UWOL #9 "Marsh Magic" by Gordon Hoffman at DVinfo.net

Gordon Hoffman · June 24th, 2008, 05:57 AM

This theme should have been easy for me but unfortunately I didn't get out enough to get the footage I would have liked. Not sure where all the time went. But I believe in putting something together is better than nothing, which this is not far from. Thanks for watching.

Gordon Hoffman

Dale Guthormsen · June 24th, 2008, 10:40 AM

Gordon,

Some great footage!! The footage of the white tails in the water dunking their heads under to eat the underwater foliage is amazing. I have never seen a mule or white tail do that!!! The moose is of course a species of deer and they always eat like that, so I guess that should not surprise me.
Nicely put together with some great shots. My only criticsm of it would be the colors seemed rather washed, but then I am more prone to want colors to Pop so maybe it is just me!!

Thanks for taking the time!! very nicely done!!!

Catherine Russell · June 25th, 2008, 07:36 PM

Wow Gordon:

That was lovely. I'm with Dale, I too have never seen deer submerge their heads. For something that was just put together, I'm very impressed. It was calming. It took me away from my computer and I felt like I was there... not all films do that. It was very meditative and relaxing. The moon shot in the end was a nice ending. Thanks for taking me away like this!

Cat

David Gemmell · June 25th, 2008, 10:07 PM

Hi Gordon,

As I've said in the past, you live in heaven - I am just amazed at the beauty of where you live and the wildlife in your backyard!

The footage you brought to us was just wonderful - with the shot of the moose being my favourite, and also the canada goose/ beaver scene, then there was the moon coming up over the hill. Absolutely stunning.

I too found the footage seemed to have a browny/green haze/hue throughout and it appeared as if the interlacing hadn't been removed - with horizontal lines quite evident? I'm sure there are plenty other UWOlers who can better guide you on this.

Well done Gordon. I loved it!

John Dennis Robertson · June 26th, 2008, 12:20 AM

I was not going to harp on about the colors...Ok I suppose I just did.I have never noticed that on any of your other video's.Did you change anything on this one?.Your take on the theme was spot on and well filmed...good entry for something you claim you never got enough footage for.

Per Johan Naesje · June 26th, 2008, 01:50 AM

Gordon, you got some really nice footage there. For me this is well known species and you did very well in the shots of them! A couple of hard cuts, but that is minor.
The ambient sound was good too, I'm not quite sure if any narrating would have enhanced it?
Keep up your good work.

Markus Nord · June 26th, 2008, 02:08 AM

mmmmm… nice…. I really like your film, smooth and clear. The sound is so clear, I like it very much. Most of the time when I’m view wildlife film I like a VO, maybe just a few words, but in this film I didn’t miss it, I don’t know way but I guess it’s a good sign.
Well done Gordon

Chris Barcellos · June 26th, 2008, 02:09 AM

Gordon, nice job on this whole film. Natural sound was very cool.

Peter Damerell · June 26th, 2008, 05:19 AM

Biggest selection of different species yet!

Good job.

Except for the obvious colour issues this was a lovely piece. it had the feel of an early morning to it, a quietness and stillness with some lovely ambient sounds which gave a real atmosphere to this piece.

Stunning location by the way. Absolutely stunning

Good job Gordon!

Lorinda Norton · June 26th, 2008, 11:31 AM

Ahh.....this one is my "feel good" favorite of all the entries I’ve watched so far, Gordon. I love the simplicity, the tranquility of it. You packed footage of more species in just a few minutes than I could have dreamed of getting in six month’s time, and you cut it together gracefully. I’m still smiling.

As others have noted, unless you made a creative decision otherwise it seemed you had a couple things working against you from a technical standpoint, but they also look like things that could be tweaked to make this even more wonderful than it already is. If you decide to enhance it some I’m sure I’m not the only one who would love to see it.

By the way, thanks for including what the news called the "huge June moon." I got footage almost identical to yours but chose to leave it out, so I'm glad you documented the event. :)

Mike Beckett · June 28th, 2008, 06:45 AM

Gordon,

I know what you mean about the lack of time - this UWOL really pushed me to the deadline and I just couldn't find time for it, especially during the week because of work.

I also noticed the interlacing issue. I used VLC and enabled its deinterlacing and it helped a lot (but it couldn't play the sound - bah!).

You managed some good shots there with good close-ups of the ducks, including some good tracking shots - I found those so hard, which is why you can't see any in my entry!

