Click here to view Fitness Video pilot shot with 4 XL's and a jib at DVinfo.net

James Emory · August 6th, 2002, 10:56 PM

This is a test pilot for an international professional fitness instructor. This is the reason it is very plain and in a typical gym. When you are doing screen tests you don't build an extravagant set or tote all this gear to an exotic location. It was shot with 4 XL-1's with one flying on a jib specially made for DV type cameras or those weighing 15 lbs and below. In the opening you can see wide shots of the set with the jib and other XL's. Enjoy!

Link:

http://community.webtv.net/JEFCom/LEIGHCREWSSTREAMING

Paul Sedillo · August 7th, 2002, 09:47 AM

James,

Very nice work. How long did the pre-planning take for the creation of that video?

Regards,

James Emory · August 7th, 2002, 10:47 PM

There was really no planning other than sercuring the gym for the location. The jib was built the night before, the cameras set up early on the morning of the shoot and we rolled shortly thereafter. There were only three crew members, two camera ops and one p.a.. The other two cameras were locked down since she stayed on the mat the whole time. This was just a screen test to see what coverage would look like on the real shoots. She was so familiar with her presentation there was no rehearsal either. I love working with talent like that!

Paul Sedillo · August 8th, 2002, 03:44 AM

Did you record the audio directly to a camera, or did you go to some other audio recording device?

Keith Loh · August 8th, 2002, 11:46 AM

I'm impressed. It really does show off what a well-laid out shoot can pull off. I really liked the jib work and also the way the clips were edited together from the multiple angles.

James Emory · August 8th, 2002, 02:40 PM

Studio,
Yes, the audio was recorded straight to the master shot camera and the others were later synced to it with the slate. The music was played live, but very low, and added again at a bit higher level in post.

Paul Sedillo · August 8th, 2002, 02:55 PM

<<<-- Originally posted by James Emory : Studio,
Yes, the audio was recorded straight to the master shot camera and the others were later synced to it with the slate. The music was played live, but very low, and added again at a bit higher level in post. -->>>

You know I never even thought about the music playing live, but that would make sense. Did your actor/instructor use a wireless mike or did you use a boom?

James Emory · August 8th, 2002, 04:40 PM

The instructor is wired with a typical beltpack lav mic. They usually use boom mic headsets. A boom mic would not have worked with this shoot because of the high and wide shots with the jib.

Marc Betz · August 8th, 2002, 06:28 PM

Just a heads up,

You can tell its a body mic when she leans face down on the mat, you can hear the echo generated by the bounce back. Very nice work though.

Marc

davidisrael · August 10th, 2002, 03:14 PM

James,

thanks -- good work. The lav mic seemed to work pretty well. She certainly has good breath control, to extemporize like that -- but I guess fitness instructors get used to that sort of thing.

The occasional high jib shots and jib-descending shots were nice. One poss. thing I missed (mainly for some poss. visual variety I guess) might be some occasional real low, close shots; but you can't have everything -- at least not in a 4-camera shoot that's (evidently?) done in just one take. For the idea I mention, it would require a handheld cameraman lying on floor at instructor's foot-level, looking up -- maybe or maybe not suitable, just a thought.

Am curious -- what's the reason for doing the music live, rather than adding it in post? For overall mood / momentum / pacing of the instructor? (perhaps she's used to having music when teaching the routine?)

Anyway, I watched abt. 14 minutes (don't know how long the whole thing is). This appeared as streaming video via my Windows Media Player.

small tech question: Somebody had told me that for Win Media Player, one has to download the whole file, can't do streaming (unlike RealPlayer or Quicktime) -- but obviously this isn't true. What resolution (pixel dimensions) did you use for this? I guess you can do streaming (this via 56K modem for me) if you keep the image small . . .

In general, the edit seemed good -- w/ emphasis on being able clearly to see the movements.

d.i.

James Emory · August 11th, 2002, 07:05 PM

David,

#1 The reason the jib did not do low tracking shots is because the master shot was directly beneath the jib remote head. We could have just flown right in front of his shot and taken the jib shot as we flew in front of him, but it was really to close to his head to risk it. It would have been a good shot though. If you play the video again, you can see the set up with the wide shot of the set, just hit the space bar to pause the video and again to start.

