ADVICES
Travel Filmmaking Pre-Production Tips
Message
What is the message i want to communicate? This is important because it is the main objective of your film.
Audience
Who is the audience? Is it for the general public, kids, schools / education. It is meant to for public relations to attract corporate sponsorship. Is it an academic anthropological record? What is the best medium to reach this audience? ls film best or something else? If film, then what genre, style, format and structure? Will you make a documentary? Watch and study examples of films similar to the one you want to make.
Storylines
TV thrives on character-driven narratives. Remember jeopardy, risks, problems, personal clashes makes good TV. Be prepared to roll during all the most difficult moments. Think sequences and continuity of storylines. Storylines are the backbone to your film.
Storyboard
Think through visually how you may want to tell the story - write a 1-page narrative outline & shortlist.
Personnel
Dedicated camera operator (and ideally audio). You should have commitment from the expedition members to the film.
Budget
Budget in equipment, insurance, personnel and post-production costs.
Sponsors
Expedition sponsors may be interested in your film for use in PR and marketing opportunities
Time
Extra time will be required during the planning and field phases of the expedition for filming. Factor this into your itineraries and be flexible to change to meet to filming requirements.
Cultural Impact
Consider cultural sensitivities, and ways to minimise negative and maximise positive impact. If working in areas of extreme sensitivity (e.g. religious, indigenous peoples etc) consult a specialist.
Permissions
Assess what permission you will need to film and secure them prior to departure
Extreme Natural Conditions & Hostile environments
Assess risks, climatic and human difficulties and build into expedition risk assessment and film and equipment planning.
Equipment Essentials For TV quality
Camera
High quality digital camera + back-up camera (what is acceptable for TV has become broader in recent years). For cleaning use can-air if possible and a lens cloth.
Lenses
Wide angle and Filters (if shooting in bright light desert, snow etc).
Audio
Standard shotgun mic (top of camera); radio mics (check frequencies before departure); radio microphones.
Tripod
Trade up light-weight for heavy with fluid-head for steady pans, zooms, fixed shots etc.
Specialist
Hidden cameras, under-water casing, splash cases, hard travelling case.
Lighting
Fold-away reflector, camera light with diffracting gauze.
Power
Investigate power sources in the field before departure. If away from power sources. make sure you’ve got lots of batteries. Charging possibilities include (with appropriate adaptors) mains, car battery/cigarette lighters, generator solar.