I’ve always been drawn to the handheld look in documentaries—the natural, weighted movement of the camera feels authentic and timeless. It’s a classic style that delivers a raw, intimate feel, and with tools like the Easy Rig, you get the perfect blend of that handheld vibe with the smoothness of a Steadicam.
When we set out to film "Inches to Miles" with Athletic Brewing Company, we knew this style would be central to the project. For the opening sequence, we wanted to capture three iconic locations, each representing different backdrops to the characters' lives. In Chicago, we shot along Lake Michigan’s waterfront, with the skyline in the background; in New York City, we pulled permits to shoot on the Brooklyn Bridge; and in Indianapolis, we filmed in the White River State Park.
For the Chicago waterfront location, we planned two key scenes with Lynn: one of her stretching alone and another of her running with friends. To stay true to that documentary feel, we needed a way to follow her down the path without resorting to a Steadicam or gimbal. Enter the electric bike. Over our four-day shoot, we hauled the bike around, knowing it would give us the mobility to pair perfectly with the Easy Rig. Luckily, our three-person crew—all mountain bikers—were more than up for the task.
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The night before our 4 AM call time, we nervously watched the weather, wondering if the heavy wildfire smoke drifting in from Canada would force us to cancel. Our goal was to capture the pre-dawn blue hour for the first scene and then film the second scene as the sun rose. But with no flexibility in our production schedule, we went to bed hoping for the best.
When we arrived on location at 4:30 AM, the skyline was shrouded in a hazy, early-morning smoke that couldn’t have been more perfect. The wildfire smoke settled like a marine layer, giving the scene an atmospheric, almost dreamlike quality—a look reminiscent of a classic Nike training shoot.
Lynn laced up her shoes, our cinematographer, Spencer, hopped into the bike’s cargo hold, our photographer, Riley, grabbed the handlebars, and we were off. In the end, the electric bike and Easy Rig setup helped us capture exactly what we were after: natural, documentary-style tracking shots that conveyed the raw energy of three friends running through the city.
Cole Heilborn
Producer & Director
