Stabilized "Hike-and-Talk" - How would you approach this?

QuickHitRecord

QuickHitRecord

Veteran
My client came to me with a corporate video that's pretty different from anything I've tackled before. Here's what he'd like to see:

Five executives trade in their suits for outdoor apparel and hike up a mountain (0 to 2,500 ft elevation gain over four miles and then back down, which will not be recorded) as we shoot long takes of them having unscripted discussions about leadership, growth, collaboration, etc. There is a bit of a scramble over some rocks at the top (which does not require additional gear), and they help each other up to get to the summit.

A few years ago, I don't think that this would have been feasible at all. But now with the influx of gimbals and other stabilization techniques, I'm not so sure anymore. I have an idea of how I'd do it that I am not 100% confident in since I have never done anything quite like this, so I'd like to hear how some of my peers would go at this.

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A little additional info: I've hiked this particular mountain many times, and the trail is well-maintained and well-trampled from frequent foot traffic. We'd go on a weekday to avoid the crowds. There is no access to a roadway between the trail and the summit, though there is an old fire-road that rescue personnel sometimes use in emergencies.
 
I'd just hike up ahead and shoot locked down on a telephoto. That way there's no tripping over myself, and I'm out of the talents' way.
 
Steadicam if the terrain is not too rough. Gimbal if the camera needs to be passed from one person to the next over steep climbs. If it's too steep then a couple of camera operators with monopods or shoulder mount cameras, for quick planted shots and running ahead as suggested.

Where is the hike? Drone is another possibility if you have an experienced enough pilot and not too many trees. I'm in NJ/NY area so hikes are usually covered with trees.
 
Are they supposed to be having their unscripted discussions as they climb, or as they sit around exhausted between climbing sessions (interspersed with shots of them climbing while not chatting)? If the former, then I'd have thought sound recording would be as big an issue as pointing the camera. Either way, I'd think a 'proper' steadicam-style stabiliser would be far too heavy to lug around, but a lightweight stabiliser (and lightweight camera, and lightweight tripod/monopod) sounds feasible.

And by the way, suggest they do the climb while wearing business suits (old ones, as they'll probably get wrecked) - far more appealing to watch :)
 
dcarstens said:
I'd just hike up ahead and shoot locked down on a telephoto. That way there's no tripping over myself, and I'm out of the talents' way.
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I should have mentioned that the trail kind of jackknifes up the mountain, so there's not much of an opportunity to get out ahead of the talent. We'd only be able to stay on the talent for 10 seconds or so before they'd round the bend and we'd be looking at their backs.

egproductions said:
Steadicam if the terrain is not too rough. Gimbal if the camera needs to be passed from one person to the next over steep climbs. If it's too steep then a couple of camera operators with monopods or shoulder mount cameras, for quick planted shots and running ahead as suggested.

Where is the hike? Drone is another possibility if you have an experienced enough pilot and not too many trees. I'm in NJ/NY area so hikes are usually covered with trees.
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We're in VA, so lots of tree cover here. The leaves won't be falling yet either. Otherwise, I'd be all over the drone operators for this one. I'm leaning towards a gimbal, but I have never tried to use one like this before.

clang said:
Are they supposed to be having their unscripted discussions as they climb, or as they sit around exhausted between climbing sessions (interspersed with shots of them climbing while not chatting)? If the former, then I'd have thought sound recording would be as big an issue as pointing the camera. Either way, I'd think a 'proper' steadicam-style stabiliser would be far too heavy to lug around, but a lightweight stabiliser (and lightweight camera, and lightweight tripod/monopod) sounds feasible.

And by the way, suggest they do the climb while wearing business suits (old ones, as they'll probably get wrecked) - far more appealing to watch :)
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I'd love to see some suits as well! It's not like these people can't afford new ones either...

It's a moderate grade, but not so much that they won't be able to walk and talk (if they are in shape, and I've been assured that the folks that we'll be getting ARE in shape).

I was thinking about something like a GH camera on one of the smaller gimbals, hanging from an easyrig. Someone to spot the camera op as he walks backwards (and possibly switch out if the strain becomes too much), someone else to run ahead and try to get some nice cutaways, and someone else handling a portable mixer powered by a brick battery and fed by five lavs. But what's it going to feel like after an hour of walking with this rig? How about two hours?
 
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Add to the mix 5 wireless mics and a sound mixer. Not to mention a safety person, to keep you from falling on your face while you are trying to frame your shots & tote that gimbal & camera with both arms up a mountain.
 
QuickHitRecord, Where in VA are you? If you're up in NoVA, I could recommend a few good Steadicam ops or operate myself depending on budget and dates.
Shoot me an Email. David (At) DavidMAronson(dot)com
 
Only difficulty apart from the physical effort I see is the requirement for "long takes". Cut them down to be of manageable duration.

Use a combination of cameramen and selfies with Go Pros maybe. Not all dialogue needs to be over the speaker. POV shots, Cut away to feet and backs and terrain and other participants etc....

Let it shake when its a struggle and smooth it out as goals are reached...

FWIW

They have shot docos with dialogue on film cameras in difficult terrain for years. ( Everest, Amazon, Deserts, Beaches, caves, rock climbers, the Poles, swamps....)
 
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