In modern times, humans are increasingly distanced from the natural world. However, there remains a dedicated group of individuals who choose to reconnect with Mother Nature. These people, known as 'Riders of Nature" through their involvement in extreme sports, forge a unique human-nature bond that fills their daily lives with joy. Their commitment extends beyond personal fulfillment, as they actively strive to address environmental threats, hoping for a more prosperous future for our planet. This group of athletes shares a common goal: to continue enjoying the untamed beauty of nature through action sports. This is their story, detailing how they came to be Riders of Nature and how this transformation has positively impacted both their lives and society at large.
FILM SYNOPSIS
The short film's storytelling structure comprises six distinct parts. The first part is the introduction, conveyed through a one-minute animation that establishes the main theme and context for the story. Following this is a sequence of four pivotal sections, each bearing significant weight in the narrative. Each of these four segments delves into a specific element of nature-Earth, Water, Air, and Fire. Each element is paired with an action sport discipline that impeccably aligns with its personality. Within each sport, there is a single main character, resulting in a total of four different characters- athletes from diverse disciplines, yet united by their experiences of riding in nature. Every athlete brings a unique point of view and a distinct approach to nature, with most of them forming an intimate connection with their respective element. The concluding part serves as the wrap-up for the short fllm.
STORYTELLING
The introduction was crafted using a frame-by-frame animation style, where each frame was meticulously illustrated with a diverse range of colors and textures. This approach aimed to achieve a visually captivating and authentic first minute, employing simple storytelling that automatically provides context to the viewer. The goal is to introduce the film's central issue and offer a glimpse into how it seeks to address the problem.
ANIMATED INTRO
Ride Nature crafts a film atmosphere that is a symphony of adventure, extreme thrill, and natural beauty. The tone is set to be daring and exploratory, as the film takes viewers on a visually stunning journey through the realms of Earth, Water, Air, and Fire. The lighting design intricately highlights the beauty of nature, casting a dreamy glow that accentuates landscapes and captures the essence of each element. As the athletes engage in extreme sports, the visuals unfold with a sense of unbridled joy and adventure feeling creating a captivating atmosphere where nature and human daring coalesce seamlessly. "Ride Nature' invites audiences into a world where adventure meets the sublime, offering a visually enchanting experience that celebrates the thrill of extreme sports amidst the breathtaking backdrop of the natural world.
ATMOSPHERE
Each location was carefully selected based on the best conditions to perform each of the different disciplines and to showcase thriving nature. Every location possesses a unique essence, look, and feel. The elements that shaped each place were crucial. For surfing, we chose Pato Beach as the perfect location to film, thanks to its isolated setting and beautiful, untouched landscapes with perfectly shaped waves. For motocross (MX), we sought a raw environment full of dirt and a more energetic atmosphere. This location also featured aggressive jumps and curves, providing an ideal setting for capturing dynamic action shots. In mountain biking (MTB), the spot was chosen to highlight the flow of riding on such trails. Additionally, the location was near a river, which played a significant role in shaping the story of the featured athlete and served as a solid storytelling element. Salinas was selected as the perfect spot for kitesurfing due to its consistently windy conditions and the cultural influence on the showcased athlete
LOCATION
The interview set was meticulously designed to showcase the essence of each location and its unique natural environment or the respective sport itself. Each character interviewed was positioned at a specific spot, providing a dedicated space for sports tools such as motorcycles or surfboards to coexist within the set. This arrangement aimed to capture the true spirit of each sport by placing it in an ideal setting. Careful consideration went into selecting wardrobe colors, ensuring that each character stood out against the backdrop of the location's color palette, predominantly composed of shades of greens, blues, and browns. During the filming day, two types of shots were captured: long shots and medium shots, each offering a slightly different angle from the other.
SET DESIGN
The primary camera utilized was the Blackmagic 6K, with a focus on achieving natural light photography throughout the film. This emphasis on natural light aimed to evoke the most realistic ambiance in each location. Artificial lighting equipment was exclusively employed in specific interview settings. In addition, the Sony A7S2 served as a secondary camera, capturing diverse angles in each interview set. The central focus remained on capturing dynamic shots of athletes in action, whether riding or showcasing the natural environment through landscapes and close-ups. A minimum amount of hand held shots were used.
PHOTOGRAPHY
The typographic selection was crafted to embody the perfection of nature through a modern aesthetic lens. It incorporates a diverse array of shapes, patterns, and traces reminiscent of the naturall world. This encompasses everything from the vertical lines seen in trees to the circular imprints found on waves, ripples, fruits, and celestial bodies like the sun and moon. The use of organic transitions, transitioning seamlessly from thick to thin, aims to convey the essence of the continuous flow and movement inherent in nature.
LOGO RATIONAL
In color grading, we endeavored to accentuate the myriad shades of blues and greens present in the environment, creating a dreamy visual experience. Each color underwent a significant increase in saturation, carefully balanced to maintain visual harmony. The props and wardrobe colors were meticulously calibrated, enhancing their saturation and vibrance to ensure they stood out prominently, drawing more visual focus to them.
COLOR GRADING
To infuse an energetic quality into action sequences, action cameras were incorporated. Filming days also featured the use of to drone types. The Mavic 3 was deployed to capture intricate details of coastal locations, such as shores, waves, and the surrounding landscapes. It played a crucial role in establishing shots and following characters during surfing and kite surfing scenes. For high-speed sports like motocross (MX) and mountain biking (MTB), FPV drones were employed, contributing to the adrenaline rush by dynamically following the athletes' swift movements and actions.
DRONE PHOTOGRAPHY AND ACTION CAM
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