Hi all:

Well, just submitted and just under the gun too. This entry is simply to maintain a toe-hold in the "competition".

Currently, there is a bill in our Senate (comprised of many bills) advancing through legislation to designate 2 million + acres over 9 states to wilderness. The Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado is slated for some of that. Since this is a topical issue at the moment, and the Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) is in my back yard, my long form topic has turned to this amazing and rugged area.

This current entry simply gives some "map" and general info about the park. This will most likely be totally revamped or perhaps split up throughout the movie where appropriate. I apologize for the many imperfections... text that is not all that legible when squeezed to the small required format (I should have known better), imperfect narration and static, slow moving film.... makes you want to dive right in and watch, hugh?

But that being said, I have hope for this film! The Park is amazing, rugged, beautiful and hosts the flora and fauna that I hope to capture... to amaze and delight us all! The gem for me would be to catch a glimpse of the moose and the big horn sheep.... the likes I won't be able to attempt access until mid- to late-summer!

Thank you for inviting me into this community of experts. I am simply here to learn from the best.

In this entry, all the 3-d topography and animation credits go to my husband, Ed.

So far, my resources are from:

the Colorado State Map,
the National Geographic: Rocky Mountain National Park Road Guide, and
the Rocky Mountain National Park Dayhiker's Guide by Jerome Malitz
and various on-line resources including the National Park Service Glaciers of Rocky Mountain National Park at: Glaciers of Rocky Mountain National Park - Glacier Change (http://www.nps.gov/features/romo/feat0001/GlcHistory.html)

Looking forward to all of your contributions.

You all amaze and inspire me.

Cat

O.K. Cut! What I said in the opening thread isn't exactly false but today is a new day and I have finally found inspiration for my film. Since there is an extended deadline, I've cleaned up my submission a little and will upload a revised version and provide a link soon.

My film will be organized as if you were reading a book. You know, the large $70.00 picture book that sits on your coffee table? The cover will open and pages will turn to new chapters. I'm thinking of calling it: Rocky Mountain National Park: Psalms From the Hills, or something like that. Each chapter is a new segment in my film with different music selections for each chapter. The chapter headings will each begin with an S word like: Sunrise, Splendor, Spring, Spirit and Soul, Sunset ... whatever is appropriate. Each chapter will begin with a quote from poems, Scripture, statements from individuals that have written about the Park .... whatever is powerful and appropriate for the chapter. So the rough draft of the segment I have submitted for this round will have the most narration of all the chapters because it introduces everyone to the Park. The rest of the chapters will have very little narrative as the clips put to music will speak for themselves.

So, what do you all think?

Cat

P.S. Watching all of your initial cuts have inspired and blown me away so readily that it was all of you that gave me the inspiration to change direction on my film. Thank goodness for this forum! I couldn't imagine doing this all alone.

Sounds great Cat,
Can't wait to see your new footage for the revised film. So will the poems/scriptures etc be narrated or written? I would rather hear it narrated myself, but that's just my opinion.
Good luck with your new inspiration.
Bryce

Cat...

I sat here watching your initial offering and found myself saying aloud... wow... wow... wow.

Knowing this is a "throw it in,stay in the game" phase, I cannot wait to see the intersperced shots you will add....and YES I WILL take you and your husband up on any animation help you might offer.

Impressive.

Chris S.

ps. I am a UC alum, btw. Go Buffs.
pps. Fractals ? You tickle my brain.

Hi Catherine.
I think you have a great plot.
Your little intro film, how you used the map was great.
And then followed up with history and clips from the area.
This is how the pro's are doing it :)
Excuse me for being ignorant, but will we be seeing you climbing the Rocky Mountains?
It will be great though :)
I think I have a clip of you and your husband, climbing the mountains in one of your earlier uwol films. Was it something about a killer duck?
Well, according to your plan, I think your Long Form film is bound to be a killer :)

All the best.
Geir Inge

Hi Catherine,

I have looked at your film twice. It is very well done and informative. You have a clear voice and pronunciation, easy to understand for average Norwegians.
I think your book and poetry plan is a very good idea. I am longing for the first chapter.

