6 Things You Need to Know for Wilderness Filmmaking

[@davidmorefield]

I love these in the field videos. I know it’s the same knowledge you deliver at the desk but it feels cooler to listen to it here, knowing that you are actively using your insights during production.

[@LucForsyth]

thanks David, glad you like them!

[@kineticvillagemedia]

Media management in the wilderness is a topic that needs it's own video. I do enough of it that I have a rigid system protecting media in the wild and I suspect you do to.

[@LucForsyth]

Good call...on this shoot I'm lucky enough to have a DIT at base camp to run it, but a good idea for another video.

[@speliotis]

Thank you for taking time out of your day to share with us.... Wish you well in the wilderness

[@LucForsyth]

You're very welcome!

[@ghxst4393]

How exciting, a rare Luc in the wild. Let's see what he does❤

[@LucForsyth]

Haha, not that rare really! Sometimes I feel like I spend more time in places like this than I do in my “real life”!

[@quentinmallie]

Hi Luc, great video topic there! Would it be possible to go into more depth on the subject in a future video? It would be interesting to discuss for example: How do you work with natural light? How do you choose where to prospect? How to deal with wild animals? How do you manage your time in the field? How do you manage data/battery, etc.? I wish you all the best for your shoot. Cheers from France :)

[@LucForsyth]

great ideas my friend, I'll try my best! I want to do a day in the life soon, which should touch on some of this....

[@QZ_AU]

@@LucForsyth yeah! would also love to learn about how to stay safe in the wilderness, how to plan the shots, etc

[@vancamping]

I find this subject particularly interesting. I am just a KZbinr looking for insights on improving my videos. I don't see myself ever being a Doc filmmaker, but I enjoy this channel because you give many practical tips. Most of my content revolves around filming outside in remote locations. Typically, I have the benefit of my van, but I often do hikes or backpacking trips and have to decide what gear I want to take and what I want to leave behind. I am constantly struggling with the compromise of leaving gear behind in order to keep my pack from being overloaded. I am planning a river rafting trip, and I am in that struggle right now to decide what will go and what will stay. Thanks for all the great videos. They are always insightful. Jason

[@johnclay7644]

Challenging conditions, informative video thanks Luc.

[@LucForsyth]

Thanks John!

[@KenKthulhu]

I want to say this now. I appreciate your tutorials, discussions, and insights into filmmaking. I have subscribed for a while. Keep doing it, Luc. If I have but one percent of your passion then that is enough to inpsire me. Thank you.

[@LucForsyth]

that's really nice to hear, thank you! Much appreciated.

[@joenicklo]

Shouting out Cinebags back packs for being rough, rugged and overall amazing.

[@LucForsyth]

Shout out Cinebags! 👊🏻

[@jiancarloulloaart]

Thanks for your very informative videos! I'm a biologist with a big passion for photography and film, and in my 25+ years of work, plastics bags have been my best friends to protect all sort of gear (scientific and photo equipment) including my feet 😅, speciallly after days and days in the wet rain forest or working on wetlands in the cold Minnesota. Keeping things dry makes a huge difference in the field. Enjoy your trip, and the bears, they aren't as bad as some people think!

[@llpreiss]

Luc, your dedication to your KZbin channel is remarkable. It also tells me a lot about who you are as a DP and photographer; someone I would be honored to be with on a shoot. Great comments about gear anxiety - that's me! Not so much cheap as not having the money to replace stuff I break because of my own stupidity. I saw in the comments something about the lighting and wondered how you manage without additional lights, flags, reflectors, and getting colors right. Is it me or do your graphics look like the 5s and 2s used interchangeably, just upside-down and backward? Great stuff!

[@LucForsyth]

Thanks so much, really nice to hear - and glad you liked it! Also, yes, one of the quirks of the font we picked is that the 5's and 2's are super weird. It definitely annoys me, but not enough to dig through font book looking for a new one! and hey, it's always a conversation starter!

[@mitchellloper1367]

I'm REALLY digging your videos in the bush! Yall stay safe out there!

[@LucForsyth]

Thanks man!

[@jamesandcamera]

For anyone who cant wear wool like myself, a bamboo base layer is a great alternative with similar useful attributes for a base. Totally agree on everything. Particularly having a solid plan for your gear during wet or dusty weather is critical and goes a long way in reducing the gear anxiety too. Thick plastic zip lock bags are a great alternative to condoms, not quite as easy to totally water-proof. But water protected enough for 99% of shoots. All of us will probably have a few around from camera rig parts we buy.

