how to make a good film out of your trips

[PaulD]

Originally Posted by ta-rider

Great Video. True. But even if you only hve photos and no special effects just tell your friends about your trip and then record it to get a film of it. Specially in countrys like Germany your not allowed to use music from other people in your video

https://youtu.be/WkClxaL0Qn4

Tobias,
We are heading up the west coast & I have just read your blog.
Thanks for leaving some co-ordinates for us.
Great Blog !!!
Cheers
Paul

[GreatJourneys]

One advice I would like to give for making best pictures out of your trips is not to be hesitate taking too many pictures. If you like something in your journey, take out your camera and take the snap. You can later sort out the good and bad pictures and make a great album of your journey.

[mamboman75]

Making an interesting film is a bit like starting a conversation with a stranger in a bar - you gotta start off with something interesting, and keep it interesting, to hold their attention. Mixing still shots with video works well, especially if you add a slow zoom to the still shot - humans are drawn to moving objects. 4 seconds maximum for still shots. If the audio is sub-par, you can always dub over it later. These days too there is map animation software that shows your route moving across a map and that really adds a bit of pizaz.
Be prepared for lots of tedious hours editing though, to do a good job you can spend two or three weeks to edit simply one day's riding.
Check out my video of a single days riding:
https://youtu.be/6jdeYzGchVg
the above 24 minute video took me about 9 days to edit.

[backofbeyond]

Having just come back from a month long trip on an classic bike where film and stills were high on my agenda, let me tell you how it went: badly is the one word summary.

Reflecting on it, a few reasons come to mind. Firstly I was travelling with someone else (on an identical bike as it happens), and recording stuff wasn't as high on their priority list as it was on mine. So inevitably that led to stuff I wanted to do being skipped.

Secondly, it's hard to ride and film at the same time if you're riding solo. I had two GoPros mounted on the bike and even with a remote to control them it's an awkward process. So road safety (inevitably) comes first and often opportunities were missed or took second place to survival. Going back to reride the same stretch of road but this time with the camera turned on mostly fell foul of point one.

Thirdly, equipment reliability. One of my GoPros developed a fault during the trip. It would record video fine when it was hand held and off the bike but with the engine running - ie on the road - it came up with an error message time and time again. Stills were recorded ok but not video. My guess was that it was the high frequency vibration from the engine at the root of it but there was not much to be done on the road other than try to work round it.

Fourthly - time schedules, even unofficial ones ('we ought to make it to X today') play havoc with trying to record your progress. If producing video was a major priority I could see 100 miles a day being about as much as you could accomplish. If you have a limited amount of time for the trip then making progress vs recording progress becomes a serious issue.

And all that is without working out why you're doing - having a 'game plan' and an end goal for the footage. The more I try to do this the more admiration I have for people who seem to do it well. I've yet to go through my raw footage and maybe the secret is all in the editing. I'll see over the next few weeks when I look through it all. Perhaps 'if you can't make it, fake it' is the approach to take. It is make-believe after all.

[AnTyx]

Originally Posted by mamboman75

Be prepared for lots of tedious hours editing though, to do a good job you can spend two or three weeks to edit simply one day's riding.
Check out my video of a single days riding:
https://youtu.be/6jdeYzGchVg
the above 24 minute video took me about 9 days to edit.

And in a year it got 202 views. Would you say that's worth 9 days of your time?

This is not to criticize your editing job at all - it is simply a reflection of a simple fact... Nobody cares to watch anyone else's vacation videos. Take photos as a memory for yourself, and unless you luck out to having an onscreen personality AND can commit nearly full-time to making videos, you're far better off spending that time making money at work for your next trip.

[AnTyx]

Originally Posted by backofbeyond

it's hard to ride and film at the same time if you're riding solo. I had two GoPros mounted on the bike and even with a remote to control them it's an awkward process. So road safety (inevitably) comes first and often opportunities were missed or took second place to survival. Going back to reride the same stretch of road but this time with the camera turned on mostly fell foul of point one.

Yup, and that's before you worry about the gopros' batteries.

I have a two-channel dashcam permanently mounted on my bike. Front and back. Whenever the ignition is on, it is loop-recording to a 256gb memory card. And if there is a particularly nice moment, I can press a button on the remote control to lock the current file from being overwritten. No battery worries. I can also set it to timelapse, 1 frame per second or slower. Can get the footage off with a phone app, or remove the memory card to dump footage to a computer quickly.

