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A Game HoggTM Interview With: Chad Belding and Alex Langbell...Interviewed by Mike Bard
Chad Belding is the star of the new Banded Productions waterfowl television series “The Fowl Life with Chad Belding,” while Alex Langbell is the man behind the scenes of Banded Productions and producer of his own video series – “Rest When You’re Dead.” Both men are hardcore hunters from the Pacific Flyway, who annually travel around the continent in pursuit of waterfowl, predators and big game. Thanks for taking some time out of your busy schedules to do this. I usually like to start off with getting some background on how individuals started out, but being this is our first duel interview, tell me how you two came to work together? Alex: As Chad said, I met Chad through the Washington Waterfowl festival. I immediately liked him; he has a passion and drive for the sport like no other. He’s an unbelievable caller and helped me out on contest routines. Then we got to hunt together and that is when I realized how good a hunter he really was (chuckle). When the geese started to come in, he would stand up and do a hail call, (two of them to be exact) then he started into his greeting calls, and then his lay down work. He’s done much better since I’ve told him to sit down and that there was no light bulb that was going to come on letting him know when to quit calling (chuckle). So what came first, the idea of forming Banded Productions or the idea of the show “The Fowl Life with Chad: The TV show was the first idea and it came about after I filmed with “Ducks Unlimited’s Waterdog” on a western trip. I was approached by a production company and some of the ideas were originated and put into place. The original production company had some personal issues arise, but we were too far into this deal to give up. I then contacted Alex, Bowers, Eric Wulf, my brother Alex, why wasn’t it “The Fowl Life with Chad and Alex” or “…Alex and Chad”? Alex: Besides the fact that it was Chad’s idea, what’s great about the team we’ve assembled is we are extremely good at certain things. Chad is very good on camera, which is very hard to find. He’s very comfortable and a natural in front of the camera. That is where he belongs. I’ve been filming for 3 years now and just starting to get comfortable in front of the camera. My strength is my production ability. I know how to capture what people want to see in the field and bring it into the production studio and turn it into entertainment. There are other members who are strong at marketing and advertising. We are all very important to the success of the show and we know this. I do not need my name in the title to feel like I’m part of the show, I know how much I bring and so does anyone who understands film production. So this venture isn’t either of your first go around with producing, filming or being in hunting videos. How did each of you get into this part of the hunting industry and what have you done in regards to hunting videography up through this venture? Chad: I started with Freddie Zink in 2002, as far as filming hunts goes. It was new to me, but I developed a strong liking for it. It made the hunt worth every minute because of the memories that were now recorded. I also filmed with Waterdog, Hagerman Productions, Alex and Columbia Basin, as well as, a few other outfits. I also helped with the production of “Devil Dogs” with Zink Calls. It is our first predator video and I am very proud of it. Alex: I’ve always been the type of person who has had the belief I can do anything that anyone else can do. You just have to work extremely hard at it. I along with a couple of my good friends, Craig Riche and Steve Schulz, were very good at waterfowl hunting. I felt as good as anyone on TV or videos and decided to prove it. I invested my savings into two video cameras and some video editing equipment and began the journey. Through trial and error and lots of hard work, we were able to put out a video that was different than many of the other videos out there. Normal guys, no egos, just having fun. We just came out with our third video from the “Rest When You’re Dead” series called “Four the Hard Way,” which soon will be available in many retailers through North America, including Cabelas, Sportsman’s Warehouse and Mack’s Prairie Wings. So we obviously must be doing something right. I must of course give thanks to Fred Zink who believed in us and assisted us in marketing our videos. What’s it take to pull together a television show? How many day’s filming for the show, days editing, equipment needed, time marketing, different people involved, etc. Alex: Similar to what Chad said the amount of hours and money we have spent to make this show a success is incomprehensible, especially with today’s economy and competition. Production companies are quitting due to it, yet we are able to pull this off. It is only because of our drive and determination and our work ethics. You do not get to where we are by sitting around waiting for things to come to you. You have to go out and get it and prove to everyone that you can hang on to it. With this team there is no stopping us. I have never worked with anyone who has more a harder work ethic than Chad. We feed off each other. Don’t get me wrong there are days that we think to ourselves “Is this even worth it”, but we know in the end it will be. How many different episodes will air in your first season? Any thoughts on packaging the episodes into a video to sell at the conclusion of the season? Alex: We will have at least thirteen episodes the first season, with a possibility of couple more. We will have a box set release of the first season. When it will be released will be discussed by our team. You guys will be the first to know. What parts of the continent did season one of “The Fowl Life” take you too? Any specific places, hunts or people that really stood out from your travels filming over the last year? Chad: For the 2008-2009 season, we filmed in Alex, my take on things is that you run the camera a lot and do the editing, would that be correct? Where did you learn to edit video and what is your fascination with that side of it all? Alex: I started off my production career filming, basically because we had no one else to do it. But now with time, I’ve managed to put together a very talented young video team that is as good as anyone in the industry. I have migrated away from the camera and now run the field production