The music and slowmo makes it almost sad. Some of the rack focuses at the beginning almost seemed to be fishing for focus rather than intended...unmotivated. The whole piece, however, was well put together and I liked the music. Nothing felt out of place. I could feel the apprehension of those teens.

Thanks cole, I must agree I left too much "unfocused-blur" shots in..

Hi Louis,

It's good to be confident in your ideas, but I'd rather hear your defences. Trust me I'm not out to demolish you, (and I'm not THAT anonymous - google me).

I'm sorry if you were offended by my comments. If this was your FIRST film then it is impressive, it's more accomplished than my first film. However if it's the only film you've made before embarking on a feature, then I stand by my comment. I'd aklso say you're going to need to grow a slightly thicker hide. After all, once you get your feature listed and listed on IMDB, where comments are REALLY anonymous. I wasn't trying to be patronising, just give a straight honest opinion - which is what you asked for, right?

But I'm plenty open to different ideas and would be very interested in the rationale behind the choices you made. Trust me, I'm not going to came back and nit pick them, I've given my views on the film and would happily have you change them.

Emre, just thoguht I should follow up since I seem to have offended people eslewhere - as first film it IS a very good piece of work, especially the performances of your two male lead characters. Good acting is something that does make films like this stand out.

You did not offend me; on the contrary, I appreciate your substantial input. I was merely waiting for other people to comment before diving in. Anyway, to address some of your concerns:

Some OK camerawork, but some of the scenes seemed underexposed, it wasn't consistent.

That's what you get for giving your camera to someone else. I am just thankful I managed to salvage the last scene. I am going to do my own photography the next time.

The two male actors were good, better than you usually see in this level of production. The weak link was the actress, you need to get more angles of her in any given scene so in the edit you can "cut" a performance together (ie tighten up timing, use a close up for emphasis when her line readings are a little flat)

I get more coverage now, but I think it wears out the actors. There is a trade-off. I assume the blame for the actress' flat performance; I am sure a lot more could have been wrung out of her.

When you think that TV sit comes in teh US are usually 23 minutes long, excluding ads, they can put a lot of story into those 23 minutes. I'm not saying all stories need to move at that sort of clip, but you're not offering a lot of story in 18 minutes...With shorts, especially those on the web, you need to hold peoples attention a bit stronger.

'Tis a fair cop. I think we could have offered a lot more, but it would have involved more work, and we had already stretched ourselves to breaking point. Let us hope my next work (about to begin production) will be more dense. It is unfortunate that most people are probably going to view this on the computer. This is not how it is supposed to be. On reflection, I realize I composed for the "small screen", but I am not working on the assumption that all my films will be viewed this way.

Sound - I can sound like a stuck record on this but it was really uneven.

Let's just say we were not shooting in a studio. The restaurant, for example, had a loud HVAC that we were not at liberty to turn off. The kitchen was right next to a construction yard. The beach was close to the airport, plus we had to contend with teenage bystanders who raised their voices just to ruin the production. It is a miracle we got any sound on location at all. I should also note that I applied heavy dynamic range compression for the Web soundtrack as is generally recommended. The DVD sounds more subtle, but I concede I still have a lot to learn about mastering.

...as a first film it IS a very good piece of work, especially the performances of your two male lead characters.

We did audition a lot of people... A good cast a day keeps bad acting away.

ACA (Atlantic Coast Airlines) used to fly for Delta and United. After 9/11, United went bankrupt and wanted to re-negotiate all flying.

ACA didn't want to bend to United's control, so they started their own company called Indpendence Air based in Washington Dulles.

Because of that, Delta cancelled the Dornier contract as we would be direct competitors to them. Thus, the Dornier's went away.

I didn't explain that in the DVD because the DVD's audience was the pilots who flew the Dornier. Therefore, everyone knew why they were going away.

Jim

Please take your precious time and watch it

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FrN7yVtUxQ

Comments and constructive criticisms are welcome.

Thank you.

The story was really basic and simple, but still pretty good. I liked your opening credit theme, the music worked really well with the piece and your audio sounded good to (you covered your audio really well). For me the intial chase scene was maybe just a touch long, and sometimes the hand held camera seemed a little on the fence between a normal or dutch angle. Overall a nice job though. I would recommend cutting the opening credits down a little bit, its over a minute before the actual film starts, but again, that's just me. Oh, and good effects with the blood!

I can basically parrot Cal's comments. Very basic story. But great sound and visuals overall. Again, the opening credits...If you are going to have them run for 1:20, give me something more interesting to look at than a curtan in the wind.

The acting was great - very well done. The only other thing I would mention is the breathing in the beginning when the girl has her mouth gagged. The breathing sounds like she is panting through her mouth and not her nose - Just a minor point.

Congrats on a movie! Many say they will - Few do. You did. Stand proud!

