hey guys check out DEFRAGGED short we just finished. Was created for the FX competition. You can find info @ http://defragged.wilddogarts.com , click on iFilm or YouTube and watch it there. Dont forget to vote yay or nay. Hope you enjoy this. Dont forget to post in our guestbook also.

DSE, on that page, the white on medium gray background is almost impossible to read (highlighting was my friend.) Now reading on...

The BTS Photos have been uploaded to the yafiunderground site (link below).

Hello everyone. Proud to announce the release of Fool's Errand, the second film of a Star Wars fan film trilogy produced by members of the Phoenix Fan Force in Phoenix, AZ. The film has been almost 2 years in the making, shot mostly on an XL1s with some pickup shots on an XL2. The film is a 34 minute long 76MB Quicktime 7 file which can be download from the film's website at http://www.spiritsoftheforce.com We had a lot of fun making it, I hope you enjoy watching it.

Well the link to giuseppes video i dead and i realize that this thread was started a long time ago but thought id post anyway.

Colins link is still good and MAN! Thats some nice work! i love the lighting and the overall style of the video... i didnt quite get the "story" though. but the music was great, the work in post looked good, great vid! what software are you using?

good suff man! post more work!

Dear People.

I would like to watch short fictions that won prizes like Cannes, Oscar, Berlin and so on.

Is there any web site that screens them ?

Alexandre Lucena

Hi all,

http://www.film-it.net/absit3/absit_files/Default.htm

This is my first attempt at creating training materials to be distributed with Microsoft Producer. Producer is a companion product to PowerPoint which allows you to combine video, audio, PowerPoint slides and html into a single stream viewed via a browser. It's by no means a great product but it served a purpose for this particular client. I believe Producer may be discontinued in the near future which is a shame. Anyone know of any similar products (that don't require a special server)?

This piece is intended to be viewed in a classroom situation with the trainer explaining what's going on in the screenshots. The video is really only eye candy designed to set the scene. Takes a while the first time you run it, sorry! Also, I believe you need to have PowerPoint installed to correctly view it - I'm afraid I haven't tested to see what happens if you don't have PowerPoint installed as my client doesn't have this problem.

Technical(ish) notes:
- Shot on a Canon XM2 (GL2) with a wide angle lens and a Formatte matte box (Just about to upgrade to an XL2 - can't wait!).
- Lighting was a single 3 x 250w switchable and dimmable halogen unit with soft box.
- We recorded straight into DV-Rack.
- Title sequences created in After Effects.
- Editing done in Vegas.
- Slides created in PowerPoint 2003.
- Assembled in Producer.

All feedback warmly welcomed - I'm especially interested to hear if people had any problems actually seeing the thing! Like I said, first time with Producer and there is a real lack of resources available for learning the ins and outs.

Cheers!

Ian . . .

I was commissioned to create a series of video case studies for a software company. The subjects are pretty dry (warehouse management, retail management etc) but I have been contracted to create two of these a month for the rest of the year so my mortgage will be paid!

Here is an example of one and I'd welcome any feedback.

www.film-it.net/mnetics/courtesy.wmv (approx 5mb)

Technical notes:
- Shot on a Canon XM2 (GL2) with a w/a adapter
- Audio recorded (in a horribly noisy environment) on an AT835b shotgun straight to camera
- Lights used: 3 x Ianiro Lilliputs plus a 3x250w bulb switchable/dimmable unit with soft box
- Title sequences, flow chart and other 3d PinP effects created in After Effects (Flow chart itself created in Visio)
- Edited and assembled in Sony Vegas
- Logo sequence created by a third party (I'm not keen on it)
- Distribution is via the customers website, on CD, as a giveaway at trade shows on a 1Gb USB data thingy and on large plasma screens at trade shows.

Cheers!

Ian . . .

Great work!!

I just bought Vegas 6 and can't wait to learn how to do effects like those....

You're very kind!

Vegas is a great piece of software and I've used it since version 3. It's a case of Vegas being the first video editing software I used and I just stayed with it.

I have to say that in some respects I wish I had come across Premier first, because of the tight integration with other Adobe products (specifically After Effects and Photoshop) but I've invested too much time in Vegas to change horses now.

