Make Better Motorcycle Travel Videos

[@AstheMagpieFlies]

Thanks so much for watching you guys I hope you find it useful. ▶▶▶If you felt like you learned something from this video please consider leaving a tip/buy me a gallon of gas for my next trip! ko-fi.com/asthemagpieflies

[@Dubhghaill]

Gee, we didn't have all them fancy things in my day, so all my trips are locked up in my head until i lose my memory...

[@MeghanStark]

You're blessing the people with these insider tips! Also it's so brutal when people don't adjust the levels on the music in their videos

[@AstheMagpieFlies]

Thanks Meghan! lol Not gonna lie half way through editing and I was like... this is a skillshare course XD lmao For real. Especially when you try and watch stuff on a TV the music is overpowering!

[@GlobalWalkabout]

I literally went through a video that is due to release on Wednesday morning and re adjusted the levels after watching your video Amanda 😊 Audio is something I have been working very hard I'm trying to get right.

[@chrisyoonful]

👏stor👏ry👏tell👏ING! glad this was your first piece of advice. everyone needs a hero's journey.

[@Joe-fi4hv]

Hi, I'm Amanda Zito and this is my Masterclass.

[@eddcurry1245]

Art is personal. Make art for you. Tell your story and create for yourself, and then for your bff. But, anyway, this video content is exceptional

[@maurogallegos8694]

Hey Amiga, I like your little dances you show on your videos 😊, and the food preparation it humanizes the videos as well, thank you thank you thank you…

[@rickyhendricks9329]

I’m glad you mentioned music. The volume of music is always louder than talking. I don’t like wearing my headphones so late at night I’m having to reach for the volume control every time the music comes on.

[@RYANo_Moto]

Your “stories” and how you put them together in videos is unlike anyone else I’m subscribed to! When I make videos I try to remind myself to build stories like you do, but they never end up the way I plan. At this point - I’m forcing myself to post them and just hoping I get better over time. 🤣 If you ever get bored please critique one of my videos - you won’t hurt my feelings, I’m eager to get better! 😎

[@andhag]

When I rode through Death Valley I didn't bother setting up my gopro because I figured there wouldn't be anything interesting moving there, just cool landscape panoramas. Well what do you know, two jet fighters fly as low as they can, straight over my head, and dives into a canyon right in front of me. Yeah, I have some regrets about that one.

[@NicaHarlistamotovlogs]

So far the best video I seen, your style of video of story telling is my type of video. I struggle every time I go on a road trip because I end up taking too much camera equipment with me.

[@AstheMagpieFlies]

Thank you so much I'm glad it was useful! haha it does take a bit of trial and error to get the kit down to just what you need, and learning to work with just what you've got. But problem solving is also a key part of creativity!

[@jameserskine9980]

"Sometimes, we just have to do what we can do right now..." Thank you for making the video, we are all a little down at the moment. This summer I'm planning to make my first video on the WABDR. I will be watching this one again. Cheers..

[@TheQuest541]

I hate that your channel isn't bigger. Your content is great and the quality is phenomenal.

[@mikesbigadventures194]

Oh boy, that one moment? When ADV riding, coming over a hill in the Santa Cruz Mountains, under a canopy of trees on a great dirt road, and having a 12 point buck and a doe cross the road in front of me. My GoPro was mounted on my helmet but the battery had died 10 minutes earlier. When scuba diving at The Metridian Fields at San Carlos Beach in Monterey this past Halloween day, I saw a 4 ft Bat Ray go by our group and couldn’t get my camera turned on in time to catch it. These are great tips and I hope to use them on my next attempt to make a video.

[@jeffsuchland7205]

I really dig the story telling! It's SOO important to share the stories.

[@AstheMagpieFlies]

Thanks so much Jeff!

[@cruisingprimate1072]

I have 27 group ride videos to edit from last summer and I'm really not good at it so they all look basic, still can't get myself to do them. Not being able to ride while dealing with personal problems makes my days to be blah and don't feel like doing anything, zero motivation. ohh well, one day

[@AstheMagpieFlies]

oh jeez lol that's a lot of build up! If I don't edit something within a month of creating the raw footage I loose a whole lot of steam and it probably won't happen lol I believe in you though!

