Behind the Scenes Filming in the Alps of Austria

Last week we went to Schladming, Austria to film Canadian alpine skiers Phil Brown and Mike Janyk at the FIS World Championships. Sport Chek surprised the athletes with a visit from their families, and we were there to capture it all. In three days we shot and cut this video full of high-energy and slow-motion skiing action.

International production support is a core part of what Black Box does. The ability to travel quickly, integrate with local crew on the ground, and deliver broadcast-ready content under compressed timelines — all while capturing an authentic, unscripted emotional moment — is what projects like this demand.

The FIS World Championships in Schladming provided a spectacular backdrop: towering peaks, dramatic racing conditions, and the raw energy of elite athletes competing at the highest level. The family reunion element added an emotional dimension that elevated the piece from a sports reel to something genuinely resonant. Sport Chek's instinct to bring the athletes' families as a surprise created a moment that no script could manufacture — our job was simply to be ready when it happened.

Three Days, One Story

With just three days on the ground in Austria, the production had to work quickly and efficiently. We balanced action-oriented skiing footage — handheld passes on the slope, slow-motion captures of racing technique — with quieter, intimate moments between the athletes and their families. The result was a piece that worked as both a sports highlight and an emotional narrative: exactly the kind of branded content that resonates beyond the sporting audience and connects with viewers on a human level.

Working internationally reinforces the importance of preparation, adaptability, and a crew that can solve problems in real time. This shoot delivered on all fronts.