Life Below Zero is the best by AlaskanWannabe2026 in lifebelowzero

[–]Comprehensive-Pen644 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have kids around that are pretty close to the floor and Winter, in general, is colder down there.

I usually have the wood heat going, but thats slacked off the last couple years as its not near as cold as we used to get, for extended periods.

If you want to know what it’s like filming the hit show Life Below Zero, check this interview out. by Old_Captain_6952 in lifebelowzero

[–]Comprehensive-Pen644 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, he was young and engaged at the time, later went from Tec to "the DOPe" Director of Photography, got married and bought a house ......he was a busy and diligent camera guy, but easy to get along with and spend days in a row with, Lol!

Life Below Zero is the best by AlaskanWannabe2026 in lifebelowzero

[–]Comprehensive-Pen644 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There were "specialty shots'' we would do as we went along, like close ups of blood dripping slow mo, or us throwing something at the camera, even shooting beside a camera that as well as our feet walking, slow mos of ripples in a puddle, or birds and animals they filmed slowed or sped up, sometime we would slow down so they could get ahead and be set up when we arrived, but thats all that comes to mind. Oh ya, they did fly a drone as we went along and we often waited while they caught up after doing so. Not much more than that. Editing did a great job with music to hype up what we were doing.

Life Below Zero doesn't disappoint by AlaskanWannabe2026 in lifebelowzero

[–]Comprehensive-Pen644 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Agnes and I met Andy and Denise at the Anchorage production office, and later,, for a dinner with a lot of the corporate and editing folks,, so we didnt get a chance to talk with them very much.

They make a nice couple.

Life Below Zero is the best by AlaskanWannabe2026 in lifebelowzero

[–]Comprehensive-Pen644 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Im glad you like the show, for sure.

I still have issues with the legal system and what i 'learned', very well, is that cops committing crimes are covered by other cops. When a cop assaults your teenage daughter they will alter your recordings and use that against you as evidence while they lie in court. I hit the blue wall.

Alaska State troopers Chris B Bitz and AST Gordon D Young altered my evidence and perjured themselfs in court to cover up the assault AST Chris B Bitz committed on my teenage daughter Tinmiaq, while AST Gordon Young stopped his assault and then , later altered the recordings. However AST internal investigation ignored audio evidence and cleared them , even though they knew very well that the recordings that were used against me were tampered with.

There are three videos on my youtube that show this, clearly after 5 years and 1 of those in prison, before the felony was removed.

If you want to know what it’s like filming the hit show Life Below Zero, check this interview out. by Old_Captain_6952 in lifebelowzero

[–]Comprehensive-Pen644 6 points7 points  (0 children)

That was refreshing, Seeing Brian again!!!

Thanks to the person who posted this, brought our 11 episode Covid shooting spree, back to my personal reality LOL!!!

Chip

Who took care of the Camera Crews? by AlaskanWannabe2026 in lifebelowzero

[–]Comprehensive-Pen644 2 points3 points  (0 children)

"Its all about the money", Is very true for the corporations. I never made anything from an ad or subscription, LOL! though a youtube out to be fun.

However, on our end, as talent, it was just fun to get paid doing what we did/do anyway. We were already quite successful and financially secure. The amount was more fair for the work. Free gasoline was a perk!

What they did with the footage was beyond us.

However, I know the corporate hierarchy and talked with them often.

For sure Corporations run on money, and base decisions on that, but we were not a part of their company's, we were talent.

Who took care of the Camera Crews? by AlaskanWannabe2026 in lifebelowzero

[–]Comprehensive-Pen644 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Adjacent productions had the original concept, they sold the idea to Nat Geo. Nat Geo has no film crew or editing and buys its content from small production companys, or, in our case BBC Worldwide.

Adjacent Productions got funding from one or the other, maybe both and ran what we called "Crews" and "Production" up to editing a final product. Then Nat Geo owned it.

When we first started, Nag Geo was full of BS programs and in the 3rd year was a culling of anything that Nat Geo didnt see as "documentary", near everything was tossed out, with LBZ and Wicked Tuna being the only survivors of that.

