Road Movie On Two Wheels

Together with Cinematographer Milan Collin, Dutch production company Deepeei Film Productions initiated the environmental project Going South, cycling through the Americas.
The project involves two cycling teams going on an expedition across the American continent – in search of exemplary climate projects.
Brechtie Smidt, Founder and Director of Deepeei, received inspiration for this film project from Al Gore's documentary An Inconvenient Truth. He commented: "The Dutch are especially threatened by climatic disaster because we only live five meters above sea level. Thus we got the idea of travelling by bicycle and toting a camera to visit people and companies involved in protecting the climate."
The Dutch selected the best cyclist teams out of 100 applicants for the project. Sachtler supported the teams, who used the Panasonic AG-HPX500 and AG-HPX171E camcorders with Cine 30 HD and Video 15 SB support systems.
On route from Alaska to the southernmost point of Argentina, covering nearly 27,000 km (17,000 miles), Deepeei documented environmental projects in the rainforest and in the wilderness, on islands and in the mountains. "It was a road movie marked by extremes – from the chill of Alaska to the heat of the jungle, on dangerous roads or by boat in small shells. When filming for the project everything had to work right the first time. "We usually didn’t get a second chance when rolling footage", said Milan Collin.
Due to extreme requirements, all the equipment had to be light, robust, easy and fast to set up. "Sachtler tripod systems guaranteed stability and extreme precision for our work", continued Collin. The Cine 30 HD fluid head comes with a sideload mechanism and is perfect for difficult productions. The camera and all accessories are easily attached to the fluid head with the side-loading mechanism. This has the advantage of switching quickly between handheld and tripod operation. "Filming time in Latin America was kept to a minimum for our own safety as well as that of the equipment", the cameraman told us. "The Speedbalance technology of the Video 15 SB enables you to work fast and accurately. The equipment is ready to shoot in no time. The Sachtler heads fully met our expectations."
The Video 15 SB fluid head offered an additional advantage to the expedition team. The head accepts cameras weighing one kilogram or more. Collin added: "The four cyclists were able to take along lightweight cameras and were happy about every kilo of luggage they were spared. With lightweight cameras it is especially important to use a stable tripod. Thus you can perform precise and steady pans, using additional equipment as well."
Milan Collin summarised the bike journey: "We had the perfect equipment to capture spectacular pictures and everything else went according to plan. The film project shows our ideas for mankind and nature to live in harmony - our aim is to inspire people and change their everyday life in a positive way."
The first film-cuts have already been made, the completion and worldwide release of the environmental road movie is planned for the end of 2010.
(BMcN)