Well I hope I am doing this right.

My entry will start with a shot of me looking out over a pond, dreaming of travel to far off places.

Switch to packing and getting ready to get on a plan

Fly to Equador and then to the Galapagos Islands

Ten days island hopping and videoing wildlife on the islands and trying to show that even in these remote areas extensive tourism is taking its toll.

The footage will include close ups of wildlife, native plants, and hopefully interviews with local tour guides and tourists talking about why they decided to visit the Galapagos and what the future may hold for these islands.

If time permits and I can find a way to draw it in I may include a short segment on Machu Picchu, which is also experiancing an influx of tourium and how it is efecting the area and culture.

And that is my plan. Bob Safay, sign up #16

Hi Bob,
That all sounds really exciting. I like that you have a plan of what you will be shooting. One thing i have done is write a bit of script, since my project will have narration. If you plan on doing the same, maybe starting to write a script for your project would be a good idea. My script will definately change along the way & i still need to draw up a detailed shot list, but i have written into my script where particular shots will go. If i have a written shot list, when i do eventually get out with the camera, i will have something to refer to, to make sure i don't forget anything, & believe me, without it, i probably would!
Good luck with your project, it certainly sounds like an exciting place to base it on.
Regards,
Bryce

Well I hope I am doing this right.

My entry will start with a shot of me looking out over a pond, dreaming of travel to far off places.

Switch to packing and getting ready to get on a plane



This has to be a dream movie to make Bob - sounds absolutely wonderful.

I was under the distinct impression that we had to submit a movie with this though even if it was just showing the preparations.

Look forward to this one for sure!

Oops - sorry Bob - just realized you are probably waiting to upload your video onto the Uwol site.
Marj

Bob, your video sounds like our most exotic project so far.
I can't wait to follow your project, and to see your finished video!
Go for it, and good luck!!

Bob,
this is a exciting plan! To me Galapagos Islands has been a dream to be able to go to for a long time. If I ever will only time will show. I will therefore look forward to watch your entry with excitement.

Good luck, Bob!

Hi Bob.
What a way to go.
Galapagos Islands must be every wildlife film makers dream.
Can't wait to see your film :)
Just remember to bring with you enough batteries, etc.

All the best.
Geir Inge

Thanks to you all. Since I am not going there until late may my video clip is about getting ready to go. Bob

Bob,

I really like the dream escape idea and carrying on from there!!! It would be great to show some footage of the same species from different islands showing the subtle differences that prompted "the Origin of species".

Can't wait to see your three minutes for a teaser.

I thought at first that your beginning was not much original.
When I looked at your video, I have reconsigned.
The beginning is fine and will give the right contrast to the exotic islands.
I will probably newer come to Galapagos, but I am waiting with excitement for your film from this dreamland.

Finn-Erik

Hey Bob,
I just watched your film last night. Looks fantastic. I especially like all the graphics you used to show us exactly where you were going. You have created a sense of adventure in your first part, & i think this will ad volumes to your end film. You must be very excited about going to the Galapogos islands, i'm excited too, & can't wait to see your film from it.
Regards,
Bryce

While I am delighted that I have a better excuse to return "home" to Montana many times in the next 6 months due to this "challenge"...your adventure makes mine seem small and local in comparison. I'm delighted this is going to allow you to do what we all would love to do - visit Darwin's famed Galapogos Islands... Big(!) responsibility though, because now you have to take us all along with you in your filmmakers eye.

Do us proud Bob!

This should be fun.

Chris

ps. Fun "teaser".

A great start to an adventure - wish I was going there too.

I think perhaps you needed an extra map in there to show that the Galapagos really is out in the middle of nowhere - then cut to the map just showing the islands themselves. And maybe a comment about going across a bigger pond than the one you were looking over at the beginning?

Bob,
You have a great start. I loved the UWOL plug while packing. I wonder how many of us paused playback when your equipment shot came up to ID each piece? As a zoologist, I like that you don’t seem to be overemphasizing the Charles Darwin angle. Most people have the impression that Darwin’s visit to Galapagos inspired his thinking about evolution. This is not so. He had been preoccupied by the twin problems of explaining the fossil record and explaining the diversity of organisms since he was a young student. Earlier in the Beagle voyage, while in Patagonia, he wrote notes for an article that was essentially the same rationally as the later publication. What he lacked at that time were concrete examples that most readers, those not versed in comparative anatomy, could readily see and believe. The visit to Galapagos provided those needed examples. The Galapagos Islands are very important to the history of human thought- just for a different reason than is generally accepted. How ironic that the people that seem most interested in stopping human destruction of the ecosystem form the core of those now over-loving this place to death. What a great story to tell.

