In March 2011 Joe Beaumont fell off a mountain. He is very lucky to be alive. Joe sustained multiple injuries down one side of his body and lay in a coma.
Thanks to the hard work of the Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team he was airlifted to hospital where he began his long journey towards recovery. Joe has just taken his first steps unaided since major operations to rebuild his leg.
This autumn he will embark on his biggest challenge to date, I will be there to tell his story and capture the expedition as it happens. In the process we will be raising money for Mountain Rescue to whom Joe owes so much.
Alas I am not. A lot has been going on since I last posted and things are beginning to take shape for the year ahead. After settling in to business I have found Facebook to be an easier platform to post my recent work and musings so if you are keen, head over there and stay updated. I hope to get back to the blogging soon.
Last year I was lucky enough to be part of The Big Shakeout at Thornbridge Outdoor Centre in the Peak district. I was there to document the event for the team at Alpkit, and to enjoy the film, music, outdoor activities and friendly banter on offer. I even ended up in a late night rock jumping competition with Johnny Dawes! I went with my 6 year old, Leo and my partner Hel, and we all had an amazing weekend, with activities tailored for everyone. The events and activities for kids were especially good. The highlight for me was standing round a roaring fire with a bottle of fine ale listening to this man, Rick Warren singing the blues -
There is no way we would miss The Big Shakeout this year and I’m very happy to say I will be running one half of an Adventure film and photography school with Alex Ekins, a talented and well respected climbing photographer.
The course will be tailored for keen amateurs who hope to take their skills up a notch or two. Together we will capture the many activities that will be ongoing thoughout the weekend. As well as many ‘on the go’ topics that come up, we will look at:
~ What kit?
~ Using and protecting your kit in harsh environments.
~ Basic capture settings and frame speed.
~ Composition.
~ Dynamic shooting – movement and style.
~ Engaging your viewers! Subjects and stories.
~ Behind the edit. What the viewers don’t see!
Participants will be expected to bring their own equipment along, preferably a DSLR or high end compact and lightweight tripod. As we all know though, it isn’t the technology, its the person using it. So if you don’t have a spangly camera, just bring something that records video and plenty of creativity and adaptability.
Keeping to the creative theme, I spent a couple of hours creating an Edgeland title the old school way. Using hand cut templates and moving lights, I’m very pleased with the results. Not gonna reveal the video just yet though!
The gradual collection of footage continues. Still on the industrial theme, I recently arranged to collect some footage of a tree harvester at work. I think it is one of the coolest machines I have ever seen, though alarmingly destructive I think you will agree!
I have been in talks recently with a number of producers in the hope of getting a music score written for Edgeland. I have settled on a very talented local sound designer called Ben Metsers and the score is underway and sounding amazing already. I’m so excited about this!
After a failed attempt to collect footage in Barrow (on a very windy day) I returned to pick up where I left off. I spent 12 hours filming in and around the town, capturing its industrial character and dramatic setting, and trying to convey some of the pride that the locals feel. Many people disregard Barrow as a place to visit but I have enjoyed every minute I have been there, the pride and community is evident at every turn and the landscape, with its mix of industry, mountainscape and seaside is incredibly dramatic. Here is a selection of photographs from the shoot.
Ocean Stores, South Walney
The Crab House
The 4×4 Capacities of this little baby didn’t quite cut it this time!
Edgeland has been an ever changing process, it re-forms and mutates every time I pick up my camera or look back to the planning process. This is what I love about working within a creative industry, the ever changing nature of my work. I knew from the word go that this project was going to be multi-dimensional and not just focus on documentary filmmaking. I have been working on some poetry/spoken word for the opening sequence of the film, it is an unfamiliar medium but I have really enjoyed it and am confident that it will add a really emotive and creative element to the finished piece. All I need now is a deep, gravelly, gripping voice for the part, any ideas?