Result? I still grab maybe one timelapse clip per big riding session, just for my own pleasure. Ultimately, nobody cares because they weren't there, they don't have the memory of emotion attached. That is absolutely fine.

[mamboman75]

Originally Posted by AnTyx

And in a year it got 202 views. Would you say that's worth 9 days of your time?

yes youre quite correct - time spent editing is no guarantee you'll get views. Case in point: this one I spent zero time editing, its just pure helmet cam footage with no commentary, yet garnered more than 23,000 views! https://youtu.be/2pgXqq5Ej-U .

But, the above video didnt really take off until it had been online a couple of years.

Its a bit like making music as an unknown musician. If you do it just for fame, it will probably show, people wont like it. If you do it because you enjoy it, that will also show, and you might just succeed, though the odds are against you, because so many others are also competing for viewer's eyeballs.
ps Im retired anyhow so going back to work to save for next trip not really an option for me. 8 years was enough!

[mamboman75]

Originally Posted by backofbeyond

Having just come back from a month long trip on an classic bike where film and stills were high on my agenda, let me tell you how it went: badly is the one word summary.

Reflecting on it, a few reasons come to mind. Firstly I was travelling with someone else (on an identical bike as it happens), and recording stuff wasn't as high on their priority list as it was on mine. So inevitably that led to stuff I wanted to do being skipped.

Secondly, it's hard to ride and film at the same time if you're riding solo. I had two GoPros mounted on the bike and even with a remote to control them it's an awkward process. So road safety (inevitably) comes first and often opportunities were missed or took second place to survival. Going back to reride the same stretch of road but this time with the camera turned on mostly fell foul of point one.

Thirdly, equipment reliability. One of my GoPros developed a fault during the trip. It would record video fine when it was hand held and off the bike but with the engine running - ie on the road - it came up with an error message time and time again. Stills were recorded ok but not video. My guess was that it was the high frequency vibration from the engine at the root of it but there was not much to be done on the road other than try to work round it.

Fourthly - time schedules, even unofficial ones ('we ought to make it to X today') play havoc with trying to record your progress. If producing video was a major priority I could see 100 miles a day being about as much as you could accomplish. If you have a limited amount of time for the trip then making progress vs recording progress becomes a serious issue.

And all that is without working out why you're doing - having a 'game plan' and an end goal for the footage. The more I try to do this the more admiration I have for people who seem to do it well. I've yet to go through my raw footage and maybe the secret is all in the editing. I'll see over the next few weeks when I look through it all. Perhaps 'if you can't make it, fake it' is the approach to take. It is make-believe after all.

All good and valid points above! I went through several go pros (and other brands proved even less reliable). Riding with another rider who isnt into recording everything is always gonna be a problem. I think at the beginning of your trip you should decide: what is more important to you as the rider, having a smooth, fun ride, or stopping and documenting everything as you go, which adds enormously to the time spent getting to your destination. AND, remember you will also add even more time, multiplied by a factor of up to ten times, editing after your trip ends.
Ive watched quite a few "how to be a successful YouTuber" videos and the consensus seems to be the easy days of launching a channel and going viral have long gone, and in fact you'd be lucky to get real traction until you have posted at least 100 episodes, have 4000 hours of watchtime and 1000 subscribers. They set the bar high.
Some people, like myself, enjoy the doing it the long way. But not everyone does (or have the time to do so). You know some of the more famous YouTubers have editing teams doing the hard years for them... they just upload raw footage and let the pros do the editing. Fine if you can afford their services, but I would not like that way, firstly because its expensive and secondly you lose creative control and whatever they produce will be different to what you envisaged.
I would be hesitant about "faking it" - these days people can see through fakery pretty quick and you might lose a bit of credibility if it becomes too obvious. Maybe "fake it", but only as part of a self-deprecatory joke. Ed March is the master of that technique.
One other tip: dont rely on helmet cam footage alone, have a handycam with a decent zoom in your tank bag. You can capture things far away from the roadside without getting off your bike, which saves quite a bit of time.

[backofbeyond]

Originally Posted by mamboman75

[B]
One other tip: dont rely on helmet cam footage alone, have a handycam with a decent zoom in your tank bag. You can capture things far away from the roadside without getting off your bike, which saves quite a bit of time.

