Backpacking - A work in progress

I've been hesitant to make this post. I've been working on a video from a trip, and while I initially had a TON of momentum editing this and putting it together...I stalled out.

I thought about it. A lot. ~~Probably~~ definitely lost some sleep. Why didn't I want to sit at the computer at night and just get this done? Spoiler alert - I don't have the answer. Maybe it was getting sucked into watching Billions. Or the USMNT playing Mexico. Or NHL/NBA playoffs. Or sleepy. Or checking out new NFTs - BAYC! Look at those excuses, they come easily.

This wasn't true to the spirit of why I started this. I wanted to show the work. Capture and showcase some learning. Not just share final products. So taking a new approach...here's where I'm at so far.

A work in progress. Don't watch it all...it needs work.

Accomplished So Far

Cut up footage from fancy camera on tripod
Do this with Resolve's speed editor
Learn to blur out private parts

The speed editor is awesome. I'm still in the learning curve face, but had a few glimpses of it's power. I had many more glimpses of...oh wow what did I just do and why can't I undo it. How did I even do that in the first place? Most of these seemed to be a result of bouncing between the Cut and Edit views and not realizing there was a difference in functionality. I'm impressed, and happy to purchase a great product from a company that continues to impress.

Speed Editor. Slower for now. A fast future ahead.

Blurring out privates - this was awkward. I don't think anyone should have to spend so long reviewing that kind of footage, especially of themselves. Props to the auto-tracking in Resolve. Once I learned how to use that, it made things MUCH faster and easier. I didn't have to move the blurred section manually, the computer does it for me! Weird that it can do that though.

Tracking wasn't perfect here...a lucky few could catch a quick butt shot for 2 frames. Fixed now. You are welcome.

The TODO List

Incorporate some GoPro footage. As it stands, the video is kind of cinematic and captures the solo experience. But I get bored watching it. GoPro is where I filmed more outtakes and talking to myself, and I think it makes it more fun to watch.
Add some footage from around camp, going to bed, etc.
Decide what to do with the 2nd day footage. Its at the end now, but I think it would be better as part of one story.
Potentially add some commentary. I saw some REALLY cool stuff I didn't capture: A dog scared the hell out of me. Starlink getting deployed in a big long line of 50 satellites (while I was listening to a great audiobook set in space). Some of these are my favorite parts of the trip, but there's no video to really go with it.
Color correct / color grade. Some of the snow is too bright. Everything can use a contrast bump and a bit more pop. Some shadows need a lift. Should I give myself a spray tan?
Music - I like the ambient sounds of the birds and wind, but think a little music will make it more engaging.
Some titles / effects. I won't be disclosing the location, but want to get some basic title effects I've been playing with into this video.
Cut the longer video (I imagine all told it'll be around 8-10 min) down into a few bite sized segments to share on other platforms like Instagram.
Decide if I'm bold enough for my skinny dip to be one of those segments.

Stay tuned. I may get this ALL done this week. I may also just go backpacking again and accumulate more footage to sift through from another trip.