The Adventure Filmmaker Who Outworked the Industry

Ever wondered what it takes to climb to the top of the adventure filmmaking industry? Pablo Durana is one of the most sought after cinematographers in the world and has worked with the biggest name athletes and brands in the world, from Alex Honnold to Jimmy Chin to Netflix. We’ll get into some tips on how new filmmakers can break into the industry, what they have to do to stand out, and how to build a professional network.
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CHAPTERS
0:00 - Intro
2:36 - How Pablo entered the industry
5:54 - Moving to a sustainable career
7:39 - Why you should be passionate in the Adventure industry
8:54 - General shape of the market
10:42 - How to become a pro adventure DP
13:11 - Talking gear
14:32 - Talking lenses
16:22 - Zooms vs Primes in the Doc industry
18:24 - Why it’s important to cultivate relationships
20:27 - Last thoughts
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[@WhySteve]

After a 12 hour shoot on my feet with a heavy camera on my shoulder, I need a whole day to rest. I have no idea how you guys manage weeks to months of doing crazy stuff all day. Great stuff man!

[@LucForsyth]

Appreciate the words!

[@akkapamagaming]

I mean, I suppose it depends on the camera and I haven't got experience with all of them out there. But what makes all the difference with any camera is balance. If you can get a camera to balance perfectly on your shoulder, leaving no weight on your arms, makes it ever so much easier to use it for extended periods of time. My favorite cameras are the Sony ENG XDCAMs for this. I've got a lot of time on the PDW-700 and that thing is very easy to balance and I'll happily shoot with it all day without pain. On the flip side, I also work with the Blackmagic URSA Broadcast G2 and that thing is just impossible to balance. The shoulder pad isn't very adjustable and all the weight is in the front, even with a big heavy Anton Bauer battery on the back. Just a few minutes of operating that camera handheld is hell.

[@WhySteve]

@@akkapamagaming I'll spend more time on finding the perfect balance for my rig. But aside from that, imagine having to go through all the extremes as your subject that you're filming, with the same heavy equipment, except, you had a camera ontop as well. And have to operate it as well. Mad respect.

[@elgrau]

Advil lol

[@DavidBlodgett]

It’s light work

[@thetalkingfly]

Pablo Pablo Pablo- Workhorse, super talented, and fit fit fit, BUT the thing stands out most about Pablo is that he is such a sweet kind human. I have had the chance to work with him several times and I LOVE him haha. I love this man! And great interivew Luc.

[@LucForsyth]

Totally! Thanks for your feedback!

[@chrisjonesfilm]

Stellar interview; what a gift to all of us. Thanks for posting Luc, this was a breath of fresh air. It's always wonderful to hear how others in the industry see their work and how they got started.

[@LucForsyth]

Thanks a lot for watching!

[@JakubChlouba]

More of these please, haha! Great interview Luc, really enjoyed listening to someone with such a deep adventure filmmaking experience like Pablo and yourself. :)

[@dylannolan7454]

Thanks for putting this out there. I appreciate the opportunity to learn from you two.

[@Ernesto_media]

this channel is a true blessing for all of us trying to find some light in this journey.

[@justjesse247]

I just geeked out on the photos in the opening...pixel peeping gear lol. Nice interview Bro! Thanks for bringing this absolute legend on!

Man, everything you drop is a gem. Thank you and Pablo for this content. Side note: I could've sworn your channel doubled in size since I discovered you some point last year. Am I making that up? If not, CONGRATS! Anyway, LOVE being here as a subscriber. :)

[@FA1L4LIFE]

Great interview! Love to see such chill, informative interviews. Look forward to more content like this!

[@Brunton_Media]

Love this interview! and personally found it is a balance between, having the work and knowing people who can help you! Love the content Luc!

[@whisperingrivermedia]

Can't thank you both enough for this interview. Its as if you read my mind... favorite KZbin Channel interviews idolized DP. Amazing. As a not-so-young buck transitioning into documentary film after finishing a PhD, this channel and interviews like this give me hope. Thank you both.

[@fireplaceinacozyroom2064]

This is a very inspiring interview Luc. Thanks for this! Akim

[@briscoevisuals]

LOVED THIS! Genuinely helpful and insightful for me.

[@travelbagphotography]

Excellent interview. Thanks so much, Luc!

[@LucForsyth]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@metronohm808_6]

So ace you've made this. It's a great insight into what is otherwise a very vague role. Great questions too. Super inspiring to hear his realness, thanks Luc

[@LucForsyth]

Awesome, thank you!

[@arielestulin9706]

Pablo is an absolute beast! Hats off to him and his work ethic

[@DoucetThomas]

Thank you Pablo and Luc, you guys, gave me so much energy to keep pushing! Maybe in the future we shall work together!

[@bensun432]

You both are very inspiring! Awesome interview, appreciate the setup too.

[@LucForsyth]

Thanks so much!

[@timsherohalf]

Great video! As an aspiring adventure filmmaker it’s amazing to hear from industry professionals. Thanks for creating a platform for sharing this knowledge!

[@LucForsyth]

Thanks for watching!

[@projectaroid]

Great interview!

[@Tommy_Beal]

this was awesome! thx for sharing this man!

[@LucForsyth]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@renansandi7990]

Amazing interview, thank you for bringing this content to us viewers

[@LucForsyth]

Our pleasure!

