Craft Chat: Talking To The Crew Of Breaking Frontiers

To celebrate the continuing release of Breaking Frontiers, we had a little chat with some of the key players behind the scenes.  Director of Photography/Producer/Cinematographer Conrad Parker, Audio Mixer Leo Sunday, Drone Operator and 2nd Unit Camera Jared Camelon, and Writer/Director/Executive Producer Jeremy Babcock.

How would you say you approached your role on this film differently than other projects?  

Conrad Parker:  Recognizing the significance of this production, I approached it with a heightened level of dedication. My primary focus was to capture the aesthetic essence of ranch life, ensuring that every shot conveyed the unique atmosphere and beauty of the setting.

Jeremy Babcock:  My goal on this project was to make it feel BIG.  Combining the country story with really talented models gave us unique visuals and some unique stories to tell that we don’t get to do with our normal content.  

Jared Camelon:  It’s such a large project, so it’s easy to get overwhelmed with the amount of footage and the variety you need to shoot for it. I definitely had to focus in on what I was going to be shooting and really focus on the style we all wanted to hone in on. 

Which moments of the film are you really excited for people to see?

Leo Sunday:  As sound tech, I think the part I was most excited for people to see/hear was the voiceover dialogue. We had each cast member read a full passage and then the editors intercut them, so that the message seems seamless with each of their voices.

Jared Camelon:  I’m really excited for people to see the location that we shot. It’s such a beautiful area and it really helps to create the atmosphere that the film rests on. Not all of our viewers get to experience parts of a more rural countryside, so to be able to see the way the film revolves around this area, it should really create an immersive viewing experience for them. 

Jeremy Babcock:  We got to shoot so much of this outside, and it’s all just so beautiful.  Getting to take advantage of all the natural areas on the property was really fun.  Even the dialogue is just really captivating visually.  

Conrad Parker:  I am particularly excited for audiences to experience the build-up of tension in the outdoor scene featuring Carter and Nico. This moment showcases our careful attention to atmosphere and dramatic pacing, making it a standout part of the film.

Which shot or set of visuals were your favorite to capture?

Conrad Parker:  The outdoor shots were my favorite to capture. The natural lighting, expansive landscapes, and dynamic interactions between the characters provided a visually rich and immersive experience that was both challenging and rewarding to film.

Jeremy Babcock:  Everything outdoors, but the sex in the barn area on Part 4 was wildly unique looking.  Even on set, we were all super excited to take a chance and shoot sex outside.  

Jared Camelon:  My favorite shots were really anything related to the guys out and about on the farm. Whether I was shooting handheld or flying the drone, being able to capture the characters outside for scenes like the cornhole game or Nico and Carter tending to the horse really helped bring those characters to life. 

What were some of the audio challenges with this film?

Leo Sunday:   Most of the audio challenges came from filming outside. It’s harder to control conditions outdoors and we had to pause periodically for airplanes. 

Jeremy Babcock:  Outdoor dialogue is it’s own beast.  Garbage trucks, airplanes, birds, neighbors.  There was so much stopping down to wait out sounds, but the final result sounds great.

How did you approach capturing beautiful shots, both indoor and outdoors on this project?

Jared Camelon:  When it came to the montages, I tried to focus on really capturing the dynamic between characters. It’s a difficult thing to get 100% but when the edit comes back, I’m sure the slow-mo muscle shots will get people excited.    When it came to the drone shots I really wanted for the nature to feel like another one of the characters. I didn’t want to do too much, but just help it stand out on camera. Certain shots can really help viewers understand why Carter’s character does what he does and why he loves it so much. 

Conrad Parker:  I approached capturing beautiful shots, both indoors and outdoors, by collaborating closely with an exceptional team. We meticulously worked with the lighting to create the desired mood and partnered with a talented director to enhance character development, ensuring each scene was visually and emotionally compelling.

Jeremy Babcock:  Each outdoor scene was a race against changing lighting, airplane noise, and model continuity.  My role was to try to keep things super focused and knock out each section as quickly as possible before too many pieces of the frame changed on us.

Leo Sunday:  I recorded all the audio using my boom mic. In certain circumstances, I opt to use lav mics outdoors, but I was able to capture clean audio from the boom.

Which models or performances are you really excited for people to see in this film?

Jeremy Babcock:  Everyone was so great, but I think the country accents a few of the guys worked on for the film were a lot of fun.  It really feels like the guys took a deeper dive into being “characters” than they might on other projects.

Jared Camelon:    I’m really excited for the outdoor sex we shot. I thought it looked beautiful and I’m really excited to see how it turns out. 

Conrad Parker:  I am particularly excited for audiences to see the scene we shot in the barn featuring Nico and Carter. The visual composition of this scene is stunning, and the set design and concept were executed beautifully.

Leo Sunday:  I’m excited for people to see all the models, since it was such an all star cast. Though, I am particularly excited for Cody’s role since it was the first time we got film a bigger project like this with him! 

