I just say we just do what we do which is why we started making videos, for the passion. People follow the trends because they want to blow up instead of being real and true. Personally when my wife and I aren't making videos we watch long form travel videos of all types. Keep having fun!
I was literally thinking about bringing you up in this. You've proven theirs a place for that transition to longer story telling and it's so inspiring to see dude
I'm currently about that myself. I've dropped one of the longest "Cinematic" stories that has a rollercoaster paste & vibe. I think the way how i film content, an adventure story is way meaningful than cinematic sequences. 🤙🏾
It’s unfortunate but the reason why, is because the gap between us and beginners (new to RUclips) is too big. It took me 4 years and a big grind to get to this point and eventually there aren’t many RUclipsrs to collaborate with and when I try they’re busy. So I either have to film alone or spend 5-10k each trip on friends to help out. Traveling is so expensive and before you can even pay for the trips solo you need 50-100k subs. Then you still need to find people to come with. It also takes a lot of time to create one of those videos so the ad revenue isn’t a lot. I would recommend new people to focus indeed on Storytelling and share their life but also from home to make it easier for them to grow and eventually focus on travel content. I think the solution would be for companies to provide for example recurring revenue affiliates. Let’s see, hopefully more people pick up storytelling and long form content with some travel, landscapes and cultures like you said. I feel the same way, short form just isn’t it for me.
Traveling is indeed quite expensive. I’ve been making films for 5-6 years now and they can still be improved so the learning curve is definitely really high. It’s also hard finding filmmakers to travel with and not everybody can go. That being said, I would love to collaborate with others on here if anybody is down!
I agree with this. I never even ended up editing all my footage from South America in 2022. I just realized I wasn't telling stories that I wanted to tell. That's why I have been working on a feature film for the last 2 years now.
Watching travel vids is what inspired me to pick up a camera and start learning to film in the first place. It’s what led me to people like you, and McKinnon, and Kolder, etc. I’ve consumed hours of these vids hoping that one day I can do it just as good. Please don’t stop! Keep traveling to dope locations and creating stories that pull at my heart strings. Hoping I can do the same one day. Love what you do!
Thanks for talking about this man! I have had precisely the same thoughts the last few years. TikTok and Reels have in a way killed the long-form content. These platforms reward people for uploading new content every day. I on the other hand used to spend about a month on each of my first edits, which I think sounds crazy to a lot of new filmmakers - as in terms of likes and quick dopamine from engagement - reels and tiktoks are in general so much more rewarding... miss the good old days!
I started my photography and videography passion with this cinematic travel videos on RUclips, this made me so excited to one day visit some of those countries around the world and make my own travel films, this videos really created a spark on me of inspiration, also if I wanted to knew a place I’d search first for a travel cinematic video to get a taste of the place and then drown on a little more and make deep research on it. In my opinion that generation that started doing this travel films are people that now are working with top brands on the industry because of their ability of storytelling and editing with this long format videos. Short form is easy to do and you don’t really need to have something cohesive to have traction on social media. I still love watching long format cinematic videos and I miss to see more of this content, Sam thanks for keeping doing this amazing curated films.
Sam! I just visited Iceland for the first time a few weeks ago and I grew up watching those exact travel films you're talking about. It was such a cool inspirational experience. I'm really excited to see what I can create out of the footage. So here's to another cinematic travel film coming soon!
Bro I try to do them, (on my channel) with a lot of overthinking inside and stories and things I discover. I'm improving day by day but for now I do it for myself, and I love that kind of contents :)... I love long format travel film ❤
Sadly, I'm also having a hard time as most people are now into short forms and less attention span for long form content. I think one of the most important things is not just to show cinematic videos but to tell a story about it.
Hang on... let me put my biscuit down... Ok, so first off, I completely agree with your assessment and I also miss that content! I think you've answered a lot your own questions in a good way here. Lots of creators are chasing the quick validation, following the trends, doing what the big creators are doing, riding the coattails, etc... So I won't comment further on all that. For myself, however, I run a studio that does a lot of work with local businesses, artists, and (mainly) musicians. I've done some global corp client work as well but the studio had to close for a couple of years, like many others, and I just recently reopened. It's AMAZING how different the landscape is now. You do raise an interesting point though... I've been doing so much work to keep the lights on that I really haven't shot much for myself... especially since I've been back. Also, for clarity, by 'back' I mean back in business, not back on RUclips; I've never been much of a RUclips creator. I'm going to have to give this some though, carve out time for something. May or may not be travel related but can definitely be cinematic and longer form; and for me. Thanks for what you do man, also, coco puffs.
Totally agree with you on this Sam. It's too bad we see less and less of these kind of films, because those formats really allow to tell a story. It's the reason I subscribed to your channel. I'm producing travel films and will continue doing so, just for the love of it. Hope you do too! (though I'm pretty sure you will)
The reason why is it's just brutal to edit these long form vids at a high level. Anyone with that attention to detail in post needs years of practice to be able to replicate it quickly. We are trying!!! Wife and I are now constantly trying to find ways to tell good stories on the road and not become numb to our own footage. You're an inspiration Sam! Oh ya, i'm from Tierrasanta, grew up right next to you!
We have really been diving into the learning part as well, only way to get better is to try, practice, put it out there and repeat. :) (Also just watched your "maybe one day I'll fly" and I wasn't able to comment on it, comments are turned off)
A lot of travel videos I watch seem like they’re created for the sole purposes of getting as many views as possible, and as a result lead to the cliche videos that you’re talking about including fast paced, 2 second in-your-face clips, beautiful women in bikinis diving into a body of water, and of course, people looking off into the distance on top of a clip and yelling for no reason, since this is the type of content sells. I know for myself after watching these types of travel videos, I’ve sometimes felt like I’m not travelling to the right places, I’m not experiencing enough, or that my travel experiences are somehow less valid than those who create travel content for a living. The reason I follow you and look forward to every video you put out is that you share stories that are raw and real, and I find I connect more on an emotional level to that. Your videos share stories of real people with real challenges, and it helps inspire me to capture the every day stories of the closest people in my life. So while I feel like everyone should put out whatever content speaks to them, I will continue to follow content creators who advocate for intimate story telling and meaningful connections, and who inspire me to do the same.
That s surely the type of videos I love. I try to make some, no much views but I love making those for me in the first place. I really enjoy the process, every time, every trip I learn something new, from my mistakes, it is always a fun challenge to improve the gear and when to use how to use etc. I can't get bored of it.
Hi Sam been following your channel for a long time. for us who aspire to become travel filmmakers, I know there are still a lot of us who still do travel films but we are just too small to be seen. But just wanna let you know that we are still here who are still creating these videos and will still be. Thanks for the inspiration.
I like Coco Puffs. As a short form - full time travel filmmaker myself, I find very hard and overwhelming that long form requires way more depth and a concept. I feel that just putting a ton of clips together without a VO/Script/Message is just a longer piece of short form. It feels hard to give more depth to these kind of videos, and that can be very intimidating now that we're used to making shorter form content. I've got a couple videos that I've made dozens of reels on, and I could easily slap them together on a timeline and call It a day, but there's a lack of depth. I can't figure out how to tell that story in a longer format. In my opinion that's what makes long form shine, take people like yourself, Kay, Aidin Robbins etc, there's so much more storytelling to a travel film, that gap between eye candy from cool places and something that genuinely provokes emotions and feeling feels very intimidating and huge at times to cross.
I'm totally with you on this one. I still mixt my best clips together to make me remember what I'm capable of and what can be improved. But trying to create a meaningful story around it is just really hard. Loved the example of Aidin btw, such a great storyteller
I couldn't agree more with this! I LOVE cinematic travel videos with good storytelling. ❤ I'm starting my solo travels as a photographer in a month. As a creator, I teach photography on my channel but I want now to travel full time and attempt to create cinematic travel vlogs about my adventures. I'm still learning and I recently bought a filmmaking course to try to tell my stories the best I can. However, I'm a solo creator, which sucks. 😂 But hoping to meet other creatives along the way to collaborate with and travel. For me, long form content. 🙏🏼
more than 7000 Languages in the world and Sam decided to speak FACTS in this one! But it's true man, I miss those days when so many edits were dropping! I think the Pandemic obviously had a big effect and then when travel started again, short form was now a new thing so the younger generation was creating for that instead of RUclips? And now you have a whole group of people going on trips to shoot "Vibey short form travel reels" and they'll make over 100 reels with the same recycled clips. Don't get me wrong, also not hating on it, some of them are incredible! BUT because it's all shot in portrait they can't make a nice horizontal travel banger... I Hope people are still making them and that the algorithm will show them to me.