I loved the shots of the deer in the water, drimking and generally being deer. I liked them picking their way back into the trees. The beaver was a great catch too - and the moose is just such a pleasant beastie. There's some good tripod work here too - I'm not sure how far away you are from you actos? - something I struggle with.

The huge moon shot worked well - hard to capture a large moon, as you lose the "largeness" on video normally, but seeing it rise over the bushes made the size quitre apparent.

This film is definitely much better than "not far from nothing". Well done!

Bob Thieda · June 28th, 2008, 07:21 AM

Gordon...nice work!

When I first watched it, I felt it needed music or VO....
But on a second watch, it worked just fine the way it is...
Although I did notice the sound levels were low.
I really had to crank up my speakers to hear it.

Excellent shots...nice opening scene and, as mentioned the moon was very nice.

Bob

Bruce Foreman · June 29th, 2008, 05:03 PM

Gordon,

As others here have said, this was a very peaceful tranquil few moments you gave us.

Others commented on the colors, they looked muted as approaching dusk will do sometimes and I suspect some of your footage was done at that kind of time of day.

Your shot of the moose was magnificent.

Oliver Pahlow · June 29th, 2008, 06:43 PM

Wow Gordan,

That was some great footage and that moon at the end. As I was watching I could only imagine that you must have been camouflaged or used a great telephoto lens.

Oliver

Geir Inge · June 30th, 2008, 06:20 AM

Hi Gordon.

Your video made my day Gordon.
Peaceful and tranquil it gave me a feeling of:
"Sit down and relax. The only thing that matters is this moment, out here in the wilderness".
No VO needed as the background sound with the tine music at the beginning and end gave it a a magic touch. Also love the moon shot ending.
Thank you Gordon for sharing this lovely piece of art with us.

All the best.
Geir Inge

June 24th, 2008, 05:57 AM	#1
Gordon Hoffman Major Player Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Pincher Creek, Alberta Canada Posts: 619	UWOL #9 "Marsh Magic" by Gordon Hoffman This theme should have been easy for me but unfortunately I didn't get out enough to get the footage I would have liked. Not sure where all the time went. But I believe in putting something together is better than nothing, which this is not far from. Thanks for watching. Gordon Hoffman

June 24th, 2008, 10:40 AM	#2
Dale Guthormsen Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Saskatchewan Posts: 3,048	Gordon, Some great footage!! The footage of the white tails in the water dunking their heads under to eat the underwater foliage is amazing. I have never seen a mule or white tail do that!!! The moose is of course a species of deer and they always eat like that, so I guess that should not surprise me. Nicely put together with some great shots. My only criticsm of it would be the colors seemed rather washed, but then I am more prone to want colors to Pop so maybe it is just me!! Thanks for taking the time!! very nicely done!!! __________________ DATS ALL FOLKS Dale W. Guthormsen

June 26th, 2008, 01:50 AM	#6
Per Johan Naesje Trustee Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Akershus, Norway Posts: 1,413	Gordon, you got some really nice footage there. For me this is well known species and you did very well in the shots of them! A couple of hard cuts, but that is minor. The ambient sound was good too, I'm not quite sure if any narrating would have enhanced it? Keep up your good work. __________________ - Per Johan

June 26th, 2008, 02:08 AM	#7
Markus Nord Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: Vastervik ,Sweden Posts: 639	mmmmm… nice…. I really like your film, smooth and clear. The sound is so clear, I like it very much. Most of the time when I’m view wildlife film I like a VO, maybe just a few words, but in this film I didn’t miss it, I don’t know way but I guess it’s a good sign. Well done Gordon __________________ www.nordproduktion.se https://vimeo.com/nordproduktion

June 26th, 2008, 02:09 AM	#8
Chris Barcellos Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Elk Grove CA Posts: 6,838	Gordon, nice job on this whole film. Natural sound was very cool. __________________ Chris J. Barcellos

June 25th, 2008, 07:36 PM	#3
Catherine Russell Trustee Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Lyons, Colorado Posts: 1,224	Wow Gordon: That was lovely. I'm with Dale, I too have never seen deer submerge their heads. For something that was just put together, I'm very impressed. It was calming. It took me away from my computer and I felt like I was there... not all films do that. It was very meditative and relaxing. The moon shot in the end was a nice ending. Thanks for taking me away like this! Cat

June 25th, 2008, 10:07 PM	#4
David Gemmell Major Player Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bendigo, Australia Posts: 234	Hi Gordon, As I've said in the past, you live in heaven - I am just amazed at the beauty of where you live and the wildlife in your backyard! The footage you brought to us was just wonderful - with the shot of the moose being my favourite, and also the canada goose/ beaver scene, then there was the moon coming up over the hill. Absolutely stunning. I too found the footage seemed to have a browny/green haze/hue throughout and it appeared as if the interlacing hadn't been removed - with horizontal lines quite evident? I'm sure there are plenty other UWOlers who can better guide you on this. Well done Gordon. I loved it!

