MPB’S ETHOS RESONATES with the film and with us – AFTER ALL, USED KIT IS better for the planet ”
During quieter moments in the mornings and evenings, the Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM was perfect for capturing B roll. The Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS and Sony FE 100- 400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS zoom lenses are also a must for wildlife filmmaking. “When the action is happening far away, it’s key to have a lens on hand which gives that extra reach. The DJI Mavic 2 Pro is a game changer – when long lenses aren’t cutting it – for filming wildlife at a safe, respectful distance.” Prep for Truluck was as unpredictable as the journey itself. When Cannon’s car broke down in Moffat for five days, the team made the most of this delay, refining their approach with input from Truluck and creating a rough shot list. They drew inspiration from other films and crafted interview questions to tease
out Truluck’s story. While they braced for three weeks of sleepless nights and living out of their cars, Smallwood admits that “nothing can mentally prepare you for that – or nothing we could find at least!” Truluck is one of the UK’s leading whale-watching guides, so Cannon and Smallwood knew they were in safe hands – but shooting nature and wildlife always throws a few curveballs. The weather, on land and sea, could be brutal, and the team had to deal with some disheartening days of fog and zero chance of seeing anything. Towards the end of the trip, Smallwood had to head home while Cannon stayed in Scotland. Just three hours after he’d left, the team received word of an orca in the area. “Sprinting across rocks and clifftops with the camera equipment needed to film the orca, operating the drone and capturing people’s reactions was definitely one of the most difficult solo shoots I’ve ever done,” Cannon recalls. “While it was gutting for Jake to miss the encounter, the silver lining was that a lovely chap named James got to jump in the van with us; he had a much- deserved, special encounter of his own.” The film has enjoyed a great reception on the festival circuit – to the delight of Cannon and Smallwood. “After over a year of production, with just the two of us, it was intimidating to share it with
REVELATORY REELS Truluck’s tale will inspire anyone to explore their local wilderness
the world,” says Smallwood. “It’s nice to have validation that this lengthy process paid off and to see people connect with what we’ve made. It’s been an amazing experience to present the film in person and enjoy the audience’s reactions and questions; we’ve received incredibly valuable feedback for future projects.” For anybody inspired by their journey, he has some final words of wisdom: “Get outside and explore! We learnt about the unexpected wildlife and adventure on your doorstep, so why not experience it yourself? Films are a great way to learn about nature, but we hope they’re only the first step in inspiring people to go out and find it for themselves. If you’ve never made a film before, you can learn during the process, and you don’t need brand- new gear to do it. Just don’t cut costs by sleeping in two old hatchbacks!”
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M PB is the largest global platform for buying, selling and trading photography and videography equipment. Whether you’re making your first film – like Jake and Matt – or your 50th, the team can help you source the right gear for the job at a fraction of the price of buying new. Find out more at mpb.com Discover MPB
BEHIND AND IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA Jake Smallwood (top) and Steve Truluck (bottom)
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