The making of Emerald Paradise

In 2015 I convinced my closest friends — talented young photographers and filmmakers — to join me in Slovenia to capture the incredible scenery on video. I was so impressed with the results from an early 4K camera that I decided to produce a feature-length documentary about fly-fishing on the Soča River in Ultra HD.

This new quality level brought a wave of problems: data storage, faster computers, more expensive cameras, and the reality that higher resolution is only half of a better picture. HDR meant deeper blacks, brighter whites and greater contrast — as lifelike as currently possible. Post-production for Dolby Surround and HDR color grading is extensive; it requires studios, experience and know-how I couldn't handle alone.

Meanwhile

In 2017 I founded Beautiful Escape Media in Slovenia to build a team for the project I had envisioned for fifteen years. Our budget was minimal, so I could only employ Gregor, who first had to become a licensed drone pilot. Every flight required a two-page risk evaluation and a route drawn on Google Earth twelve hours before take-off.

For many scenes we used multiple cameras at once, which meant more people and equipment. We were lucky to have three motivated students — Žiga, Klemen and Vanja — and many others who volunteered part time.

Finally

I successfully applied for co-financing from EU funds and received a substantial loan from a friend who believed in the project. My former editing teacher did the final cut and prepared the footage for post-production at ARRI Media in Munich, one of the world's finest studios outside Hollywood.

The biggest difficulties were nature and wildlife. We sat out weeks of rain, waited years for snow, waded ice-cold water and abseiled down waterfalls to reach locations. Injuries and broken gear were inevitable — but every meter of footage felt earned.