Here is a love story trailer I just finished. I thought I would try something slower and get some audio into this one, which is normally the opposite of what our trailers look like. I'de be interested to hear what other think about having the couple interview snippets in there. I think it really added a lot to the trailer aspect- as in showing a preview more related to what final production will look like.

Here is a link to the flash video
http://chiweiandstacy.com/


Patrick
www.still-motion.ca

That is a great little trailer you have put together. Lots of good smooth movements, you use a Merlin for that? Great job again.

Hi Saul,

I actually pulled out all the B material for their trailer and saved the A stuff for the main feature- so I'm glad you still liked the shots.

Everything was done with a steadicam flyer. I haven't gotten my merlin to behave nearly as well, especially outside in the wind- such as the train track location.

Patrick

It looks like a crane in one of the shots. Kudos.

You're having entirely too much fun. I wouldn't believe you if you ever said that you hate doing this. ;o)

I also like how you use humor. I believe that the best way to make 'em cry is to make 'em laugh first. On a recent reception I included a blooper section. They LOVED it, and sent us a $200 tip!

IMO, the shot with almost all of the bride's face off the screen was pushing the creativity envelope a bit too far. If the rest wasn't so well done I would've thought it was an accident. Perhaps I'm too old school.

IMO, the shot with almost all of the bride's face off the screen was pushing the creativity envelope a bit too far. If the rest wasn't so well done I would've thought it was an accident. Perhaps I'm too old school.

Thanks for the comments Dana.

There isn't a shot with the brides face almost off the screen- there just seems to be some sort of wordpress problem going on where it cuts off the last 10% on the right hand side. I thought it looked odd too, so I rechecked the source file and all was good, then tried it in a different browser and it was fine. Not sure why it is doing that though.

If you get a chance, can you try this link to see if the file plays properly?
http://smcouples.com/chiwei/?p=3


Patrick

I thought it was great, Patrick. Really gave me the sense of looking forward to the event, which is what I would think a trailer should do.

Great shots, especially the train track one. That was really beautiful. You make me want to buy a stabilizer of some sort. Any recommendations?

I notice that your audio on the groom's interview was clipping a bit. How are you recording him?

Anyway, great work. Thanks for posting it.

STABILIZER ENVY! Me too. Actually I have the stabilizer & need the vest.

Ah yes, widescreen helps dramatically. Problem fixed.

Great as always!

Love the work Patrick. You are the reason i joined this forum and i check your blog each day for new updates. I really enjoy the Coldplay song...i was just thinking the other day while watching "You, Me, and Dupree" that i should use this song in one of my next videos.

Have you ever messed with the glidecam unit versus the steadicam? there is a huge price difference so like most i'm probably going to have to take the cheaper route at first. Once again love the work....

Vito,

The audio should be good and not clipping- however I haven't actually tweaked it yet and I did quickly apply an equalizer filter to bring up the mids and bring down the bass, so perhaps that pushed it too far. Thanks for mentioning that, I will have to look into it.

Wow, that is quite the compliment Zach. I'm really glad to hear that you enjoy our stuff that much.


Have you ever messed with the glidecam unit versus the steadicam? there is a huge price difference so like most i'm probably going to have to take the cheaper route at first. Once again love the work....

I atually started out with a homemade glidecm that was buiilt with a monopod. It worked well for very short shots and it really taught me how to make the most of the stabilizer, as it was very limited in what it could do. From there I got a glidecam (w/ no vest or arm) and I think it was a huge improvement. Quite a few of the shots that are in all my work could be done with a glidecam- I think the steadicam just makes them easier and slightly smoother. Some of the longer shots where I go around the couple on the dance floor, as an example, are much easier with the steadicam as the arm is unbelievable. Shots such as the opening one in this trailer where the couple is under the bridge are much tougher with a glidecam, I find, as you are raising the camera while rotating and panning. However, the slightly simpler move I would have done if I had a glidecam would have also looked very good I think.

On the other hand, a glidecam is unbelievable value. It is awesome to be able to pick it up and put it down so quicly. I will actually be going back to one for certain weddings so I can switch between the glidecam and a 35mm adapter right away.

Patrick

Vito,
The audio should be good and not clipping- however I haven't actually tweaked it yet and I did quickly apply an equalizer filter to bring up the mids and bring down the bass, so perhaps that pushed it too far.

It's not horrendous, but I hear it a bit. Listen to the word "have" when he says "you can't have a bad time" for example.

But stellar work. You raise the bar as always.

