Group Hugs — The Sherpas Cinema Crew
The Sherpas Cinema crew isn’t your average group of filmmakers. Their keen eye for the outdoors and knack for shooting in some of the most remote places on earth has truly set them apart from others. We were lucky enough to sit down with Mitch Scott to try and get a better look into how this team operates and what motivates them.
What was Sherpas like when it first started? How have you seen it grow into the mountain climbing, drone flying, world traveling company it is now?
Back in 2002, it was just a couple of friends, a computer and some cameras. A grassroots thing that came out of the three founders, Dave Mossop, Eric Crosland and Malcolm Sangster’s ski posse in high school. They all grew up in Calgary, Alberta and were totally addicted to skiing Lake Louise and being in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, and they wanted to capture those stories. Over the years, we’ve been very lucky to work with some amazing companies, athletes and people. It’s progressed fairly naturally from our passion and commitment to the craft of filmmaking.
You’ve produced everything from feature films to short films to branded commercials. If you had to choose one single project you’re most proud of, which would it be and why?
Probably All.I.Can., our second feature. It just seemed to have a sort of alchemy to it. It showed us that people were ready for something different and that we could take our ideas and put them on the screen.
Will you tell us a little bit about your film “Imagination”? How did that idea come about, and how were you able to make it a reality?
It was originally JP Auclair’s idea, one that was strongly supported by Landon Bassett at The North Face. Sadly, both incredible men are not with us today. We were able to put it on screen thanks to their inspiration and support, but also the passion, commitment, and creativity of our team. We would be remiss to not mention the ninja-like talents of Tom Wallisch and the people of Nelson, British Columbia for letting us ski off of their rooftops.
What is the collaboration process like? Who specializes in what?
We communicate a lot. We have three different offices across Western Canada, and we’re on the road all the time, so communication is critical. We are fortunate to have a well-rounded team of cinematographers, editors, producers, directors, and writers. This allows us to tackle almost any project with our in-house staff. It’s a huge bonus to our company.
Can you talk a little about your contribution to the film “Mountain” that recently came out? Was there anything especially challenging or particularly meaningful for you on the shoot?
Most of the footage in Mountain that came from Sherpas was stock footage. We’ve worked with Jen Peedam in the past and have huge respect for her as a filmmaker. Having shot in some of the most beautiful mountain ranges in the world for the better part of a decade, we’ve amassed a ton of imagery, so it was a no-brainer for us to contribute to this project. We’re very proud to have participated in this amazing piece.
What’s an unexpected piece of gear you bring when you’re shooting in remote mountain areas?
Lots and lots of heli-straps. They’re incredible tools for lashing gear together no matter where you are, what the conditions are like, etc. Of course, the MōVI Pro is a must have in all kits, but you guys already know that.
Do you have any rituals or routines before going on a shoot?
We are a huge fan of the group hug.
There seems to be a constant theme throughout your work where nature is the backdrop, no matter the subject. What is it about shooting in the outdoors that is so inspiring?
The infinite variability and beauty of this planet keeps us ever inspired. No snowflake is ever the same, no cloud pattern repeats itself, every sunset is different. That’s what keeps us coming back for more.
What does it take to be a part of the Sherpas Cinema group?
You need to be tough. Creative, hilarious, passionate, committed, all those things are crucial. But we’re called Sherpas for a reason, we haul big loads into crazy places, we take on ambitious projects, we push our guys to the limit to get next level shots, and to do all of that you need to be tough.
How has Freefly enabled or changed what’s been possible for you on a shoot? Can you give an example?
We shot almost everything for Imagination on a MōVI Pro. For such a complicated shoot, where we only had a few takes to get the shot, that piece of gear was crucial for ensuring we had a distinct smoothness for each sequence. It played a huge role in the success of that piece.
How do you stay creative and keep delivering the goods?
We really try to not rest on our laurels. We’re continually looking for new ways of capturing images. We respect and learn from our peers, and in general take a certain humility into what we do. We know we’re still learning, we still have a ton to learn, and that we’re always be pushing to take our game to the next level. Because in filmmaking, there is always a next level.
What’s the most exciting future you could imagine for Sherpas Cinema?
Getting the opportunity to make well-funded narrative feature film.
Can you offer some parting advice for an aspiring Sherpa?
If you think you’ve got a good idea, make sure you put everything you have into making a reality. Don’t be afraid to go all in.
