I’ve had a couple of close calls, nothing like being shot at, but more overextending in extreme environments. Unfortunately, the only thing they’ve taught me is ”it always works out” 😂 Friends dying in unfortunate ways at a young age has been important reminders to stay on my toes though.
I am a bilingual civil rights attorney, and a wannabe filmmaker. My "wakeup call" was when I discovered how much people (especially police and other governmental or corporate figures) FEAR the camera. I always (for example) videotape depositions when I am deposing a police officer. Being on camera seems to strengthen the virtuous while throwing the evil off balance. Public figures (on the level where I work) do not fear legal losses or court judgments against them, because they don't actually have to pay them out of their own pockets anyway. The thing they fear is negative exposure; it horrifies them! That makes two things a reality: (1) the camera is a powerful took that can save some while condemning others, and (2) filmmakers are persons to be loved, feared, and/or hated, depending on where the lens is pointed. People marginally fear my attorney skills. They are deathly afraid of my camera. (And I'm a WAY better attorney than I am a filmmaker.).
I was working for a company as a self employed Lean consultant. They paid me big time for my knowledge, insights and advice. But due to company politics and poor leadership the employees were never able to use it and build upon it the way they could have. This felt like a big failure. Although I really had very little influence on the way things went. Right then I decided I never wanted to waste so much of my precious and other peoples precious time. That was my wake up call and your video resonated with me because of that: ‘care about what you are making’ and ‘make it worth it’. Integrity goes a long way. (PS I’m also an old chap that has started making movies more seriously)
I am glade that you didn't get shot. I also work in a dangerous environment. I work offshore overseas and have seen it all. As an example, I am an control start-up Engineer. I am also a trainer who trains the trainers. That means I have to know everyone's job. Offshore one day while I was in my small office, a crew boat lost it's GPS system and rammed into the drilling rig. It threw me out of my chair and the entire platform started to tilt over. After a few seconds, the platform settled back down and we were out of danger. Another time I had transferred from a crew boat to a platform in Nigeria. The guys on the crew boat were really nice guys. two days later, that same crew boat sank killing everyone aboard. It was supposed to be the boat to move me to another platform. On another occasion I was invited to climb up on a locked down flair boom. I had to take care of some other business and couldn't do it but I wanted to go with the other 2 guys. About an hour later I learned that something had gone wrong with a valve that sent gas from a knockout drum to the flair and it had ignited while the guys were out on the boom. They burned to death. These things hit me hard knowing that it could have been me however, we know the risks and do what we can to minimize danger. That doesn't mean that it is 100% safe. So I understand what you went threw and am glade that you made it out of there alive.
Thank you so much for sharing this story, Luc. I never found myself in such a hostile situation but it immediately reminded me about how I learned that no job is worth risking your mental or physical health. I was working in n a warm and safe edit bay as a post production supervisor on so many documentary movies but I worked way to much under stress. Now that I finally jumped into my freelance life I can choose which projects I take - and I surprisingly often choose the "boring" ones and rather put my creative energy into my own projects. To answer your question: yes! please more stories like this!
This hit HARD, Luc, Thanks for sharing the story and your perspective today. As a Mexican who has filmed in Juarez and also filmed things like illegal fishing and slaughterhouses I think I can understand what you're saying too much. We think the camera protects us but not really. I've bee digging your channel lately! Sending you my best from Mexico City to Canada.
I have enjoyed and learned from your other videos, but this one is especially profound. Gear and technique is important, but I was particularly appreciative of your comments about empathy, privilege and community. Some things really matter, yet these are easily overlooked. I’m glad you’re around to share your thoughts.
Wow. I live in the Texas border and the drug wars and cartels has impacted my family’s life in the day to day. Recently my grandfather’s ranch, his legacy, got burned to the ground. All this to say, thank you for risking your life in documenting this story.
Great video as always. I use to be a news photojournalist covering a lot of breaking news situations and travel assignments. Your comments, about how you felt like your camera and status protected you from the situation, really resonated with me. I often look back and realize I had that same mentality to get the story and the shot, and have realized it was a pretty hazardous attitude to have. Glad you touched it and keep up with the inspiring videos!
Your channel is a gold mine for young filmmakers. I’m 20 and i have invested so much $$$$ in this. Tomorrow, i’m flying to puerto rico for my first contracted film making excursion. Thank you for your insight and inspirations.
I did risky shooting in my mid 20's around natural disasters, was more or less fine with it. But the producers at the company made the work miserable. I realised I would be happy doing the risky content forever, but I would never work in a workplace that I wasn't shown the same respect I give to others. I also 110% agree with your point of having empathy for your story subjects regardless of who they are. Not only is it the right way to treat people, but you also end up making them comfortable with you and you end up getting a more real representation of the subject as they are less defensive about being filmed by someone they dont really trust.
Hey Luc, thanks for sharing this personal story, glad you made it and had this epiphany. I had a chance to experience a couple to things you talked about - during my NGO related work - feeling the privileged status when listening to the street kids in Nairobi and meeting their families in dangerous slums - hearing stories of 10 yo kids smuggling weapons for gangs in sacks of garbage just to eat. Documenting a life of a mother and of a father carrying 40kg bags of stones on head for 20 years just to put the children through education. Standing on top of Dandora dumping site - seeing people scavenging for food. All those things stick and give you broader perspective on life and help appreciate what we got - the freedom to be able to choose and make something meaningful with our lives. PS. I am glad you mentioned Tim H. I loved his work, personal, full of empathy and kindness - love his Diary video - sure you seen it. Keep up great job man - thanks again.
Thanks Maros, yeah Tim was a really unique person I think and he is greatly missed. Thanks for sharing those experiences too, sounds like similar lessons learned!
Community is the one thing I feel like I'm missing. I still have crippling flashes of what happened to me while filming Haitian migrants through the Darién Gap. I still relive when Mexican authorities swarmed around a caravana shortly after we forged the river from Guatemala. Watching them beat people, the young daughter of a woman I was focused on grabbed onto my leg screaming for me to not let them take her. Just in Ukraine, watching a kid as his life faded away. I really want to do a film about filmmakers and photographers who work in crises. To tell the stories of storytellers. I think more so as a means to help me sort through my own experiences. Thank you for such a great video.