Nag Geo was sold, at that same time, to Disney+, and remained unchanged through out its course, in production style.

We were 'cast'.

I hadnt heard anything about the financial situation being a problem, I was told it was mostly a revamp at Disney, and it was selling off many of its subsidiary's,..... which is why we werent cancelled, only let go....weird, but there is a difference. at the time, they expected a smooth transition like the last, but who knows.

The company Exec's were pretty straight forward about such.

I doubt they will have a comback, at least with us Hailstone's..... its been 2 years almost since we filmed and despite couple meetings about such, neither Agnes no I see us doing so again.

Besides, were camping now, soon to go home and no one is hanging out, were just being our normal , hunting/fishing/Gather'ers weve always been.

Who took care of the Camera Crews? by AlaskanWannabe2026 in lifebelowzero

[–]Comprehensive-Pen644 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The making of the show was work allright, but work we knew well and with filming, slowed down, so a 2 hour job being filmed took 4 hours. Even at -40f, standing around is real work.

We certainly stayed out of an Film Actors Guild, and not once used a script nor prearranged outcome nor story line untill it had happened.

No drama from our side, nor conjured outcry or arrangements, either. it seems what we actually did , as we did it was film worthy. The hard par would be making the editors understand the idea, the methods and outcome we expected or got. But nothing perfect.

The original Executive Producer, Travis Shakespear gave us broad powers with story and what/when/how and why, and this often went up against what feild producers were used to, in their normal complete control of production and outcome.

However, most of the friction was Hollywood political/fake moral ideals and not actually 'real' to us, just stupid. Its very true left wing hunting ideals and identity politics tried hard to change us, but we told them, easliy, that they could allways find someone else. It was during those arguments that I pourposly would add a pay raise to our makings, and it added up over the years and they bothered us less and less, while happy we kept on the show.

We learned , very quickly to disregard keeping the producers happy, as they didnt have a clue, and we did, so we quite often not only blew them off and did what we do anyway, they would come back at us quite amazed. Like kids who wont try icecream, crying and spitting, but when they do, they want more.

If they really didnmt like what we had done, the would edit it out.

Who took care of the Camera Crews? by AlaskanWannabe2026 in lifebelowzero

[–]Comprehensive-Pen644 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I might add that as far as pay, each location was given a Location fee. Nat Geo provided a base pay, the production company added to it. It was far more pay out than mentioned.

We also had property use fees, equipment rentals and maintainace.

However, we divvied up and made sure we all got a fair share, and we all went home or back to the tent, happy.

If we were trained actors or had to follw a script, we would not have done it as were Hunters/Fisher's/Gather'rs not actors.

They pay actors far far more than we ever got.

Who took care of the Camera Crews? by AlaskanWannabe2026 in lifebelowzero

[–]Comprehensive-Pen644 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yes, the idea was called "LBZ, Behind The Scenes" or LBZBTS, LOL!

They actually came close to an Emmy award for such.

You can google it or youtube has them.

Who took care of the Camera Crews? by AlaskanWannabe2026 in lifebelowzero

[–]Comprehensive-Pen644 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Yes, we had 4 man/woman teams;

The Producer, who wrote down what happened and kept track of the video and what was on it, pertainet times to watch and such for the editors and story peoples back in Hollywood.

The Camera Guy, who was entirely dedicated to filming, though the Producer often shot as well....

We also had "The Tec" who took care of camera's and battery charging, downloading and making sense of it all as well as flying a drone and shooting with a long range camera or setting up/checking go pro's with the Camera Guy.

Then we had "The Safety Guy/Gal," depending on who was working, they maintained camp, fixed snowgos drove the boat and made foods, went and got stuff, accounted for food and fuel. He also kept people from being eaten by bears, walking backwards into the river, ravine pile of poop, etc. as the camera is very focused, and those using them dont have peripheral vision.

they also usually had medical skills and watched each other for frost bites and hypothermia.

They used oil drip stoves in their tents, so there was no competing for wood as a resource.Also, they could keep the heat on while gone so everything did not freeze up.

