Mountain Mind Media plans and runs safety for film and photo shoots in Alaska's mountains, glaciers, rivers and bear country. Our crew includes mountain and river guides, avalanche forecasters and commercial pilots, and every remote shoot has a written safety plan.
Book us as your full crew, or bring your own crew and hire our safety team on its own.
What we offer
Risk assessments and safety plans
Written for each location before the shoot: terrain, weather, wildlife, water, access and the way out. We also write the safety plans that some permits require, such as for filming in national parks.
Mountain, glacier and winter safety
Route finding, glacier travel, and rope work and rigging for cast and crew, led by our IFMGA guide. In winter we check the avalanche forecast every day and measure lake ice before we work on it.
Weather forecasting
We can't change Alaska's weather, but we can read it. As avalanche forecasters and commercial pilots, we use aviation and mountain forecasts, weather models and live weather cameras to pick shoot days and plan backup days.
Bear guards
A dedicated wildlife safety person on set in bear country, armed where it's legal. Everyone carries bear spray, and camps follow Alaska's bear safety guidelines.
Water safety
Safety kayakers and swiftwater rescue techs for river, lake and coastal shoots.
Medical
Current first aid for everyone on the crew, and most have Wilderness First Responder training. We add a set medic for bigger or higher-risk shoots.
Communications and evacuation
Satellite phones and Garmin inReach devices on every remote shoot, and an evacuation plan for every location.
Aviation and drones
Commercial pilots in certified aircraft on 100-hour and annual inspections, and FAA Part 107 drone pilots. We plan airspace approvals, waivers and helicopter work, and the pilot has the final say in the air.
Our team
Everyone on our team has extensive experience in the outdoors and in action sports, including backcountry skiing, glacier travel, whitewater rivers, ocean boating, snowmobiling, arctic travel and more. Ash Ryan, our head of production, and Brian Burger, our lead safety manager, are both certified avalanche forecasters and former heli-ski guides.
How we work
Scout
Our safety lead looks at terrain, access, wildlife, weather and evacuation routes for each location.
Plan
A written risk assessment and emergency plan, with comms, evacuation routes, air ambulance options and the nearest medical care.
Brief
A safety briefing for cast and crew each morning and at each new location.
Make the daily calls
Our safety lead makes the calls on weather and terrain, and we hold or move the shoot when conditions aren't right.
Working with your production
We work with your production insurance, your safety team and the conditions on your permits, and we know the industry's CSATF safety bulletins for aircraft, drones, boats, wildlife and extreme cold. Some permits add their own rules: Alaska State Parks requires current first aid for everyone working under a film permit.
We carry general liability insurance, and our Super Cub carries commercial aerial photography insurance. Certificates on request, including additional insured for permits.
Questions
Can we hire your safety team without your camera crew?
Yes. Bring your own crew and add our safety lead, bear guards, water safety or a set medic. We can also handle permits, gear and logistics.
What happens if someone gets hurt far from a road?
Our crew gives first care on site while we call for help by satellite. Every plan names the evacuation route, air ambulance options and the nearest clinic and hospital. In remote Alaska help can take hours, so we plan to look after the group on our own until it arrives.
Are your bear guards armed?
Where it's legal and the land manager allows it. Everyone on set also carries bear spray.
Is it safe to film on glaciers?
Yes. Glaciers are very safe with the right knowledge, experience and planning, and we shoot on them regularly.
What training does your crew have?
Everyone holds current first aid, and most have Wilderness First Responder training. Ash Ryan and Brian Burger are certified avalanche forecasters and former heli-ski guides, and Brian is an IFMGA mountain guide. Across the team we also have swiftwater rescue, glacier, mountaineering and wildlife safety training.
Planning a shoot in remote Alaska?
Send your locations, dates and what you're filming, and we'll tell you what safety support it needs. Start a project, or call or text (907) 521-8133.