Yeah, it’s hard to form. Had a few good ones before and it helps. Have you ever seen Witness by Michael Mann, the HBO series? Not perfect, but in line with what you’re talking about
I said this before here, but I was living in Ukraine for 4 years before the war started. During those 4 years I would make small update videos but nothing on a professional level and I started to lose desire in video creation back in 2020. Just before the war started I got my family out of Ukraine and then in May I had the opportunity to go there to film for my organization to show where some of the humanitarian aid was going. It was during this time where I fell back in love with filming and although I'm not yet doing it professionally it's leading me down a road that makes me want to do documentary films. So I've upped my game and equipment. Took on a few weddings, and other projects to gain as much experience as I can. Unfortunately I'm not able to go back to Ukraine at this time, but I'm transitioning to the Philippines, this is where my wife is from. Will be doing similar work but I plan on taking on some documentary work as well. Thanks to my experiences in Ukraine I fell in love with documentary filmmaking and photo journalism, not sure where that will lead me in the future but it's a starting point, I'm passionate about telling stories most people wouldn't normally have the chance to hear, and to help people gain an insight into a different reality outside of their own. Really like your work, keep it up, it's inspiring!!
Jesus Luc... Thanks for sharing... Someone at AOD just recommended to watch your video and it was worth. I've been myself involved in a situation where I had to practice CPR on a drowned asylum seeker that was trying to reach Europe on an overloaded rubberboat as I was shooting a doc for ViceNEWS. Unlike You, my life though, wasn't in danger at any time, yet, I will never forget that moment... and it made me again realise how lucky I should be be about my life / career situation.. Thanks again for sharing. (PS: Luckily the guy was ultimately revived and evacuated by helicopter)
It's good to see you sharing your insight. This is Ryan, we worked together back in 2018 on a pilot in New Zealand that never aired. It was cool to see a glimpse of myself in your b-roll during the community section. Back then you shared some of your stories and I was definitely scared for you back then. It's good to see you doing so well and I hope we get to collaborate together again some day. Keep up the good work.
Probably the coolest filmmaking video ever… really tho. You brought light in ways I’ve never heard in relation to filmmaking. Great perspective, and amazing stories!
Thank you for sharing your story and dropping valuable life/filmmaking lessons. In between gear reviews, what's "new" in the industry, videos like this act as like a compass for me as a budding filmmaker. These are golden. And yes! More videos like this please!
Luc, I watched this with a lot of emotions. I am a filmmaker based in New Jersey from Burkina Faso. Being born and raised in West Africa, I can relate to what you depicted in this video.
Love that Empathy was one of your big ones. I'm currently switching from 18 years as a wedding photographer back to film making, and I know even though I've never had bullets flying at me, being able to have empathy for people, definitely helped me survive a few bride's mothers over the years. Great work!
Am only 21 and the things you are telling about is all what all am thinking. You are really something into this world and you should be proud. Am starting a new life now somehow all you describe is meaningful and a compass at anyone's who loves the art of documentary
Excellent video man!!! I resonated so much with you saying the camera feels like a barrier, and that as a filmmaker you feel like you are protected in a weird way. That is truly a crazy story. Im glad you ended up coming out of it with life changing knowledge. And it is easy to get envious of other filmmakers but as you said, we are in this storytelling journey together. Super pumped for Matthew Heinemans new film Retrograde coming to Hulu this weekend!!!
Thank you so much for sharing this Luc! I'm just getting in to filming Documentaries and my background is also Photography. Ive watched A LOT of videos about documentary filmmaking and this really touched me. All very good advices and "Emphatize with your Subject" and "Privilege is real" are really the best takeaway from me. Please keep it up and thank you for sharing these very valuable stories to the world. More power!
I’m glad I watched this video. I’m a professional fpv drone pilot and I feel jealous about other pilots getting awesome work. Definitely going to change the way I look at everything from now on. Build a community.
I was doing social work in Honduras in the 1980's. I flew into the mosquito coast with a missionary pilot using a twin engine airplane, when it was time to fly back to La Ceiba 2 soldiers who had captured a prisoner (an accused rapist) ask for a ride as well. After computing weight and balance the pilot determined we would be overweight to take off. The soldiers asked us to wait and took the man into the jungle. The pilot and I both jumped when we heard rifle fire and the soldiers returned shortly thereafter ready to leave. I felt terrible, I would have gladly relinquished my seat so that the man could have had his day in court. So were the lessons learned during my time there.
Wow, that’s a crazy work story! I came here for the tech tips but stay for the life lessons and philosophy! Every week I look forward to your next post as I know it will inspire, educate and provide ample food for thought!
Intense stuff Luc. And great message, especially about community! I've been very fortunate to travel all over the world, and a few years ago I spent a week in Mexico City and never felt safer. Granted, I wasn't filming a drug cartel doc or walking through Tepito at night...and on the flip side I've shot a lot of short doc style pieces for a company in Kensington, Philadelphia - an argument could be made it is the epicenter of the opioid crisis in the US - and have had some scary moments there. But there are people that work for this company in Kensington (you could almost call them handlers, like in the other video you did about that) that are incredible people that understand the dangers and risks, while constantly just trying to improve their neighborhood. They are never glorified, and in some ways it's a thankless job...they just want to better their community! The wake up call for me is I get to go home every night to my safe house and neighborhood, and that is a privilege. The challenge...is not editing the footage and exploiting drug and poverty-porn for drama, but telling the story honestly and raising awareness while also shining a light on the good people and work that is happening there too - which unfortunately the news doesn't want to talk about! Cheers Luc, keep up the great work!
Yes, agree 100% - we want to share important stories but don't want to be making misery porn at the expense of others. Always a tough balance. Thanks for sharing, seems like we've learned similar things in different ways
Thank you for sharing, we all have important stories to share that are usually held back by fear. The universe gives us these gifts to share with the world because we thrive on connection and there is a healing nature to storytelling that can only flourish with sharing that story. Keep on keepin on! 🙌🏼🤙🏼
Hi Luc, This was great! I remember being your 38th-or-something subscriber right after you posted your Casey Neistat video and was thinking: this guy really knows what he is talking about. So I immediately subscribed although I wasn’t too interested in the technical side of (doc)filmmaking. But I was expecting different things from you as well. And oh man did you deliver on this promise. And I have to say, when it comes to filmmaking, I consider this by far your most insightful video on a ‘metaphysical’ level. Can’t wait for the next one. Thank you for your hard work and reflections on matters!
38! Wow man, thanks for coming with me on the ride! Appreciate you taking the time to write this, means a lot. I'll definitely keep working in videos like this in the future, always hunting for the perfect balance of technical and meta. 👊🏻
Thanks so much for sharing, Luc. I’d love to hear more stories. Not that they’re easy to stomach, but I think it can be very grounding, and the way you told this story is definitely conducive to that (as opposed to being sensationalist).
Thank you so much for sharing your story! I admire the courage you have for telling about everything you went through and the beautiful intention of sharing it to help others! Keep it up man!💪💪
Very interesting Luc. I’m glad you came out of that ok and that you learned so much from it. What you share here is so valuable from a human perspective and quite profound as far as advice goes to your fellow filmmakers. Thank you.
