07 Nov Adventure Filmmaking and Running a Production Company. Valuable Insights From and Adventure Filmmaker
4 Valuable Insights from and Adventure Filmmaker and Entreprenuer
(5 minutes of value)
Zeppelin Zeerip Adventure Filmmaker
Zeppelin Zeerip is a filmmaking entrepreneur who runs his own production company specializing in adventure branded content.
Check out his new film Arctic Alchemy.
If you like what you are about to learn check out the full video:
1. Trust before anything in documentary filmmaking
Zep said that it’s a privilege to share someones story and it shouldn’t be half assed. If you’re not fit to tell someones story, don’t do it!
Someone’s story is so valuable, they are opening up and sharing a deeper part of themselves, especially Roman Dial in Arctic Alchemy.
He shared the struggle of losing his only son to a passion he instilled in him: The Outdoors. Heavy stuff.
As a filmmaker, Zep expressed how foundational it was to develop trust with the person who’s story it was his privilege to document. After all, they are surrounded by cameras, and emotionally driven questions that require comfort to truly open up too. It’s an unnatural process and one that I’d only really feel comfortable being a part of with people I trust. Zep’s secret to this was extensive Zoom calls in the pre-production process. Really getting to know Roman and establishing a relationship first. Once they developed familiarity with one another, Zep began the interview process, one that was tailored to his familiarity with Roman and building off of their relationship, rather than going in cold.
2. Develop then Pitch
Zep’s a pretty accomplished filmmaker, he’s worked with Redbull, Marmout, and Patagonia to say the least. The question I was curious about, was how the heck did he land those jobs?
Zep’s strategy is unorthodox, it’s a bit like reverse searing a steak.
He’d begin with development. Having an idea or an actual film to pitch to a company then finding a buyer for them. I kind of like this approach. Coming in with a final product and see who messes with it. It retains the creators goals and artistry as well as works with a pure alignment with a brands values rather than a continuous editing cycle.
He remains intentional with whom he wants to pitch to and always has an impact partner to further promote the sustainability and effect his films have. For Arctic Alchemy it was the LA times pushing his conservationist goals.
3. Working in physically, mentally, and emotionally draining locations
You see the final product. Sick shots of the Alaskan wilderness, or the mountains of Afghanistan, really captivating shots. But it’s no easy cakewalk (obviously)
People romanticize the fact that Zep gets to travel and create sick films, but what they might now realize is.
Long days of shooting
Heavy equipment
Actual threats
Thing turning sour
The final product comes across after weeks of tedious preparations and actions. I wanted to learn about how Zep remains confident in his filmmaking abilities during these demanding times. Here’s what he told me from his 10 day Alaskan expedition.
He kept it fun the entire time. His goal was to laugh every day.
He remained in a place of gratitude. He spoke to the fact that his work in Alaska is often a bucket list item for everyone, and that cycles of thankfulness kept him afloat.
Overall dedication to the story. He expressed his passion for storytelling and guaranteeing that Roman’s story would be told to its utmost reach.
4. Top tier branded content doesn’t lead with a product
If you’re used to reading these blog posts and watching the pod, this isn’t anything new.
Zep referenced YETI where you only see their coolers once in the entirety of the video.
It’s as if the brand was removed from the video you wouldn’t know. It’s more about the brand to be associated with a story and use that across their channels.
