In reply to UKC News:
Hi everyone, Chris here (I shot and edited the film). I'd usually avoid commenting on threads about my own films like the plague but thought i'd wade in at this point to give me 2 cents regarding sponsorship, product placement etc.
Firstly i'd like to clarify that yes this project was funded by Mountain Equipment (the logo at the start might give this away) but no other brands were involved in any way. Although I work with many brands I have no input into the design or placement of logos on their equipment and this is not something I can control. Mountain Equipment helped fund the project but there was no direction on content or insistence on product placement. We approached them with an idea, asked them for support and they agreed, they trusted us to create a film that fitted within the original idea and that's what we delivered. Apart from straight up product videos commissioned directly by clients I have never been told what to do by a brand and never would accept it if they did try and provide direction. Having integrity as a filmmaker is vital, I want to tell a story and don't want this to be compromised by worrying about getting shots of a particular product, logo or location (apart from when this is what i'm being asked to do!).
Living in Chamonix and seeing the beauty and quiet of the autumn time, when less tourists visit, the air is fresh and the colours are stunning is what motivated us to make this film, nothing more. There have been many many films made in and around the Mont Blanc massif (one of our biggest projects last year 'Shifting Dreams' was about the Voie Petit on the Grand Capucin) but i've seen very few about bouldering in the valley.
Although the purists amongst you i'm sure would prefer to see Natalie climbing in a range of unbranded beige coloured clothing with logos taped over with duct tape unfortunately this isn't the reality of the industry today. Although there are people making great adventure film content off their own backs and at their own time and expense that doesn't produce a sustainable film industry. Films take a lot of time, man (and woman) power and cost to produce and without funding from brands and elsewhere they wouldn't get made in the first place. Having worked with Mountain Equipment on many projects over the years i'm hugely appreciative of their help in bringing film ideas to fruition and without them I doubt many of the projects would have been made in the first place.
One of the great things about the digital age is access to endless amounts of content available at the click of a button, all shades of filmmaking are available and nothing is compelling you to watch content you don't like. If films shot entirely on a GoPro and edited in someone's living room are more your bag go and seek them out!
Our Friday Night Video this week features none other than UKC's Editor Natalie Berry. She recently moved out to Chamonix and this film explores her motivation for being in the mountains, whilst the seasons change and the valley empties. The film sees Natalie taking the cable car up to Plan de l'Aiguille and bouldering, whilst appreciating the breathtaking scenery.