[@LucForsyth]

Great tip, haven't tried bamboo myself! Thanks!

[@DavidBlodgett]

About to film a hunting tv show, would love a video of you covering different lenses for different documentary work. There seems to be no 150mm+ cine Manual focus lenses that are affordable. Don't know whether to get the gm ii 70-200mm with 2x teleconverter or that 60-600 you have. Its a bow hunting and sometimes rifle show so dont need to zoom that far... I don't know. Give me your wisdom haha. Oh also a tutorial on how you pull focus with different lenses while keeping your shot steady. Much love!

[@luissoto9828]

Excelentes tips! Gracias por compartir, Luc!

[@LucForsyth]

de nada Luis!

[@zach_blackburn]

Dude I love your channel so much. Thank you for this particular video.

[@LucForsyth]

You’re very welcome Zach!

[@angelrafaellanc]

Good luck with the rest of your shoot! This is great information thank you

[@LucForsyth]

Thanks! 👊🏻

[@WhenWillILearn]

The gear anxiety thing is kinda why I don't use anything that I cant afford to replace. Turns out you can make good work with an FS7 still and you can grab a replacement for around £1000 if you FIU. That and the fact that I'm cheap

[@jamesandcamera]

I am with you, old FS7 because I wont be upset if it broke and I had to replace it. Gear anxiety is greatly reduced when the cost of your kit is easier to afford and not on credit/loan.

[@LucForsyth]

100%!

[@LucForsyth]

totally...never buy gear on credit is always my policy.

[@VetroPanther]

Any recommendations on gear insurance?

[@LucForsyth]

Very dependent on your country...in Canada I use Front Row

[@KeyAtoms]

This is so great! Very timely. Would greatly appreciate wilderness filmmaking content.

[@LucForsyth]

Noted - thanks!

[@kevgoes]

Another great vid. Any chance you could do a vid on actual shooting in the wild. Shot selection, techniques, camera settings, ect? Thanks for your content!

[@martintolley9234]

Just watched this, and your tool-kit vid. Well I have had a Giotto blower for 14 years, and today I found out I could push the blower end inside to make it pack more easily. I don't know whether to shout hooray I've made a new discovery, or weep at my years of ignorance. Sometimes it's the little things that can change a life.

[@LucForsyth]

haha, I only figured it out when I though I broke it and then realized it still worked!

[@HiteshDewasi]

I think a video about how someone might start doing something like this work outdoors as a filmmaker would be great, how to get companies like Nat Geo to hire you for a shoot. Basically the whole process of being an outdoors filmmaker.

[@Berserkeroffroad]

I'd like to know what your accommodations and meals are like and if you make time for fitness outside of rucking gear.

[@LucForsyth]

Maybe a day in the life video would be a good idea....I'll get on it!

[@PeterLariviere]

"...I am probably more comfortable in an environment like this than in a Hollywood studio to be honest" ...he says as a large arctic circle mosquito caries his backpack away LOL....but I know what you mean. While my career, now retired, was different than yours (I was a negotiator for federal protected areas here in Canada) I worked 'in the field' not out of a boardroom and I couldn't have been happier. Yes helicopter and small fixed wing transport to small and remote communities could be a pain, the aforementioned mosquitoes were always interesting (I got to experience mosquitoes in Labrador, Nunavut, the NWT and Yukon and I say the Labrador mosquitoes are the best...or most miserable), sleeping in locations your really would have never considered if it wasn't for work, and being away from home and my wife. But I got to work and be with some of the most amazing people in the world, eat amazing community made meals, and of course be part of something I truly believed in and see Canada in a way people in this country would not even know existed. So I agree with you 100% and while the lifestyle of living out of a backpack is not for everyone, if it is for you the mental health and happiness you experience will be immeasurable.

[@danjohnson8547]

nice! a video about how you handle lighting out there would be awesome!

[@LucForsyth]

short answer here - on this one no lighting at all, 100% natural. But good idea for a future project!

