FILMING
A fully immersive experience, captured in the moment
Always a matter of weight...
When it comes to video equipment, I am already fully equipped with a Sony FX30 camera, a DJI Mini 3 Pro drone, a DJI RS 4 Mini gimbal, lenses, and lightweight audio equipment. Everything has been carefully considered to remain as mobile as possible while ensuring a cinematic level of quality throughout the project.
From the camera and tripod to the lenses, every piece of equipment has been carefully chosen to minimize the weight of my pack while still delivering outstanding performance.
I’m already used to hiking with a heavy load and a backpack weighing around 20 kg. I’ll have to add a few more kilos to that, especially in winter, when the amount of gear required is significantly greater.
All of this will, of course, remain flexible depending on the weather conditions, the huts to be filmed, and the encounters, whether planned or unexpected.
ALONE OR WITH A VERY SMALL CREW
On a day-to-day basis, I’ll be filming mostly on my own, fully immersed in the experience, in order to capture the raw reality, the silence, and the poetry of the journey. The approach hikes to the huts will need to be carefully planned, as trying to capture beautiful footage along the way can quickly become very time-consuming. In the mountains especially, this is something that needs to be taken into account carefully, to avoid unpleasant surprises caused by changing weather conditions or simply getting caught out after dark.
However, to bring a truly cinematic dimension to the stories of the main characters selected in advance, a camera operator will join me in the field for 12 dedicated shoots, one for each character. This will allow me to delegate part of the mental load involved in capturing the key sequences and focus more fully on directing.
THE CHALLENGES OF WINTER
I’m a little apprehensive about the long ski traverses this winter with so much equipment, but it’s something I’ll have to face early on in the adventure, as the journey will begin right in the heart of winter!
Filming in the cold will also be a real challenge! Drone sessions in the middle of winter, for example, can be particularly tough on the hands, as it’s impossible to operate the controller without taking off your gloves...
The other challenge this season will be managing the batteries! With experience, you quickly realize that the best solution is to keep them in your jacket during the day and inside your sleeping bag at night. It’s the only way to prevent them from running out within 24 hours.
