Im New... Be gentle with me... Just kidding at DVinfo.net

Dave Trainer · March 29th, 2007, 06:55 PM

Hi All, came across the UWOL Challenge from the wildeye newsletter, and unfortunately missed out on UWOL #2 by a day... Bummer.

Looking forward to #3 and just wanted to introduce myself. Have had a look at some of the projects from challenge 1 & 2 and i must say theres some fantastic efforts and looks like im gonna have my work cut out to meet your standards....

Im located in Melb Australia where we have just come out of a very hot dry summer. Looking forward to any help and tips from you seasoned pros and the next Challenge.

Dave.

Marco Wagner · March 29th, 2007, 07:30 PM

Welcome, you'll find yourself pretty involved on your first UWOL. What sort of gear are you sporting mate?

Dave Trainer · March 29th, 2007, 07:49 PM

Gday Marco. got a Sony pd170 & Sony Trv16 for underwater shots.

Marco Wagner · March 29th, 2007, 07:57 PM

Very nice. Sony VX2100 and Sony A1U over this side of the globe. Most of the last competitors in UWOL#2 had comparable gear to ours, some MUCH higher end like Per Johan. We are all at different levels as well. UWOL#2 was my first ever competition. I didn't do so well, but that's part of the fun and excitement -you get to try again next time, only do better. Let any of us know if you have questions, we're glad to help out.

Chris Barcellos · March 29th, 2007, 08:19 PM

Hey Dave. I've been doing these challenges about a year, and do them more for the kick and the experience, than anything else. I shoot VX2000 on some of them, and the FX1 on others. You'll do fine.

Ken Diewert · March 29th, 2007, 11:07 PM

Welcome Dave to both UWOL and dvinfo,

They both been a great resource for me. As far as the challenge goes, It's just about enjoying the process.

Look forward to hearing and seeing more from you.

Mat Thompson · March 30th, 2007, 03:19 AM

Welcome fella.....hey could we see our first 'under water' sequence for UC3 :)

Bob Safay · March 30th, 2007, 04:04 AM

Dave, welcome to dvinfo. You are in for a lot of fun and a lot of learning. This is a great site with members all over the globe. Looking forward to seeing your stuff from downunder. Bob

Trond Saetre · March 30th, 2007, 06:28 AM

Dave, welcome to dvinfo and UWOL.
Looking forward to see you in #3. The UWOL2 was the first time for me, and it was really fun. A great learning experience.

The best part: You get in touch with several others with the same interests.

Dave Trainer · March 30th, 2007, 08:43 AM

Thanks all for the welcome. Yes im looking forward to UWOL #3 and hopefully will have some underwater footage for you Mat.

Now from what i can understand all footage must be shot during the challenge period.... would i be able to use some of my library footage?.. especially the underwater stuff as some subjects are very unique and hard to find at certain times of the year (like weedy sea dragons) and they are such magnificent creatures would be a shame to omit them if the challege would call for them.

Thanks
Dave.

Trond Saetre · March 30th, 2007, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Trainer

Now from what i can understand all footage must be shot during the challenge period.... would i be able to use some of my library footage?

From the UWOL Challenge rules:
http://www.uwolchallenge.com/contestrules.htm
"3. All material must be original and shot for the purpose of being judged in this contest."

This means you can not use any footage you have used before.

Catherine Russell · March 30th, 2007, 09:39 AM

Welcome Dave! You won't be let down by the fun, experience and these co-challengers who know what they are doing and have fun and wonderful feedback.

QUESTION TO ALL WHO READ THIS! UWOL 2 was my first challenge with "Extreme What?" I was one of the few who shot film with an old SD cam corder (Sony DCR-TRV140 NTSC), and am interested in upgrading to HD. Does anyone have a suggestion for a "serious" beginner who's looking for a good all-around HD camera in the $1000.00 or less price range? Your suggestions are much appreciated. One can get lost in the tech talk and specs.

As far as UWOL 3, I'm all for underwater. Thousands of miles from any ocean, the imagination starts to kick in a bit.