Boom .... and the mic drops. Made me think quite a bit here, I knew I needed to transition from media photography and video to TV capture which opens up a whole new world of tech requirements as you know. Nobody has every pointed a weapon at me at work but come close a few times in personal life. There is a silence amongst the chaos. 2016 I stumbled across a great subject, to say I was onboard and fully invested in the people was an under statment. I eventually gained my BBC producers licence after filming a producing the conetent as the treatment was evolving over 4 years. I finally had what I thought was two, one hour slates ready for commissioning, ah I hear you say post production of a full doc before any commissioning? Well I knew I needed to invest in myself and fully invest in the subject because it was probably a narrative that would not get a commission, double ha I hear you loud and clear. Treatment and two pilots get through BBC commissioning which as you know is like trying to find the heavenly gates in the sky. They land they get accepted for consideration. Next day first Covid lockdown, two days later I was seconded to OK magazine doing several shoots a week or a month on my own, fashion photography, interviews, lighting, audio and camera plus my mask. After working mostly alone except for just the celebrity and their partner, 5 months went by. I pushed the BBC and after 3 weeks of email, Q&A, it got rejected on, count one it wasnt worldly enough, Nope its about inner city people doing positive things with great TV talents involved, count two I had never had a TX but as a new producer the BBC said initially would be OK as I was now on the tech panel at The DPP. Anyway after challenging the BBC several times, 2021 -2022 was even more crazy for work, 2023 the project was resurected because the hero decided he was going to up his game and the hole narrative moved up a gear. We did some more basic script ideas, set out targets and went again, at the end of 2023 it was a shoot wrap for a second time. Early 2024 we knew we now had 2.5 hours of TV so we resurected the writing again and established more targets and we went again. We now have 3 hours of even better TV, we pulled in world leaders from Europe, booked the biggest venure and secured more amazing TV talents, the hero and the real people rocked up and do what they do best, its done. Today I am researching that golden pitch, that captivating want to watch pilot and treatment. Back to front I know but self investment has a dignity thats driven passion, trust and belief. Some things take 5 minutes, some take 10 or 20 years. Its what it as but to be as good as it can be, time is the greatest investment.
Just found your channel and WOW! Awesome stories and thanks for the insight! I definitely need to work on the last part more. I tend to get jobs, work with a small crew of the same people. When that project is done, I try to go get more work and keep my head down working for the most part. Great for getting stuff done, but not really great for networking with other creators. Looking forward to watching more of your videos!
Great video! Got here via your vid on purchasing better pre-used kit to build a photo business (which was also great). Anyway, thanks for sharing your 6 thoughts that emerged from those awful ‘30 seconds’. They have value for all, individually and taken together. Liked and subscribed 🎉
Great video! Not so much a specific lesson I learned but after high school, I became an EMT and worked for a city EMS service to pay for college. Seeing firsthand how people can be so evil to each other as well as the fragility of life, really makes you think. In my case, it made me grow up pretty fast. On another note, the community I built when I worked in fire and EMS has opened up many doors for documentary and corporate projects.
Wow, thanks for sharing those stories Luc! I definitely want to hear more about impactful moments that have influenced your filmmaking career. I now know that it's important to share these because I'm now at the point in my life where I'm often asked to share my own stories. Unfortunately, it typically seems that we don't gain true clarity in our lives and careers until we have things go horribly wrong. The timing of this video is impeccable because I have one such story that's been circulating in my brain a lot lately. I see is as one of the most pivotal moments of my life. On a climbing trip in Alaska about ten years ago with four friends we all got caught in a massive avalanche. Somehow after sliding about 1000 ft (~333 m) I managed to keep my right arm above the surface. I dug myself out and then found and dug my four friends out. We all miraculously survived and that changed the trajectory of my life and career forever. I had always wanted to pursue a creative career in illustration so I got started right away after that. Now that has evolved into photography and filmmaking. As horrible as that event was I am thankful that it happened because it gave me the push that I needed to start my new career. Thanks again for another great video Luc!
Wow, that’s a powerful story Jason, not something easy to get over for sure. But that kind of knowledge ends up being the most important down the line - if only you could buy it at the store instead of by being terrified!
Brave. Good. I had a similar wake up call to go a new career. I was urban gang and CSA non profit work in a dangerous place that switched my entire career path. I'm glad u are okay and still able to do what you love, if now in a different light.
@@LucForsyth same here would love to see more. Your advice and your background is a mentorship not seen online that often. Very thankful for your channel and the work you do.
@@LucForsyth lol. I was doing anti gang violence very important word left out for non profit work. We helped kids get off the streets in high human trafficking areas. One day someone put a gun to my chest and killed some folks. Dangerous work. Videography for me is much safer.
Amazing video Luc! What you said about privlage resonates with me, I have also been in a situation where my passport afforded me the luxury of getting out of a situation in Myanmar but left two of my friends out of the loop. We were able to make arrangements for them, but that took a few days and left them to fend for themselves while we scrambled to figure it out. Luckily no one was hit in my scenereo, but it was a scary few days. I guess I am fortunate in a way that my time in the army ensured I had no illusions about anything protecting me, for better or worse I've always recognized the stakes at hand.
Yeah it’s a very weird situation and not at all clear what to do to make it better, other than just being inflexible when it comes to the rights of our colleagues…hopefully slow but steady progress in the right direction
i found it really interesting that you mentioned that the camera sort of serves as a divide between you and the real world. i've always felt more confident when shooting and I didn't think to view it that way. great video as always!
Yeah, it's weird. Like you're filtering the experience through something, which helps distance you from the events...at least that's been my experience
Yeah Luc, I'm confident we would all love to hear more such stories. I've heard you mention our tripod taking bullets before, and I was hoping to eventually hear more details. I have also lived and worked in Mexico, and I was fascinated by this video. But unlike you, I am just a WANNABE filmmaker. Keep the content coming . . .
Thanks Reggie! Maybe YOU think your a wannabe for now, but the power is totally in your hands to change that...I have faith in you, keep working at it and it's all possible. 👊🏻
@@LucForsyth I have a duality between making docs in my country, knowing that I won't make a living of it or making docs outside of my country. For the pasts months, I've been tempted to make docs on war zones (Ukraine, Africa or Iraq). But I was aware that I was missing the bad things because I didn't have the experience, but I was blinded by the adrenaline. I believe that now I can have a better inner debate :D
This is a powerful story but I think what would have really increased the imp at was if you told it in a cinematic way or one that’s different from your usual content But all in all great stuff🔥
Wow! This is such a great video Luc! So great hearing your unique stories! I lived and worked in Colombia and had a few near misses but not as crazy as yours of course. This video brought back the good learnings I got from those situations too. Thanks for making this and keep it up 👏
I’ve definitely thought about it, and even worked briefly on a narrative set…but at the end of the day I love being out in the real world. Maybe one day though, I’d never rule it out
thanks for sharing, I have travel the world and only the off beaten Path. Meet a lot of shady people. Travel for sure is not like all the YT influencer showing. I land in a new Country and never have booked or any plans, looking for the cheapest [clean ] Pleace I can get and walk with the local.
