Fielder Films, a small studio based in Oceanside, California, is making waves in the world of surf filmmaking. Founded by Ben Weiland and Brian Davis, the duo has produced independent surf films that capture the spirit of adventure and the human stories that make surfing meaningful. In this interview, Weiland and Davis share their personal history with surfing, their journey from New Zealand to the Arctic, and the challenges and rewards of finding that sense of exploration in a world that feels so mapped. They also discuss the kinds of human stories they're interested in, their new projects, and the importance of instilling a sense of wonder and awe in their audience.
Weiland's passion for surfing began in high school, and he fell in love with the sport. During his time studying abroad in New Zealand, he discovered the beauty of surfing in wild, remote places. This led him to start the Arctic Search Blog, where he researched waves in cold places like Alaska and the Arctic. He eventually quit his day job and got fully into video, meeting Davis along the way. Davis, who was into coffee and running a local cafe, shared Weiland's passion for film, and the two formed Fielder Films.
Weiland and Davis' journey from New Zealand to the Arctic was a quest for the perfect overlap of their two loves: surfing and adventure. They discovered that world-class surf in remote cold places was not really a proven thing, and they set out to find some of the craziest setups. This led them to places like the Bering Sea and Alaska, where they faced challenges like navigating uncharted waters and finding waves on remote islands.
One of the most memorable moments for Weiland was the Island X trip, where he and Davis scoured the Bering Sea for an undiscovered wave. Davis, who edited the film and later joined the Return of the Bering trip, shared his experience of feeling like he knew the place, even though he had never stepped foot on the island before. The pair realized that the sense of wonder and awe they instilled in their audience was just as important as the waves they found.
Weiland and Davis are constantly asking themselves what the story is about and who the characters are. They're interested in human stories that pursue the hunt for surf, but they also encounter interesting things along the way, like abandoned military bases and mammoth skeletons. They're excited about following these threads and using surfing as the driving force behind their stories.
Looking ahead, Weiland and Davis have a list of places to go, including Iceland, where they're working with Dane Gadauskas and Ellie Thor on a new project. They're also working on a slew of other semi-developed projects that they're not yet ready to share. Despite the challenges of finding that sense of exploration in a world that feels so mapped, Weiland and Davis remain excited about the opportunities that lie ahead for Fielder Films.