Cat Russell
Spike Productions

Ken Diewert · March 30th, 2007, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catherine Russell

Welcome Dave! You won't be let down by the fun, experience and these co-challengers who know what they are doing and have fun and wonderful feedback.

QUESTION TO ALL WHO READ THIS! UWOL 2 was my first challenge with "Extreme What?" I was one of the few who shot film with an old SD cam corder (Sony DCR-TRV140 NTSC), and am interested in upgrading to HD. Does anyone have a suggestion for a "serious" beginner who's looking for a good all-around HD camera in the $1000.00 or less price range? Your suggestions are much appreciated. One can get lost in the tech talk and specs.

As far as UWOL 3, I'm all for underwater. Thousands of miles from any ocean, the imagination starts to kick in a bit.

Cat Russell
Spike Productions

Cat,

Careful with HD(V). We sometimes say HD is an acronym for high debt. The cam cost is really just the beginning. You will almost certainly need to upgrade your NLE system to edit HDV. Then you will start thinking about how it would be great to have an HD field monitor. And so on...

Currently all of what I do is downconverted to SD at some point. By the time we can affordably deliver an HD product from our HD cams, there will likely be a new batch of cams available. I'd look for a good used 3-chip SD version for now.

Personally, I think some people over-rate the cameras and under-rate the other significant production values; good audio, smooth steady pans/tilts, dolly/jib work, good rack focussing, lighting, etc.

An example of this was a show one of our members shot recently in Africa that was picked up by Animal Planet. The show was shot with a Canon XL1s, but the other production values (most notably-excellent post production and VFX), sold the show.

However, all that being said, I have heard good things about the Canon HV10 and better things about the Canon HV20.

Geir Inge · March 30th, 2007, 10:58 AM

Welcome Dave.
Uwol is a pretty good challenge to be a part of.
It's educating, and making us move our skill's a little bit further.
AND, we're making friends around the world :)
Looking forward to see your videos in this challenge.

Catherine Russell · March 30th, 2007, 12:36 PM

Thank you Ken:

I am in no hurry here to jump into expensive endeavors beyond my scope of experience to understand what I am getting into. This is very good advice. Perhaps a savvy approach would be to use the UWOL challenges to shoot in SD and with a rented HD camera to learn the differences between the two of them in both on-site shooting and in post processing. If I'm really fortunate, I might be able to rent a Canon HV20 to get the feel for it. I look forward to more of your insights when you have the time for them. And thanks for the warning. How terrible it would be to find out that after the expensive investment of an HD(V) camera, I don't have the hardware capability to process this level of information!

Sincerely,

Cat Russell
Spike Productins

March 29th, 2007, 06:55 PM	#1
Dave Trainer New Boot Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 23	Im New... Be gentle with me... Just kidding Hi All, came across the UWOL Challenge from the wildeye newsletter, and unfortunately missed out on UWOL #2 by a day... Bummer. Looking forward to #3 and just wanted to introduce myself. Have had a look at some of the projects from challenge 1 & 2 and i must say theres some fantastic efforts and looks like im gonna have my work cut out to meet your standards.... Im located in Melb Australia where we have just come out of a very hot dry summer. Looking forward to any help and tips from you seasoned pros and the next Challenge. Dave.

March 29th, 2007, 07:57 PM	#4
Marco Wagner Trustee Join Date: May 2005 Location: Saint Cloud, Florida Posts: 1,043	Very nice. Sony VX2100 and Sony A1U over this side of the globe. Most of the last competitors in UWOL#2 had comparable gear to ours, some MUCH higher end like Per Johan. We are all at different levels as well. UWOL#2 was my first ever competition. I didn't do so well, but that's part of the fun and excitement -you get to try again next time, only do better. Let any of us know if you have questions, we're glad to help out. __________________ www.facebook.com/projectspecto

March 29th, 2007, 08:19 PM	#5
Chris Barcellos Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Elk Grove CA Posts: 6,838	Hey Dave. I've been doing these challenges about a year, and do them more for the kick and the experience, than anything else. I shoot VX2000 on some of them, and the FX1 on others. You'll do fine. __________________ Chris J. Barcellos

