AAPA Film
Tatonka [Awake]
Expedition Life in Deep Winter
Project
Tatonka [Awake]
Category
Campaign
Year
2026
Client
Tatonka
Brief
Ad Astra (Concept & Vision)
The Emotional Midpoint
We mirrored the rhythm of a real outdoor expedition by balancing high-energy movement with a deliberate pause of silence at the film’s midpoint. This quiet moment breaks the narrative pace, intensifying the emotional weight of the physical challenge before resolving into triumph.
Handheld Dynamics & Natural Light
To capture maximum authenticity, we relied almost exclusively on organic handheld camera work and natural lighting. Drone shots then were layered in to contrast the vastness of the landscape with the individual effort of the protagonist.
Product Photos
Additional Deliverables
Cutdown in 9:16
Outtakes
Per Aspera (Challenges & Execution)
30 cm of Snow & -14°C Sub-Zero Conditions
Waiting for rare, pristine winter conditions, fresh snow combined with clear skies, left us with a super thin window. Arriving before sunrise in temperatures dropping to -14°C, we faced immediate obstacles: heavy snowfall had dumped 30 cm of fresh snow overnight, blocking access roads, while dense fog wiped out all visibility.
Battery Management & Crew Endurance
Filming at -14°C pushed both team and gear to the limit. Managing drone batteries and camera sensors in severe freezing conditions required continuous temperature control to prevent sudden power drops. When road blockages delayed access to the main summit, we restructured the call sheet on the fly, shooting atmospheric forest sequences until the pass opened. Despite freezing winds at the summit cross and extreme physical strain, we locked in every key shot on schedule.
Behind the scenes
