In the heart of the Snowy Mountains of Australia, wildlife filmmaker Remy Tarasin embarked on an ambitious journey to capture one of nature’s most elusive creatures: a wild Brumby stallion. His documentary, In Search of the Grey, tells the story of a young grey colt he encountered years ago and the long, emotional journey to find him once again in a world where the balance between nature, culture, and conservation is as fragile as the terrain itself.

With a background in environmental science and a deep-rooted passion for the wild, Remy brought a unique perspective to this project, blending technical expertise with heartfelt storytelling. His film doesn’t just capture beautiful imagery; it delves into the complex, multi-layered relationship between humans and nature. It’s a film about survival, change, and the profound impact that animals like the Brumby have on the cultural and environmental fabric of Australia.

In his work, Tarasin must select and use the right equipment so that he can focus on the project and not the technology that assists him. For this reason, Tarasin and his team relied heavily on professional equipment to capture the raw beauty and unpredictability of the Snowy Mountains and its inhabitants. Key to the success of the shoot was the Sony FX6 camera and the Sachtler aktiv10 tripod, both of which proved essential in the remote, rugged environment.

“The FX6 was perfect for this kind of documentary work,” said Tarasin. “It’s a full frame 4K camera with incredible internal frame rates and prerecord features that were essential for wildlife filmmaking. When you’re up in the mountains, you can’t have the camera rolling the whole time. The prerecord feature meant we could capture those fleeting moments without wasting power or storage.”

Equally important was the tripod. Tarasin praised the Sachtler aktiv10 system for its adaptability and quick adjustments in the field. “We were constantly on the move, repositioning around trees and shrubs as the Brumbies moved across the frame. The ability to level the tripod in seconds with just one lever was crucial. Plus, the aktiv10’s lightweight design made it easy for the team to hike long distances while carrying all their gear. We were trekking up to 15 kilometres a day. Having a tripod that was easy to carry, quick to set up, and incredibly stable on uneven terrain made all the difference. We were able to capture footage that we otherwise would have missed.”

One of the standout moments came when the team wasn’t even prepared to film. Late in the afternoon, they spotted a herd of Brumbies coming down through the trees, with the grey stallion trailing behind. “We weren’t set up at all,” Tarasin recalled. “But we raced to get the kit out, and within seconds, we had the tripod set up and the cameras rolling. Those moments are in the film—you can feel the urgency and excitement in the footage.”

Reflecting on the gear, Tarasin added: “I would say that Sachtler tripods are absolutely designed by users, for users. It’s an insanely intuitive system. Everything that you would expect it to do and want it to do, it does that really quickly, really efficiently, and exactly the way you’d expect it to happen. I think any person, from an amateur to a professional, can pick up a Sachtler tripod and just become fluent in how it works.”

Power management played a crucial role throughout the expedition, given the unpredictable nature of the shoot and the remote locations. Remy’s team relied heavily on Anton/Bauer’s Titon Micro 90 batteries to power the Sony FX6 and the SmallHD monitor, which were in near-constant use during their days in the wilderness. These compact batteries provided the durability and longevity needed for the harsh, cold conditions of the Snowy Mountains, ensuring that the camera remained operational for extended periods. “The Titon Micros lasted long enough to power both the camera and the monitor throughout the day, even in freezing temperatures, where other batteries might have struggled,” Tarasin said. 

With screenings lined up in Bristol and Sydney, as well as plans for a festival circuit, The Grey is set to make waves in the wildlife documentary world. And for Tarasin, the journey doesn’t end here. “There’s so much more to explore—so many more stories to tell.”

For more information: 

Sachtler

Sony Electronics

Anton/Bauer

SmallHD