Yes true, i do find it funny when people limit their footage by shooting vertical. If you frame it right you can take vertical clips from your horizontal footage (with the option to pan around the clip) and bang out both types of content!
At least you are being honest and openly accepting there is decline in cinematic travel video I have seen many creators who moved on from long cinematic video to short content without much expalnation.
My personal opinion on that: I completely agree with you Sam, cinematic travel videos as we once knew them are dead, which is such a good thing to me. These kind of short films were a very good open door into the filmmaking industry and I'm sure that so many filmmakers that actually have a company and work with whatever clients started by making travel cinematic films. For me personnally, even if it never took off yet (and I was learning too lol), training on this kind of films taught be how to use my gear, how to compose shots, what weather were good or bad for shooting, meeting strangers and new friends from around the world on travels. But what I've been thinking over the last couple of months, after 8 months of intense travel filmmaking and especially portfolio crafting was: why travelling, why making videos around that all the time, what I am getting from it? I see that a lot of filmmakers see success through travelling in crazy places working with huge brands, landing their dream clients, going to Bali, having ice bath and say it's the best experience of their entire lives (lol, sorry for the stray bullet those who do that haha). Anyway, I feel that this concept has been pushed a lot and is more and more becoming a copy of itself from cinematic travel video to another one. I also feel that those who were destinated to make it with this kind of formats, already made it and in order to make it now, we need to innovate again ("innovate or die", Steve Jobs) What I see now is that the kind of cinematic content that we used to see on youtube is now working better (and maybe slowly fading out?) on insta and that videos with a new concept and story tend to work a lot better on youtube, which is exciting I think. Which makes sense because after seeing 100 times guys and girls running on the beach saying "woo", and then doing backflips on a waterfall in Bali, it doesnt impress as much now as it did earlier just because of how predictable it became. And it doesn't sell as much dream anymore because anyone with USD1500 can buy a return ticket from pretty much anywhere in the world to do the same (that's my perception on this one though, maybe USD1500 is not that easy to earn for everyone) Personal conclusion: I personnally dont find any sense if doing backflips from cliff or getting sick drone shots for the sake of it, and I don't really care about those who do it. I think that if they do it, they are happy and successful, it's very good for them and I'm happy for them. But my way of finding happiness is by working on meaningful projects first. Then, hope that they will lead me to travel. After 8 months of travels in latin America I also developed that passion of being abroad and doing cool things but it must always have a fair use behind it. So when making films, whatever that is, I try to bring that knowledge learned with cinematic travel films and integrate it into a more documentary approach so that storytelling has even more impact due to beautiful picture. Finally, well done Sam for being one of the few that really create interesting travel cinematic films with a real story behind it, you are truly an inspiration
I think that you hit the nail on the head, making these cinematic travel videos (as you know) takes a lot of time and effort, a hell of a lot more than creating short form content. Personally it does feel difficult to balance everything that is expected out of being a creator (posting constantly & trying to vary between socials, RUclips, our blog, client outreach... the list never ends). But... currently working on exactly this, a cinematic travel video from our latest trip to Guatemala! Also the correct answer is Captain Crunch...
It's funny because I find the short form is more of a pain to make compared to our long form. Going to sub to see your Guatemala vid, we live in Costa Rica and have filmed here for 6 years and have plans to finally head up to Guatemala! Pura Vida! Oh and Captain Crunch is evil, leaves the roof of your mouth cut for a week after eating.
@@TheDufresnes LOL at the evilness of the Captain! Where abouts do you live in CR? We spent 3 months there earlier this year, did our Dive Master training in Playa Coco and loved our time there, Pura Vida 100%! Enjoy your time up in Guatemala, if you need any help or info feel free to reach out, or check out our blog specifically on where to go in Guatemala!
I feel like the same thing's happening on IG. Feels like just posting cool, cinematic travel vids isn't enough anymore. I think we're in period where providing value will get you way further in terms of growth
Coco puffs!! I was thinking about it for long time too Sam, I really prefer a cinematic travel video to a instagram reels...In my case I was really fruatated about this and I stop recording anything, but I discover you months ago and you and other youtubers has bring me back the desire to cath my camera and make cinematic videos. So thanks Sam regards from spain.
I totally agree! Cinematic travel films is what inspired me to go on adventures and explore the big beautiful world we have out there. Cinematic content is my absolute favourite thing to watch, and is the only thing that gives me a feeling or emotion when I watch it. And is the reason why I’m so happy to have found your channel!!! Please create this content we’re all hungry for! 🙏🏼😃
I recently discovered cinematic travel vlog channels and the quality of their films is top notch. They make the "Hi guys" vloggers look basic. I observed most of those films we made a year ago. But they are really good.
i grew up watching those cinematic videos and really miss them too. Next month i have trip to hawaii so I'm planing to make some cinematic video after i come back . Can't wait what i will capture and what i can edit . i learned everything by myself from old cinematic videos from youtube so miss them so much .💪
Hi Sam, I grow up watching these amazing travel videos you are talking about, and I am now trying to take up the torch. Travel youtube films are not dead, next generation is coming
Ngl, im a boomer as well. Don't get me wrong. Short content is greate, especially when you sit on the toilet and scroll thru instagram reels, although i really miss that 2017-2019 travel films. They dont need to have epic transition all the way for 10min, just like u said. Just go and shot the adventure. Those type of videos made me fall in love with cinematography, videography and backflips in general. Took me way to long to get started but after those type of videos of yours i might just take my chance and try my best to shot sth in possible future. Thanks for that video, i really enjoy those type of videos as well❤
I personally Love them! I"m Currently working on one now and I have 4 more down the pipe line. I love them and I love to to inspire people to go do it them selves!
The cinematic travel films is what got me interested to invest time and money into learning filmmaking a few years ago, with inspiration from you and many other big creators! I still dig those films and still find inspiration from them. But I believe the tiktok and reel-format, the vertical videos, is what people have gotten used to now. That’s a shame, I really like the classic 16:9 format, but I think most people is on Instagram and TikTok, and that’s why people and clients go for the vertical short formats. I wish TikTok and Instagram had a function where you could go full screen in horizontal films without posting it rotated and vertical, perhaps people would start creating longer films and stories then.
Coco puff Listen to that has, I'm about to finish my first 20-min cinematic film. It's hard take a long time but i am soo psych with the result. I'm not a youtube creator for now but clearly hope to become one in the futur ! Love your channel !
Man, as someone who spent hours and hours on my last two travel films, I'm personally burned out. I slave for months making these videos, and I found that people just don't crave it like they used to. It's something I struggle with, because I also started my "filmmaker" career based on cliche travel films. I enjoy it still, but sometimes the pursuit of making the "video" takes away from my experience. Something I'm working to balance going forward.
I used to love Coco Pops back in the day. You might be right about the numbers going down for the travel videos, but whether it's caused by all the lockdowns caused it, situation around the world or changing trends - hard to tell. Maybe I'm going against the tide here, but being locked in China for the past 3 years made me change my photo gear and learn shooting and video editing from the scratch. I made only few short ones so far, but I'm quite happy with them and I'm motivated to keep improving. Thanks for all your content Sam, as it's really inspiring.
Well I’ve never tried Fruity Pebbles nor Coco Puffs but I’ll definitely try to do my best on my upcoming Japan "cinematic short film travel video"! I do miss these videos too, and I often get back to my favorite of all time: "Why I traveled the world this year" by Jakob Mihailo!
