Case Study
THE MOUNTAIN INFANTRYCase Study
THE MOUNTAIN INFANTRYThe Mountain Infantry –
A Return to Nature Story
If you dig into history, you’re bound to learn something that will alter the way you see today’s world. By joining forces with Icelantic Ski Company, F4D Studio was able to create an adventure that resulted in a unique historical documentary. The piece pays homage to WWII veterans while educating the viewing audience on a little known, but highly significant, Colorado-based infantry and its connection to the rise of the commercial ski industry in North America.
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Inspired by an old photo, Icelantic Skis founder Ben Anderson set out to learn about the men of the 87th Infantry Mountain Regiment, a.k.a The 10th Mountain Division, the first mountain regiment in America’s history. By tracing the heroic trails of this World War II unit, Icelantic and F4D Studio honor our brave military members and also highlight the little known origin of the western commercial ski industry.
For the week-long adventure sports video shoot, F4D met five Icelantic athletes on the outskirts of Leadville, Colo. Here at the former headquarters of Camp Hale – the training center for the 10th Mountain Division, began a journey on the very terrain that prepared WWII soldiers, Richard “Dick” Over and Hugh Evans, before they headed overseas. At an elevation of 10,000 feet above sea level, this “in the elements” production was a welcomed physical challenge for the film crew and winter athletes alike.
For F4D co-owner, Gabe Rovick, this film was more than a just another cool video project. Gabe grew up and skied in the same hills where the film was shot, so this project was a #returntonature and a homecoming. The Mountain Infantry: A Return To Nature Story was the first action sport short film to be fully produced in-house by F4D. The finished product showcases the talents of the team and its unique collaboration strategies, like the custom music remakes of WWII hymns by Colorado’s own Paperbird. This project proved that “…no matter what era you live in, you still appreciate the awe and beauty of nature,” Amy David, Icelantic athlete.
The film garnered an official selection at Five Points Film Festival and continues to show at the 10th Mountain Museum in Vail.
Deliverables
SCRIPT DEVELOPMENT
SHORT LENGTH DOCUMENTARY FILM
PHOTOGRAPHY
CUSTOM MUSIC BY PAPER BIRD
MOTION GRAPHICS
ORIGINAL ILLUSTRATIONS
credits
Client – Icelantic Skis
Directors – Gabriel Rovick and Travis Conklin
Executive Producer – Ben Anderson
Producer – Gabriel Rovick
Cinematographers – Travis Conklin, Gabriel Rovick, Eric Heiland, Tyler Vitello
Lead Editor – Eric Heiland
Illustrators – Lauren Kwan, Rashelle Stetman
Lead Motion Graphics – Tyler Vitello
Copy Editing – Britt Chester
Custom Music – Paper Bird
Still Photography – Tyler Vitello
VO Artist – Tripp Karrh, J. Michael Collins