The client, an American automotive company specializing in sport utility vehicles, came to us to develop an integrated “adventure”-themed short film series. The goal was to create standalone films, each highlighting an adventure-seeker’s multifaceted life – how they live, who supports and inspires them, and their passion for adventure – that transport viewers to incredible worlds beyond their own. Naturally incorporating the product’s versatility was key for the client and we wanted to spotlight a unique character who lives life on their own terms.

In addition to aligning our client with this unique story, we wanted to create an emotional connection with the viewers through an in-depth look at Kris Braden’s world to feel the strength of his two passions: fatherhood and hot air ballooning. With a mix of verite, montage, and interview over B-roll footage, the film culminates in a visual feast of Kris’s flight down into New Mexico (U.S.A)’s Taos Gorge – a dangerous maneuver that could easily shred the balloon’s tissue-thin envelope and send pilot and basket plunging into the water below. Integrating the vehicle as an essential element was of paramount importance; the vehicle facilitated Kris’s travel to various lift-off locations with his balloon, and his on-ground partner trailed him in the vehicle to the balloon’s final destination.

When we established the creative idea for this film, we knew we would be telling the story of a man living on his own terms. Not many people dedicate one’s life to a passion as uncommon as hot air ballooning, and not many people have the courage to dedicate their life wholeheartedly to their passion in the way Kris Braden has. We wanted this film to capture his spirit and what drives him to live out his dream. We knew we would be shooting a wondrously exquisite landscape and thought Kris’s environment should be its own character in his story. It was also important to show the relationship between Kris and his daughter, and to highlight the devotion he inherited from his father and passed on to the next generation of his family.

We collaborated with a production company that is rooted in outdoor and adventure filmmaking to create this film highlighting an adventurer at one with nature in a surprising and unique way. The filmmakers embedded themselves into Kris’s life as a balloon pilot and captured his passion of pushing a motorless, unsteerable vessel to its limits – a thrill that requires you to both understand and trust completely in the natural world around you. The film also explores the highs and lows that brought Kris to this point in his life, and the internal peace he has found in a sport that he loves. The film launched on the SundanceTV App and SundanceTV.com, and targeted to the U.S. audience. From casting to launch: ~4 months.

“The Ground Up There” accumulated ~1.5MM views across our platforms and was well-received by viewers. The client was happy with the integration of their vehicle and we were proud to give a platform to Kris to spotlight his journey in an unusual and relatively unknown sport. We feel that we created a visually stunning film that tells a touching story of a family living life on their own terms and appreciating the splendor of the world they were given.