June 26th, 2008, 12:20 AM	#5
John Dennis Robertson Major Player Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Johanesburg South Africa Posts: 217	I was not going to harp on about the colors...Ok I suppose I just did.I have never noticed that on any of your other video's.Did you change anything on this one?.Your take on the theme was spot on and well filmed...good entry for something you claim you never got enough footage for.

June 26th, 2008, 05:19 AM	#9
Peter Damerell Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Truro, Cornwall, UK Posts: 51	Biggest selection of different species yet! Good job. Except for the obvious colour issues this was a lovely piece. it had the feel of an early morning to it, a quietness and stillness with some lovely ambient sounds which gave a real atmosphere to this piece. Stunning location by the way. Absolutely stunning Good job Gordon!

June 26th, 2008, 11:31 AM	#10
Lorinda Norton Wrangler Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Southwest Idaho, USA Posts: 3,066	Ahh.....this one is my "feel good" favorite of all the entries I’ve watched so far, Gordon. I love the simplicity, the tranquility of it. You packed footage of more species in just a few minutes than I could have dreamed of getting in six month’s time, and you cut it together gracefully. I’m still smiling. As others have noted, unless you made a creative decision otherwise it seemed you had a couple things working against you from a technical standpoint, but they also look like things that could be tweaked to make this even more wonderful than it already is. If you decide to enhance it some I’m sure I’m not the only one who would love to see it. By the way, thanks for including what the news called the "huge June moon." I got footage almost identical to yours but chose to leave it out, so I'm glad you documented the event. :) __________________ Lorinda

June 28th, 2008, 06:45 AM	#11
Mike Beckett Trustee Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Antrim, Northern Ireland Posts: 1,569	Gordon, I know what you mean about the lack of time - this UWOL really pushed me to the deadline and I just couldn't find time for it, especially during the week because of work. I also noticed the interlacing issue. I used VLC and enabled its deinterlacing and it helped a lot (but it couldn't play the sound - bah!). You managed some good shots there with good close-ups of the ducks, including some good tracking shots - I found those so hard, which is why you can't see any in my entry! I loved the shots of the deer in the water, drimking and generally being deer. I liked them picking their way back into the trees. The beaver was a great catch too - and the moose is just such a pleasant beastie. There's some good tripod work here too - I'm not sure how far away you are from you actos? - something I struggle with. The huge moon shot worked well - hard to capture a large moon, as you lose the "largeness" on video normally, but seeing it rise over the bushes made the size quitre apparent. This film is definitely much better than "not far from nothing". Well done! __________________ Irish Railway Videos on Youtube

June 28th, 2008, 07:21 AM	#12
Bob Thieda Major Player Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 541	Gordon...nice work! When I first watched it, I felt it needed music or VO.... But on a second watch, it worked just fine the way it is... Although I did notice the sound levels were low. I really had to crank up my speakers to hear it. Excellent shots...nice opening scene and, as mentioned the moon was very nice. Bob __________________ Bob T.

June 29th, 2008, 05:03 PM	#13
Bruce Foreman Trustee Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: San Angelo Texas Posts: 1,518	Gordon, As others here have said, this was a very peaceful tranquil few moments you gave us. Others commented on the colors, they looked muted as approaching dusk will do sometimes and I suspect some of your footage was done at that kind of time of day. Your shot of the moose was magnificent.

June 29th, 2008, 06:43 PM	#14
Oliver Pahlow Major Player Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Woodridge Illinois Posts: 237	Wow Gordan, That was some great footage and that moon at the end. As I was watching I could only imagine that you must have been camouflaged or used a great telephoto lens. Oliver

June 30th, 2008, 06:20 AM	#15
Geir Inge Trustee Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Larsnes, Norway Posts: 1,343	Hi Gordon. Your video made my day Gordon. Peaceful and tranquil it gave me a feeling of: "Sit down and relax. The only thing that matters is this moment, out here in the wilderness". No VO needed as the background sound with the tine music at the beginning and end gave it a a magic touch. Also love the moon shot ending. Thank you Gordon for sharing this lovely piece of art with us. All the best. Geir Inge __________________ Geir Inge B. Brekke Visit me at: https://vimeo.com/gibbfilm