Finn-Erik

Cat, that's a very good "toe hold in" entry! Very informative and your voice was clear and easy to understand for a foreign visitor like me.
I think the map view was a bit too static and text too small and not easy to read. Remember the final version is going to be judged in this tiny fomat and I found that text and graphich must be made larger than I usually do. But you maybe already change that in your new version?
Can't wait to view some live footage from the park. Your description made me very eager to get a look of it!

Nice start, keep up your good work, Cat!

Hi,

It is a really nice and interesting idea you have. Haven't had time to watch your or anyone else's videos, so I comment on your description only.

The concept with making the video as a book sounds promising. Lots of AE work again from you? :)

I look forward to see your finished video in November.
Good luck!

I think the map view was a bit too static and text too small and not easy to read. Remember the final version is going to be judged in this tiny format and I found that text and graphich must be made larger than I usually do. But you maybe already change that in your new version?


Hi Per:

Yup! I addressed this very comment: text too small and the map too static. We're on the same page. Wow, at first I thought you might be making this comment about the "new" version and I was going to write back...."If you think this is bad, you should have seen how bad it was in the first version! HA!

Thanks for the encouraging comments everyone! I'm getting excited for next round!

Cat

Hi all:

I noticed a conversion error in my square mile to square km calculation in my narration. Rocky Mountain National Park is 911 square km, not 566 square km. I didn't square my conversion multiplier. Sorry! If I have time, I'll try and fix that and upload a new version in time for the Wednesday deadline. If it doesn't make it, it will be corrected for the next round.

Cat

you are going to be the resident expert on this park before this is over, looking forward to learning more about where i live! good start.

Dang, i have just watched your film Cat, & you had me wishing that there was atleast a five minute limit on the amount of video to be submitted for this first part. You really had me wishing there was more! Great graphics! Can't wait to see the finished film.
Bryce

Cat,

If anyone could pull of this idea you could!!!! I am always amazed at all the creativity on this list. I am beginning to think I don't have an ounce of that stuff!!

Look forward to seeing your upload!!!

It is a geat idea!!!

Nice idea. The animation stuff looks great and I look forward to seeing some shots of the Rockys.

Hi Cat,

This is a great opening to your film. I am really impressed by the graphics. I wish I'd had the time to join in the fun. I won't have time to comment on everything, but will definitely follow yours. Keep up the great work!

Ruth

My film will be organized as if you were reading a book. You know, the large $70.00 picture book that sits on your coffee table? The cover will open and pages will turn to new chapters. I'm thinking of calling it: Rocky Mountain National Park: Psalms From the Hills, or something like that. Each chapter is a new segment in my film with different music selections for each chapter. The chapter headings will each begin with an S word like: Sunrise, Splendor, Spring, Spirit and Soul, Sunset ... whatever is appropriate. Each chapter will begin with a quote from poems, Scripture, statements from individuals that have written about the Park .... whatever is powerful and appropriate for the chapter. So the rough draft of the segment I have submitted for this round will have the most narration of all the chapters because it introduces everyone to the Park. The rest of the chapters will have very little narrative as the clips put to music will speak for themselves.

So, what do you all think?



Cat
I’m really impressed. The quality of the map work is excellent and visually attractive and your explanation is very clear.

One thing that concerns me a little is how you are going to marry two very different approaches to the subject in one project. Having one chapter that is a fairly concentrated, factual documentary on the Park along the lines of your submission, and the rest that have a more aesthetic, poetic and inspirational approach may make you project a bit disjointed. I am wondering if it wouldn’t be better to go with one or the other or if you shouldn't perhaps combine the two approaches more equally - like start the chapters with the inspiration as you state but then follow through with some interesting facts.

If you go with the ‘S’ idea for your chapters then perhaps your title should also start with ‘S’ .

Hi Marj!

