KIMBERLEY, AUSTRALIA DAY 1: LIGHTS, CAMERA, ADVENTURE
4 minute read: Go behind the scenes of a filmmaking expedition in the remote Northwest region of Australia, The Kimberley. In this 14-part series, we’ll share the highs and lows, from marathon shoots aboard luxurious yachts to heart-stopping encounters with nature's fiercest creatures. Welcome to the wild side of cinema. (1 of 14)
Bird takes flight at sunrise in Montgomery Reef ON DAY SEVEN ©SEABOURN
Broome: Our Gateway to Adventure
After a 24-hour journey, we finally touched down in Broome, a tranquil town in the northwest region of Australia. With exhaustion and excitement in equal measure, we were ready to kickstart this incredible expedition. As we collected our 26 bags and cleared customs with our Carnet, we couldn't help but feel that this was the calm before the storm. Our adventure was about to begin.
Color-coded 26 bags of equipment prepared for our ATA Carnet
CROCODILE ON DAY THREE ©SEABOURN
Three Days in Broome: Scout & Nerves Galore
Our plan for our brief stay in Broome was pretty straightforward: Day 2 was dedicated to scouting, Day 3 would take us to Roebuck Bay, Malcolm Douglas Crocodile Center, and the world-famous Cable Beach. Day 4 was Gantheaume Point at sunrise prior to embarkation on the Akiko, our home for the next 12 days.
NEW FRIENDS AT KURI BAY ON DAY SIX
NEW FRIENDS AT JAR ISLAND ON DAY EIGHT
The nerves that followed was the unexpected twist – I couldn't eat for three days. Why? Well, let's just say I was too excited for my own good. It was the kind of nervous energy that makes your stomach do somersaults. Imagine the feeling of being anxious before a big game; that's precisely what I was experiencing. It wasn't due to lack of preparation; in fact, quite the opposite. We knew our scope was massive, but that's exactly where we wanted to be – out of our comfort zone.
As a filmmaker, I firmly believe that being nervous is a good sign. Those jitters are like a lighthouse, guiding our minds and bodies toward the mental and physical challenges that lay ahead.
Embody the essence of resilience
Our small yet mighty production team consisted of:
KT - Our valued client
Robin - Our fearless expedition leader
Manjit and Britt - Our incredibly talented on-screen personalities
Yours truly - Hi! The EP, Director, and Photographer
Marc - The Producer and Assistant Director
Andrew - The Writer and Production Manager
Chris - The Drone Pilot and Second Shooter
Manny - Our incredible Hair, Makeup, and Wardrobe guru
Dave - The DIT (Digital Imaging Technician) & Digtitech wizard
Our team was carefully chosen for their high level of trust and mental toughness. We were about to dive into 16-hour workdays for 16 straight days, each of us juggling multiple roles to deliver a 360 brand campaign. Our past brand campaigns consisted of 20-50 people. Due to space limitations on our vessel, 8 production crew + 2 talent was our maximum.
Day 1 had arrived, and the adrenaline was pumping. The truth is, this adventure had all the makings of an intense roller coaster, but we wouldn't have it any other way. Our team believes that comfort is the enemy of growth.
Aerial view of Roebuck Bay ON DAY TWO ©SEABOURN
Buckle up for the highs and lows, the laughs, and the heart-pounding moments of our 16-day filmmaking adventure in Kimberley, Australia. Welcome to The Dash.