Field Unit Crafts an Ode to Outdoor Adventure for Usal Project

Creative production company, Field Unit has released its latest campaign for Usal Project, the Los Angeles based community providing experiences and goods for the modern nature enthusiast. 

Working closely with the creative team at Usal, Field Unit conceptualised a manifesto film and accompanying vignettes that served as a tonal and visual representation of Usal’s values. Directed by Parker Schmidt, who himself is a lover of the great outdoors with a background in creative sports content, the films provide a holistic and authentic overview of Usal’s offering and mission. 

Conscious of avoiding run-and-gun visual language that often typifies the outdoor adventure and sports genre, Parker approached the project with a clear vision and approach for each scene. Informed by his background as a photographer, Parker ensured that each moment was expertly crafted through a photographic lens. 

Traversing the LA outdoors, the films deftly navigate the LA outdoors, following Usal participants as they uncover and deepen their understanding of the environment around them. Accompanied by a spoken-word voiceover, meditative soundtrack, and the sounds of nature, from birds chirping to leaves rustling, the films transport viewers to a tranquil outdoor escape. 

In order to convey an authentic representation of Usal’s mission on screen, Field Unit found its cast in previous attendees of its workshops and retreats, which are centred around the outdoors, sustainability and wellness. Everyone involved in the project had an authentic understanding of the campaign, not only by previously being a part of Usal workshops but also being active members in the local LA outdoor community. 

Parker Schmidt, director, said, “Shooting outdoors comes with its own challenges, one being, poison oak - everything green you see in the film is poison oak, I think myself, my DP Alex Fauver and 1st AC Blaize Fobbe we’re blind enough to stumble through it a few times and pay the price for it in the following weeks! Other than that, we recce’d plenty to know well beforehand how our initially storyboarded shots were going to be blocked in the environment and found opportunities for new shots during this time. All of our cast and crew were outdoorsy folks so it really just felt like another day hanging out in the forest - I believe this authentic casting direction brought us to having calm and candid moments that we captured on our principal photography day.”

Alec Ernest, EP and managing partner at Field Unit, commented, “Field Unit works with incredible, inventive and young talent, and matches them with bold brands that understand the moment. USAL is a project that we deeply relate to: we believe in the spirit of community and outdoor experiences. But also, this project had a lot of the elements that we excel at: motion and still photography, lots of locations and travel, and a bold stylistic vision.”

The campaign launched on the 14th of December and will run across socials and online.