No Wi-Fi, No Problem: How We Kept a Remote Island Shoot Connected (and On Schedule)

The Challenge

When a production team needed to film on a remote island off the coast of Scotland, they encountered a unique logistical challenge.

While the island's dramatic landscapes were perfect for the TV series’ aesthetic, the lack of reliable broadband was a critical roadblock.

The editorial team, based in Europe, needed to access large media files daily from the production crew. However, with little to no broadband infrastructure and the island's treacherous and time-consuming travel routes, the traditional options of transporting hard drives or uploading data post-shoot were simply unfeasible. 

Cast and crew on-set also needed internet connectivity for communications and to support day-to-day admin tasks.  

Faced with these obstacles, the production team needed an innovative solution to maintain seamless collaboration on the ground and between the crew on-set and the European editorial team without delaying their timeline, so they contacted Mission.

The Solution

Jake Bentley, Mission’s Head of Technology, deployed and tested a cutting-edge mobile internet setup, bonding multiple cellular and satellite connections.

Included in a near-set mini-lab in a tiny island cottage, this gave the production team a high-speed internet solution capable of securely uploading media directly from the island to editorial. 

This solution eliminated the need to physically transport hard drives, which would have required lengthy travel. Instead, the content was uploaded directly to Europe, ensuring zero delays for the editorial team. 

The Outcome

By leveraging Mission’s innovative mobile internet technology, the production team successfully maintained daily communication and data sharing with their editorial counterparts based abroad.

The results were impressive:

• Seamless Uploads: DNX files were delivered swiftly, keeping the editorial team on schedule.

• Time Savings: Avoided delays due to physical drive transportation.

• Cost Efficiency: Eliminated the need for extended logistics and additional post-production scheduling.

• Uninterrupted Workflow: The production schedule stayed on track, and the creative flow on-set and between teams remained uninterrupted.

The success of this innovative approach ensured that the challenges of working from such an isolated location did not compromise the project’s workflow, deadlines or creativity, setting a compelling example for overcoming connectivity challenges in remote film production.

Final Thoughts

The production team’s experience showcases Mission’s power of marrying cutting-edge technology with creative problem-solving to create bespoke solutions for clients. By thinking outside the box, we turned the limitations of remote filming into an opportunity to pioneer new techniques that could redefine future production workflows. 

If you're facing similar challenges in your production projects and you are considering exploring solutions like mobile internet and storage and remote labs to keep your teams connected, email production@missiondigital.co.uk to find out more.