BOHEMIAN LIFE | Nomadic Traveler in French Polynesia the ‘Day in the Life’ of Eric Schnitzler on filming some of the World’s Best in the Surfing Industry

HAUTEOC: In our travels, we meet some great friends a long the way, here we connected with International Freelance Videographer, Eric Schnitzler, who films everything from Weddings to Sports and we learned about his day in the life of the Nomadic Traveler in French Polynesia. His work most notably recognized in the professional surfing industry.

ERIC: My name is Eric Schnitzler, I’m from Big Island, Hawaii but currently reside in Tahiti, French Polynesia.  I’m an international freelance videographer for surfing, bodyboarding and other sports, and also weddings on the occasion.  I enjoy filming because of the memories that come with it and also the opportunities that it gives me to travel.  I’d like to consider myself a Nomadic traveler.  In fact my friends and I used to have a little crew called the ” Knowmads” about 10 years back.  Straight out of high school, I went  to college and got into a career that kept me indoors all day.

HAUTEOC: Eric, how did you get to be where your at now?

ERIC: I took a vacation to Indonesia ( my first overseas travel ), and from then on, I decided to work in the service industry to save up for travels as there was always a high turnover which allowed me to quit, travel, work, quit, travel, work etc etc.  I’ve always traveled in a way where I could live like the locals, staying in budget accommodations, taking buses, eating local food, which was great but sometimes paid the price hehehe, but… just trying my best to travel gaining the local perspective to get a true cultural experience.  After the on and off travel routine, just wanted to travel full time, so when I was 25, I left my job at a hotel and have been on the road since from living in South America for a year, in Asia for 6 months and random bits of Europe here and there.  I find myself to always be moving around which is a somewhat unstable lifestyle but I prefer it that way.  Just last year I achieved a personal goal of stepping foot on every continent in the world, finishing off with Africa.

HAUTEOC: Truly Nomadic and very bohemian with the “quit, travel, work, quit, travel, work” day-in-the-life routine.  Also, congratulations, stepping foot on every continent in the world, that’s excellent. Who are the folks in your film?

ERIC: As far as the pros I have on film, I have the best in surfing industry from Jamie O’brien to Bruce Irons, and Tahitian pros such as Manoa Drollet and Raimana Van Bastolear and many more and in bodyboarding from Ben Player to Jeff Hubbard to Mike Stewart and so on, definitely the best names in the sport are in my hard drive somewhere hehehe.

HAUTEOC: Nice.  You know in the travel industry often times folks think of French Polynesia and honeymoons, and don’t get me wrong, it is truly a magnificent place for that, but it is great share your ‘day in the life’ in French Polynesia for the adventure as it is undoubtedly truly sublime.

ERIC: I’ve been residing in French Polynesia for almost 3 years now.  The past year has been great here, I’m always meeting new people, and seeing new islands and new waves.  The place is amazing, crystal clear water, especially in the northern atolls ( Tuamotus ), perfect waves, the food is the best on the planet in my opinion especially their style of preparing raw fish ( Poisson Cru ), the people here are genuine and one-of-a-kind.  It’s so easy to make good friends down here.  There is always someone willing to reach out and help one another and truly hold on to the Polynesian spirit here, which we can appreciate as it’s been somewhat lost back home.

HAUTEOC: No doubt, French Polynesia is an incredibly hospitable culture of great spirits, it is in fact easy to be nomadic there, because everyone embraces new friends like family.  Alright, Eric, so best technical carry on is?

ERIC: As far as camera equipment, I’m currently jumping between a Panasonic P2, a Sony FX-7 for water, Sony Z1, and have recently had the opportunity to work on the RED cam with Michael Prickett, one of Hawaii’s best cinematographers.  The RED cam seems to be the future in films.

HAUTEOC: We’re new to the RED cam, would be interested to seeing more of it, to date your films are impressive, would love to see you and Prickett’s work on your next venture!  Is that your dog we see there happily trotting about seaside?

ERIC: The dog was just a random dog cruising in the lagoon searching for reef fish.  It’s actually quite common down here to see this.  I remember checking out the waves when I saw those dogs running around fishing, and thought it’d be a great photographic opportunity.

HAUTEOC: Well done, where ya off to next?

ERIC: Well, as for now, I might be heading to the Canary Islands to film for a friend in September, but nothing is concrete at the moment.  The plan is always changing which keeps it interesting, spontaneous and adventurous.

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PAUL GAUGIN CRUISES | Marquesas, Tuamotus & the Society Islands

14 Nights • Departs September 4 & December 4, 2010  Papeete • Fakarava • Hanavave • Atuona • Vaipaee • Tiaohae • Huahine • Bora Bora • Taha’a • Moorea

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