That's been my approach. Cameras on the bike but a small (pocket sized) handcam that I take everywhere with me as well. Most of the footage / stills I shot were done on that, but it's no good (obviously) for on-bike use. Fortunately I have no desire to become a YouTube hero, so most of my footage is for personal / family viewing. As such a few technical flaws are 'just too bad' and what I missed will ever remain my secret.

One final observation regarding GoPros (or any camera that spends days fixed to the bike); traffic fumes / dirt etc doesn't take long to cover the lens in muck, particularly if its been raining. Quite a bit of what I have is unusable because of dirt on the lens.

[Wheelie]

Great sound:

Sound is faaaaar more important than the visuals. Poor sound and a film becomes unbearable. At a bare minimum you need a lavalier mic. In addition you ought to have a sound recorder.

Drama:
A concept that seems to work: Start the film with some sort of conflict (weather, customs, technical issues, etc). Show what leads up to the conflict. Resolve the conflict.

If there is a series, leave with some cliffhanger or a taste of what comes in the next episode.

B reel is your friend
Use multiple cameras and sound sources at the same time. Take time to record B reels and to take photographs. It will rescue supoptimal shots and also make your film much more enticing.

360 camera:
a 360 camera is awesome for awesome B reel. Insta 360 x3 has recently come out - worth a look. Also, when riding a bike - keepig focus on the road and the scenery at the same time isn't easy or safe - a 360 camera will aid you! Get a long selfie stick and a bunch of mounts, and the creative possibilities are endless!
.
POV action camera and a second camera:
Point Of View let's the viewer immerse themselves. The most natural position is a chin mounted camera (not on top or the side of the helmet). A second camera on the handlebars facing the rider is also a great idea. This second camera can also be moved arround in various positions on and off the bike to capture B reel. If you have more than one camera (recommended), one should be a 360.

Don't get high on you own supply:
99% of everything you record should be cut - sound and video alike. Don't go on long rants. Don't show long sequences. Each video cut should be between 1-7 seconds max - most around 2 seconds. Your rant can be much longer.

When you plan your talk - plan to talk in short bulks and pauce in between. If things don't come off right, you can always keep the film rolling and have another go, and then use B-reel to make it all nice and tidy in post production.

Stable shots:
Unstable shots are unbearable to watch. Use a decent action camera with stabilization and make it even more stable in post.

Length of video:
It's been mentioned keep it short and enticing. Let people use their own imagination to fill in the gaps or create their own stories in their heads - don't show them everything. You want to entertain or create a documentary for the history books? K.I.S.S. - keep it short sweetheart!

Detail is boring!

Beauty:
It helps if your shots are esthetically pleasing to watch. If you have a lot of b-reel and still photos - much can be done in post to make your film beatiful. Research how to make b-reels - a few techniques will take you very far! Besides that, lighting, filters, etc will apply. But, again - b-reels will save your day and make up for much artistic talent you may not have.

[backofbeyond]

I thought that was 'stupid'. No, not your post, but the last word in K.I.S.S. But of course in these bewokened times you need to mind what you say as even an abstract idiot has feelings. So 'sweetheart' it is.

No arguments with any of the rest of it except to remark that following your suggestions - sensible though they might be - involves a huge commitment to the video process and that inevitably will be to the detriment of the the 'biking' part. Fine if you're the one pushing your video vision but companions may not be as dedicated to the production requirements. I've had that again and again on trips where I've wanted to do something more along the lines you outlined but those with me have vetoed the multiple takes, early mornings, 'interviews', pieces to camera etc that are needed. It's not really surprising that the default has become a number of riding clips edited together with a pirated rock music track overlaid to drown out the sub standard sound. Often it was either that or the divorce courts.

Things have moved on with the advent of 'professional adventurers / influencers' in recent years with their message to sell but that's not the majority of us.

[Threewheelbonnie]

A seven year old thread.

Has anybody actually managed to make a watchable "what I did on my holiday" film?

Your Granny watching doesn't count.
Forty seconds where you nearly die doesn't count.
The endless equipment reviews don't count.

