The secret of a good adventure film

End of november. The days are getting shorter. The snow is coming. Outdoor enthusiasts need a little pick-me-up. Like an exciting video of an extreme sport filmed in an exotic land. Or an inspiring video filmed in the park next door. But what makes one video touch the heart and gut, while another falls flat?

Stéphane Corbeil has his own idea on this. Over the years, the producer of the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour has viewed hundreds and hundreds of adventure films, whether short, medium or feature length.

“It’s a combination of factors,” he says. One of the first factors, beyond the technical aspects, is the intensity of the emotion. It’s not just about the extreme nature of the activity. We can talk about humor, sadness, surprise. »

When we talk about emotion, we obviously talk about the protagonists, the men and women in the film.

“Are these endearing characters? »

The originality of the subject is another important factor. “25 years ago, there were a lot of films which essentially presented high mountain expeditions,” recalls Stéphane Corbeil. It was really good, but over time, it became repetitive. »

However, we can have films on a “subject that has been covered a thousand times”, but which is approached in an original way.

We can also have “the best subject on earth”, with the best possible protagonists and the most beautiful images, but if the scenario and the editing are not up to par, “we can burn all the other elements which could have made to make the film a good film.

Stéphane Corbeil has seen several films about impressive expeditions, with inspiring words, but which fell flat due to ordinary treatment.

“It is often said that the people who edit have a magic wand in their hands, that they can work miracles. »

Obviously, the miracle is easier to achieve if the content is good.

This includes making a tight edit, which eliminates what is redundant or unnecessary. “Most of the time, directors are emotionally attached to their images, to the words of the people they have interviewed. They don’t want to cut, but it’s to the detriment of the film. The producer and editor have their say. »

The soundtrack is another important element. “When a film is well supported by the soundscape, whether it is the ambient noises or the music that serves as a background, it makes all the difference,” says Mr. Corbeil.

According to him, the music should not seek to compensate for the weaknesses of the scenario or the images. Nor should it “bury” the film itself. “I remember films, especially whitewater kayaking, where the music was very intense, very rock, but too intense: it almost killed the film. »

It takes a lot of tact to make good choices, continues Stéphane Corbeil. “Making a good film remains difficult. If you’re surrounded by talented people, you’re more likely to be able to do it. »

No less than four Quebec films were selected during the last Banff Mountain Film Festival. They did not win any prizes, but they were able to benefit from great visibility and they are likely to inspire several aspiring directors.

These films will not necessarily be included in the Quebec tour of the Banff Festival because some have been online for several months.

“But it is certain that when there is a film from Quebec that is presented on the screen of the tour, I present it with a little more force, a little more detail,” assures Stéphane Corbeil. There is a connection that happens more intensely and more naturally with the potential directors in the room. »

This year, the tour will visit around twenty Quebec cities between January and March. A new festival is also appearing, Objectif Aventure, which will take place from 1^er to December 3 in Montreal.

Enough to give yourself a little pick-me-up.