Gold Rush: White Water for Discovery Channel and discovery+
Assistant Producer
I spent two months in my element (and battling the elements!) as Assistant Producer at a remote camp in the Chilkat Mountains of Southeast Alaska for RAW TV’s Gold Rush: White Water Season 5 for Discovery Channel and discovery+. Every day, I transported a 65-pound camera bag while hiking, climbing, and ziplining to and from location. The work was physical, full of adventure, and hugely rewarding.
Story
My main responsibility was with story, taking notes in the field and compiling those into curated story notes each evening. I paid attention to both talent and production communication channels, what was happening in the camera frame as well as outside of it. I kept track of story holes, character development, plot lines, shot lists and more as second-in-command to my A Cam Producer-Shooter. I provided eyeline during interviews and asked questions as well as conducted on-the-fly interviews myself. Constantly adapting to the twists and disasters that come with white water mining in Alaska kept the day-to-day enjoyably challenging.
Camera
I also acted as Assistant Camera to my Producer-Shooter, caring for the Sony Z70 and FX6 all day and shooting my own on-the-fly interviews and b-roll on both cameras. This experience significantly leveled-up my comfort shooting and driving story in the observational documentary format.
Season 5 features a second mining crew and new mining locations!
