Elina Osborne on “It Is The People”, Her PCT Documentary, Videography, and Storytelling

Backpacker Radio

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by Topo Athletic, we are joined by Elina Osborne. Elina is a thru-hiker, filmmaker, adventurer, and storyteller. Four years ago, Elina released a 15-minute documentary about her PCT thru-hike, titled "It Is The People", which has since accumulated nearly three-quarters of a million views on YouTube. We learn all about Elina's entry into film and storytelling, her process, equipment, and advice she has for future documentarians. She also gives us a preview of a new film currently in the works about her hike of The Hayduke alongside a past guest of Backpacker Radio.

We wrap the show with some rapid fire conversations with Trek bloggers we met at PCT Trail Days, the Triple Crown of things we document during a thru-hike, and the maximum number of times we can conceivably enjoy getting dressed up over the course of a year, and much more.

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Interview with Elina Osborne

• Elina's Website
• Elina's Instagram

Time stamps & Questions

00:04:30 - Reminders: Join us in Brooklyn on September 16 and support us on Patreon for exclusive bonus content!

00:06:41 - Introducing Elina

00:08:30 - What’s your trail name story?

00:09:28 - What was your entry into the outdoors?

00:11:27 - What is the hiking and backpacking culture like in New Zealand?

00:15:40 - How did you get into storytelling?

00:18:35 - How do you realize you’re in a cult?

00:21:22 - Was there backlash when you left?

00:23:19 - How did your first documentary inform your future hiking projects?

00:25:15 - How would you describe It Is The People?

00:27:19 - What was your PCT hike like socially?

00:31:00 - Discussion about offiating weddings

00:33:40 - Did you go into the hike planning to focus on people in your documentary?

00:37:02 - Did you intend to make it a series?

00:38:56 - Is it hard to get the camera out when you’re having a fun moment on trail?

00:40:15 - How do you find a balance between filming a hike and hiking in order to film?

00:42:23 - How do you plan who needs to film what?

00:43:25 - Do you look back at the PCT film and see things you would want to change?

00:45:17 - Do you still use the same approach for current film projects?

00:48:44 - Tell us about working for the New Zealand police department

00:52:07 - What was your wildest day on the job?

00:54:30 - Is it challenging to collaborate with other filmmakers while hiking?

00:57:10 - Did you butt heads on the Hayduke?

01:02:30 - Do you have an idea of where the Hayduke documentary will land?

01:05:34 - How do you make editing work on a team project?

01:10:30 - What are your next hiking adventures?

01:15:40 - What is your process for deciding what the story will be?

01:18:10 - Are there any storytellers you’re inspired by right now?

01:21:27 - Do you have advice for others who want to document their hiking experience?

01:23:10 - Who is your primary audience?

01:24:01 - Kumo Question: What is your dream vacation destination?

01:27:50 - What is the highlights tour of New Zealand?

01:32:00 - Where can people go to keep up with you?

Segments

Rapid Fire Interviews

• Angie aka “The Little Mermaid”
• Elizabeth aka “Bags Bunny”
• Sakari aka “Paw Patrol”
• Christopher Smiley

Triple Crown of the things you document on a long trail

QOTD: What’s the maximum number of times in the year you can enjoy getting dressed up?

Mail Bag

5 Star Review

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