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The Paradoxical affect on Motivation of Hot Media
April 17, 2016
From Wikipedia: “a snake oil salesman is someone who knowingly sells fraudulent goods or who is themselves a fraud, quack, or charlatan.” There are a people who portray themselves on the internet garnering a following of people and eventually offer something for sale. With open access to the tools of the internet medium to communicate, if you are good at these ‘mediums’ then you get to put yourself in the public eye.
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The Pursuit Zone Podcast
April 11, 2016
I’ve just done a podcast with Paul Schmid who runs the Pursuit Zone Podcast.
Given the opportunity to talk about my experiences and passions I gladly did!
We ran out of time too quickly but the podcast covers:
- Getting into cycling
- Mountain bike guiding jobs
- Preparing for a cycle tour
- Cycle touring gear
- Experience of cycling Iran, Pakistan, India, Nepal
- Staying in Georgia (Caucasus)
- Setting up a bike tour offering in Georgia (Georiders)
- Making an adventure film
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Self Shot Travel Filming Manifesto
March 13, 2016
This is a manifesto for how to shoot a movie, inspired by my own experiences filming whilst travelling, advice from String Films and a project I did whilst studying design at Goldsmiths.
- Formulate complete sentences when speaking into the camera.
- Keep the audience in mind with what you say to the camera.
- The camera is not a confidant. Use your diary for that.
- If you are going to do a travelling shot, spend the time and make it worthwhile.
- Don’t shoot unless you are interested in what you are shooting.
- Don’t try and be a presenter.
- Don’t try to shoot National Geographic documentaries.
- Don’t say a place is “beautiful”, “amazing”, “I am in awe of it”. Don’t describe. Observe and shoot (unless it’s a video diary) e.g. show don’t tell.
- If you are shooting your own face, make sure your face is in the shot.
- Keep soundbites down to under 10 seconds.
- Keep dialogue down to 10 shots of 10 seconds per piece.
- Keep complicated reflections for the written journal.
- Look into the camera when you are talking into it.
- Relax.
- Learn from your mistakes.
- Get close to the action.
- Use a tripod and ’lock off shots’ when possible.
- Let people speak if they want.
- Whatever is the central subject matter get plenty of good shots of it.
- Quality not quantity.
- If you are shooting something with a name for research, get the name written down.
- Get permission from subjects where necessary.
- Safety first. If you feel in danger put your camera away. It is best to stay safe and keep your equipment and footage than lose it.
- Keep your batteries charged.
- Keep your footage appropriately backed up especially if you are using a digital camera.
- Keep the lens clean and free of dirt.
- Don’t interrupt the person who you are filming and try to avoid speaking whilst behind the camera.
Post first written in 2011. Updated 2022.
Tags: Film
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Thinking about Alternatives to the Current Economic System
February 25, 2016
Any ambitious person wants to feel as though their life is progressing and any intelligence person who participates in society does it because it makes sense to work with other people to benefit from the synergy that it bring. Human beings are generally social animals and need to feel loved, appreciated, and have their efforts witnessed. Without other people, there is only only the internal abyss of the mind (all very well to explore but you wouldn’t want to stay there forever).
Tags: CapitalismSustainability
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Gear Review: Merrell Trail Glove 3 Zero Drop Barefoot Running Shoes
February 11, 2016
Having really liked the New Balance MT10 barefoot running shoes in the wide fit, I wanted to find a similar pair when they were discontinued. I was excited to come across the latest offering from Merrell - the Trail Glove 3. A nice shoe for conditioning and training.
I bought a pair receiving a discount from Wiggle.co.uk and started getting the miles in. I bought them to take with me on a trip to Spain and used them for trail running in the dusty, dry, mountain conditions there.
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Crosso Dry 60 Adventure Bicycle Touring Pannier Review
January 31, 2016
The Crosso Dry 60 is a set of bicycle panniers designed for adventure touring.
They have a sealed and welded closure to prevent against mud and water ingress. Rainstorms and being submerged (for example during a river crossing) will still have a hard time getting your stuff wet.
The roll top system is a commonly seen system in dry bags, proving more waterproof and durable that a zip.
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10 of the best adventure films
January 30, 2016
Adventure films inspire and motivate. They show amazing landscapes, places and countries around the world. We get close to the character who has to overcome internal and external obstacles on their journey. Here are 10 of my favourites.
Touching the Void
Seven Years in Tibet
The Motorcycle Diaries
Into the Wild
The Bourne Identity
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
127 Hours
The Last Samurai
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
The Beach