Self Filming Tips with Tim Wells
By Tracy Breen
Self-filming a hunt isn’t very difficult. What is difficult is getting good footage that can be turned into a high-quality film. One hardcore hunter who spends a lot of time self-filming is Tim Wells from Relentless Pursuit TV. Wells films many of his own TV episodes so he knows about taking raw footage he filmed himself and turning it into a good looking TV episode. “For starters, I think every hunter who plans to film his own hunt needs a 4K camera. With a 4K camera, a hunter can zoom in and show the animals they are filming when they are editing the film. One of the biggest problems when people are self-filming is the animals are often way out in the middle of the woods or a field and you can’t see them very well when watching the footage. With a 4K camera, this problem is solved because you can zoom in during the editing process so the viewers can see the action up close and personal. There are several good 4K cameras on the market that don’t cost much money. Everyone should have one,” Wells advised.
Wells also believes self-filming hunters should also have a 4K GoPro camera. “With this camera, I can zoom in and make my point of view footage look better. I like to have two cameras going and I want both of them to be 4K cameras,” Wells added.
Marc Baird from Watermarc Productions believes having a second camera so the hunter can get a couple different angles is a must. “Having two cameras going tells more of the story,” Baird said. “It allows hunters to see what the animal is doing and allows people to see what the hunter is doing. If a person can’t afford a second camera, I suggest they go back after the shot and film some B-roll and add that in so the entire film isn’t just showing the woods and animals walking around.”
Another important thing when self-filming is making sure you use a camera arm that is easy to use when hunting and filming on your own. The Fourth Arrow Camera Arm system is easy to use and sets up quickly and quietly. The base and shoulder system is unique and easy to use.
Those who are filming their hunts with GoPro cameras or other point of view cameras will love the Fourth Arrow Outreach arm or ground stakes that are designed for filming with point of view cameras.
Self-filming a hunt can be challenging and rewarding. Hopefully the above tips will help you produce a better hunting film this fall.