UWOL #9: On The Wild Side by Cat Russell

John Dennis Robertson · June 27th, 2008, 12:30 AM

Hi Cat
Your video's are always fun and upbeat. everyone in my family always ask to see your videos first,and I am always in trouble because I download them in order from the web site and it takes a day or three to get to yours.I still love your creativity and your style of getting the story across.Good work

Peter Damerell · June 27th, 2008, 06:15 AM

What an upbeat entry.

I wish I had hummingbirds in my garden. They're probably my favourite bird family and seeing them buzzing around your feeder was lovely.

Keep up the good work.

Marj Atkins · June 27th, 2008, 01:21 PM

Really super video Cat!

Your catchy tune and word art kept me riveted. I was waiting with baited breath to see what creative word you would come up with next and I was never disappointed.

Really enjoyable and entertaining - as we have come to expect from “The Screamin’ Baby Ranch”.

Although only a personal opinion - I think the family and friend hiatus in the middle should be taken out - your movie kind of loses the plot for one confusing moment.

Well done Cat.

Catherine Russell · June 27th, 2008, 07:54 PM

Thanks for the comments everyone, I so appreciate them... complementary or critical, both types are needed.

John Dennis...thank you friend, I so look forward to your kind words and gentle spirit, not to mention the African world you bring me every other month!

Marj, Thank you for your comments! I'm thrilled the clip kept your interest up throughout... that's part of the battle. I'll remember your comments about the "family interlude" section next time I attempt a little humor. It was my modest attempt at a little joke, not getting wildlife to work well with the letter "F" with all these domestic animals... but unless you can pull it off really well so nobody is confused, it's best left out.

Thanks again everyone for the watch and the words.

Cat

Lorinda Norton · June 27th, 2008, 11:54 PM

Hi Cat,

Okay, fess up. Did you play that funky music for those pigeons before you started rolling tape? ;) They were groovin' pretty well there.

We're practically neighbors so it's not like I wasn't used to the animals I was viewing, but you found some unique shots that I really appreciated. The squirrel out on the end of the branch was my favorite. And I can't remember the last time I saw a hive like the one you found--I was probably a little kid.

Because they played throughout it would be wrong not to talk about your titles. I don't know how you do it! I had to watch the video several times, because I kept thinking, "Man, I couldn't do all that. How's she doing that???" You really have a command of your titling program that I envy.

One more thing, I liked the montage (or whatever that would be called) at the end. It fit well with your overall look and feel.

Thanks for the entertaining video, and for your always-encouraging comments, Cat!

Eric Gulbransen · June 28th, 2008, 08:58 AM

Watched it first this this morning Cat. Nice way to start the day. Up-beat, and F U N. Probably a terrific piece for children too. Not sure if anyone brought this up or not, but I could see a room full of four year olds completely fascinated by this. Me? Well I AM a four year old so I was already captivated..

Mike Beckett · June 28th, 2008, 01:38 PM

Cat,

Well, new as I am to UWOL, I know to expect something different from you.

I don't mean to be rude, but that would be a great piece for kids' TV - it was kind of funky. That's funky in the jazzy, disco, cool sense, not funky as in smelly! (Gotta be careful on international forums like this, words have multiple meanings in different countries!). Like Rob, I don't think this is a bad thing - the presentation style is fantastic, and kids are a very hard to please audience for this sort of thing.

The critters were great, and nicely shot - but the graphics were something special by UWOL standards, and fitted the whole theme really well.

Good critter shots throughout. And you've got your own hummingbirds on the farm - you lucky ducky! I would love to have seen them a bit closer up though.

And you have a husband who takes you out on a goat hike? If I was a woman, that's the sort of man I would marry!

Really cool video. Well done!

Catherine Russell · June 28th, 2008, 05:49 PM

Hi guys:

Lorinda! I never saw the pigeons in that way before, but after you mentioned them grooving to the beat, I watched it again and... they were! That's hysterical! I didn't notice! And it's my own film :). Guess that answers your question about the music selection being for the pigeons or not.

