Brand Video Production in Alaska
In the Spring of 2021, Idarado team was sent to Palmer, Alaska to produce a brand video for a helicopter skiing operation. Navigating the challenges of helicopter skiing video production is a complex endeavor that requires a fusion of technical skill, safety considerations, and artistic vision.The unpredictable nature of mountain terrain and weather conditions demands specialized equipment and quick decision-making to capture the high-adrenaline descents and panoramic vistas. The goal was to tell the story of the operation through the voices of real clients. The Idarado team successfully navigated several challenges during the brand video production on location.
The Challenges
An inherent challenge to producing the brand video was documenting the client experience without being intrusive. Higher production value generally requires a greater focus on production. Lighting equipment, camera rigs, and the act of constantly filming can detract from the client experience. In order to mitigate the focus on production elements, Idarado sent just two camera operators with a barebones equipment kit. With such a small production footprint, the team was able to integrate into the helicopter skiing operation for the week. However, the shooting constraints were not the only challenges that this project posed.
Safety is the absolute priority in such a high risk environment. Among a constellation of risk variables, there are flying risks, skiing risks, and snow stability risks. Shooting in this environment requires constantly thinking about what is happening around you. For example, physical locations to operate a camera are limited to places that aren’t exposed to avalanches. Ensuring safety while achieving the necessary production value adds another layer of complexity, requiring coordination between pilots, skiers, and the film crew. Operating a camera around a helicopter requires awareness and communication. Not only that, skiing in exposed terrain with a 50 pound pack is difficult.
The Final Result
The client, Triple Point Expeditions, wanted to highlight the guest experience while preserving authenticity. In the post production process, we worked together to shape a comprehensive overview of what makes TPX the ultimate heli-ski experience. We incorporated some flight footage from Teton Gravity Research to complement Idarado’s brand video production on location.