The Big Travel Project (2007)

A 6-Month around-the-world daily video blog. 128 episodes

In December of 2006, I was having tea with some friends in San Francisco. We went around the table, and discussed our dream projects. In about five minutes, I rattled off the parameters of what would become my life-changing trip. The ideas had all been tumbling around in my head for awhile, and I laid them all out for my friends (and myself) to consider.

I'd buy a lightweight camera, a satellite modem, and roll-up solar panels. And I'd travel around the world, making daily video blogs. With a laptop and that gear, your average guy could in 2007, for the first time ever. produce video news stories anywhere on Earth that could be immediately seen by anyone with an internet connection.

I was really excited about this idea, and I left San Francisco in February of 2007, to return exactly six months later. I visited 8 countries, and managed to create and upload 128 different videos roughly on time. They varied in genre and tone, and the whole project was a great learning experience for me. Being forced to produce, shot, star-in, edit, and upload a new short video daily really hones the filmmaking skills.

Thousands of people watched my videos, and I became a video blogger and documentary filmmaker. My favorite episodes were those where I was entirely submerged in another culture... far off the beaten path, interacting with people whose lives were totally different from mine. The project was a life-changing adventure for me. Before 2007, I lacked direction in my professional life. After this journey, I knew what I wanted to do with myself.