A Winter in the Laurentians: Behind the Scenes of Our Mazda Stories Shoot
The Project: Three Days, Three Locations, Endless Challenges: The brief was straightforward yet demanding: showcase how the Mazda CX-50 Hybrid elevates a winter getaway into a seamless, rejuvenating experience, using only short-term rentals—no private homes. Based in Saint-Jovite, Mont-Tremblant, we explored three distinct Laurentian gems: the Épervier treehouse in Wentworth-Nord, a beacon of eco-conscious design; the sleek, modern Miró chalet in La Conception; and the futuristic bubble chalets of Évasion in Val-des-Lacs. Each location offered a unique slice of escape, framed by diverse landscapes—from snow-draped spruce forests to mountain developments by rivers, to hardwood groves.
The first week of December threw us a gauntlet of weather: Day 1, the coldest, greeted us with pristine snow; Day 2 brought icy fog; and Day 3 unleashed intermittent heavy rain. With a lean crew of eight—including myself, handling logistics, transport, vehicle cleaning, and weather management—and top-tier gear (ARRI Alexa Mini LF, Sony FX3, and a DJI Mavic Pro 3 drone and Canon K35 TLS lenses), we had to balance precision planning with on-the-fly adaptability.
The Challenges: Nature Calls the Shots: Each day tested our mettle. On Day 1, the bitter cold in Wentworth-Nord demanded swift work to capture the Épervier amidst snow-laden spruce forests, but the untouched snow made every frame a winter postcard. Day 2 in La Conception saw icy fog cloak the mountain developments near the river, adding a mystical vibe but wreaking havoc on our drone shots—ice formed on the Mavic Pro 3’s propellers, triggering safety alerts. I managed shorter flights, stayed low, and swapped out ice-damaged props to secure stunning aerials.
Day 3 in Val-des-Lacs brought the toughest hurdle: heavy rain. Keeping the Mazda CX-50 Hybrid spotless for the camera meant frequent cleaning with specialized gear and warm water to combat the damp chill. Then, a blocked backroad to the bubble chalets threw us a curveball—a truck stuck in slippery conditions. I pitched in with sand under its wheels to help it move, while the team parked nearby in a chalet lot. To stay on track, we shot afternoon scenes first, keeping part of the crew on standby to prep the bubble chalets the moment the path cleared. My deep knowledge of the terrain ensured we worked safely, even in the chaos.
The Magic Moments: Nature and People Take Center Stage: Amid the hurdles, unforgettable moments emerged. On Day 1 at the Épervier, owner Antoine Palangié welcomed us with infectious passion for conservation. He detailed the site’s minimal impact—spring-fed water, pebble filtration—and shared a thought that stuck: “Even knowing a park is near you can improve your health.” It inspired us to shoot more wide shots of the hardwood forest immersion and delicate details like snowflakes on branches, capturing the serene escape he described. The creative team embraced this shift, prioritizing these shots early in the session.
On Day 3 at Évasion’s bubble chalets, despite the rain, owner Marc-André Francoeur gave us a gem of a moment. By a crackling fire he’d built, he shared his life in the Laurentians, calling it a “playground” for disconnecting. His words—“Here, time slows down, and you find what truly matters”—hit the heart of our project’s theme. We lingered on shots around the fire—Marc-André warming his hands, flames casting a glow on the bubble chalets—creating a cozy contrast with the forest beyond. These scenes added a soulful depth to the footage.
The Tech Side: Battling Ice for Epic Shots: The drone shots were a point of pride, though hard-won. Low cloud ceilings and icing propellers pushed us to the limit, but careful short flights delivered jaw-dropping aerials—like the misty mountainscapes of La Conception on Day 2 or the bubble chalets nestled in Val-des-Lacs’ forest on Day 3. I’d chosen Évasion from my extensive location archives, knowing it’d be visually striking, winter-accessible for the Mazda CX-50 Hybrid, and enriched by Marc-André’s story.
Our kit—ARRI Alexa Mini LF for cinematic richness, Sony FX3 for versatility, and the DJI Mavic Pro 3 for aerials—proved essential. Each piece helped us capture the Laurentians’ magic across varied light and weather, from crisp snowy mornings to foggy dusks.
The Outcome: A Celebration of Escape and Authenticity: We met our goal: every shot, every interview, delivered despite the curveballs. The final Mazda Stories piece is a love letter to disconnection, blending imagery and words to showcase the Laurentians’ allure—from snowy spruce groves to futuristic bubble chalets. Beyond highlighting the Mazda CX-50 Hybrid, this project celebrated Quebec’s essence: its landscapes, culture, and people. Antoine and Marc-André’s stories lent a human depth no script could replicate.
Your Vision, Our Expertise: At Films.Solutions, we turn challenges into opportunities, ensuring your vision comes to life—no matter the weather or terrain. As a Local Producer and Fixer with deep roots in Quebec, I bring unparalleled knowledge of the region, from scouting unique short-term rentals to navigating winter backroads. Whether you’re shooting a commercial, documentary, or feature film, we handle the logistics, secure the locations, and manage the unexpected, so you can focus on creating. See the final piece at Mazda Stories, and let’s bring your next project to life in the heart of Quebec’s magic.
