Ladies and gentlemen,

What goes well, what goes not so well during the production of your uwol 32 entries.
This is the place to share it all, as we always do.

And whatever happens, remember Rule 11!

I always seem to start off with lots of ideas, most of which quickly turn out to be impractical due to time and/or budget constraints. Then I tend to get discouraged as I cast about for a workable idea. The same is true this round but I have progressed to the point where I think I may have an idea which will work. I have reached the definite “maybe” stage. It sometimes takes me two weeks to get to this point so I am doing good. I hope you are all doing good as well.
Best wishes all.

I suppose this is a nice thread to start,

Mike ,
Nice to see the thought process. good that you have at least arrived at the "maybe" stage .

I am still struggling to imagine a idea .

Guess being in Field of Finance for 19 years makes my mind a bit too logical in thinking, rather than letting the imagination loose.

Think i need to think a bit more freely .

will come back with a update soon.

all the best to all of you folks.

vishal

Hi, Vishal- and welcome! You say you want to learn; well you have come to the right place with the right attitude. I look forward to watching your skills grow. All of ours have. Allow me to offer the same advice that was given me upon my first Challenge. If you run into a problem, please let us all know. Likely one or more of us has had the same problem and can help. Everyone wants to see you finish your film. As for the theme, sometimes the best approach is to just make the film you want to make and along the way figure out a way to tie it in to the theme. One tip I learned from Marj Adkins is to use the dictionary and look up all of the major words in the theme. Sometimes there will be a subtle secondary meaning that will help you find an angle. You mentioned bird migration. I think you could tell an interesting story about that which would tie in to this theme. Keep thinking!

Martijn- Howdy! I’ve been meaning to ask you how you like using your new Canon 150-600mm FD lens. I have long wanted one of those and never found one available at the same time I could actually afford it! I have the 600mm FD prime and I really like it. I love the rack-and-pinion focus. I’ll bet your zoom is great. I can’t wait to hear your opinion of it and see some examples shot with it.

Allow me to offer the same advice that was given me upon my first Challenge. If you run into a problem, please let us all know. Likely one or more of us has had the same problem and can help. Everyone wants to see you finish your film.
This is what uwol is all about. Improve our skills and helping each other reaching our next levels.

My idea for this challenge came to me last week but drama in mylife has kept me from really thinking and working on it.

The other day I found my music for this challenge. Yeah, I'm that backwards guy that pics the music for his films before he even hits the record button for the first time.

So now I'm listening to the track over and over again until it's engrained in my brain and I know every nuance of it.

Sunday is my last day of work for the year so hopefully I can purge the drama in my life and make something decent this round.

I love, love, love the music I licensed. It's a bit repetitive but I moves me and I can see imagery that I would love to get if I can.

As usually I have small snippets of shots that I want and no clue how to tie it all together yet. That usually doesn't happen until after I start editing.

Fingers crossed I'll finish this one!

Hi Kevin. Its interesting how we all go about producing our films, I seem to remember you once before saying you go for the music first for inspiration. My stories normally come as a result when I am out filming, I film something totally unexpected, something that I suppose you would call the money shot and build from there. Although I have been out and filmed quite a bit I am still struggling for that magic moment/ ingredient that will inspire a good story. As regards music I have been lucky enough to have built quite a collection of royalty free music from several sources AKM, Trackline etc so I don't usually have much trouble finding something to go with my project. Luckily Trond has given us a bit extra time for this one, so plenty of time yet!!!

I think I have the same workflow as Mick.
Many of my videos have developed while I have been out. Who knows, maybe that happens this time too.

Interesting to know about the evolution of workflow,

Its my first time around making a video on a given theme, so i am still on the drawing board, ( its now erased so many times that it now has scratch marks :) )

Approach adopted by me is i am planning on the structure of the video how it can be for the 4 minutes, sections and shots it can have. Shots are a challenge but some of the locations i have been a few times can give me few of the shots planned and then in the field i may be able to make a few depending on how it turns out to be.
Guess thats part of the learning process and my approach will evolve as i start making these videos.

