Some stories just stick with you.
For me, this one did. Omar Bermejo’s episode was my personal favorite to film — not just because of the incredible visuals on Casper Mountain, but because of Omar himself.
A Paralympian, a veteran, a father, and a true testament to resilience, Omar’s story perfectly captured the spirit of Casper Stories — showing how the outdoors can heal, inspire, and bring people together.
Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how we filmed his episode, and why it meant so much to me.
🎿 The Story – Meet Omar Bermejo and the Casper Mountain Nordic Trails
Omar’s story begins with tragedy — a motorcycle accident while serving in the military left him with the loss of his right arm. He was just 26. And for a while, he didn’t know what life after that could look like.
Then a friend invited him to come to Casper, Wyoming — to visit the Casper Mountain Biathlon Club. He came. He stayed. He trained. And eventually, Omar became a Paralympian, representing the U.S. in Nordic skiing and biathlon at the 2014 Sochi Winter Paralympics.
Today, Omar still lives in Casper with his wife and three young kids. He skis the Casper Mountain Nordic Trails, trains for triathlons at Edness Kimball Wilkins State Park, and remains deeply involved in the local biathlon and cross-country skiing community.
Omar’s journey — from injury to global competition to building a life in Wyoming — is exactly why Visit Casper chose him as a focal point for this episode. He represents Casper’s outdoors, its strength, and its sense of possibility.
🎥 Filming on Casper Mountain and Beyond
We broke production into two main days:
Day 1: Filming Omar running and biking at Edness Kimball Wilkins State Park
Day 2: Family day on Casper Mountain, Nordic skiing, biathlon footage, and his sit-down interview
🎬 Gear Used
Sony FX6 Cinema Camera
Sony A7SIII Camera
Leica R vintage prime lenses
Helios 44-2 Soviet lens for dreamy flares
DJI Air3S Drone
DJI Focus Pro system for LIDAR autofocus with manual lenses
Aputure lights in a three-point lighting setup
EasyRig for stabilization
OneWheel electric skateboard for high-speed tracking shots
Filming Omar in motion was one of the most dynamic setups we’ve done. At Edness Kimball Wilkins, I rode my OneWheel with the FX6 on an EasyRig, LIDAR tracking system engaged, floating alongside Omar as he ran and biked the winding paths.
Day two was on Casper Mountain — starting at his home with scenes of the family getting ready, then heading up for a long day of skiing on the Nordic trails. Shooting with young kids in cold wind meant we had to stay flexible, keep the gear warm, and time shots to match energy and moods. Thankfully, everyone was a trooper.
We wrapped the day with Omar’s interview, filmed inside the Nordic Trails Lodge, followed by sunset drone shots and night skiing with headlamps — some of the most atmospheric footage of the entire Casper Stories series.
📝 Pre-Production and Visual Goals
Prepping for Omar’s episode meant accounting for:
Changing weather conditions on Casper Mountain
Filming with kids and managing comfort
Sunrise/sunset planning using Sun Seeker
Coordinating with the Casper Mountain Biathlon Club for access
Creating a tone that felt cinematic, inspirational, and grounded
Our visual goals included:
Snowy landscapes with soft golden light
Fast-paced tracking shots to match Omar’s athleticism
Drone work showcasing the expanse of the Nordic trail system
Quiet family moments to contrast the intensity of his solo training shots
The use of vintage lenses helped add warmth and emotion to what could otherwise feel like a very cold, clinical environment.
🖥️ Post-Production Workflow
The edit followed the emotion of the story:
A slow, reflective opening about Omar’s injury
A rise into motivation and motion as he trains
Quiet family scenes on the trails
A subtle, proud finish — with Omar skiing into the snowy night by headlamp
Deliverables Created
2–3 minute master episode
Two 30-second cutdowns
One 15-second cutdown
Both widescreen and vertical versions
A curated B-roll library for Visit Casper
Behind-the-scenes photos from the shoot
Some of my favorite visuals from the entire campaign came from this shoot — the backwards drone shot of Omar skiing toward camera, and the opening groomer rig shot with him gliding behind.
🎙️ Personal Reflections on Filming Omar’s Story
This was the episode that moved me the most. Omar’s line during his interview still sticks with me:
“I'm way better than I used to be, even though I have a major disability. I'm happier than I was when I had two arms. I am, in a way, whole, now that I am here.”
That’s the kind of story that makes all the early mornings, weather challenges, and gear setups worth it. The shots turned out great — sure — but the heart of this episode is really Omar, and his family, and the community around him.
❄️ See More About Casper Mountain Nordic Trails
Want to learn more about Casper’s Nordic trail system, the Biathlon Club, and the winter activities that make this place special?
➝ Check out Visit Casper’s feature on Omar and the Nordic trails here.
(Link will be updated once Visit Casper's blog post goes live.)
🎯 Tell Your Story with Stengel Media
At Stengel Media, we don’t just film scenes — we follow stories.
Whether you’re showcasing the healing power of the outdoors, a remarkable individual, or a unique tourism experience, we’ll help you bring it to life in a cinematic, authentic way.
➝ Get in touch today if you're ready to tell your story with heart.
