How to Film Skiing Masterclass
Filming skiing can come with its challenges. There may be cold and snowy weather, frozen cameras, unbalanced gimbals, and broken ND filters. And, on top of that, you have to be doing on this while on skis yourself. So, I made a SEVEN EPISODE masterclass that will cover everything you need to know about filming skiing.
Feel free to read these descriptions but in order to get the most out of this free masterclass, I’d recommend just checking out the videos :)
EPISODE 1 - FILMING BACKCOUNTRY SKIING
In Episode 1 of the "How to Film Skiing Masterclass," I breakdown the fundamentals of skiing cinematography. I covers basic camera settings, lens choices, and techniques for capturing skiers in action. Emphasizing the importance of preparation, I also discuss how to film in different snow conditions and the significance of capturing the surrounding landscape to set the scene.
This episode serves as a comprehensive guide for enthusiasts looking to improve their ski filming skills, offering practical advice on equipment and shooting techniques to help capture the rad sport of backcountry skiing.
EPISODE 2 - THE GEAR I USE TO FILM SKIING
Episode 2 of the "How to Film Skiing Masterclass" dives into the essential gear needed for filming skiing. I chat about the significance of selecting the right camera and lenses to capture dynamic skiing footage, emphasizing features like slow motion capability, autofocus, and dynamic range. I give some insights into his preferred camera setup and the four key lenses I use to make my ski films, explaining their unique advantages for different shots.
The episode also covers audio equipment for clear sound capture and various accessories that enhance filming quality, such as gimbals and ND filters. Basically, this is all about the gear I use to make some magic on the slopes…
EPISODE 3 - FILMING SKIING WITH A GIMBAL
Episode 3 of the "How to Film Skiing Masterclass" zeroes in on the utilization of gimbals for skiing cinematography, revealing the transformative impact this equipment has on stabilizing footage. I introduce the gimbal's fundamental aspects, including its crucial role in smoothing out the inherent bumps and shakes of skiing footage, making it an indispensable tool for filmmakers. I provide a practical tutorial on balancing and operating a gimbal, emphasizing the significant difference it makes in capturing fluid, dynamic shots.
Throughout the episode, I share some on-the-snow tips on various gimbal techniques and modes suitable for skiing scenarios, alongside the importance of choosing the right equipment, such as lenses, to complement the gimbal's capabilities.
EPISODE 4 - PRE-PRODUCTION OF A SKI FILM
Episode 4 delves into pre-production and storytelling in ski films, emphasizing their importance in the filmmaking process. Like the majority of my career as a documentary filmmaker, I focus this episode on crafting stories that combine beautiful ski visuals with compelling narratives, sharing tips tailored to both documentary-style and action-centric ski films. I walk through the pre-production steps, including gathering inspiration, crafting a story arc, and planning scenes beyond just the action on the slopes.
Finally, I discuss the significance of sponsorship integration and the essentials of a productive shooting schedule, ensuring filmmakers are well-prepared and efficient in capturing their skiing adventures.
EPISODE 5 - BEHIND THE SCENES OF UNSEEN PEAKS
Episode 5 focuses on the practical aspects of filming a ski documentary, taking viewers on a journey from pre-production planning to on-the-snow filming. I introduce my new big documentary "Unseen Peaks," a documentary about Addie, a blind athlete overcoming challenges through skiing, ice climbing and rock climbing. This episode showcases the process of creating a meaningful and heartwarming story that emphasizes accessibility and inclusion in winter sports. I walk through my experience of skiing blind in order to better empathize with Addie and her experience as a blind skier.
Finally, I give some insights on empathetic interviewing, the importance of capturing the athlete's personal journey, and adapting the film's focus based on the subject's insights and experiences.
EPISODE 6 - HOW TO EDIT A SKI FILM
In the sixth episode of the "How to Film Skiing MASTERCLASS", I breakdown how I edited my new ski film "Unseen Peaks" that's currently touring in film festivals around the world. Video editing can be a daunting task, especially for us adventure filmmakers that tend to gravitate towards these projects because of our outdoor experience. But, true storytelling happens in the editing room.
I emphasize the importance of a strong opening hook to engage viewers and outlines his methodical approach to organizing footage, from sorting and selecting clips to creating a narrative structure. The episode highlights the significance of color grading and the art of concluding a film on an emotional note, showcasing the transition from raw footage to a polished documentary, using "Unseen Peaks" as a case study.
EPISODE 7 - MAKING A CAREER AS A SKI FILMMAKER
In the final episode of the "How to Film Skiing MASTERCLASS", I cover how to market your ski film so that you can make a sustainable career as an adventure filmmaker. As a branded documentary filmmaker, I've found that the process doesn't stop when the film is exported - the way to make a living as an adventure filmmaker happens in the marketing stage. I'll walk you through what you need to do to successfully market your perfect and amazing ski film.
Although this is the end of the How to Film Skiing Masterclass, stay tuned and subscribe to my newsletter because there are new ski films, and new adventure documentaries, always on the horizon :)
Let’s Connect!
Roo is a commercial/documentary filmmaker and photographer based in Boulder, Colorado but travels all around the world for his filmmaking career. He has directed documentaries for Patagonia in California, produced films for Outside Magazine throughout Europe and Africa, camera operated for Netflix in the Rocky Mountain West, photographed among indigenous communities in South America, and has received notable recognition in his hometown of Orcas Island in Washington State for his work telling uplifting stories in the outdoor space.