I am watching all your videos one by one and I noticed you wear the same hat, what's with the bear? On a separate note, I enjoy your channel and Mark because it the sort of videos I wish to make. Thanks for all the tips
Even if you're not getting shot doing your job -- I'm a software engineer who works from home, probably not going to happen -- I think it's important to remember that no matter what you do, someday you're going to die. Even if you're not taking risks in your career, you still have to look critically at what you do and ask yourself if what you're trading is worth it. Is it worth being bored and unchallenged all day in exchange for a good paycheck. Is it worth a thrilling and fulfilling career in exchange for a distant family life? Most of us have some level of privilege and some level of underprivilege. In the end, most of us have to trade our time for money in order to survive and live a certain quality of life. It's not easy to be sure that the level of sacrifice is necessarily worth it.
I am grateful to the drug cartels in Mexico for being such consistent sources for the various drugs that tens of millions of U.S. citizens purchase from their drug retailers (drug dealers) in the U.S. of America and use on a regular basis! Thank you, cárteles mexicanos de la drogas, for your hard work and service in the business of manufacturing and producing, including growing, the exact high-grade drugs that so many people love and want! Many people might not know this, but not only do Mexican drug cartels regularly help millions of Americans on a daily basis by manufacturing and distributing the drugs that they regularly consume, but they also save some U.S. citizen’s lives by professionally and safely manufacturing the drugs that some U.S. citizens would accidentally blow themselves up attempting to produce in makeshift labs had the drugs not been professionally and safely manufactured by drug cartels in Mexico and made readily available here in the U.S., in all 50 states, for decades past and well into the future! We are grateful to you for your excellent work in the profession of drug manufacturing and distribution! 🇺🇸❤️🇲🇽
Great insight and very meaningful and humble video. Criminals are not necessary evil they’re in a complex situations. I think all humans are basically good but can go into a course of becoming inhuman.
I would love tho heard more stories like this. And you can even mixed with how you actually was moving with camera in trains, shootings and situations. Action style filmmaking stories and how you prep for that shoots will be one of your uniq angles here on CZcams. You don’t look like a guy who was shoot at in Mexico by Mexican cartels🤭👨🏻🎨 And I’m telling you from experience ask for subs and combined it with mission. I’ve done that last three videos and got close to 3 k subs in a week. For example, if you want to join me or support me In this, or simply don’t forget to sub( in-between “ you can watch this next”. Anyhow, we’re here for the stories and for the shared experience and knowledge. 🎥▶️🛫
Thanks Stan, that's good feedback! Slowly learning this YT game! I'll definitely work on adding more stories in here, the challenge always being that I can never bring a BTS camera on a professional job, so most of the wild stuff is off limits. But this year I'm creating a few shoots just for CZcams so I can bring you all for the whole process, hopefully they work for you!
Have any of you had a wakeup call that pushes you in new professional or creative directions? Let me know!
I’ve had a couple of close calls, nothing like being shot at, but more overextending in extreme environments. Unfortunately, the only thing they’ve taught me is ”it always works out” 😂
Friends dying in unfortunate ways at a young age has been important reminders to stay on my toes though.
I am a bilingual civil rights attorney, and a wannabe filmmaker. My "wakeup call" was when I discovered how much people (especially police and other governmental or corporate figures) FEAR the camera. I always (for example) videotape depositions when I am deposing a police officer. Being on camera seems to strengthen the virtuous while throwing the evil off balance.
Public figures (on the level where I work) do not fear legal losses or court judgments against them, because they don't actually have to pay them out of their own pockets anyway. The thing they fear is negative exposure; it horrifies them! That makes two things a reality: (1) the camera is a powerful took that can save some while condemning others, and (2) filmmakers are persons to be loved, feared, and/or hated, depending on where the lens is pointed.
People marginally fear my attorney skills. They are deathly afraid of my camera. (And I'm a WAY better attorney than I am a filmmaker.).
I was working for a company as a self employed Lean consultant. They paid me big time for my knowledge, insights and advice. But due to company politics and poor leadership the employees were never able to use it and build upon it the way they could have. This felt like a big failure. Although I really had very little influence on the way things went. Right then I decided I never wanted to waste so much of my precious and other peoples precious time. That was my wake up call and your video resonated with me because of that: ‘care about what you are making’ and ‘make it worth it’. Integrity goes a long way. (PS I’m also an old chap that has started making movies more seriously)
I am glade that you didn't get shot. I also work in a dangerous environment. I work offshore overseas and have seen it all. As an example, I am an control start-up Engineer. I am also a trainer who trains the trainers. That means I have to know everyone's job. Offshore one day while I was in my small office, a crew boat lost it's GPS system and rammed into the drilling rig. It threw me out of my chair and the entire platform started to tilt over. After a few seconds, the platform settled back down and we were out of danger. Another time I had transferred from a crew boat to a platform in Nigeria. The guys on the crew boat were really nice guys. two days later, that same crew boat sank killing everyone aboard. It was supposed to be the boat to move me to another platform. On another occasion I was invited to climb up on a locked down flair boom. I had to take care of some other business and couldn't do it but I wanted to go with the other 2 guys. About an hour later I learned that something had gone wrong with a valve that sent gas from a knockout drum to the flair and it had ignited while the guys were out on the boom. They burned to death. These things hit me hard knowing that it could have been me however, we know the risks and do what we can to minimize danger. That doesn't mean that it is 100% safe. So I understand what you went threw and am glade that you made it out of there alive.
Thank you so much for sharing this story, Luc. I never found myself in such a hostile situation but it immediately reminded me about how I learned that no job is worth risking your mental or physical health. I was working in n a warm and safe edit bay as a post production supervisor on so many documentary movies but I worked way to much under stress. Now that I finally jumped into my freelance life I can choose which projects I take - and I surprisingly often choose the "boring" ones and rather put my creative energy into my own projects. To answer your question: yes! please more stories like this!
Thanks for sharing - yeah it's funny how your goals change with experience and age!
This hit HARD, Luc, Thanks for sharing the story and your perspective today. As a Mexican who has filmed in Juarez and also filmed things like illegal fishing and slaughterhouses I think I can understand what you're saying too much. We think the camera protects us but not really. I've bee digging your channel lately! Sending you my best from Mexico City to Canada.
