Filming offshore for Trident Energy

Story Productions was recently hired by Pukka Films to produce four videos for their client, Trident Energy. As their filming crew in Brazil, the goal of each video was to feature an employee’s role at Trident and give a peek behind the scenes of their daily routine on platforms off the shore of Rio de Janeiro. Production was coordinated over a period of four days, which included interviews for an Electrical Lead, an Offshore Installation Manager, and two Production Engineers.

Offshore platforms are like isolated mini-cities, with plenty of additional safety measures and a severe shortage of nearby hotels and restaurants for visitors. The Story Production crew — which consisted of a producer, two drone operators, a sound technician, a gaffer, and a focus puller — navigated this logistically difficult location to ensure the shoot went on without a hitch. The results of their coordination and teamwork are four quality videos published on Trident Energy’s YouTube channel, allowing viewers to experience a day in the life of skilled offshore platform workers.

Challenges to overcome

Visiting an offshore platform isn’t a simple process. There are security protocols to follow, a briefing before boarding the helicopter and upon arrival, for each of the four locations visited. Although vitally necessary for the health and safety of everyone, this process took over an hour to complete each time. This made the window for each day of filming quite narrow for the drone operators, who also had to deal with electromagnetic interference from the radars which affected the operation of their equipment. Quick to adjust, the drone operators then made the most of their time, moving ahead of the rest of the crew to allow time for filming on the other three platforms. Their problem-solving skills resulted in some excellent footage for the video series.

Offering full production services in Brazil also includes taking care of the crew providing these services. Team had access to PPE to use in critical areas as well as safety footwear for higher risk locations. While offshore platforms aren’t known as destination locations, they do have incredibly good internet access through fibre optic cables, making communication much easier. Additionally, on-site accommodations were made for the crew, allowing them to avoid unnecessary travel time.

Whether you want to film your next project in the heart of the Amazon or on an offshore platform, Story Productions can help you secure otherwise inaccessible and bureaucratically complex locations. From location scouting to post-production, we can provide you with a service that meets your budget. Contact us today to get your project started!