You have been busy, judging by your recent posts! Thank you for your thorough input, I so appreciate it.

The theme of a book with chapters is the way this entry is turning out. The title is set: Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park -- Psalms From On High (sorry it doesn't start with an "S" but that's okay!)

As far as one chapter having a documentary style narration and the others not also doesn't seem to be a distraction for me. The first chapter is titled "Synopsis", so it lends to the documentary style and narration. The following chapters: Salute!, Staple, Splendid Spring, Sanctuary, Supplication, Benediction and Credits all speak for themselves with music and film!

I so appreciate your comments, because you are very talented and so very insightful, but this time, for better or for worse, I'm taking what I've started and running with it! And it is an adventure to say the least! I'm thrilled for this project. I live for it!

Sincerely,

Cat

Hi Cat

I thought a lot about you this last weekend while we were staying at the Blyde River Canyon and later at a private game farm near Hoedspruit with its commanding views of the canyon mountains.

(The canyon is the third largest in the world after the Grand Canyon and the Fish River Canyon in neighboring Namibia and apparently the largest green canyon in the world. The mountain scenery is breathtaking - one of South Africa’s scenic crown jewels.)

Watching the early morning sunrise from a rocky outcrop and then later watching the sunset paint everything in glorious rosy hues was awesome to say the least. One can’t help feeling emotionally and spiritually enthralled - and overwhelmed by the sheer immensity of the mountains towering overhead and the mountainside tumbling down to where the water carves a path far below.

I think that when one has the vision and the inspiration and the enthusiasm for what one is creating it will certainly shine through so I have no doubt you will pull it off beautifully. After this weekend I think I have a far better appreciation for what you are doing and can pick up on your enthusiasm - I definitely look forward to seeing the final outcome!

Marj

Marj:

I thought of you too earlier this week! I happened to notice in the local paper that the University of Colorado in Boulder is hosting a competition with the theme of showing the art in science and the science in art. I instantly thought of your entry topic dealing with the mathematics in nature. You are a shoe-in! Are you interested to find out more about it? I have no idea if internationals can enter, I can find out. I think you would clean up.

Let me know,

Cat

Thanks Cat - sent you an email.

Hi guys:

I have 11 minutes of material so brace yourselves! Here is the Vimeo link:

This link isn't available now, skip two feedback threads down for the current link, Thanks!

The slight intermittent pixilation on the right side of the video at the beginning is from the Vimeo compression.

I won't say much except that wildlife filming is becoming a real thrill, and a real patience builder. Now I'm beginning to have great respect for what you guys have been doing all along!

The line draw at the very beginning is NOT the stock market ;-) but a mountain, and at the end of the Synopsis chapter it's clear I don't have any moose footage... yet. Those guys are on the west side of the park and If I'm really fortunate, I'll be able to spy them this summer and catch them on film.

The bull elk I got my first attempt at filming in the park! A rare treat. The Big Horn, it took me 4 months to Finally run into them!

Rip away, (as Mat says). I already notice tweaks and changes I want to do but I'll keep my mouth shut and have you find them.

Excited for your entries.

Cat

Wow Cat... Really impressive work. The way you have blended the maps and topos and footage is nothing short of magnificent.

This round I am scrabbling to throw together a placeholder as my efforts begin later this month on site. Great work!

Just a heads up. The Vimeo link is to a video that is 1/3 of full HD resolution. I finally have the full HD version ready to upload, but am checking with Vimeo first that I still maintain the weekly 500 mb allotment if one version is deleted and replaced by another.

Cat

O.K. Since it's quiet, the Vimeo link is going offline for awhile as I take down the lower res version and put the HD version to the Vimeo site. I'll repost the link when it's back up.

cheers

Here is the link to the HD version: http://www.vimeo.com/4612703

Cat

Cat,

I am hugely impressed by the way you have integrated the graphics, book theme, and amazing footage. You have been busy this spring! I like the way you are taking the concept, and look forward to "reading" more chapters. Great work!

