Please critique a cinematic newbie's at DVinfo.net

Roger Shealy · September 1st, 2008, 10:14 AM

I'd appreciate constructive feedback on my technique in this short lead-in as I try to make my family videos interesting by trying to give them a cinematic feel. I'm stretching myself to learn the manual controls of my XH-A1 using common subjects I have around the house to prepare for when I'm surrounded by better scenery.

Winds of Mackenzie on Vimeo

I shot in HDV 60i then converted to 720 x 24P wmv for uploading to Vimeo. I'm using Vegas Pro 8 for all editing and processing.

Marcus Marchesseault · September 3rd, 2008, 05:08 AM

I think that is a great exercise in documentary shooting. I even find myself sometimes thinking, "there's nothing to shoot around here", so a little perspective adjustment is always helpful. I didn't find anything wrong with the video except for the beginning where I think the encoding in vimeo had a glitch. It skips to about 8 seconds and only white plays for a few seconds before the music starts. I liked the fast shutter with the hummingbird. It gave the impression that it's wings are in three different places at one time.

Roger Shealy · September 3rd, 2008, 05:57 AM

Thanks for taking the time Marcus. I know it's difficult to tell much from a 1:30 clip on such limited subjects! Thanks for not trashing the humming birds; I know they it really don't fit the piece, but it was good practice with the camera.

Any thoughts on pace, matching transitions with music, color & saturation levels? On the opening scene I focused on the clouds instead of the windmill. Good Idea or should I have changed focus to the wheel right after the sky and clouds came to life (closed aperature to expose sky color)?

I want to get some of the basic techniques right before I let something "real" get away.

September 1st, 2008, 10:14 AM	#1
Roger Shealy Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: Fayetteville, GA Posts: 772	Please critique a cinematic newbie's I'd appreciate constructive feedback on my technique in this short lead-in as I try to make my family videos interesting by trying to give them a cinematic feel. I'm stretching myself to learn the manual controls of my XH-A1 using common subjects I have around the house to prepare for when I'm surrounded by better scenery. Winds of Mackenzie on Vimeo I shot in HDV 60i then converted to 720 x 24P wmv for uploading to Vimeo. I'm using Vegas Pro 8 for all editing and processing.

September 3rd, 2008, 05:08 AM	#2
Marcus Marchesseault Trustee Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 1,961	I think that is a great exercise in documentary shooting. I even find myself sometimes thinking, "there's nothing to shoot around here", so a little perspective adjustment is always helpful. I didn't find anything wrong with the video except for the beginning where I think the encoding in vimeo had a glitch. It skips to about 8 seconds and only white plays for a few seconds before the music starts. I liked the fast shutter with the hummingbird. It gave the impression that it's wings are in three different places at one time.

September 3rd, 2008, 05:57 AM	#3
Roger Shealy Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: Fayetteville, GA Posts: 772	Thanks for taking the time Marcus. I know it's difficult to tell much from a 1:30 clip on such limited subjects! Thanks for not trashing the humming birds; I know they it really don't fit the piece, but it was good practice with the camera. Any thoughts on pace, matching transitions with music, color & saturation levels? On the opening scene I focused on the clouds instead of the windmill. Good Idea or should I have changed focus to the wheel right after the sky and clouds came to life (closed aperature to expose sky color)? I want to get some of the basic techniques right before I let something "real" get away.