PolarX - The logistics behind NatGeo, BBC Planet Earth and Netflix | Jason Roberts interview
PolarX takes care of the logistic when National Geographic, BBC, Netflix and the other big companies are making their major nature documentaries in the Arctic and Antarctic and the man behind PolarX - Jason Roberts has more than 300 productions on his list!
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••• PolarX - Jason Roberts •••
Website: polarx.com/
Instagram: / polarx
KZhead: / @polarx90
Jason Roberts on IMDB: www.imdb.com/name/nm2584103/?...
••• FOLLOW ME •••
Become a member of this channel and get access to unpublished behind the scene photos and videos: / @mortenhilmer
Join my newsletter: geni.us/morten-newsletter
Instagram: / mortenhilmer
Website: mortenhilmer.com
••• MY BOOK - SILENCE OF THE NORTH •••
shop.mortenhilmer.com/
••• ABOUT THIS VIDEO •••
Before I left Svalbard I had a unique opportunity to do an interview with Jason Roberts - the man behind the logistics for films like Planet Earth, Blue Planet, Far North, The Hunt etc.
Jason Roberts is an award winning filmmaker, polar expert, worlds leading authority on Polar Bears and a dedicated environmentalist. He has devoted over two decades of his life to both Arctic and Antarctic, working with the production of natural history films specialising in the polar regions.
Jason is opening his doors and showing some the highly specialised equipment used for these productions. He is also sharing behind the scenes knowledge from the biggest and most succesful nature documentaries.
Happy watching and stay tuned for the next video.
••• WHO I AM •••
My name is Morten Hilmer and I am a professional nature and wildlife photographer.
I am a Nikon Ambassador and I work as an ILCP photographer.
Nature conservation is very close to my heart.
I have served in the Danish military special unit, the Sirius Patrol, for two years and that has given me the skills and confidence to operate alone in the arctic regions. I have spent two further years in the northern parts of Greenland meeting the local people and working on photography projects. My driving force is a sense of adventure and my fascination for nature, and my curiosity and empathy for other cultures has led me to many remote regions.
Beside being featured in publications and in my books books my photographs have been awarded in the Wildlife photographer of the year and European Wildlife photographer of the year photo competitions.
••• SOME GEAR SEEN IN THE VIDEO •••
Solar Power Equipment:
Solar panels:
www.powerfilmsolar.com
Tent:
Helsport Camp 6
Camera Equipment:
Nikon Z9
Nikon Z6 + Z6II
Nikon 180-400mm f/4
Nikon 800mm f/5,6
Gitzo Tripod
Rode Videomic NTG
••• MUSIC •••
Nordic Cinematics: nordiccinematics.dk/
I am also using music from Epidemic and Artlist in this video.
• Epidemic Sound: I really love Epidemic because they let you customise the music by download separate stems. Get 1 month for free by using my affiliate link: bit.ly/ep-music
• Artlist is another awesome music service that is not limited to use on KZhead. I use it a lot, and you'll get 2 extra months on your subscription by signing up using this link: bit.ly/music-artlist
See you out there !
All the best
Morten Hilmer
Hello Morten, how beautiful! Finally, a new video! I'm always so happy when I get the notification that you've uploaded a new video. I'm going to watch it now in front of the warm fireplace!😀 I also wanted to thank you again for your very motivating videos. I'm 14 years old and you made me go out more and start with wildlife photography. Even if it's not quite as beautiful here in Germany as it is with you in Denmark. You also inspired me to start with KZhead - THANK YOU! Best regards from Germany 👍🏼
What a great and honest comment! I can only endorse it. Your channel is very great. Real Morten Hilmer vibes 😉😂 A few more years, and you'll almost be competing with him.
@@wildlifenature4435 Thank you! Yes, Morten is really a role model of mine.
Hi Max. Thank you so much. I just watched a few of your resent videos and they are so good. It is nice to be in nature with you and I am looking forward to following your adventures. Such beautiful nature recordings and a great mood in your videos. I wish you all the best luck. See you out there...
@@MortenHilmer Hello Morten again :) I am just quite amazed that you watched my channel and said such nice words. I never thought when I wrote this comment that you would see this! Thank you so much for that. I'm very touched right now ;-)
@@Max_Gindele so wholesome, love it
This must be the longest KZhead I have ever watched, but very interesting and that's before I watch the BBC video. Jason comes across very chilled out person with mega knowledge and experience, but with all the stress involved in what he does I don't know how he sleeps. I now know where my TV licence payment goes towards, LOL. The BBC planet earth is amazing to watch and don't know if this would be done if left to private funded company's to fund. Its so true that its the story that catches the viewer more than anything else, I can still watch a black and white movie shot years ago and its still fantastic.
