Well folks, please be gentle. Like Bob Thieda I also bought a cheap Macro lens. Being my first time using one I could not quite get close enough to the title subject because of the bridge railing. I will post a .wmw version on my web site for those that are curious. As to the Red Winged Black Birds, I just read in the Chicago Tribune that they are attacking people all over the city. They are very territorial. Oh, I also have a misspelling in the ending credits. That's what I get for a last minute submission.

Regards,

Oliver Pahlow

http://www.uwolchallenge.com/challenge9/37_UC9_itsy_bitsy_spider.mov
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www.blindchildproductions.com

Hi Oliver:

I had a chuckle at your quick exit on this one! You get us all settled in to watch your story unfold and then, whoop! over! You had a great lead in though! Next time don't give us such a tease!

Cato

Thanks Catherine. I got a little frustrated with this challenge. I'll do better next time.

Oliver

Nice film, too bad you didn’t get that much spider in your film, some macrowork on them would have been nice.

I agree with Catherine! - I was just settling in to hear about the spiders and .. off you went!

Those are some aggressive birds

Well Oliver, don't give up, even if it can be hard to get what you want. And this community will support you in your struggle to improve for sure!

Thank you all for your comments and words of encouragement. I have learned a great deal from watching what all of you are doing with your work. I realize I have more learning to do. I am looking forward to the next challenge and not only to participate but also to see what everyone else comes up with.

Oliver

Hey Oliver:

Bob, in his thread, posted your website link to free music you create yourself and post there. That is REALLY COOL and I will definitely check it out and see if I can use some in the future. You are a multi-talented guy and I'm sure we can all benefit from it!

Cat

P.S. Not bad this round, you stayed out of the tank and you got to try out some new equipment. I tried something different last round and it kind of flopped. I think this is what this forum is best for, pushing limits and seeing how far we can go!

Thank you Cat,

The music library is small at the moment (about 10 in the main music page and about 19 in the music archived page) but I intend to keep adding to it. The piece that Bob used for his film is called "In The Shadows".
I agree we you, there is no learning unless you try new things and push limits, oh and staying out of the shark tank...;)

Oliver

Redwings were the only things active in my piece too. I did a little research on them and learned that it is only the male of the species that is big, and dark, and that has the red wing markings. Females are smaller and brownish in color.

Redwings were the only things active in my piece too. I did a little research on them and learned that it is only the male of the species that is big, and dark, and that has the red wing markings. Females are smaller and brownish in color.

I saw the females. They seemed to be the food gatherers. The males were very protective and they were attacking me as I walked by.

Oliver

I understand when you say you got frustrated with this challenge,its happened to me more than once.The basic concept and idea was there,what will be more frustrating to you is that you are probably already thinking on where and how and what you could have done better.having said that...I liked your video Oliver...keep plugging away

John,

Thank you for the encouragement. I try not to get too frustrated with the next challange.

All the best,

Oliver

Maybe it's my mood tonight, but I loved your video! I started grinning from the start for some reason and found the whole thing to be delightful. Deadpan delivery--plus. The tiny frogs--plus. The spider in soft focus--PLUS.

And I laughed out loud at the ending. Thanks for the great entertainment, Oliver. :)

Thank you Lorinda. I'm glad you loved it. It did not quite turn out the way I wanted it to, but I do aim to entertain...;)

Oliver

Well here is my last UWOL #9 review...I believe I've watched and commented on them all.

Saved my good friend Oliver for last... :)

See...told ya so. Told ya it was good and that the fine folks here would like it...
Ya told a story, a good story...not everyone can do that.

And hey...I know where some spiders are hidding, big ones! ;)

Bob

Well here is my last UWOL #9 review...I believe I've watched and commented on them all.

Saved my good friend Oliver for last... :)

See...told ya so. Told ya it was good and that the fine folks here would like it...
Ya told a story, a good story...not everyone can do that.

And hey...I know where some spiders are hidding, big ones! ;)

Bob

Are they big, juicy spiders?

LOL

I like how you let go of the tripod and chased that blackbird around freehand. Looked like he was attacking you. The music matched your mood. A little down, not sure which way to go. I find myself in this place almost every day I shoot for UWOL challenges. I have an idea, but can't find it out there. I find it out there, but can't make a story of ut. I love an image to no end, but just stare at it on the monitor - not knowing which way to turn.

I have a plan for next challenge, maybe I'll share it with you. I'm going to write a story, do the voice over in a naked timeline, THEN I'm going to go out shooting. Maybe this will get me out of the funk I sometimes find myself in..

Hope it helps. Nice, not giving up.

Oliver,

Don't put yourself down, that was a good little film. My thoughts...

I sure hope you didn't stand on any of those little frogs! That's all I could think of in your opening sequences!

You did very well to track those blackbirds as they swooped at you, it gave a very real feeling of what it is like to be on the receiving end of their anger.

Your series of shots on the bridge are really well framed, and the sequence works well. And there's just something about knowing that you compose your own music that makes it quite satisfying for me to watch.

I really appreciate the frustration with the themes. I spent a week wondering just what on earth I was going to film; wildlife? Round here? I had a rat once, but it's gone away. And blue tits and starlings just didn't appeal to me. It can be so hard! At the end of the day, the camerawork and the editing are the easy bits, the creative part can be really difficult.

Oh, and did I mention... I don't like spiders? Makes me kinda glad you didn't feature them too heavily in the end!

Hi Oliver,

I take my hat off to you man for not giving up and staying out of the tank!

I also liked your entry - in particular the music which seemed to reinforce the frustrations you experienced trying to film those spiders. The footage of you walking towards and then away from the camera later also added nicely to this.

Looking forward to seeing you next entry.

UWOL is certainly a challenge!

Well done Oliver.

Oliver, good show man. I liked the story, was a bit rushed maybe, but it had heart. The frogs were a good mid point. A little more of the spiders would have been good. You have good camera work, keep it up.

See you next time.

Oliver,
It’s good to see you overcame your frustrations and went ahead to finish your uw challenge, I’m sure you will find all those frustrations gone when you take on your next entry.

Hi Oliver

I like the 'video diary' type feel to the piece. I think this is something that could really be built on for uwol! I liked the focus pull on your spider but then I wanted to see a close-up I have to say. I know you were struggling with macro on your camera but I think you conveyed the little frogs and spider well anyway.

Great stuff, keep up the good work.
Mat

Thank you all so very much for your comments, suggestions, and encouragements. I am trully honored that you took the time and had the patients to watch my short all the way through. I have seen so much great stuff from everyone and I have once again learned a few things. I am already looking forward to the next challenge. Thanks again.

Oliver

I enjoyed the you are there style commentary that took us along on your hike. I think it was all too realistic in what I see in a typical day out filming. Though I try to capture exciting wildlife doing amazing things, more often than not I only get a glimpse (if that) of what I am looking for, so I appreciate the honesty of this film. I also liked the music, which helped set the mood. The low angle shot of what I think are actually baby toads was really neat- and I was really glad to see none were harmed in the making of the movie in your credits : )

Thank you Ruth.

Oliver

Hi Oliver,

Most has been said by the others already.
At the end I sat there, wanting to see more (close ups) of the spiders.
But you had a nice concept with a good story.
You make great music. Fits your video perfectly.

Keep up the good work. I look forward to your next videos.
Thank you for sharing.

Oliver,

You actually have a good story going here. All you actually needed were a couple sharper spider shots!!! The vinetting makes me think you zoomed a tad to much, with diopters this also makes them slightly out of focus. What did you use??

I look forward to your next entry!! Only a few weeks away.