Great idea and really does lend to getting out and having an adventure. I'd love to go to the Galapagos and I hear they are limiting the number of people allowed there due to over tourism, so a great angle for the film.

P.S. I was at Machu Picchu last year and the amount of tourists there was staggering. It almost took away the wonder of the place itself. I recommend getting the early bus up to the site to catch the sunrise; it is less busy and looks amazing.

I just figured out I had to post the link. Sorry about that. I am glad you all like my little plan. Anne, you are right about a broader view than the pond and putting in a larger may to show distance before the larger map. And Mike, you are right about now going with the Darwin angle. A bit over played. Chris, Montana ain't to bad either, I worked at Glacier the summer of......well lets just say a long time ago. Oh, during packing throwing in the UWOL T-shirt was a last minute idea, did look good though didn't it. Bob


http://www.uwolchallenge.com/longform/Safay_TheGalapagos_UWOLLongForm.mov

Another classic... 'Journey' concept and what better place than the Galapagos! The home of evolution...well kinda :-) Anyway, I like the angle of showing the effects of tourism on even places such as this where tourism is actually capped if I'm not mistaken.

I bet you will see some amazing things and I'm looking forward to seeing the results. I don't know whether you are qualified in scuba but there are some fantastic dives out there. Oh and you must capture me some footage of the marine iguanas, amazing creatures !

Loving the uwol t-shirt in your packing video.....I must of course ;-) !

It looks great so far, Bob! Looking forward to more of the video!!

Finally managed to view your video. Very nice start to a very promising movie.

I couldn't help thinking as I was watching, what incredible lengths we have to go to to produce a movie. I bet you were really miffed having to put all that stuff away again!
Anyway I'm sure you are looking forward to the day when you can really pack those clothes and climb on the plane to your Destination - Galapagos!

Wonderful topic.

Hi ya'll, well I posted my update last night on the uwol web page but have no idea where it went, only that "they" received it. I am not IT savvy. Anyway, once I find it I will set up a link. Bob

Hi Bob:

It's up, and it is awesome! Great start. Informative, perfectly set up. I am so happy for you! How long are you going to be there? This was very enjoyable, and you haven't even gotten there yet.

Nice touch with the UWOL t-shirt. I laughed. Way to go guy. And, you have a nice home by the way.

Cat

P.S. Smooth camera work in the car. Was it on a stabilizer?

Well you did a great job of setting us up for what is to come. Fun piece, and like Cat said, informative. A good primer. The sight gag was fun as well. I thought of you as I struggled to get something up and was thinking the entire time - HE will have SOMETHING and he can't really post much of ANYTHING until he is back from going THERE!

I'm really anxious to see your footage when you return. When are your trip dates again?

Chris Swanberg

ps..Nice to see your face too... now have an image to accompany the name on the screen !

Today, today I leave for Machu Picchu and the Galapagos. Finally I will be able to get some videoing done for the long form. Bob

Bob, how is Machu Picchu, Galapagos? I believe your're still there! Hopefully you got the footage you need for your film.

Nice to see you in person in your second entry, Bob. Did you manage to get all your gear with you at the flight, looked like you had some load of accessories there!

I'm eagerly waiting for next episode, watching some of the footage you got there. Hope to hear from you soon how it was being there!

I was reminded of Indiana Jones when you were packing for the trip. Great into to your upcoming film...more of a teaser I would say...I'm hooked...looking forward to seeing the footage you capture.

Well I am back from Machu Picchu and the Galapagos. And all I can say is WOW what a trip. I ended up shooting over 7 hours of video. You literally have to step over the nesting Booby Birds and sleeping sea lions. I have never gotten that close to wildlife before. The sound of thousands of frigate birds and fur seals make for incredable audio.