I’m kind of feeling the same way, I wish there were more good stories on RUclips! I recently came across a video of Benowa (I think it’s called "An everyday day - short story" or something like that) and it really made me think! It looks like a funny little video at first but I think it’s way deeper than it looks! His cinematography is still not that great but it definitely has some potential!
Honestly, I'm not in my 20's anymore. I have two kids, and two jobs. I do have clips on a hard drive ready to be edited but it's not a priority for me today. Maybe tomorrow. Also, Fruity pebbles are a staple in our house!
this is a wake up call for a lot of us. i admit, been traveling a lot lately but was only doing reels for instagram. it’s also because a lot of viewers demand for a shorter clip of travel content and we all got hooked on instagram reels and stuff. for me, it’s just look more professional doing a long format travel films. thank you sam for this!
Got you covered with my latest Bali video. I won't stop doing this as you said is what we love. Thanks for inspiring us to push boundaries on travel videos.
This has definitely been on my mind too, dude. I've missed seeing films that have left me inspired. They're still out there but fewer and further between
hey sam Im not doing cinematic travel videos on my channel but you inspire me always inndoing story telling in my woodworking videos with a cinematic touch! thank you for your inspiration and motivation! love your stuff ❤
Fruity pebbles! 🤣🤣🤣 Sam, you really inspire me! The content you make is so awesome! Particularly your video “a really good drone shot” is out of this world and that’s the best dji video I have ever seen on RUclips! And that song, damn!! I have been playing it on loop on Spotify ! 🥹 You inspire beginner youtubers like me, to try out similar travel content and maybe someday, we get to see all those beginner’s travel video rising up to the top and restote the “travel cinematic film” niche on youtube! Cheers man and thank you and keep doing more travel videos! You have got us to support you ! 🍻
Bob Barker REPRESENT 🎉 Sam please keep making these epic Travel films, we love them. The internet is becoming Idiocracy with mindless scrolling through mostly crap. I say this as someone who scrolls way too much. I’d much rather watch long form creativity. I need to get off my a$$ and make content. I have so much footage on hard drives. Loved this video.
Short content hype is killing nice, longer form, content like yours. I love your films even if I’m not into travel films. My favorite indoor/traveling time is when I can watch a really good film on RUclips. Keep up doing your thing man, you’ve got the talent to set the direction for creators worldwide!👍💪👊
I think the problem is not on the creation part, but you touched it around 7 minutes in: RUclips doesnt recommend good new stuff anymore. I see the same 50 videos on my home screen more or less every day, even if I've already watched a lot of them. And on the other side of that: As a recently started channel making reality docs about people doing interesting things (preferrably when I travel), I struggle with the algoritm not showing new stuff to new people. So I think it's more of a youtube problem than a creator problem, which is kinda sad.
Heard that loud and clear! I’m guilty of putting my whole summer on hold to keep the client base happy. I’m tired of dropping dreams for dollars and this has been heavy on my mind. Thanks for making this video Sam. I feel a fire of knowing has been lit where I have been questioning what I loved doing. Btw, immersion Luts are sick dude!👊
I think many just only focus on short form content. Personally I like creating travel videos, but I’m not satisfied with the quality of my videos, but I see every video as a step forward and improvement from my skills. It’s so inspiring watching other Travel videos. And one day I want to look back and see the process I made.
I miss watching those films as well, they were what actually made me create my RUclips channel back in 2018 to start vlogging and traveling, and now more recently I feel my videos have improved a lot with the storytelling. I have not made a proper Cinematic Travel Video but it is a project I still really want to do, actually more than one! I can feel how much it gets you fired up because I totally feel the same way! Here's to more Travel Videos and getting your projects out of the drawer!🤘
Thanks for the video, i also been thinking this for a long time. Those cinematic travel videos got me into filmmaking and nowadays even for me i have still so much stuff of my hard drives with a amazing story’s to tell…but as always life gets more busy every month and you need to find time to get creative again….I think I will try it now after seen your video, to get into the old clips and maybe create the one or another cinematic video again
Mostly it is the fear to put yourself out there and Overthinking... Speaking at least for myself, but i believe that i am not the only one. But you know what? Something between asking "Whats going on?" and "Coco Puffs" has changed things for me and brought me an idea.. Thank you, Sam! 🙌
I love the long-form videos, I’m new to it but I love the process. I recently made one on hiking the Green Lakes in the Wind River Range and I look forward to making a lot more!
You are right, they are dying but i would always opt for good old long form travel video ( shameless plug ) Posted a Vietnam travel video recently and man it felt so good, however these videos dont get much views anymore.
New subscriber. We started our “personal”!travel channel as beginners by simply doing montage videos. After watching your videos, I’ve been bitten by the storytelling big and really want to improve the quality of our videos. I love the narration you do and always feel like I’m traveling with you. Still have a lot to learn but ready to jump in….finally.
I love those films. As someone trying to get into RUclips, my honest opinion is that you guys did it so great and so professional. I'm just starting out, so my videos are not as polished or professional, but as a hobbyist, this is what I can do with the time I have available.
A lot of people like the raw and real, we personally film raw with a mix of B roll. We love both styles. We also do a series called Visual Vacation where I take our B roll and make a cinematic video out of it. It's nice to have a variety of both. Not a fan of short form! Coco puffs.
I like seeing videos that have a story to them like half vlog and having that cinematic film look. I think most kids now a days love to see there favorite RUclipsrs doing normal everyday stuff but more people can relate to stuff. Even when I look at Peter McKinnon some my favorite stuff he’s done are those times when he does something normal but gives that fun thing I can relate to and some of the travel films look. Your story about your homie that mad it out of being on drugs and addiction that film speaks on so many levels
I still did! Making long form travel contents on my RUclips. Not too frequently tho as I am now making ads for brands most of the time, but yeah definitely trying to do more now. Cheers!
I got an iPhone 13 Pro back in 2021 and Cinematic Mode make me think I could do travel videos. I took A LOT of raw footage, doing a bunch of cross-country driving, but kept putting off combining them into something watchable, mostly because I was still taking video like I took pictures, without thinking about needing to tell a story. Just this month I started putting together videos of our three month stay in Greece, focusing more on showing the little moments we're getting to experience. I want it to be able to go back and relive it in a few years but I hope some other people get some enjoyment. Also, Fruity Pebbles, that's a layup.
Yeah feels like it was a phase on YT. When it comes to travel films / yt videos I think the more desirable (longer form) content is what YES Theroy is producing :) The only cinematic travel content that is still kind of alive is on instagram. Our attention span is changing constantly and we just flick through stuff nowadays. It's a shame as this was such a vibe. I remember all this content taking off and now it feels like its dying.
It's just as you said. Travel films can evolve now. I love the long term content on travel, especially the deeper story driven content! And I love to make it as well... wander more, worry less 😎
i'll make a small cinematic vidoeo this week for you. Thank you for the push. definitely have been wanting to create just haven't yet. also fruity pebbles are the best
I mean, I made a travel video this year, totally inspired by all the RUclips vids you’re talking about. But, comparatively few people have seen it because I don’t have a lot of reach or subs. There’s probably a lot of other smaller unknowns like me in the same spot. But I have not seen as many travel vids either, so I support your observations here
Bro, just wait to see the film I’m working on right now 😅 I’ve been seriously rethinking the word ‘cinematic’ in travel films, and I think there’s a way to move beyond transitions and drone shots.
Neither, now my answer makes me sad.... i'm no fun. But love travel snippets in that 3-5 minute format that pop up on my algorithm. Keep going Sam, always a big fan of your stuff!