[@bradb2514]

Really great! Loved it! I don't make videos, but as an Art Director for most of my life, I gotta say that I have come across WAY too many people that shouldn't either! LOL! Seriously, your hints at story telling and photo/video composition are GOLDEN! Drop mic, classed DISMISSED, yo! As for shots missed, I was camping solo in Kentucky near Mammoth Cave National Park one early evening when I spotted this huge horned beetle walking on the rim of my bike wheel, slowly checking out each spoke as if it were a place to climb. I was just mesmerized. The soft light from the setting sun highlighted a rainbow of colors on this proud little beast. I never knew the creature existed, and felt pretty special to spend time watching it. Yes, I could have grabbed my iPhone but I wanted nothing to disrupt the utter lack of urgency of that moment. I thought about that little bug for two days...until I saw the naked man getting gas on the opposite pump at the Gas-N-Go and BANG, like a shovel to the side of my head, I was back to reality. I missed that shot, too.

[@AstheMagpieFlies]

Thanks Brad! :) Oh my gosh that just sounds magical! lmao at the naked man XD

[@mkoehler222]

I don't believe you. I still say your hiding a film crew around there somewhere! Haha. You're the best. Mark

[@richardmourdock2719]

Your "arc" is so simple, so basic and yet so unappreciated. Personality, a smile and a pleasant voice may get a few views.. but the story has to be there. Always! Great examples, you and Noraly (a.k.a. Itchy Boots). Her story line is uniquely compelling of course (riding around the world, solo) but in every journey she faces some adversity and includes a pleasant angle. You too1 You present the adversity in a way that reminds me (and I'm sure of many others) of the day "Oh yea, I faced that!" (dumping a bike, caught in the rain with crappy gear, exploding saddle bags.. ) We enjoy seeing your solutions and I'm sure, comparing yours to ours. Few of us will ever ride across continents for years at a time, but you don't have to do that to have that compelling story. I'm sure we'd all be stunned how many hours of editing you have to do with each hour of posted video. It has to be a lot of work. Cudos to you for what you do, Amanda! You bring us smiles with the inspiration.

[@ScramblerStories]

I wish I had gotten some sweet drone shots riding off-road in Arizona, but I was too occupied mentally with not letting sand defeat me! Now if only I could get time to edit video!

[@tomwright9267]

This is golden. Each of your tips I was able to relate immediately to the outstanding flow of your video.

[@robertlorenzo5166]

Heading across I-90 west in South Dakota and all of a sudden clearing the next rise and there’s the Missouri River and the sweeping curves on the other side.

[@57Technoman]

Your videos are perfectly balanced.

[@gilbertbates8522]

Here's my 2 cents worth of things I don't like to see. First is the vlogging while riding. it seems people that do that feel that they have to fill in every second with dialog and they start rambling about stuff, which gives me, the viewer, that the rider is getting distracted from riding. The second thing is the cut away to the side of the head shot while still looking forward, back and forth, can't stand that! Thanks for the great videos Amanda!

[@AdventureTraveller]

Good morning from GREECE. I watch every time you upload videos with great interest. Really great feeling to share the trips with the motorcycle.

[@rodneyjohnston2217]

Thank you for all the tips. I love your channel. You are truly one of best motorcycle channels on KZbin.

[@davidvance3527]

A lot of good equipment. More important is the time and effort editing that makes the quality of your videos shine. 👍😎

[@AstheMagpieFlies]

Thanks David! Hard to have good stuff to edit if you don't capture everything from the get go though lol can't have one without the other.

[@RoadWorrierMoto]

I just have to make sure I ride alone or with people willing to make stops along the side of the road for “one last photo, I promise.” 😬🤣🤷‍♀️

[@AstheMagpieFlies]

lol I pretty much warn ANYONE Who's like "ya I want to ride with you" lol ya.... no you don't lol we'll be stopped for two hours for a stop that should only take 10 minutes haha

[@mattovictimcycles1334]

Lost moments. Took plenty of pictures but videos were done with large cameras back in 1990..Pictures don't do justice... The motorcycle trip was with my Dad and he has passed.... Videos would have been awesome..... Six week motorcycle adventure from Maryland to Alaska....bucket list item for Dad... Have started watching vlogs on KZbin want to start recording my trips/experiences....Thanks for the info...trying to get setup correctly.....Safe travels

[@thomasatwood484]

Great tips. Your videos are very well done. What I wish I'd captured? I was staying at the original Crossroads of Time in Cruso, NC with some friends back in the late 90's. We got up and decided to do a pre-breakfast run over to Tellico Plains in TN. We took the newly opened Cherohala Skyway, a beautiful road that runs through the Blue Ridge mountains south of the Blue Ridge Parkway. The sun was just up. Once we got up on the Skyway, you could see all the wispy clouds in the valleys before they burned off. It was like riding through the air. This was the most beautiful ride I've ever experienced, and I wish I had video of it.