Ruth

Hi Chris and Ruth:

Thanks so much for the watch. I very much appreciate it! I understand 11 minutes can be very hard to sit and churn through.

Thanks to Chris and Kevin, the movies are up on UWOL. The link here is:

http://www.uwolchallenge.com/longform/Russell_RMNP_PsalmsFromOnHigh.mp4

I did a quick check and even though it is the small format, it has a smoother and more precise play back than the version on Vimeo. It's seems to be the better version to watch!

Thanks for the feedback. Looking forward to what you all have been up to!

Cat

Cat, how beautiful. It bought back so many memories. I worked in RMNP the summer of 1975. I think the idea of using a book is terrific. The graphics are quite impressive and the shots of the wildlife were just great, I can't wait to see the rest. One suggestion. In the scene with the two elks fighting, there is a lot of wind noise. You may want to think about muting that scene, and add in the sound of the antlers knocking each other. You can probably find a few old pair of antlers around and just rattle them together and capture the sound. Other than that it was sheer beauty to watch and remember. Thank you. Bob.

Hi Cat

It looks like I missed you in the last round of feedback for some reason but I guess I've got meat to chew on now!

Firstly I like the overall concept of using your picture book, I think it could be a nice packaging to introduce your fantastic subject matter. It might be nice to try and introduce a bit of conflict at the start of the story. Issues the park had in its origination/protection maybe!?

I think you need to add more dynamic to your graphics though. Use faster transitions and try and animate in some ease in/out to the movement, it will really help to make things look better. (If you need a hand with this, just drop me an email).

I like the writing and story in the first section, but I really think it needs to be intercut with video to tell some of it. You've introduced the book concept by this point, the viewer will have that. So don't be scared of sharp cuts away to video to illustrate points, its not going harm your concept.

The main book graphics needs some more thought to its layout I think. There is too much 'blank space' at the moment. The image should be bigger and don't feel the need to have all of the book on screen, the audience will have the concept by this point. Maybe you could get a perspective view on the book so most of what you see is titling and image of the page your featuring. I think you work in after effects, so this is possible and again if you need some help, just drop me an email.

Some of your footage could do with a tripod and a little more thought to where your light is but you have a great selection. OH how I'd love to have this place in 'my back yard' :-) I love the big horns, great species and I'd love to see more of them, especially the rut !

Great stuff Cat, I hope you are ok with my critique and keep up the good work!

Mat

Hey Mat:

I am honored you are putting so much time and effort into your comments for my project. It might mean you think I am trainable and that there is still hope for me ;-).

Now, you have great insights and I will most definitely fire off an e-mail for details. First off, I had to smile a bit at your comment about using a tripod more... All footage was shot with a tripod!!! I have already expressed my woes to Rob that I am finding it difficult, I don't have freedom of movement and it seems to stick easily! It might be the tripod itself but it is brand new as a Christmas gift so I'm not sure what exactly is going on, but I know I need to make some adjustments on that. Any tips would help. Rob has also helped a lot.

I completely agree with you that in the first section that superficially describes the park, I can take much more advantage of adding film footage to back up the narrative. I plan to do this as I gain more access to the park to film. I so very much hope I can add moose footage to this chapter as well.

More dynamic in the book graphic is very insightful and I will mull this over a bit. I like the full book view for the page turning but otherwise, as long as people can read the text easily, it could be more fluid and in motion. Thanks Mat. I'll really take a hard look at this and see if I can come up with something that works.

I share your love for the Big Horns and I too hope to come across them in rutting season! It took 4 months to come across them this time around.

I'll be in touch. I'm thrilled for your insights. You are right, it's how we get better. Thanks!

Cat

Cat - No problem at all. As I say every time I think these sessions are about critique and helping each other grow as film makers.

Your tripod setup sounds like it need some looking at. Whats the tripod/camera you are using?

Hi Mat:

The camera is a JVC so it is small and light weight. The tripod says MX 2000 but I don't see a brand name... so I plead ignorant. The tripod seems to work fine without the camera on it (?).

