First off, I had fun!
My wife and I decided to go to the zoo on a chilly, (40ºF), yet sunny day a couple weeks ago. I had an idea that worked with the zoo, so I brought my camera and monopod.
We had a great day...Animals were very active and the visitors were few.

To the film...I learned a lot working on this challenge.
First, I learned that working with the small frame Panasonic GH2 was considerably different than a full size video camera. I love it, but most of my footage was unusable. To make it worse, I shot in 1080/24p, when I usually work with 720/60p, which also caused me issues.
Most important, I learned not to dwell on what I didn't have to tell the story and tell the story with what I had.

I almost went to the shark tank in frustration, but my friend Oliver Pahlow, (also in this challenge), convinced me Monday that I had enough to work with, and enough time. So Monday night I stitched this together and I am rather happy with it.

This is the 720p version off my Vimeo page...If you wish to see the 1080p version, go to the UWOL Vimeo page.

Why A Zoo? on Vimeo

As always...comments, advice and useful ideas are greatly appreciated.

Hi Bob,

Thanks for sharing your video and I'm glad you got it done against the odds!

The message is clear and pertinent; I think everyone must have conflicting feelings about zoos, but yet they continue to thrive and they have evolved over the years from simple cages to simulated habitats.
I agree with your thoughts about children; I only ever go to zoos because of my kids, and they learn something new every time. But so do I, too!

I guess your zoo has a 'no tripod policy' (or at least they make you pay a commercial fee if you bring one in? Handheld shooting can be a trial, but you pulled it off well enough. Were you using a fisheye lens (or a gopro) for some of the shots? How do you like using the monopod?

Well done; now I'm going to have a look at some of your motorbike videos (Im also a biker). I see you're a Motorrader; I love those Beemers!

Hi Bob,

Thanks for yet another good film from you.
You tell a strong story, and the debate of the zoo is a never ending issue.
Good to see there is more room for the animals in your local zoo, than those I have visited.

I like how you mix close ups and the wide shots. (Like the penguin swimming and then a wide shot after)

Thank you for sharing.

Bob,

A really nicely done video, the story was strong and the video was as excellent as expected. I personally feel this is your best film to date!!!

I very much enjoyed it and your explanations in the narative were clear, concise and to the point, an A+ in my english class, wait a minute I don't teach anymore. James Louis Borges would be impressed!!

Thanks for taking the time!!!


dale

The triple layer of audio worked well, I noticed that right off the bat. One point where the music dropped a little suddenly but overall it adds a lot to the whole picture. There was another film made a few rounds ago about zoos that runs along the same theme I recall. Nice pacing, drawing us in. This is a really good one.

Well done Bob
yes… how should we feel about zoo’s… indeed that do teach us something, but I try to only visit the ones that run some kind of programs for endangered species. We got a few good ones in Sweden, but also some really bad one. It was big news last year from one of them… horrible story, hidden dead animals in cooling dumpsters.
strong story, we all need to think of.

Hi Bob.

You are asking a very important question that evokes a dilemma regarding zoos.
On one hand, we want the animals to be free, on the other hand,
zoos can be good learning for our youngest future lovers of Mother Nature.
Many children grow up with zoos as the only opportunity to become familiar with wild animals and nature. While not a fan of zoos, I think they have their mission in this work.
Like your film very well and you have a good mix of commentary, background sounds and music.

Well done and thanks for sharing.

Thanks everyone for taking the time to give me your thoughts...I am very glad the message I was trying to send was clear to one and all.

Simon - Tripods are welcome at that zoo, but my good tripod is much to large and heavy for this little 3 pound camera, (and tough to carry all day), and my other is a very lightweight, small one I have for packing on the bike. I should get something better for this camera, but I really like using a monopod when I can. Perhaps more practice.
I hope you enjoyed the motorbike videos...And the BMW is one great bike, probably the favorite of my three.

Trond, Dale - Thank you for you kind words!

Bill - Thank you. You are correct about the audio drop. There were a few audio and video transistions I am unhappy with. Normally I let the video sit for a day and watch it a few times and make any minor, final corrections, but I was up against the clock with this one.

Markus, Geir - Yes, zoos are an interesting dilemma, aren't they. I feel better knowing that this particular zoo works very hard to promote conservation and education.

