Music Video -- Shot with XH-A1

Tom Blizzard · April 5th, 2008, 08:03 PM

Glidecam needs to use you as a demo!! Excellent. I voted for her too.

James Binder · April 7th, 2008, 01:51 PM

Travis, Tom --

Thanks to both of you for your comments and support!

Shiv Kumar · April 7th, 2008, 07:01 PM

James,

I can't add much to what's already been said, but this to me was a phenominal video. Your wife has an incredible voice and your videography was superb. I especially like the moves you've done using the Glidecam.

Listening to the song and watching the visuals, I was truely "in the zone".

Shiv.

Shiv Kumar · April 8th, 2008, 08:50 AM

James,

I looked at the other videos on that site and they are pretty crappy. Your wife sings so much better than 99.9% of them. Your video has really moved me in many ways.

The filming, editing, audio, everything you've done is so incredible!

I don't know the band, never heard the song before but the way your wife sings it is really beautiful.

Just had to write another post and tell you.

Bryan Gilchrist · April 8th, 2008, 09:35 AM

Very nice!

The only complaint I have is that it seemed like in some parts of the video, there was no "emotion" with her singing.

For example, when she's in front of the mic, you can "feel" that she's really singing. In other parts it feels like she's just standing there moving her mouth.

Other than that, it was an excellent video...VERY professional looking!

I voted, too. :)

I see her becoming a big hit!

Tom Sherwood · April 8th, 2008, 03:17 PM

Wow... I was looking into to cameras and you sure sold me on the A1. I watched the video and was blown away. To me it looked like a "real" video that would be aired on Vh-1 or Mtv. Super impressed. I thought you had to spend tens of thousands to get video that looked that good.

I've since seen others get great shots with this camera, but yours was the first one so I had to reply. I couldn't sleep after I watched it. I was inspired thank you.

So is there a talent attachment or accessory? I'm sure that had a lot to do with it not just a good camera. Anyway great video I voted for your wife.

I would have like to see her perform the song more. One draw back to filming fast and slowing it down later is she didn't get a chance to really get into it maybe? I don't know. Would be interesting to see how her movement would translate.

Kelly Olsen · April 9th, 2008, 03:29 AM

I don't care for Country Western music at all, but this song was very, very good and the video was also top notch. I voted for her.

James Binder · April 9th, 2008, 03:54 PM

Shiv –

Wow – thank you for the very nice compliments. Glad it got you ‘in the zone’!

Yes, I had a great (albeit kind of dangerous) time with the Glidecam. Usinging it on projects like this is not only fun and creative – it also tremendously bumps up the production value.

Yes, the competition is really an amateur competition – and yes, we went WAY overboard – but my wife is a HUGE fan of Rascal Flatts and I really wanted to help her do well. I’ll pass the compliments on to her – thanks!

Bryan –

Thanks for the great feedback. I agree completely with regard to the performance. We shot this very quickly and if I had it to do over again, I would absolutely focus more on performance dynamics – which she is completely capable of (she is a former singer/actress). Working so quickly and being buried in trying to get a pretty picture, things suffered a bit there I’m afraid.

Although, it is interesting what slow-mo does to a performance (more on that below). Thanks again!

Tom –

<[quote]So is there a talent attachment or accessory?>

LOL! I wish!

Thank you very much for the compliments and feedback – much appreciated. I’m glad you liked it so well and were inspired (sorry you lost sleep though!). I’ve felt that same inspiration looking at others work on this board as well.

Regarding performance and slow motion (continuing from above): Again, I agree with your point. It’s been a learning experience and interesting to note how slow-mo affects performance. By that I mean that too many subtitle moments together, combined with slow-mo, can lead to a rather flat performance.

However when the wind is blowing the hair or a person is walking, moving, gesturing, etc, it really looks nice. I guess the key is striking a balance. As mentioned above, I would definitely spend more time there if I were to do it over.

On the other hand, even though she isn’t moving – the camera is flying all over the place. The slow-motion effect is very present there and smoothes the camera movement very nicely. Nevertheless – it’s the performance to which people respond, not the camera moves. Although some might argue that in a creative project such as this, the camera becomes a ‘performer’ or cast member so to speak. Clearly, the video would be very different if the shots were all static.