Climate wise it was supposed to be winter times with clear skies and today there is a cloud cover and its rained in the night .

Music its still far off and i was only able to record the rumbling in the skies above and that was not written on the drawing board.

over the coming week i am planning to make some of the trips to get my shots.

I am so glad of the extended time.

So over all as i see, its a interesting journey, with drawing board not firming up, nice surprises as extended time and rumbling skies.
Tomorrow morning will be out at 4 am trying to see what all from the drawing board i am able to see.

will update you folks soon.

best regards
vishal

i am planning on the structure of the video how it can be for the 4 minutes...
Notice that the 4 minutes is a max limit only.

Trond,
Me not going above the 4 minutes mark , since we have 4 elements was trying to allocate a minute each and see how much of that part of the minute I achieve. (Been a finance guy for 19 years making it always a method in numbers and fractions :) )
In fact I tried to do some ground work on the interpretation of elements in Indian culture and found that we have 5 , the fifth being sky or space . Sky being my most loved one as for long as I remember always found forms in clouds .
Mythological reading makes it very interesting and giving me some ideas.

Cheers
vishal

So far I haven't made any solid progress. I have 2 main working ideas. One more 'old world' elements, and one more modern type view but narrowing it down to a specific one. For visuals and getting out in nature I prefer the former (though not sure how much travelling is needed to get the shots I want), the scientist in me wants the latter - but I worry it's too specific.

In the meantime I got up early last week to try and follow up my other UWOL entry from half a year ago, and get a lyrebird on film. Only saw one for a couple of seconds as it darted across the trail 10m in front of me. The trip wasn't totally unproductive though - saw more wildlife than most times I've visited, some even staying visible to the camera long enough to record them.

Morwell National Park Highlights Dec 2014 - YouTube

Hi,

Being the first time i may be asking too many questions. here is something i want to know about the normal practice.
When do you start editing ?
We have one month so as you folks have completed the previous challenges how is the time divided e.g. 3 weeks of shooting and 1 week of editing . I am very new to editing and i am not sure how much time i will take to edit this one so this advice is something i thought will help so that i don't keep shooting and then with no time left for editing.
Second option may be you edit as you shoot since all of us will be editing our stuff , is this editing on the way a good practice.

Currently i have shot some stuff in line with my idea however i think i am lacking some of my shots.
All in all its been a fun time all the way.

cheers
vishal

One tip I learned from Marj Adkins is to use the dictionary and look up all of the major words in the theme. Sometimes there will be a subtle secondary meaning that will help you find an angle. You mentioned bird migration. I think you could tell an interesting story about that which would tie in to this theme. Keep thinking!

. . . actually, Mike, I usually do an internet search not a dictionary search – better results. :)

(I find that doing a some research into the theme or topic helps me to find a story or at least to make a shot list to give direction; when I understand what the topic encompasses I can then look out for things that I may perhaps not otherwise have thought to include or film. It also saves so much editing time when I film with a shot list – that is one thing I have learned. Another reason I do research is to make sure my facts are correct before submitting an educational film - which is the type of film that I like to make!)

Hi Vishal and welcome!
Timing depends on the topic and the person. Kevin spends a lot of time looking for the right music and then he films and edits according to that. I personally have learned that there is no point in shooting if I don’t have an idea.To give you an example: I hit on an idea soon after getting the theme but I was not sure I would be able to accomplish that idea in the given time. Because I was going out birding the next day I decided to shoot everything that could be used for plan B - a water theme. I was shooting aimlessly – ‘just-in-case-I need- them’ type scenes, and needless to say, the results are pretty uninspiring. I’ve gone back to my original idea but with some tweaking to make it more manageable. I haven’t shot any footage yet. I am working on the story and only when I have that sorted out will I shoot what I need. I have to admit that this is beginning to make me a little nervous because time is marching on but it does save a lot of filming time and a huge amount of editing time. Having said that, however, I still haven’t always got my timing right and I often end up submitting what is really a rough cut version. I don’t mind because I have always viewed this challenge as a place to learn and I always learn something even if I don’t manage to finish my film properly.)