Couldn't agree more man, we focus so much on gaining attention and following a trend instead of just doing the sh*t we are actually passionate about. I wanted to create a short film of the footage I took on our summer vacation trip to the balearic islands, focusing on the location and the vibe you get there since so long now. Seeing your video really motivates me now to do it, thanks for sharing this! I actually just typed in "cinematic travel" to see what's out there and get some inspiration. I shot the footage on my EOS R with a 24-105 f4l lens and can't wait to start the edit today. With this video I'll just do it like I feel about it, now what I think will get most attention. I will post a comment from my new account on this video and let you guys know. I'd love some feedback on it! :) Keep on being awesome everyone
I am by no means a productive content creator, and I'm definitely not a travel video maker. I take photos and do a little video from time to time, but my thing is landscapes/ interiors. In my limited experience, it took me 5 hours of driving to location, over 3 hours to film and 10 hours to edit a cinematic-ish house tour video that turned out to be under 4 minutes long. I am very proud of the video, and it was awesome learning, but as a teacher my day job can be very draining, and I don't want to spend that much time making a 3.5 minute long video. I don't love IG reels, but the appeal is that even with cinematic filming it could take a fraction of the amount of time and get much more exposure. Its both a push and a pull thing - want to make something in a quicker way and want it to be appreciated when I put it out there. Of course, we should all make things just for us and not "for social media", but we also want our art to be appreciated.
See that really sucks you haven’t seen it. That’s our entire channel, and I find the algorithm makes me search for similar travel content but it’s there. I had all this anxiety a few months ago about short form content ruining long form, I had to find contentment that I may never become a viral success but I am still making what I love and I have a core group of people who are interested in the content we make.
Hey Sam! Have been a follower of you for long and I am one of those few cinematic travel filmmakers from India. The industry seems to be skewed to catering reels with girls which get more likes and views than content we make. But I love doing what I am doing, and don't bother about them being viral, do it for the art and love and it is my inner reflection. That itself it the reward, irrespective of whether it is commericial in today's trend.
For me personally, I became uninspired once I realised that I didn't have the time and effort to make them as good as everyone else. Also I think in general people started craving more personality and "real shit" in videos overall.
I wouldn't say I made a cinematic travel film. But I did travel and I did make a film. Titled 'The hard video I have ever made' and it was. It is story driven, filmed well, I like to think. I put my heart and more into it. Maybe it will find its own audience.
As a fulltime traveler, I am working on this very thing... Following you, Sam, Aidin, Peter, and many others it literally takes a while to understand how you do what you do and apply it to our own videos. I literally watch thousands of hours for 2 years now and just now starting putting out videos. Storytelling is a skill that must be honed and I know I personally need to work on it along with other aspects. Analysis paralysis is a real thing as we watch our idols creating insane videos and we dont feel good enough to pump out the same quality so we just dont do it. Well... enough of that noise , time to get better by doing... Time to Travel!
Absolutely. I have a goal to make some of these videos, but I always end up saying, "When I'm not as busy." But yes, I always go back to Peter McKinnon's "The Bucket Shot" and "The Mountains Won't Remember Me" and those are the kinds of videos I want to make. I love the United States National Parks (and want to check out the Canadian ones, too), and places like Glacier, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Great Smoky Mountains, they all hold special places in my heart for various reasons, and I want to tell those stories. Hopefully they make a comeback, and hopefully I'm able to start traveling some more again soon to start making my own, regardless of if they stay dead or make a comeback.
i like where you taking this discussion. i am up for the challenge however i need to decide if i want to buy Zve1 or A7cmark 2. what lens would you recommend for traveling e mount
I get it. I'd like to see more too. I know that now whenever I get a chance to get out to take a trip I just want to do it for myself lol. But I'll definitely try to make a simple 3-5min video on the trip. Cheers! ✈📸🌎🌍🌏🥛🌌
Bro... we love you!! I've taken my gear everywhere, but i haven't made a film for some reason. I mean i have Norway, Italy, 7 trips to Iceland ect. And still haven't touched the footage.. Almost feels weird to even think of making it for some reason. I don't know why honestly.. It kinda seems like its footage that me and my wife can reflect on, and me making a film outta seems like a waste of time that no one will care about besides me and my wife.. I don't know.. I'm in a weird spot on not making anything even tho i have probably over 10tb of travel footage...Also, We Need to hit up a chiefs chargers game this year
Because it takes real effort to edit the footage into something you would be proud of (comparison to others on the platform) and makes sense for an audience larger than yourself and your wife. The video has to have a real vibe (you have to work to get it), a great emotional story (you have to work hard to get it), and now value (inspiration, information, investigative).
There are still people doing them. At least I do (Showreel 2022 you know 😉). But I do have to admit story telling isn't there, at least on my case again. But I agree with you, back in 2017 there were so many creators uploading mindblowing and creative edits of their trips ! I still remember when I discovered these sources of inspiration that made me want to try it too. Jr Alli, Sam Kolder, Aidin Robbins, James Matthews, Mike Visuals... They still create some stuff, but not as many personnal projects for RUclips. I guess now it's more about business than just personnal projects... And as most people already talked about, some great videos that you can see on IG Reels are not published on RUclips, which is sad. I just love seing art on the big screen. Please guys, bring it back ! Thkx for the video Sam, finally someone talking about it 👐🏼 Idk about the Fruity stuff and coco what ? Bro what kind of food is that ? 💀
This is amazing and we agree! We're wanting real stories without all the crazy fluff. We just started our channel and are attempting to tell some of those stories :)
I’m trying to do that. I make my memories in long form vlogs about my travel and trips. It’s maybe not too cinematic, but why I’m not doing more of this? Time! It’s just my hobby, not my work.
Cinematic travel videos were my food and fuel for everything. I took a stab at making some myself and it felt wonderful to tell a story from an adventure I had in a cinematic way. But idk I got tired. I think not being able to give it all the time I wanted to make it kinda killed some of the joy of it for me. Plus I think spending time and energy trying to diffreinciate from the masses that were doing the same exact thing got absolutely exhausting. I took a break from consuming them and trying to make them to come back to later with a fresh perspective on it. I'm not fully back yet but it's intresting to hear your thoughts on this while I was away.
@SamNewton. Took your advice. Started a new channel for cinematic travel videos. This has always been a passion of mine that I had put on the back burner for way too long. Done making excuses. Thank you for the nudge.
It so difficult because videographers have to now film landscape and horizontal (for reels) and I think there’s a preference for horizontal. Also, coco pops.
I really love the stuff and I wanna get into it. I think I was just too much of a perfectionist and kinda overwhelmed so I didn't even really start. I'm on a 100-day creator challenge where I create 100 vids in 100 days. Mainly vlogs just for the sake of creating, trying to tell a story every day and getting a better and faster editor. But I made a more or less cinematic engagement video where I tell a story that is coming up soon. Which made me realise that I crave to create beautiful cinematic stories... So I try to get more in that direction and totally agree with you, that I see way less cinematic content now. Looking also forward to see more stuff from you. Ah yeah and fruity pebbles or coco puffs 😜
I was just thinking about this, looking for travel inspiration but only finding videos from years ago and nothing recent. I think what really went wrong was the travel content became all about the effects and "wow factor" rather than telling a story, which was good for a while but ultimately wasn't sustainable. I think we can bring them back by making travel videos that matter!
I never stopped making travel films and videos since I started,... 25 years ago, before RUclips... and I've never quit. I never made an Instagram reel or TikTock video either; too short for me. Just straight up travel videos.
There's a huge demand for quality storytelling on RUclips- we're just too busy analyzing the Reels algo to see it 😶
I just say we just do what we do which is why we started making videos, for the passion. People follow the trends because they want to blow up instead of being real and true. Personally when my wife and I aren't making videos we watch long form travel videos of all types. Keep having fun!
I was literally thinking about bringing you up in this. You've proven theirs a place for that transition to longer story telling and it's so inspiring to see dude
So true !
I'm currently about that myself. I've dropped one of the longest "Cinematic" stories that has a rollercoaster paste & vibe. I think the way how i film content, an adventure story is way meaningful than cinematic sequences. 🤙🏾
This is so true! I've noticed Aidin is absolutely crushing it because of amazing storytelling.
Backflips and luma fades got me real good LOL Ahhh the days. Nothin but fondness!
Do I hear a Luma fade backflip battle coming up between the two of you? #pleasemakethishappen
It looks like you and Sam need to make a cinematic travel video
Pete and Sam, cinematic travel video in India
But what is it? Fruity pebbles or coco puffs? Bwatsup with the lack of answer?