And Mike and Eric, thanks for the comments. Many people are saying this stuff should be for kids, I'm getting that comment more and more frequently! I guess if you ever run across someone who's looking for these kind of films and has lots of funding, send them my way ;-).

Oh, and Mike... your comment about my husband taking me on a goat hike cracked me up! We walk our goats daily and since I work from the house I field them every week day and then my husband joins in with me on the weekends. But your right... husbands that put up with goat hiking are fun husbands to have!

Thanks for the watch, and the words.

Cat

Adrinn Chellton · June 28th, 2008, 06:07 PM

What a wonderfully whimsical film you made here Cat. I loved the dancing text it, was catchy but not overdone which is so easy to have problems with. I agree with Rob, in that this played to the "child" within me, don't take that in a bad way the time flew by when I was watching it. I wanted to see more!

Great short film you have here.

Mat Thompson · June 30th, 2008, 06:59 AM

Cat the creative strikes again!

Nice format Cat and an interesting choice of life. That rattler shot was great. I got to a couple of feet away from my Adders but I have to say I wouldn't have done that with a Rattlesnake....great stuff! I am so jealous of having hummingbirds in your back garden....that would be the coolest thing ever to while a away the hours.

I don't think you needed the ....'and what does it spell' bit, that for me really focussed it on a film for kids, which I do think this would great for. Maybe you should send the local primary school a quick email and they can introduce it to there classes !

Anyway, great work and as always you bring a fresh direction to our uwol world :-)

Mat

Ron Chant · July 2nd, 2008, 06:03 AM

Cat, your short would be a great education slot to show young children although the rattler may make their eyes closed, nice creative graphics and music to match.

Congratulations being one of the finalist.

Ruth Happel · July 7th, 2008, 07:50 PM

Well, in addition to the pigeons grooving, I also saw the squirrel tail moving in rhythm to the beat, and the rattlesnake rattling fit in with the tempo, so the animals had a lot going on! The way you had the music and graphics pulsing together was effective- and amazing. A really fun film.

I think it could be used for kids- and they are a tough audience, so you should view that as a compliment. But it's good for all ages. The whimsy isn't just for kids- at least it shouldn't be.

As you note, and I find too, the UWOL gets us out and really searching, and sometimes we find things we otherwise wouldn't see. I get out to shoot video most days, but during the UWOL challenge I really push myself, going to places I don't usually go, and looking just a bit harder. That extra effort seems to pay off for all of us, and in this film your comments on seeing things you rarely or never saw before highlights this as a big UWOL plus!

I am always entertained by your films, and this one was great. I have a major focus on audio, so the way you played the sound off the graphics appealed to me. Wonderful fun!

Ruth

Dale Guthormsen · July 10th, 2008, 08:41 AM

Cat,

I have been on holidays, hence the slow response.

What a fantastic entry!! The editing was fantastic. I particularly liked the titles pulsating with the music!! How did you do that!!! all the shots were perfectly timed. the audio was appropriate to the pace!!!
the shots them selves were all first rate!!

I now realize I must not have an oucne of creativeness!! you put out such fun videos!!!!! Moved into my favorite 4!!!

Catherine Russell · July 21st, 2008, 03:03 PM

Hi Ron, Ruth and Dale!

Nothing like putting UWOL down thinking it's over until the next go around and coming back to your comments and participation! Thank you! You guys are great, still making it a point to view and comment on this.

Dale, hope your vacationing was a great one. And what do you mean no creativity? You? I love what you bring to the table! We all have something unique to contribute, no? That's why it's such a great group!

See you in UWOL X!