Hello Morten! I am a 13 years old and started wildlife photography about 2 years ago. I want to thank you for inspiring me to expand my photography skills. I am really passionate about wildlife and macro photography. This year, I won a wildlife photo competition and my photo was published in articles. Thank you for this amazing video - I learned a lot!
Well done Casian, that is brilliant! 👏
@@SabeanPagan Thank you so much! 😀
Wow that's amazing dude bravo 👏
Congratulation Casian - that is awesome. I was 14 when I started myself but I was definitely not good enough to get anything published. I think you have a very exciting future with a lot of great experiences in nature. Remember this: You can be the voice for all these animals who can't speak for themselves! I wish you all the best. See you out there...
@@MortenHilmer Thank you so much Morten! Your words were very inspiring. I hope to continue my passion for photography and hopefully make it my job sometime. Thank's again for the great content! :)
Super! I'm really shocked how clean and accurate this person. All the equipment are really high quality and in good condition.
This channel deserves all the love in the world for the effort just for a KZhead video.. not a TV show but for a KZhead video. Thats more than great
What strikes me - the high budget movies, it all looks so pimped up! I do appreciate the authentic shots done with honest means on this channel even more! Thank you for posting consistently high quality real content of the Great North, Morten!
Found this really interesting, to see how high tech is being used, especially as I have enjoyed the BBC programs. Thought observation about mobile phones and electric com with film crew revealing - "The one who complained the most, had the most enjoyable time !" - says it all. All the way through kept thinking - Morten wanting to say: "Stop talking and let's have another coffee !" Big Thanks to Jason.
I am watching this in pieces and though I am not quite finished I can say this is one of the coolest interviews I have seen especially in regards to overlanding/photography.
Thanks gents. I've been a photographer for over 30 years and found myself shaking my head in amazement wondering how the BBC got some of those sequences. All the best!
Speechless, find myself watching those nature documentaries often narrated by David Attenborough and always find myself in awe and wonder as to how they could of gotten those shots. Dream is to be a part of it one day. Awesome look behind the curtain
A sequel with Jason talking about filming Disneynature Polar Bear would be wonderful, it was AMAZING!
Fascinating to see what is involved in these important productions!! However, the name of the production (9 minute mark) got buzzed out, but not the inappropriate "gypsy caravan" at the beginning? You do great work and have fantastic content Morten, please keep sharing!!!
That was awesome @Morten Hilmer, thank you for including this. I realize that for many who follow you, this level of technical details is not so interesting, but for some of us it really is. So much of what you and Jason show and talk about in this episode is directly in line with what I do, including building the required equipment to fit the job, the customization of equipment for helicopter and airplanes, the drone equipment etc. The camp system PolarX have developed is very similar to what we used on the sea ice in Antarctica when working with seals, except our camp was based on old shipping containers and wooden huts, still pulled out on skies, still very similar in functionality. We did not have that level of luxury with showers and running water though. I'm ready to go :-)
Thank you Steen for your nice feedback. I know this video is not for everyone - but for the few who are really interested in getting behind the scenes on some of the bigger production. I would really like this channel to not only be about me and my trips, but also feature other people who are doing exciting things - I would like it to be inspiring and educational. Not easy but I am trying my best:)
Yes it was a bit above my head but still got a lot out of it.
It’s surprising what is required behind the scenes, I love the 15 minute‘Diary’ you see at the end of the BBC documentaries, where you see a snapshot of the making of the program, the gear the company has is incredible,you have to admit it what every boy dreams of, I’m still a 64 year old boy and still dreaming, absolutely brilliant video and insight into the industry 👍👍👍
Welcome back Morten. I was getting withdrawals from your month long hiatus. I enjoyed this video greatly. Always good to get a different perspective of behind the scene shoots.
Thanks for giving a close-up look on Polar X. Jason is amazing
Wow, thank you Marten for putting this together! And a heartfelt thank you to Jason for sharing his time! Absolutely wonderful!
Wow fantastic. Always wondered how they do it. Thanks for inviting us in.
Thank you Morten for this video. Thanks to the team at PolarX for taking the time to make this video. It was honestly my favourite KZhead video of 2021. BTS of any nature documentary is the best part!