Sam and Pete trading places for 24hrs | Keep it Reel
It’s unfortunate but the reason why, is because the gap between us and beginners (new to RUclips) is too big. It took me 4 years and a big grind to get to this point and eventually there aren’t many RUclipsrs to collaborate with and when I try they’re busy. So I either have to film alone or spend 5-10k each trip on friends to help out. Traveling is so expensive and before you can even pay for the trips solo you need 50-100k subs. Then you still need to find people to come with. It also takes a lot of time to create one of those videos so the ad revenue isn’t a lot. I would recommend new people to focus indeed on Storytelling and share their life but also from home to make it easier for them to grow and eventually focus on travel content. I think the solution would be for companies to provide for example recurring revenue affiliates. Let’s see, hopefully more people pick up storytelling and long form content with some travel, landscapes and cultures like you said. I feel the same way, short form just isn’t it for me.
Traveling is indeed quite expensive. I’ve been making films for 5-6 years now and they can still be improved so the learning curve is definitely really high. It’s also hard finding filmmakers to travel with and not everybody can go. That being said, I would love to collaborate with others on here if anybody is down!
I agree with this. I never even ended up editing all my footage from South America in 2022. I just realized I wasn't telling stories that I wanted to tell. That's why I have been working on a feature film for the last 2 years now.
Watching travel vids is what inspired me to pick up a camera and start learning to film in the first place. It’s what led me to people like you, and McKinnon, and Kolder, etc. I’ve consumed hours of these vids hoping that one day I can do it just as good. Please don’t stop! Keep traveling to dope locations and creating stories that pull at my heart strings. Hoping I can do the same one day. Love what you do!
Thanks for talking about this man! I have had precisely the same thoughts the last few years. TikTok and Reels have in a way killed the long-form content. These platforms reward people for uploading new content every day. I on the other hand used to spend about a month on each of my first edits, which I think sounds crazy to a lot of new filmmakers - as in terms of likes and quick dopamine from engagement - reels and tiktoks are in general so much more rewarding... miss the good old days!
That's one reason why your edits are so good!
I started my photography and videography passion with this cinematic travel videos on RUclips, this made me so excited to one day visit some of those countries around the world and make my own travel films, this videos really created a spark on me of inspiration, also if I wanted to knew a place I’d search first for a travel cinematic video to get a taste of the place and then drown on a little more and make deep research on it. In my opinion that generation that started doing this travel films are people that now are working with top brands on the industry because of their ability of storytelling and editing with this long format videos. Short form is easy to do and you don’t really need to have something cohesive to have traction on social media. I still love watching long format cinematic videos and I miss to see more of this content, Sam thanks for keeping doing this amazing curated films.
Sam! I just visited Iceland for the first time a few weeks ago and I grew up watching those exact travel films you're talking about. It was such a cool inspirational experience. I'm really excited to see what I can create out of the footage. So here's to another cinematic travel film coming soon!
Let’s make it happen, I did the same from an Iceland trip a month ago! Sam give me some time and I’ll share my first Cinematic Travel Film! 🤌🏻
Bro I try to do them, (on my channel) with a lot of overthinking inside and stories and things I discover. I'm improving day by day but for now I do it for myself, and I love that kind of contents :)... I love long format travel film ❤
Sadly, I'm also having a hard time as most people are now into short forms and less attention span for long form content. I think one of the most important things is not just to show cinematic videos but to tell a story about it.
Hang on... let me put my biscuit down... Ok, so first off, I completely agree with your assessment and I also miss that content! I think you've answered a lot your own questions in a good way here. Lots of creators are chasing the quick validation, following the trends, doing what the big creators are doing, riding the coattails, etc... So I won't comment further on all that. For myself, however, I run a studio that does a lot of work with local businesses, artists, and (mainly) musicians. I've done some global corp client work as well but the studio had to close for a couple of years, like many others, and I just recently reopened. It's AMAZING how different the landscape is now. You do raise an interesting point though... I've been doing so much work to keep the lights on that I really haven't shot much for myself... especially since I've been back. Also, for clarity, by 'back' I mean back in business, not back on RUclips; I've never been much of a RUclips creator. I'm going to have to give this some though, carve out time for something. May or may not be travel related but can definitely be cinematic and longer form; and for me. Thanks for what you do man, also, coco puffs.
I felt this whole message. It's so interesting we are so used to living in 10-30 second videos now from socials
Totally agree with you on this Sam. It's too bad we see less and less of these kind of films, because those formats really allow to tell a story. It's the reason I subscribed to your channel. I'm producing travel films and will continue doing so, just for the love of it. Hope you do too! (though I'm pretty sure you will)
subbed, but you didn't answer the question. Fruity pebbles or coco puffs😂
@@TheDufresneshaha we have neither in The Netherlands but I’d have to go with Coco Puffs
The reason why is it's just brutal to edit these long form vids at a high level. Anyone with that attention to detail in post needs years of practice to be able to replicate it quickly. We are trying!!! Wife and I are now constantly trying to find ways to tell good stories on the road and not become numb to our own footage. You're an inspiration Sam! Oh ya, i'm from Tierrasanta, grew up right next to you!
We have really been diving into the learning part as well, only way to get better is to try, practice, put it out there and repeat. :) (Also just watched your "maybe one day I'll fly" and I wasn't able to comment on it, comments are turned off)
A lot of travel videos I watch seem like they’re created for the sole purposes of getting as many views as possible, and as a result lead to the cliche videos that you’re talking about including fast paced, 2 second in-your-face clips, beautiful women in bikinis diving into a body of water, and of course, people looking off into the distance on top of a clip and yelling for no reason, since this is the type of content sells. I know for myself after watching these types of travel videos, I’ve sometimes felt like I’m not travelling to the right places, I’m not experiencing enough, or that my travel experiences are somehow less valid than those who create travel content for a living. The reason I follow you and look forward to every video you put out is that you share stories that are raw and real, and I find I connect more on an emotional level to that. Your videos share stories of real people with real challenges, and it helps inspire me to capture the every day stories of the closest people in my life. So while I feel like everyone should put out whatever content speaks to them, I will continue to follow content creators who advocate for intimate story telling and meaningful connections, and who inspire me to do the same.
Very thoughtful perspective
I think a lot of travel filmmakers found a new focus during Covid. I think we will see them come back.
I agree.
That s surely the type of videos I love. I try to make some, no much views but I love making those for me in the first place. I really enjoy the process, every time, every trip I learn something new, from my mistakes, it is always a fun challenge to improve the gear and when to use how to use etc. I can't get bored of it.
Hi Sam been following your channel for a long time. for us who aspire to become travel filmmakers, I know there are still a lot of us who still do travel films but we are just too small to be seen. But just wanna let you know that we are still here who are still creating these videos and will still be. Thanks for the inspiration.
I like Coco Puffs. As a short form - full time travel filmmaker myself, I find very hard and overwhelming that long form requires way more depth and a concept. I feel that just putting a ton of clips together without a VO/Script/Message is just a longer piece of short form. It feels hard to give more depth to these kind of videos, and that can be very intimidating now that we're used to making shorter form content. I've got a couple videos that I've made dozens of reels on, and I could easily slap them together on a timeline and call It a day, but there's a lack of depth. I can't figure out how to tell that story in a longer format. In my opinion that's what makes long form shine, take people like yourself, Kay, Aidin Robbins etc, there's so much more storytelling to a travel film, that gap between eye candy from cool places and something that genuinely provokes emotions and feeling feels very intimidating and huge at times to cross.
I'm totally with you on this one. I still mixt my best clips together to make me remember what I'm capable of and what can be improved. But trying to create a meaningful story around it is just really hard. Loved the example of Aidin btw, such a great storyteller
I couldn't agree more with this! I LOVE cinematic travel videos with good storytelling. ❤ I'm starting my solo travels as a photographer in a month. As a creator, I teach photography on my channel but I want now to travel full time and attempt to create cinematic travel vlogs about my adventures. I'm still learning and I recently bought a filmmaking course to try to tell my stories the best I can. However, I'm a solo creator, which sucks. 😂 But hoping to meet other creatives along the way to collaborate with and travel. For me, long form content. 🙏🏼
more than 7000 Languages in the world and Sam decided to speak FACTS in this one!
