highdef magazine

by Erin Griffin

They are the first line of defense on the last frontier, the roughly 400 state troopers who patrol the rugged and unforgiving terrain of America’s largest state — Alaska. National Geographic Channel (NGC) gained rare access to this elite law enforcement agency for the new series Alaska State Troopers. Filmed over eight months, the series takes a visual journey through the Alaskan wilderness and into its remote villages — some of which are accessible only by air — to capture a mixture of raw nature and criminal activity in spectacular highdef.

NGC filmmakers traveled to 15 different locations to paint an accurate “day-in-thelife” picture of these troopers. From arresting a drunken snowmobiler in bone-chilling negative 35 degree temperatures to scouring a frozen river on a search-and-rescue mission, crew members were there for the action. Producer Brian Jones explained, “Common sense was the name of the game, dress extremely warm, don’t get in the way of the trooper, and have an exit plan in case a brown bear comes running out of the woods at you!”

Using a Panasonic Varicam camera with a wide angle Canon 5.7~92mm lens, they assembled what is believed to be the largest collection of HD footage of law enforcement in remote locations. A variety of camera techniques were used to document Alaska’s pristine beauty — from its snow-covered mountains to its diverse wildlife. Jones recalls one particular day of filming when they followed an Alaska Wildlife Trooper as a he patrolled the wilderness for illegal hunting in a helicopter. “We had a chase helicopter with a Tyler Nose mount to film his action in the air, and a camera with him to capture the interactions with hunters.”

From interrogating potential bootleggers in villages where alcohol is prohibited, to cruising down icy highways at 100 mph with the fear of a moose crossing onto the road, the series follows the brave men and women who serve and protect America’s new Wild West.