Happy Holidays

And CHEERS! to a GREAT NEW YEAR -

SNOWQUEST - Toyota Snow

It's super cold. -30 is expected tonight. Everything is working well - two units shooting - Brooks Guyer, Mike Barnett, Steve Hassenflug and Scotty DaHarb are roughin' it in the Ultimate Arm (around 70 degrees and seat heaters). Pat Palo, Julianna Junker and myself are roadside on sticks or the dolly - everyone is in good spirits and the footage looks awesome - plenty of snow and all kinds of new locations we are working around the Bozeman Area. Our friends at Saatchi are great and always fun to team up with. The new cars look so nice - I want a new 4Runner - very cool.

Thanks for the pic's Raser.

FORD - Snow Running Footage

I had a great shoot with our friends at Ford - Ryan, Mike and Lauren. We had about a foot of snow the first day, then crystal clear Montana skies on day two. It was a blast shooting the new Taurus - it's a very cool new design and super fast - even on the snow. I shot with the Ultimate Arm for about 90% then anytime we had a moment (or the arm car was stuck in the deep snow) I would grab the hand held camera and run into the woods for some pass by shots. It was alot of fun - as usual a superior crew supported me throughout - even when it was -10 and snowing 2 inches an hour.

Now I am starting Toyota this week. Snow is in the forecast so it should be great. More to come.

INCEPTION - Update - THAT'S A WRAP!

That's a wrap - I'm headed home thrilled to have worked with such an amazing group of super talented filmmakers.  Director Chris Nolan was so inspiring and Wally Pfister the films cinematographer couldn't be a better guy to work for.  The entire experience was a dream come true and I felt they were very pleased with my contribution.  In addition to Chris and Wally -  the stunt team and stunt coordinator (whom I worked very closely with to capture our scenes) Tom Struthers and Sy Hollands were a tremendous pleasure to work with - they are at the top of their game and really run a safe and productive ship.  I wish I could tell you more about just what we were shooting - but that would spoil all the fun of going to the film in July 2010.  I am so curious to see just how Chris Nolan takes us for a ride on this one - his mind is amazing and his skills as a film director exude confidence like I have never seen before - he works harder then anyone on the set and directs in the way I imagine the greats of years past did - he isn't a playback junky who hides in a video village, he stands beside the camera and moves at a furious pace.  Watching Chris and Wally communicate and develop a scene is truly inspiring - these guys are so in sync it's scary.  I look forward the the film and hopefully teaming up with them in the future.  

Our Canadian crew was top notch as well - I had a great crew of camera assistants, stunt men and AD's to run our unit and keep producing great scenes each day.  They made my life very easy and allowed me to stay focused on delivering what Mr Nolan was asking for time and time again.  American 1st AC Scotty DaHarb was at my side all the way through this and kept all footage in focus and the camera's working in some incredibly harsh conditions.  I don't give him any focus marks or much of a description of what we are about to do - I just look over my shoulder and say "we're going that way - roll camera!" and he keeps up, smiling all the way.  It's great to have a guy like Scotty at your side on a project like this - his wealth of experience in tough conditions allows me to just keep creating and never think about the gear or logistics of moving it around in the mountains, every time I turn around - he is standing there with the camera ready to shoot.

I really owe Jan Foster and Chris Brigham a huge THANKS for getting me involved with this one - they really had the confidence in me to seamlessly join Chris and Wally.

Look for a new trailer coming soon....

"Glory Road" Update -

So you may recall (a few posts ago) - I talked about "Glory Road"  - that was a code name for a project that was also undercover.  Back in September, I shot a running footage package for our close friends at (I can tell you now) Toyota/Saatchi & Saatchi. It was the launch for the new 2010 4Runner (see your Toyota Dealer).  We shot in Oregon and we had amazing weather and light to work with, as usual it all just worked out perfectly.  The 4Runner has long been part of my life and it was great to have the opportunity to photograph the latest design in such stunning locations as Mt Hood, Cannon Beach and around the Portland area.  Again the Saatchi team (Vickie, Pam & Verner) made a great crew to collaborate with - we have worked together for may years and it's alway a pleasure to work with people that have now become great friends.  We are all teaming up next week for what has become our annual winter gathering in Montana.  It should be fun - winter has certainly arrived in Montana.

Back in Canada - to shoot

This is my year for Canadian Bacon.  I've spent a lot of time up here in the last 8 months shooting. It's also the year of the "Top Secret" project - just about everything I'm doing seems to have a "Classified" stamp on it.  So all I can say is I'm just embarking on the biggest budget project I've ever worked on.  I'm the DP of a portion of the action sequences for the upcoming film ?????. It's truly amazing to be around this kind of talent.   Here is what I can say - Chris Nolan is Directing, Wally Pfister ASC is the DP and trusty 1st AC - Scotty DaHarb has joined me to keep it in focus and fun.  The shooting has been going very well and the assignment is a dream job (Thanks Wally for the work). We're here through Turkey Day then back to Montana to direct a couple car shoots with Ranch Exit Films.