So so interesting. And great to know that despite the huge costs and pressure to perform zero disturbance to wildlife is tolerated
Wow, we thought we’d just sit down for a quick coffee and watch a few minutes of this, and now, we’re still sat here with the fire going and cup of coffee number 3, after almost 2 hours, and we’ve barely noticed the time pass by ☺️. This was an incredible interview, thank you Morten and Jason for sharing all of this. It was truly eye opening and we’ve learnt so much! I think we need to go back and watch Frozen Planet again now! A very happy new year to you both! Sam and Hannah
amazing fantastic this is the best insight I´ver seen on big productions and especially on logistics in the nature. great interview, Jason Roberts certainly knows his stuff! thank you!
Being a mechanical engineer (specialized on renewable energy technologies etc.) you can imagine that this kind of project is very much along the line of what I find very interesting. HOWEVER, I have some questions. IS the whole power and energy demand of these amazing units powered by diesel generators? Amazing as this all looks and as much as we love and enjoy and admire the beautiful documentaries these professional people produce, I think we HAVE TO QUEST in these days if we can still afford such a HUGE, diesel powered, environmental questionable infrastructure, simply to JUST produce movies....!! I don't think this is contemporary anymore considering the climate problems we face! What do you think?
Finally 😃😃 been waiting a life time 😂
Have a long train journey tomorrow, this will help pass the time nicely
Thank you for sharing this! Really amazing the time and work that goes into some of the productions. A big thank you again, to you and Jason for giving us a behind the scenes look of how they accomplish their beautiful footage.
Hi Morten! I am a guy from Italy and I thank you so much for this kind of content. Storytelling and cinematic videos are pleasable but I really like deeply technical videos such as this one because I can learn lots of things from them.
This was fascinating to watch! The time just flew by. Thank you Morten and Jason for taking the time to put this together for us.
I have never think about that how big production is behind the NatGeo and BBC. PolarX is genius company! And it is actually huge! Sooo much+big cameras and equipment!🔥 Super nice that you saw all that on your own eye! Thank you Morten that you took your time to edit this 2h video! Very exited for dovrefjell video!😉 Greetings from estonia!✌
Hi Morten. Thank you for giving us a great look behind the scenes at the great nature films. Next time one of the BBC's nature films comes on TV, I'll shut down the sound (music) and think of Jason and Polar-X. If Jason has been in the business for 30 years, it is through him that the tales of our fragile Arctic nature have entered all our living rooms. And he has helped make us aware of what we might risk losing if we do not change our way of consuming. Greet Jason and say thank you :-)
What a lovely compliment Søren. Thank you so much. I have just forwarded it to Jason to make sure he will read it. I am so glad you like the interview and I am looking forward to sharing many more adventures with you.
Thanks so much for taking the time and effort to create such a long and detailed video, it was super interesting, not many 'behind the scenes' show this amount
This is really cool and thank you so much for giving us this great documentary on how these shows are filmed! There's so much work and effort that goes into production and it's fantastic to get an insiders look at everything.
this made my day, seeing the amount of effort and passion that goes into just a few seconds of a film makes me love it that much more
Soooo cool!!!! I've always been curious about the logistics and behind the scenes aspects. That was awesome! Thank you!
Simply outstanding ... very informative and captivating. Thank you Morten and Jason. Cheers
Thank you Morten for the video and Jason Roberts for his time :) A really rare piece of information this is indeed. Always inspiring to get a glimpse on the world of those who push the limits in a certain field. Jason and his team are really pushing it hard.
This was a fantastic look behind the scenes interview with Jason, and PolarX. Nice to have a full length video about this rather than it being 15 minute segments for the short attention span world. As long as watching a film and just as interesting too. Look forward to more 😃
Fantastic behind the scenes stories of the most iconic nature films that we have all watched around the world! Most of the understanding that I have acquired during the past 40 years about the polar regions environment, wildlife and how climate change has rapidly affected them has its origin on the documentation made by superb craftpeople like Jason Roberts and his associates. Morten, great work on your part on creating and editing this educational video! My perspective on all of these nature films has been changed by you. Thank you very much!
Thank you for that insightful journey into some of what goes on behind the scenes on some of these epic documentaries. I recently watched a nature documentary in the wilds of Africa, and I recall talking to my friend about how impressive some of the shots are, and the work that goes into them, and then you randomly popup on my KZhead feed with a behind the scenes to show me exactly what I wanted to learn about. i can't wait to your channel to my viewing.
It's amazing to see what it takes to shoot in the most challenging weather conditions. Thanks Morten for this video!
Just amazing to watch Mortin. Had no idea so much involved in those movies. Thanks for bring us along for this! Cheers!
Hi Morten ! whohooo so nice to have you back . .