Emre, I would urge you to keep giving the camera work to someone else, but it's always good to use the best DoP you can find, someone with a good showreel and a bit of a track record. One thing that can be a bit unfair is that I'm watching this on my LCD in a day-lit, which requires a rather contrasty bright image, which the camera person may specifically have been trying to avoid.

As for coverage, you're right that it can wear actors down, especially inexperienced ones, or those whose background is theatre. Sometime you can get away with just shooting little insert type shots, just a couple of lines rather than the whole scene. As you shoot more you'll probably get a feel of when to do it and with which actors. AS I said, your two males had quite a nice flow and could hold their scenes quite well. I especially liked the "someone mailed me a joke" scene. I should also say that the staging was quite interesting in a lot if scenes, you used space in the locations quite well, having actors interact in the foreground and background, in separate planes. I admire you for assuming resposnibility for the actress' performance. It's certainly a sign of directorial maturity. Knowing how to get the best from different actors is one of the things you'll get through experience, unfortunately they're often very different in how you need to get the best performance out of them.

Sound is always a hard one. The problem is it's hard to get around once it's on the track. It's usually a case of compromising - if you have ambient sound, then you'll have to shoot more dialogue in close up and get the mic really close. It might mean abandoning some of the more interesting staging or camera work one has planned, but in my opinion, sound is that important.

I know what you mean about composing for the small screen. It's a bit of a pity but it's a trade off - after all now short filmmakers have such a great opportunity to show their work to a large audience. Certainly wasn't there when I was starting making short films.

I know it probably doubles the workload but In future I'm considering making a festival version of future films and online versions (the online versions would be pacier, edited to assume viewing at low resolutions/bandwidth and colour corrected to allow for less that optimal viewing conditions.)

Anway, well done and I look forward to seeing your next film.

Have to watch it a little later, but on getting more coverage. In the feature I just finished shooting and am currently posting, I had mostly non/inexperienced-actors. I shot through the master, then in the singles, you can really dial in a performance by giving the actors some freedom if they/you don't like the delivery of a line to stop, take a beat and redo that line...it's easy to cut it together if you have the master (watch out for continuity!) and you get some really good performances out of it...you can have them give you a variety of deliveries and emotional levels that way.

I actually liked the opening credits, yea, maybe something better than a curtain would have been nice, but it kind of worked for me, especially with the music and the font. Music and sounds was good. The story, although simple, was great and well done with great acting. Overall, good job. BTW, how do you think it turned out?

Not bad, I really liked the music. The blur did get to me a little, but no big deal. Like cole said, the movment made it almost sad. Good Job.

Thanks all for taking your time to watch it. Your comments are very helpful.

The night before the principle photography, our boom microphone stopped working so we decided to use the on board mic of the XL-1... it was a scary decision but we didn't have much choice. So I tried to keep the sound as clean as possible and then hopefully clean up in post (if needed); I did run into few issues but thank god, it was only minor issues... the only major issue was when she screamed ;-) i had lowered the level but still too loud in some shots... but i was grateful how the sounds turned out.

I agreed the title sequence is a little long. I did slow it down so the effects of the fonts be more effective.... but you're right.. it's a little long and boring.

Overall, we're also happy with the end result and there are also a few things I wish I could have done differently but we know we couldn't get it perfectly and that's why i'm here to see if other audiences see what I couldn't see ;-)

Again, thank you... and I'm looking forward to see more comments.

On the artist side: I agree with the others...horrible song...that guy should give up and try something else...

On the production side: Considering it was your first and a one camera operation...GOOD JOB!! My only issue with it was that the audio seemed VERY compressed, I don't know if that was the CD he gave you that was that compressed or if it was you, for web delivery, but with a musician (term used loosely here) I would put audio quality over the video size/bitrate.

Also in the future, with a rap/hip-hop artist I would try out some more interesting angles with possible some fisheye shots, overheads, ect.

Hello All, I wanted to share my first video that took over a month to make. Technically it shouldn't have taken that long, but I wanted something good and I wasn't sure how I was going to form it. The video was for a school production of West Side Story and it was the 20 year reunion since West Side Story was displayed at my school. The video was shown before one of the shows for the cast of 1986 and 2006. Most of the footage I took wasn't included (7 80min mini-dv tapes total). The whole thing was filmed on a Sony Handycam dvc-trv27 and was edited in both Cyberlink Powerdirector and Final Cut pro 5.

P.S. Sorry for the VHS quality and some color problems... I couldnt extract from the DVD without paying for a special program so I copied it to VHS and captured it to my computer.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4398610571929351260&q=Demigod+Corp.&hl=en

I really liked it and I want to see more! I especially liked the titles and how only the letters in "Detours" stayed after a second or two. Storyline was very very catchy and I would definately like to see this movie.