Hi Bob:

I didn't want to neglect your comments either! Thank you friend for the watch and the kind words. That's neat that you worked in the park in '75, what a great job that must have been!

Now concerning the wind noise... it's not only the antlers but the bugling that I was so excited to share with everyone! For some reason, in this situation the wind noise didn't bother me... I thought it added to the feel of how chilly it was out there, near twilight, snow on the ground and a frigid wind. I'll consider what you say and see if others feel the wind takes away from the quality of the scene.

Keep the thoughts rolling guys!

Cat

Wow Cat,
This looks fantastic! I agree with what Matt has said, & can only say how lucky we are to have him around. His critique is generally spot on, & i know i am learning lots from the feedback he has given to me.
Your footage is very impressive, I just hope i too can get some footage like you have. Yes Moose would be great for this section of your film. They are something i am currently also trying to get footage of for a part of my film, but so far they have eluded me. Some more footage of other species will also help to cut down some of the footage of each individual species & make that piece more interesting.
Looks like your concept is really starting to get some polish, & i am really looking forward to seeing more. Much more!
Regards,
Bryce

Cat
It must be amazing to live in such a very beautiful part of the world - beautiful images. I love the snowflakes drifting down on your winter scenes - very effectively done. I also enjoyed the fast movements of the squirrels contrasting with the tranquil images of the other birds and animals.

You have done an enormous amount of work on this and it is progressing very well. The book format you described in your outline is taking shape really nicely.

Being sensitive to the fact that you are still working on this I give my suggestions rather hesitantly because you have probably had similar thoughts already:

I am not sure how set you are on the style of your book at this stage or how complete it is but, as a good part of the work I do is around designing books, obviously certain things jump out at me regarding the overall look of your book. I also understand fully as I make my suggestions that you do have to make this easily readable for the TV screen so certain compromises have to be made. I also realize you may perhaps just want to convey a broad, simple idea: “BOOK”.

Here are some observations and suggestions that you may find helpful.

Bearing in mind that this is meant to be one of those classy $70.00 (I think you said) coffee table books the overall elegance and style should be improved - and this can be accomplished without much effort at all - a few very simple changes in font style and layout. My suggestion here is to take a good look at the elegant styles used in some of these expensive books and see if you can find similar fonts then experiment to see how well they can be read on the TV screen. Even using a shade of grey instead of black with a simple font would help.

The margins on the left and right of your pages (not the screen) are uncomfortably narrow and my suggestion is that you make your book a bit wider - you can certainly afford to do this without interfering with the amount of book showing or with the pages turning. You could even try going landscape rather than portrait in orientation, although square for a larny book like this would also work just fine. Landscape orientation would probably solve the white space problem as well, because by reducing the overall height you get more picture and less white space.

A couple of small things:

You have placed page numbers on the chapter title pages and that is probably the one place they shouldn’t be. If you want page numbers there place them at the bottom centre and make them small. Leave out the “p”.

Bear in mind when using all upper case letters - it’s not as easily readable as sentence case.

The images spinning out of the book at the beginning are very effective with the fast music, but the pace was broken with the images of the elks sparring. I think it would be better to shorten that clip and keep the same fast pace throughout - it is really nice and a dynamic way of starting.

I love the way that you show your images in the shape of the map in the first chapter. I would keep it consistent throughout though and do them all in the same way as you did the season images (I found the green bits over the Longhorn a little distracting.)

As far as the wind sound goes - there is a difference between the sound of the wind and the sound of its effect on your mic. There is a section between 07:19 and 07:33 where the wind isn’t as bad but there are some good sounds of the bugling. You could copy some of that and paste it over the parts where the wind noise on your mic is not so good.

Wow Marj:

Splendid! These are excellent and workable suggestions! I'm really excited, between you and Mat I've got a lot of FUN work cut out for me sprucing this up.

The font is a big item. It seemed I could hardly find one that was legible at such a small size and so I went with the boring ariel... but I will go back to the drawing board on this.

