The Camel Wrangler
As someone who loves desert epics like Dune and Lawrence of Arabia, I was thrilled at the opportunity to film in the vast deserts of Saudi Arabia. However, I knew it wouldn't be an easy task. The country's film industry is still in its early stages, lacking the infrastructure and experienced crew you would find in London. To put it into perspective, cinemas were only legalized in the country in 2018!
My fears were eased when I found a fantastic local support team who were helpful throughout the project. However, one thing you couldn't prepare for, no matter how much you tried, was filming in the desert. From the intense heat to the sudden sandstorms, it is an incredibly unforgiving environment. Even our local crew was surprised at one point - there was a heart-stopping moment when their car ahead of us suddenly disappeared over a dune and crashed down a 10-meter drop. The strong winds had reshaped the layout of the dunes since they went on the recce! Fortunately, there weren't any injuries, but it was a vivid lesson in respecting the environment.
Despite the difficulties of shooting in an unfamiliar and challenging location, the journey was filled with great and memorable incidents. One of my personal favourites, although admittedly not at the time, was when a flock of wild camels hilariously photobombed our shot just as we were about to call action. Amidst the chaos, there was an undeniable magic in the air. Every day was a combination of daunting challenges and creative breakthroughs that made it such an exhilarating experience - from filming a 4x4 race across the dunes, perfecting diving scenes in the crystal-clear Red Sea, or catching the sunrise at a viewpoint aptly called the "Edge of the World".
Let me tell you, the first beer after returning home tasted unbelievably good - not just because of our three-week imposed detox! After the edit was finished, I took a moment to reflect on a whirlwind adventure. Despite the obstacles, we managed to deliver a project that thrilled the client. In filmmaking, it's the obstacles that make the journey exciting. We thrive on solving problems and beating the odds to pull off the remarkable. Yes, it's stressful and full of surprises, but these experiences shape us, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
*Disclaimer: The events and experiences discussed in this blog post are from the writer's previous role and do not reflect the activities or projects of Qualia Film Co.