I do not know if it is something at my end, but the file was corrupt. Regardless, I want to wish you luck in your project.

Hey Josh, welcome to DV Info and congrats at getting into video production. This first effort that you've created is really more of a home movie, meaning the people who are going to enjoy watching it are most likely those who were in it or family and friends of those involved in the production. As an outsider, I have no idea who these people are, its just images of folks set to music. To really express yourself as a filmmaker, I'd suggest tackling something that isn't going to have a set, captive audience. Think of something simple, wether its a fictional story, or a documentary, but something that will be interesting for people to watch because there is a story that is revealed as the film progresses.
Also, be wary of lengthy credit rolls at the start of your film. Be confident in your work, tell a great story, and at the end people will take note of who created the film.

That looks really interesting. Nicely done Eli.

Hi Terry,

You're vodcast looks like it's going to be a real hit! (I subscribe to about 20)

From the technical side, you're lighting could be improved - the video is almost washed out and shadows are on the subject's eyes (not flattering). Perhaps you can use an umbrella or softbox to fix this, diffuse your hard light, or crank down the gain/aperture, etc. Incidentally, you may want to consider a solid white/black background if file size is an issue (video compression works much better that way).

The voice quality could use some work - the mic distance is picking up an echo (poor room acoustics). One cheap fix is a wired lavilier. Processing the signal through a audio compressor would also help.

Your subject (Tami) is terrific - very energetic with good facial gestures and a pleasant presence! And looking at your site, you've got excellent content.

Best wishes and contact me if you have any follow-up questions.

Michael

Here's the trailer for my feature, shot in HDV:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77hl5ETy0vQ

It's titled, "The Uninvited", and is a supernatural thriller.

(Please pardon YouTube's compression, the picture looks better than what you can currently see!)

That's why you should host your own videos, otherwise having shot in HDV becomes moot.

I liked the trailer except for the shot of the girl in the house... it seemed to be the only shot that was different from the rest...

Shot on Z1?

Here is a short video I recently did to accompany a musician's live performance:

http://karatemedia.com/inflatable/

(The Windows Media file is a little better because it is deinterlaced)

This was shot on both a Panasonic DVC-80 and a DV-53, then tweaked in After Effects to look something like an 8mm home movie. It's probably the antithesis of what most people are attempting to get here (and probably even of what I would normally strive for), but I thought it might be interesting to post here.

It's a very basic piece, and the "state fair" theme is pretty obvious take on the Phil Spector-ish style of the music, but hopefully the general editing and shot selection accompanies the song well.

That's why you should host your own videos, otherwise having shot in HDV becomes moot.

Not to worry, it won't be shown in its entirety on the 'net- my producer is searching for a distributor for a DVD release.

I liked the trailer except for the shot of the girl in the house... it seemed to be the only shot that was different from the rest...

If I told you why I couldn't use a shot of the girl that matches everyone else's, it would be giving away a major spoiler... ;)

Shot on Z1?

No, we had to use the JVC JYHD10. Not my first choice, but it was available- along with the availability of the locations & actors. Otherwise, we would have had to find more financial backing, and start over with casting actors & locations months (or years) down the road. The lesser of two evils, I figure.

I like it Dave !!!

Edgy, lazer paced, well synced, colorful ... and yes, even a wee bit strange.

The music had almost a Blue Man Group feel to it....love that upbeat stuff.

hey, was that a jib shot behind the Musicians ?

I like it Dave !!!
hey, was that a jib shot behind the Musicians ?

Thanks a bunch Ken.

Yes, that was a jib shot. The second shot, the one of the school bus, was a jib shot as well. Both done with my home made jib.

At some point I will post pictures of the jib in the jib forum.

I made this over a year ago but never really wanted to show it anywhere. As I was going through my hard drive, I decided to get some reviews on this short just to see what people think. I will admit that there is some amateur problems: a tripod in one shot; but other than that, I think it came out alright.

And yes I used a Chopin song but forgot to credit it. I didn't mean to infringe if I have, but I felt the song fit; plus it was just for fun.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAYhvjoFzkM

Review away

A funny video I write, directed, and edited today. Please comment. (wrote it during class :) )

http://invisionitstudios.com/khuni.html

Thanks, we used a very improvised dolly which I had to operate while operating the camera, so not every movement went as smooth as we wanted.

The attached photo's show what we did with the colors.

Those photos kind of have a Sin City look to them. Cools

Nice work Djee... I like seeing stuff like this, low light very "cinematic" look shot on video.. shows where you can take video if you work at it. It wish I could see a better version of it, the online movie was a little dark, but I think that is a combination of compression and my monitor. I too, thought the almost B&W look was really cool. Good luck in the competition.

not bad for one day, wish i had friends that could do it right then and there. i liked your myspace vids, too.

not bad for one day, wish i had friends that could do it right then and there. i liked your myspace vids, too.

thanks for giving time dropping your imput!

