About this episode
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by Andy Laub. Andy is a thru-hiker, documentarian, cinematographer, director, editor, visual effects artist...basically all things under the sun dealing with making videos. His work has been featured on the Discovery Channel, National Geographic, BBC World, Amazon Prime, Hulu & PBS World Channel. His first trail documentary, As It Happens, has more than a million views on YouTube. We chat all about his backpacking career, what goes into a professional video production, juggling his adventures while being a parent of two youngsters, and we go deep on his latest project, THRU, a six-part series featuring his 2018 thru-hike of the Pacific Northwest Trail. Whether you nerd out on video stuff or not, I guarantee you'll enjoy this chat. It's a fun one. We wrap the show with a more formal announcement of the winner of the Backpacker Radio Sponsorship, we get a fan submission patent-pending about drinking sunscreen, and do a triple crown of thru-hiking phrases, clichés, and acronyms. Gossamer Gear: Use code "littledonkeygirl" for 15% off at gossamergear.com . Organifi: Use code "backpacker" for 20% off at organifi.com/backpacker . Enlightened Equipment: Use code "ultralight10" for 10% off Enlightened Equipment's Stock Revelation Quilt or Torrid Jacket at enlightenedequipment.com . Bedrock Sandals: Head to bedrocksandals.com today! Interview with Andy Laub Watch THRU here @thru_film on Instagram @laub.films on Instagram andylaubfilms.com @pjoart on Instagram Time stamps & Questions 00:06:22 - QOTD: Do you Wordle? 00:10:12 - BPR Announcements: Trail Days Road Trip & Meetup Location 00:14:56 - Introducing Andy Laub 00:15:20 - Where'd you get into backpacking? 00:17:42 - What was your AT start date? 00:18:35 - Did you start at the stars? 00:19:41 - When you're stuck, do you think like a film narrator? 00:20:01 - Were you in front of or behind the camera? 00:20:56 - Discussion of on-camera hand gestures and film angles 00:22:14 - Is there a bubble in February on the AT? 00:23:05 - What research did you do pre-trail? 00:24:30 - Tell us about meeting your first trail friend. 00:25:33 - Tell us about The Dusty Camel. 00:27:02 - Tell us about your time at the Discovery Channel. 00:28:45 - What's Ian's background at this point? 00:29:14 - Was the idea for the PCT film first or the idea to hike? 00:29:25 - Tell us about the PCT in 2011. 00:32:10 - What was your film equipment and how heavy was it? 00:32:35 - How do you decide who films what? 00:34:06 - Is it tough to capture both the highs and the lows? 00:36:53 - Is it harder for you to be in front of or behind the camera? 00:38:19 - What doors did As It Happens open for you? 00:39:16 - How did the National Geographic Society project come about? 00:41:05 - How did you go from As It Happens to the production value of THRU ? 00:43:22 - What other equipment do you have on trail? 00:44:39 - Discussion about the cinematography and camera gear of THRU. 00:47:48 - What was the secret videography weapon Chaunce brought on the AT? 00:48:28 - What's the process of making a documentary? 00:51:22 - Are you recording your flashbacks while hiking? 00:52:18 - Are you directing all of the footage on trail? 00:53:40 - Do you decide what you want the scenes to look like while hiking? 00:57:09 - How do you keep everyone on the same page? 01:00:16 - Do you need to have a lot of patience or social awareness? 01:03:07 - How did you put the group together? 01:04:44 - What packs did you use? 01:07:47 - Discussion about the group dynamic. 01:09:40 - Discussion about square tarps and gear weight. 01:10:03 - Is there a way to lighten heavy camera equipment? 01:11:27 - What are your three top tips to take something amateur and make it look high class? 01:14:34 - If you could go back and critique As It Happens, what feedback would you give? 01:16:16 - Are there ever moments you wish you could have captured on camera? 01:19:25 - What is THRU? 01:22:46 - Did you have any crazy grizzly encounters or oh shit moments? 01:27:25 - Do death-defying moments hit differently now that you have kids? 01:31:37 - Who does the graphics in THRU? 01:33:20 - What's the dumbest thing you did on the hike? 01:34:12 - Discussion about the PNT's trail types, usage, and season/weather window. 01:37:11 - Did you miss any miles? 01:37:56 - What's your full trail resume? 01:38:25 - What are some of the films you made between trails? 01:41:56 - How do you maintain your positivity in the face of climate change? 01:43:34 - Discussion about climate change. 01:48:22 - What's your dream project? 01:51:30 - Were you on the fence about bringing a drone? 01:53:45 - Discussion about the future of the PNT and value of the National Scenic Trails. 01:56:54 - How can people watch THRU? 01:58:43 - Will there be a season 2? 02:01:25 - Lobster facts! 02:04:17 - Discussion about trees. 02:06:00 - Thank you! SEGMENTS Trek Propaganda Tell Us Your Story: How Has Thru-Hiking Changed Your Life? Meet the Winner of the 2022 Backpacker Radio Sponsorship! Listener Voicemail Triple Crown of hiking catchphrases/lingo 5 Star Review Trail Days [divider] Check out our sound guy @paulyonthedrums Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)! Find us on Spotify , Stitcher , and Google Play . Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek , Chaunce , Badger , and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Jason Lawrence, Christopher Marshburn, Sawyer Products, Brad and Blair (Thirteen Adventures), Patrick Cianciolo, Matt Soukup, and Jason Snailer. A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Liz Seger, Cynthia Voth, Emily Brown, Dcnerdlet, Jeff LaFranier, Peter Ellenberg, Jacob Northrup, Peter Leven.