How To Become an Adventure Filmmaker With Jase Hancox
Growing up in New Zealand, Jase is now based in the South Island in the town of Wanaka, and his knowledge and experience of the rugged landscapes on the South Island is unrivalled.
Built around a lifelong passion for both adventure and filmmaking, his impressive near two-decade career has taken him across the globe showcasing some of the biggest names in the adventure sports arena.
We were stoked to have Jase as part of our crew filming "Shaped by Water" and we recently caught up with him to talk about his life as an adventure filmmaker….
What came first – your love for filmmaking or your love for adventure?
Definitely my love for adventure. Growing up I did everything from rock climbing, to skiing, mountain biking, white water kayaking and surfing. I tried my hand at as many adventure sports as I could.
How influential has living in New Zealand been on your career?
I feel it has definitely helped. Having the winter when the US and Europe are in summer meant I was able to film with the biggest ski and snowboard athletes in the world while they lived in Wanaka and rode at the Snowpark. Working with Tanner Hall, the late JP Auclair, and Jon Olson was a great introduction to the brands they worked with.
What qualities does someone need to become a successful adventure filmmaker?
1. Be approachable and embrace teamwork
You need to be able to get along with everyone. It’s important to remember as well that if you're filming an adventure, there's a good chance you'll be working with professional, high-achieving athletes who have elite mentalities. Being able to work alongside all personality types and gelling well within a team is a massive help.
2. Be flexible
You need to be malleable with your story. You can plan as much as you like, but there's a good chance your story will pivot when in the fields. Roll with it and make sure you get enough generic b-roll of your talent not talking, this will help with any required story adjustments. For example, when we were filming "Shaped by Water", the snow conditions weren’t great, which is a big problem when trying to shoot epic skiing! It wasn’t an ideal scenario but that’s the reality of working in a mountain environment. And thankfully, it wasn’t the first time I’ve been in this situation. You can’t panic, and have to find solutions. A good skiing segment is made up of a lot more than just powder turns. We used our time in this incredible location to capture the majority of the storyboard that showcased the mountain environment and life in the mountains. Things like the alpine climbing scene, the epic wide shots, some great drone action, and the close-ups of Jess. We were then able to head back into the mountains at a later date to film the fresh pow turns.
“The best and most dramatic stories and footage often come from the toughest locations in the worst weather.”
3. Be willing to suffer
You need to get comfortable being uncomfortable. The best and most dramatic stories and footage often come from the toughest locations in the worst weather.
4. Never skimp on clothing quality!
This will help you stay outside when no one else wants to be outdoors! Keep telling yourself that you won't always be cold, wet, hurting, and exhausted. The adventure won’t last forever!
What was your journey to becoming an adventure filmmaker?
I honestly never even considered it as a job. It just happened over time. Being inside doesn't work well for me, and living in Wanaka, New Zealand, adventure is everywhere. As a kid, I would sneak out my dad's camera to film my friends skateboarding or mountain biking. This was long before the internet and YouTube. I then met some guys in the mountains when I was 20 who were filming a TV series and I had just finished a multimedia course at university, so I edited a bunch of videos for them, and then I made a self-funded ski movie which I released on DVD. From there I started to get hired to film ski and snowboard events. The camera has been my ticket to adventure.
What has been one of the most memorable experiences of your career?
It’s a bit of a tie. I did a 10-day, 130km expedition across Baffin Island in Canada pulling a pulka, which is a Nordic short, low-slung small sled. I shot a side project with photographer Mark Watson while we documented the expedition for our main client. It was such an epic location and we worked through some really testing conditions.
But having three gliders ridge soar above Aoraki / Mount Cook for the film Sky Piercer, and being lucky enough to chase behind them on a helicopter was also one I won’t forget in a hurry.
Who are your filmmaking influencers?
You can't be in this game without following Renan Ozturk and Taylor Rees; they’re the ultimate example of a power couple! Renan is on another level, being a North Face climber he can get to places most people can't, and his willingness to suffer hurts to watch. Taylor seems to find incredible stories and characters, and as a team they really do deliver mind-blowing films such as Explorer: The Last Tepui, The Ghosts Above, and Moonwalk.
Tom Lowe is another one I've been following for a long time, a technical timelapse wizard who has released a beautiful film called Awaken. Lastly, go check out V/SPEED, I can guarantee your jaw will be on the floor.
“To deliver aspirational ski footage you need to have good snow which is something you can't control.”
Can you share any challenges you faced during production of "Shaped by Water" and how you overcame them?
To deliver aspirational ski footage you need to have good snow which is something you can't control. We had an epic location and fresh snow in the mountains all around us, but for some reason, the wind smashed the mountainside where we were located. We worked with what we had, and went back later in the season with a skeleton crew for the final shots left on the storyboard.
Can you talk about the themes and messages you want audiences to take away from the film?
I would love it if everyone that watches it would just stop for a minute and consider what they can do to help make a positive impact on our planet. It doesn't need to be massive; the next time you’re at the beach, you might pick up that piece of trash instead of just walking past it. I hope the film just plants a seed in the mind of the viewer.
"I would love it if everyone that watches it would just stop for a minute and consider what they can do to help make a positive impact on our planet."
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What advice would you give to aspiring filmmakers?
It's a very different world from when I started, when there was no social media or streaming content. But I would say, just don't quit, it's not an easy job and be prepared to be broke for a long time! But if you remain dedicated, you'll learn, your network will grow, your style will grow, and the work will come.
Hero image credit: @Mickey Ross
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Jamie Haines, sailor “I grew up on the ocean, and in order to protect it, we need to solve the climate crisis. It all goes hand in hand.”
Ian Walsh, big wave surfer “As athletes, ocean health and sustainability are at the heart of what we do – without the ocean, we wouldn’t be here.”
Steve Benjamin, filmmaker “I really want people to fall in love with the ocean, to appreciate it more, and to try to alter their behavior around it. Everything ends up in the ocean, and it’s such a dumping ground for humanity. My hope is that people see the ocean as a living entity that needs to be protected.”
Amory Ross, storyteller “How can I describe the ocean? The ocean is impossible to describe because it is endless; it is full of life, wonder, and mystery.”