[@OutofAustin]

Hi Amanda. Thanks for introducing yourself to me. I’m a first time viewer and immediately a new subscriber. 😁👍🏼 Great advice/content. I am ready to take my videos to the next step - hope you don’t mind me learning from you

[@SmallADVentures1973]

I'm a bit later in the day watching it, but I did indeed enjoy it, did find it helpful, and learned a bit too (I also saved it in a folder that I keep called "Videos I want to keep" to learn from later) 😁👍 End screen: Any footage at all from some of the 18+ straight hours of torrential pouring rain that I rode through on my only Iron Butt ride in 2018...I knew my GoPro was H2O proof (or dang near it), but my phone (which I use to control my GoPro) obviously wasn't....it never occurred to me to start recording manually because I could edit in or out the noise for some music (I hadn't delved that deep into editing videos at that point), so I only actually recorded maybe 4 hours video footage for what was a week long 2,400 mile trip (none of it rainy, so it actually looked like a blisteringly hot and dry trip--and some of it was, but the majority of I was soaked to the bone and riding in rain, LOL). Great (like, great-great) video, my friend! I hope you're well, and have a great weekend! As always, Liked and Shared 😊✌

[@bobklaege5569]

Fantastic! “I am not worthy, I am not worthy!” Slowly building out my bike and my video kit for that future epic journey. Your perspective is so appreciated. End screen... nothing specific. I call them the 1000’s of photographs I keep in my head. That magical moment where your mind snaps the perfect picture of Egrets in a foggy field on your way to work in the morning. And you can’t stop because your running late and traffic is eating your rear tire. Then when you try to find it again on a ride, you never can. Or when there is no safe place to stop when you have everything you need but it is just unobtainable.

[@BeGoneForGood]

We went into the Utah backcountry to conquer Lockhart Basin and without getting too dramatic, we were WAY underprepared. It got super intense and we ran out of food and water overnight. Eventually we made it out and had our first water in about 20 hours at an RV park. I wish I would have recorded that moment of our first sips and the celebration of our survival soon after. It would have been a great moment to really capture just how dire we felt our circumstances were on this trip. That is my most regretted "missed shot" in all my filming.

[@whitmeza]

Where was this video when I first started motovlogging last year?!!! 👏👏👏🙌

[@AstheMagpieFlies]

haha thanks lady :P Not that YOU needed it!! I'm sure there's so much camera knowledge I could learn from YOU!

[@vanjkasiki]

Amanda thank you very much for this extra video. I am learning a lot from you, now it is time to implement the "stuff". Props from Serbia, Europe

[@UniCommProductions]

Thank you so much for this video! I've been making content for about 4 years about malls but I am planning to start a new series about rides on my Can Am Ryker and all of this was incredibly valuable to me. Stay safe out there and keep being awesome!

[@mikewalters9472]

I think all your videos are GREAT !!! Even your first ones !!!

[@johnpagejr.7628]

Their is one time I will always remember and if I would have had a camera I am not sure it would have done it justice. I was a -10% night on Lolo pass south west of Missoula Montana. My wife and my two sons and I went for a night time xcountry ski outing under a full moon. When we got there we saw that the meadow was covered in hor frost. It looked like some one had spread a million diamonds out across the meadow. It was the most magical night I have ever experienced .

[@AstheMagpieFlies]

Thanks John! The Clearwater National Forest is a treasure that's for sure! I don't think even a professional videographer could capture just how magical that area is in person.

[@briangunn4030]

Most detailed and easy to understand how to video I’ve seen on this topic. Video saved. Thank you!

[@wanderlpnw]

Nice tips for filming my kids, too.

[@OldGuyonaBike]

Good video and you covered everything even if you are not feeling 100%. No matter what camera(s) you use, the big thing is learning everything it will do.