I have enjoyed and learned from your other videos, but this one is especially profound. Gear and technique is important, but I was particularly appreciative of your comments about empathy, privilege and community. Some things really matter, yet these are easily overlooked. I’m glad you’re around to share your thoughts.
Thanks Dave, glad this one resonated!
Wow. I live in the Texas border and the drug wars and cartels has impacted my family’s life in the day to day. Recently my grandfather’s ranch, his legacy, got burned to the ground. All this to say, thank you for risking your life in documenting this story.
Sorry to hear that, it’s so messy.
Great video as always. I use to be a news photojournalist covering a lot of breaking news situations and travel assignments. Your comments, about how you felt like your camera and status protected you from the situation, really resonated with me. I often look back and realize I had that same mentality to get the story and the shot, and have realized it was a pretty hazardous attitude to have. Glad you touched it and keep up with the inspiring videos!
Thanks Andrew, yeah I think that's a common feeling for us all and something to be mindful of!
Your channel is a gold mine for young filmmakers. I’m 20 and i have invested so much $$$$ in this. Tomorrow, i’m flying to puerto rico for my first contracted film making excursion. Thank you for your insight and inspirations.
nice one! I was just shooting there last week, such a cool place.
I did risky shooting in my mid 20's around natural disasters, was more or less fine with it. But the producers at the company made the work miserable.
I realised I would be happy doing the risky content forever, but I would never work in a workplace that I wasn't shown the same respect I give to others.
I also 110% agree with your point of having empathy for your story subjects regardless of who they are. Not only is it the right way to treat people, but you also end up making them comfortable with you and you end up getting a more real representation of the subject as they are less defensive about being filmed by someone they dont really trust.
Exactly! Being filmed is kind of weird at the best of times - you have to feel respected and heard!
Hey Luc, thanks for sharing this personal story, glad you made it and had this epiphany. I had a chance to experience a couple to things you talked about - during my NGO related work - feeling the privileged status when listening to the street kids in Nairobi and meeting their families in dangerous slums - hearing stories of 10 yo kids smuggling weapons for gangs in sacks of garbage just to eat. Documenting a life of a mother and of a father carrying 40kg bags of stones on head for 20 years just to put the children through education. Standing on top of Dandora dumping site - seeing people scavenging for food. All those things stick and give you broader perspective on life and help appreciate what we got - the freedom to be able to choose and make something meaningful with our lives. PS. I am glad you mentioned Tim H. I loved his work, personal, full of empathy and kindness - love his Diary video - sure you seen it. Keep up great job man - thanks again.
Thanks Maros, yeah Tim was a really unique person I think and he is greatly missed.
Thanks for sharing those experiences too, sounds like similar lessons learned!
Community is the one thing I feel like I'm missing. I still have crippling flashes of what happened to me while filming Haitian migrants through the Darién Gap. I still relive when Mexican authorities swarmed around a caravana shortly after we forged the river from Guatemala. Watching them beat people, the young daughter of a woman I was focused on grabbed onto my leg screaming for me to not let them take her. Just in Ukraine, watching a kid as his life faded away.
I really want to do a film about filmmakers and photographers who work in crises. To tell the stories of storytellers. I think more so as a means to help me sort through my own experiences. Thank you for such a great video.
Yeah, it’s hard to form. Had a few good ones before and it helps. Have you ever seen Witness by Michael Mann, the HBO series? Not perfect, but in line with what you’re talking about
I said this before here, but I was living in Ukraine for 4 years before the war started. During those 4 years I would make small update videos but nothing on a professional level and I started to lose desire in video creation back in 2020. Just before the war started I got my family out of Ukraine and then in May I had the opportunity to go there to film for my organization to show where some of the humanitarian aid was going. It was during this time where I fell back in love with filming and although I'm not yet doing it professionally it's leading me down a road that makes me want to do documentary films. So I've upped my game and equipment. Took on a few weddings, and other projects to gain as much experience as I can. Unfortunately I'm not able to go back to Ukraine at this time, but I'm transitioning to the Philippines, this is where my wife is from. Will be doing similar work but I plan on taking on some documentary work as well. Thanks to my experiences in Ukraine I fell in love with documentary filmmaking and photo journalism, not sure where that will lead me in the future but it's a starting point, I'm passionate about telling stories most people wouldn't normally have the chance to hear, and to help people gain an insight into a different reality outside of their own.
Really like your work, keep it up, it's inspiring!!
Thanks for sharing that! Sounds like you're doing all the right things, if you just keep pushing like you are you'll get there 💯
Jesus Luc... Thanks for sharing... Someone at AOD just recommended to watch your video and it was worth. I've been myself involved in a situation where I had to practice CPR on a drowned asylum seeker that was trying to reach Europe on an overloaded rubberboat as I was shooting a doc for ViceNEWS. Unlike You, my life though, wasn't in danger at any time, yet, I will never forget that moment... and it made me again realise how lucky I should be be about my life / career situation.. Thanks again for sharing. (PS: Luckily the guy was ultimately revived and evacuated by helicopter)
Yeah man, you never expect to use that stuff but it’s so good to have. Sounds like you hd an intense experience too, glad it all came out ok!
@@LucForsyth Indeed. I had learned to practice CPR at the Boy Scouts, meaning like 20 years ago... Somehow it came back as if it was yesterday ..
It's good to see you sharing your insight. This is Ryan, we worked together back in 2018 on a pilot in New Zealand that never aired. It was cool to see a glimpse of myself in your b-roll during the community section. Back then you shared some of your stories and I was definitely scared for you back then. It's good to see you doing so well and I hope we get to collaborate together again some day. Keep up the good work.
Probably the coolest filmmaking video ever… really tho. You brought light in ways I’ve never heard in relation to filmmaking. Great perspective, and amazing stories!
Hey Matt, that’s great, thanks for saying so! I’ll try for more like this moving forward!
this info is gold for those wanting to work in documentaries!
Thanks for sharing man!
Blessings
You're very welcome!
Thank you for sharing your story and dropping valuable life/filmmaking lessons. In between gear reviews, what's "new" in the industry, videos like this act as like a compass for me as a budding filmmaker. These are golden. And yes! More videos like this please!
Thanks Ryan, appreciate that.
Luc, I watched this with a lot of emotions. I am a filmmaker based in New Jersey from Burkina Faso. Being born and raised in West Africa, I can relate to what you depicted in this video.
Love that Empathy was one of your big ones. I'm currently switching from 18 years as a wedding photographer back to film making, and I know even though I've never had bullets flying at me, being able to have empathy for people, definitely helped me survive a few bride's mothers over the years. Great work!
