File 01 / Sound
Adventure filmmaking needs good sound
Capturing it is a special skill. Capturing it while hauling gear through the elements is a rarer one. That’s been my job since 2016.
Credits include
Netflix · National Geographic · Rolex · IMAX · Discovery · Jeep
Featured file / National Geographic · Rolex
For Winter: a month on Mount Logan
The brief
One of the most overlooked aspects of outdoor adventure filmmaking is capturing good sound. Oftentimes, it’s an afterthought when it’s too late. Those who know the value in good sound know that it’s a special skill that not everyone can do well. Add in the need to be skilled while also hauling gear out in the elements, and you have a very small group of people who can do this job well.
I have been doing this since 2016, and it has taken me to some pretty cool places. I’ve worked on an IMAX movie documenting rescue dogs, heard First Nations elders share stories and wisdom around the fire, and worked for a month on Canada’s highest mountain to document a scientific expedition for National Geographic. It’s been a fun ride that has blended my passions of filmmaking with outdoor adventure, while being able to be part of unique, talented teams.
If you are looking to hire someone with experience as a guide in the mountains as well as on film crews small and large, please get in touch to see how I can make your next production sound amazing and get to places that are inaccessible to most.
Work examples
More work
Kit & credentials
What I bring
Recorder & wireless
Sound Devices 833
8 wireless channels: 6 × Lectrosonics, 2 × Sennheiser G4
Sanken COS-11D lavaliers
Mics, sync & monitoring
Boom, timecode, Comteks
Sennheiser MKH 416 · MKH 8050
Instrument mics
Tentacle Sync × 3 · Tentacle Track E × 2
6 × Comtek for producers and clients
Field credentials
Mountain, water & air
Canadian Avalanche Association member
Canadian Ski Guide Association member
Advanced First Aid (WorkSafeBC)
Small Vessel Operator Proficiency (SVOP)
Advanced drone pilot certificate
Canadian, US & UK citizen: no work permits needed
From the crew
“When it comes to building a great documentary crew, you need talent, and good character. Steve possesses both, with the added bonus of being curious.”
Andy Keen — Producer, Back to the Fire
“When there’s a million things happening at once, I always have confidence I can trust him completely in his roles.”
Reuben Krabbe — Adventure Photographer
Selected credits
Netflix
Age of Attraction, Season 1
National Geographic
For Winter
Rolex Perpetual Planet
Mount Logan Expedition
IMAX
Superpower Dogs
Discovery
The Last Ninja
Jeep
Behind the Scenes: Jurassic World Dominion
Branded film
Pamela’s Rules of the Garden
Documentary series
Back to the Fire with Chief Gibby Jacob
Other files
Documentary series
Back to the Fire
A documentary series sharing stories from Indigenous elders around Turtle Island where I was the location sound mixer.
Credits
IMDB page
It’s not complete but it at least has a few listings and helps with search results. I’ll need to get that updated someday soon.
National Geographic / Rolex
For Winter
More info on the For Winter film — a world-record ice core from the summit of Mount Logan. See also the film page here.
Let’s make your production sound amazing
I’d love to have a conversation to see if I can be an excellent location sound mixer for your adventure documentary, commercial shoot, or any other reason you need good sound in the outdoors. I’ve been doing it for a while and love capturing stories that matter.