Fans of Beau Miles gathered at Brisbane's The Tivoli on Tuesday (23 July) to watch some unreleased films about a couple of blokes sticking their heads into bins, assembling scooters in canoes and eating ketchup as dessert.
There were four 'secret' films presented; each less finished than the last. Viewers had an advanced screening, and Beau received huge feedback.Beau and his team aren't ones to rush; so 'unfinished' still means these films have already been tweaked and finessed across the last couple years. I could sense the vision clearer in the more 'finished' films, but they were all already at a superb level. Once they're finished, they will be uploaded to YouTube.
If you haven't seen Beau's videos before, you can expect funny jokes, deep thinking, adventure, environmentalism. . . and food being eaten off the side of roads. The last film of the night was an incredibly satisfying redemption arc to their container deposit scheme video.
To see Beau and his friends on a big screen with a full audience was a much different experience to sitting at my desk or sideways on the couch with my phone. It exemplified the high fidelity cinematography, audio and larger than life storytelling.
Naturally, with Beau's videos being so inspirational, I got thinking about what videos I want to make, and why. There were multiple Q&As throughout the night to prod Beau's brain and to give better understanding his processes and vision.
There was no cinephile mystique or egotism in the discussion. Beau says the key to YouTube and his films is "no bullsh.t". So onstage, that's what we got. It felt very natural and authentic.
Questions could be easily submitted by a QR code onscreen leading to an organised and efficient session. Beau would have the crowd erupt in laughter, flanking the audience with unexpected jokes one minute, then he'd answer queries directly and insightfully.
During the Q&A Beau was asked if he prefers the "backyard adventures" or his older, larger scale tales like kayaking the tip of Africa. He's still unsure on his definitive answer to the question, but believes one day he will draw a line in the sand and won't even leave Victoria (just like his Grandfather before him). He said he felt hypocritical if he advocates for being a backyard adventure while exploring the world.
I love Beau's films. They echo something I've felt but have never put into words as eloquently: If you are travelling to find yourself, you're potentially looking in all the wrong places as the answers are all around you in observation.
Echoed again, Beau's older films were not lonely, but typically solo expeditions: Traversing land which metaphorically traverses one's inner self. These newer, 'secret' films we watched tonight had Beau with one of his mates who he absolutely adores. Less is there a lean on philosophy and more about connection with others on that journey to enjoyment.
I have found in my own art that I also focussed heavily on solo projects – to connect and understand myself. However, as time has progressed, after understanding (at least the basics) of myself and where I sit in the world, there's nothing I want more than to connect with others on my journey.
So I guess Beau, with this parasocial relationship we have, I would argue that your backyard can fit in a backpack. It can travel with you on whatever adventure is next. I don't personally see a need to limit yourself to a 100km2 circle of your home, nor do I see it hypocritical of your stories.
Whether it is more insightful, or more an adventure of camaraderie, your videos affectionately connect the viewer with that inspiration and curiosity to understand, play and to look after. Wherever the river of life takes you in this world (or even into the cosmos) is just a natural progression of the last.
The four films complemented each other with a balance of inspiration, laughter, purpose and satisfaction. It left an aura on me that I will try to maintain for as long as I can to motivate my next adventure. Cheers Beau.
- written by Kalem Horn