Some of those effects were created in After Effects, not Vegas - specifically the title sequences and the "fact file" segments. I find After Effects more intuitive for 3d (OK 2.5d) work such as the virtual camera roaming around the flow chart.

Glad you liked it and thanks again.

Ian . . .

kind of convicing success story :) . Couple of nice visual ideas. I very liked vary framing of interviewees.

I work with media services under information technology here at OU. I do a lot of media stuff for ton of different depts and sometimes private clients, but this is the first promo video we are doing for our actual dept. This is first 30 seconds of the estimated 3-5min web video to show new students what IT is all about. Enjoy. - RH

http://www.rileyharmon.com/temp/opening.mov

This is really other people's work, but still interesting treatment of Star Trek fan film sites in the New York Times today

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/18/arts/television/18trek.html?hp&ex=1150689600&en=b029ea26cee9eddc&ei=5094&partner=homepage

production values here: http://www.starshipexeter.com are impressive, and there is a whole behind the scenes site: http://homepage.mac.com/starshipexeter/exeterstudio/

HAHA! James Blunt parody sooo funny

well done

Greetings folks! Here's my latest directorial effort: "MOSES." It's a crime drama, about a wandering homeless man who's mysterious past is about to come to light.

I've been working with my independent study class in electronic media production at CSU Fresno to complete this film since the end of January. It's the result of hard work from over 30 college students, that's including talent and crew. It was an awesome experience. Hope you enjoy, lemme know what you think.

Here's the link. It's quite hefty. Sorry 56Kers. If there's a demand I could provide a smaller file. ENJOY!

http://www.amfproductions.com/moses/moses_big.mov
(QT 6 or higher needed, 27 minutes, 166.06 mb, Size - 480x320)
Right click or option click and 'save target as' to download to your comp

Here's some screenshots:

http://www.amfproductions.com/moses/moses_images.jpg

Check out my Film Noir short on YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RsN0CTTpVo

The audio is a little distorted, but so is YouTube.

It was shot on HD so it is kind of disappointing to see it this small, but it is still one of the most visually appealing videos on YouTube (of course that is not saying very much)


-Kris

Very good! I liked it, other than the quiet interrogation room scene. What camera did you use? Nice work.

Thanks,
Luke

couldnt view, my reply was for colin. sorry for the misspost

I wasn't able to access Giuseppe's link, che sfortuna! But i got to see Colin's work. That's some good Shtuff! Colin you're definitely there with your work. The edits have excellent rythm, great exposure, lighting...sweet.

i dunno theres some pretty high end videos on there.

I was just joking. I love YouTube.

It's just that the professional videos are few and far between. If you have any links to any I'd love to see them so I can support them.

YouTube could be a great place for the independent community, but right now it is overrun by cheesy web cam footage.

Oh, and did you watch my video. I’d love your opinion.

Thanks,

Kris

We have put together a new show on Wrestling. Any input is appreciated.
We are also looking for video music directors that want to get there stuff noticed. If you have rights to a music video that you have directed and want to get shown on a psp, ipod and cell phone - contact us at bionicbuddha.com

Feedback always welcome!

pretty good. What camera did you use? I like some of your shots like when the guy was running down the hallway.

Thanks, we used a Sony FX1. YouTube doesn't really show it off though.

Just thought I'd share a bit from this docudrama i am working on as 2nd unit camera and vfx http://rileyharmon.com/wordpress/?p=53

It's been quite a while since I've posted anything on DVINFO. I bought my Canon XL1s from a fellow member, Joseph Benoit.

After a couple jobs, some new equipment, software and accessories, here's my BEST WORK to date:

http://www.adamsonmedia.com/HoanCarol_web.wmv


Constructive feedback is most appreciated from you fellow DV'ers.

Thanks!

All in all, pretty good stuff. Here are my thoughts.

The oval mask in some of the opening shots is a bit too aggressive. Pull it back out and soften the edges a bit more.

The motion overlay of the rings during the vows kind of says 'cheesy effect'. I would take it out. The background motion effects at the ending montage are much nicer and they don't distract the viewer at that point.