Cato

June 27th, 2008, 11:54 PM	#20
Lorinda Norton Wrangler Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Southwest Idaho, USA Posts: 3,066	Hi Cat, Okay, fess up. Did you play that funky music for those pigeons before you started rolling tape? ;) They were groovin' pretty well there. We're practically neighbors so it's not like I wasn't used to the animals I was viewing, but you found some unique shots that I really appreciated. The squirrel out on the end of the branch was my favorite. And I can't remember the last time I saw a hive like the one you found--I was probably a little kid. Because they played throughout it would be wrong not to talk about your titles. I don't know how you do it! I had to watch the video several times, because I kept thinking, "Man, I couldn't do all that. How's she doing that???" You really have a command of your titling program that I envy. One more thing, I liked the montage (or whatever that would be called) at the end. It fit well with your overall look and feel. Thanks for the entertaining video, and for your always-encouraging comments, Cat! __________________ Lorinda

June 28th, 2008, 01:38 PM	#22
Mike Beckett Trustee Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Antrim, Northern Ireland Posts: 1,569	Cat, Well, new as I am to UWOL, I know to expect something different from you. I don't mean to be rude, but that would be a great piece for kids' TV - it was kind of funky. That's funky in the jazzy, disco, cool sense, not funky as in smelly! (Gotta be careful on international forums like this, words have multiple meanings in different countries!). Like Rob, I don't think this is a bad thing - the presentation style is fantastic, and kids are a very hard to please audience for this sort of thing. The critters were great, and nicely shot - but the graphics were something special by UWOL standards, and fitted the whole theme really well. Good critter shots throughout. And you've got your own hummingbirds on the farm - you lucky ducky! I would love to have seen them a bit closer up though. And you have a husband who takes you out on a goat hike? If I was a woman, that's the sort of man I would marry! Really cool video. Well done! __________________ Irish Railway Videos on Youtube

July 2nd, 2008, 06:03 AM	#26
Ron Chant Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: West-London - England Posts: 125	Cat, your short would be a great education slot to show young children although the rattler may make their eyes closed, nice creative graphics and music to match. Congratulations being one of the finalist. __________________ <')))>{

July 7th, 2008, 07:50 PM	#27
Ruth Happel Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Black Mountain, NC Posts: 488	Well, in addition to the pigeons grooving, I also saw the squirrel tail moving in rhythm to the beat, and the rattlesnake rattling fit in with the tempo, so the animals had a lot going on! The way you had the music and graphics pulsing together was effective- and amazing. A really fun film. I think it could be used for kids- and they are a tough audience, so you should view that as a compliment. But it's good for all ages. The whimsy isn't just for kids- at least it shouldn't be. As you note, and I find too, the UWOL gets us out and really searching, and sometimes we find things we otherwise wouldn't see. I get out to shoot video most days, but during the UWOL challenge I really push myself, going to places I don't usually go, and looking just a bit harder. That extra effort seems to pay off for all of us, and in this film your comments on seeing things you rarely or never saw before highlights this as a big UWOL plus! I am always entertained by your films, and this one was great. I have a major focus on audio, so the way you played the sound off the graphics appealed to me. Wonderful fun! Ruth __________________ http://rockfowl.com/

July 10th, 2008, 08:41 AM	#28
Dale Guthormsen Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Saskatchewan Posts: 3,048	Cat, I have been on holidays, hence the slow response. What a fantastic entry!! The editing was fantastic. I particularly liked the titles pulsating with the music!! How did you do that!!! all the shots were perfectly timed. the audio was appropriate to the pace!!! the shots them selves were all first rate!! I now realize I must not have an oucne of creativeness!! you put out such fun videos!!!!! Moved into my favorite 4!!! __________________ DATS ALL FOLKS Dale W. Guthormsen

June 27th, 2008, 12:30 AM	#16
John Dennis Robertson Major Player Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Johanesburg South Africa Posts: 217	Hi Cat Your video's are always fun and upbeat. everyone in my family always ask to see your videos first,and I am always in trouble because I download them in order from the web site and it takes a day or three to get to yours.I still love your creativity and your style of getting the story across.Good work

June 27th, 2008, 06:15 AM	#17
Peter Damerell Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Truro, Cornwall, UK Posts: 51	What an upbeat entry. I wish I had hummingbirds in my garden. They're probably my favourite bird family and seeing them buzzing around your feeder was lovely. Keep up the good work.