[@gallegorider149]

End screen answer ... 2018 riding through Iowa when my headlight fell off ... literally dangling by the wire and we pulled off the road (accidentally) right in front of a Walmart where we MacGyver’d a fix .. not one darn picture ... people don’t believe me ... LOL

[@AstheMagpieFlies]

Isn't funny how we tend to totally forget about taking pictures or videos when things go wrong but that's what we wish we had to share that these crazy things happened with other people XD Still kicking myself for not having a picture of my brother's bike down when we were in Montana lol

[@ThatPlatedLife]

Thank you much..This is exactly where I am in the process. I just released my first KZbin vid 2 days ago. Be great!

[@sonboogie]

You have no idea how much you inspire me.

[@AstheMagpieFlies]

AW! Thanks so much Don! I'm glad I could help a little :)

[@BlackThor15]

AWESOME video Amanda, well done!! Thank you for sharing your knowledge, keep it up, you're doing great!! 👍👍

[@wereeves]

I have 2 missed moments - first was when I hit a deer at speed on my FJR (and didn't crash); I had turned off my gopro because we were on a relatively boring stretch of road. 2nd was in the Michigan U.P. on dual sports - we can around a corner and there was a wolf in the trail about 100 yards from us. Great video - it's great to see what goes into making the content you produce and share - Thank you!

[@boot6790]

I really admire what you do,I seen you on her two wheels. I can no longer ride health to bad. Enjoy every day and be safe.

[@AstheMagpieFlies]

Thank you so much Boot 67 I really appreciate that!

[@Touringmidwest]

Some great tips here. I need to get better with getting b roll, definitely a goal for this season. I like the ideas for the sd cards, Nice way to keep things organized, I've always wanted to pick up a Gnarbox but it's always one of those things that gets put aside for something else and doesn't fit my budget.

[@gallegorider149]

Feel better soon! Keep on doing the thing ... your videos are amazing.

[@AstheMagpieFlies]

Thank you so much!!

[@imafarmboy2]

I took my parents on a helicopter ride over the grand canyon. I was so focused on getting pictures and was constantly looking through the lens for the first bit but then I thought hey, I'm here to enjoy myself. I gave the camera to my parents to take some pics that they wanted and it worked out pretty good. Sometimes you just have to enjoy life and see what you captured later. I like to think of those moments as my private memories that only I get to enjoy.

[@sitinurhajarabdulsalim5181]

I miss u..❤. its almost 2 month I didnt watch motovlog

[@dennism665]

Superior job Magpie! Keep up the good work. Thx for the efforts.

[@PistonSlap]

Great video topics! I agree our audience is a bit picky and they can leave at any given point. I love the sound of the bike. But like you said it's a preference.

[@Plateau_Skull]

Love the B Roll tips, about picking out the smaller things that really take a viewer to the place. The flowers etc. This will definitely be sth I incorporate in the future! Kit-wise, I think i'll be limited to my drift and phone for a good while to come 😂

[@AttorneyThatRides]

Proud of your girl for the awesome info video. Like you stated some of the info I all ready knew but I gleaned alot for my Harley Adventure vids! Keep up da hard work :)

[@neilmackinnon3371]

What a fantastically informative video Amanda, thank you. And all of that is why I am a photographer, but will never be a vlogger....WAAAAAAY too complicated...oh and I hate editing. End screen answer: I am the father of two children, there are just too many missed shots to possibly list.... but I have them in my head. I do hope that you are soon feeling well, remember, spring is coming.... I know this cos the horses are just about starting to lose the first bits of winter coat.

[@AstheMagpieFlies]

Thanks Neil! :) Truth there's a lot more extra bs when filming haha

[@markthompson1796]

Awesome video. Really great quick tips. Thanks for taking the time.

[@donmartin9567]

Thank you, thank you, thank you. You've given out a gigantic number of tips. I'm not a music aficionado at all and the thing I REALLY hate is folks that dump in a sound track and don't reduce the volume. I watch KZbin on a 65" TV that has great sound and pretty much every amateur video I watch has the volume way too loud. That's even true in movies I watch! As I'm older, my hearing isn't as good as it once was so to understand what people are saying, I need to keep the volume a bit higher but then the music kicks in and blasts away. I've turned off videos and quit subscriptions in the past due to this.

