If there’s one word to sum up what I do, it’s variety.
I work across big film sets and remote expedition shoots, and I’m fortunate to be one of the few who cover the full spectrum of adventure cinematography. However, this job isn’t just a walk in the park. A lot of what I do is defined by the fact that very few people can film, direct, and produce story elements while at the same time running (literally) over mountains – all without coming back with wobbly shots of the ground and heavy panting in the audio.
Not long after the shoot, Russ Cook – Hardest Geezer himself – joked that I might just be the fittest cameraman on the planet. It was one of the better compliments I’ve ever had on a job.
Answering the Call in Queenstown
This particular shoot was exactly my skill set as a Director of Photography – combining physical endurance, storytelling instincts, and real-time cinematography in the mountains.
After a crew call went out looking for “an extremely fit camera operator in Queenstown who can film in the mountains,” my phone started buzzing within minutes. I knew immediately that this was the kind of adventure where I could shine.
involved two people:
- Russ Cook – you might know him as Hardest Geezer, the first person to run the length of Africa
- Zac Alsop – YouTube icon and comedian who’s guaranteed to make you laugh, even on a Monday morning without coffee
Russ was in the middle of running the length of New Zealand in his latest challenge (supported by Tourism NZ). Zac had laid down a hilarious challenge to race him through the hills of the Motatapu between Queenstown and Wānaka… while wearing bionic legs.
The Challenge – Racing a Man with Bionic Legs
My role as DP? Keep up with a guy who had a tech-assisted leg advantage, frame up each shot on the fly, and make sure the story came together visually despite the terrain.
Zac was fitted with Hypershell’s exoskeleton, giving him a 40% boost in leg power – this was going to be interesting.
From the gun, Zac tapped the exoskeleton into ‘Ultra’ mode and shot off hard. I took off after him, immediately questioning the wisdom of the fully loaded camera bag bouncing on my back. This wasn’t your average filming gig; I was sprinting up rugged hills, trying to compose shots in real-time, and making sure I didn’t break an ankle in the process.It was tough. If I missed a shot or couldn’t keep up, the edit was going to be pretty tricky (nobody wants a shaky montage of ground shots). Thankfully, all those hours of endurance training paid off – my fitness held strong as we ascended through the backcountry terrain of New Zealand’s Southern Alps. Shooting on the move in steep mountains is exhilarating, and it’s exactly why I love what I do.
Capturing an Unforgettable Story
I won’t spoil the ending of the race (you’ll have to watch the video for that!), but hats off to an amazing production team on the other end who recognised the storyline we captured that day. Together, we incorporated a textbook setup, real stakes and risk, and a satisfying payoff – all the ingredients of a highly motivating and hilarious story.
Shoots like this are exactly why I love working as a Director of Photography – they demand more than just technical skill behind the lens. You need adaptability, fitness, story instinct, and the ability to shoot with purpose in fast-moving, unpredictable environments. The final video not only entertained (hitting that casual 1.5 million views mark!), but also showcased what’s possible when you combine athleticism, creativity, and mountain cinematography.
Am I the fittest cameraman on the planet? Who knows
Maybe I need to test the legs up Mt Everest and find out.
To be thoroughly entertained, you can watch the full video here: https://youtu.be/9ZyUJHhZA9g?si=hfi2f9OEg41yG_Cn
