Photo Essay: A Peek Behind The Scenes Of “Word Travels”
For many, being a travel writer is the proverbial “dream job.” After all, it sounds so romantic: getting paid to travel the world and write about it.
The reality, as revealed by the show Word Travels (now in its third season), is far different. Travel writing is hard work. You dig for stories. You deal with flights, buses, trains, and traffic. You pitch editors, more often denied than accepted. But luckily, this actuality is what makes travel writing so entertaining.
I joined the crew of Word Travels to see for myself how a show about travel writing is put together. The goal? Visit three countries: Georgia, Italy, and Portugal.
Here are my favourite shots from the shoot, offering a glimpse seldom seen by others, and a peek behind the curtain.
1.Tbilisi, Georgia. Robin learns the basics of medieval Georgian swordplay. Sean Cable (director of photography) crouches below, always committed to capturing the best angle.
2.Tibilisi, Georgia. Julia and Paul Vance (sound recordist) take a break from shooting and join a sing-a-long with Georgian metal heads.
3.Countryside, Georgia. Never one to miss an opportunity to fist pump in a massive green field, BNT editor Ian MacKenzie is snapped by Robin. (Photo: Peter Steel)
4.Tibilisi, Georgia. Robin is always ready to use any elements in the scene to tell the story to camera. (Photo: Peter Steel)
5. Lambourghini Plant, Italy. Julia reflects from the floor of the Lambourghini assembly plant, where staggeringly powerful (and expensive) cars are produced.
6. Modena, Italy. Robin and Julia eagerly await their taste of traditional balsamic vinegar, fermented up to 25 years.
7. Modena, Italy. Shooting a travel show isn’t always easy, as this shot reveals. Robin suggests another scene to director Peter Steel, while Julia looks on.
8.Modena, Italy. When ordering a plate of food, be careful what you wish for. Robin shows his astonishment at the amount of meat (which he’ll never eat anyway, as he doesn’t eat pork).
9. Rome, Italy. Julia takes a stab at gladiator training with her instructor Alex.
10. Terceira, Portugal. Paul Vance (sound recordist) scours the crowd and matadors at a bullfight for the perfect shot.
11. Terceira, Portugal. Robin and Ian try not to look afraid before watching the locals in a traditional bull run in the streets. (Photo: Deb Wainwright)
12. Terceira, Portugal. Unfortunately, Paul’s sound equipment became tangled in the feet of a charging bull. A tug of war ensued, with the boom mic (and not Paul) taking the brunt of the attack.
13. Terceira, Portugal. The weather doesn’t always cooperate with a shoot. Robin eyes the rain and wonders when the sun will return.
14. Lisbon, Portugal. Sean Cable is always eager to experiment, including hopping a Segway to enhance a tracking shot.
15. Lisbon, Portugal. Robin describes his experience while on a “blind tour” with Lisbon Walker. The tour aims to use other senses to explore the city.
16. Lisbon, Portugal.High above the city, Robin sits in a window while Sean Cable experiments shooting during “golden hour” – the time just before afternoon becomes dusk. (Photo: Peter Steel)
17. Terceira, Portugal. Robin and Julia share a smile, in the ruins of an old fort. Clearly, they realize they have the best job in the world.
Want more Word Travels? Check their website to see when it’s on in your area. And visit Robin Esrock and Julia Dimon for more from the shows’ venerable hosts.
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20 Comments... join the discussion!
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i’ve seen a lot of pig in one place but #8 really takes the pork.
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Well, Robin rarely needs an excuse to ham it up…
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Har har, aren’t you two funny.
Great shots, Ian…
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Nice behind the scenes pictures. Didn’t know that this show existed prior to this article. I’ll make sure to catch an episode when it airs on OLN, which I do believe is a channel I have.
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Great pictures!
Also didn’t know about the show! But I don’t have TV in any case:)
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Wow!! Although I do appreciate this job must be as hard as it is fun, I still want to do it very badly!! You all look like you are having so much fun, while having the amazing opportunity to travel, explore, and learn. How did you get into this field? Did you study journalism in college, or can this actually be a random & perfect find after knowing people? I just need to know how I get on the career path you all took…
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Also didn’t know about the show. Favorite photo is definitely the Georgian metal head.
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Looks like a great time!
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This is awesome, I have to say, I’m a little jealous of this adventure. Thanks for the photos and the dispatch from the world of travel writing.
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Ha! No matter how much you prepare, I guess you’re never really ready for the old bull and boom mic entanglement. Thanks for sharing this, Ian!
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If you haven’t seen any of the shows head over to HULU to watch full episodes. They rock!
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Sweet shots! And that looks like loads of fun. I’ve also never heard of the show…will have to go check that out.
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Sign me up.
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I would LOVE to see the show from Georgia.
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Yeah ask Ian about his tripod pad. My mom made it so he wouldn’t hurt those skinny bony shoulders of his. These eps will air early next year on OLN in Canada and later in 2010 on Nat Geo Adventure worldwide. There’s definitely worse gigs to have out there, that’s for sure!
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NAT GEO ADVENTURE!!!! Awesome!
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This is fantastic–I’m heading over to hulu to check out the show. Have to get my fill now, unless it’s broadcast in Argentina (going there in a week)…
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Just one problem, the show is not on Hulu ; ) We’re not broadcast in the US (yet!) and since Hulu only legally streams shows from ABC, NBC, Fox and others, you won’t find us. In the meantime, once you’ve bugged your favourite US network to pick up the best travel show not on US airwaves, you can find us on the in-flight system the next time you fly Delta Airlines,
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I never knew the show existed either, probably because I am in the US. It’s a great concept though. I always wondered why TLC or the Travel Network didn’t air a show about a backpacker, travel blogger or writer.
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