Even so, I’ve never once heard anyone say (present company excluded), “Wow, what an amazing tracking shot.”

Other things you don’t often hear:

“Loved that f-stop setting”
“Superb depth of field there”
“Tremendous Bokeh”

:-)

I guess that’s why we have these boards!

And lastly, no you don’t need a million dollar budget to achieve good results. I shot this for zero dollars (okay, maybe the price of a tape). A good eye, nice location(s) and talent goes a long way.

Thanks again everybody (for the contest support as well) – it’s been great getting your feedback and having this exchange. It helps tremendously!

Shiv Kumar · April 9th, 2008, 04:01 PM

James,

Now all that rermains is getting the votes :).

However this turns out I think the combination (the two of you) is a very potent one.

James Binder · April 11th, 2008, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shiv Kumar

James,

Now all that rermains is getting the votes :).

However this turns out I think the combination (the two of you) is a very potent one.

Thanks!

Have a great weekend all --

James Binder · April 13th, 2008, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kelly Olsen

I don't care for Country Western music at all, but this song was very, very good and the video was also top notch. I voted for her.

Thanks Kelly! Sorry I forgot to thnank you in my last reply!

Jimmy

James Binder · June 2nd, 2010, 07:59 AM

Haven't been back to this link for two years!

What Hurts The Most-Music Video on Vimeo

Here's a new version of the video with color grading via MBL -- and a new music mix.

Note -- the competition ended over two years ago...

Terry Wall · July 2nd, 2010, 06:47 PM

Hi, James! Might I say that that was one fine piece of film making you did there! I just picked up a used XH-A1 and am going like crazy with it learning, shooting...etc, and in going to the videos that were shot with this camera and it's younger brother, it is proof positive of the quality imagery that can be produced. Again, well done, and thanks for sharing...sorry it took me 2 years to find it (LOL!). BTW--great song, too!

Cheers,
Terry
P.S. Did your wife win????

April 7th, 2008, 07:01 PM	#18
Shiv Kumar Major Player Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Gainesville, VA, USA Posts: 327	James, I can't add much to what's already been said, but this to me was a phenominal video. Your wife has an incredible voice and your videography was superb. I especially like the moves you've done using the Glidecam. Listening to the song and watching the visuals, I was truely "in the zone". Shiv. __________________ Canon XH-A1, Libec LS-55M, Letus Extreme, Steadicam Merlin, PPro CS3

April 8th, 2008, 08:50 AM	#19
Shiv Kumar Major Player Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Gainesville, VA, USA Posts: 327	James, I looked at the other videos on that site and they are pretty crappy. Your wife sings so much better than 99.9% of them. Your video has really moved me in many ways. The filming, editing, audio, everything you've done is so incredible! I don't know the band, never heard the song before but the way your wife sings it is really beautiful. Just had to write another post and tell you. __________________ Canon XH-A1, Libec LS-55M, Letus Extreme, Steadicam Merlin, PPro CS3

April 9th, 2008, 04:01 PM	#24
Shiv Kumar Major Player Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Gainesville, VA, USA Posts: 327	James, Now all that rermains is getting the votes :). However this turns out I think the combination (the two of you) is a very potent one. __________________ Canon XH-A1, Libec LS-55M, Letus Extreme, Steadicam Merlin, PPro CS3

July 2nd, 2010, 06:47 PM	#28
Terry Wall Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 164	Just checking in... Hi, James! Might I say that that was one fine piece of film making you did there! I just picked up a used XH-A1 and am going like crazy with it learning, shooting...etc, and in going to the videos that were shot with this camera and it's younger brother, it is proof positive of the quality imagery that can be produced. Again, well done, and thanks for sharing...sorry it took me 2 years to find it (LOL!). BTW--great song, too! Cheers, Terry P.S. Did your wife win???? __________________ Rule #1: Don't sweat the small stuff. Rule #2: It's ALL small stuff!

April 5th, 2008, 08:03 PM	#16
Tom Blizzard Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: West Rosemary Beach, Florida Posts: 199	Glidecam needs to use you as a demo!! Excellent. I voted for her too.

April 7th, 2008, 01:51 PM	#17
James Binder Major Player Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: NY, NYC Posts: 367	Travis, Tom -- Thanks to both of you for your comments and support!

