I work with a really small TV crew — just me, my producer, and one cameraman. And after shooting about 140 episodes over the last 20 years, we have a great filming process. These photos from our Scotland shoot give a few peeks at how we work.
While you can shoot an “on camera” just about anywhere, we search out beautiful and meaningful settings for me to talk directly to the camera.We only shoot “on cameras” for material we can’t cover well with images of locations — generally heavy history. Here on the Isle of Iona, I’m recalling a horrible act of Viking plunder.I love working on scripts with my producer Simon while we’re on a shoot. In the field, we debate and fine-tune each sequence as the situation unfolds.Back in the hotel or B&B, we “scrub” the script. Our final text couldn’t be more lovingly crafted. Each word earns its keep.My producer Simon and cameraman Karel routinely climb like mountain goats up rock faces or do other heroics to get the right camera angle, making me a nervous wreck.I often try to replicate on camera an experience I had on a previous trip. Last year, on the Isle of Skye, a seagull stole my fish and chips. I decided to make that a fun bit for TV, and we shot me trying to eat my lunch without another cod-napping.I am grateful for my small and mighty crew: cameraman Karel Bauer and producer Simon Griffith.
My three new Scotland episodes are airing now on public television across the country. Check your local listings for Season 10 of Rick Steves’ Europe — and keep on travelin’!
