The right gear—and tips from the pros—will make your next vacation video a blockbuster.  

Nothing clears a room like the question: "Who wants to see the video of 
my last vacation?" The answer, of course, is you (and possibly your mother). But it doesn't have to be that way. Affordable digital video cameras and easy-to-use editing software are jump-starting the next generation of amateur auteurs. To wit, the number of entries to the Banff Mountain Film Festival has doubled since the year 2000, and homespun production companies are posting great action shorts all over the Web (visit www.biglines.com for some examples). "The price and quality of cameras and integration of hardware and software have gotten to the point where absolutely anyone can make a quality film," says Todd Jones, 31, co-founder of Wyoming-based Teton Gravity Research, an independent adventure-sports production company. "All you really need is a good idea and some good footage." With pointers from the pros, a few new toys, and the perfect location, you'll soon be screening to a packed house—even if the house is your own.
 
Three Things
Wild Beasts: When filming animals, avoid confrontation. Choose safety over a risky shot. A zoom lens can bring you close to the action while keeping you off the menu.
 
Shine On: Make sure you don't shoot into the sun, and always keep your shadow out of frame. A piece of cardboard that's white on one side and dressed with aluminum foil on the other is handy for bouncing light to fill shadows and brighten faces.
 
Theme Song: If you're screening your film at home, you
may not need permission from the record label to use your favorite music. That means you could show yourself climbing to "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" without getting your pants sued off.
 
Core Knowledge, Lights, Camera Action!
 + The storage debate begins and ends with Mini DV tapes: Memory cards are still only available for the most expensive cameras and DVDs aren't reusable. But even an ample supply of Mini DV tapes won't hold your vacation from start to finish. So, make a list of the shots you'll need (plane leaving JFK International, friend walking across the tarmac in Marrakech, interview with friend with the Atlas Mountains in the background) and stick to the script.
 
+ When you start shooting, remember: The motion in a motion picture isn't restricted to what's moving across the screen. Use camera tricks—tilts, pans, and zooms—to capture the action and convey the drama of the moment.
 
+ An unsteady camera detracts from the action. "Unless you want that shaky hand-held effect, or you're shooting with a wide-angle lens, lock your camera down on a tripod," says action sports cinematographer Todd Jones. "You want to be as steady as possible."
 
+ All good video cameras have manual controls for focus and zoom. Don't be afraid to use them. "I never use the electronic zoom on my Sony PD170," says Albert Maysles, cinematographer on When We Were Kings. "Manual controls are more immediately responsive and give a human quality to the shooting."
 
+ "Viewers will forgive a bad shot, but they can't follow a story they can't hear," warns Stacy Peralta, director of Riding Giants. Jack headphones into your camera while filming to hear what the mic is getting. For dialogue, try using wireless mics (see "The Package," below).
 
+ After you've got your shots, edit them into something watchable. Editing software, like Apple's iMovie (see "The Package," top right), simplifies the process, but even a slickly cut film falls flat if it doesn't tell a story. Ask yourself: What was the trip about? Did you set out to climb a peak or raft a river? Did you accomplish your goal? Edit your footage to convey your story.
 
What to Get
The Package: A wireless microphone setup ensures clear dialogue over crashing waves or the roar of a crowd, but most camcorders need an adapter to accommodate more powerful mics. Try the BeachTek DXA-2s Dual XLR Adapter ($199; www.beachtek.com) and the Azden 100LT UHF Wireless Lapel Mic System ($450; www.azdencorp.com).
 
Israel-based Kata specializes in two things: camera bags and body armor. Their nearly indestructible BP-502 backpack ($360; www.bogenimaging.us) has a nifty optional trolley system, a laptop compartment, and a removable tripod saddle. Paddling? Opt for the fully waterproof Lowepro DryZone 200 soft-sided backpack ($329; www.lowepro.com). If it goes overboard, it floats.
 
Apple iMovie ($79; www.apple.com) and Windows Movie Maker 2 ($99; www.microsoft.com) are easy-to-use editing programs for beginners. Experts opt for Mac-only Final Cut Pro 5 ($999; www.apple.com). Always check the minimum hardware requirements before buying a hefty software package.
 
Newly released high-definition cameras by Sony, JVC, and others are pricey ($2,600 and up) and require massive amounts of computer memory for editing. Avoid early-adopter aggravation by opting for the Panasonic PV-GS400 ($1,499; www.panasonic.com), which delivers crisp, professional-looking action footage and works well in low light conditions. Or, if you're aiming for the festival circuit, try the Canon XL2 ($4,999; www.canonusa.com), shown. Its XL mount interchangeable lens system allows for a seemingly infinite number of focal lengths to play with.
 
Tripods made of lightweight carbon fiber with spreaderless bases are easy to carry in the backcountry. The Manfrotto 700RC2/756MF3K Tripod/Head Package ($677; www.bogenimaging.us), weighs a gossamer six pounds and supports up to five and a half.
 
Watch This
Model Movies: Riding Giants (Sony Classics, $22): This 2004 hit traces the thousand-year history of wave-riding.

Sound Advice: Director Stacy Peralta says, "Chase your story, whatever intrigues you, and let that overwhelm any insecurities you may have."
 
Warren Miller's Higher Ground (Warren Miller Entertainment; www.warrenmiller.com): Warren Miller, 81, has released an extreme skiing film every year since 1949. This fall's Higher Ground was filmed in 16 prime snow locations. 
 
Sound Advice: "You've got to be as experienced an athlete as those you're filming," says Josh Haskins, one of Miller's celebrated cinematographers, who has a background in mountaineering and guiding. "To get the shot, you've got to keep up."

For more sports and travel primers, keep reading Adventure magazine. Pick up our September 2005 issue for special coverage of adventure travel in Africa and much more.




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