UWOL #9 -Wildlife Quest

Marj Atkins · June 27th, 2008, 12:19 PM

A restful video to watch John. I simply love being outdoors viewing and filming wildlife and this makes me want to pack my bags and head for the bush!

Mike Beckett · June 28th, 2008, 02:01 PM

John,

Blimey, you have some big creatures round there! Nice selection of different animals. My favourite was the bird with the cool haircut at 00:48. I see it is a Crowned Crane from Ron's post.

You have some super close-ups, and I just can't get enough of the monkeys - even if I haven't a clue what type they are!

I do agree with what others have said about the watering hole making a great central theme, but that's the way it goes with these challenges - limited time, and sometimes you don't know what you'll get until you head out with your camera. We don't have weeks, months or even years like the BBC do!

The music fitted the piece well, but the mono soundtrack spoiled it a bit for me - I would have loved to have heard that in stereo. Also, a few cuts were a bit jumpy. A voiceover or a story would've added a lot to the film too.

But, I mustn't grumble! Overall, I really enjoyed that and you packed lots of great shots of interesting animals into it. What more can we ask for?

Lorinda Norton · June 28th, 2008, 05:56 PM

Hi John,

I can't imagine having access to that many exotic animals. Your video boggled my mind, but in a good way. I loved watching it.

Tell me about the trees at the beginning. Are those thorns???

Ruth Happel · July 7th, 2008, 10:21 PM

Having spent a fair bit of time in Africa, this footage brought back lots of great memories. I can't believe you caught so much wildlife on film in such a short time. As others noted, a narrative thread might have been helpful, but the footage on its own, coming and going around the waterhole, worked fine for me. Thanks for sharing this!

Ruth

Trond Saetre · July 9th, 2008, 10:07 AM

Hi John,

You deliver stunning footage of all those exotic animals.
Even though I didn't find any story (as many has commented already), I enjoyed just watching the animals. This was FUN to watch, and I bet you had fun making it too.
The music fits your video very well.

Dale Guthormsen · July 10th, 2008, 09:13 AM

John,

For portraying a spectrum of wildlife you nailed it down! There were many superior shots, like the lion lying in the sun, eyes squinted relaxed and nibbling away at his meal!! As with all these videos it would be really nice to see them full resolution on a plasma big screen!!!!
While it did need something to tie it all together as others have mentioned it is an awesome video!!! I acutally like films like yours where I do not have to listen (all to often) to an irratating voice of oversimplified script ment for those with no knowledge.

The composition on your establishing shot was first rate!! the closing shot seemed a tad bleached but still a nice shot.

Thank you for sharing!!!!

June 28th, 2008, 02:01 PM	#17
Mike Beckett Trustee Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Antrim, Northern Ireland Posts: 1,569	John, Blimey, you have some big creatures round there! Nice selection of different animals. My favourite was the bird with the cool haircut at 00:48. I see it is a Crowned Crane from Ron's post. You have some super close-ups, and I just can't get enough of the monkeys - even if I haven't a clue what type they are! I do agree with what others have said about the watering hole making a great central theme, but that's the way it goes with these challenges - limited time, and sometimes you don't know what you'll get until you head out with your camera. We don't have weeks, months or even years like the BBC do! The music fitted the piece well, but the mono soundtrack spoiled it a bit for me - I would have loved to have heard that in stereo. Also, a few cuts were a bit jumpy. A voiceover or a story would've added a lot to the film too. But, I mustn't grumble! Overall, I really enjoyed that and you packed lots of great shots of interesting animals into it. What more can we ask for? __________________ Irish Railway Videos on Youtube

June 28th, 2008, 05:56 PM	#18
Lorinda Norton Wrangler Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Southwest Idaho, USA Posts: 3,066	Hi John, I can't imagine having access to that many exotic animals. Your video boggled my mind, but in a good way. I loved watching it. Tell me about the trees at the beginning. Are those thorns??? __________________ Lorinda

July 7th, 2008, 10:21 PM	#19
Ruth Happel Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Black Mountain, NC Posts: 488	Having spent a fair bit of time in Africa, this footage brought back lots of great memories. I can't believe you caught so much wildlife on film in such a short time. As others noted, a narrative thread might have been helpful, but the footage on its own, coming and going around the waterhole, worked fine for me. Thanks for sharing this! Ruth __________________ http://rockfowl.com/

July 10th, 2008, 09:13 AM	#21
Dale Guthormsen Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Saskatchewan Posts: 3,048	John, For portraying a spectrum of wildlife you nailed it down! There were many superior shots, like the lion lying in the sun, eyes squinted relaxed and nibbling away at his meal!! As with all these videos it would be really nice to see them full resolution on a plasma big screen!!!! While it did need something to tie it all together as others have mentioned it is an awesome video!!! I acutally like films like yours where I do not have to listen (all to often) to an irratating voice of oversimplified script ment for those with no knowledge. The composition on your establishing shot was first rate!! the closing shot seemed a tad bleached but still a nice shot. Thank you for sharing!!!! __________________ DATS ALL FOLKS Dale W. Guthormsen

June 27th, 2008, 12:19 PM	#16
Marj Atkins Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: Johannesburg South Africa Posts: 768	A restful video to watch John. I simply love being outdoors viewing and filming wildlife and this makes me want to pack my bags and head for the bush!

July 9th, 2008, 10:07 AM	#20
Trond Saetre Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Bergen, Norway Posts: 3,375	Hi John, You deliver stunning footage of all those exotic animals. Even though I didn't find any story (as many has commented already), I enjoyed just watching the animals. This was FUN to watch, and I bet you had fun making it too. The music fits your video very well.