End To End - Steadicam Operating on the Bibbulmun Track
Steadicam Operating with the End to End team at Conspicuous Cliffs Beach, Western Australia - Credit: Gavin Repton
In October and November this year, I had the great opportunity to work on End to End, a new Australian feature film and my first feature project as a Steadicam operator. It was one of those jobs that really reminds you why long form work is so rewarding. It was challenging, but also a great team experience working alongside an amazing camera department including DP Oliver Hay, 1st AC Dan Stone & DIT Jordan Shields.
This project took us all across Perth and regional Western Australia, into remote locations, through difficult terrain, and big days of Steadicam that became an important part of how this story about hiking the Bibblumun Track was told.
Feature Film Steadicam
End to End is a character-focused drama about a journey and so relies heavily on showing the movement of walking from Kalamunda to Albany. Many scenes were designed to play entirely on Steadicam, especially during sections of the track where there is really only space for one person walking single file. That meant an approach where a leading Steadicam single of each of our main actors was often the best way to capture long dialogue scenes on the move. This required maintaining consistency over long takes, staying responsive to actors, and making sure to stay on the winding tracks and not end up in the bush. A big thanks to Grip Dillon Beaman for guiding me over the tricky terrain and keeping me safe and Nick Valentini on the wind board in all types of weather.
Steadicam leading shot down the trails near Denmark, WA - Credit: Dan Stone
Filming Across Perth and Regional Western Australia
One of the defining aspects of this production was its locations. We travelled extensively throughout Perth and WA, including Kalamunda, Dwellingup, Walpole, Denmark, Donnelly River, and Albany. These locations offered incredible natural backdrops, but they also introduced real logistical and technical challenges.
There was a lot of hiking equipment in and out, operating on tight and winding bush trails, navigating 4WD-only access roads, and working through long sections of soft sand on beaches. Several scenes required extended Steadicam operation in these environments, which meant adapting quickly to changing conditions while keeping movement safe, smooth, and story-focused.
ARRI Amira & Cooke S4 lenses getting a workout on the Steadicam - Credit: Dan Stone
Excellent Crew Collaboration
Supported by Screenwest’s West Coast Visions production funding, End to End was an ambitious pre-dominantly location shoot with a compact, but dedicated crew. It was such a positive experience working alongside an incredibly skilled, but also supportive and collaborative crew which made navigating the logistical and physical challenges of the shoot far easier. Whether that was the great leadership & understanding from Director Tim Baretto, DP Oliver Hay & Gaffer Dan Spriggs or people from all departments pitching in to carry gear in and out of locations when trolleys weren’t an option (and they rarely were an option).
All departments helping hike gear down the Bibblumun Track for End to End - Credit: Salty Davenport
Looking Ahead to Future Feature Film Work
End to End marked an important step forward for me as a Steadicam operator. The combination of feature film storytelling, challenging Australian locations, and a Steadicam-heavy shooting style helped refine both my technical approach and creative decision-making.
I’m grateful for the experience on End to End and excited to build on it with future Australian feature films, drama series, and projects of all sizes. This shoot reinforced what I enjoy most about Steadicam & long form work — working with great people on great Australian stories right in our beautiful backyard of Western Australia.