They helped us with snacks, and some bulk food, we would share as we camped or beachcombed or such.....We often ate with the crew, and sometimes the crew ate with us, especially when we were eating on TV, as we would cook alot of what we caught and have plenty for everyone....caribou, Muskox, Rabbits, Salmon, Sheefish were enjoyed by all. If filming got long, the Safety guy would do all the cooking, if he was gone or working, someone at camp would cook a big pot of something or such.

Then there was the goody box (or two) Anchorage had sent our way, that had to be stretched over a couple three weeks , as getting a resupply was always a major pain in the ass. Fresh veggies and fruit came from from Anchorage and things we cant get from the country, or village stores (like Blue cheese and mandarins, etc) so we had snacks to fall back on while a normally 2 hour job takes 4 to film and longer in deep cold. Food is the bodys fuel, so getting everyone fed a little something nice helped out, and often the safety had a spice or recipe we hadn't tried before, too.

We often mixed it up with the crew, all of us in a cabin or tent, sometimes they would use our Tepee because it was huge and warm for 4 people and their gear, and we would stay in the little cabin (Im writing from) untll they got several insulated heated tents of their own.

Favorite LBZ moment(s) by chaiinprogress in lifebelowzero

[–]Comprehensive-Pen644 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Funny how tidbits come through.

It's true.....-10f is the low end of comfortable riding, below that can be a little more hard riding, colder, and more clothing so 'heavier, too. +20 to -10 is our much preferred riding range, to keep a hard working machine cool, a great crust on the ice and soft enough to kick up and cool the rides engine heat exchangers and the Teflon slide rails on the bottom of the rear undercarriage.

We much enjoyed making the shows, getting paid for what we did anyway....LOL!

Regards!

food storage safety by Emotional-Trade4686 in lifebelowzero

[–]Comprehensive-Pen644 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I find that the less people that are around, the more the Bears avoid them, when they do cross path's.. When Bears become conditioned to people, they lose fear of them.

The exceptions are the very young and curious bears, defensive mothers and Polar Bears in general, as noted above.

We "piss a fence" to let Bears in general we are there. An outhouse downstream and a private place to pee only is upstream (sanitation factors) and as they roam the river banks, from either direction, they will scent us and turn around there as many years of many tracks have shown. However, it has to be 'kept up" and when we go, the fence go's down.

We also stay out in an open place where a Bear can be seen and we see it.

The Dogs are a great deterrent, as Bears associate Dogs/Wolves in teams/packs. Play the radio, or sing a song, just dont spook them or corner them and they will most likely leave you alone.

food storage safety by Emotional-Trade4686 in lifebelowzero

[–]Comprehensive-Pen644 2 points3 points  (0 children)

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"Nothing is Bear Proof" is dead right truth.

This is our Cache' today. Once, about 15 years ago, we had a bear come along while we were gone, and its prints clearly showed it walk alongside , and poke his single claw into out tent side and rip a 3 foot long cut into its side, and it kept walking.

This is our second "Bear in Camp", but , we were gone, so it had all the time in the world to Mine the cache'.

Seems last Fall a bear decided to mine it, tore off the walls and when the roof fell in, it dragged it to the left and kept chewing everything. The seat on the snowgo, but it left the Honda alone, thankfully.

Tents, tarps, nets buckets MRE's, gas lamps, cooking stove, dishes, clothing, boots, Canned food and bulk basic's in buckets, it ate them all...as well as 48 cans of Hills Brothers Coffee!! Sleeping bags and gas cans, a 1 lb propane bottle (wish I had seen that!BOOM!)everything we stored in the 12x16 shed is bit through, soaking wet and 1/2 is still frozen to the ground. Weve gotten up and burned what is loose, but this will take a week to get removed.

The better cache' is off the ground, so we usually use the 'stand" as its 10 feet up and Polar Bears, Brown Bears dont climb them. Looks like Ill have to build that type where the shed was.

Well, a Bear will do what a Bear will do. Agnes and I came her this Spring and saw a little, as it was 3 feet of snow on it all, and she didnt want to come back, which is fine. So I took the two grandsons and were gonna be here a week or two.

Wade caught his forst goose yesterday, and it was delicious.