Super video. Please add me to the “I had no idea it was this complex” group. I have no idea how you managed to pull off this interview Morten, but you’ve done a great service to the many behind the scene people that are involved in bringing us the intimate views and lives of wildlife. Thanks to you and Jason Robert’s for an illuminating insight.
Another exceptional piece, Morten. Absolutely fascinating, and Jason is a consummate professional. Brilliantly done and better than 95% of docs on streaming services. You must have spent an age editing this afterwards. Thanks so much. One of the best YT channels, no doubt.
Terrific interview! It's wonderful to hear in detail the process and philosophy from Jason. Thank you for taking us behind the scenes.
I was super glued throughout the entire video. Jason described all aspects of the POLARX operations in so much detail. The logistics of these shoots are beyond comprehension to us ordinary video folk! Such a nice bloke and an ex-pat Aussie too! Thanks for the interview Morten!
I neglected to mention in my first comment how much I truly appreciate you making this video. It makes me wish I was 30 years younger and an opportunity to work with this type of production. Keep up your excellent work, Morten!
Fantastic insight into the professional wildlife film industry... very interesting, thank you Jason and Morten for taking the time to bring us this.
Bravo Morten That was a great interview. And sending a huge thank you to Jason for giving us some great background about nature and wildlife movies.
Extremely fascinating and informational! Thanks for piecing this together.
This is an incredible video, thanks so much for making it. As you say, it really puts the efforts of an individual with one camera into perspective when you realize how much effort, technology, innovation, and manpower goes into these amazing high budget documentaries and films.
Superb Morten, one of your very best and for the guy Jason to allow so much of his time for you and us was amazing.
Fantastic Morten, thank you so much for doing this interview. As a nature film fan, I appreciate this interview so much. Very interesting to see the complexity of producing nature films.
What a fantastic video. Your calm and humble approach (as always), Morten. The wealth of information Jason gave. The enormous experience you could hear and see in the stories, in the equipment evolution. I‘m deeply impressed. Thank you very much, Morton, for this video.
What a marvelous interview. Thank you so much, Jason, and thanks Morten for sharing it! Really fascinating.
Never underestimate the power of “tea & toast” amazing the equipment they have developed and have access to. Next time I am watching BBC documentary, I will be thinking of the logistics behind it now. Super appreciate their efforts as I sit watching and listening to Attenborough narrate with my “tea & toast” in hand.
That was an awesome video! Thanks Jason for your time and for sharing your expertise with us.
WOW! The voice clarity is crestal clear. Seems like studio recorded.
Thanks for this Morten,a great insight into what goes on behind the scenes in the fantastic nature programmes we all love.
Absolutely stunning video. It was so insightful and this man is so passionate about what he’s been doing for decades and he hasn’t lost anything. And you Morten, you looked like a kid at Christmas. Amazing interview and opportunity for all of us to see this ! Thank you.
Thank you so much, Morten and Jason. This video answered so many questions I've had when watching high production wildlife videos. It even answered questions that I hadn't even thought of yet. I'll be 80 years old in a couple of months and I try to get out almost every day with my D850 to shoot some stills of wildlife to post on FB. I always look forward to your posts for inspiration.
This was/is the most fascinating insight into anything that I have EVER seen. Absolutely fascinating. I agree with another poster here in that the next time I watch an arctic/Antarctic film, I'm going to watch it once through with no sound to fully appreciate the visual impact and the artistry behind it. What an awesome niche he has created and cultivated that benefits the entire world. People fall in love with this earth through the images he has helped/helps create. Amazing. I sure hope you take him up on an offer to join him at some point. I can't think of anyone who might appreciate it more than you.
I watch you all the time and this was just unbelievable. Great Production Work!
This was absolutely amazing! It’s a wonder how much time and experience has been called on to engineer and build all that equipment. I will never watch another BBC, or any other program about the extremes of nature without now visualizing the production demands on the people behind the scenes. Absolutely amazing Morten!
This was awesome to see their whole process. I always love those documentaries and wondered how do they get certain shots. Will watch over and over again.
Many appreciative thanks to Jason for his time and sharing of experience and knowledge, and Morten for bringing this to us! The whole video was incredibly fascinating and a real privilege to watch. Absolutely flipping fantastic and I will be watching it a few times no doubt. Next time I watch any nature and wildlife documentaries or films I will be able to attempt to visualise the hard work and dedication behind the results. Thank you so much also to all those other people who play a part in working on the end productions so we can all enjoy them. Best wishes for the future to all.
Thank you so much Caroline for your wonderful compliment. I will definitely pass that on to Jason:)
Have been waiting so long for such a long video. Amazing!! I am going to watch it :)
So cool! Thanks for giving us this great interview, really interesting seeing what goes into these large films you see from BBC and Disney nature!
