30sec clip

Hilary Cam · May 25th, 2003, 09:13 AM

Hey fellas,

Havn't posted anything here for a good while. I very hastily put this together this afternoon for my first DV prac assignment for my university digital media course. (due next week)

The project constraints allow only a maximum of 30seconds for a short thematic piece.

Here it is, took one hour from conception to film and 2 hours in editing and cutting back - 30seconds from 30min of footage. Shot on XM2 (GL2). Dad used as 'actor'.

Don't expect speilberg, but critical feedback/suggestions would be great.

I'm only 19 so go easy ;)

http://members.optushome.com.au/phil...e_Salesman.avi
(9.6mb - right click, 'save as...')

Divx Codec ver 5 required. If you don't have it... you should, so grab it here. http://download.divxmovies.com/DivX505Bundle.exe

Thanks again guys, look foward to your views.

Dylan Couper · May 25th, 2003, 10:30 AM

It was just enough to get me interested. What happens next???!?!? :)

30 seconds frrom 30 minutes of footage shot? Yikes, thats a 60:1 shooting ratio. Good thing you aren't using film.

Rob Lohman · May 26th, 2003, 07:13 AM

It piqued my interest as well. Looked very clean (this can be a
good or bad thing, depending on which look your after)

Benjamin Taft · May 30th, 2003, 12:17 AM

Seems like the video file has been taken down...

Amelie Stein · June 17th, 2003, 12:30 AM

Hi Hilary,

Can I contact you on email, yahoo or AIM? I saw your film and I have some criticisms and issues with it; I think it would probably be best if I discussed it with you instead of posting it on here.

Cheers,
Amelie
third_chord@yahoo.com

Zac Stein · June 17th, 2003, 12:45 AM

Looks like i have a sister on this forum now...heh

:)

Amelie Stein · June 17th, 2003, 01:03 AM

lol hiya bro! :)

You can always adopt me online as a sibling if you want! It's nice to meet ya Zac, I'm Amelie... obviously :)

Zac Stein · June 17th, 2003, 01:25 AM

Amelia, what is your AIM, umm username i guess. what do you i find you with?

Mine is motionafterfx

Zac

Hilary Cam · June 18th, 2003, 03:35 AM

Hey ppl, been really busy of late, havn't checked by for a while...

Sorry. I took down the avi version, but theres a *smaller/lower quality*, newer, Quicktime version at

http://members.optushome.com.au/philcam/Door2Door.mov

For image quality enthusiasts, a full-size frame-grab can be perused here http://members.optushome.com.au/philcam/snappy.jpg

Ill contact you Amelie, as soon as i get this essay done (on sound, using 'Requiem for a Dream' as a case study, pretty interesting), sounds like you've got some serious criticisms (I feel kinda threatened ;)

Personally, I hate the vid now, seen it enuff times and thought of a lot of things I could have done to improve it. But what can ya do :)

Rob Lohman · June 18th, 2003, 05:26 PM

Amelie (and others),

If you have criticism (constructful I hope) or other comments
to make that might help more people, please do post them here.
A lot of people can learn from what other think or have to say
about certain imagery, even if it is not their own!

This is the primary reason why we exist, to talk to each other,
see work and comment on it.

So please keep it on the board! Thank you.

Kevin Burnfield · June 18th, 2003, 08:19 PM

Hi Hilary,

Thanks for posting that up for us.

I didn't get a chance to look at it other then on my computer monitor so there are certain things I can't comment on but a few that immediately leapt out at me.

The colors look good.

I liked that you move the camera, I liked the shots.

One thing I immediately noticed was the lack of Depth of Field for a lot of the shots.

This is important NOT ONLY for Filmlook but also to draw the eye and focus in toward what you want them to be looking at.

Speaking of filmlook, you could have maybe tried a subtle filter on the lens too.

It looks nicely cut, all the action leads you right into the next cut and looks like good simple angles.

Would like to see more and learn if there were any techniques you tried for with your GL2.

PS: tell Dad he did a good job. Too bad he is in Australia and not NYC, I've got a part in a film for him. Oh well. (G)

PPS: Rob's right, when other people read something they can learn from it because most people here give detailed ideas and it's things that others can learn from.

Honestly I haven't ever seen a nasty or unprofessional critique of anyone's work here and I like to read and see what others saw that totally went over my head.

Hilary Cam · June 18th, 2003, 08:23 PM

Robs right.

*I was just trying to avoid embarrassment out in the open :)

Readers get alot out of learning from other peoples attempts and suggestions.

Kevin Burnfield · June 18th, 2003, 08:39 PM

Hilary, I had just watched it again and was going to edit my review to say this but saw you'd jumped in.

You've got NOTHING to be embarrassed about. Your shots are in focus and you cut it together nicely.

The other thing I was going to say about filters was that when you do that shot where you move around Dad you get a lot of the sky in it and it looks a little blown out on my monitor. A day filter or maybe cranking on it in post with some color correction might get that.

But then again... it adds a little something to the day because it looks pretty grey.