Thank you so much for being open and honest! I appreciate you and thank you for this video
You're very welcome!
Am only 21 and the things you are telling about is all what all am thinking. You are really something into this world and you should be proud. Am starting a new life now somehow all you describe is meaningful and a compass at anyone's who loves the art of documentary
Excellent video man!!! I resonated so much with you saying the camera feels like a barrier, and that as a filmmaker you feel like you are protected in a weird way. That is truly a crazy story. Im glad you ended up coming out of it with life changing knowledge. And it is easy to get envious of other filmmakers but as you said, we are in this storytelling journey together. Super pumped for Matthew Heinemans new film Retrograde coming to Hulu this weekend!!!
Thanks Bryce, appreciate that. Haven’t seen retrograde yet, let me know what you think!
Holy crap this video hit different. Some of the best filmmaking advice on CZcams for sure.
Amazing Story Luc. Your an amazing mentor for people breaking into the industry. Please keep it coming 🍻
Luc ...it's so great to see how your work has come along over the years. Incredible stories. Bravo!
Thank you so much for sharing this Luc! I'm just getting in to filming Documentaries and my background is also Photography. Ive watched A LOT of videos about documentary filmmaking and this really touched me. All very good advices and "Emphatize with your Subject" and "Privilege is real" are really the best takeaway from me.
Please keep it up and thank you for sharing these very valuable stories to the world. More power!
Thanks Terence, appreciate that 👊🏻
I’m glad I watched this video. I’m a professional fpv drone pilot and I feel jealous about other pilots getting awesome work. Definitely going to change the way I look at everything from now on. Build a community.
Yeah man, it’s critical…or has been for me anyways
@@LucForsyth What was your best way to break out of doing small work and getting bigger clients?
I was doing social work in Honduras in the 1980's. I flew into the mosquito coast with a missionary pilot using a twin engine airplane, when it was time to fly back to La Ceiba 2 soldiers who had captured a prisoner (an accused rapist) ask for a ride as well. After computing weight and balance the pilot determined we would be overweight to take off. The soldiers asked us to wait and took the man into the jungle. The pilot and I both jumped when we heard rifle fire and the soldiers returned shortly thereafter ready to leave. I felt terrible, I would have gladly relinquished my seat so that the man could have had his day in court. So were the lessons learned during my time there.
Yikes, that's as real as it gets man. Glad you came out of there ok. No easy choices
One of the best filmmaking channels on CZcams.
Wow, that’s a crazy work story! I came here for the tech tips but stay for the life lessons and philosophy! Every week I look forward to your next post as I know it will inspire, educate and provide ample food for thought!
Thanks Rasmus, that's the balance I'm going for - a bit of gear, a bit of life!
I'm glad you're here
Thanks, appreciate that!
I think I’m becoming your biggest fan. I’ve been sharing your channel with all my film buddies. Appreciate your work!
Amazing, thanks for that Connor!
Intense stuff Luc. And great message, especially about community! I've been very fortunate to travel all over the world, and a few years ago I spent a week in Mexico City and never felt safer. Granted, I wasn't filming a drug cartel doc or walking through Tepito at night...and on the flip side I've shot a lot of short doc style pieces for a company in Kensington, Philadelphia - an argument could be made it is the epicenter of the opioid crisis in the US - and have had some scary moments there. But there are people that work for this company in Kensington (you could almost call them handlers, like in the other video you did about that) that are incredible people that understand the dangers and risks, while constantly just trying to improve their neighborhood. They are never glorified, and in some ways it's a thankless job...they just want to better their community! The wake up call for me is I get to go home every night to my safe house and neighborhood, and that is a privilege. The challenge...is not editing the footage and exploiting drug and poverty-porn for drama, but telling the story honestly and raising awareness while also shining a light on the good people and work that is happening there too - which unfortunately the news doesn't want to talk about! Cheers Luc, keep up the great work!
Yes, agree 100% - we want to share important stories but don't want to be making misery porn at the expense of others. Always a tough balance. Thanks for sharing, seems like we've learned similar things in different ways
Thank you for sharing, we all have important stories to share that are usually held back by fear. The universe gives us these gifts to share with the world because we thrive on connection and there is a healing nature to storytelling that can only flourish with sharing that story. Keep on keepin on!
🙌🏼🤙🏼
Hi Luc, This was great! I remember being your 38th-or-something subscriber right after you posted your Casey Neistat video and was thinking: this guy really knows what he is talking about. So I immediately subscribed although I wasn’t too interested in the technical side of (doc)filmmaking. But I was expecting different things from you as well. And oh man did you deliver on this promise. And I have to say, when it comes to filmmaking, I consider this by far your most insightful video on a ‘metaphysical’ level. Can’t wait for the next one. Thank you for your hard work and reflections on matters!
38! Wow man, thanks for coming with me on the ride! Appreciate you taking the time to write this, means a lot. I'll definitely keep working in videos like this in the future, always hunting for the perfect balance of technical and meta. 👊🏻
Thank you for sharing your experience with us! It truly is so valuable and we need more of this! These principles are so powerful.
Thanks danny, appreciate that
Thanks so much for sharing, Luc. I’d love to hear more stories. Not that they’re easy to stomach, but I think it can be very grounding, and the way you told this story is definitely conducive to that (as opposed to being sensationalist).
Your channel is about to blow up. Great video!
Thanks, appreciate that! 💣
Amazing story. Thanks for sharing. Im thinking, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.
Thank you so much for sharing your story! I admire the courage you have for telling about everything you went through and the beautiful intention of sharing it to help others! Keep it up man!💪💪
Another brilliant video. I’m glad you walked away from that event.
Thanks Colin!
This is such a cool story. Thank you so much for sharing Luc!
You're welcome!
Very interesting Luc. I’m glad you came out of that ok and that you learned so much from it. What you share here is so valuable from a human perspective and quite profound as far as advice goes to your fellow filmmakers. Thank you.
Thanks Luc, working most of the time in East Africa and the Middle East, can relate a bit to your story.
Stay safe my friend!
