In the heart of the Snowy Mountains of Australia, wildlife filmmaker Remy Tarasin embarked on an ambitious journey to capture one of nature’s most elusive creatures: a wild Brumby stallion. His documentary, In Search of the Grey, tells the story of a young grey colt he encountered years ago and the long, emotional journey to find him once again in a world where the balance between nature, culture, and conservation is as fragile as the terrain itself.
With a background in environmental science and a deep-rooted passion for the wild, Remy brought a unique perspective to this project, blending technical expertise with heartfelt storytelling. His film doesn’t just capture beautiful imagery; it delves into the complex, multi-layered relationship between humans and nature. It’s a film about survival, change, and the profound impact that animals like the Brumby have on the cultural and environmental fabric of Australia.
A Lifelong Passion for the Wild
Remy’s journey into wildlife filmmaking didn’t follow a typical path. “My backgrounds in environmental science, majoring in landscape ecology and interactions,” he explained. “It wasn’t until covid hit that I began to explore the creative aspect of documenting the environment. I realized that filmmaking was the perfect way to bridge my scientific background with my creative side.”
His passion for wildlife was sparked by childhood inspiration from David Attenborough documentaries, but it was his first encounter with the grey Brumby colt that solidified his determination to create The Grey. Remy recalled that powerful moment: “It was such a gentle and emotional connection. This massive wild animal made the conscious decision to walk up to me, sniff my hand, and then walk away. That moment stayed with me.”
Years later, when Remy heard about an aggressive government cull targeting Brumbies in the region, he knew he had to act. The cull aimed to reduce the Brumby population by 80% to protect Australia’s fragile Alpine ecosystems. It is a deeply controversial issue that divides public opinion, and for Remy, it became the driving force behind his film.
“There's an intense debate about the Brumbies in Australia. As an environmental scientist, I can see both sides of the argument. The horses are non-native and are causing damage to delicate ecosystems, but at the same time, they've become part of the country's cultural heritage. It's a complex issue—a real grey area.”
More Than Just a Horse
The Grey isn’t just a wildlife documentary about a horse. It’s a story of connection, exploration, and the lengths we go to in order to protect the things we care about. The grey Brumby that Remy first encountered had become a symbol for this battle between nature and human intervention. After hearing about the cull, Remy set out on an expedition to find the colt, now a fully grown stallion, and tell his story.
The snowy, foggy landscapes of the Snowy Mountains provided a dramatic backdrop for the film, contrasting with the typical image of Australia’s red deserts and beaches. “The grey environment was a real juxtaposition to what people expect from Australia,” Remy explained. “The title of the film took on multiple meanings—not just the colour of the horse, but the ambiguous, nuanced debate surrounding the Brumbies.”
Supporting the Story
Remy and his team relied heavily on professional equipment to capture the raw beauty and unpredictability of the Snowy Mountains and its inhabitants. Key to the success of the shoot was the Sony FX6 camera and the Sachtler aktiv10 tripod, both of which proved essential in the remote, rugged environment.
“The FX6 was perfect for this kind of documentary work,” said Remy. “It’s a full frame 4K camera with incredible internal frame rates and prerecord features that were essential for wildlife filmmaking. When you’re up in the mountains, you can’t have the camera rolling the whole time. The prerecord feature meant we could capture those fleeting moments without wasting power or storage.”
Equally important was the tripod. Remy praised the Sachtler aktiv10 system for its adaptability and quick adjustments in the field. “We were constantly on the move, repositioning around trees and shrubs as the Brumbies moved across the frame. The ability to level the tripod in seconds with just one lever was crucial.”
“The aktiv10’s lightweight design made it easy for the team to hike long distances while carrying all their gear. We were trekking up to 15 kilometres a day. Having a tripod that was easy to carry, quick to set up, and incredibly stable on uneven terrain made all the difference. We were able to capture footage that we otherwise would have missed.”
One of the standout moments came when the team wasn’t even prepared to film. Late in the afternoon, they spotted a herd of Brumbies coming down through the trees, with the grey stallion trailing behind. “We weren’t set up at all,” Remy recalled. “But we raced to get the kit out, and within seconds, we had the tripod set up and the cameras rolling. Those moments are in the film—you can feel the urgency and excitement in the footage.”
Reflecting on the gear, Remy added: “I would say that Sachtler tripods are absolutely designed by users, for users. It’s an insanely intuitive system. Everything that you would expect it to do and want it to do, it does that really quickly, really efficiently, and exactly the way you’d expect it to happen. I think any person, from an amateur to a professional, can pick up a Sachtler tripod and just become fluent in how it works.”
Powering the Expedition
Power management played a crucial role throughout the expedition, given the unpredictable nature of the shoot and the remote locations. Remy’s team relied heavily on Anton/Bauer’s Titon Micro 90 batteries to power the Sony FX6 and the SmallHD monitor, which were in near-constant use during their days in the wilderness. These compact batteries provided the durability and longevity needed for the harsh, cold conditions of the Snowy Mountains, ensuring that the camera remained operational for extended periods.
“The Titon Micros were a game-changer,” Remy noted. “They lasted long enough to power both the camera and the monitor throughout the day, even in freezing temperatures, where other batteries might have struggled. This gave us the confidence to capture spontaneous moments without worrying about losing power.”
The Emotional Reunion
The search for the grey stallion was filled with uncertainty. Not only were the Brumbies under threat from the cull, but the harsh conditions of the Snowy Mountains made survival difficult. Remy admitted that as the expedition went on, he began to lose hope. “We found several dead Brumbies, and I started to wonder if we were too late.”
But then, just when it seemed that all hope was lost, the grey stallion appeared—galloping down a hillside with his herd. “It was an overwhelming moment,” Remy said. “To not only find him but to see him thriving with his family group was beyond anything I could have hoped for.”
This emotional reunion, captured on film, forms the heart of The Grey. It’s a testament to both the resilience of nature and the determination of those who fight to protect it. Remy’s film isn’t just about the Brumbies; it’s about the connection between humans and the wild, and the responsibility we have to ensure its survival.
Looking Forward
As The Grey approaches its premiere, Remy is already looking ahead to the impact the film will have. “The Brumby issue is a deeply emotional and polarizing one,” he said. “I hope this film sparks conversation and makes people think about the balance between conservation and culture.”
With screenings lined up in Bristol and Sydney, as well as plans for a festival circuit, The Grey is set to make waves in the wildlife documentary world. And for Remy, the journey doesn’t end here. “There’s so much more to explore—so many more stories to tell.”
As for the equipment that made it all possible, Remy remains a firm advocate for Sachtler’s supports…
“The aktiv10 system is a game-changer. It’s designed for filmmakers by people who understand what it takes to shoot in extreme environments. It gave me the confidence to keep pushing forward, knowing that the equipment wouldn’t let me down.”