A travel video is an ideal way to convey the essence of a certain tourist place. You can read several articles about the destination you’re interested in but a single video can tell you about the place a hundred times better than words.
When you travel a lot, it’s no wonder you may want to share your knowledge with other people who have never been to the places you’ve traveled to. However, to create such a video, you need to possess certain skills you can learn pretty quickly.
As you know, there’s no shortage of travel videos today. Most importantly, a great number of travel vlogs are very high quality.
That’s why we will now tell you about the fundamentals of travel video production.
Plan your narrative
Any movie you want on TV has a story. That’s why it’s so interesting to keep watching them. Although a travel video is not a feature motion picture, it still has to tell some story so that viewers don’t lose interest in watching it.
Traveling means so many different things. When you travel somewhere you may engage in some activities like hiking or snorkeling, experiencing local cuisine, exploring art objects, learning the local language, visiting historical sites, and so on.
It’d be too vague if you concentrate on all the things a destination can offer. That’s why you should focus on something in particular.
Any great story should have a flow. That’s why your story should have the following parts:
- Introduction;
- Main Scenes;
- Conclusion.
Thus, when you prepare to run a story, you should know how it’ll start, what the body of your story will be, and how your story will end.
Choose the right equipment
An interesting story can’t be filmed on a low-quality camera. Thus, the most important question when learning how to make travel videos is, “What gear do I need?”
Luckily, you don’t need to tighten your belt or to save for expensive equipment. Nowadays, even an iPhone can bring great results.
Here’s what you should definitely have:
- A camera. A modern smartphone can give you the capacity for a perfect start as some phones allow you to film 4K video projects. As time goes by and you accumulate experience, you can invest in a DSLR camera that will give you more control over what you plan to film.
- Gimbal. Shaky hands can ruin your travel video. You can forget about it if you invest in stability by buying a reliable gimbal.
- A microphone. Have you seen those videos where you need to increase video volume to the maximum to hear what a person says? When you have a microphone, all your viewers will hear what you say perfectly.
Moreover, if you plan to interview people, you should have additional microphones as well.
This is a basic set of gear you should have. Besides, you can also buy a drone and a tripod if you wish to produce aerial footage or time-lapses.
Learn filming techniques
Film directors know how to get the right shots that would evoke the desired emotions in viewers or emphasize the necessary details of the movie. They not only operate with exciting plot twists but also use professional filming techniques.
Here are some basic techniques you should learn:
1. Rule of Thirds
Travel videos are all about aesthetics. You can get a more balanced and good-looking shot if you know the Rule of Thirds. It’s about splitting the frame into 9 parts that must be equal. After dividing the frame, you should place the main subject at the intersection of those lines. This is how the subjects of the shot can look stunning.
2. B-roll Footage
Any story can be supported with supplementary shots that’ll help to cover the topic in full. For instance, if your topic is street art, you can include B-roll footage of street artists preparing spray paint, close-ups of graffiti, and shots of artists applying paint to the walls.
Besides, a travel videographer should know how to work with the lighting and different angles. Although modern video makers can help you improve the whole picture, there’s nothing better than filming in natural light. Moreover, experimenting with different angles will keep your shots more vibrant and dynamic.
Travel video production
When your camera is full of shots on the topic, your next step is to engage in video montage. Here are some tips on how you should edit your final product:
♦ Create a detailed written plan/script for your video with Celtx Studio. You can outline all the things you want in your video like dialogues, actions, visual materials, transitions, etc. Thus, when you start working with a video editor, it’ll be easier for you to know what you need to do.
♦ Travel video editing should be done with the help of a powerful video maker. You may not possess professional editing skills. However, you can find the software that will suit your skill level. If you have zero video editing skills, Movavi Video Editor will be the perfect choice as it’s user-friendly and offers all the necessary features that a travel filmmaker might need.
♦ Your storyline should be organized. That’s why you should start by reviewing all the shots and dividing them into certain categories in sequential order.
♦ A great travel video is one that is concise and doesn’t drag. Thus, you shouldn’t be afraid of trimming down your clips. Get rid of unnecessary scenes and make sure that you keep the pace lively. That’s how you can maintain viewer interest.
♦ Your video project can be ruined if you don’t use music. Appropriate music can set the tone for your final product and make it lively. You should engage in the search for soundtracks that will complement the mood of your travel vlog.
♦ Those are basic things that will help you make a good video. However, you can make it more good-looking if you learn color grading. This skill can help you make your clip more polished. Moreover, you can give necessary explanations with titles and captions. These are useful for introducing locations, explaining cultural practices, or providing tips and recommendations.
Wrapping it up
If you want to share your travel adventures with the world, you should learn to make great travel videos. It may not be easy in the beginning. However, if you’re persistent enough, you’ll develop the skills that’ll help you become a great travel vlogger with astonishing video projects.