Patrick - what do you camera do you shoot with, and do you always use the 35mm adapter? I love the difference the 35mm adapter makes but didn't know if it is used all day or how you take this on.

I shoot with:
1 - Sony FX1
1 - Sony HC1

FX1 is my main camera and the HC1 is my backup pretty much. I'm looking into the 35mm adapter and think if i were to take this on i would definitely have to use the glidecam shooter package (which includes the vest/arms for the glidecam 2000). Last question....did you shoot the interviews with a black background or a green screen and pull the key? looks great.

Hi Zach,

I shoot with 3 Canon XHA1s and an HV20. I have one A1 on a 35mm adapter, rails, etc. The other two go on tripods and the steadicam. Right now I don't use the 35mm adapter on the steadicam as it really needs two operators to be reliable enough for me.

I've used the FX1 and am much much happier with the Canon camera all around. The FX1 can, of course, do great things, and it works very well with a 35mm adapter, but I would suggest a second main cam for the stabilizer and the 35mm adapter either handheld or tripod.

The clip I posted was all steadicam, no adapter. We had our studio painted all black so no need for any keys, and it makes it very quick to setup and shoot.

If you want to PM or email me directly, I can send you some clips that have more 35mm adpater footage in them.

Patrick

i love watching your video patrick. keep them coming. they inspire me to shoot and also helped me make the move to get a lens adapter.

:)

right that's confirmed it, if I ever get married, i'm paying for yourself and Jason Magbanua to fly over here and film it, LOL :)

That's outstanding Patrick. Not only is the camera work and editing exceptional but you really create a lovely mood with the interviews and music etc ....

Great work.

right that's confirmed it, if I ever get married, i'm paying for yourself and Jason Magbanua to fly over here and film it, LOL :)

Sounds great. Count me in!

That's outstanding Patrick. Not only is the camera work and editing exceptional but you really create a lovely mood with the interviews and music etc ....

Great work.

Thanks Matthew. I think it came together pretty well too. The tough thing with these trailers for me is wanting to create that wow factor and get people interested in the love story while at the same time not giving away too much of the best shots or interview comments. I'm glad you enjoyed the whole mood that the clip has- that was what I was trying to add by mixing in those interviews.

Patrick

Great work as always. I honestly found nothing to critique really. Just great work.

One question. On your studio lighting setup, how many lights are you using? The hairlight looked great.

Thanks Travis. I was really happy with the lighting there as well. For that setup I actually went very basic. I had a 5' softbox to the front left of the couple and then a hairlight on a boom behind them and to their right. The boom really let me position it well without havng to worry about it getting in the shots.

That's a great look for only using 2 lights. I figured you must have had the hairlight on a tall stand or a boom. Thanks for the info on your setup.

Hi Zach,

I shoot with 3 Canon XHA1s and an HV20.

Hi Patrick,

really nice shots. What do you use the HV20 for? I used mine on the flycam as I was getting really tired lugging the xh-a1 around on it. Just interested to here what you are using yours for.

Also....small aside, which Flash encoder are you using?

Hi Alastair,

The Hv20 goes on a heavy duty light stand and 12' in the air as a portable balcony when there isn't one. I also use it to capture at the office and for SDEs. I have been mixing the footage from it into some of my highlights clips and it would be hard to pick out which shots were from the cam with the rgight post and lighting up front.

For flash, I'm using virtual hub for mac. It hink it was $25 or so and gives lots of options.

Patrick

Hi Alastair,

I'm using virtual hub
Patrick

Did you mean Virtual Dub?

Agree with your comments re the HV20 slotting in well with the XH-A1. I'm seriously impressed. I was using the Vivid Preset on the XH-A1 and only just noticed that the HV20 has a Vivid preset already as a custom preset which would have made things even easier.

Did you mean Virtual Dub?

Agree with your comments re the HV20 slotting in well with the XH-A1. I'm seriously impressed. I was using the Vivid Preset on the XH-A1 and only just noticed that the HV20 has a Vivid preset already as a custom preset which would have made things even easier.

If you wouldn't mind, please PM or email me directly with questions that are completely off track with what the thread is about.

I use Visual Hub for mac.

No, it's Virtual Hub. I just got it recently. Funny, I was just going to ask what data settings you use with that, Patrick.

What bitrate do you set for the Flash video, and do you just set the framerate to 29.97? I'm assuming you use the 2-pass function as well? What about the audio bitrate and Hz? Do you do anything with the "force" function or the "qmin" function?

Sorry, posted while you were posting. I'll PM you.