But it's true man, I miss those days when so many edits were dropping! I think the Pandemic obviously had a big effect and then when travel started again, short form was now a new thing so the younger generation was creating for that instead of RUclips? And now you have a whole group of people going on trips to shoot "Vibey short form travel reels" and they'll make over 100 reels with the same recycled clips. Don't get me wrong, also not hating on it, some of them are incredible! BUT because it's all shot in portrait they can't make a nice horizontal travel banger...
I Hope people are still making them and that the algorithm will show them to me.
Yes true, i do find it funny when people limit their footage by shooting vertical. If you frame it right you can take vertical clips from your horizontal footage (with the option to pan around the clip) and bang out both types of content!
At least you are being honest and openly accepting there is decline in cinematic travel video I have seen many creators who moved on from long cinematic video to short content without much expalnation.
My personal opinion on that: I completely agree with you Sam, cinematic travel videos as we once knew them are dead, which is such a good thing to me.
These kind of short films were a very good open door into the filmmaking industry and I'm sure that so many filmmakers that actually have a company and work with whatever clients started by making travel cinematic films.
For me personnally, even if it never took off yet (and I was learning too lol), training on this kind of films taught be how to use my gear, how to compose shots, what weather were good or bad for shooting, meeting strangers and new friends from around the world on travels. But what I've been thinking over the last couple of months, after 8 months of intense travel filmmaking and especially portfolio crafting was: why travelling, why making videos around that all the time, what I am getting from it?
I see that a lot of filmmakers see success through travelling in crazy places working with huge brands, landing their dream clients, going to Bali, having ice bath and say it's the best experience of their entire lives (lol, sorry for the stray bullet those who do that haha).
Anyway, I feel that this concept has been pushed a lot and is more and more becoming a copy of itself from cinematic travel video to another one. I also feel that those who were destinated to make it with this kind of formats, already made it and in order to make it now, we need to innovate again ("innovate or die", Steve Jobs)
What I see now is that the kind of cinematic content that we used to see on youtube is now working better (and maybe slowly fading out?) on insta and that videos with a new concept and story tend to work a lot better on youtube, which is exciting I think.
Which makes sense because after seeing 100 times guys and girls running on the beach saying "woo", and then doing backflips on a waterfall in Bali, it doesnt impress as much now as it did earlier just because of how predictable it became.
And it doesn't sell as much dream anymore because anyone with USD1500 can buy a return ticket from pretty much anywhere in the world to do the same (that's my perception on this one though, maybe USD1500 is not that easy to earn for everyone)
Personal conclusion: I personnally dont find any sense if doing backflips from cliff or getting sick drone shots for the sake of it, and I don't really care about those who do it. I think that if they do it, they are happy and successful, it's very good for them and I'm happy for them. But my way of finding happiness is by working on meaningful projects first. Then, hope that they will lead me to travel.
After 8 months of travels in latin America I also developed that passion of being abroad and doing cool things but it must always have a fair use behind it. So when making films, whatever that is, I try to bring that knowledge learned with cinematic travel films and integrate it into a more documentary approach so that storytelling has even more impact due to beautiful picture.
Finally, well done Sam for being one of the few that really create interesting travel cinematic films with a real story behind it, you are truly an inspiration
I think that you hit the nail on the head, making these cinematic travel videos (as you know) takes a lot of time and effort, a hell of a lot more than creating short form content. Personally it does feel difficult to balance everything that is expected out of being a creator (posting constantly & trying to vary between socials, RUclips, our blog, client outreach... the list never ends). But... currently working on exactly this, a cinematic travel video from our latest trip to Guatemala! Also the correct answer is Captain Crunch...
It's funny because I find the short form is more of a pain to make compared to our long form. Going to sub to see your Guatemala vid, we live in Costa Rica and have filmed here for 6 years and have plans to finally head up to Guatemala! Pura Vida! Oh and Captain Crunch is evil, leaves the roof of your mouth cut for a week after eating.
@@TheDufresnes LOL at the evilness of the Captain! Where abouts do you live in CR? We spent 3 months there earlier this year, did our Dive Master training in Playa Coco and loved our time there, Pura Vida 100%! Enjoy your time up in Guatemala, if you need any help or info feel free to reach out, or check out our blog specifically on where to go in Guatemala!
love your excitement, soon i'll be moving from Argentina to Italy, it's a big step and i am planning to make cinematic travel videos of the process
I feel like the same thing's happening on IG. Feels like just posting cool, cinematic travel vids isn't enough anymore. I think we're in period where providing value will get you way further in terms of growth
On IG? There is no demand on IG for 30 sec videos, only 1 sec idiotism.
Coco puffs!!
I was thinking about it for long time too Sam, I really prefer a cinematic travel video to a instagram reels...In my case I was really fruatated about this and I stop recording anything, but I discover you months ago and you and other youtubers has bring me back the desire to cath my camera and make cinematic videos.
So thanks Sam regards from spain.
I totally agree! Cinematic travel films is what inspired me to go on adventures and explore the big beautiful world we have out there. Cinematic content is my absolute favourite thing to watch, and is the only thing that gives me a feeling or emotion when I watch it. And is the reason why I’m so happy to have found your channel!!! Please create this content we’re all hungry for! 🙏🏼😃
I recently discovered cinematic travel vlog channels and the quality of their films is top notch. They make the "Hi guys" vloggers look basic.
I observed most of those films we made a year ago. But they are really good.
i grew up watching those cinematic videos and really miss them too. Next month i have trip to hawaii so I'm planing to make some cinematic video after i come back . Can't wait what i will capture and what i can edit . i learned everything by myself from old cinematic videos from youtube so miss them so much .💪
Hi Sam, I grow up watching these amazing travel videos you are talking about, and I am now trying to take up the torch. Travel youtube films are not dead, next generation is coming
Ngl, im a boomer as well. Don't get me wrong. Short content is greate, especially when you sit on the toilet and scroll thru instagram reels, although i really miss that 2017-2019 travel films. They dont need to have epic transition all the way for 10min, just like u said. Just go and shot the adventure. Those type of videos made me fall in love with cinematography, videography and backflips in general. Took me way to long to get started but after those type of videos of yours i might just take my chance and try my best to shot sth in possible future. Thanks for that video, i really enjoy those type of videos as well❤
Great message man. I got really inspired and I finally finished video from Epic Norway Road Trip. Thanks 😄
I personally Love them! I"m Currently working on one now and I have 4 more down the pipe line. I love them and I love to to inspire people to go do it them selves!
The cinematic travel films is what got me interested to invest time and money into learning filmmaking a few years ago, with inspiration from you and many other big creators! I still dig those films and still find inspiration from them. But I believe the tiktok and reel-format, the vertical videos, is what people have gotten used to now. That’s a shame, I really like the classic 16:9 format, but I think most people is on Instagram and TikTok, and that’s why people and clients go for the vertical short formats. I wish TikTok and Instagram had a function where you could go full screen in horizontal films without posting it rotated and vertical, perhaps people would start creating longer films and stories then.
Coco puff
Listen to that has, I'm about to finish my first 20-min cinematic film. It's hard take a long time but i am soo psych with the result. I'm not a youtube creator for now but clearly hope to become one in the futur !
Love your channel !
Man, as someone who spent hours and hours on my last two travel films, I'm personally burned out. I slave for months making these videos, and I found that people just don't crave it like they used to. It's something I struggle with, because I also started my "filmmaker" career based on cliche travel films. I enjoy it still, but sometimes the pursuit of making the "video" takes away from my experience. Something I'm working to balance going forward.
I used to love Coco Pops back in the day. You might be right about the numbers going down for the travel videos, but whether it's caused by all the lockdowns caused it, situation around the world or changing trends - hard to tell. Maybe I'm going against the tide here, but being locked in China for the past 3 years made me change my photo gear and learn shooting and video editing from the scratch. I made only few short ones so far, but I'm quite happy with them and I'm motivated to keep improving. Thanks for all your content Sam, as it's really inspiring.
Well I’ve never tried Fruity Pebbles nor Coco Puffs but I’ll definitely try to do my best on my upcoming Japan "cinematic short film travel video"!