To answer your question directly –ideally I like to have the story together within the first week; shoot in the second week and edit after that. It takes time to find appropriate music. I generally have too little time to spend on my films as I have quite a hectic job so I have to work quickly.

If you don’ find all the shots you need it may be necessary to adjust the story to fit. (BTW – Just a general tip: It helps to learn about animal behaviour and location when it comes to finding the shot you need for nature documentaries. Animals and birds are creatures of habit and if you are prepared to get up early and wait it out you usually get the shot. . . lots of patience involved . . . and a good deal of frustration as well as Andrew has just testified!)

I edit in PremierPro and one thing that saves me a lot of time is using the ‘source monitor’ for initial editing rather than editing footage in the time line. In the source monitor (it usually appears when you double click on the shot in the project panel) you can set in-points and out-points for the section of a clip you want to keep and then drop that section straight into the timeline from there. You can continue snipping bits out of the same clip in this way until you have everything you need from it. These edited clips can be adjusted in the timeline if necessary but the main job is done very quickly this way.

Anyway just a few ideas from me – I’m sure other players will have different and more helpful ideas.

Being the first time i may be asking too many questions. here is something i want to know about the normal practice.

Vishal, you can never ask too many questions! That is the good thing about dvinfo.net. No matter how many questions you have, there is always at least one answer.
As Marj said, it is very hard (impossible?) to say in advance how much time you will spend on each part.
The December 2013 challenge I did in one day, filming and editing. I suddenly got an idea, and went for it.
Other times I can spend weeks before I finally come up with a good idea. (Like this challenge. Still haven't got that idea I want to pursuit).

I also use Premiere Pro for editing, and I use the source monitor just as Marj describes. Works very well.

...I got up early last week to try and follow up my other UWOL entry from half a year ago, and get a lyrebird on film. Only saw one for a couple of seconds as it darted across the trail 10m in front of me. The trip wasn't totally unproductive though - saw more wildlife than most times I've visited, some even staying visible to the camera long enough to record them.
Nice video you got there, Andrew. Really cool to follow up a previous uwol video, especially when you finally was able to film that bird you were looking for.
Just a question: The green color seem to be kind of washed out in some of the clips. Was that intentional, or maybe it is youtube causing it?
Thanks for sharing!

Thanks Marj , Trond
Settles my nerves a bit that i am not going way off.

I will edit in Premiere Pro and that was a useful tip of how to go along with it.

Marj, wildlife has taught me patience by now , guess after studying one bird species for 4 years thats one thing that comes along your way. The working distance with wildlife is something that come with time and some of my wildlife i am able to work at a very close distance , the species of bird i follow is most observed in the evergreen forests in monsoons hence i have spent days just trekking and not being able to get a glimpse in the rainy conditions. but thats fun of being with wildlife it teaches us a lots of skills , patience is one of them .
I shot and edited one video which is on , my first edit
Birds around Pune on Vimeo

I have a idea about what i want to shoot in this challenge just that as i go along i find some of the things missing or changed due to the seasonal change and the typhoons that are taking place over the oceans giving some unusual climatic conditions over the sub continent .
Guess these teach us one more skill thats adaptability and thats what i am trying to do as of now.

I am yet to think about music as i just can't imagine it till the time i have all the shots that i need to put into my edit.
Still trying to learn about video editing and learning some of the tricks there.
in 5 days from now if the condition is still the same as now i may be very nervous , but thats the thing about such challenges they make us think of solutions to problems we possess.

cheers
vishal

in 5 days from now if the condition is still the same as now i may be very nervous...
Only 5 days in a row with the same weather conditions, and I would be very happy.
We have had one storm after another and lots of rain every single day for the last weeks. Can't really remember last time we had a sunshine day. (It's about time cameras are made waterproof, I'd say!)
Expecting winds at least 15 m/s and snow the next days. Maybe I've found one or two elements, haha.