Boom .... and the mic drops. Made me think quite a bit here, I knew I needed to transition from media photography and video to TV capture which opens up a whole new world of tech requirements as you know. Nobody has every pointed a weapon at me at work but come close a few times in personal life. There is a silence amongst the chaos. 2016 I stumbled across a great subject, to say I was onboard and fully invested in the people was an under statment. I eventually gained my BBC producers licence after filming a producing the conetent as the treatment was evolving over 4 years. I finally had what I thought was two, one hour slates ready for commissioning, ah I hear you say post production of a full doc before any commissioning? Well I knew I needed to invest in myself and fully invest in the subject because it was probably a narrative that would not get a commission, double ha I hear you loud and clear. Treatment and two pilots get through BBC commissioning which as you know is like trying to find the heavenly gates in the sky. They land they get accepted for consideration. Next day first Covid lockdown, two days later I was seconded to OK magazine doing several shoots a week or a month on my own, fashion photography, interviews, lighting, audio and camera plus my mask. After working mostly alone except for just the celebrity and their partner, 5 months went by. I pushed the BBC and after 3 weeks of email, Q&A, it got rejected on, count one it wasnt worldly enough, Nope its about inner city people doing positive things with great TV talents involved, count two I had never had a TX but as a new producer the BBC said initially would be OK as I was now on the tech panel at The DPP. Anyway after challenging the BBC several times, 2021 -2022 was even more crazy for work, 2023 the project was resurected because the hero decided he was going to up his game and the hole narrative moved up a gear. We did some more basic script ideas, set out targets and went again, at the end of 2023 it was a shoot wrap for a second time. Early 2024 we knew we now had 2.5 hours of TV so we resurected the writing again and established more targets and we went again. We now have 3 hours of even better TV, we pulled in world leaders from Europe, booked the biggest venure and secured more amazing TV talents, the hero and the real people rocked up and do what they do best, its done. Today I am researching that golden pitch, that captivating want to watch pilot and treatment. Back to front I know but self investment has a dignity thats driven passion, trust and belief. Some things take 5 minutes, some take 10 or 20 years. Its what it as but to be as good as it can be, time is the greatest investment.
Just found your channel and WOW! Awesome stories and thanks for the insight! I definitely need to work on the last part more. I tend to get jobs, work with a small crew of the same people. When that project is done, I try to go get more work and keep my head down working for the most part. Great for getting stuff done, but not really great for networking with other creators. Looking forward to watching more of your videos!
Thanks Keith, appreciate that!
There goes the resell value of your camera. Damn man crazy story
Loved this episode. I’d love some more of this stuff. Really enjoy your stuff man.
Ok great, noted!
Great video and insight. Real food for thought. Thank you.
Thank you for a most impactful and insightful video. Would love to hear more about your life and experiences. Thank you for being so open and honest.
Thank you! Noted, and I'll add more stories in moving forwards!
Incredible video man. Was not expecting that.
Thanks!
New subscriber here, I am very glad that I found your channel.
Great video! Got here via your vid on purchasing better pre-used kit to build a photo business (which was also great). Anyway, thanks for sharing your 6 thoughts that emerged from those awful ‘30 seconds’. They have value for all, individually and taken together. Liked and subscribed 🎉
What a story. Very impressive 😳 thank u for sharing 🙏🏻
No problem, glad you liked it!
I'm a new subscriber from Kenya. I'm learning something! ..... I'm trying to learn the art of script writing and filming.
Great video!
Not so much a specific lesson I learned but after high school, I became an EMT and worked for a city EMS service to pay for college. Seeing firsthand how people can be so evil to each other as well as the fragility of life, really makes you think. In my case, it made me grow up pretty fast.
On another note, the community I built when I worked in fire and EMS has opened up many doors for documentary and corporate projects.
Thanks Vince, yeah it's all about that privileged access. EMT would for sure be a crash course on the realities of life, very interesting!
You are awesome! Thanks for all your videos!
ok.. that was a very crazy story.. thx for sharing.
Awesome video. I am so glad I came across your channel!
I’m glad you found it too!
you need a documentary about the documentary you filmed my guy ! glad you are. safe !!!
Haha, so meta!
Very inspiring history. It's make really think about my feelings when I see my colleagues as competitor. great video thanks a lot.
Yeah, I think we’re all better off when we work together, at least in my experience
I'd love to heard more stories like this!
Noted!
This is why you are such an impressive filmmaker. You’ve been in the trenches and really know your worth. Love your channel mate. Thanks for sharing.
thanks Matt, very nice of you to say!
Wow, I like your vids! But this is by far the best I have seen. Thanks 🙏🏻
Oh nice, glad this one is resonating. Maybe more stories are the key moving forward!
What an amazing video. Thank you!
Great Video. Thanks for sharing your lessons! :)
No problem!
amazing stories and learning experiences.
Thanks Amos, loving your channel as well! Might make one of my own about what it's like to film Alone...though I need to check with management!
Hard won wisdom, thanks for sharing, LUc, and glad you've given up the cartel stuff!
Thanks Bob!
Wow, thanks for sharing those stories Luc! I definitely want to hear more about impactful moments that have influenced your filmmaking career. I now know that it's important to share these because I'm now at the point in my life where I'm often asked to share my own stories. Unfortunately, it typically seems that we don't gain true clarity in our lives and careers until we have things go horribly wrong. The timing of this video is impeccable because I have one such story that's been circulating in my brain a lot lately. I see is as one of the most pivotal moments of my life. On a climbing trip in Alaska about ten years ago with four friends we all got caught in a massive avalanche. Somehow after sliding about 1000 ft (~333 m) I managed to keep my right arm above the surface. I dug myself out and then found and dug my four friends out. We all miraculously survived and that changed the trajectory of my life and career forever. I had always wanted to pursue a creative career in illustration so I got started right away after that. Now that has evolved into photography and filmmaking. As horrible as that event was I am thankful that it happened because it gave me the push that I needed to start my new career. Thanks again for another great video Luc!
Wow, that’s a powerful story Jason, not something easy to get over for sure. But that kind of knowledge ends up being the most important down the line - if only you could buy it at the store instead of by being terrified!
Your videos have helped me so much, keep it up , your awesoem
Thank you, that's really nice to hear.
thanks for sharing, great insights!
Brave. Good. I had a similar wake up call to go a new career. I was urban gang and CSA non profit work in a dangerous place that switched my entire career path. I'm glad u are okay and still able to do what you love, if now in a different light.
Thanks Alex, thanks for sharing!
@@LucForsyth same here would love to see more. Your advice and your background is a mentorship not seen online that often. Very thankful for your channel and the work you do.
@@LucForsyth lol. I was doing anti gang violence very important word left out for non profit work. We helped kids get off the streets in high human trafficking areas. One day someone put a gun to my chest and killed some folks. Dangerous work. Videography for me is much safer.
Amazing video Luc! What you said about privlage resonates with me, I have also been in a situation where my passport afforded me the luxury of getting out of a situation in Myanmar but left two of my friends out of the loop. We were able to make arrangements for them, but that took a few days and left them to fend for themselves while we scrambled to figure it out. Luckily no one was hit in my scenereo, but it was a scary few days. I guess I am fortunate in a way that my time in the army ensured I had no illusions about anything protecting me, for better or worse I've always recognized the stakes at hand.
