)
High five,
Markus
Awesome.
Awesome summary – I have had my eye on an RC helicopter for a while now…you may have just pushed me over the edge. Also nice to see everyone is a slave to nature. I just completed a shoot at Jay Peak in VT which involved 2 days of rain, 2 days of wind and snowy rain …oh well c’est la vie…I shouldn’t complain about skiing and shooting. Cheers.
Thanks for sharing…Very motivating