#2 The reason for live audio playback is what you mentioned. This is what she uses to set the tone. I am very sure that with her experience and knowing her set she could have done it without the live playback.

#3 The running time is 20 minutes

#4 Windows Media ability to stream. You are definitely streaming this video. If not, the download time would have probably been an hour or more with dial up. If you get the opportunity, view this and some of the others with a high speed connection for much smoother, clearer playback. It depends on the file type as to whether it will stream or not. Streaming is also called progressive downloading. That is, you are able to view it as it is fed to your computer but it is NOT retained on your hard drive.

jonniesiri · August 16th, 2002, 07:35 AM

What kind and how many jibs did you use for the shoot James?
It looks really nice.

James Emory · August 18th, 2002, 07:08 PM

I used a jib system specially designed for DV systems called the Jib Lite by Stanton Video. You can see pictures of it in production at the following sites:

http://community.webtv.net/JEFProductions/JIBCONFIGURATIONS

http://www.jimmyjib.com

Only one jib was used on this shoot

Jay Gladwell · August 27th, 2002, 09:28 AM

James, generally speaking I thought the video was nicely done. My only concerns were:

1) Sound -- when she turned away from the mic it was very hard to hear her. Under these conditions, you might want to consider using two mics--one on each side. Then, no matter which was she turns, she will be clearly heard.

2) Camera angles -- although she may not have needed to rehearse, I think some important visual information was missed, based on the camera angle and/or shot selected in the editing phase. It would have been to your advantage to rehearse so the camera operators could see what she was going to do. That way, they could have provided better coverage, providing more options in editing as well as making certain that the movements were being fully shown.

August 8th, 2002, 11:46 AM	#5
Keith Loh Air China Pilot Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Posts: 2,389	I'm impressed. It really does show off what a well-laid out shoot can pull off. I really liked the jib work and also the way the clips were edited together from the multiple angles. __________________ -- Visit http://www.KeithLoh.com \| stuff about living in Vancouver \| My Flickr photo gallery

August 8th, 2002, 02:40 PM	#6
James Emory Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 1,892	Audio Studio, Yes, the audio was recorded straight to the master shot camera and the others were later synced to it with the slate. The music was played live, but very low, and added again at a bit higher level in post.

August 8th, 2002, 02:55 PM	#7
Paul Sedillo Major Player Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 607	Re: Audio <<<-- Originally posted by James Emory : Studio, Yes, the audio was recorded straight to the master shot camera and the others were later synced to it with the slate. The music was played live, but very low, and added again at a bit higher level in post. -->>> You know I never even thought about the music playing live, but that would make sense. Did your actor/instructor use a wireless mike or did you use a boom? __________________ Paul Sedillo Image::Studio http://www.image-studio.com Houston, Texas

August 8th, 2002, 04:40 PM	#8
James Emory Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 1,892	Sound for talent The instructor is wired with a typical beltpack lav mic. They usually use boom mic headsets. A boom mic would not have worked with this shoot because of the high and wide shots with the jib.

August 10th, 2002, 03:14 PM	#10
davidisrael New Boot Join Date: May 2002 Location: washington dc Posts: 24	nice job James, thanks -- good work. The lav mic seemed to work pretty well. She certainly has good breath control, to extemporize like that -- but I guess fitness instructors get used to that sort of thing. The occasional high jib shots and jib-descending shots were nice. One poss. thing I missed (mainly for some poss. visual variety I guess) might be some occasional real low, close shots; but you can't have everything -- at least not in a 4-camera shoot that's (evidently?) done in just one take. For the idea I mention, it would require a handheld cameraman lying on floor at instructor's foot-level, looking up -- maybe or maybe not suitable, just a thought. Am curious -- what's the reason for doing the music live, rather than adding it in post? For overall mood / momentum / pacing of the instructor? (perhaps she's used to having music when teaching the routine?) Anyway, I watched abt. 14 minutes (don't know how long the whole thing is). This appeared as streaming video via my Windows Media Player. small tech question: Somebody had told me that for Win Media Player, one has to download the whole file, can't do streaming (unlike RealPlayer or Quicktime) -- but obviously this isn't true. What resolution (pixel dimensions) did you use for this? I guess you can do streaming (this via 56K modem for me) if you keep the image small . . . In general, the edit seemed good -- w/ emphasis on being able clearly to see the movements. d.i. __________________ David Raphael Israel Director Other Shore Productions / Other Shore DVD

