“Heroes” – A Commercial Short Film for the Regional EMS Foundation
Filmed on Location in and around Grande Prairie
We are very excited to finally be able to share this recently completed video project. Back in the late summer, Amanda and Karna from the Regional EMS Foundation contacted us to inquire about a video project for the foundation. Although we haven’t publicized it widely, we have been developing our skills and equipment in the filmmaking realm for the past few years, and after learning more about what they were after, it became really clear to me that this was a perfect project for us to take on.
Armed with the requirement to showcase what the foundation does in an emotionally powerful way, I wrote a script and we began what would become an almost five month process of producing this short film. I am very happy with how it turned out, and proud of the opportunity to pull together so many talented people to complete this vision. Thank you to everyone involved, but special thanks are due to Mark Brazier for his tireless work on the custom music, Patrick O’Connor for his commitment to help throughout most of the shoot (and much of the final post-production), and of course to Laura for her continued support and the many hats she wears (from stills photographer to camera assistant, to assistant director). There are too many others to thank here, but the credits are included at the end and we really appreciate each and every person and organization who helped make this happen.
Finally, I want to especially thank Shauna and Dennis, our two paramedic leads, for sharing with us a window into their world, and for putting up with my never ending requests for “just one more” take. The film debuted this past weekend at the Regional EMS Annual Wine Fair, and it meant a great deal to us that you both felt this film got some things right.
Filmmaking is something we are going to be doing a lot more of, so please feel free to contact us if you have a project that you think would be a good fit.
Thanks for watching and enjoy a few behind the scene shots below…
Cheers,
Chris Beauchamp
- The shoot took place over the course of about four months and five locations, from the GP EMS base to the outskirts of Bezanson, to the MD of Greenview at Nitehawk.
- Our amazing leads Shauna and Dennis are real life paramedic partners and two of the best people you could meet.
- Amanda Frayn from the Regional EMS Foundation was our producing partner, client, and most importantly, camera slater! Laura holds the boom pole.
- Audio recordists and all-around good guy Patrick O’Connor was instrumental in helping with most of the shoot.
- On the frigid outskirts of Bezanson. Huge thanks to the County of GP and the Bezanson Volunteer Fire Department and Medical Co-response Team.
- The Bezanson Volunteer Fire Department were kind enough to seek and destroy a couple of vehicles for us as part of a training exercise.
- Our friend Amy Retzlaff was a true professional, acting the part of victim very well and without a complaint despite freezing temperatures. She even showed up the next day with her makeup intact for the ambulance scene…
- The folks at Nitehawk, including the GP Ski Patrol, were incredibly gracious hosts. Thanks to Johnathan and Gary especially for helping to arrange this part of our shoot.
- Our Nitehawk crew scaled up a bit due to the difficulties of working on the ski hill. Thanks to our extras, as well as Wade, Kyler and Glenn for hoisting gear.
- Gary and Loretta from the GP Ski Patrol arrive on scene.
- William Vavrek helped us achieve our aerial shots, by piloting his drone to spec.
- This is the second time Chris has operated a camera while being pulled by a snowmobile…
- …but the first time on skis!