[@danjohnson7742]

@@LucForsythcheck out the Stella pro reflex. Been a game changer for us while out in the field

[@ManuelParodiRamos]

Hey man, thanks for yet another video. That you mention about a full bag tour sounds great for a future video. I’m curious if you use your think tank belt on this type of shoots? Stay safe!

[@LucForsyth]

Video coming soon! generally speaking yes, but in this environment, no

[@AlexMcDougallPhotography]

Thanks for the tips.

[@LucForsyth]

You're very welcome!

[@MayerAd]

I’d love to see base camp!!

[@LucForsyth]

Unfortunately I signed a ton of NDA's - trying to figure out the best way to do that without breaking contracts. stay tuned!

[@KristianRoald]

Hi. Love your content 🙂 I was on an assignment out on a salmon farm one day, in heavy rain and wind. I have gear anxiety so this was tough for me. Are you sending in your gear for repair when something happens? I was almost sure water was going into my camera and zoom, but it went alright 🤞🏻

[@LucForsyth]

They're surprisingly tough! I really have only wrecked 2 cameras in 10 years, and one of them was repairable. But yeah, if I need to I'll send it in for servicing.

[@scotey]

Remarkably polished video for being remote. How are you pushing these up to KZbin? Anyway, thanks for the detailed guidance. I can tell every lesson has been learned the hard way (and repeatedly so). :)

[@LucForsyth]

Thanks! I film them, then upload to drop box, and my wonderful editor takes it from there. I just don't have the time to do post while working full time...

[@DANAMIONLINE]

YOU DON'T NEED TO APOLOGIZE for being out of your typical filming environment.

[@LucForsyth]

Thanks man!

[@HiteshDewasi]

Might be a very basic question but how are you managing charging your batteries??

[@Lalambz]

pretty much prepare for camping but with cam gear :p

[@LucForsyth]

haha, you nailed it.

[@MojoPapiFPV]

Do you still want merino wool in hot humid climates if it traps heat?

[@LucForsyth]

I wear merino t-shirts even in the heat...if you get good ones they don't feel hot at all and they handle sweat a lot better than cotton. Plus they won't smell like quick dry materials.

[@HaydenRovelli]

Do we have to get the bareskin condoms? My transmitter is kinda big, should I get the magnum? Awesome video as always.

[@LucForsyth]

haha, no judgements either way!

[@Josephduganmusic]

When will you be taking one on one calls again? When I check Calendly it just says no options? I leave on a 6 week solo expedition to the Falklands Nov. 2nd and was hoping to pick your brain before I leave. Let me know.

[@LucForsyth]

It's hard to say, my schedule isn't really in my control while I'm up here. Email me at [e-mail] and I'll see if I can find a slot that works for us both.

[@uppsatskanalen4456]

How is the fishing?

[@LucForsyth]

Very good if you like Pike!

[@uppsatskanalen4456]

@@LucForsyth Dont we all!?!

[@WhySteve]

I started the video and though "damn, but I missed a couple of videos" and then you started wih "incase you missed the last couple of videos...." haha so thanks for the update, and of course, thanks for all the pro tips! Especially now that I can finally use the condom I keep in my wallet haha😂 Also, that gear anxiety is so true, because one thing worse than losing gear on the job, is never getting to use it and then time takes its toll.

[@LucForsyth]

haha, glad you're caught up! And hooray for getting the wallet condom into the field!

[@WhySteve]

First time in the field ;) hahaha

[@joshwhitee]

Non lubricated condoms.... otherwise you're gonna have some slippery audio packs!

[@LucForsyth]

good point! Though for lubed ones I turn them inside out

[@zongmuas]

What does the crew think about you making these videos? Do they help shoot B-Roll? Tease you? or do they generally not care? 😂

[@LucForsyth]

haha, I'd say half have no idea I'm doing it, and most that do know are generally pretty supportive. When I first started making them I was terrified of what my colleagues would say, but pretty quickly I learned that 99% just say "oh, cool!" and then go back to living their lives. The ones that are more into it I'll rope into the process by asking them to shoot b-roll, generally just on phones. Overall everyone is supportive, especially since I don't let it interfere with my job. I get up at 5am to prep and write outlines, then film when we're in a lull, so it's a ton of extra work to do both at the same time. Worth it though!

[@snead1]

Looking at the thumbnail like how can this man make a documentary about blades of grass 😅. Nah jk.

[@LucForsyth]

haha, I'd watch it!