Travel vlogging duo Iz & Johnny Harris discuss challenges of balancing work and travel, transitioning gear for vlogs, media organization tips, storytelling importance in filmmaking, and their journey with music production.
Engaging viewers through personal storytelling is crucial for travel videos.
Optimizing editing process with proxies and efficient software tools enhances workflow efficiency.
Utilizing transitions and plugins like Handy Seamless Transitions enhances visual storytelling in videos.
Efficient storage solutions like RAID systems are essential for managing large video data effectively.
Developing storytelling skills requires practice, studying great storytellers, and embracing experimentation.
Deep dives
Creating Engaging Travel Videos through Personal Storytelling
In their podcast, the guests discuss how personal storytelling plays a crucial role in engaging viewers in travel videos. They emphasize the importance of having a captivating hook at the beginning of the video to draw the audience in. While Johnny focuses on intensive research for his external world stories, Izzy shares her personal experiences authentically without extensive storyboarding for her travel films, allowing the stories to unfold organically during editing.
Optimizing Editing Workflow with Proxies and Efficient Software Usage
The podcast delves into optimizing the editing process by using proxies to enhance workflow efficiency in software like Final Cut Pro and Premiere. Johnny highlights the advantage of using Final Cut Pro for its seamless 4K editing capabilities without the need for proxies, simplifying the editing process and minimizing the reliance on external drives. Additionally, they discuss the importance of using macros for faster editing without constant mouse usage and recommend software tools like ChronoSync for efficient drive organization and backups.
Utilizing Transitions and Tools like Geolayers for Creative Filmmaking
The guests share insights on utilizing transitions like Handy Seamless Transitions for storytelling enhancement and motion bro plugins for smooth visual transitions in their videos. Johnny elaborates on using Geolayers for intricate map animations in After Effects, providing a detailed explanation of how to create engaging visual elements in travel documentaries. They also touch upon using tools like motion bro for seamless transitions and emphasize the significance of visually engaging storytelling in filmmaking.
Bonus - Storage Solutions and Raid Systems for Data Management
The discussion extends to efficient storage solutions and RAID systems for managing large video data. The guests explore the challenges of data storage on the road and share their experiences with RAID setups, emphasizing the importance of disciplined archiving workflows. They delve into topics like utilizing Synology and QNAP network attached storage for effective data management and discuss upgrading storage configurations to streamline editing workflows.
Bonus - Gear Recommendations and Audio Solutions
In a bonus segment, the guests share their gear recommendations, including the A7 III camera, Zhiyun Crane gimbal, Mavic Pro drone, and Peak Design backpack. They also discuss audio solutions, using moment lenses on iPhones for stable shots, and integrating Rode microphones for quality sound recording. Additionally, they touch upon using Handy Seamless Transitions and Motion Bro for creative visual effects in filmmaking, enhancing storytelling through advanced editing tools and techniques.
Bonus - Tips on Client Projects and Tutorial Creation
The podcast guests provide insights into crafting client projects and tutorial videos by focusing on concise and coherent storytelling. Izzy emphasizes the importance of storyboarding for effective narrative structure in client projects and tutorials, ensuring clarity and efficiency during editing. They stress the significance of respecting viewers' time by delivering valuable content in a concise and engaging manner, showcasing the value of thorough preparation and coherent storytelling in filmmaking.
Bonus - Use of Storyboarding in Filmmaking
The discussion includes the role of storyboarding in filmmaking, with Izzy highlighting its importance in planning client projects and tutorials for effective storytelling. Storyboarding aids in creating concise, coherent narratives that enhance viewer engagement and streamline the editing process. Izzy and Johnny share their experiences and insights on utilizing storyboarding techniques to ensure storytelling clarity and efficiency in video production, underscoring the value of structured narratives in captivating filmmaking.
The Importance of Practice and Emulation in Storytelling
Developing storytelling skills requires a significant amount of practice and studying the works of great storytellers. The podcast emphasizes the value of immersing oneself in creating content, even if it initially falls short of expectations. Rather than focusing on specific formulas or rules, the key lies in continuous improvement through trial and error, embracing the messy process of experimentation and learning from top creators.
Seeking Inspiration Outside of YouTube for Diverse Content Creation
The podcast highlights the need for creators to draw inspiration from diverse sources beyond YouTube for unique content creation. By exploring podcasts like 'This American Life' for narrative pacing ideas and learning from musicians like print journalists, creators can expand their storytelling techniques. Embracing long-form discussions and utilizing different media platforms can lead to more mature and meaningful content creation experiences.
Johnny Harris creates Vox Borders series, and Iz Harris makes epic family travel vlogs and together they make a globe trotting production dream team. We have a lot to talk about.