Good luck, everyone! Remember to follow rule #11!

Beautiful images Vishal!

Wishing you all a safe and peaceful holiday.

Thank you Marj, and I wish the same greetings for all of you!

Happy holidays, everyone! Hope all is well.

Greetings to all of you, the holiday season is here and sure you would be getting the footage you are aiming for.
Merry Christmas to all



vishal

Thanks Marj and all the best to you and the rest of the UWOL group.

Gordon

Happy Holidays & Merry Christmas!

Not yet well here, but on the mend. I fiercely hope none of you are contending with illness this challenge. When I go back and look at work I did earlier this month I wonder what I might have been thinking then and if it may have been part of the getting sick process. My project has come off of the rails but is not yet a train wreck. I am in the process of shifting my focus from finishing the project to not abandoning it. This Challenge has become much more about the journey than the destination for me. I went back and re-read Kevin’s blog entry “It’s Important To Get Out In The Field Even If You Don’t Feel Like It”. Thanks again, Mr. Railsback. (Who was that masked yeti?) We still have lots of time.

Many call this the season of hope. One of my great hopes has been for a UC round in which everyone that signs up completes a film. We can still do it and give ourselves a unique Christmas present. (Even if it turns out not to be this round.)

Best wishes, friends.

Mike,

I'm glad someone actually read that! :)

Hope you're quickly on the mend!!!

Happy Holidays to you and yours!

Thank you Marj and all the best to all of you.

A belated to Merry Christmas to you all (2 whole days self imposed computer/ social media free), trust you are all having a great time this festive season. Hope you are on the mend Mike and manage to complete an entry. Not getting on very well with my project this round, but will hopefully will upload something, at least I can then comment and vote. Wishing Uwolers all over the word, peace, happiness and productive (filming or otherwise) 2015.

Mick and Pat X

Thanks for the good wishes everyone, I’m limping along. One thing Mick said gave pause. We need to make sure everyone is up to speed on the changes to Rule 9- “All players who sign up for the challenge automatically become judges in that round”. You no longer need to complete a video to be in on the judging- only sign up. As for comments, I know a lot of folks have felt reluctant to offer comments in the past if they did not have a video completed for that round. No need. While those that complete a video are EXPECTED to offer comments on all videos, all other DVInfo members are ENCOURAGED to do so. Judging by the number of views our threads regularly receive, we have a lot more members that pay attention to what goes on here than ones that regularly participate or comment. It would be great to get to a point where many of them felt comfortable offering their input. It helps all of us.

That's a great suggestion Mike as more feedback is always better,

I am trying my best to complete my video and in case I manage it then the feedback thread may be titled " kill me" guess I would need that if I need to get somewhere.

Now I mostly have managed footage and today got to the editing table and felt like "washed ashore" now I start working type of a feeling. Is this normal or is it the butterflies inside.

Just off to sleep now and I know of a nightmare that will hit me " what the hell about music" still not thought about it, got the other sound effects but still no music. Any suggestions on this selection process would be helpful.

Tomorrow morning will go out to get a shot I planned for if I get it , really won't be left with anything to crib on footage front

Cheers
vishal

We need to make sure everyone is up to speed on the changes to Rule 9-
As for comments, I know a lot of folks have felt reluctant to offer comments in the past if they did not have a video completed for that round. No need. While those that complete a video are EXPECTED to offer comments on all videos, all other DVInfo members are ENCOURAGED to do so.
Well said, Mike!
Maybe the wording of rule 9 could/should be changed to include the "expected" wording? Opinions?

My tuppence worth - definitely not!

While I firmly believe that everyone should do a comment on all the other films because it is the way we all learn - and that when others take the time to comment on your film it is reasonble to return the favour, I do not believe it should be 'expected' - just encouraged especially when it comes to new-comers.
I have definitely found that offering comments is a good way to learn because it takes time to critique a film constructively and to say something worthwhile. It is not something everyone has the skill or desire to do from the get-go. This is a fun challenge. It often takes time to get to the point where you feel confident enough to make a really helpful comment.