The page numbers are not on the chapter start pages, but what was confusing is at the end of the chapter I had the chapter title with the page number so the viewer gets a reminder as to what chapter they were in! I will take your suggestion and change this, as well as numbering center bottom.

Changing the book shape is a splendid idea! Now why didn't I think of that! ;-).

Thank you for liking my snow effect. It actually was snowing at the time, but didn't show up on film, so I just sort of added it back in.

You are correct about the sparring elk being too long in the intro, counter to the rest. At the time I did that, I didn't have enough material... but that's not an issue now!

Thanks Marj

And not one comment of my troubles with the tripod to boot!

Cat

Cat - one word BRAVO!!!!!
This was just an amazing piece of work! There's some improvement you should think about. First your VO seem a bit strange, like you was standing in a cathedral or something.
Second, the pace was a bit slow in the beginning with the graphics. You have to speed it, to keep interest.
But overall you have something real big here to show us in the end. I'm very much looking forward to your next round and of course your finished film, which I believe will be amazing to watch!

Thank you Per and Bryce

I so appreciate the watch and the comments. Thank you!

Per, from other's feedback there will be some real changes... lots of work to be done! You were spot on with your comments about the first chapter and the VO (yes it DID sound like I was in a cathedral, or perhaps a bathroom or something!) That will be reworked. Glad you are still with us, you gave us a scare that you weren't submitting this round and were out! And goodness.... a "bravo"? I'm speechless!

Cato

Cat,

You seemed to have made a lot of progress since your last submission. Good work! The graphics are fantastic. The only thing I can add to what others have said, is that it takes too long to actually "start the book". In other words, I think the intro is a little too long. Almost two and half minutes have gone before it gets going. Maybe try cutting it a bit quicker?

It's a unique idea and the elk shots were lovely.

Nicely done.

Hi Cat,
A great innovation with the book, and very effective. I agree that the image could be larger, and please take the Continental Divide off of the elk and sheep. Your usual playfulness shows in the chipmunk and Steller's Jay clips. Two simple things that may help.
Doing your voice overs in a bedroom with the mike sandwiched between two pillows and pointing down eliminates a lot of the echo. Doing a highpass at about 400HZ will eliminate most of the wind noise. A very inexpensive sound editing program like Goldwave is good at it.
Can't wait to see what is next.

Impressive! What are you using to do the graphics? I know that some people have mentioned the slow intro but I found it interesting (however I am a map geek and a sucker for such things). The images and graphics were really nice, well thought out and it is obvious you put a lot of time into this. It looks very pro. I would say that you should consider re-doing the audio because that echo is a little distracting. I have done some audio in my car before and it ended up pretty good so you might consider that (a mobile sound booth). Very well done, with the typical Cat spiritual nature to it...just thought of something...you have a very unique style...a signature...to your films, the spiritual aspect of your films makes each one of your entries stand out. In other words we can watch a movie and automatically know it is a “Cat” piece...that is a very good thing in my opinion.

Nice job

Cat- Every member of my family has visited RMNP more than once- except me! I’ve never been. Your submission this round has done more to convince me of the error of my ways than anything any of them has said over the years. Thanks. Your round two has more of a finished feel than most of the others. It looks good. I’m only going to offer some suggestions for polishing it a bit. I haven’t had a chance yet to read what the others have written, so this may be redundant. I like the Press Release anim at the start. Very creative touch in an already creative project. At the beginning when the book is opening I found the red cover a little distracting. We all like a little saturation in video, but with CG imagery it can become your enemy fast. It was most noticeable on the inside front cover which looked like a big red patch. You might think about adding some procedural texture. A nice pebble grained leather texture might help. I realize it may already have some texture which is being overwhelmed by the compression for the web. If that’s the case try increasing the scale of the texture and see if that helps. You could also drop some paper texture on the white pages, but they look good without. I like the shadows at the edges of the already turned pages. It gets better as more pages are turned. The edges of the first few pages disappear into each other. I think it’s OK. Consider having the text at the chapter headings read by a narrator with a contrasting voice to the main narrator. I think that might be very effective. It’s too bad about the wind rumble in that nice clip of the elk sparring. The location sound in the non-windy parts is interesting. Since the vocalizations and antler sounds don’t have to be too tightly synced you might try cutting out the rumbling bits and replace with audio from sections where it isn’t bad. Your project is really starting to come together and look good. I’m already ready to see more, please!…