Hilary Cam · June 18th, 2003, 08:42 PM

Thanks Kev,

Your spot on about the DOF, it was precisely one of the things I was refering to when I mentioned things I would have liked to of changed.

The monitors are always a problem. For a fact I know my monitor (4yr old 17") is significantly darker then most newer flatscreens. It can be annoying when your trying to perfect the colours/contrast.

Techniques used, geez:

The whole thing was shot in 1/120 shutter in TV mode at about +1.5 auto exposure. I tend to also lower the 'level' a few notches on the GL2 (XM2) as it gives darker shadows, and a bit nicer contrast, that look less video. (This is a personal opinion).

When shooting i kept exposure and focus on manual (locked) so as not to have brightness/focus jumping around in-shot.

A tripod was used for all stationary shots (bar one). It was also used also for the first two shots. The very first shot, the slow crane/dolly imitation, was done by slowly leaning the tripod foward on two legs and leveling the head back as it went foward. I've used this a few times in other vids, it can look very professional once perfected.

The 180 degree spin (2nd shot) was done in free hand, using the tripod as a makeshift stabilizer (which if balanced right can work well). However in hindsight I believe I (foolishly) had Optical Image Stabilization on during this shot (causing a slight jolting effect). A proper dolly/crane would, of course, been ideal.

Side-on moving shots where taken from car, drifting along the road. (OIS off)

Only a UV filter was on (just to protect the lens), all other colour work was done in post. Typically I reduced the colour saturation to about 70% for a more filmic touch.

Vegas 4.0 was used for editing. (I did a run through with some filmic colour tones in After Effects, but didn't think it needed it come last render)

The walk to the door of the house was repeated a hand full of times so as to allow for near-seemless editing between shots in scene. (obviously, as I only have the one camera)

That about raps it up, anything else I can elaborate on?

PS/

Yes it was very a grey winter day, Infact the odd 30min spent shooting was the only break between rain on that day. :)

PPS/ It is an XM2 (PAL) so 25fps not 30. So I dont bother with things like magic bullet.

Kevin Burnfield · June 18th, 2003, 08:54 PM

was it in Frame Mode?

Normal (which I'm guessing is what TV mode is) is VERY video.

have you tried shooting in Frame at something closer to 1/30 or 1/25? You'll get a much more "filmic" look if that was what you are going for.

May 25th, 2003, 09:13 AM	#1
Hilary Cam Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 42	30sec clip - your thoughts? Hey fellas, Havn't posted anything here for a good while. I very hastily put this together this afternoon for my first DV prac assignment for my university digital media course. (due next week) The project constraints allow only a maximum of 30seconds for a short thematic piece. Here it is, took one hour from conception to film and 2 hours in editing and cutting back - 30seconds from 30min of footage. Shot on XM2 (GL2). Dad used as 'actor'. Don't expect speilberg, but critical feedback/suggestions would be great. I'm only 19 so go easy ;) http://members.optushome.com.au/phil...e_Salesman.avi (9.6mb - right click, 'save as...') Divx Codec ver 5 required. If you don't have it... you should, so grab it here. http://download.divxmovies.com/DivX505Bundle.exe Thanks again guys, look foward to your views.

May 25th, 2003, 10:30 AM	#2
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	It was just enough to get me interested. What happens next???!?!? :) 30 seconds frrom 30 minutes of footage shot? Yikes, thats a 60:1 shooting ratio. Good thing you aren't using film. __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com

May 26th, 2003, 07:13 AM	#3
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	It piqued my interest as well. Looked very clean (this can be a good or bad thing, depending on which look your after) __________________ Rob Lohman, visuar@iname.com DV Info Wrangler & RED Code Chef Join the DV Challenge \| Lady X Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Buy from the best: DVinfo.net sponsors

May 30th, 2003, 12:17 AM	#4
Benjamin Taft Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Gothenburg, Sweden Posts: 52	Error 404 - Not Found Seems like the video file has been taken down...

June 18th, 2003, 05:26 PM	#10
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	Amelie (and others), If you have criticism (constructful I hope) or other comments to make that might help more people, please do post them here. A lot of people can learn from what other think or have to say about certain imagery, even if it is not their own! This is the primary reason why we exist, to talk to each other, see work and comment on it. So please keep it on the board! Thank you. __________________ Rob Lohman, visuar@iname.com DV Info Wrangler & RED Code Chef Join the DV Challenge \| Lady X Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Buy from the best: DVinfo.net sponsors

June 17th, 2003, 12:30 AM	#5
Amelie Stein New Boot Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 9	Hi Hilary, Can I contact you on email, yahoo or AIM? I saw your film and I have some criticisms and issues with it; I think it would probably be best if I discussed it with you instead of posting it on here. Cheers, Amelie third_chord@yahoo.com

June 17th, 2003, 12:45 AM	#6
Zac Stein Major Player Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 730	Looks like i have a sister on this forum now...heh :)

June 17th, 2003, 01:03 AM	#7
Amelie Stein New Boot Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 9	lol hiya bro! :) You can always adopt me online as a sibling if you want! It's nice to meet ya Zac, I'm Amelie... obviously :)