June 27th, 2008, 01:21 PM	#18
Marj Atkins Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: Johannesburg South Africa Posts: 768	Really super video Cat! Your catchy tune and word art kept me riveted. I was waiting with baited breath to see what creative word you would come up with next and I was never disappointed. Really enjoyable and entertaining - as we have come to expect from “The Screamin’ Baby Ranch”. Although only a personal opinion - I think the family and friend hiatus in the middle should be taken out - your movie kind of loses the plot for one confusing moment. Well done Cat.

June 27th, 2008, 07:54 PM	#19
Catherine Russell Trustee Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Lyons, Colorado Posts: 1,224	Thanks for the comments everyone, I so appreciate them... complementary or critical, both types are needed. John Dennis...thank you friend, I so look forward to your kind words and gentle spirit, not to mention the African world you bring me every other month! Marj, Thank you for your comments! I'm thrilled the clip kept your interest up throughout... that's part of the battle. I'll remember your comments about the "family interlude" section next time I attempt a little humor. It was my modest attempt at a little joke, not getting wildlife to work well with the letter "F" with all these domestic animals... but unless you can pull it off really well so nobody is confused, it's best left out. Thanks again everyone for the watch and the words. Cat

June 28th, 2008, 08:58 AM	#21
Eric Gulbransen Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Palo Alto, California Posts: 520	Watched it first this this morning Cat. Nice way to start the day. Up-beat, and F U N. Probably a terrific piece for children too. Not sure if anyone brought this up or not, but I could see a room full of four year olds completely fascinated by this. Me? Well I AM a four year old so I was already captivated..

June 28th, 2008, 05:49 PM	#23
Catherine Russell Trustee Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Lyons, Colorado Posts: 1,224	Hi guys: Lorinda! I never saw the pigeons in that way before, but after you mentioned them grooving to the beat, I watched it again and... they were! That's hysterical! I didn't notice! And it's my own film :). Guess that answers your question about the music selection being for the pigeons or not. And Mike and Eric, thanks for the comments. Many people are saying this stuff should be for kids, I'm getting that comment more and more frequently! I guess if you ever run across someone who's looking for these kind of films and has lots of funding, send them my way ;-). Oh, and Mike... your comment about my husband taking me on a goat hike cracked me up! We walk our goats daily and since I work from the house I field them every week day and then my husband joins in with me on the weekends. But your right... husbands that put up with goat hiking are fun husbands to have! Thanks for the watch, and the words. Cat

June 28th, 2008, 06:07 PM	#24
Adrinn Chellton Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Carlsbad, CA Posts: 195	What a wonderfully whimsical film you made here Cat. I loved the dancing text it, was catchy but not overdone which is so easy to have problems with. I agree with Rob, in that this played to the "child" within me, don't take that in a bad way the time flew by when I was watching it. I wanted to see more! Great short film you have here.

June 30th, 2008, 06:59 AM	#25
Mat Thompson Trustee Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kent UK Posts: 1,397	Cat the creative strikes again! Nice format Cat and an interesting choice of life. That rattler shot was great. I got to a couple of feet away from my Adders but I have to say I wouldn't have done that with a Rattlesnake....great stuff! I am so jealous of having hummingbirds in your back garden....that would be the coolest thing ever to while a away the hours. I don't think you needed the ....'and what does it spell' bit, that for me really focussed it on a film for kids, which I do think this would great for. Maybe you should send the local primary school a quick email and they can introduce it to there classes ! Anyway, great work and as always you bring a fresh direction to our uwol world :-) Mat

July 21st, 2008, 03:03 PM	#29
Catherine Russell Trustee Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Lyons, Colorado Posts: 1,224	Hi Ron, Ruth and Dale! Nothing like putting UWOL down thinking it's over until the next go around and coming back to your comments and participation! Thank you! You guys are great, still making it a point to view and comment on this. Dale, hope your vacationing was a great one. And what do you mean no creativity? You? I love what you bring to the table! We all have something unique to contribute, no? That's why it's such a great group! See you in UWOL X! Cato