Please share a fun moment from the shoot.  Either during production or before/after cameras rolled for the day.  

Jeremy Babcock:  The adlib moments from the guys are always my favorite.  I’ll always encourage the guys to make the dialogue more their voice, and some of the best and most natural pieces come when the guys go off script and add in their own little pieces.  I think it’s in Part 4 that Carter tossed out “a cowboy don’t kiss and tell,” and that little line has grown into being a tagline for the film.  

Jared Camelon:  It was just fun all around, all week to be honest. This team that we’ve put together is just great. Every day we get to shoot together is just such a blast.  Also gettin’ to eat BBQ on set while watching the models do backflips into the pool was pretty fun haha. 

Leo Sunday:  We got to have a little cookout where we ended up eating the food that was used in scene lol. 

Conrad Parker:  A memorable moment from the shoot occurred when we drew parallels between this feature and our last summer project. We humorously recalled how Carter Woods frequently spit in the previous film, which became an ongoing joke on set. Although he didn’t end up spitting much on camera this time, he kept the joke alive by frequently spitting off camera between takes, much to the amusement of the crew.

What was it like to work with this group of models?

Jeremy Babcock:  So great!   Carter I’ve known for 5+  years, so I’m super comfortable working with him and knowing his personality.  This was my first time working with Cody, and he’s such a kind-hearted, friendly person.  Love chatting with him both on and off of the set.  I’ve gotten to work with Nico a few times, and he’s truly one of the best actors I’ve had the pleasure of directing.  He’s always bringing out layers of characters that you didn’t even know could exist.   This shoot was my first chance to meet JC, but I had heard great things.  I’m not sure I’ve ever worked with a model as comforting to his fellow cast.  He really brings a nice comfort to the chaos of a shoot day.  Then finally Andrew.  His role on this was smaller, but I love having him in my projects as a supplemental character.  He’s always so great at bringing his personal charm to a role, and he’s an awesome guy to get to work with on set.  

Jared Camelon:  I’d read over the script a few times before but what we got to film felt so much more special because we had the chance to work with such amazing guys. These guys brought it. Every. Single. Day. They were always stoked and ready to roll. They’d reshoot these heavy dialogue scenes with ease and consistently hit their marks. True professionals. These guys are true professionals.  

Conrad Parker:  Working with this group of models was an incredible experience. They fully immersed themselves in their characters, allowing us to build a compelling narrative that truly captured the essence of the writing. Their dedication and talent greatly contributed to the success of the project.

Leo Sunday:  It was an amazing time working with this cast. I have been able to work with all of them on separate projects, but it was magic to see them all together in this fun cowboy/ ranch setting.

What was it like to work with the rest of the crew?

Jeremy Babcock:  This crew has worked together on quite a few shoots now, but this might be the smoothest we’ve ever all come together to make our magic.  It was an all-hands-on-deck kinda shoot, and everyone really nailed their role.  The images are beautifully captured, the drone shots and montages are epic, and the audio is (somehow) clear and ‘mostly’ devoid of airplanes.

Jared Camelon:  Awesome. These guys are like family and they’re all a bunch of goofs. 

Conrad Parker:  Working with our crew was an exceptional experience. Each member, from the director and writer to the other cameramen, brought a high level of talent and professionalism. Our cohesive collaboration allowed us to create outstanding content, and I couldn’t imagine working with a better team.

Leo Sunday:  The crew was also a blast to work with. We were able to keep things moving at a quick pace, while also having fun. Jeremy Babcock is an awesome director and I appreciate the vision and detail he brings to these films.

How is this project unique?  

Leo Sunday:  I think this project is unique for being able to create characters that are fleshed out and actually feel like they exist in that world. Especially Carter’s character, since this is sort of a continuation of a previous series.  I think this series has something for everyone (especially hot cowboy sex) so go check it out!

Conrad Parker:  This project is unique in its authentic portrayal of gay life on a farm, offering a fresh perspective rarely seen in mainstream media. As the Director of Photography, I aimed to capture the natural beauty of the farm setting while highlighting the nuanced, intimate moments of the characters’ lives. The combination of the rural backdrop and the heartfelt narrative sets this project apart.

Jeremy Babcock:  It’s a 4-part sequel that builds off a solo scene.  So not only does it have to live up to the heart of the original, but it also has to shine on its own.  Aside from that, it’s got such an emphasis on wardrobe that it just stands apart visually for all the fun country clothing we got to wear.  This is such a BIG BIG project, and we’re all truly excited for everyone to see it!  

Jared Camelon:  It’s unique in the way that it’s such a thought out and thoroughly executed film. It’s a sequel so we had a lot of pressure to really bring it this time around and to make sure people could really connect to something they’d already sort of been introduced to.  I’m really excited for our members to see the film. There’s a lot of tender moments in there along with some very steamy ones. Really, there’s a little bit in there for everyone. I’m really excited for its release, I’m sure everyone will really enjoy it.