A short film on dragonflies at DVinfo.net

Willem Berents · November 7th, 2010, 03:48 AM

Colin McDonald · November 7th, 2010, 02:51 PM

Some lovely shots, Willem. Have you considered slowing down some of the footage to give us time to appreciate some of the shorter shots? I've tried to film dragonflies but but the time I've got them in focus the little varmints are off and I've missed them.

Also, perhaps some kind of brief transition would avoid the slight "jarring" effect of the jump cuts.

Enjoyed that, thanks for posting.

Annie Haycock · November 7th, 2010, 04:50 PM

A very informative film, with some lovely shots. As Colin says, some of the transitions could be refined, and also one or two of the larval shots could be sharper - though I'd guess that the problem is in the underwater filming.

Scott Brickert · November 9th, 2010, 05:40 PM

Wow, that was an amazing amount of work. What a huge project...CongratuLATIONS!

If you can spare a moment, would you comment on:
-what camera/lenses you used

-what underwater housing and was the cam-op in a dry-suit?

-what was the workflow like...how much planning was done in advance...did the script come first?

Once again, congrats on a great piece with high production values.

Willem Berents · November 10th, 2010, 02:11 AM

Thank you for enjoying.... And thank you for your comments.
I shot most of the footage with a Canon XL H1A, using these lenses:
- Standard lens Canon (Canon HD 20x);
- Canon 1.4 converter;
- Zunov THV17 converter.
- Tamron 180 mm 1:3.5 macro 1:1; using a follow focus.
Some (very few) of the shots where made with an old Sony VX2000.

The script came first, and it was partly inspired on the footage in my collection.
Filming dragonflies is not too difficult as long as you understand their behaviour. But, still you need lots of patience.

The final editing was done on Mac using Final Cut Studio 3.

Alan Melville · November 10th, 2010, 06:31 AM

Willem,

I'm not even going to bother critiquing that, simply because I was so absorbed, learn't so much and, quite frankly, find it amazing that you've got so much good footage of Odonata. It is a species that has fascinated me since childhood but my efforts at filming it pale beside that of you, and who I assume, to be your brother.

The English in the narration was excellent as well.

Al

Hank Ebert · November 10th, 2010, 02:48 PM

Very interesting and very well shot. Thanks for posting.

Willem Berents · November 12th, 2010, 01:16 AM

Thank you all for these compliments. I am happy that you enjoyed.
Alan, yes, he is my brother. We do a lot of filming together, using two similar camera's.

Willem Berents · February 3rd, 2011, 05:05 AM

Life and Wonder of Odonata has been nominated for a Roscar, in two categories.
A roscar a prestigious price for Wild Life films.
For more information: www.wildtalkafrica.com

Wild Talk Africa is a premier international film festival for the global wildlife filmmaking industry.

Ivan Jasper · February 3rd, 2011, 06:06 PM

Can a damaged wing heal itself?

Mick Jenner · February 5th, 2011, 10:48 AM

Excellent, enjoyed watching. Fingrs crossed for you for the competition.

Willem Berents · February 26th, 2011, 03:42 AM

Thanks Mick, for enjoying. March 30 is the 'big' evening. I will be visiting Wild Talk.

Ivan, about your question: can a damaged wing heal itself... Not that I know of. Adult Odonata fully depend on their flying skills for survival, as they are 'skyhunters'. As long as an adult is able to fly it can survive. I have seen lots of Odonata with damaged wings that still were able to fly. But a severely damaged wing means death... Because the animal can not escape when under threat, not can it find food.
Thanks for asking!