Thanks

Great story about a good friend Max Mancini

This is me shooting with Max last winter in Colorado for the Warren Miller Film DYNASTY - it's great to have him back on skis.

Visit this address to read the story of Max's long road back from a very tragic car accident.
http://espn.go.com/action/freeskiing/news/story?id=4527311&test=true

Headed to Canada - to scout

I recently received one of those great phone calls - an opportunity to be the Director of Photography of an action sequence for a giant hollywood film. I can't say much more - but it's a tremendous director and cinematographer to have the chance to work closely with. I am thrilled with the storyboards and concept. It's going to be a great project to be part of - I will update when I can. The film isn't due to release till May 2010 - so I may be awhile before I can share stories. There is an early mini trailer out and it's not a secret film - so that's about it. http://www.apple.com/trailers/wb/inception/

RISE is finished!!!

My new documentary RISE - about the sport of flyfishing and shot around the world is now being turned into our DVD's and BluRay's.  I spent most of September finishing the edit - it's great, really great, a stellar follow up to DRIFT.  The Premiere is October 22 in Bozeman @ the Emerson Theater and the DVD's ship the first week of November.  

See the trailer and more about the film at www.confluencefilms.tv

Headed to Portland to shoot "GLORY ROAD"

Yet another "TOP SECRET" Shoot. This one takes me to Oregon - Mount Hood, Portland, Cannon Beach - some of the most stunning places in Oregon and maybe the NW. I will be joined by my usual crew at Ranch Exit Films - Producer Sarah Schoessler and EP Chris Raser - the Ultimate Arm posse and AC Scotty DaHarb. Running second unit will be the trusty Richard Carlson and Pat Palo. I'm looking forward to an exciting shoot and collaborating with___________ an art director that has a great eye and appreciates the beautiful places we find ourselves venturing too. I'm looking forward to a great week.

Wrapping up shooting on "RISE"

Since my last post I've been cranking out alot of film on the new flyfishing film - stops in Florida, Idaho and Alaska have yielded some great footage - huge tarpon jumping out of the water, shot at 150fps during the legendary "Palolo Worm" hatch. I then spent a few days in Island Park Idaho on the Henry's Fork - shooting with Rene Harrop and Mike Lawson. Both of these guys are icons in the sport and know the challenging waters of the Harriman Ranch better then anyone. After that is was onto Alaska and Katmai National Park - home to the Kulik River & Lodge - this was a great Alaskan Adventure filled with big fish, planes, tons of bears and the experience of staying at the first sport fishing lodge established in Alaska in 1950. My good friend Scott DaHarb spent a hot week in New Orleans shooting a segment for Rise on Redfish - the footage is great, lots of fish and crocs. Now the edit - I am swamped with prep on a car shoot now and have to cut the film, trailer and get all the promo organized. September 11 we will screen the trailer at the "Fly Fishing Retailer Show " in Denver. Then the RISE premiere is October 22 in Bozeman - so I better stop writing this and get editing.

I also saw a few rough cuts of the new Warren Miller film "Dynasty" and it looks awesome - as usual editor Kim Schneider is working his magic and making our footage look so spectacular.

More to come -

Warren Miller's DYNASTY - Colorado Kayaking

Well - I was back in Colorado for one more piece of the Colorado Tourism segment in the new Warren Miller film - it's officially titled DYNASTY and we are now finished photographing it, now it's up to Kim "Kimbo or Kimbro" Schneider to make us all look good in the edit. He has roughly 15,000 feet of film to work with for the Colorado piece -that's about 7 hours for you of the digital era - in the film world - that is a ton of footage to work with, usually we shoot about 6,000 feet for a 6 to 10 minute segment in the film.

I joined two of my favorite athletes Max Mancini (who we shot with during the winter as well) and a friend I haven't shot with in a few years - Brad Ludden. These guys are total pro's and are always a pleasure to work with, what ever it takes to make a great shot - they are ready to make it happen - even after 14 hours of shooting, they still look at me and say "what's next?". They brought along another total professional Brooks Baldwin, we shot waterfall drops for 2 days near Crested Butte and Redstone, Colorado and had great weather - it's great in Colorado this time of year - it's so lush and green, rain every afternoon and sunny all day. Max's gal Jenny Schumacher shot these photos - thanks Jenny.

As I said - Max and Brad are total pros - but I mean both in the water/snow or in life, these guys use their lives and experiences to better and inspire others everyday - they both have HUGE hearts and run great non-profit programs that are changing lives every minute. Check out www.lifeturns.org and www.firstdescents.org

Thanks for your time - I'll check in from my next shoot in a week or so.

Super Top Secret Shoot (Part 2 of 2)

Our Camp on Whistler Mountain


There's nothing on the frozen planet.


Josh Haskins about to shoot... WHAT - I can't tell you...


The Extras trying to stay warm.



Key Grip - Finn King, looking for something to keep him busy.




Part 2 of the super secret shoot had me in Whistler (mid May) to direct the "Grand Finale" of the clip. It was again FANTASTIC.