The 'old film look' is another mis-placed effect. It doesn't work because by looking at the rest of the video, you can see that 'this shot' takes place at the same day and time. This would have been a good effect if you were doing a history of the couple and had some childhood VHS video to cut into the story but not for a brief shot in current day. Since the couple are kissing in this shot, a slo-mo would help enhance the romantic moment they are sharing.

A couple pan and tilts were not at steady pace but that's just practice and a much more expensive tripod head. That's why good ones will cost you more than what you paid for the camera. They are fluid dampened and have counterbalance springs that will make those camera moves silky smooth.

All in all, a good job and certainly one that can be made better with a few changes. The basic camera work with shot selection, angle, and exposure are there so you have some good material to edit with.

That's just my opinion and others may dis-agree so don't take it as gospel. I only pointed out those things that distracted me as a viewer.

regards,

-gb-

The multi Award Winning feature film Four Eyed Monsters (http://imdb.com/title/tt0439182/combined), is screening as part of indiewire's national screening series Undiscovered Gems!

Please check out the following link to see if your city is on the list, attend the screening and vote!!!

http://foureyedmonsters.com/index.php/screenings

Four Eyed Monsters (http://imdb.com/title/tt0439182/combined) made its world premiere at the 2005 Slamdance Film Festival, before screening at the 2005 SXSW Film Festival and ultimately winning the Best New Director Award for Arin Crumley and Susan Buice at the 2005 Brooklyn International Film Festival...

indiewire selected Four Eyed Monsters (http://imdb.com/title/tt0439182/combined) as one of the top ten undistributed features of 2005 (www.indiewire.com/movies/2006/01/indiewires_top_1.html).

And don't forget to subscribe to the Four Eyed Monsters Video Podcasts using iTunes!!!

I thought the choice of music was great, though I agree with the film-like sequence maybe being out of place. IMO, it just doesn't fit well.

Good job on capturing the b&g's sense of anticipation.

Other observations: the audio of the vows struck me as ever-so-slightly muffled, though the level of the music behind it was excellent...just right, (though you certainly captured the emotion of the moment).

Bottom line: were the "clients" happy?

Greg,

Very nice feedback. I can definitely use that advice. And yes, looking back at the b&g vows the overlay was a bit overkill. That was actually two 'lower-thirds' in use. I felt if I put just one on the bottom I'd have to put some kind of caption in it. I tried it on the side but the ring would be in the bride's face. You're right I could've done without it.

The old film effect...I see what you mean. Use that sparingly...check!

A fluid head tripod...savin' up for a nice Bogen....check! Thanks a bunch!

Denis,

There's a story on that muffled vows thing. I used Sound Forge to rescue them in hopes to avoid having the b&g say them over in a mic! You shoulda heard it before...whew! But I hear ya on that one. Better mics....check!

Guys,

Thanks a million! I respect the vast pool of experience I've come upon here and will take advantage of it. Bottom line...my clients were VERY pleased! I may make some of the suggested changes with their blessing though.

Later!

looks awesome.. i wish i knew how to do that. what programs do you use for the vfx?

Okay, let me introduce myself. My name is Justin; I have been creating short videos as a hobby for about 8 years. I am somewhat disappointed with Carl, my short film. I guess it was because I was working with people who think one cut is good enough. The film doesn't really make much sense and was butchered into 5 minutes because of a short film festival time limit. I know for sure that for now on, if I know something is wrong, I will make it right, such as re-filming scenes.

I bought a new consumer camera, a DCR-DVD-403. I couldn't afford a pro camera. (Although it is a very nice camera, it can be fully manual and it is customizable.) This is the first short film I made with it. So, I had not really figured everything out. This was a film that I learned a hell of a lot from.

So anyways, if you would like to take a look at it and give some pointers I would really appreciate it. There are some animations on my site if you want a take a look at them as well.

Link to Carl:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=AV9S-CrgfRY

Link to Website:
http://users.eastlink.ca/~jtomchuk/index.html

Thanks,
Justin

Ok, first posting of something I've shot-n-edited....

I've been videotaping certain cultural dance events for a few years now. Considering the relative (extreme) lack of quality in the videos typically produced of show events, I find it very hard to get quality feedback (everybody raves about my cuts....which should be an indication of the level of their expectations...).