[@Crittermoto]

Thanks for sharing Amanda! I’m always striving to get my videos to your quality/caliber. That one moment: my very first ever long distance motorcycle journey, before action cameras and when handheld video cameras required the strength of He-Man to carry.....I had left early that morning just as the sun was rising. The air was crisp, the kind of crisp you can feel in your eyes. After leaving the motel I headed north through the interior of BC. Not another vehicle to be found for days, just me, my motorcycle, and the BC wilderness. I rounded a corner to be face to face with the biggest bear I have I ever seen. I stopped there on the highway and he stopped there as well. There we we’re probably 20’ apart just staring at each for what seemed an eternity. Me looking at him thinking “wow” and him looking at me thinking “nice bike” 🤣 I wish I had that experience on film.

[@SoundMindADV]

Thanks for this. Lot of value here. Take care Amanda 😊

[@AstheMagpieFlies]

Thanks Jess :D

[@Chokkan]

This is great! Thanks for sharing these. I totally agree with you on sound levels and making a video unique.

[@justjohnthomas]

Awesome tips and information, you definitely provide motivation to get out and do the thing! Wish I would have got more footage at the Alvord dessert recently, was super windy and didn’t grab much.

[@JaayRides]

Thanks for sharing! Will be definitely applying all of these to my ride videos 👍🏻

[@drklynoonrides6674]

The one moment I wish I had captured......Hmmm I'd say my ride up to buy my CB500x. I really wish I would have documented that trip.

[@TheGorillaBiker]

Great video Amanda, really cool I stumbled on to the same gain as you through experimentation basically, I'm doing something right at least :D Finding decent music is tough. you do a fantastic job of it tho. I've never thought to drop in stock footage. Hmm, must remember that! I just load up SD cards and hope for the best :) I have an Air too! I love it :) And I just ordered a Canon M50 to replace my d3500. Great video!!

[@Bashirachakzai]

Watching from Pakistan

[@Motoramblings]

Great tips! I need to work on these. You do great work, emulating you will only help my channel!! I'm looking forward to seeing you Sunday night with the Fireside chat boys....

[@AstheMagpieFlies]

Thanks so much! I'm glad you found them helpful! Stoked! :D

[@motorclaw]

Oh my gosh, another awesome vid. Thank you Amanda

[@roy.actual]

Well done. I like your videos. They're a simple visual story. Clean and seamless. I know there's' a lot of work that goes into their production. I appreciate the effort to take me along with you. Sorry you're still not feeling your best. If it helps, you look and sound fine to me.

[@AstheMagpieFlies]

Thanks so much Roy! I really appreciate that! haha I don't know if it makes me feel better or not XD

[@chriscummings5727]

Absolutely the most amazing and helpful video! I've never watched a more informative video about this subject. You will get a zillion views for a long time!!! Fantastic job! Your videos are always super professional. You are an amazing woman!!! Thank you so much for sharing your tips and tricks with us! You ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@DCUngelled]

Great Tips!!!! Really Thorough insights! I look forward to using this information to help in growing my channel!

[@MotoKari]

Lots of helpful info in here, the SD card holder would probably make my life a lot easier. Thanks for sharing!!

[@christopherbiomass7155]

24 minutes of good tips. Thank you! Thank you also for paying so much attention to audio levels. It's easy to not notice good audio levels, but poor ones can ruin an otherwise great video. End Q: I can't narrow it down to one. So, everything. ;)

[@chadkeltner1779]

You are very talented and your videos prove it!

[@georgejaltgelt]

Great vid! Loving the channel! Happy trails to you from Texas!

[@AstheMagpieFlies]

Thank you George!

[@KrakensGarageandAdventures]

Excellent helpful tips here. Thank you.

[@dalehunt1383]

Another very well done and informative video. Maybe pick one topic at a time and do a " How to" video on it. Skill share.😉

[@islandryder4609]

Another great video thanks for the great tips! Very new to the KZbin game and only have 2 gopros but hope to add more to the kit as I go. My last ride I went on in the bush I was scoping out a old camp spot and decided not to bring the camera. Went through a puddle that was dipper than it looked and ended up taking a spill in the middle. Didn’t hurt anything but would have been some funny footage 🤪

[@AdventuresofScottieandChewie]

Subscribed! Thank you for the encouragement. I've just started getting the work out there and will improve as I go :) ❤

[@AstheMagpieFlies]

Awesome 👏👏👏

[@Dead_Assassin]

You saying about regulate the audio not to overwhelm the main picture... Good video

[@wrinklyrider]

Thanks ! Another good one, I'm going to archive this for future reference.

