As well as some hair-raising stories, Andrea Crobu (insta: @crobupics) shares fascinating insider knowledge while we talk over a selection of stunning videos he gathered while filming fishing around the world in 2019 (projects including Diawa, Gan Craft & Italy on the Fly)...
PRESS PLAY BELOW TO WATCH:
If you want to know more, scroll down this page to see Andrea's "Daiwa Tatula" short video Plus, if you want to re-create the shots seen in his videos, his core filming kit - including Amazon Associate links to buy your own - can be found at the end of this article.
But first...
Your Checklist for Filming Fishing
Although we ranged far and wide in our discussion of stories and destinations, here's some simple lessons to take from Andrea's footage that you can apply to your own videos. For the purposes of teaching, the images below are Screen Grabs from Andrea's YouTube Showreel upload (with permission):
Master Basic Composition (Your Viewfinder is Not a Gun-sight!)
Following some of the basic rules (such as knowing the rule of thirds) can help you avoid simply framing your subject smack in the middle of every video frame.
Andrea Crobu's eye-catching composition in a screen grab from his 2019 Showreel on Youtube
Point your Camera at Other Other Stuff (not just the fishing)
Capturing the feeling and true memories of a fishing trip means that the context is always important. So you'll want to capture shots of local wildlife, landscape and any of the other elements that make your fishing special. You can get lots of great examples from Andrea's Instragram feed. For really breathtaking context shots, a high quality drone/camera combo is hard to beat (make sure to stick to your local laws and regulations regarding drone flights and creating footage)
Drone Shot showing dramatic setting for a Bass Fishing Quest (links to kit at the end of the article)
Put in Extra Time to get special/short-lived shots
It could be as simple as needing to be up before dawn breaks to get to that spot on the hill where everything will look awesome for 10 minutes out of your day. Here's another example from the opening of Andrea's 2019 showreel:
Whether it is a sunrise or a sunset, there is only a narrow time-window for these shots
Use Shallow Depth of Field to Highlight Your Subject
You can separate the important detail or main subject of your shot from its background if you are able to film using a shallower depth of field. Combining lower F-stop settings with having your subject a good distance in front of the background structure helps create this effect. You need to be on top of your focus for this of course...
Andrea highlighting the angler using a soft-focus backround/sharp-focus subject
Stripping the Line/Direct Contact with a hooked fish is a key detail for Sea Bass on the fly
Look for Surprising Angles when Filming Fishing (especially for the "payoff shot" of fish)
Try to let your viewer experience the fish or other subjects in your videos from a perspective they might not have considered before.
A different angle on a big grayling
Being low to the water and looking back to the fish & angler make this more interesting for the viewer
Capture the Reactions of the Angler (During/After the fight AND while Fishing)
If you only have one camera rolling - it is too risky to try and follow the fish around while framing tightly (you'll miss the most exciting action, probably make your viewers feel seasick and also end up needing to zoom out and re-focus to get the full sequence). A lot of non-angling camera-operators try to follow the fish charging around on/just under the surface...This is difficult when you're not an angler (and don't know where the fish is going to go) - plus, if you don't have the wider shot of the angler's actions/reactions it is much less dramatic.
It is the personal quest of the angler that makes the most dramatic story. True, the focus of that quest (the fish) is super-important - but it is what it means to the fisherman/fisherwoman that makes you care about that story. The secret to filming fishing is to understand what the most important elements of the PERSONAL story are - and making sure you capture the sequences that allow you to share that quest.
What a big Italian Grayling means!
Focus and Tension Before the Strike: Angler reactions on the "hook-up" are also key
Be Able to Get in on the Action (But not Get in the Way!)
Yet again - the importance of being a good angler while filming fishing is flagged up in this tip. You need the skills to avoid spooking fish - and to avoid finding yourself standing right in the critical space needed to land a fish. At the same time you also need to be capturing what is going on.
Here's a good example from Andrea on the Bass boat. He knows how to keep all the action in the frame and involve the viewer right along with everything - while at the same time not costing the anglers a fish:
Both angler and netsman engaged in the action (neither blocking the jumping fish)
The Proof of the Pudding: Andrea's Film Short for the Daiwa Tatula Elite (2019)
Outside of our main discussion - here is the full sequence of the Daiwa Tatula in action (PRESS THE "PLAY" BUTTON TO WATCH):
You can keep up with Diawa Italy via their Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Daiwa.Italia and also on their instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/daiwaitaly/
Andrea's Core Filming Kit for Great Fishing Footage
If you want to know what Andrea uses to create his films - including the footage from around the world in this article - then below is a short list of his key items. These are available via Amazon - and buying through the links below will result in me receiving a small percentage commission (thank you - this helps us to continue creating and publishing content via Fishing Discoveries).
However, it is important to note that those commissions do not alter the price to you of the items on those links. If you wanted to, you are free to find those links on Amazon's site for yourself and prevent me from receiving commission.
The choice of items is, of course, simply what Andrea uses (and so that does not influence which Amazon products are listed below).
Here's a peek inside his camera kit bag...
Main Camera:
Panasonic Lumix GH5 (4k)
As well as providing "clean" HDMI out (which makes it one of the best value for money live-broadcast cameras anywhere), the 4k footage capability with excellent slo-motion and in an incredibly compact size; the GH5 is a phenomenal camera for filming high quality fishing movies.
Buying after clicking the image or using the link below credits fishing discoveries with a percentage commission from Amazon's marketing budget (with our thanks).
Product link: https://amzn.to/2Ka5Ufz
Drone:
Dji Mavic 2 Pro
The impressive parallax effect Andrea gets by using mountain ridges in the foreground and the fishing areas/local landscapes in the background have recently been brought within reach of regular video-makers by the advent of really good drones.
Our affiliate link for the model Andrea currently uses is here:
Product link:
Gimbal:
Dji Ronin S
Using a gimbal gives you that super-slick glide with hand-held shots. Particularly useful on a boat!
Here's our Amazon affiliate link:
Mini "Action Cam":
Dji Osmo Pocket
By adding an underwater case (included below), Andrea uses this tiny gimbal-mounted action camera in situations often tackled by Go-Pro cameras. This is an interesting alternative (via affiliate link)
Underwater Cover (Osmo):
Waterproof casing for Dji Osmo Pocket
Here's the case that Andrea uses to get stabilised underwater shots with the DJI Osmo. The Amazon Associate link is below (you can also click the image to order)
Filming Fishing Roundup...
I hope you enjoyed our "lockdown" chat as much as I did - and I truly thank Andrea for sharing his wonderful footage with me and taking the time to tell the stories behind it all. I guess it is absolutely clear that, in addition to the skills of videography, you also need to be a little crazy to get great footage. On top of that, dedication, patience and the ability to put up with discomfort for hours on end are essential when going professional.
However, I'm willing to bet that the tips and inspiration provided by Andrea in this article will help to improve your own fishing film efforts.
Let me know your reactions to the stories and insights from @crobupics in the comments below - and please smash the social share buttons for good karma and to mightily impress your friends with what good taste you have!
Finally watched the interview this morning. Not the fishing I would do but really interesting. Nice. 5 thumbs up.
I’m glad you enjoyed it David – and also particularly pleased that you didn’t automatically skip over it because of the different fishing styles. On that subject, I think you’d enjoy the grayling fishing content Andrea shot in Italy 🙂
Paul
Great interview as an aspiring filmmaker i love hearing these kinds of interviews. Keep up the great content!
Thank you Mark – you’re the perfect example of the kind of person I’d hoped to reach with this interview and the follow-up article.
All the best,
Paul