August 6th, 2002, 10:56 PM	#1
James Emory Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 1,892	Click here to view Fitness Video pilot shot with 4 XL's and a jib This is a test pilot for an international professional fitness instructor. This is the reason it is very plain and in a typical gym. When you are doing screen tests you don't build an extravagant set or tote all this gear to an exotic location. It was shot with 4 XL-1's with one flying on a jib specially made for DV type cameras or those weighing 15 lbs and below. In the opening you can see wide shots of the set with the jib and other XL's. Enjoy! Link: http://community.webtv.net/JEFCom/LEIGHCREWSSTREAMING

August 7th, 2002, 09:47 AM	#2
Paul Sedillo Major Player Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 607	James, Very nice work. How long did the pre-planning take for the creation of that video? Regards, __________________ Paul Sedillo Image::Studio http://www.image-studio.com Houston, Texas

August 7th, 2002, 10:47 PM	#3
James Emory Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 1,892	Pre-production There was really no planning other than sercuring the gym for the location. The jib was built the night before, the cameras set up early on the morning of the shoot and we rolled shortly thereafter. There were only three crew members, two camera ops and one p.a.. The other two cameras were locked down since she stayed on the mat the whole time. This was just a screen test to see what coverage would look like on the real shoots. She was so familiar with her presentation there was no rehearsal either. I love working with talent like that!

August 8th, 2002, 03:44 AM	#4
Paul Sedillo Major Player Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 607	Did you record the audio directly to a camera, or did you go to some other audio recording device? __________________ Paul Sedillo Image::Studio http://www.image-studio.com Houston, Texas

August 8th, 2002, 06:28 PM	#9
Marc Betz Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: NH Posts: 95	Just a heads up, You can tell its a body mic when she leans face down on the mat, you can hear the echo generated by the bounce back. Very nice work though. Marc

August 11th, 2002, 07:05 PM	#11
James Emory Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 1,892	Live audio playback David, #1 The reason the jib did not do low tracking shots is because the master shot was directly beneath the jib remote head. We could have just flown right in front of his shot and taken the jib shot as we flew in front of him, but it was really to close to his head to risk it. It would have been a good shot though. If you play the video again, you can see the set up with the wide shot of the set, just hit the space bar to pause the video and again to start. #2 The reason for live audio playback is what you mentioned. This is what she uses to set the tone. I am very sure that with her experience and knowing her set she could have done it without the live playback. #3 The running time is 20 minutes #4 Windows Media ability to stream. You are definitely streaming this video. If not, the download time would have probably been an hour or more with dial up. If you get the opportunity, view this and some of the others with a high speed connection for much smoother, clearer playback. It depends on the file type as to whether it will stream or not. Streaming is also called progressive downloading. That is, you are able to view it as it is fed to your computer but it is NOT retained on your hard drive.

August 16th, 2002, 07:35 AM	#12
jonniesiri Posting suspended -- Contact Admin Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: TN Posts: 12	What kind and how many jibs did you use for the shoot James? It looks really nice.

August 18th, 2002, 07:08 PM	#13
James Emory Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 1,892	Jib system I used a jib system specially designed for DV systems called the Jib Lite by Stanton Video. You can see pictures of it in production at the following sites: http://community.webtv.net/JEFProductions/JIBCONFIGURATIONS http://www.jimmyjib.com Only one jib was used on this shoot

August 27th, 2002, 09:28 AM	#14
Jay Gladwell Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 1,244	James, generally speaking I thought the video was nicely done. My only concerns were: 1) Sound -- when she turned away from the mic it was very hard to hear her. Under these conditions, you might want to consider using two mics--one on each side. Then, no matter which was she turns, she will be clearly heard. 2) Camera angles -- although she may not have needed to rehearse, I think some important visual information was missed, based on the camera angle and/or shot selected in the editing phase. It would have been to your advantage to rehearse so the camera operators could see what she was going to do. That way, they could have provided better coverage, providing more options in editing as well as making certain that the movements were being fully shown.