Anyhow, this is my first cut at a two-camera setup. I was on the master camera (FX1--SD), and my wife (bless her heart! with no practice) was on the 2nd camera (GL2). I'm looking for feedback on the camera work and editing cuts--I want the finished product to be as professional as I can get it. The audio has not been edited yet!!.

This clip is an Egyptian guest performing a Nubian folkloric dance. It's mpg, 320x240 @ 31MB, 4:16 long.

http://mysite.verizon.net/res0t4mo/bahaia.htm

I appreciate any constructive feedback on the camera work and/or editing. It's been through the Color Corrector in PPro 1.5, to make the two cameras color match (more or less--I *did* white balance both cameras together...*sigh*). I found the FX1 colors to be quite saturate, and had to tone those down and bring up the GL2 colors a bit.

Thanks,
Matt

It looks fine. If it's a dance performance, the people are generally looking at the video because of the dancing.... not your editing or production values. In my opinion, the most important things for a stage performance are:

A- The content / performance itself. As a baseline, you should convey this without losing important information or detracting from the performance. Excessive cutting or cropping off the feet while the performer is dancing can do this. It's good that you did neither.
B- Good stage lighting can enhance the mood and feel of the piece. Cirque du Soleil would be a good example of this. That isn't quite your department though... and it would be way too much to ask for (Cirque's lighting grid must be insane).
C- There are some jib / dolly camera moves that can add a little to the production values. But I don't think this would be reasonable to expect!

Suggestions:
A- You can shoot some b-roll of the audience reacting if you need to cover stuff up. Because you can throw this in out of sequence, it can look like you have more cameras than you actually do.
B- You can put little interview bits with the performers that either:
Gives a sense of their (life) story, so you're cheering for them. i.e. American Idol. Or...
A sort of Coles notes about what to look for in the dancing. Or it could be some interesting things about the dance itself. If you could throw in some information like this, it could make the dancing more interesting to watch.
C- You could throw in a lower third title about the performance details. There are ways to make the title look slick and polished... just watch the titles on TV and see what you like. Sometimes a simple, clean design can be highly effective too. Look at print graphic design work for some ideas maybe.
D- You could do a little bit of color correction to add a little life to the colors. A place to start would be to add a s-shaped curve to the RGB curve in the color corrector in Ppro.

Little nitpick items:
The camera moves on one of the cameras (the one that was zoomed closer) could've been smoother. It's a matter of skill/experience and having a good tripod.

I found it slightly weird that the camera angles were 'unbalanced'... you see one angle from the left, but there is no angle from the right. This just might be me though.
If you shoot head-on, you can have another problem where you get jump cuts if the difference between the two angles isn't enough.

I think anyone who posts their work here and invites criticism is brave...but we'll never know what we're doing "wrong" if no one ever tells us. So, BRAVO for asking.

My impressions:

A moving subject like that is certainly tough to shoot.

Just my opinion (and I'm certainly not an expert): you made decent use of the 2nd camera, but I think you could have made better use of it. Since the master cam was basically a straight-on shot and required little or no attendance after you chose your settings, perhaps YOU should have manned the 2nd cam while your wife attended the 1st cam. Maybe using a few shots from the thighs or waist up, (e.g. an occasional CU from mid-vest up), on the 2nd cam to get the striking colors. An occasional CU (chest-to-head) at 45 degrees to left of center cam might have provided the hand/arm movement, more detail of the dancers attire, and maybe even a smile or 2. While I can see there is a pattern in the dancers attire, I was not able to make anything out of it. Is the pattern somehow integral to the dance?

Did you consider starting close-up, i.e. filling the frame from head-to-toe for just a second, then a quick zoom-out to cover the entire stage once the musci started?

The cuts are pretty good, but there was a tiny bit of zoom-in midway through from the straight-on cam. I'd try avoiding that in the future.

Was there a rehearsal? If so, were you able to attend to get a sense of what to expect?

Food for thought...but don't feel you have to taste it :)

Little nitpick items:
The camera moves on one of the cameras (the one that was zoomed closer) could've been smoother. It's a matter of skill/experience and having a good tripod.

I found it slightly weird that the camera angles were 'unbalanced'... you see one angle from the left, but there is no angle from the right. This just might be me though.
If you shoot head-on, you can have another problem where you get jump cuts if the difference between the two angles isn't enough.

