Fashion Photographer & Filmmaker Jacob Sutton Swaps The Studio For The Slopes

Fashion photographer and filmmaker Jacob Sutton swaps the studio for the slopes of Tignes in the Rhône-Alpes region of south-eastern France, with a luminous after hours short starring Artec pro snowboarder William Hughes. The electrifying film sees Hughes light up the snow-covered French hills in a bespoke L.E.D.-enveloped suit courtesy of designer and electronics whizz John Spatcher. “I was really drawn to the idea of a lone character made of light surfing through darkness,” says Sutton of his costume choice. “I’ve always been excited by unusual ways of lighting things, so it seemed like an exciting idea to make the subject of the film the only light source.”

Sutton, who has created work for the likes of Hermès, Burberry and The New York Times, spent three nights on a skidoo with his trusty Red Epic camera at temperatures of -25C to snap Hughes carving effortlessly through the deep snow, even enlisting his own father to help maintain the temperamental suit throughout the demanding shoot. “Filming in the suit was the most surreal thing I’ve done in 20 years of snowboarding,” says Hughes of the charged salopettes. “Luckily there was plenty of vin rouge to keep me warm, and Jacob’s enthusiasm kept everyone going through the cold nights.”

The film was edited by Jacob Sutton on Final Cut Pro in his studio and graded by Rushes colourist Denny Cooper from the 4K files. Rushes Glenn Cone cleaned up elements prior to Jacob adding the final titles.

See the work here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7nHdo5Bx9g

Product:  Nowness.com
Production Title:  L.E.D Surfer

Production Company:  D and V Management
Director:  Jacob Sutton
Producer:  Grace Holbrook
www.jacobsutton.com

Post Production: Rushes
Producer:  Carl Grinter
Colourist:  Denny Cooper
VFX:  Glenn Cone
www.rushes.co.uk