[@adamernsterwildlife]

Two legends in their prime! Awesome conversation. Thanks for sharing, I learned a lot.

[@LucForsyth]

Our pleasure!

[@i.amreis]

Pablo is the man! I came across Pablo's work last year when he released the No legs, All heart documentary. Stunishing work! he also gave me some tips in my Burano build, great guy!

[@LucForsyth]

Couldn't agree more!

[@AlessandroGallovideos]

amazing content bro

[@jeffreyhofmeister3103]

Luke, Thank you for this short video. The idea of just getting out there and shooting video has been a back burner for me. I am still a still life photographer. But I need to push pass that comfort zone.

[@jahosaphat]

Great interview and advice.

[@LucForsyth]

Thank you!

[@ASDPOWER]

Awesome cheers!!

[@CreativeIsolation]

Hey Luc! Thanks for the awesome content. Do you think you could put your playlist “Career Advice” in chronological order? I want to work my way through it but the video order seems to be totally random. Maybe it’s intentional? It should be a quick click of a button to change, but maybe your order is intentional.

[@who2999]

I feel like the longer you spend in the industry the more you understand the different levels of various skills that exist. Like from the outside you just see the the top three guys in the world and you see where young kids just starting out are and you forget the millions of people on a journey somewhere in between. I mostly do commercial production but every now and then I get to do some travel and leisure work, love doing it but when people I know watch it they're like "Oh so you're like one of those national geographic or discovery channel guys, that's amazing," at which point I'm just like, "No I was never more than a twenty minute hike from my car and never more than a four hour drive from my house, go watch guys like Luc Forsyth you'll see what real adventure filmmakers do." But then to watch Luc going, "Oh man this guys the real deal!" just reminds you we're all somewhere on that continuum. At the risk of quoting Star Wars, "There's always a bigger fish."

[@LucForsyth]

This is very true. We all have our unique places in the industry, and it’s incredible to see how many routes there are to get there.

[@EpicCinematicAdventures]

I 100% agree! Luc is the best there! I learn a lot of cinematography skills from your KZbin videos. You may need to open a school?

[@AustinWestbro]

I unfortunately couldn’t afford the course this time around with it not being wedding season I currently film weddings, but I’m about to hop on AOD and take your course after that. Your channel has helped so much though. I’ve decided im going to take on work a PA or something. However I can get on a crew even if it’s unpaid. I just have to figure out how now.

[@LucForsyth]

Glad to hear that Austin!

[@bsoma-nu6rf]

Brilliant! Excellent questions! Please do more! (Perhaps with women?)

[@americansafarico]

It's funny listening to Luc try and extract from Pablo why he chooses a certain lens for a certain condition. It's like asking a fish about water. He breathes the stuff. Still, great interview.

[@stuartswindellcampoy8483]

Awesome Insight, it's my dream job to do stuff for Nat geo, although I know there will be hard days, it's worth doing only to see soemthing that not mane people will! Untill it comes on TV but you know what I mean.

[@audiovisualrangel]

Jajaja! Lukito! Amé

[@hannestell]

Much appreciated talk, Luc. My heart was bleeding though when Pablo said that he'd take a backpack of Leica Rs to the field 💰💰💰.. has he shot anythin adventure with those?

[@Pablo_Durana]

I never leave without them! They've been on all my adventures! Of course, when it's super brutal out there, I'm more cautious as they aren't very weather sealed.

[@who2999]

8:00 - It's kinda the whole, if you wanna win the lottery you gotta buy a ticket thing. Being capable of doing the work and getting out there is the price of entry, you can't have luck if you're not already there.

[@MietQWila]

Thank you for that, it's very valuable for everyone who aspires to be a documentary filmmaker. I have one question: Every one talks almost always about young people up to 25 years old, but do you think older people like 35 and above are abel to fulfill their dreams and transitions to be a documentary, even if they have never done a videography things at all before?

[@Pablo_Durana]

I would like to think that anyone can start at any time. Perhaps there are things you have experienced as a 35 year old that can help you stand out from the younger generation. See what you can bring to the table. Your life experience can be valuable. And in my opinion, 35 is still young!

[@MietQWila]

@@Pablo_Durana Thank your very much! It means a lot. So there is still a hope for me :)

[@axeffect2293]

What are your personal thoughts on using a RED komodo or komodo x for documentary work man? I know Pablo uses RED, but what about you personally?

[@Pablo_Durana]

I actually don't use RED as much. It's more power hungry than I tend to want, and takes a long time to boot up. But if you have the right support, it can be a great camera. On really remote projects, I'd be more hesitant, but it can be done.

[@krystofkaderabek1969]

Can you recommend some documentary films to watch and analyze?

[@LucForsyth]

For sure, I'd say Cartel Land, Restrepo, Meru or Fuocco a Mare would be great places to start

[@krystofkaderabek1969]

@@LucForsyth Thank you

[@alphafilms_at]

nice video but his answers were really vague... not a lot of engagement.. still sone useful information! appreciate it

[@Peterwfowler]

What are you talking about, in the 5min he dropped 3-4 gems. All great info

[@Peterwfowler]

What are you talking about, in the first 5min he dropped 3-4 gems. All great info

[@dominicbraccoii8175]

PRIMOOOOOOO

[@ISHOT420]

Good stuff