This is a test. This is only a test, of the emergency broadcast system. So, I’ve had this idea for quite some time. “Everyday Expedition,” those excursions that people like you and I can pull off with a nine-to-five job. Sure, do I want to travel to exotic places and do exotic things? Ya, probably. But this just isn’t’ going to happen anytime soon, so our job is to do what we can where we can with limited time and ability.
I learned a lot during this first shoot. This filmmaking stuff ain’t easy. Filmmaking requires a near-constant pursuit of visuals. As a one-man-band, this is even more difficult. This is only a four-minute film and it required four days of shooting with a few pulls from older material.
I also learned I don’t like zooming on a motion camera, or panning. Rock shocks are better. This means I can’t leave my tripod at home even with cameras with IBIS. Sound is another matter. I have a sound recorder I love but it feels JUST outside my limits in terms of “one more thing to do.” Two things on the positive note. Stills are easy and valuable in a motion piece. And I’ve got decades of practice there. And finally, there are myriads of one-person-bands on YouTube making good films so I know it’s possible. I intend on doing many more of these. The world awaits.
Comments 19
*high five*
Author
Sean,
I think we need to team up…
hell yes. the would be most awesome.
Author
Sean,
I have an idea.
looking forward to it
I have already seen this movie on YT, here I watched it again after reading the text. You are a gifted storyteller. I agree that one-man team is hard work, especially when it comes to a film. I also try to create, but I admit that I am bad at it, probably even more than bad, but I learn and learn. Your videos and photos are a huge inspiration and lesson.
Author
Thanks Mac,
The field now is a bit of a fire drill but I can’t imagine having a crew anytime soon, or ever…
Dude! This is really inspirational…. I read something recently that “art” is inspiring and it takes many forms. This is inspiring art and it’s making me want to get out even more than I even do now. This weekend, a short drive and a long trail.
Author
Larry,
Thanks Bud. I hope this makes you get out and do your own EE. That’s the thing. It could mean hitting a gallery in SF or paddling the bay. It all counts.
A really beautiful film. Kinda reminds me of that Teddy Rosevelt quote “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”
Author
Jim,
That’s a great quote and on the money.
Perfecto!!
(Apart from the part of being 51 and feeling your mortality!!) me también cincuenta y uno
Cheers!
I get it (I think). At 46 no matter how many everyday adventures I go on it never seems to be enough nowadays. Like becoming addicted to cycling or hiking, or even taking photos, the more you do it the more you have to do it even more.
I’m off to walk a section of the Ise-ji tomorrow that Craig Mod is always talking about. There’s a huge typhoon passing through today but that makes no difference. It feels like something that has to be done.
The older we get the less excuses to not do it.
Author
Sean,
Yes, you realize the chances you miss or pass by sting a bit more now. I’m talking to a school in Rotterdam tomorrow and Craig is part of my preso.
Reassuring to hear you mention how difficult motion is, especially for a one man band. It can feel a little overwhelming, and then you add in the self-critiques. For example – wait, I’m going to set up a tripod, start filming, and then jump into my sleeping bag to “pretend” I’m just waking up? 85.3467% of the time I don’t think about that when I see it in other films. No one is trying to get something over on the audience, it’s an effect. But as soon as I go to do something like that, my head immediately goes to naaaah. (Part of that is laziness.)
I know we all sort of cringe at storytelling. Not because we don’t like it, not because it’s not important. Sometimes you just don’t want something to have a label. But it’s the best label we have for something I want to do. Need to do. I hope I figure it out. I just know it can’t involve me being center stage. But as a one man band, I need to figure out how to get around that.
I’ll repeat what I said on the YT channel – your writing/voice over narrative is great. You’re really good at this and hitting on themes that I think resonate with a lot of people. It’s interesting to think about how we all connect with stories. I’m realizing more and more how much I appreciate a quiet, harmonious balance between the audio and the visuals. Silence is always ok with me. Also realizing how little the technical aspect of it means to me. I haven’t figured out a good way to describe that yet. Yes, I love beautiful visuals, but for the most part, I think that my hunger for storytelling wouldn’t benefit from someone putting in 100% more time in the processing stage. I haven’t said that well.
Author
Scott,
I do the same things. “Do I really want to film this?” It’s about finding who I am as a filmmaker. Something I started asking myself about a year ago. I asked myself what kind of still photographer am I over thirty years ago, and it took ten to answer that question. So, I’ve got a lot of work to do. Silence…..ya. It’s the best.
It is great to see more fly fishing show up throughout your website now. There was a good gap for a while, so I am excited to see you start merging the two mediums together in your films.
Author
Evan,
Oh ya, much more on the way! I’m hooked, again. No pun intended.
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