I just finished editing the video I discussed in the first thread titled this. It was for an auction house about 100 miles from where I live. I went up and filmed last at the beginning of March and have been editing here and there since. Again, this is my 3rd video. Most of the advice I've gotten has been from this forum so if I've improved, it's been because of you guys. Anyway, tell me what you think. I'm sure there is lots of advice to help improve it. Thanks!

Pickin' & Grinin' Auction House on Vimeo

Hey Brock:

Nice work! Love the slider and the DoF. A few things for next time:

1. With an auction, audio for the auctioneers is critical...especially when it leads the video. That was pretty muddy and low. Better miking next time, maybe?

2. Pretty egregious jump cut at about 1:30 from MWS of the auctioneer to a very similar shot.

3. I like to vary the image size on an extended interview every couple of questions, just so you don't come back to the exact same visual every time. Also, as you do similar projects in the future, think about taking the guy out of the chair, and have him handle/display/talk about some of the items. Still get the cover shots, but this way you can mix it up.

4. Listen to the cadence of what he is saying, and make your b-roll cuts at natural break points when you can, instead of in the middle of a thought.

Otherwise, very nice work for your third time out!

So you went with the slider after all. Good choice.
Great ending, too. What a charismatic character!

You've really launched into this new profession swinging, haven't you? Keep up the good work.

Hey Brock:

Nice work! Love the slider and the DoF. A few things for next time:

1. With an auction, audio for the auctioneers is critical...especially when it leads the video. That was pretty muddy and low. Better miking next time, maybe?

2. Pretty egregious jump cut at about 1:30 from MWS of the auctioneer to a very similar shot.

3. I like to vary the image size on an extended interview every couple of questions, just so you don't come back to the exact same visual every time. Also, as you do similar projects in the future, think about taking the guy out of the chair, and have him handle/display/talk about some of the items. Still get the cover shots, but this way you can mix it up.

4. Listen to the cadence of what he is saying, and make your b-roll cuts at natural break points when you can, instead of in the middle of a thought.

Otherwise, very nice work for your third time out!

You are absolutely right on the audio during the auction. Once I got home and listened to it, I wish I would have just mic'd him up. Oh well. Live and learn.

I fixed the two shots that looked like a jump cut

Good call on getting the different looks when it goes back to the interview. Is it a problem if I just do that in post since I didn't physically do it in the interview? Will it make the shot too grainy or is that something I should just think about next time I film?

Anyway, thanks for the advice. I appreciate it.

So you went with the slider after all. Good choice.
Great ending, too. What a charismatic character!

You've really launched into this new profession swinging, haven't you? Keep up the good work.

I don't know why but I really felt like a slider would add a different level of professionalism to my work and I feel like it has. I have really enjoyed using it.

I've got a lot to learn, but I have gotten A LOT better than I was at the beginning of the year. I have you guys to thank for a lot of that.

I like the piece. If your diving in to video right now your going the right direction. The talking head had some quality VO parts too which helps add to it, good reacts, etc.

In cases like this, I would hookup an audio recorder to the PA system and just record the audio straight from the mixer to get a real solid audio baseline, and then blend it with the room audio depending on which sections you use so you have that clarity of voice from the auctioneer, but a bit of echo so it still sounds like hes in a large room from the in camera audio.

Brock: no, don't mess with a digital push for this project. Just something to think about for next time.

Brock, nice job. Yes, the slider added a lot. (I need to look into one of these...) You told a story which is the most important thing. Always remember that beyond anything technique or equipment related.

Now, onto the tough part. Did you make any money on this job? If you did it for low money, do you think you can charge more next time? If so, how much do you need to charge to be profitable?

This does not matter if you are just doing it for a hobby, but if you want to call it a business, it is good to have dollar amount goals as you increase your rate going forward.