March 29th, 2007, 11:07 PM	#6
Ken Diewert Trustee Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Vancouver Island, Canada Posts: 1,200	Welcome Dave to both UWOL and dvinfo, They both been a great resource for me. As far as the challenge goes, It's just about enjoying the process. Look forward to hearing and seeing more from you. __________________ C100, 5DMk2, FCPX

March 30th, 2007, 10:58 AM	#14
Geir Inge Trustee Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Larsnes, Norway Posts: 1,342	Welcome Dave. Uwol is a pretty good challenge to be a part of. It's educating, and making us move our skill's a little bit further. AND, we're making friends around the world :) Looking forward to see your videos in this challenge. __________________ Geir Inge B. Brekke Visit me at: https://vimeo.com/gibbfilm

March 29th, 2007, 07:30 PM	#2
Marco Wagner Trustee Join Date: May 2005 Location: Saint Cloud, Florida Posts: 1,043	Welcome, you'll find yourself pretty involved on your first UWOL. What sort of gear are you sporting mate? __________________ www.facebook.com/projectspecto

March 29th, 2007, 07:49 PM	#3
Dave Trainer New Boot Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 23	Gday Marco. got a Sony pd170 & Sony Trv16 for underwater shots.

March 30th, 2007, 03:19 AM	#7
Mat Thompson Trustee Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kent UK Posts: 1,397	Welcome fella.....hey could we see our first 'under water' sequence for UC3 :)

March 30th, 2007, 04:04 AM	#8
Bob Safay Trustee Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 1,558	Dave, welcome to dvinfo. You are in for a lot of fun and a lot of learning. This is a great site with members all over the globe. Looking forward to seeing your stuff from downunder. Bob

March 30th, 2007, 06:28 AM	#9
Trond Saetre Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Bergen, Norway Posts: 3,375	Dave, welcome to dvinfo and UWOL. Looking forward to see you in #3. The UWOL2 was the first time for me, and it was really fun. A great learning experience. The best part: You get in touch with several others with the same interests.

March 30th, 2007, 08:43 AM	#10
Dave Trainer New Boot Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 23	Thanks all for the welcome. Yes im looking forward to UWOL #3 and hopefully will have some underwater footage for you Mat. Now from what i can understand all footage must be shot during the challenge period.... would i be able to use some of my library footage?.. especially the underwater stuff as some subjects are very unique and hard to find at certain times of the year (like weedy sea dragons) and they are such magnificent creatures would be a shame to omit them if the challege would call for them. Thanks Dave.

March 30th, 2007, 09:39 AM	#12
Catherine Russell Trustee Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Lyons, Colorado Posts: 1,224	Welcome Dave! You won't be let down by the fun, experience and these co-challengers who know what they are doing and have fun and wonderful feedback. QUESTION TO ALL WHO READ THIS! UWOL 2 was my first challenge with "Extreme What?" I was one of the few who shot film with an old SD cam corder (Sony DCR-TRV140 NTSC), and am interested in upgrading to HD. Does anyone have a suggestion for a "serious" beginner who's looking for a good all-around HD camera in the $1000.00 or less price range? Your suggestions are much appreciated. One can get lost in the tech talk and specs. As far as UWOL 3, I'm all for underwater. Thousands of miles from any ocean, the imagination starts to kick in a bit. Cat Russell Spike Productions

March 30th, 2007, 12:36 PM	#15
Catherine Russell Trustee Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Lyons, Colorado Posts: 1,224	Thank you Ken: I am in no hurry here to jump into expensive endeavors beyond my scope of experience to understand what I am getting into. This is very good advice. Perhaps a savvy approach would be to use the UWOL challenges to shoot in SD and with a rented HD camera to learn the differences between the two of them in both on-site shooting and in post processing. If I'm really fortunate, I might be able to rent a Canon HV20 to get the feel for it. I look forward to more of your insights when you have the time for them. And thanks for the warning. How terrible it would be to find out that after the expensive investment of an HD(V) camera, I don't have the hardware capability to process this level of information! Sincerely, Cat Russell Spike Productins