Everyone:

Thank you so awesomely much for your insights and comments. I am taken aback at how you all have given me so much information to improve this entry! It's going for a grand overhaul and I'm really excited to sink my teeth into it all again.

From your collective insights, I have new ideas for the book shape and format, how to improve my audio as well as improve the wind noise in the sparring elk segment, how to better show the "range information" that doesn't clash with the film of the animal, how to be more dynamic in my book intro.... the list is endless. I am so very thankful to you all.

Mike: THANKS for the input on my beginning animation of the press release! You are the only one to mention this detail. I'm sure everyone else picked up on this too and then got lost in comments on the rest of the film. I sincerely appreciate the notice though!

Jeff: My pieces have a signature spiritual feel to them? Awe, my friend... I think it takes one to know one in that area ;-).

Thanks again everyone, in my book you guys are tops.

Cat

Cat.... after my visit with otherwise very polite and nice folks in the Administration in Glacier NP on the permit/insurance issue, I was wondering if you were encountering similar problems there. I decided to be "up front" about my being there, and in retrospect that may have been an error. They were more than willing to work with me on making the permit affordable (like $200 for the summer) but the insurance was problematic, and they seemed to think that even this contest required a permit to shoot for.

I am trying to give a little breathing room and trying a little phone diplomacy.

The other people in the Park (employees etc) with whom I shared this problem with were astounded. The new Canon 5D MkII enables one to put a pretty fine point on the problem. It goes like this:

So, if I am in the backcountry carrying my 5D and shooting stills, even commercially, I do not need a permit? "No". And I don't need insurance either? "No." But if I happen to push the button that enables it to record movies, I need a permit? "Yes." And I also need a million dollar insurance policy? "Yes." What causes the increased risk to the USPS that necessitates the insurance when I push that button? (sound of crickets).

My advice. Keep away from Park HQ. on this issue. Nice folks, "following" ridiculous rules, cuz that is their job.

Chris

Wow Chris!

Sorry to hear about this. I've experienced no such problems with RMNP. It cost me $35.00 for an annual pass, unlimited. I also was up front about what I was doing and people directed me to the higher ups because they didn't know if I needed a permit to do this. It turns out I didn't require one, and they simply wished me the best.

What they are requiring for you doesn't sound legal...

Keep me posted, and if there is anything I can do let me know.

Cato

Hi Catherine "The great".
Love the way you do magic in your films :)
I think your ULF film will be great.
Love the scene at 7.05. Is it mountain caribou?
And that great sound as they fight - super :)
There are a few trick to keep the viewer interested in a film.
One of them is to ask questions to be asweared later in the film.
Also the way we ask them is important, to make it more exciting, to give the film more drama. Can't wait for the next chapter :)

Geir Inge

Hi Geir!

There you are! I missed your feedback. As far as I know, I don't have any Russian heritage, but I'll take the compliment anyway! ;-).

Those sparring were actually bull elks not caribou, but I share your passion for these beautiful and powerful animals. I couldn't believe it, but that was actually my first film-stint in the Park. Actually the full drama was that it was dusk in the winter and I kid you not, my car had just completely broken down! But I just couldn't be bothered with that minor detail when these guys were going at it like that! What I didn't get on film though, was that just around the bend there were hundreds of females bedding down for the night!! By the time I saw them I was getting a ride out of the Park and was just thankful for the assistance and didn't ask if they would stop while I filmed all the cow elks! I have gone back many times since then, same place and time, never to see that again. Oh well!

