Action on Film

EK: Sometimes I start by pitching an idea to a company, explaining how they can tell their story in order to showcase their product. The pitch is a proposal that discusses the target audience, the story line, and the tone. And sometimes I get a phone call or an email from a company that has an idea that they want me to execute.

EK: I start with our delivery date, and then I work backward to make sure we’re making our deadlines. Once I have that in place, I schedule the shoot with the models, who are typically professionals within the featured sport. After everything’s been shot and processed, I work in the editing room and really pull out the storyline. I’ll go through the interviews to find the best talking points. Then I’ll go back into the footage and start putting the pieces together. I usually present the company with a rough cut, and we go back and forth with new edits a few times before the final delivery. It’s a long process, but it’s fun.

EK: It varies depending on how in-depth the project is. If it’s just a sizzle reel—a highlight reel of action clips that doesn’t have much of a narrative—that might take only a week or two. But something that has a lot more depth and character development takes a little bit longer— usually one to three months.

EK: Safety is key. It’s really important to be able to perform in the sports that you’re shooting. When I’m filming a climber, I’m usually either above or climbing alongside them. I need to make sure that I’m not compromising their safety, and I have to look out for myself and my equipment. Everyone has to be self-sufficient and trust each other.

EK: I studied film in college, but honestly a lot of what I’ve learned over the years is self-taught. You learn the basics in school, but it’s a creative medium, so there’s room for experimentation. A lot of it is just going out, shooting, and learning from your mistakes.

EK: Do what you love. I always knew that I wanted to make outdoor films, and I didn’t deviate from that path. I had a lot of friends who were changing majors and trying to figure out what they wanted to do with their lives. I stuck with it, and I’ve never had a bad job. I have a lot of friends who are successful, but they’re not as happy as they could be. If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.