Bob,

I just watched your film for the third time - this time with my eyes closed!

The story was excellent - yes, zoos are something we all know and have experienced, and have our own opinions on, but your message came through clearly.

I wont comment on the technical aspects, because you already know how to make it better next time - the important thing is the timing and the content of the story was excellent.

Thanks!

I too liked the content of the story and the message. I also appreciated the concerns you had with working with a new camera.... seems like a popular theme this go round. I like the quality of the images though, and the free feel hand holding the camera gives your film. If you get into a real jerky scene that is otherwise good, consider using a steady shot plugin. 24p can be a bit jerky, especially if you have to shoot it at high shutter speeds. I rarely take it over 1/48 (or as close to that as I can.) That way, motion blur will help with the stucatto effect.

As far as 24p goes in general, I have been shooting in nothing but that for a long time now, and when I inadvertantly shoot is something else, I have problems. So question to you is do you like the look of 24p. If you do, working around its issues will become second nature.

Hi, Bob. This is a video after my own heart. I have shot for a couple of UWOLs at the zoo myself. I used a monopod for stills years ago but have never tried one for video. I may have to do so. You say you discarded many of your shots due to getting used to the new camera. I can’t help but wonder what gems we missed. What you showed us is very good. Much of what we know about many animals in the wild was first discovered in zoos and research is an important function they serve, but I think you are right that educating our insolated young is the most important one. Good show.

Bob, I like your film. It is a fine composition.
The thought-through words fit so well to the pictures.

Your welcome Bob!

Paul - Thanks for the kind words.

Chris - Thanks for the compliments. I kept the shutter speed at 1/50th for all the shots. I was using an adjustable ND filter to maintain the f-stop I wanted. Most of the video I've done has involved motorcycles and racing, and 60p worked better for the fast moving stuff. It also helped keep the rolling shutter effect to a minimum. But I intend to do more 24p work in the future.

Mike, Finn-Eric - Thank you both for the nice comments.

Oliver - Back at ya, friend.

Hi Bob
There are so many different takes on the theme this time round making the films really interesting to watch. You came up with another very different subject here – showing the hugely negative side of zoos as well as their positive educational value.

That is quite some zoo you have there – at least some creative effort has been put into making the cages for the animals appear as natural as possible. But, as you so succinctly put it, “Even the nicest cage is still a cage if you’re a bird!”

What captured my attention were the shots showing the reaction of the children upon seeing the different animals – you certainly proved a point. One or two of the extreme shots looked like they were shot with the GoPro. A few bumpy shots but actually they did not detract too much.

Your narration is clear and easy to follow. I like your music!

Your film contrasts clearly the absolute boredom and stress of the animals with the excitement of the children upon encountering new creatures. It definitely highlights the dilemma people face concerning zoos. Well done; a good watch.

Marj, thanks for the kind words.

I believe this one turned out well for me because I was sharing my deep, personal conflicts about zoos. My Grandfather would take me to that zoo as a young child and I remember that as a time of wonder. Now I look into the eyes of the animals and feel much sadness.

That was not a GoPro in those shots, it was a 7.5mm Ultra Wide Fisheye on my GH2, which would be 15mm on a full frame DSLR. I wanted to try it in this film. I think it worked well with the coral reef tank and the dolphin tank, not so good in the rain forest exhibit.

Thanks again for taking the time to critique my work.

Now I look into the eyes of the animals and feel much sadness.
Exactly how I have felt, Bob...until your video. You did a fabulous job of swinging my thinking from the negative to a more positive outlook. I was right there with you when you said, "Even the nicest cage is still a cage," then you swung my head around with the notion that zoos help children develop belief that "all animal life should be respected and protected." You deftly twisted the theme to show how contracted horizons of the wildlife in zoos expand ours, with the ultimate goal of protecting future generations of theirs. Well done!

Thank you Lorinda for your comments. I am glad you enjoyed the video, and I am glad to see I got my story across.
This was an idea I've been thinking about for sometime, just waiting for an opportunity to try it. I think the gestation period helped greatly. Perhaps if I had more time with my new camera, and didn't have to rush the edit, it may have been technically better, but the heart was there.

Thanks again!