Meet Tripfilms.com our New Travel Companion

blog — Tags: , — Daryle Dickens @ 1:12 am

kelley-ferro-tripfilmsRecently JustSayGoTV started posting more videos to YouTube. One of our videos caught the attention of the folks over at Tripfilms.com, and the emails started flying. And in the course of just a few weeks and many many emails we have become fast friends.

Tripfilms has been kind enough to feature a few of our videos on their homepage as well as post a great interview with our very own Ron Stern.

We thought it would be good to get to introduce you to Tripsfilms by having a chat with Kelley Ferro who is the marketing manager and in charge of business development over at Tripfilms.

Kelley before we dig into the interview I noticed that you and I have something in common, an extra “e” on our names. Is there a story behind yours? And does it often get left out by people spelling your name “Kelly?” The poor “e” at the end of my name is always forgotten.

Well my only story is that my parents chose to not know my gender until I was born, so she had several name possibilities. She was in such shock that she had a girl– what she really wanted after two boys– that she couldn’t think of any of the names and thus my brothers named me. I guess they weren’t sure of the right was so they added an extra “e” on my birth certificate. I actually really like it though! And I don’t mind if it’s forgotton–my dad often forgets it.

Okay now talk to me about Tripfilms. What is your title and your role at Tripfilms?

At Tripfilms, I am the marketing manager and in charge of business development. I also manage our TripVlogger program, which is our filmmaking assignment network.

How long have you been working for Tripfilms?

I’ve been here since about 6 months after the official launch, when Tripfilms still had on it’s training wheels. That was over 2 years ago. Tripfilms has grown exponentially since then.

What is the best part of working for Tripfilms?

I am one of the few people I know that can say I love my job and most all things about it. I think the best part is meeting filmmakers, and making it possible for them to share their travel stories and educate all of us about the world through video.

It seems like a job that has the benefit of travel, is there anyplace you would not travel to?

Luckily I do get to take a few trips here and there. My goal is to see just about everything I possibly can, so there are very few places I’d rather not visit. North Korea comes to mind…

Now let’s say you could only travel to one more place, where would you choose?

Ah! Wow, that’s probably the hardest question I could ever get. I think Egypt or French Polynesia. I really want to see the pyramids but those Polynesian islands look like heaven on Earth.

What can we expect in the future from Tripfilms?

Tripfilms is really leading the online travel video industry and we are developing a whole new game plan. Stay on the lookout for fantastic new shows from some of our top filmmakers that certainly rival the Travel Channel.

What advice would you give to a traveler who wanted to produce a video for Tripfilms?

Just go out there with a camera and try it. There seems to be some trepidation with creating a video and there shouldn’t be. It’s the web– we don’t require perfection. Just hold the camera steady, and tell an honest story. And then upload it! After one video, we can give you pointers and help you to reach TripVlogger status.

TripVlogger status? What is TripVlogger?

The TripVlogger program allows active and established Tripfilms filmmakers to go out on assignment for us. We sometimes have specific destinations in mind, or we allow the filmmaker to choose a destination they want to feature. They then make videos about their accommodations, the best local restaurants, best things to do and an overview of the city. It’s a great way to get honest and fresh content from all over the world, and to help expand our filmmaker base. We like to have honest accounts of destinations from all types of travelers–families to solo travel, adventurers to luxury seekers. But again, the program is open to anyone and we are always looking for new talent!

Is there any thing they should avoid when creating a travel video if you want to reach TripVlogger status?

The major flaws in video are poor sounds and shaky cameras. If you don’t have an external microphone, make sure any on camera narration is done in a VERY quiet area. Also, hold the camera steady and let it rest on shots longer than you might think you need. A longer still shot is better than too many quick, moving ones. Viewers will get dizzy!

Check out Tripfilms for yourself and tell “JustSayGo sent me!”

Travel Tips

blog — Tags: , , — adrienne @ 10:42 pm

Just a few tips for holiday travel.

Book early. Yes you can save money on travel is you book your flight early. The holiday season is well, the season for travel. Everyone and their mother is traveling to see their mother! And, saving cash during the holidays makes everyone happy.

Avoid peak travel dates? Yes avoid the busiest travel day of the year, Thanksgiving. Also, avoid the day before Thanksgiving, these two days are more expensive, generally. But, the best-kept-secret travel day…wait for it…Christmas day. Now, I know it’s not ideal to leave your family during Christmas dinner, but the airports are dead on the 25th. If you can skip out late that evening, you’ll save for sanity avoiding long security lines, packed planes and crazy, cranky people—and you just may get a whole row on the plane to yourself to stretch out and relax.

Know your airports and the security rules. My parents are both commercial pilots and I have been traveling for years, going through security lines and flying standby. Nothing drives me more crazy than the people who abruptly stop with their 15 roller suitcases so you run smack into the, or the people who somehow missed the security restrictions and hold up the lines (because they aren’t long enough already) practically unpacking their suitcases finding all their liquids and getting mad because they have to get rid of their expensive 7 ounce perfume. The rules of the TSA (Transportation Security Authority) in every airport in the U.S. for liquids or gels is…3.4 ounces or 100ml. Please check your personal belongings before you enter the security line and have your items in a clear plastic sack before so you don’t hold up the lines.

Check your flight status, during the holidays and winter weather, flights get delayed and/or canceled. For which ever airline you are flying, there will be an 800-number with an automated system asking you the flight number, day of departure and you’ll get up-to-date information about your flight.

Pack lightly. Yes, during the winter months you need boots, jackets, sweaters and whatever else to stay warm. But remember, it’s the holidays and you will come back with more gifts than you will need, so on the way to your destination pack less than what you think you will need.