Client: Kast Media.
Project: “Lost in Panama” True Crime Podcast Series.
Role: Cinematographer & International Logistics Producer.

The Challenge: Investigating an international true crime case requires absolute precision and foresight. The mission required documenting the exact journey of the victims along the treacherous El Pianista trail in Boquete Panama. We faced the grueling reality of a six mile trek through dense cloud forest carrying heavy cinema equipment while ascending from 6,323 feet to over 7,000 feet in addition to camping in the jungle. The steep muddy terrain and unpredictable environment demanded peak physical effort and tactical production planning to ensure the investigation was captured with cinematic integrity.

The Solution: We engineered a dual purpose production strategy to bridge the gap between an audio investigation and a visual docuseries. While journalist Jeremy Kryt uncovered chilling evidence on the ground I led the cinematic documentation of the entire hike and investigation. We managed the complex international logistics of equipment rentals across borders and secured a specialized bilingual sound recordist to guarantee flawless execution in the field. We captured the raw human element of the journey in real time to ensure the story resonated far beyond the microphone.

Deliverables: Executed comprehensive cinematography for a major true crime investigation under extreme environmental conditions. Delivered a premium archive of on the ground footage and high tension interview documentation that successfully future proofed the podcast intellectual property for a full scale television adaptation.