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STANDARDS
Core Art Standards: VA1, VA2, VA10
CCSS: R2, R3, R7
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Action on Film
Evan Kay talks about filming and photographing adventure sports
Evan Kay, Climb High Productions. www.evankay.com
How does Kay capture the action in this shot?
Scholastic Art: How would you describe your job?
Evan Kay: I’m a freelance adventure videographer and photographer. I film and photograph action sports, mostly backcountry skiing, climbing, and mountain biking. I also develop video profiles to tell stories about brands and athletes.
SA: How did you first start making adventure films?
EK: I first took an interest in the outdoors when my cousin got me into climbing when I was 7 or 8. I was always documenting my climbing trips growing up. I worked in gear shops throughout high school and college, and I started doing product videos for the companies I was working for. Then I landed a job making films for an outdoor clothing company. I worked for them for about 10 years. I really loved it, so I just kept going.
SA: How do you get started with a new project?
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.
Kay uses camera stabilizers to keep his camera steady while he is filming.
SA: Once you have your plan in place, what happens next?
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.
SA: How long does the editing process usually take?
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.
SA: What are some of the biggest challenges you face?
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.
Why is safety so important when working in extreme environments like this one?
SA: Did you study film or photography in school?
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.
SA: Do you have advice for students interested in a job like yours?
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.
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