I do miss these videos too, and I often get back to my favorite of all time: "Why I traveled the world this year" by Jakob Mihailo!
I’m kind of feeling the same way, I wish there were more good stories on RUclips! I recently came across a video of Benowa (I think it’s called "An everyday day - short story" or something like that) and it really made me think! It looks like a funny little video at first but I think it’s way deeper than it looks!
His cinematography is still not that great but it definitely has some potential!
Honestly, I'm not in my 20's anymore. I have two kids, and two jobs. I do have clips on a hard drive ready to be edited but it's not a priority for me today. Maybe tomorrow.
Also, Fruity pebbles are a staple in our house!
this is a wake up call for a lot of us. i admit, been traveling a lot lately but was only doing reels for instagram. it’s also because a lot of viewers demand for a shorter clip of travel content and we all got hooked on instagram reels and stuff. for me, it’s just look more professional doing a long format travel films. thank you sam for this!
Got you covered with my latest Bali video. I won't stop doing this as you said is what we love. Thanks for inspiring us to push boundaries on travel videos.
This has definitely been on my mind too, dude. I've missed seeing films that have left me inspired. They're still out there but fewer and further between
As a viewer, I agree with you
Life has become very minimalistic
We need the details back
hey sam Im not doing cinematic travel videos on my channel but you inspire me always inndoing story telling in my woodworking videos with a cinematic touch! thank you for your inspiration and motivation! love your stuff ❤
Fruity pebbles! 🤣🤣🤣
Sam, you really inspire me! The content you make is so awesome! Particularly your video “a really good drone shot” is out of this world and that’s the best dji video I have ever seen on RUclips! And that song, damn!! I have been playing it on loop on Spotify ! 🥹
You inspire beginner youtubers like me, to try out similar travel content and maybe someday, we get to see all those beginner’s travel video rising up to the top and restote the “travel cinematic film” niche on youtube!
Cheers man and thank you and keep doing more travel videos! You have got us to support you ! 🍻
Bob Barker REPRESENT 🎉
Sam please keep making these epic Travel films, we love them. The internet is becoming Idiocracy with mindless scrolling through mostly crap. I say this as someone who scrolls way too much. I’d much rather watch long form creativity. I need to get off my a$$ and make content. I have so much footage on hard drives.
Loved this video.
Short content hype is killing nice, longer form, content like yours. I love your films even if I’m not into travel films. My favorite indoor/traveling time is when I can watch a really good film on RUclips. Keep up doing your thing man, you’ve got the talent to set the direction for creators worldwide!👍💪👊
I think the problem is not on the creation part, but you touched it around 7 minutes in: RUclips doesnt recommend good new stuff anymore. I see the same 50 videos on my home screen more or less every day, even if I've already watched a lot of them.
And on the other side of that: As a recently started channel making reality docs about people doing interesting things (preferrably when I travel), I struggle with the algoritm not showing new stuff to new people.
So I think it's more of a youtube problem than a creator problem, which is kinda sad.
Heard that loud and clear! I’m guilty of putting my whole summer on hold to keep the client base happy. I’m tired of dropping dreams for dollars and this has been heavy on my mind. Thanks for making this video Sam. I feel a fire of knowing has been lit where I have been questioning what I loved doing. Btw, immersion Luts are sick dude!👊
I think many just only focus on short form content. Personally I like creating travel videos, but I’m not satisfied with the quality of my videos, but I see every video as a step forward and improvement from my skills.
It’s so inspiring watching other Travel videos.
And one day I want to look back and see the process I made.
I miss watching those films as well, they were what actually made me create my RUclips channel back in 2018 to start vlogging and traveling, and now more recently I feel my videos have improved a lot with the storytelling. I have not made a proper Cinematic Travel Video but it is a project I still really want to do, actually more than one! I can feel how much it gets you fired up because I totally feel the same way! Here's to more Travel Videos and getting your projects out of the drawer!🤘
Thanks for the video, i also been thinking this for a long time. Those cinematic travel videos got me into filmmaking and nowadays even for me i have still so much stuff of my hard drives with a amazing story’s to tell…but as always life gets more busy every month and you need to find time to get creative again….I think I will try it now after seen your video, to get into the old clips and maybe create the one or another cinematic video again
This video was really refreshing... started this year posting travel videos! Hoping the longer forms of content come back again 🤞🏻
Mostly it is the fear to put yourself out there and Overthinking... Speaking at least for myself, but i believe that i am not the only one.
But you know what? Something between asking "Whats going on?" and "Coco Puffs" has changed things for me and brought me an idea..
Thank you, Sam! 🙌
I love the long-form videos, I’m new to it but I love the process. I recently made one on hiking the Green Lakes in the Wind River Range and I look forward to making a lot more!
You are right, they are dying but i would always opt for good old long form travel video ( shameless plug ) Posted a Vietnam travel video recently and man it felt so good, however these videos dont get much views anymore.
New subscriber. We started our “personal”!travel channel as beginners by simply doing montage videos. After watching your videos, I’ve been bitten by the storytelling big and really want to improve the quality of our videos. I love the narration you do and always feel like I’m traveling with you. Still have a lot to learn but ready to jump in….finally.
I love those films. As someone trying to get into RUclips, my honest opinion is that you guys did it so great and so professional. I'm just starting out, so my videos are not as polished or professional, but as a hobbyist, this is what I can do with the time I have available.
Honestly how I feel too ! Bring cinematic travel back
A lot of people like the raw and real, we personally film raw with a mix of B roll. We love both styles. We also do a series called Visual Vacation where I take our B roll and make a cinematic video out of it. It's nice to have a variety of both. Not a fan of short form! Coco puffs.
I like seeing videos that have a story to them like half vlog and having that cinematic film look. I think most kids now a days love to see there favorite RUclipsrs doing normal everyday stuff but more people can relate to stuff. Even when I look at Peter McKinnon some my favorite stuff he’s done are those times when he does something normal but gives that fun thing I can relate to and some of the travel films look. Your story about your homie that mad it out of being on drugs and addiction that film speaks on so many levels
I still did! Making long form travel contents on my RUclips. Not too frequently tho as I am now making ads for brands most of the time, but yeah definitely trying to do more now. Cheers!
I got an iPhone 13 Pro back in 2021 and Cinematic Mode make me think I could do travel videos. I took A LOT of raw footage, doing a bunch of cross-country driving, but kept putting off combining them into something watchable, mostly because I was still taking video like I took pictures, without thinking about needing to tell a story. Just this month I started putting together videos of our three month stay in Greece, focusing more on showing the little moments we're getting to experience. I want it to be able to go back and relive it in a few years but I hope some other people get some enjoyment. Also, Fruity Pebbles, that's a layup.
Yeah feels like it was a phase on YT. When it comes to travel films / yt videos I think the more desirable (longer form) content is what YES Theroy is producing :) The only cinematic travel content that is still kind of alive is on instagram. Our attention span is changing constantly and we just flick through stuff nowadays. It's a shame as this was such a vibe. I remember all this content taking off and now it feels like its dying.
It's just as you said. Travel films can evolve now. I love the long term content on travel, especially the deeper story driven content! And I love to make it as well... wander more, worry less 😎
i gotchu! I have been wanting to focus hard in the travel film documentaries so just wait
i'll make a small cinematic vidoeo this week for you. Thank you for the push. definitely have been wanting to create just haven't yet. also fruity pebbles are the best
Cinametic travel films are not dead yet! 😊 I still making only cinematic films on my channel 😊 and Thank You! for inspiration!
I will make one soon! Let's goo ❤❤
Going to Bali and planning to my a travel film!
I mean, I made a travel video this year, totally inspired by all the RUclips vids you’re talking about. But, comparatively few people have seen it because I don’t have a lot of reach or subs. There’s probably a lot of other smaller unknowns like me in the same spot. But I have not seen as many travel vids either, so I support your observations here
Bro, just wait to see the film I’m working on right now 😅 I’ve been seriously rethinking the word ‘cinematic’ in travel films, and I think there’s a way to move beyond transitions and drone shots.
