In “Flying into Milford Sound” mobile journalist Robb Montgomery illustrates a variety of techniques for filming in a small plane. Most notably is the fact that he had his second-unit DP (aka his wife) take a behind-the-scenes shot of Montgomery using his GoPro. An interview with Robb follows the movie.

Interview with Robb Montgomery

MMM: What gave you the idea for doing this piece?

Montgomery: This flying sequence is really just a quick sketch that was edited in LumaFusion in almost real-time. The scene will be combined with interview material I recorded with the female owner of the company.

MMM: This was part of your #MojoTrek series?

Montgomery: Yes, we made a two-month filmmaking tour across New Zealand and also documented four of their legendary ‘Great Walks.’

MMM: How did you set it up?

Montgomery:  I contacted the owner of the company a few weeks before we left for New Zealand. I simply asked her if we could hang around the airport and film what happens and to interview her and anyone else that may advance a story. On the second day, we took the flight. The owner of the plane agreed and I have an audio interview with her that reveals so much more of what’s going on and the amazing journey she has been on in building a company that now has five planes.

MMM: Besides capturing the beautiful terrain, what was your goal?

Montgomery: The shots in this scene shows what a typical tourist would experience on the flight and that is a great parallel to what the interview subject talks about.

MMM: What equipment did you use?

Montgomery: iPhone 6S+ and GoPro Hero 7.

MMM: Were there any difficulties in shooting inside the plane?

Montgomery: Rule number one is to secure the best shooting position. I asked the pilot if I could sit up front.  I had the GoPro on a hand stick and filmed with the hypershot and hyperlapse modes enabled. Those stabilization modes made the in-air shots possible.

Montgomery: The toughest thing to do in this situation is to film all of the shots from a single, seated location. You can’t put the GoPro on the windows of a small airplane with a suction cup mount. (I did ask, and the pilot said “no.”)

MMM: How did you get yourself into the movie?

Montgomery: My wife (and Second Unit DP) filmed from behind to get the over-my-shoulder and out-the-window POV shots.

MMM: How did you find the music?

Montgomery: I usually compose the music for most of my films using a suite of apps like Syntronik, Steel guitar, Kauldron, Figure and GarageBand. But  I didn’t write the score for “Flying into Milford Sound.” The music used in this first edit is called “Deep Thoughts” and it is a royalty free track that came with the LumaFusion app.

MMM: Could you say something about the editing—including the editing app you used?

Montgomery: LumaFusion is the killer app. I have been using it from the start and it has changed the game because you can ingest material from a range of mobile gear (from Sony mirrorless, Sound Devices MixPre-3, GoPro, iPhones, wireless HD, and drone) and cut together shots while still on set or in the field.

MMM: Any advantages for doing it this way?

Montgomery: Editing your shots immediately after shooting has made me a better shooter and story finder. You see the holes in your story; you can also have insights and see new connections while you still have the chance to pursue them. I was a Beta-Tester for the LumaTouch developers on their latest version of the app—and it is a really great tool for making films like this. I shot a video that showcases 10 new features in LumaFusion2.

MMM: Do you have any advice for others who might like to shoot in a confined space?

Montgomery: Limitations are good, in my experience. Pushing up against them and finding creative solutions under pressure are what helps4 you grow and gain confidence as a storyteller.

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You can keep up with Robb Montgomery’s work by visiting his YouTube channel and his website.

“Flying into Milford Sound” was chosen by the editors of MobileMovieMaking as the Mobile Movie of the Week.