UWOL#5 "Scardykats" by John Dennis Robertson

[John Dennis Robertson]

Who would have thought that deciding what mammal to film would be such a difficult thing? When you think we are surrounded by mammals I believe the opportunity to film something is always around us, but to find an interesting story I think was the hard part. I wanted to film something only found in Southern Africa.Meerkats are found in abundance close to my home, and they are such fun animals to observe and film. I must also mention that they do the most fun things when you are pointing the camera at someone else.

Although I had so much fun trying to catch these guys on video, to have my daughter say to me "Thanks for letting me help you with your movie dad" Probably gives me more joy than filming any animal could.

[Dale Guthormsen]

sounds intriquing, can't wait to see it!!!

Wish I was shooting when I had my children at home!! Involve em and enjoy em why you have em!!

[Trond Saetre]

John, your film was interesting to watch.
Nice to see other animals than we have here up north.
I enjoyed every second of it.

Thank you for sharing.

[Catherine Russell]

John:

Cute story line and quite entertaining! Creative narration and informative as well. Very enjoyable! Nice touch that you and your daughter narrated this.

The only thing I can think of to mention as a heads up is the text of the Meerkat Motto flashed off before we could take it in. It just needed to be up longer or else not put up at all, your narration covered it for us as well.

So very cute! The mugging scene and the dialog that followed... I loved it!

Cat

[Chris Barcellos]

Interesting animals. Images well exposed. I think tighter editing might have helped move the film along. Maybe story didn't warrant full 3 minutes, and shorter version could have had more impact.

[John Dennis Robertson]

Thanks for the feed back everyone.I might have tried to get too clever with this challenge.I suppose its all just a learning curve and trying to find out what works for me and what sucks,so all and any comments help steer me in the right direction.I had a hard time with these guys as this burrow was under a tree in the shade,I was not too sure of the quality video I was getting till I got home and started editing.As Chris mentioned the Images are well exposed and for my el cheapo consumer camera and these critters staying in the shade I am relativly pleased with that part of this project.

[David Gemmell]

Hi John,

Great subject choice John - I think meerkats are everyone's favourite.

This footage is very high quality - considering it came from a cheap camera (as you put it).

I really enjoyed this entry - particularly the fun side of things at the start, followed by the educational component. You and your daughter were great in the narration and yes, it is great to have the family involved (this is what I love about UWOL).

Yes, the text could have remained on screen for a little while longer - but this does not detract from the overall experience.

Well done John - a great take on the theme.

[Markus Nord]

Nice job on the voices. That is a good way to get a story of “random” shots. In a way this would work as a “kids show”.
Nice job.

[Per Johan Naesje]

John,
nice video, second what have been said by the others.
It's fun and very interesting to view species which I'm not used to. Thanks for showing them!

[Ruth Happel]

Hi John,

I thought the meerkat footage was excellent. A really good mix of shots, too, which allowed for the narration of the story. You and your daughter did a great job with that, very fun and funny. Really enjoyable to watch.

Ruth

[Geir Inge]

Hi John Dennis.
Very well done short this one :)

Not much negative to say but maybe the VO was a bit difficult to hear at some times. The sign behind the meerkat standing, I think it's around 2.16

Your storyline is great and so are the choice of speaking actors.
Your editing skills are way over average and you've picked great music to this little meerkat story. Favorite must be when the heron steels the frog. Is it a frog?
I guess this is filmed in a zoo or likewise so it's not easy to "hide" away signs, walls or surroundings etc.
My girls have seen all the films as they downloaded them for me yesterday.
Yours, Ruths (I havent seen it yet) Brians and Tronds are their favorite :)

Wish you good luck in uwol.
Geir Inge

[John Dennis Robertson]

Geir:
This is my first attempt at capturing a voice over in post. I should have been a bit more critical with the sound volume. I sort of knew it was not right but with you pointing it out I will remember to listen to the niggling voice that says "not right yet" As I said on your feed back, I have learned a lot from you this round. Thank you.
Ruth:
It was so much fun doing this with my daughter. I learned so much and she sure did.
David, Markus and Pier
Thanks for taking time to watch my video and give me feed back, you guys are the bench mark I try to emulate.

[Mat Thompson]

Hi John

Your film certainly put a smile on the face of the viewer. It has a nice feel and cheer to it. The quality of much of the footage is very good. The lock of still shots are better than the moving shots some of which were a little bumpy and lacking in direction. Your shots of the Meerkats however were all quite similar. I don't think you used 1 head close up for instance and I'm guessing you were close enough to do so. This changing levels of detail will make a collection of shots a sequence each one complementing and leading on to the next. I hope you know what I mean.

Nice piece, great subject....looking forward to seeing some more of S.A soon !

[Gilles Debord]

Hi

really nice film, i like surricates we don't have it in Europe.