#ONLYEPIC
Black Diamond — Kelly Halpin | Wild Places
Overview
We partnered with Black Diamond to create Wild Places—a film centered on mountain runner and artist Kelly Halpin.
The project explores the intersection of endurance, solitude, and creative expression—capturing a life shaped by time spent in remote terrain.
Challenge
Black Diamond’s audience expects authenticity.
This wasn’t about building a personality—it was about documenting one that already exists.
The challenge:
Tell a compelling athlete story without overproducing it
Capture endurance and isolation in a way that feels real, not romanticized
Reflect Black Diamond’s core values—self-reliance, commitment, and trust in the mountains
Approach
We built the film around Kelly’s relationship with wild places.
Rather than structuring the story around achievements, we focused on:
Process over outcome
Solitude over spectacle
Internal drive over external validation
Her background—from climbing in the Tetons to competitive snowboarding, and ultimately to mountain running—provided a natural arc grounded in resilience and adaptation.
Execution
Shot in the landscapes surrounding Jackson, Wyoming, the production prioritized mobility and minimal footprint to match the subject:
Lightweight, agile camera systems for remote access
Natural light to preserve authenticity
Real-time movement through terrain rather than staged sequences
Kelly’s approach—often solo and unsupported—defined the pacing and tone of the film.
The result is a piece that feels observed, not constructed.
Creative Direction
The film balances:
Expansive mountain environments
Intimate, internal moments
A restrained visual style that lets the landscape and subject lead
Kelly’s dual identity as both athlete and illustrator adds depth—connecting physical endurance with creative expression.
Impact
Wild Places reinforces Black Diamond’s position as a brand rooted in real experience.
By focusing on an athlete who embodies self-driven exploration, the film:
Strengthens credibility with core mountain audiences
Connects endurance sports with a broader creative lifestyle
Highlights a quieter, more introspective side of outdoor storytelling
Deliverables
Short documentary film
Social-first edits
Photography assets
Team
Client: Black Diamond
Athlete + Artist: Kelly Halpin
Producer / Director: Gareth “Gaz” Leah
Director of Photography / Editor: George Bruce Wilson
2nd Cam / Drone: Gareth Leah
Photographer: Christian Adam
Key Takeaway
Not every story needs to be amplified—some need to be respected.
This project demonstrates how restraint, authenticity, and trust in the subject can create work that resonates deeply with an audience that values experience over performance.
“The further you go, the quieter it gets—and that’s where the story lives.”
Client: Black Diamond @blackdiamond
Athlete + Artist: Kelly Halpin @kyehalpin
Producer: Gareth Leah @gazleah
Director: Gareth Leah @gazleah
Director of Photography: George Bruce Wilson @threepeakfilms
2nd Cam: Gareth Leah @gazleah
Drone: Gareth Leah @gazleah
Editor: George Bruce Wilson @threepeakfilms
Photographer: Christian Adam @christian_adam_
#onlyepic