June 17th, 2003, 01:25 AM	#8
Zac Stein Major Player Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 730	Amelia, what is your AIM, umm username i guess. what do you i find you with? Mine is motionafterfx Zac

June 18th, 2003, 03:35 AM	#9
Hilary Cam Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 42	Hey ppl, been really busy of late, havn't checked by for a while... Sorry. I took down the avi version, but theres a smaller/lower quality, newer, Quicktime version at http://members.optushome.com.au/philcam/Door2Door.mov For image quality enthusiasts, a full-size frame-grab can be perused here http://members.optushome.com.au/philcam/snappy.jpg Ill contact you Amelie, as soon as i get this essay done (on sound, using 'Requiem for a Dream' as a case study, pretty interesting), sounds like you've got some serious criticisms (I feel kinda threatened ;) Personally, I hate the vid now, seen it enuff times and thought of a lot of things I could have done to improve it. But what can ya do :)

June 18th, 2003, 08:19 PM	#11
Kevin Burnfield Major Player Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Princeton, NJ Posts: 363	Hi Hilary, Thanks for posting that up for us. I didn't get a chance to look at it other then on my computer monitor so there are certain things I can't comment on but a few that immediately leapt out at me. The colors look good. I liked that you move the camera, I liked the shots. One thing I immediately noticed was the lack of Depth of Field for a lot of the shots. This is important NOT ONLY for Filmlook but also to draw the eye and focus in toward what you want them to be looking at. Speaking of filmlook, you could have maybe tried a subtle filter on the lens too. It looks nicely cut, all the action leads you right into the next cut and looks like good simple angles. Would like to see more and learn if there were any techniques you tried for with your GL2. PS: tell Dad he did a good job. Too bad he is in Australia and not NYC, I've got a part in a film for him. Oh well. (G) PPS: Rob's right, when other people read something they can learn from it because most people here give detailed ideas and it's things that others can learn from. Honestly I haven't ever seen a nasty or unprofessional critique of anyone's work here and I like to read and see what others saw that totally went over my head.

June 18th, 2003, 08:23 PM	#12
Hilary Cam Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 42	Robs right. *I was just trying to avoid embarrassment out in the open :) Readers get alot out of learning from other peoples attempts and suggestions.

June 18th, 2003, 08:39 PM	#13
Kevin Burnfield Major Player Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Princeton, NJ Posts: 363	Hilary, I had just watched it again and was going to edit my review to say this but saw you'd jumped in. You've got NOTHING to be embarrassed about. Your shots are in focus and you cut it together nicely. The other thing I was going to say about filters was that when you do that shot where you move around Dad you get a lot of the sky in it and it looks a little blown out on my monitor. A day filter or maybe cranking on it in post with some color correction might get that. But then again... it adds a little something to the day because it looks pretty grey.

June 18th, 2003, 08:42 PM	#14
Hilary Cam Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 42	Thanks Kev, Your spot on about the DOF, it was precisely one of the things I was refering to when I mentioned things I would have liked to of changed. The monitors are always a problem. For a fact I know my monitor (4yr old 17") is significantly darker then most newer flatscreens. It can be annoying when your trying to perfect the colours/contrast. Techniques used, geez: The whole thing was shot in 1/120 shutter in TV mode at about +1.5 auto exposure. I tend to also lower the 'level' a few notches on the GL2 (XM2) as it gives darker shadows, and a bit nicer contrast, that look less video. (This is a personal opinion). When shooting i kept exposure and focus on manual (locked) so as not to have brightness/focus jumping around in-shot. A tripod was used for all stationary shots (bar one). It was also used also for the first two shots. The very first shot, the slow crane/dolly imitation, was done by slowly leaning the tripod foward on two legs and leveling the head back as it went foward. I've used this a few times in other vids, it can look very professional once perfected. The 180 degree spin (2nd shot) was done in free hand, using the tripod as a makeshift stabilizer (which if balanced right can work well). However in hindsight I believe I (foolishly) had Optical Image Stabilization on during this shot (causing a slight jolting effect). A proper dolly/crane would, of course, been ideal. Side-on moving shots where taken from car, drifting along the road. (OIS off) Only a UV filter was on (just to protect the lens), all other colour work was done in post. Typically I reduced the colour saturation to about 70% for a more filmic touch. Vegas 4.0 was used for editing. (I did a run through with some filmic colour tones in After Effects, but didn't think it needed it come last render) The walk to the door of the house was repeated a hand full of times so as to allow for near-seemless editing between shots in scene. (obviously, as I only have the one camera) That about raps it up, anything else I can elaborate on? PS/ Yes it was very a grey winter day, Infact the odd 30min spent shooting was the only break between rain on that day. :) PPS/ It is an XM2 (PAL) so 25fps not 30. So I dont bother with things like magic bullet.

June 18th, 2003, 08:54 PM	#15
Kevin Burnfield Major Player Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Princeton, NJ Posts: 363	was it in Frame Mode? Normal (which I'm guessing is what TV mode is) is VERY video. have you tried shooting in Frame at something closer to 1/30 or 1/25? You'll get a much more "filmic" look if that was what you are going for.