Case Study

THE MOUNTAIN INFANTRY

Case Study

THE MOUNTAIN INFANTRY

The 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

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SCRIPT DEVELOPMENT

SHORT LENGTH DOCUMENTARY FILM

PHOTOGRAPHY

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CUSTOM MUSIC BY PAPER BIRD

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MOTION GRAPHICS

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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