April 8th, 2008, 09:35 AM	#20
Bryan Gilchrist Major Player Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 224	Very nice! The only complaint I have is that it seemed like in some parts of the video, there was no "emotion" with her singing. For example, when she's in front of the mic, you can "feel" that she's really singing. In other parts it feels like she's just standing there moving her mouth. Other than that, it was an excellent video...VERY professional looking! I voted, too. :) I see her becoming a big hit!

April 8th, 2008, 03:17 PM	#21
Tom Sherwood Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 83	Wow... I was looking into to cameras and you sure sold me on the A1. I watched the video and was blown away. To me it looked like a "real" video that would be aired on Vh-1 or Mtv. Super impressed. I thought you had to spend tens of thousands to get video that looked that good. I've since seen others get great shots with this camera, but yours was the first one so I had to reply. I couldn't sleep after I watched it. I was inspired thank you. So is there a talent attachment or accessory? I'm sure that had a lot to do with it not just a good camera. Anyway great video I voted for your wife. I would have like to see her perform the song more. One draw back to filming fast and slowing it down later is she didn't get a chance to really get into it maybe? I don't know. Would be interesting to see how her movement would translate.

April 9th, 2008, 03:29 AM	#22
Kelly Olsen Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Santa Monica Posts: 26	I don't care for Country Western music at all, but this song was very, very good and the video was also top notch. I voted for her.

April 9th, 2008, 03:54 PM	#23
James Binder Major Player Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: NY, NYC Posts: 367	Shiv – Wow – thank you for the very nice compliments. Glad it got you ‘in the zone’! Yes, I had a great (albeit kind of dangerous) time with the Glidecam. Usinging it on projects like this is not only fun and creative – it also tremendously bumps up the production value. Yes, the competition is really an amateur competition – and yes, we went WAY overboard – but my wife is a HUGE fan of Rascal Flatts and I really wanted to help her do well. I’ll pass the compliments on to her – thanks! Bryan – Thanks for the great feedback. I agree completely with regard to the performance. We shot this very quickly and if I had it to do over again, I would absolutely focus more on performance dynamics – which she is completely capable of (she is a former singer/actress). Working so quickly and being buried in trying to get a pretty picture, things suffered a bit there I’m afraid. Although, it is interesting what slow-mo does to a performance (more on that below). Thanks again! Tom – <[quote]So is there a talent attachment or accessory?> LOL! I wish! Thank you very much for the compliments and feedback – much appreciated. I’m glad you liked it so well and were inspired (sorry you lost sleep though!). I’ve felt that same inspiration looking at others work on this board as well. Regarding performance and slow motion (continuing from above): Again, I agree with your point. It’s been a learning experience and interesting to note how slow-mo affects performance. By that I mean that too many subtitle moments together, combined with slow-mo, can lead to a rather flat performance. However when the wind is blowing the hair or a person is walking, moving, gesturing, etc, it really looks nice. I guess the key is striking a balance. As mentioned above, I would definitely spend more time there if I were to do it over. On the other hand, even though she isn’t moving – the camera is flying all over the place. The slow-motion effect is very present there and smoothes the camera movement very nicely. Nevertheless – it’s the performance to which people respond, not the camera moves. Although some might argue that in a creative project such as this, the camera becomes a ‘performer’ or cast member so to speak. Clearly, the video would be very different if the shots were all static. Even so, I’ve never once heard anyone say (present company excluded), “Wow, what an amazing tracking shot.” Other things you don’t often hear: “Loved that f-stop setting” “Superb depth of field there” “Tremendous Bokeh” :-) I guess that’s why we have these boards! And lastly, no you don’t need a million dollar budget to achieve good results. I shot this for zero dollars (okay, maybe the price of a tape). A good eye, nice location(s) and talent goes a long way. Thanks again everybody (for the contest support as well) – it’s been great getting your feedback and having this exchange. It helps tremendously!

June 2nd, 2010, 07:59 AM	#27
James Binder Major Player Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: NY, NYC Posts: 367	Haven't been back to this link for two years! What Hurts The Most-Music Video on Vimeo Here's a new version of the video with color grading via MBL -- and a new music mix. Note -- the competition ended over two years ago...