FIRST OFF - THANKS TO THE EXTRAS FOR STANDING AROUND FOR TWO DAYS IN THE SHADE... YOU WERE GREAT!

Again we had great weather - exactly what we ordered (cloudy, yes believe it or not, we wanted cloudy this time), what a great crew from Vancouver and Whistler, there is really top notch production crew folk up there and especially great in the mountains. Greg Dobbin the 1st AD (who I worked with years ago, 14 to be exact, we shot a segment for the Warren Miller ski film together at the Whistler Downhill) lead the huge crew of 120 (including 40 Extras), he really helped me deliver on my promises and kept our 2 packs locations days on schedule. I can't wait to share what this project is actually for - it's a great opportunity that (mystery client) brought to us at Warren Miller - someday in 2010 I can tell.

We cranked out two great days of shooting with camera's everywhere - Cineflex in the air and 3 x 35mm camera's on the ground, even a day of steadicam too. It was a tough one for me, in that I had to stay focused on the details of the shoot and didn't operate a camera, just directed this part, I trusted Josh and Scotty to nail it behind the camera's and Mark in the Cineflex - THEY NAILED IT. I was mostly on the radio while watching the monitors (not really my thing, I like the front lines)

In the meantime, thanks to all that worked so hard to make that shoot go from page to picture. Cheers! EP Jeff, Prod - Doug, Client - David A, Client - Ian, AD Greg,2nd AD Travis, PM-Matt, PC-Stu, PA-Hazer, PA-DW, Riders -Shin, Johnny, Kevin, David, Gaffer - Ian, Key Grip - Finn, Camera Department- Scotty, Josh, Logan, Stewart, Ian, Jeff, Cineflex - Mark & Kelsey, Crafty, Transpo, etc etc. AND THE PYRO CREW "C'est Magnifique"

Super Top Secret Shoot (Part 1 of 2)

Sorry but I can't tell you who or what it is we are shooting - but it's a great project. Heliboarding in the Cariboos/Monashees in B.C., Cineflex stabilized camera system on the heli, 35mm on the ground, great riders, great crew, great guides. We planned a 12 day window to get 3 good days - well we had the 3 good days right at the start of the shoot, nice snow, blue skies and great light - then went home with the spot in the can - or at least part 1 of it (we are shooting part 2 in May). I can't say enough great things about the posse we had to help pull this off in the window we had - Thanks Mark, Celsey, Keig, Shin, David, Johnny, Logan, Bob, Mike, Ian, Erin and Andrew.

Colorado Segment - Warren Miller's DYNASTY

Matt, Max & Klaus Obermeyer Sr at the Weinerstube in Aspen.


Snowmass with Max Mancini in front of the camera - more nice powder in late March.


Justin, Matt and Jeff around the fire in the dirt near Grand Junction, we stayed out here to shoot the sunrise with the Jeeps.


WME Production Coordinator Jesse Lasater running the bar in Silverton, he is so deadly with his 3 arms.


Shooting the panorama of Silverton Mountain.


NO - that's not the lunches, it's 4 bags of explosive ready to do some control work around Silverton Mountain.

China - February 2009 - Warren Miller's DYNASTY

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These are some of the photos I shot while in Northwest China along the Mongolian/Kazakstan borders. I traveled here to shoot the skiers of the Altai Mountains. It was recently determined that the Altai Mountains of Central Asia was the birthplace of skiing, dating back roughly 3000 years. I traveled to the remote villages around Kanas Lake (60 miles in each way) by horse drawn sleigh. Joining me on the trip was skiers Chris Anthony & Austin Ross as well as camera assistant Colin Witheral and photographer Ilja Herb. It took 2 long days to reach our first sighting of the homemade skis of the local Altai skiers. We spent most our time with a Mongol family "The Bayan Family". They welcomed us into their home and after rushing through their daily chores, they grabbed their skis and lead us into the mountains around their home. The three brothers Batee, Monke and Batur are amazing skiers and live in the most beautiful meadow below some big mountains with fantastic skiing. To visit this area was like traveling back in time to where skiing began, their equipment and lifestyle (minus the solar panel and satellite dish) is as it was 3000 years ago. They live a simple life on a simple ranch where they raise livestock and hunt elk to survive. We all agreed that it was one of the toughest and most rewarding experiences of our lives. We endured some cold days and nights, -25 to -40 and endless horse travel. We were lead into the mountains by a team of local Kazak horsemen who redefine the word TOUGH. The Kazak horses have for centuries been tireless and as rugged as the mountains that surround them, they are a remarkable display of strength and endurance. If not for our translator Akbar and an amazing cook named Obdishgar we would never have made it. The introduced us to the most wonderful, warm hearted welcoming people I have ever met, the Kazak and Mongol people embraced us as family every step of the way. For our crew (each of whom was reduced to jello by they bitter conditions) it was certainly worth every painful, frozen moment and is honestly one of the most memorable assignments of my career.

Chris

CLICK ON THE IMAGES BELOW TO ENLARGE THEM.