[@johnroberts2012]

game changer.

[@billcarson2626]

THANK YOU for doing this! I'm just starting to get interested in taking video of my motorcycle rides. This has been most helpful.

[@MotoSera]

Awesome stuff! Really enjoyed this! I always wish I had more photos and footage of trips, every damn time 😅. Most of all I wish I had more footage from my Bonneville trips from years ago 😢

[@NamelessRiderz]

Great video!! A good 101 how to!!! I definitely struggle the most with how to create a good narrative/story!! Have you tried to use the WD passport with the app (my cloud os)? That way you get some more flexibility to copy certain files/folders. I find I just copy the whole lot and look at it when I get home, or if I'm excited I'll go into the app to check some of the videos.. Alternatively there's also ways to login into the drive via an ip address in your mobile file explorer, allowing you to bypass the app.. (bit more technical) I'm always looking forward watching your video's! cya on the next one!!

[@japanrandoneur6464]

Really good. Thanks for making. I learnt a lot

[@thecampingbiker791]

Really helpful video, it probably comes to everyone eventually but my technology is creaking and simply doing everything on an old iPhone 7 is a bit testing on occasions with my old laptop not useable for Adobe 😆 Might do a video on how I manage on limited means 😂 Anyhow, love the videos and this has been so helpful 👍🏻

[@donniemartin3544]

Thanks for the update on this subject. You touched on several of my pet peeves with KZbin motorcycle videos. I asked your advice on cameras last week and bought an A6600 this week. I can't wait to try it out! Thanks for all the great content!

[@TrackOurJourney]

Super duper excellent advices!!!

[@BoDean52]

This insight is so so valuable. This winter has me thinking and planning how to get better and your balance of what you use, the how and why was amazing. Huge thank you!

[@AstheMagpieFlies]

Glad it was helpful :D

[@ricardoenmotoca]

Thanks for your tips !!! 😊

[@Bill_CBR]

Wow, I'm not finished watching this yet, but wanted to post up that this is really well done. Almost makes me want to give it a try.

[@AstheMagpieFlies]

Thanks so much Bill! :D

[@nickmcclellan8856]

Very useful, many thanks. 🙂

[@TheMotoScout]

Thanks for the tips. I’m at the end of my coast to coast drive from California to New Jersey and it was fun to compare notes. 👌🏻

[@hedgecomber]

Awesome video! There was so much gold in there I'm gonna go back and watch again (also reeeeeeally hoping I knocked back the music in the video I put out today... 😆) I can't imagine having to fit all that gear on a bike, you're making me realise how luxurious the space in my camper is!

[@AstheMagpieFlies]

AW Thanks so much lady! :D ya trying to figure out the right amount of camera gear ratio to everything else ratio on the bike is a little different than on four wheels XD

[@rheinlandtourer]

Thanks for the Tips, I reduce my equipment more and more for Motorcycle Videos ... I used a Sony A72 and a 6300, 2-3 Gopros and a Mavic Pro, ... in 2020 I only use a RX10 and a RX100 so I had less problems with dust and not so much expensive stuff on my trip´s, .... best regrets from germany rheinlandtourer

[@rheinlandtourer]

"best regards from germany" sorry for my broken english

[@curtismcenaney9423]

This is a wonderful video that shows the incredible amount of expertise you have and put in your videos. Also tells me it is way above my abilities. I'll just have to continue being the old guy with a bike!

[@JeremyKroeker]

Great tips (and production value, as always!) Yes, after safety, then comes story. And yeah, Epidemic sound is fantastic! Worth the money. :-)

[@AstheMagpieFlies]

Thanks Jeremy :)

[@knerdrider]

That's super informative! Thank you! End screen crew: I wish my helmet camera hadn't died halfway through my biggest day of riding at Sturgis. I lost footage of all kinds of great roads there. Got the Badlands the previous day, though!

[@AstheMagpieFlies]

Thanks Justin :D