November 7th, 2010, 03:48 AM	#1
Willem Berents New Boot Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: think not Posts: 5	A short film on dragonflies Life and Wonder of Odonata on Vimeo

November 7th, 2010, 04:50 PM	#3
Annie Haycock Major Player Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Pembrokeshire, Wales Posts: 734	A very informative film, with some lovely shots. As Colin says, some of the transitions could be refined, and also one or two of the larval shots could be sharper - though I'd guess that the problem is in the underwater filming. __________________ Canon XH A1; Canon XF100; Nikon D800

November 9th, 2010, 05:40 PM	#4
Scott Brickert Major Player Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Crested Butte, CO Posts: 576	Wow, that was an amazing amount of work. What a huge project...CongratuLATIONS! If you can spare a moment, would you comment on: -what camera/lenses you used -what underwater housing and was the cam-op in a dry-suit? -what was the workflow like...how much planning was done in advance...did the script come first? Once again, congrats on a great piece with high production values. __________________ Scott Shot-By-Scott

November 10th, 2010, 02:11 AM	#5
Willem Berents New Boot Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: think not Posts: 5	The life and Wonder of Odonata Thank you for enjoying.... And thank you for your comments. I shot most of the footage with a Canon XL H1A, using these lenses: - Standard lens Canon (Canon HD 20x); - Canon 1.4 converter; - Zunov THV17 converter. - Tamron 180 mm 1:3.5 macro 1:1; using a follow focus. Some (very few) of the shots where made with an old Sony VX2000. The script came first, and it was partly inspired on the footage in my collection. Filming dragonflies is not too difficult as long as you understand their behaviour. But, still you need lots of patience. The final editing was done on Mac using Final Cut Studio 3.

November 12th, 2010, 01:16 AM	#8
Willem Berents New Boot Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: think not Posts: 5	The life and wonder of Odonata Thank you all for these compliments. I am happy that you enjoyed. Alan, yes, he is my brother. We do a lot of filming together, using two similar camera's.

November 7th, 2010, 02:51 PM	#2
Colin McDonald Trustee Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Glasgow, Scotland Posts: 1,546	Some lovely shots, Willem. Have you considered slowing down some of the footage to give us time to appreciate some of the shorter shots? I've tried to film dragonflies but but the time I've got them in focus the little varmints are off and I've missed them. Also, perhaps some kind of brief transition would avoid the slight "jarring" effect of the jump cuts. Enjoyed that, thanks for posting.

November 10th, 2010, 06:31 AM	#6
Alan Melville Major Player Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: No Fixed Address :) Western Australia Posts: 275	Willem, I'm not even going to bother critiquing that, simply because I was so absorbed, learn't so much and, quite frankly, find it amazing that you've got so much good footage of Odonata. It is a species that has fascinated me since childhood but my efforts at filming it pale beside that of you, and who I assume, to be your brother. The English in the narration was excellent as well. Al

November 10th, 2010, 02:48 PM	#7
Hank Ebert New Boot Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Salem, VA Posts: 17	Very interesting and very well shot. Thanks for posting.

February 3rd, 2011, 05:05 AM	#9
Willem Berents New Boot Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: think not Posts: 5	Nominated for Roscar Life and Wonder of Odonata has been nominated for a Roscar, in two categories. A roscar a prestigious price for Wild Life films. For more information: www.wildtalkafrica.com Wild Talk Africa is a premier international film festival for the global wildlife filmmaking industry.

February 3rd, 2011, 06:06 PM	#10
Ivan Jasper Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Billings MT Posts: 70	Can a damaged wing heal itself? __________________ I'm Just Here For The Cookies.

February 5th, 2011, 10:48 AM	#11
Mick Jenner Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: West Sussex England Posts: 843	Excellent, enjoyed watching. Fingrs crossed for you for the competition.

February 26th, 2011, 03:42 AM	#12
Willem Berents New Boot Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: think not Posts: 5	Re: A short film on dragonflies Thanks Mick, for enjoying. March 30 is the 'big' evening. I will be visiting Wild Talk. Ivan, about your question: can a damaged wing heal itself... Not that I know of. Adult Odonata fully depend on their flying skills for survival, as they are 'skyhunters'. As long as an adult is able to fly it can survive. I have seen lots of Odonata with damaged wings that still were able to fly. But a severely damaged wing means death... Because the animal can not escape when under threat, not can it find food. Thanks for asking!