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Post by hikercman on Aug 29, 2016 18:00:50 GMT -8
If you were to suggest to a filmmaker what the next great backpacking documentary would be about, what would you say? I'm really interested in all suggestions: key locations, thru-hikes or 3-5 day trips, interesting trail characters or something unexpected. Thank you for reading and considering replying.
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Post by Lamebeaver on Aug 29, 2016 18:32:28 GMT -8
If it's going to be a great movie, it needs Nazis.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2016 18:59:46 GMT -8
If you were to suggest to a filmmaker what the next great backpacking documentary would be about, what would you say? I would not recommend a documentary at all. Instead, compose a story with a plot. Spice it up with action, employ great videography that represents the wilderness in all its wonder, remoteness, ruggedness, and wildlife. Employ conflict to keep the viewer always wondering about the ultimate resolution. Introduce tragedy. Concentrate on a few central characters, let them suffer, let them gather the empathy or disgust of every viewer such that if that viewer doesn't long to see the character thrive, the viewer is at least possessed by the question of IF the character will survive. One of the reasons I spend so little time in the Storytelling/Trip Report forum is that there seldom seems to be much story or plot to the reports. They aim at documenting a trip rather than capturing the adventure of the trip. I backpack for adventure. In that I concentrate on details. But the details in themselves become dry without adventure and suspense pulling the viewer or reader onward. Best selling novels don't expect the reader to do the work. The writer has to reach out and grab the reader from the outset. He does not keep promising a reward with the expectation that the obedient reader will finish a book he started. He compels the reader to finish. He baits the reader, rewards him, proves there is more on the way. But even a good documentary can do all that — if the film-maker has grasp of an underlying drama and plot that cannot be solved until the end.
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tigger
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Post by tigger on Aug 29, 2016 19:09:51 GMT -8
No Trail, Western Canada, roughly three weeks and 100 miles as the crow flies. Let me know when you're packed to film me and I'll get my backpack ready. I assume the film will pay for our trip?
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reuben
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Post by reuben on Aug 30, 2016 0:48:28 GMT -8
I don't work without whiskey.
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FamilySherpa
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Post by FamilySherpa on Aug 30, 2016 4:07:02 GMT -8
The life & times of Tipi Walter. Seriously.
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Hungry Jack
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Post by Hungry Jack on Aug 30, 2016 4:20:32 GMT -8
There was some book a few years back that featured Nazis, yetis, and some stolen coffee or something.
Seriously, backpacking doesn't need fiction to be interesting. Just find the right character to write about.
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Post by autumnmist on Aug 30, 2016 6:05:30 GMT -8
No amateurs handling the camera. This is probably a phenomenon of the masses making videos and posting them online. Many times the results are unsteady or out of focus film, or so quickly recorded that flashes of someone's legs or feet or other areas are included while the action is somewhere out of camera range. On a contextual level, lots and lots of scenery and less of the person's back while hiking. Commentaries about the specific locales, geological history, like a real documentary. Information on unusual wildlife or plants would be interesting, but something more than just "watch out for the bears" or "don't feed the animals." Since you're posting here I assume your target audience would be experienced backpackers, not newbies, so keep that in mind if any demonstrations might be included. I can't remember specific instances offhand, but I've seen some that included basic setups and practices that experienced packers learned a long time ago. I think a question I would ask myself is what would really appeal to experienced backpackers? What are unusual areas, unusual but manageable challenges? You might want to read some of the threads in this section: bpbasecamp.freeforums.net/board/3/trip-reports-storytelling. There are many excellent narratives of trips, so descriptive that I could feel as if I was right there on the trail with the person or group. Seems to me the posters here are very, very experienced and skilled, with a few newbies who are focused and know what they want and where they want to go. If this would be your target audience, how would you appeal to them? I like to make an analogy to gardening. Some of the gardening programs are so basic they're not helpful at all. In fact some are a waste of time if not ridiculous. For someone who grew up gardening and has done so for decades, I don't want to see someone making compost. Emergency medical issues and emergency medicine on the trip could be included, beyond the basics though. Travis makes some excellent points; I think they're ones to consider.
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Post by autumnmist on Aug 30, 2016 6:17:18 GMT -8
Another thought - I can't remember the name of the man offhand (slow brain day), but PBS has run a series on a man who moved to a remote area, cut down trees and built his own cabin, and lived in the wilderness for years. To me, it was realistic, informative and insightful. On the opposite end of so-called wilderness experiences are the programmed, canned and campy "survival" programs which can become ridiculous or so contrived they're amusing. Anyone who's in the presence of a camera team is certainly not in a really isolated wilderness area and struggling for survival.
I'm curious also - I assume you're an independent film maker? Are you also a backpacker?
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reuben
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Post by reuben on Aug 30, 2016 6:37:58 GMT -8
I can't remember the name of the man offhand (slow brain day), but PBS has run a series on a man who moved to a remote area, cut down trees and built his own cabin, and lived in the wilderness for years. Richard Proenneke.
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Post by autumnmist on Aug 30, 2016 6:43:02 GMT -8
Yes, that's him. Thanks for the link. He's quite inspirational.
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Post by Coolkat on Aug 30, 2016 6:53:40 GMT -8
I've rented that dvd from the local library many times.
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Post by rwtb123 on Aug 30, 2016 6:58:41 GMT -8
I would recommend the late Appalachian Trail legend "Baltimore Jack".He thru-hiked the trail numerous times practically living on it, reportedly to keep his demons at bay(though it didn't do much to dent his achohol consumption).
In later years, he was a high profile trail angel/mentor.I remember one very eccentric potential thru-hiker asking numerous questions and documenting his hike on the Whiteblaze forums, where Baltimore hung out.However,this hiker made numerous enemies by ignoring everyone's advice and insisting on doing everything his own ,unconventional, way.Everyone started making bets on how long he would last before getting off the trail.However,Baltimore took a liking to him and encouraged him both initially and during the hike.The hiker ended up completing the trail and meeting up with Baltimore in NH where Baltimore lived ,in a trail town ,at the time.
But,it seems everyone has their own story/stories about Baltimore Jack, and I think he would make an excellent candidate for a backpacking documentary.
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reuben
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Post by reuben on Aug 30, 2016 7:02:46 GMT -8
Never saw a DVD, but I do have a copy of the book "One Man's Wilderness: An Alaskan Odyssey".
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Aug 30, 2016 7:15:42 GMT -8
Honestly, I think the best documentary will be the one that you are driven to make because you care about the subject, whether that subject is an individual or a location/trail.
I don't agree with all Travis says--not every trip has a plot--but a long hike does at least have the tension of whether or not the person will be able to complete it. Excellent cinematography and stunning scenery will also help.
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