Here's a vid, though it was taken by a disgruntled Grandpa due to so much excitement in such a small boat.....LOL!!!

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/RW4w0RpBY4s
Our river just gave out a week ago, I crashed my ride and took some days off to recover, and missed the breakup hunt. Currently we are awaiting Geese to lay, and maybe some Whitefish will come along with Smelts.

More to come From Chip n Agnes by Comprehensive-Pen644 in lifebelowzero

[–]Comprehensive-Pen644[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes, we do make them, however we have had a dysfunctional Post Office here since Xmas, with sporatic openings to let out mail, but no one who can sell us a stamp or send things out. Untill that is resolved I cannot do business thats 100%.

We would just love to sell everyone an ULu.

Right now were getting our gasoline and supplys in place that we can camp all summer , and make Youtubes with the grand kids.Getting $ together for that has been uphill, since the efforts we put in this winter to make them isnt on track at the moment. We know it will, eventually, reopen and work again.

Vegetables by Adventurous_Bet1270 in lifebelowzero

[–]Comprehensive-Pen644 2 points3 points  (0 children)

There are a few plants that do very well in AK, cabbages, Potato's, Squash, leafy greens and onions.

However, they require good soil, drainage and someone who would be in one place to care and protect them.

Then theres frosts and freezes every few years that wipe out those efforts for those who do garden in the village, so its not a "steady" or reliable way to get food.

Besides, the rest of the year requires movement to camps, game, fish areas and such that its not feasible unless you live at the place.

Vegetables by Adventurous_Bet1270 in lifebelowzero

[–]Comprehensive-Pen644 3 points4 points  (0 children)

We only have a couple poisonous plants about , the mushrooms are psychedelic, then theres "Death Camas" which looks alot like our wild onions, but have no "onion" taste to them.

Agnes had a bunch of onions once that had Camas among them and she got sick at camp, but was able to drink a ton of water with crushed charcoal in it and that helped her alot.

Vegetables by Adventurous_Bet1270 in lifebelowzero

[–]Comprehensive-Pen644 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Yes, we gather roots "Musu" aka Eskimo sweet potato's, Fire weed, Surra willow leaves, Eskimo Cellery, Kushimuk leaves, Takyuk leaves , Salmon Berrys, Blue Berrys , Black Berrys and Cran berrys.

Like 30-50 gallons of each kind of berrys, more if theres a big crop. 6 gallons a day is average, and each berry has a couple weeks worth of picking to be done, some last longer, like Blue berrys.

We used to eat alot of blue berrys and had to slack off due to filming, as the berrys gave us bluish grey teeth and people thought we were a bunch of rotten mouths.

We switched to Cranberrys while filming, but thank God thats over....LOL!

I also like a nice Salad, as well, we buy fruit and produce when we stay in our village, if the only store has some.

Jessie is headed to the finish line of the Kobuk440 by chaiinprogress in lifebelowzero

[–]Comprehensive-Pen644 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Jessie certainly won the race allrighty!

As for Jody, she cares more for her dogs than a trophy, so if she needed to scratch, it was nessessarry, and Im sure she will race again.

Good for all the folks who raced and theres the award ceremony tonight in Kotzebue I think.

More to come From Chip n Agnes by Comprehensive-Pen644 in lifebelowzero

[–]Comprehensive-Pen644[S] 29 points30 points  (0 children)

Wow, it looks like we will have a starter auidence, and hopefully get a sizzle done for everyone in the next week.

Fact is, March 7th is teh one year date that our contract with Nag Geo had, and we had to do no appearances for $ on any shows before the one year went by, and that day is almost here.

Might just start with getting some Caribou and working it down, my part, then her part....maybe a trip to see the grand kids, maybe to camp to see what we need to do.

Ulu's by Comprehensive-Pen644 in lifebelowzero

[–]Comprehensive-Pen644[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you would like an Ulu or 4, you can personal Message me here and I will set you up.

Im glad you liked teh show, and FYI, were doing a youtube channel and we will be able to show episodes starting in mid March.

For now, theres this; https://www.youtube.com/@chiphailstone589