Neither, now my answer makes me sad.... i'm no fun. But love travel snippets in that 3-5 minute format that pop up on my algorithm. Keep going Sam, always a big fan of your stuff!
Couldn't agree more man, we focus so much on gaining attention and following a trend instead of just doing the sh*t we are actually passionate about. I wanted to create a short film of the footage I took on our summer vacation trip to the balearic islands, focusing on the location and the vibe you get there since so long now. Seeing your video really motivates me now to do it, thanks for sharing this! I actually just typed in "cinematic travel" to see what's out there and get some inspiration.
I shot the footage on my EOS R with a 24-105 f4l lens and can't wait to start the edit today. With this video I'll just do it like I feel about it, now what I think will get most attention. I will post a comment from my new account on this video and let you guys know. I'd love some feedback on it! :)
Keep on being awesome everyone
I am by no means a productive content creator, and I'm definitely not a travel video maker. I take photos and do a little video from time to time, but my thing is landscapes/ interiors. In my limited experience, it took me 5 hours of driving to location, over 3 hours to film and 10 hours to edit a cinematic-ish house tour video that turned out to be under 4 minutes long. I am very proud of the video, and it was awesome learning, but as a teacher my day job can be very draining, and I don't want to spend that much time making a 3.5 minute long video. I don't love IG reels, but the appeal is that even with cinematic filming it could take a fraction of the amount of time and get much more exposure. Its both a push and a pull thing - want to make something in a quicker way and want it to be appreciated when I put it out there. Of course, we should all make things just for us and not "for social media", but we also want our art to be appreciated.
See that really sucks you haven’t seen it. That’s our entire channel, and I find the algorithm makes me search for similar travel content but it’s there. I had all this anxiety a few months ago about short form content ruining long form, I had to find contentment that I may never become a viral success but I am still making what I love and I have a core group of people who are interested in the content we make.
Hey Sam! Have been a follower of you for long and I am one of those few cinematic travel filmmakers from India. The industry seems to be skewed to catering reels with girls which get more likes and views than content we make. But I love doing what I am doing, and don't bother about them being viral, do it for the art and love and it is my inner reflection. That itself it the reward, irrespective of whether it is commericial in today's trend.
For me personally, I became uninspired once I realised that I didn't have the time and effort to make them as good as everyone else. Also I think in general people started craving more personality and "real shit" in videos overall.
Yup seeing this trend
I wouldn't say I made a cinematic travel film. But I did travel and I did make a film. Titled 'The hard video I have ever made' and it was. It is story driven, filmed well, I like to think. I put my heart and more into it. Maybe it will find its own audience.
Legend! thanks for the message, from MEXICO, come to make one
I try to put my trips into „cinematic“ videos, just mostly struggling with the story part
As a fulltime traveler, I am working on this very thing... Following you, Sam, Aidin, Peter, and many others it literally takes a while to understand how you do what you do and apply it to our own videos. I literally watch thousands of hours for 2 years now and just now starting putting out videos. Storytelling is a skill that must be honed and I know I personally need to work on it along with other aspects. Analysis paralysis is a real thing as we watch our idols creating insane videos and we dont feel good enough to pump out the same quality so we just dont do it. Well... enough of that noise , time to get better by doing... Time to Travel!
How do you afford to be a full time traveler?
absolutely love the intro! haha I laughed so hardddd
Absolutely. I have a goal to make some of these videos, but I always end up saying, "When I'm not as busy." But yes, I always go back to Peter McKinnon's "The Bucket Shot" and "The Mountains Won't Remember Me" and those are the kinds of videos I want to make. I love the United States National Parks (and want to check out the Canadian ones, too), and places like Glacier, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Great Smoky Mountains, they all hold special places in my heart for various reasons, and I want to tell those stories. Hopefully they make a comeback, and hopefully I'm able to start traveling some more again soon to start making my own, regardless of if they stay dead or make a comeback.
i like where you taking this discussion. i am up for the challenge however i need to decide if i want to buy Zve1 or A7cmark 2. what lens would you recommend for traveling e mount
its a new time, where you gotta make something with the simpliest gears so it relates to a broader audience
I get it. I'd like to see more too. I know that now whenever I get a chance to get out to take a trip I just want to do it for myself lol. But I'll definitely try to make a simple 3-5min video on the trip. Cheers! ✈📸🌎🌍🌏🥛🌌
Yea I am starting my engine with a couple. Not just travel videos but adventure in life.
Bro... we love you!! I've taken my gear everywhere, but i haven't made a film for some reason. I mean i have Norway, Italy, 7 trips to Iceland ect. And still haven't touched the footage.. Almost feels weird to even think of making it for some reason. I don't know why honestly.. It kinda seems like its footage that me and my wife can reflect on, and me making a film outta seems like a waste of time that no one will care about besides me and my wife.. I don't know.. I'm in a weird spot on not making anything even tho i have probably over 10tb of travel footage...Also, We Need to hit up a chiefs chargers game this year
Because it takes real effort to edit the footage into something you would be proud of (comparison to others on the platform) and makes sense for an audience larger than yourself and your wife. The video has to have a real vibe (you have to work to get it), a great emotional story (you have to work hard to get it), and now value (inspiration, information, investigative).
There are still people doing them. At least I do (Showreel 2022 you know 😉). But I do have to admit story telling isn't there, at least on my case again. But I agree with you, back in 2017 there were so many creators uploading mindblowing and creative edits of their trips ! I still remember when I discovered these sources of inspiration that made me want to try it too. Jr Alli, Sam Kolder, Aidin Robbins, James Matthews, Mike Visuals... They still create some stuff, but not as many personnal projects for RUclips. I guess now it's more about business than just personnal projects... And as most people already talked about, some great videos that you can see on IG Reels are not published on RUclips, which is sad. I just love seing art on the big screen. Please guys, bring it back ! Thkx for the video Sam, finally someone talking about it 👐🏼 Idk about the Fruity stuff and coco what ? Bro what kind of food is that ? 💀
This is amazing and we agree! We're wanting real stories without all the crazy fluff. We just started our channel and are attempting to tell some of those stories :)
I’m trying to do that. I make my memories in long form vlogs about my travel and trips. It’s maybe not too cinematic, but why I’m not doing more of this? Time! It’s just my hobby, not my work.
Cinematic travel videos were my food and fuel for everything. I took a stab at making some myself and it felt wonderful to tell a story from an adventure I had in a cinematic way. But idk I got tired. I think not being able to give it all the time I wanted to make it kinda killed some of the joy of it for me. Plus I think spending time and energy trying to diffreinciate from the masses that were doing the same exact thing got absolutely exhausting. I took a break from consuming them and trying to make them to come back to later with a fresh perspective on it. I'm not fully back yet but it's intresting to hear your thoughts on this while I was away.
I feel you man! Its been so long seen good video on youtube.
@SamNewton. Took your advice. Started a new channel for cinematic travel videos.
This has always been a passion of mine that I had put on the back burner for way too long.
Done making excuses. Thank you for the nudge.
It so difficult because videographers have to now film landscape and horizontal (for reels) and I think there’s a preference for horizontal. Also, coco pops.
I really love the stuff and I wanna get into it. I think I was just too much of a perfectionist and kinda overwhelmed so I didn't even really start. I'm on a 100-day creator challenge where I create 100 vids in 100 days. Mainly vlogs just for the sake of creating, trying to tell a story every day and getting a better and faster editor.
But I made a more or less cinematic engagement video where I tell a story that is coming up soon. Which made me realise that I crave to create beautiful cinematic stories... So I try to get more in that direction and totally agree with you, that I see way less cinematic content now. Looking also forward to see more stuff from you.
Ah yeah and fruity pebbles or coco puffs 😜
I was just thinking about this, looking for travel inspiration but only finding videos from years ago and nothing recent. I think what really went wrong was the travel content became all about the effects and "wow factor" rather than telling a story, which was good for a while but ultimately wasn't sustainable. I think we can bring them back by making travel videos that matter!
I never stopped making travel films and videos since I started,... 25 years ago, before RUclips... and I've never quit. I never made an Instagram reel or TikTock video either; too short for me. Just straight up travel videos.