Fd: How did the idea of producing fly-fishing videos come up?
CF: Confluence is a production company that the two of us (Chris Patterson and Jim Klug) started in 2007. Since that time, we’ve done a number of full-length fly fishing movies, including DRIFT (2008), RISE (2009), CONNECT (2011) and WAYPOINTS (2013).
Probably the best way to describe our films is to compare them in many ways to the Warren Miller ski movies that have been around for about 65 years. A similar formula with different stories, locations, angler profiles, species, and travel.
The idea to create these films was actually hatched on the banks of a river in Montana, sitting around a campfire drinking beer. (Similar setting for the birth of so many great ideas over the years!) We were actually introduced to each other through our wives, who were college roommates. Chris was working full-time for Warren Miller Ski films at the time, and I was building and running Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures. We ended up doing a five day Smith River float together, where the initial idea of doing a film project was first discussed. About a year and a half later, we released our first full-length film project, DRIFT.
While I pretty much grew up working in the fly fishing industry, prior to Confluence, I never really had the desire or the ambition to get involved in filmmaking. The idea of the Confluence Films partnership and the movie projects themselves pretty much originated with Patterson. He obviously had a serious background in film, and he was the one who came up with the idea of creating a multi-segmented, multi-destination movie that focused on the beauty of the sport, the people that you meet in this sport, and the places that fly fishing takes you. The great thing about our partnership is that as the owner of Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures – a company that specializes in international destination angling – I knew a lot about great destinations and places, and I’ve had a lot of experience traveling to these interesting fishing areas. With Chris’ extensive background in outdoor and action films, he was able to bring these people and places to life in way that really showcased all of the amazing things that make fly fishing what it is. This ended up being a great partnership. We’ve both brought key elements to the table, and we both play very different roles in the process of making these films. I would have to say that overall, the most challenging and surprising aspect of making these movies is the amount of work that goes in to doing it right. Neither Chris nor I ever want to release a film that “cuts corners” in any way – be it with production value, cinematography, content, or great stories. As a result, each film takes a ton of time and a lot of hard work to create. When each movie is completed, however, and you can sit back and view the finished product in a theater packed full of excited people, then it’s all worth it.
WAYPOINTS | 2 MIN Trailer from CONFLUENCE FILMS on Vimeo.
Fd: What spots do you visit to make your films? What are the places that surprised you the most?
CF: We’ve done more than 30 segments and location shoots over the course of creating our first four films. While some have been close to home (Montana, Colorado, Wyoming, Maine, Lousiana and the Florida Keys) the majority have been a bit more exotic. We’ve done some of the “staple destinations” like Belize, the Bahamas, Los Roques, Bristol Bay in Alaska, and have ended up with great material. The most popular segments that we’ve shot have tended to revolve around destinations and locations that are defintely “off the grid” and unknown. St. Brandon’s Atoll, Tanzania, Kashmir, the border of Nepal and India …. These films have taken us to some amazing places! I’m not sure if I am ever surprised by these locations, as we do a lot of research and legwork before we arrive. That said, I am always amazed. The scenery, the fish, the people, the journey itself …. these are elements that constantly amaze us.
Fd: What kind of camera system do you use when you go filming outdoors?
CF: For DRIFT and RISE we shot entirely on Super 16mm Film – which produces a superb picture and presents the most cinematic look possible. Chris has shot film since he started in the business more than 20 years ago, and subsequently he owns a ton of film gear that he loves and trusts. For CONNECT and WAYPOINTS, we shot all digital with Canon HDSLR cameras. The quality is fantastic and the small size of the equipment is really perfect for our style of production. We are a small crew – usually just the two of us along with one or two anglers, so we need to be super mobile and have a high standard of quality. We found that with the new Canon DSLR systems.
WAYPOINTS | ST. BRANDONS CLIP from CONFLUENCE FILMS on Vimeo.
Fd: How is the pre-production process? Do you think ideas, stories and particular sceneries or do you let stories emerge in each fishing trip?
CF: Patterson once commented that “Making these films has definitely brought me closest to the world I imagined as a child. Exotic places with exotic hazards (tigers, sharks, aircraft, boats, ships, oceans). These films have, more than any other project I have done, really been rewarding as a filmmaker.”
At the beginning of the planning process for each film, I basically lay out the options, characters, species and stories that I feel are compelling and interesting. I then work on the logistics, research each fishery, select the cast, and put the details into place. Once these elements are planned out and we actually arrive on location, Chris takes over and runs with things. Chris shoots the films, edits the films, picks the music, and tells the story through the finished product. It’s a great partnership where we both bring very different things to the table. It is that left and right brain fit that makes this a solid partnership.
Fd: Regarding filmmaking, do you have any influences or particular styles that you like?
CF: That’s a tough question, as I’m pretty sure that Chris and I have never really watched any other fishing films or TV shows. It’s not that there aren’t some great projects out there, but neither of us have really been drawn to fishing films or TV shows in general. We both love movies, but I would guess that the influences and the styles that we appreciate tend to run more towards Wes Anderson-type production than typical outdoor show productions.
WAYPOINTS | INDIA CLIP from CONFLUENCE FILMS on Vimeo.
Fd: What kind of message do you want to give through your films?
CF: Explore. Never stop.
Fish – and especially those that will eat a fly – tend to live in beautiful, amazing places. All too often people think of fly fishing as something you do on a small, local river in an effort to catch tiny trout on mayfly patterns. And while that is definitely a great way to fish, it does not even begin to scratch the surface of the overall sport of fly fishing. If you have a sense of adventure, a love of new places and an addiction to catching anything that swims, then fly fishing can open some amazing doors!
Fd: Nowadays, most fishermen can film and edit a fishing video; what aspects do you think should be taken into account to make a good one?
CF: Tell a story. It’s easy to film fishing, and grip-and-grin footage is everywhere these days. Tell a compelling story, profile interesting people, and do something different. Chris would also be quick to tell someone to avoid techniques that "distract" the viewer from the subject in the viewfinder. Let the photography live without drawing attention to how the image was captured.
One of the things that we have always tried to do in each film that we’ve created (and in every segment of those films) is to develop and deliver a story, rather than simply a destination profile or a “pitch” for a certain area or fishery. Shooting great scenery makes for a good movie. A great cinematographer shooting great scenery and then combining it with a solid story makes a GREAT movie.
WAYPOINTS | ALASKA CLIP from CONFLUENCE FILMS on Vimeo.
Fd: What’s next? Any upcoming material?
CF: Hard to say. Now that WAYPOINTS is finished and out there, Chris and I will probably take some time off from the fishing films to focus on other things. Chris will be working on some major Hollywood-type projects, and of course the next Warren Miller ski film. I have my business to run, a book to finish (Fly Fishing Belize), and a ton of trips on the calendar. And of course, both of us have young kids, which keeps things extra busy these days! We’ll do something else down the road. Not sure what or when, but we’re already thinking about it.
For more of Confluence's great work, please visit: www.confluencefilms.com
