You’d never guess it by watching her now, but there was once a time when Juliana Broste dreamed of wearing a business suit and having a “normal” steady job. “My friends used to get mad at me for not being spontaneous,” she says. “My life went an entirely different direction when I took my first international trip to Australia.” That different direction was actually more like a hundred different directions—she fell in love with travel, and has made a life for herself as a freelance travel video journalist. Now she’s just as likely to be slaying powder on her snowboard in Colorado as flying over an active volcano. Finding new adventures, and then sharing her experiences with others, is what makes her tick. We caught up with her to get the highlights of her exciting life, and to ask advice for aspiring filmmakers.
It looks like you’re always on the move as a travel journalist. Do you have any sort of daily routine? Or have you learned to adjust to constant change?
It’s hard to describe a typical day, because no two days are the same! Whether I’m shooting on location at a snowy ski resort or editing on my computer in a hip coffee shop, everyday is unique. I’m always busy, always on the go, getting stuff done, working hard, being creative, capturing stories, connecting with people, making memories, building momentum … that is a typical day for me.
What did you learn from your time with Adventure Film School? And how did you get involved?
AFS gave me a completely different way of thinking about your gear. You have to carefully choose your gear and carry it on your back (yikes!). It becomes really important to be smart about what to pack and what to leave at home. Sometimes you have to do without, and it takes some creative thinking to make it work. You learn how to be a stellar problem solver. Being in the elements, surviving the winter weather, dealing with cold toes and cold batteries, I learned how much the elements can throw you off your game. AFS taught me how to prepare for these types of situations and overcome the challenges of your environment.
What are you working on right now?
Right now, I’m keeping busy running my own production company, TravelingJules Productions. I create original travel and lifestyle video content, and I have a really awesome network of partners and clients. They keep me busy–working on everything from featuring fun “things to do,” to covering cities and neighborhoods, to promoting events, and profiling interesting people. My plate is full and I like it that way.
What project are you most proud of? Why?
I’ve been fortunate to be able to take on some really cool projects in my career. The time I traveled around North America—visiting 20-plus cities and creating more than 100 videos—that was really an adventure! I got to sample a smorgasbord of delicious food in the Miami, fly high above bubbling hot lava in Hawaii, and go white water rafting down the Grand Canyon! I got to tune my video skills in the field, filming great moments on the fly and really hone my on-camera hosting skills. It was a great adventure to say the least.
What tip would you give to someone who wants to get started in the adventure/travel film world?
Take the time to learn your craft. Be nice to everyone. Surround yourself with interesting people you can learn from. Never get comfortable. Most of all, if you want something, just do it. Make it happen.
What’s one place you haven’t gone that’s on your bucket list? Why?
Oh man, great question. I’ve always dreamed about going on one epic snowboarding trip with a big crew of friends, somewhere exotic like Argentina or Japan. That would be so cool! I’ve also got my eye on India, Russia, Morocco, Cambodia, the list goes on. I really enjoy visiting places that are really different than my home. The more exotic, the better. I always find big rewards (or at least come home with great stories) when I dare to step out of my comfort zone.
Follow along with Juliana on her blog, julianabroste.com.