Source: All images and videos author's own
I recently travelled to Perth in Western Australia and decided to travel run being a travel influencer. Firstly, I should look at my weaknesses:
- I don't look good in a bikini
- I'm not the best photographer, and plenty of excellent photography already exists of the places I'm going
- I'm a noob at editing video
- I don't like the fakeness of influencer culture
What to do, what to do? I will create impressions of places I visit in an over-the-top paradoxical manner. And all editing is going to be done on my phone. Totes jk/s.
Perth Bell Tower Moodscape
Oh-em-gee, the architecture! And nearby Elizabeth Quay has this cool collapsed whale skeleton sculpture that might look cool. I'm still slightly annoyed at Australia's drone laws, which influenced the drone-like look. My impressions were I rushed about, and there were a lot of stairs in the bell tower that made my vision a bit shaky. My editing skills are too noob, and I ran out of time. Things I like: ridiculous electronic music about 120bpm, fast video, messed up colours.
Freemantle Moodscape
Freo was an exciting mix of history and alternative lifestyles. We spent way too much time and money at an antique shop, then at some fancy seafood place that was basically a giant fish and chips place. Must prioritise collecting footage; let's work with what we have. As my video editing skills increased, this video set the template for the other moodscapes: text title and silly intro, crazy cuts and colours over EDM really sped up, ending with a faux-inspirational quote at the end. It's hard to create statements that are both seemingly profound and totally meaningless. The intro is much too long. Sorry, I learned how to cut the music in the following video.
Watertown Outlet Stores moodscape
Can you tell I hate shopping? All these brands blend into one, and I mostly just wanted to get it over with. This moodscape is about the speed I wished I couldn't move. The music is my march-on perseverance. Still, capturing footage is a good diversion from YAF clothing shop. The day's highlight was some kids copying my dancing around the sign. Yeah, can't be a travel influencer without yours truly being ridiculous on-screen.
Lobster Shack moodscape
I'm no fan of seafood, but my wife is, so we rent a car and drive two hours north to Cervantes and the Lobster shack. Beautiful day and I learned to not care that people stared at me while I captured footage. Despite thinking about shots, only about a quarter of the footage makes it into the final. The lesson is that I should think less and shoot more. I'm settling into technique, but I make a lot more use of bounce cuts, especially with colour changes. BTW: Lobster Shack does a great veggie burger.
The Pinnacles moodscape
Near Cervantes are these fantastic rock formations. Late in the day and a bit tired, I neglected to capture much footage, so I had to make do. Me dancing gets to transition between clips. I really like that sped-up drone look. Selecting music for this one took a long time. Must do better at capturing footage!
Rottnest Island moodscape
What was that about capturing more footage? sighs Still, I only used a fraction of what I took. I'm most pleased with the quokka sniffing at the camera. I think the style has matured - over-the-top music, weird effects, drone-like fly-throughs, bouncy cuts and colour shifts but the overall technique walks that paradox between polished and amateur and evokes the intended mood.
That's all, folks
Quite fun, really, and I didn't even have to wear a bikini... in public. Lucky public. I'd like to inflict more of this video style upon viewers to celebrate another part of the planet. In preparation, I'm already working on more fakespirational sayings.
Until next time.