Steady Some Shots
The whole Blair Witch wobbly camera thing is fine when you’re on the back of a camel, but some of Egypt’s greatest majesty lies in calm panoramic shots and smooth transitions. Invest in a small tripod (Gorillapods are excellent!) to steady landscape shots and give the whole movie a more polished feel.
Set the Context
Set the time and date… then remove the date stamp (it looks messy). By setting the context you need to cover all the things on our Nile cruises that your eye automatically picks up on. Avoid the usual walk-around-pointing-from-behind-the-camera saying “This is the breakfast buffet. This is the balcony.” And instead opt to have someone in front of the camera confidently introduce things whilst the camera operator concentrates on steady shots and fluid movements.
Tell the Story and Follow a Timeline
Make sure you film as much as possible. Imagine you’re making the movie to show someone who couldn’t accompany you on the trip, someone who wants to see every bit of your day. Record a few just-woke-up conversations, Granddad’s camel ride, the trip to the market – everything!
Record Individual Emotions and Comments
Cornering your fifteen-year-old son and requesting a ten minute monologue about his favourite Nile cruise and stay features and excursions might seem like a chore at the time, but in a decade when the Nile cruise holiday is a distant memory, the short interviews of your family or holiday group will be gold.
