Elia Sakaly shot this unforgettable image from a Cho Oyu summit push. Image by Elia Saikaly courtesy Elia Saikaly/findinglife.ca, SOURCE
"Climbing a mountain isn’t enough for me," says Elia Saikaly. One of the peaks of his life was an interactive soccer game he organized between youth in Canada and street kids in Kenya. The entire soccer tournament was streamed live on an $8 USB internet key. As for shooting video on altitude, Elia says he thrives on the challenge due to his background in powerlifting (world record in dead-lift, 525lbs at the age of 17).
Image by Elia Saikaly courtesy Elia Saikaly, SOURCE
In 2007 Canadian Sean Egan (right) died of a heart attack at age 63 when climbing Everest with Elia. The late doctor's wish to inspire others catapulted his young film-maker, "into the world of adventure and climbing as I dedicated my life to honoring his." Image by Elia Saikaly courtesy Elia Saikaly, SOURCE
Retracing Sean Egan's footsteps, in 2010 Elia and Finding Life summited Everest and broadcast a real-time web-series for 20 000 Canadian students. "The real-time concept creates a great deal of momentum," he says. Image by Elia Saikaly courtesy Elia Saikaly, SOURCE
In terms of viewership the biggest adventure video event this year took place online, outside the usual distribution channels. "It used to be an MTV generation, now it’s a YOUTUBE generation and competition is fierce," Elia says, to beat the "farting cat." courtesy Google YouTube, SOURCE
"In my personal experience, failure, disappointment, vulnerability and honesty throughout my expedition content has always led to good connections with the viewer. People need to be able to relate." (Image unrelated to Elia).
It’s all about story, Elia says, "this is where I think adventure filmmakers need to focus."
Posted: Dec 20, 2012 04:39 pm EST SUBSCRIBER CONTENT PREVIEW FOR FULL STORY: LOGIN OR SUBSCRIBE NOW - UP TO 3 MONTHS FREE
(Tina Sjogren) Trekking reports from the Khumbu valley are changing. Forget bearded men silently lugging up ghost-pregnant backpacks on paramount missions.Fitted right into their camera kit, laser-mapping routes on the way, the new guys wing-glide to set - thought controlled tripod arms poking out here and there. "This morning I rode shotgun in a helicopter and flew through the Himalayas [...] captured the day’s events with an arsenal of cameras, a steadicam, a track and a trip-pod," says his website. "I’m currently...
Google Glass at Antarctica