Per, I was able to get the Canon XL-2 with 20 and 3x as carry on. Brought a tripod with me but was never able to use it. Not allowed at Machu Picchu (see below) and not practical getting in and out of the small rubber rafts (Pangas) carrying a tripod, Canon XL-2, 3x lens, water bottle and life vest. No problem with electrical power at either place.

Now for the warning. Seems like Machu Picchu is doing the same as our National Parks as far as equipment. Just before going to the city our guide looked at my XL-2 and said. We have a problem. Seems that they will consider this camcorder, or even a digital like the Mark II with 400 mm lens as "Professional" and want to charge you a permit fee. And from what my guide said was not cheap. We ended up disassembling the Canon and he took in the body, my wife took the 20x and 3x lens and I had the viewfinder/mic. Each time I wanted to video I had to assemble it all, video, then stash the equipment. The second day we went in the same way, Canon hidden in three backpacks. This time all I took in was the 3x which is a little smaller, so I decided to just keep shooting until a guard asked me to leave. Fortunately I was able to finish the day with no problems however, my guide was approched three times and asked how much I had to pay to get the permit.

Welcome home, you renegade shooter you!

Must have been quite an experience... 7 hours eh? You have your work cut out for you editing I suspect.

Hope you maybe can throw up something for us to see, even unedited... I mean after all, we'll all along for the ride and it's just getting good!

As a FWIW... I have been playing with the trial version of Mercalli Prodad deshaker and find that it improves pretty much anything I handhold. If you are not using a deshaker program you might want to investigate that if you are a Parkinson's like hand holder such as I am.

Chris, thanks. Where do I find the deshaker program? Here is a short clip I put up on YouTube. Bob

YouTube - Galapagos (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7nizHHqAuk)

Bob - here is a link: proDAD - Mercalli -- Video Stabilizer (http://www.prodad.de/gb/mercalli_std_details.html)

There is a trial version that is full featured, it just places a watermark on the result.

Bob... fascinating stuff.... the iguana snorting water out of his nostrils was priceless !

Oh and, you have a steadier hand than I. (g).

Bob, wow that was some amazing footage you got! Seems that your trip was successful even with your problems with the authorities allowing you to use proper gear!

I´m looking very well forward to your finished film, 7 hours of raw material should be sufficient for some really interesting scenes!

Wow Bob,
Fantastic stuff! You have some really nice footage for your film there. I didn't find the shake on the shots too bad at all. I loved the way you slowed down some of the footage of the birds diving into the water & the shot of the iguana squirting the salty water out of its nose & it certainly helped lesson the shake.
With 7 hours of footage for you to work with, along with the stuff you have already of the planning stages, it certainly looks like you have the makings of a great film. This looks like a real adventure & i can't wait to see more. Good luck with the editing. Will you be doing any more filming for your project or is that it now & on to the editing stage? I guess if you have all the footage you need, then you at least have plenty of time to spend on the editing & get things exactly how you want them.
Thanks for sharing, & all the best.
Bryce

Hi Bob.
Great footage my friend :)
Can't say much more, other that I really do envy your trip to Galapagos.
Can't wait to see more from the islands.

Geir Inge

OK everyone, I loaded The Galapagos #3 last night. It was a bit longer than I intended but what the heck, enjoy it. Bob

Sorry, I uploaded this on YouTube Sunday night, left on travel and did not get home till last night where I discovered that it was to long for YouTube. I cut three minutes off the begining. As you recall, the begining was me packing to go to the Galapagos and ended with the shot of the plane taking off from Atlanta. This picks up at the end of that. I uploaded the entire thing to the UWOL site so I hope that that went through. Enjoy. Bob

YouTube - Safay TheGalapagos UWOLLongForm3b (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35Jhj4eIO20)

Bob- Very good! You truly found the adventure you were seeking. There are several things I like about this sequence. First of all, the travelogue approach. It really makes me feel like I’m there following you around. The shot looking out of the plane window is great. I like the way you integrated stills with video. It was fun to see my old friend Sally Lightfoote. I especially liked the shot with the ocean spray rainbows. You are really putting together an interesting program!

It is a pleasure to be a traveling guest through your video. You have many fine shots of so many different animals. I am envious. Are most of them shot without tripod? I think it looks steady yet and works well. It gives the film a documentary character. Your narrating is good and not too much.

