lights, camera action: a behind the scenes look at a day-in-the-life of director curt morgan
Curt Morgan is a multi-Emmy Award-winning producer/ director who uniquely blends storytelling with cutting-edge film technologies to redefine the art that is film making. Curt has continually captured the most unattainable, unforgettable, and inspiring images that set a new (not to mention hard to reach) bar in the filmmaking industry.
Photo Courtesy of Dan Marker-Moore
It’s no wonder that Curt has quickly become a highly sought filmmaker in the business. He’s rapidly expanded his repertoire beyond action-sports to include award winning work from National Geographic and commercials for brands such as Sony, Titleist, Jeep, Visa, Pepsi, Subaru, Quiksilver, NBC/Universal and more.
We said he was pretty cool, right? We caught up with Curt to learn more about what a typical day looks like for him and what Rhone pieces he can't live without.
Can you tell us a bit about what a typical day looks like for you?
My days are pretty jam packed. Wake up, check in with my wife and daughter, work out, eat breakfast (same thing, everyday… oatmeal berries), check in with the team, read up on current events…learn stuff. From there, I'll either go into development of an idea, dive into editing or I'm on set shooting. At night, I almost always make a good dinner (love to cook) and then after my daughter goes to bed, I will program a run on my telescope and shoot deep space, sleep 6-7 hours and repeat. Kind of a low key space nerd.
What is your favorite type of footage to film?
I’m always trying to find a new way to look at the same thing. I mean, most things have been done so it's important to find your own angle and for me that is typically centered around moving cameras in ways that defy what your mind thinks is possible. I try my best to help audiences see the world through a fresh set of eyes.
As a multi-Emmy Award-winning producer and director, if you had to pick, what has been your favorite project to date and why?
That’s a tough one. It’s a toss up between my action sports films and some of my natural history work with National Geographic. I really enjoy super challenging, complex work environments and both snowboarding and nature seem to provide just the right amount of that for me. As of late, I have really spent most of my time trying to figure out ways to apply what I have learned in the film space to the branded content space and that has also been a fun challenge but looking forward to the next film.
What are the major differences between producing and filming action-sports versus something more commercial?
Time. With a film, you have much more time to craft the perfect piece whereas with a commercial, it becomes a very consolidated, high stakes, high stress day (or two days), where absolutely everything has to go right. There are some similarities but they are really two different worlds.
Photo Courtesy of Dan Marker-Moore
Can you give us some insight into what goes into producing a film from start to finish
Well… that’s a big one. To simplify, you have to have a dream, a concept, a story. Something that you are passionate enough about to dedicate years to. You must be ready to go ALL IN. Once you have identified that idea, you then have to spend months developing the creative, budget and plan, and find financing through brands, studios or investors. At this point, if you are lucky enough to get one over the line and raise what is needed to get one started, then, well… you have to make it. That just requires an immense amount of blood, sweat and tears and if you are full of those and are charged up with enough passion, you may just make a nice little film.
It’s no secret that days can be long and grueling and that you shoot in a variety of environments. How does your clothing and personal gear come into play there? What do you look for?
Yeah, it’s an absolute grind for sure but it’s also my fuel. I love it, the good, the bad and the ugly. As far as gear goes, I’m always looking for that perfect balance of comfort and style. It’s hard to find. I was at an Equinox working out one day years back and bought a pair of Rhone shorts and went deep down the rabbit hole. Since then, it’s pretty much all I wear. It’s the best of both worlds. Highly functional, manages temp well, comfortable and looks great. Big fan.
Are there any Rhone pieces that make their way into your wardrobe for shoot days?
Like I said, most of my closet is Rhone these days so whether I’m working out, shooting, editing, chilling, you name it, it’s what I’m wearing. I wear the Commuter Pants and Reign Tee almost everyday.
Photo Courtesy of Dan Marker-Moore
Follow Curt to get an even closer look at his day-to-day and to learn more about the projects he's working on.