What an amazing insight into PolarX and into the level of respect that you have for each other. The time given to you clearly demonstrates this. Bravo 👏 👏👏👏
Awesome interview capturing the dedication of these amazing storytellers. Very humbling. Thank you very much!
Great interview! It's fantastic to get a glimpse of people and work behind the frame. And was nice to see how You lead this, knowing the subject and Jason tells us things most "consumers of content" don't even realized.
This was so interesting to see! thank you Morten for sharing these, it truly is amazing informations
Loved it man. This is the first video this long that i watched. Amazing information.
Jason Roberts is a big dreamer.....that is making his dreams come true.
Fascinating! I thought I would just watch for a bit but ended up watching the whole thing. Thank you Morten for bringing this to us. Also, thank you Jason for sharing so much of your time with us! Okay, back to your blind with your 600 mm lens......
Absolutely amazing content. Thank you so much for creating this. What I wouldn’t give for an opportunity to go off and participate in a year long shoot in the Arctic. This entire video was a fascinating watch. Thanks again.
Morten thanks thanks thanks for making this video, what a great insight to what we all love and Jason what a great person, just love his devotion and respect to nature. Can't wait to see the blue chip productions mentioned. THANKS and best regards and a happy new year from Denmark ;-)
Wow - great interview - how fascinating! Amazing operation, and Jason is amazing - his depth and philosophy and approach to filming - so interesting! I will rewatch…
Very educational, Morten. Thanks for your effort in bringing us this insightful video.
Wow. Great video Morten. When I first saw how log it was I figured I would break it up in a couple of sittings. Now, just over an hour in I can't stop watching and I really need to go to sleep.
Wow... Enjoyed watching entire video. So much informative.. Thank you for putting it together 🙏🏻😊
Like so many due to Covid our Christmas is cancelled so I'm going to TRY and save this for a Christmas Day treat ... but I keep sneaking watching a minute here and there so it may not last 😉
This was a very fascinating documentary. Thank you so much, Morten for making this video and Mr. Roberts for taking the time to talk to us. Got a whole new appreciation for the amount of time and work that goes into the making of these blue chip series. Oh and Morten I received your book, Silence in the North, and absolutely love it!
Thank you so much Don. I am glad you like the video and so happy you love the book:)
@@MortenHilmer 😊
This was very interesting (as your videos always are BTW). Thank you so much for taking your time to put this documentry together. Best Christmas wishes to you and your family.
Super cool to listen to people who really know what they are doing. The practical and technical knowledge. This is why I love this channel.
That sound at 9:07 freaked me out 😄
Wow ! totally hooked from start to finish, what a brilliant film/video, this should be on prime time television. Thank you so much for sharing it.
Thank you to Morton and Jason for giving us a quick glimpse into the "Blue" standard. So glad that there is process and technology to deliver this level of excellence. It will help us all learn more about our planet and the beauty of mother nature. Now, back to my 2 man tent. Cheers Morten!
This is so cool! I love how Morten listens to him so patiently! Watched it in front of my fireplace under the blankets! Absolutely incredible! Also Morten looking good!
Thank you Morten - that was a fascinating insight in to the world of Jason Roberts and PolarX and what it takes to produce these mega documentaries & feature films in some of the most hostile parts of our planet. Well done.
What a wonderful educational video! Thank you so very much for doing such an incredibly useful video about what goes on behind the scenes for such major productions.
Wow, that's a long video! What a treat! Time to make some tea 😊
Having now watched it, that was such an interesting interview 👍 Jason is such a great interviewee with a vast knowledge and passion about his craft and I learned quite a few things. Thank you for doing this interview and I'm lookig foward to PolarX's future projects 😊
Coffee*
Thank you so much Pica. I am glad you like it.
Wow wow wow! This was truly an amazing insight, that I've never been able to grasp at this level when watching the big shows. Thank you Morten! 😊🙏
Really enjoyed this Morten, wonderful insight.
Truly amazing! Thanks for covering and sharing.
Great insight, eye openning interview... thank you, both!
What an amazing video! An incredible amount of interesting information about the gear used and the logistics behind these big productions which I really enjoyed watching and find very inspiring. Thank you for sharing!
Fantastic interview with Mr Roberts really interesting thanks for sharing Morten .😊😊😊
I feel like this is a feature film and I should be paying for a ticket 👍
Morten, great video. Nice to see you in the role of the interviewer. Your audio is a bit low. Please wear a mic next time. Thank you and happy holidays.