Glenn,
We had mono-pod on camera 2. We didn't really have time to get my "operator" a lot of practice before the show, but definitely next time she will be well-versed (if I can't find a second operator). I didn't really want to use a tripod (or a monopod, for that matter) because I had wanted to get certain moves and shots (pedestals, CUs of certain moves, etc.). Unfortunately, there was also the live audience to consider--we couldn't have camera 2 moving from stage right to left or vice versa during the show, in front of the audience. Otherwise, there would have been more variety in Camera 2 (no $ for a camera 3. :( ).

The point about the color correction is very good--I should have remembered the S curve. Titles are on the way, but only for the first 20 seconds of the dance--I really try to keep things simple and, to your point, emphasize the performer over "neat video tricks". The rest of your advice I will store away for future activities, because it's very good input.

Thanks,
Matt

Since the master cam was basically a straight-on shot and required little or no attendance after you chose your settings, perhaps YOU should have manned the 2nd cam while your wife attended the 1st cam.

Dennis,
Thanks for the feedback. It's still an open question who's the boss here--she really didn't want to be perched atop a ladder working the master cam (my tripod/head gets up to 10', and I use it all to minimize front-row head-shots). I tried...

Your points are all well-taken, especially about CUs. There was no rehearsal--this is a get-it-or-not-the-first-time thing.

The outfit was "native", but the pattern wasn't integral. It's clearer on the full-size version, I believe. I don't know that it comes across in the video (speaking of CUs for smiles/facial expression), but the performer was suffering from a pretty bad back injury. He actually did 3 numbers that night (the show must go on!), and very well, too! Some of the other performers got some tighter footage.

One thing I was looking to cut on (in general, and not specifically this clip) was zoom-ins/outs, when they occurred at opportune moments (e.g., cutting from full front to camera 2 zooming in on detailed midriff or upper body movement, etc.). Do you find that such cuts affect the flow or disrupt the viewing experience?

Generally, I'm looking to make cuts or dissolves on motion, or on sudden changes (direction, tempo, the temporary pause), if I have good footage.

Thanks,
Matt

Welcome to the DVi Justin. Hope you enjoy your stay.

Learning by doing it one of the best ways to learn. Keep 'doing' and you will develop a style that is uniquely yours. There are a myriad of things you need to buy and learn in order to make really clean looking video. All the information is, thankfully, linked from or contained right here on this site. If this is just a hobby then you may want to stick to the run and gun style you have right now.

Make more movies. Keep them in the YouTube ten minute range and keep posting them. The more you make, the more you learn.

As for this video, you already stated some really big problems that need to be addressed. I think being a director takes a lot more diplomacy than most people realize. You should sit down with your cast and crew and tell them how things are going to be. Make sure everyone is making the same picture.

Doing more than one take is a given but you should also do "coverage". That is make sure you've covered the whole scene from different angles. This gives you much better flexibility in post.

My experience, once the camera is placed, 3-9 takes. I've had them go up to 27 takes to get it right.

Shoot a master shot from two or three visually interesting angles.

Shoot your two-fers, three-fers, and more-fers for the whole scene.

Get in closer, shoot your medium and close-ups, the over the shoulder or off the hip stuff for the same scene.

Then shoot some isolations, a nervous foot, fingers picking at a button, a spinning m&m, something that shows emotion that you can insert when you edit to cover something else. To keep it short and the energy high, figure on one isolation per scene.

At minimum, for two cast members, 12 takes per scene. Actors hit their stride at different times and this can vary from day to day. It's just something you have to learn about each actor.

The other thing I would tell you is be prepared to get reamed. Especially on YouTube. When people are allowed to hide behind anonymity they can be excruciatingly cruel. You have to thicken your skin against people like this. Trust that this is a hobby you enjoy and that you are getting better with each thing you do.

When it stops being fun, maybe that's a hint to quit. Otherwise, get out there and do it some more.

You jump from the cool liquid opening shot to a close up of rubber gloves and and magnets. Then a really quick jump back. This would be less jarring if you dollied back into your master shot. This happens a lot though. Your cuts are really hard and they jump in elevation quite a bit.