As far as your suggestion about posing a question to hold people's interest... I have seen this done in other films and it most definitely works very well. But I'm not certain how to do this in my entry. Would you mind watching my next version and help me with ideas about this?

Cat

Hi All:

I guess Vimeo posted my video 13 hours ago and I never knew about it! The link is:

UWOL Longform Challenge works in progress #3 on Vimeo (http://www.vimeo.com/6085037)

Let me just say that I took all of your comments very, very seriously and I hope all of you will recognize this in this update. I think you have all made this film much, much better. Thanks.

Now that I have seen this film in it's entirety after all that rendering, minor corrections have already been noted and corrected for next round. I do fully apologize that you might hear secondary audio like something is playing on an A.M. radio in another room during some of the "page turn transitions". My bad. It has been corrected.

Thanks for the watch. Keep the comments and critique coming.... You have made this film so worthwhile.


Sincerely,
Cato

Hi Cat,

This is the first I've seen of your film and I have to comment on the stunning images! Gorgeous work getting the bighorns, elk and other wildlife, but I also loved the wildflowers. Watching this was good for my soul so I just wanted to express appreciation to you.

I hope it will be possible for you to invest in a really good tripod for pans. You are an accomplished shooter who needs tools that complement your talent. :)

Hi Cat - I am fascinated by your concept so I simply couldn't wait to see your movie. All I can say is 'Wow!' Stunning footage, beautifully composed! You have done so much work on this and seem to be well on target time-wise.

I have to agree - your book is greatly improved! Really coming together nicely.

Two nit-picky suggestions: I feel that the fireworks that you have introduced this round go on too long. (You have lots of other interesting things going on at the same time so it is visually very busy.) (Really well done though.)

The zooming in and out and turning of the open book (at the contents pages if I remember correctly) is also visually confusing. I can't figure out the reason for doing that. However, these are really minor tidy-up issues in what is otherwise a beautiful piece!

Well done - Looking forward in anticipation to the penultimate episode! (Penultimate!? Oh boy! do I still have a lot of work ahead of me!)

Marj

Hi Catherine,

Congratulations. You have almost a long form film already.
I am fascinated by all the spectacular animations. Your voice is clear and the music choice is excellent. You also have some fine wildlife shots. The frozen flight (09:15) is great, but I am not so fascinated in the animated snow. The swimming fish (13:10) is very tasty. The goats (10:34) are great. If the shot before (10:30) has the same coloring, they will fit better together. I hope to see more wildlife scenes in the next round.
I am so impressed by your work. You must have spent much time on editing.

Finn-Erik

Hi you guys:

Thank you so very much for the watch and comments. I can't wait to get to your films! It might have to wait a bit before I get to them, But I'll get there soon!

Lorinda, thank you! You and I are on the same wavelength in that the filming on this project has been a life-saver for me in uplifting the spirits and getting food for the soul. If that came across to you as well, then I am getting the message across! Now the tripod! After the horrors of my last submission that tripod ended in the trash and I now have a new one. I now only hope that this is apparent as the film progresses, like the pan in Staple of the pond lilies.... better I hope?

Thanks Lorinda, comments from you are a real treat!

Marj: Hi friend, you are my sincere supporter this round! Thank you! Now, as for the comment about the moving of the book in the introduction that seemed confusing.... I can't wait to hear from Mat about this! He thought my intro was way too static and suggested the book movement. What you saw is what I thought he meant as a suggestion but I may be totally off key on that! What do you say, Mat? I'm so pleased you think the book is improved. You are right, I think it is soooo much better. Thanks for getting after me on this! It makes all the difference.

Finn-Erik: You are very kind to me. The comment about the color difference between the two frames is very interesting and I will certainly have a look at that! You are right, lots of editing... but what is much worse for me is the lengthy processing to prep the film so that I can use it in my editing software!

Thanks again you guys,

Cat

Great!! Cat.

You must be nearly finish yes, in the front heat I think. And adder is far behind
and dont really now what they wont. You really impress her.



All best
VJV.