Thanks :-) and as the title and 'plot' of this film allready indicates, we are going to make a longer version, in the same visual style, and then even put a story in it, see how that works. ;-). We also want to use a 35 mm adapter in that version.

I will try to upload a better version on my website.

My 4 YO son insisted I needed cars to make a proper product shot.

I thought I was missing the pretty girls...

Comments:
http://www.vulture.no/testvid/scooter.mov

Gunleik

Shot a simple demo intro for my show and would like to get some input. It's a golf show and tried to have a bit of a movie feel to it at the start. Any feedback would be great.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEWzci3DhPI

Thanks,

Matthew

It's great, but I'd shorten it up a bit to about 30 seconds. IMO there's a bunch of dead space in the beginning half. Also I'd change the font used for all the words describing the show at the bottom. Otherwise, it looks awesome to me!

Thanks for the info. Any special font that you might suggest? I was trying to have it start sort of like a movie and let it build. I was just trying to start the show a bit different than the average golf show you might see.

Looked good to me. But like was mentioned, it seemed to have some dead air. I'd ditch the quote probabaly. I understand the desire to have a cool movie into, but you have to undertstand it's a TV show. Not a movie.

I would at least shorten that black video after the quote. It seems to go on forever.

I couldn't see the video you posted, for some reason I can't get the "proper" codec from apples site.

I did however check out some of your other work. It's pretty cool. I like the MySpace commercials.

I also want to know, how the hell did you get the shot inside the 350z?!

I couldn't see the video you posted, for some reason I can't get the "proper" codec from apples site.

I did however check out some of your other work. It's pretty cool. I like the MySpace commercials.

I also want to know, how the hell did you get the shot inside the 350z?!


The 350z has a hatch. I pretty much let my friend film while in the trunk with the hatch open. :D (Everyone asks that, I guess people consider it very uncomfortable :D)

Ahh, ok. That makes sense. It's a very tiny car so one can only wonder. Haha, pretty cool.

I'm watching the Short Version of Reno and it's pretty funny man. Keep up the good work.

I wouldn't ditch the quote. I think it looks cool. Just because it's T.V. doesn't mean you can't experiment with a more "movie" look. I mean, look at a lot of the TV shows out today like 24 and Prison break. They have a very cinematic look and feel to them.

I say keep the movie-like look, but definately ditch the long black portion of the video. It just goes on for far too long. I thought something was wrong and I was about to close the window because I had thought something got screwed up, like the encode or something.

I like the quote but that's about it... I would like to see some action shots if you are going to cut it that fast. High shutter, extreme angles, etc. Also, what really sets a show apart IMHO is custom graphics and music. In this case, I think both the music and graphics are a bit hokie. Try some 3D stuff for graphics (Cool3D is a cheap and easy program) and see if you can hook up with a local musician for some custom sound. Here is a link to a low-budget sports show I direct/shoot that will be going national early next year.

http://nts001.interplug.com/profiles.mov


ash =o)

Waayyyyy back in January we started shooting this History Channel documentary on the Mexican American war using the Panasonic Varicam...and two of the new HVX-200 cameras. We received the first two cameras on the west coast, and 2 days later were shooting with them.

Back in March a press release about us was circulated. I have been working on it for 9 months (a record for me...longest time on one show) and now it will finally air. The title is THE MEXICAN AMERICAN WAR.

Friday, Sept 29 at 8:00PM ET/PT on The History Channel.

This project mixed Varicam footage and P2 footage from the HVX-200 camera. Was shot 720p 23.98 and delivered 1080p 23.98 on D5. This show was cut with FCP at full DVCPRO HD resolution using 2 G-Raid 500GB drives, an internal 250 SATA drive and a Popsicle Stick Raid.

I color corrected using the 3-way color corrector, did moves on stills with FCP and After Effects and did green screen comps (with the expert help of Patrick Sheffield) with Shake. I output at The DR Group in Los Angeles to D5 and delivered...well, LAST week be the show was kicked back for a few technical issues that we spent the last week fixing and have since returned the tapes to the network.

Set your Tivo. Especially if you are a Neilson family.

For information on my workflow, visit my blog at www.LFHD.net

The teaser trailer can be found here...not color corrected:

http://homepage.mac.com/comeback/pro...Theater36.html

Thats cool Shane. I'm a big history buff and am addicted to that channel. Please post when it will premiere so I can keep an eye out for it. I am curious how this will look in HD as well.

That was pretty funny stuff. Reminds me of my old high school. Especially the beatings. We usually had atleast 3 good bouts a day. Good job

Congratulations Shane! I remember seeing some of the footage at your LAFCPUG presentation-- looked fantastic.

I'll definitely mark my calender...