Bob:

How inspiring! I can only dream of a trip like that, and here you serve it up on a silver platter! The wildlife footage is excellent and of course, exotic. You have a nice narration voice and the travel log approach suits the film well. I am especially fond of the Galapagos Iguana, my favorite! I would have loved to have seen much more of him. Any thought to adding music? The right selection might throw us into an instant tropical reverie and round out your video. Nicely done, Bob. Geir will be pleased, you even ask a question that perks our interest hopefully you will eventually tell us, just why all the boats are painted blue! ;-)

All the best for the next round. Can't wait to see what else you ran into there!

Cat

Bob

You managed to take us all along with you on this journey. Your film was well done, nicely edited and kept me enthralled throughout. It did feel like I was there with you and the is the ultimate compliment.

Good narration btw. An epic journey.... well shared ! Thank you.

Chris Swanberg

Bob, very interesting and nice film. The film was nice built up and got my interest from start to end.
I could have wished some more close-up shots of some of the species, though! But it could be that it was difficult for you to get real close in a trip like this?

The sound seem a bit low, I had to raise the volum to top on my laptop to hear your narrating.

Looking forward to watch your complete story!

Bob,


I truly enjoyed watching your film! I really liked the close ups and bet in full res they would be spectacular!!

I thought the naration was good but a couple times would have liked a little more information on a species.

the clip of lonesome george I really could not make out the turtle. If it is hd perhaps you could crop it a bit for emphesis!!

I look forward to the finished product.

Hey Bob ! You made it there....wow I'm very envious!

I liked your narration although I think you need to find more in way of a story on which the hang both the film and the sequences. I like the travellers guide feel of the piece but it somehow need more. A search for something, something or some information you (and us) are looking to find out. This will give the piece a better angle and add some suspense and keep people watching.

I think the footage on the whole is nice. It could have used a tripod in places and the shot movement a little more controlled but I do like what you've got. Oh I love the surf coming up behind the Booby....great shot and very Galapagos in feel...lovely!

It may also be worth dropping the sound track in places because it has little value and doesnt add anything. Maybe this is a good chance to use some score and or other background/foley sounds.

All in all I want some more...so your doing the right thing! Just give me something to wait for and some more information and story and i think your piece will be even better!

Cheers
Mat

Hi Bob.

Well you really do show us a varation of species.
Can't say other than I do envy your trip to The World of Darwin :)
When it comes to storyline, I'm not sure what way it'll take, or what you're aiming at.
But I fully agreed with Mat in that matter.
Nice shots and angles. I guess your soundtrack will be modified in the end? Take a way unnecessary noice/sound, people speaking, etc.
But if I refer to your first ULF video I think your story will be an adventure like, am I right or am I wrong?

All the best.
Geir Inge

Sorry for the late reply, I just got back from doing a video in Baraboo, Wisconsin. Thanks for all your comments. I wish I could have used a tripod, but much to hard to get it into and out of a "ponga" with other people in it. I also realize that I need to work on the audio. Definately need to get rid of the background chatter. And, I need to beef up the story. I want to add more on the wildlife as well as some information on the different islands. I must say, it was a dream trip and I would do it again in a New York minute.

Have to agree - you certainly have some beautiful shots there Bob. What an experience. Some of the species are really intriguing and I am curious to find out more about them. Looking forward to your next installment!
Marj

Hello to all. I am sorry to be late, but I did upload The Galapagos long form to UWOL. It is a continuation of my travels to the Galapagos Islands. This evening I will post the updated version on UTube. As it is over 10 minutes long I will cut the first parts that you have already seen. Also, as I got behind in things I have not added a lot of the detailed narration about the islands such as population, limiting factors in growth and eradication of non-native animals. This will be included in the final version. Enjoy. Bob

Looking forward to seeing the version on You Tube when it's up!

Cat

Here is the link to my 4th update for the UWOL Long Form on youtube. It is a continuation of my travels to the Galapagos. Enjoy. Bob

YouTube - Safay TheGalapagos UWOLLongForm4b (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WixCPPl87kI)

Bob- You’ve done some fabulous work here. Doubly so because you had so few days to shoot everything. Congratulations. I’m really looking forward to seeing the finished piece with all the parts in the right place! See you next month.

Finally had a chance to look at your entry. Really nice and I loved the frigitbird!! The finished rendition is going to be really nice I am certain and I can't wait to see it!!