Yeah it’s a very weird situation and not at all clear what to do to make it better, other than just being inflexible when it comes to the rights of our colleagues…hopefully slow but steady progress in the right direction
@@LucForsyth Yeah, I've also come to the conclusion that being inflexible is the only solution sometimes.
i found it really interesting that you mentioned that the camera sort of serves as a divide between you and the real world. i've always felt more confident when shooting and I didn't think to view it that way. great video as always!
Yeah, it's weird. Like you're filtering the experience through something, which helps distance you from the events...at least that's been my experience
Glad you made it out of there to be able to tell these stories!
Thanks!
Yeah Luc, I'm confident we would all love to hear more such stories. I've heard you mention our tripod taking bullets before, and I was hoping to eventually hear more details. I have also lived and worked in Mexico, and I was fascinated by this video. But unlike you, I am just a WANNABE filmmaker. Keep the content coming . . .
Thanks Reggie! Maybe YOU think your a wannabe for now, but the power is totally in your hands to change that...I have faith in you, keep working at it and it's all possible. 👊🏻
Really Interesting! I like your videos, you are helping me to understand better which type of doc filmmaker I want to be
haha, was your understanding "the exact opposite of this guy"?
@@LucForsyth I have a duality between making docs in my country, knowing that I won't make a living of it or making docs outside of my country. For the pasts months, I've been tempted to make docs on war zones (Ukraine, Africa or Iraq). But I was aware that I was missing the bad things because I didn't have the experience, but I was blinded by the adrenaline. I believe that now I can have a better inner debate :D
Wow.. such valuable lessons. Thanks so much for breaking your experience down and sharing the lessons with us.
You're very welcome Thomas!
This is a powerful story but I think what would have really increased the imp at was if you told it in a cinematic way or one that’s different from your usual content
But all in all great stuff🔥
Good call, something I’m going to try and work on this year 👊🏻
Great content thanks! I would love to see more insights into the cartel stuff
That was a great story! Thanks for sharing 🙏
Did anything exciting happen while you were in Korea? 👀
Wow! This is such a great video Luc! So great hearing your unique stories!
I lived and worked in Colombia and had a few near misses but not as crazy as yours of course. This video brought back the good learnings I got from those situations too.
Thanks for making this and keep it up 👏
Thanks Nick! And same to you!
The interview with Matthew Heineman (Cartel Land) on the Team Deakins podcast is very interesting
I loved that too!
awesome story
Thanks for your content dude!! You are amazing at teaching and sharing!! Glad to find your channel!
Thank you! Nice to get positive feedback, and glad you found it too!
Thank you for this.
No worries!
really useful tips Luc, have these experiences ever given you ideas to make your own stories with narrative fiction filmmaking?
I’ve definitely thought about it, and even worked briefly on a narrative set…but at the end of the day I love being out in the real world. Maybe one day though, I’d never rule it out
thanks for sharing, I have travel the world and only the off beaten Path. Meet a lot of shady people. Travel for sure is not like all the YT influencer showing. I land in a new Country and never have booked or any plans, looking for the cheapest [clean ] Pleace I can get and walk with the local.
I am watching all your videos one by one and I noticed you wear the same hat, what's with the bear?
On a separate note, I enjoy your channel and Mark because it the sort of videos I wish to make.
Thanks for all the tips
Even if you're not getting shot doing your job -- I'm a software engineer who works from home, probably not going to happen -- I think it's important to remember that no matter what you do, someday you're going to die. Even if you're not taking risks in your career, you still have to look critically at what you do and ask yourself if what you're trading is worth it. Is it worth being bored and unchallenged all day in exchange for a good paycheck. Is it worth a thrilling and fulfilling career in exchange for a distant family life? Most of us have some level of privilege and some level of underprivilege. In the end, most of us have to trade our time for money in order to survive and live a certain quality of life. It's not easy to be sure that the level of sacrifice is necessarily worth it.
I am grateful to the drug cartels in Mexico for being such consistent sources for the various drugs that tens of millions of U.S. citizens purchase from their drug retailers (drug dealers) in the U.S. of America and use on a regular basis! Thank you, cárteles mexicanos de la drogas, for your hard work and service in the business of manufacturing and producing, including growing, the exact high-grade drugs that so many people love and want! Many people might not know this, but not only do Mexican drug cartels regularly help millions of Americans on a daily basis by manufacturing and distributing the drugs that they regularly consume, but they also save some U.S. citizen’s lives by professionally and safely manufacturing the drugs that some U.S. citizens would accidentally blow themselves up attempting to produce in makeshift labs had the drugs not been professionally and safely manufactured by drug cartels in Mexico and made readily available here in the U.S., in all 50 states, for decades past and well into the future! We are grateful to you for your excellent work in the profession of drug manufacturing and distribution!
🇺🇸❤️🇲🇽
Supply and demand, the rules of the world economy
Great insight and very meaningful and humble video. Criminals are not necessary evil they’re in a complex situations. I think all humans are basically good but can go into a course of becoming inhuman.
Yep, agree 💯
Thanks for sharing Luc. What would you consider to be your finest work/documentary?
Bruh… can you make an indept work flow from camera to ipad m1 to client. Please please please. Photography/videography … your call.
Sounds like a great idea, but unfortunately I’ve never worked like that so I don’t have much in the way of advice!
Wow. Lucky to survive.
Amazing so interesting
Great, glad you liked it!
What was your day-rate?
Not enough in retrospect!
I would love tho heard more stories like this. And you can even mixed with how you actually was moving with camera in trains, shootings and situations.
Action style filmmaking stories and how you prep for that shoots will be one of your uniq angles here on CZcams.
You don’t look like a guy who was shoot at in Mexico by Mexican cartels🤭👨🏻🎨
And I’m telling you from experience ask for subs and combined it with mission. I’ve done that last three videos and got close to 3 k subs in a week.
For example, if you want to join me or support me In this, or simply don’t forget to sub( in-between “ you can watch this next”.
Anyhow, we’re here for the stories and for the shared experience and knowledge.
🎥▶️🛫
Thanks Stan, that's good feedback! Slowly learning this YT game!
I'll definitely work on adding more stories in here, the challenge always being that I can never bring a BTS camera on a professional job, so most of the wild stuff is off limits. But this year I'm creating a few shoots just for CZcams so I can bring you all for the whole process, hopefully they work for you!
Or teach yourself After Effects 😅
This video is both exciting and terrifying.
I mean of all those things After Effects sounds like the one I'd like to learn the least...hahah!
Haha true! But Fusion in resolve is also a headache sometimes!
“I literally, actually, almost died filming cartel docs.”
*12K views*
Spot the actual crime. It’s the view count. Wow.