As a freelance filmmaker, Sebastian Schieren has always loved capturing unique adventures while travelling. To make the process a whole lot easier, he built a comfortable camper van outfitted with everything he could need to make living and working on the road easier.
“The funny thing is, I wouldn’t even consider myself the typical vanlife traveller with the dream of living in freedom. In truth, I am a little nerdy, and spend a lot of time on my laptop editing videos. My real passion for filming is to do adventure outdoor documentaries. I always hated being restricted with camera gear while travelling, on top of that I often had no power or internet to edit. That’s why I decided to build a camper van with my brother,” Sebastian told Lonely Planet.
Sebastian’s main goal was to create something that would allow him to film in the middle of nowhere, with the space to carry the equipment that he needs and the proper tools to edit his work. He planned on spending two weeks converting it at a cost of €6000, but the project ended up taking four months and €14,000. With the help of his brother, Sebastian worked to get rid of the rust and repair different areas of the van before outfitting it with a bed, storage and an editing station. He said that his DIY skills improved in the process.
An avid surf-enthusiast, since its completion the filmmaker has taken the van on trips to France, Spain and Portugal. “The further you travel down the Atlantic coast the easier it is to sleep with ocean views and no one around. Especially during the off-season, before the winter comes the Atlantic produces endless perfect waves. Concerning the landscape, my absolute favourite is Scandinavia. It is even legal to camp at most of the Scandinavian lakes. The forest and mountains are amazing for biking and hiking.”
The project worked well, with the van allowing Sebastian to work while he is on the road. And while some travellers have a rose-tinted view of vanlife, he describes it in a more balanced way.
“To be honest, I learned to appreciate the hot shower back home! Being stuck in the middle of nowhere, I often asked myself why I didn't pick a different hobby. But then there are also calm days with a lot of time for video editing. And drinking my coffee in a new spot every morning is kind of epic!”
More information on Sebastian and his travels is available on his Instagram page.
