Case Study: Olympic Channel ‘Far From Home’ – High-Altitude Documentary Logistics
The Challenge: From Delhi Chaos to Himalayan Heights
For this award-winning original series, the Olympic Channel and WZRD Media (USA) needed to tell the incredible story of Shiva Keshavan, India’s six-time Winter Olympian in Luge.
The creative brief was demanding: capture the visceral reality of an athlete who trains without a track, hurtling down active mountain highways on a sled. This required a production that could pivot instantly between two extremes: the dense, sweltering urban chaos of New Delhi and the freezing, rarefied air of the Rohtang Pass in the Himalayas (4,000m).
The logistics were punishing. The crew faced "12-18 hour work days," altitude sickness risks, and the complexity of securing permits to shut down sections of the strategic Manali-Leh military highway for high-speed filming runs.
The Solution: "India Made Easy" in Extreme Environments
This shoot required more than just a fixer; it required a safety-first, military-grade logistical operation.
Our UK-managed team implemented a rigorous support structure to handle the extreme altitude change. We managed complex liaison with the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and local police to secure safe road closures for the luge sequences—a feat rarely granted to foreign crews.
By managing the "chaos" of the environment—from crowd control in Delhi to oxygen and 4x4 transport in the Himalayas—we ensured the director could focus entirely on the cinematic visuals. We turned a logistical minefield into a secure, efficient, and award-winning production.
What Our Client Said
“Thank you for dedicating your time to this series. The 12-18 hour work days, every day, for the duration of this series was unbelievable. We were pushed to our limits, and from that, we have grown so much as individuals, and together. Everyone should be extremely proud of the beautiful pieces of art we have created together.”
— Cole Sax, Series Director | WZRD Media | Olympic Channel
Credit: Fixer & Field Producer
Client: WZRD Media / Olympic Channel
Release Date: February, 2018