Having said all that, I do long for the day when we do get thorough feedback from one another. I so appreciate it when people take the time to constructively criticise my work and the work of others because I learn from the critique of others' videos as well. I work on the theory that if one person found a problem with something in my film then you can be sure that there are many people in the audience (who do not offer comments) that feel the same way. I take every single critique seriously and try to work on those shortfalls. I also appreciate the encouragement given when I get something right.

Thank you, Marj.

Just completed my rough cut and landed with 8 seconds over the 4 minute mark.

Yes the nightmare is still hitting me about music.

Now I will export it out and watch it and won't return to my editing table for at least a day. So that I can find out what is it that can be cut out and secondly to feel what music can go with it.

How does this process work in normal case ?

cheers
vishal

Vishal, if your end credits are 8 seconds or more, then you are within the time limit.
We allow a little extra for the credits. (Details in the rules)
Maybe you don't have to cut your video shorter.

Congrats on getting a rough cut done Vishal!

I think I'm going to have to abandon my idea and see if I can't come up with something else these last few days.
Never expected the weather would play against me this time of year. :(

Trond

Video is excess without any credits , so need to cut it back.

Kevin,
Weather was ok in India this month, luck was it even rained for a day in my town, lucky I was not in north part of the country where full days were with fog making it extremely difficult to shoot, in our area it was pleasant , the plan I laid down at the start did not work out exactly but I kept on trying ,getting desperate once last week I drove nearly 1000 Km in few days made a few shots and happy I travelled.
Interesting thing is I got a few shots I aimed in my original plan which finally I did not use .

cheers
vishal

Fate
Indian government yesterday blocked 10 websites including Vimeo , today I finished attaching music .

Not sure where to go now .

Vishal

Vishal, any chance you can go through a foreign vpn service and gain access to vimeo that way?

If anyone has any ideas how to solve this issue, speak up, please.

Transfer the file to one of us and let us upload to the UWOL Vimeo account. Can the file size be made small enough to fit in Trond's DropBox?

Why didn't I think of that? Thanks Mike!

Yes, I have about 80GB available in my dropbox.
Vishal, I'll check it out and give you access later today when I get home, so you can transfer the video file to me. And then I can upload to vimeo for you.

Thanks folks

Let me try the VPN way if it doesn't work will take the drop box option .

You folks are gems really appreciate your help.

Cheers
vishal

Let me know how it goes. We will sort it out one way or another.

Finally,

After a month of MacBook Pro failure, dead dell , 2 ISP providers failing and government notification of blocking vimeo, the video is up uploaded.
Did it in some haste as was not sure what else could give way, last few days have been like this , just as if the wheels have come off

You folks have been very supportive and I really appreciate that, for this is the first time I was against a time line to shoot, edit and post within a timeframe.

Trond,
Please check if I have uploaded rightly , used the vimeo suggested video settings and followed other instructions .
Marked it as private hope did it right.

Cheers
vishal

Vishal, your video is uploaded to vimeo.

Tick, tock, tick, tock.., two more days until deadline. Only one entry uploaded so far.
Remember to shoot an email to uwol@dvinfo.net to request the upload instructions.

Well, I have to confess to a little bit of my own wonders and woes for this round. I had scheduled surgery for an umbilical hernia in mid December, and whilst all is progressing well, have decided to take my surgeon's advice and not lift anything - including my tripod and kit for a while.

I look forward to seeing your entries and enjoying films from around the world - especially from Vishal, with all of his problems resolved!

My own entry was going to be for a short film on the mountains north of Madrid - I will make it later in the year!

I'm missing a lot of shots for my Plan B film but I'll put something together.
Maybe after I can go back and get the shots I need to fill in the gaps.

But we'll see if I can put something together

My video is uploading - a miracle!

I've tried to watch the entries on the Vimeo site. Looks like everyone is having buffering problems. I hope it's just a busy Internet evening.