operations. In any professional production, you have a number of individuals working on the shoot. From cameramen, to audio technicians, producers, directors etc. As the only camera guy you have to fill all those roles. As we (Banded Productions) grow we want to bring to the audience a product that is as professional as anything would see on any of the major networks. We discuss how the birds will use the field and how we should set up the hunt. It is my job to coordinate the cameras and how to capture it and not make it look like a bunch of black dot’s falling out of the air. As a field producer, I want the viewer to see the color of the birds. I want you to see them moving their heads back and forth, their tongues coming out of there mouth, their eyes blinking. That is my goal and my passion. It is very difficult to do what I call “hunt for the camera”. We could go out and shoot limits almost every hunt, but if the camera’s aren’t in the right position, if the lighting isn’t correct, if the camera’s and the shooters aren’t in sync, then we can’t shoot. If I can get 1 usable filmed hunt out of 3 times we try, I am a happy producer. Are there any other projects in the works from Banded Productions? Is there a season two for “The Fowl Life” being planned? Chad: Season two of “The Fowl Life” is underway, as far as, communicating with our current sponsors goes. Sportsman’s Warehouse, Avery Outdoors, Zink Calls, Toyota Trucks, Hevi-Shot, Carlson’s Choke Tubes, Legacy Sports International, Howa Rifles, Verona Shotguns, as well as, others have been great to us and we are excited to work with all of them again for the second season. We are also in the midst of writing the storyboard to our second show, “ Alex: Despite all the hard work and sleepless nights, there will be a season two with lots of exciting stuff coming your way. We have learned so much filming this first year. Television is a different animal than making videos and we have all learned so much. I am excited about season two and the steps we have and will take to make this the best waterfowl show on television. So what’s up with Team Maniac? Who are these guys and what’s the team all about? Chad: We started Team Maniac in August of 2008 with the goal of developing a strong team that could help us get our brands and shows out to the public. Most of our guys are from the Western United States, but who knows, we might grow all over the country and Canada. Everyone on Team Maniac is a true to the bone hunter. We are all old school and believe that the harder we work the luckier we get. We communicate and try to bring a variety of ideas to the table with each of our projects. We are only maniacs when it comes to hunting and being in the outdoors. I hope people don’t think we are really maniacs that they would see on Criminal Minds or CSI. Man I hope not! Alex: Team maniac is you! It is your buddy who thinks about waterfowl hunting 365 days a year. It is a group of individuals who absolutely live for the sport of hunting. Outside of the Banded Productions realm, I understand that you are also both guides, is that correct? What are your guide service names and specialties? How can someone book a hunt with you? Alex: Last season was my last year guiding. Film production takes up so much of my time and it is my true passion, I had to follow my heart and retire from guiding. Just a few more questions, before we wrap this up. Alex, what would you say your biggest accomplishment in the hunting industry has been to this point? How about yours Alex: Being in the position I am right now as the producer of a television show that airs in over 30 million homes and still being married. I am married to an incredible woman who has endured me being gone months at a time. If you could spend a day hunting with anyone you wanted, for anything and anywhere; with who, for what and where would you hunt? Oh and you can’t say with me, that is an obvious choice I know. Alex: I would have to say my father who passed away several years ago. If he could see where my passion and determination has taken me, he would be so proud of me. Besides hunting, filming and guiding, do either of you have other interests or jobs? Alex: I am a career firefighter and hold the rank of lieutenant for the City of I also absolutely LOVE fishing for big fish, salmon, steelhead and my favorite white sturgeon. Pulling up a fish as big as your boat is an unbelievable rush. I always like to wrap up an interview with a tip for our readers. Because there are two of you, how about a tip or two on how working together can lead more successful in the field? Alex: Work together as a team and learn from each other. Make yourself better by learning of each others strengths and helping each other where you are weak. There can’t be egos. In the fire service it is drilled in our heads “team work” and that is so true in life itself. Why do the New York Yankees who arguably have the most talented players in baseball not win World Series every year… because of the lack of team work and chemistry. Sorry all you NY Yankee fans. Alex, obviously you forgot that I’m from New York… the Yankees will win again! Chad, Alex, thank you both very much for your time. I wish you the best of luck with Banded Productions and everything else you pursue. Can you provide our readers with the TV schedule for “Fowl Life”, so they can tune in? Chad: Sure! We will be on the following:
Sportsman’s Channel-DIRECT TV and Cable Thursday at 3:00 a.m. EST Saturday at 4:30 p.m. EST Sundays at 11:30 p.m. EST In-Country Television-DISH Network Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. EST WILD TV- Canada Mondays at 8:30 p.m. EST Thursdays at 2:30 a.m. EST Fridays at 8:30 a.m. EST Pursuit Network-DIRECT TV Fridays at 9:00 a.m. EST Saturdays at 12:00 a.m. EST Sundays at 9:30 p.m. EST Chad: Mike, thank you very much for taking the time for such an extensive interview! We truly look forward to working with you and Game Hoggs more and more in the near future. Alex: Mike thanks for doing the things that you do and what you bring to this industry. I wish you and your team the best of luck and look forward to working with you in the future. For more information about Chad and Alex check out:
You can also catch Chad and Alex are also involved with these other great industry related companies… www.bandedhunts.com, www.lastcallringtones.com, www.bandedgear.com and www.bandednation.com . Be sure to check them out.  Copyright © 2008 Game Hogg Hunt ClubTM. All rights reserved. |
