Virgin Strive Challenge
Location: Sicily
Duration: Two-Day shoot
Type: Filming, photography and live commentary
Determination and a clear goal make for a powerful combination. Adrian Grenier, Sir Richard Branson and Holly Branson as well as other competitors of the Virgin Strive Challenge completed a 3.3 km swim, crossing of the Straight of Messina. It was an amazing team to work with and the fact the we reached millions of people made it an incredible success. Here is a powerful story by Adrian in the huffingtonpost about why change begins at the individual level – no matter who you are, where you are from.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/adrian-grenier/what-do-a-band-aid-plasti_b_12219940.html
Despite insanely well organised logistics and safety, this was a tough challenge for the swimmers. The currents in the straight are incredibly powerful and there s only a short window of opportunity to attempt the crossing. Oh, and if that weren’t challenging enough you have media all around you, have to stroke through plastic pieces floating in the water and the Italian Navy has to shut down a cargo shipping lane. Hats off to Holly Branson for flying through this swim as if it was nothing. What a fantastic event to be a part of underwater, on the boat and through my drone even from the air.