When he changes from playing with candy back to the magnets, you jump cut a whole 180 laterally and you drop from 6 foot to coffee table level. Having one of those isolation shots in between them would have made for an easier transition.

Would have been funny to watch this guy using the spray bottle as the narrator speaks of it and all we see is two guys walking which isn't all that visually interesting.

You know the jump from him crying to the messed up DVD's is bad. We're still in a flashback and the scene is way too dark. The worst thing about this scene is you crossing the 180 line indiscriminately. Especially since you don't give us a master shot. The whole scene is visually confusing.

Back to live action and one guy throws his spray bottle, we watch it go then cut to a two-fer and the OCD guy isn't flipping out or anything, he just sees a garden. This kind of killed the flow for me.

I never did understand why it was so bad for Carl to weed a garden? You never set this up so it seems really odd here.

You also never set up the Clean Breeze company so it really comes out of left field. The fact that you needed a card inserted with exposition on it should be your first clue that something is wrong story wise.

Out of all the things you need to work on, I'd say sound is something you should fix first. Learn how to do it well and it will help a lot.

I wish you good luck and lots of fun for the future.

Click Here (http://www.voiceover-talent.net/losttowns.html)

feedback welcome

Thanks Dennis, I learned a lot from that post. I really appreciate your time in writing it.

When I was filming this, I never even thought about how the cuts are going to look like one after the other. When I was editing it, I couldn't really piece the short film together, it was really a mess and the only way I thought I could wrap it up was with a card. Thankfully, these and all of the other issues I will address when I make something new.

Thanks again,
Justin

Hey Bill - greetings from a resident of the Pine Barrens (I live out in the woods on the edge of a state forest).

As far as the trailer, I personally didn't find it compelling since it mostly shows walking feet and trees. Then at the very end you very quickly show a montage of shots from (off the top of my head from a quick watching) Brooksbrae, Quaker Bridge, Atsion, etc. Seems that if you want to get people interested in buying your DVD you should include some real content from it that would introduce these places and whet the viewer's appetite. But of course my perspective is that of someone who is already very familiar with these lost towns....

At any rate, good luck with the project!

man looking at that makes me cringe at the amount of work you must have spent rotoscoping the mattes on the harbor recreation. :P Big ups to you looks great.

Good luck.

http://media.putfile.com/clicker-68

All improv, I didn't even really think I was going to put it together really... Especially the music, I just dropped it on the timeline and let it go and gave it an abrupt stop, lol.

Hello All,
Working on the completition of my 4th Film, and Im looking to do things more special this time with the screening. So im looking for advice in this area, basically money is the issue there is almost none to work with, but I have been told a view ideas, just looking for some that have done screenings before with almost no money. My goal here is to mainly get some notice with it, but mainly so the cast and all can get to see their work. Im based in NYC so i have heard some ideas about "two boots theater" also "the Den" which is under two boots, so i am looking for advice from anyone that has screened in NYC and a idea of cost if possible. Thanks


Also heres a clip from my last Project SOLACE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfsmJiGjbVM

and another clip from SOLACE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPbX9CVW7pQ

Check out Dekk in Tribeca (http://www.thedekk.com/screeningroom.htm). You could also contact the organizers of the Tuesday night screening, I screened a short there, they were mostly interested in the participants buying food & drinks.

A ballpark figure of what it ran you?? Also were they able to play froma DVD source, sorry 4 all the questions

For the Tuesday night screening, they just want the audience to buy food & drinks. The screening room is a lounge/dining room in the back. The organizers will pre-screen your film before hand, to say yea or nay.

They accept DVDs. Not sure what other connections/formats they can play.

when I make something new I'm glad to hear it. Same thing happend to my first five minute contest. I wrote an 8 minute script. It didn't make any sense and it sounded bad. Trust me when I say you are not alone with the mistakes you made. Just something you've got to get through. The good ones do, the lamers don't. Let me know if you ever need any help.

One of my latest DV creations. Please share any suggestions/criticism.


http://www.buttlesschaps.com/chess_final.mov

Thanks,

Ernesto.

that was easily one of the most painful pieces that i've ever heard/seen, that song just killed me, maybe if the song was better it would'nt over shadow the images.