Sorry, I just aren't really interested in your holiday anymore. Mondo Enduro will be 20 years old next year and was a novelty. The ones with the actor were the Hollywood version and needed the support vehicle to carry the gear, producer, director. These videos have become like cop shows on TV, running traffic lights and having gun battles just doesn't cut it , you need the detective to be a vampire or the murderer or both. As something real, stupid or bad behaviour is worse that the boredom of "aren't we brave, we are so far abroad they might need to stamp our passports".

I wish you luck and hope you succeed but personally I'm writing a novel about a psychologist changing the fuel map on a Moto Guzzi. It's part detective story along the lines of WTF did the Italians do that and part her internal torment over taking the left side throttle body away from the factory settings. In 50 years time they'll think I was as clever as the Pirsig bloke

Totally agree on the kit, I used to get through the helmet cam remote controls at about one a year.

Andy

[backofbeyond]

Originally Posted by Threewheelbonnie

A seven year old thread.

Has anybody actually managed to make a watchable "what I did on my holiday" film?

Your Granny watching doesn't count.
Forty seconds where you nearly die doesn't count.
The endless equipment reviews don't count.

Sorry, I just aren't really interested in your holiday anymore.
Andy

I've sat through Austin Vince's presentation on how to film your trip several times and I've still got no idea what he was talking about

I guess it's just a feeling that after 50yrs of bike travel I surely ought to be able to improve on the fuzzy snaps on a Kodak Instamatic that was the cutting edge of (my) technology in 1970. I actually took an old Instamatic with me on this summer's trip and I'm not sure things have actually moved on that much. GoPros, iPhones, my little Panasonic travel camera, all of it stuffed into bags or mounted on the bike but you have to do something with it all to get results. It all seems a bit like having a bike all loaded up and looking the part but then discovering you don't know how to start it. All the gear and no idea as they say.

[Threewheelbonnie]

Crickey, so many thoughts and questions there.

This was taken on a 70 year old camera and processed in coffee and fish tank cleaner



Is it a good image? Very average to my own amateur standard. Certainly not interesting unless you know what it is.

The camera (folded) is bigger than the box an iPhone comes in. You get 12 frames at over a quid a go and then need to hide under the bed clothes to unload it.

It's like riding a classic bike though. You think about each action and people are often interested. Not that many though to be honest. I enjoy using it/ fighting it.

I've been trying to take better pictures for 40 years. I don't think you can teach it. You can show people how to use their equipment (and modern phones work) and get them started with the rule of thirds, depth of field, shutter speed choice etc. You can introduce image manipulation afterwards. You can't make them lucky to be there when a particular image exists and you can't tell them which style they'll like and others might appreciate. If you want to be bored find images ten camera club judges agree are good.

Adding movement and sound and expecting people to like it for five minutes is just even harder to me.

Good Luck

Andy

[JMo (& piglet)]

Originally Posted by backofbeyond

I've sat through Austin Vince's presentation on how to film your trip several times and I've still got no idea what he was talking about

I guess it's just a feeling that after 50yrs of bike travel I surely ought to be able to improve on the fuzzy snaps on a Kodak Instamatic that was the cutting edge of (my) technology in 1970. I actually took an old Instamatic with me on this summer's trip and I'm not sure things have actually moved on that much. GoPros, iPhones, my little Panasonic travel camera, all of it stuffed into bags or mounted on the bike but you have to do something with it all to get results. It all seems a bit like having a bike all loaded up and looking the part but then discovering you don't know how to start it. All the gear and no idea as they say.

fwiw. the main take-away from any of Austin's presentations (other than his random preoccupation with the naked male form) is that if you want to make a film, then that has to be the priority - ie. you have to be a film maker who is using a motorcycle as part of the story, not a motorcyclist who fancies making a film.

As has been mentioned previously in this thread, this means that scripting and setting up shots has to take priority if you want something genuinely watchable and professional looking... and that puts a very different dynamic on the trip as a whole, particularly if you're riding with one or more other people, they all have to be on the same page and as enthusiastic as you are about creating an end product.

As an example, I've heard Austin recount a number of occasions during Mondo' (and Terra Circa) where he'd either ride ahead or wait behind, often for an extended period of time, just the get 'the shot' he felt he needed to drive the narrative, often much to the frustration of his companions - which explains why it took them 440 days to ride around the world perhaps!

Ultimately it's like anything creative - while the tools might be increasingly available and affordable these days, it still takes a degree of talent to make anything genuinely worthwhile.

Jx