UWOL #4: Water Is Life by Catherine Russell

Gabriel Yeager · July 26th, 2007, 12:07 PM

Hi Cat.

A circular polarizer is a filter that you attach to the front of your camera, and it spins (almost like a focus ring). By spinning it, it allows you to change the amount of reflections on water, windows, glass - anything.
For example, you could have your camera pointing thru a window. You have it so that there is no reflections on it, you then spin the filter to show yourself and camera (actor, or whatever is seen fit). Its a really nice little filter to have. I wish I had one during this challenge, it would have helped a lot..

Heres what you come up with when you do a search for them on B&H.

~Gabe

Catherine Russell · July 26th, 2007, 05:19 PM

Thanks Gabe!

That's awesome information. You're the best. It sounds like there are infinite possibilities with that kind of filter. Not only am I getting a kick out of your films, I would love to see your photography too, isn't that what you were doing before film?

I forgot to answer your question to me, please forgive! I do 90% of my work in Adobe After Effects. I will be 110 and still be cracking the tip of the iceberg as to what you can do with it. It is very powerful. Like the circular polarizer, if you can afford it, it is very worth the investment.

Cato

Gabriel Yeager · July 26th, 2007, 11:25 PM

I know... - Just kidding.. Hahaha.
Thank you. :) Umm, before I got into DV, I had a Hi8 cam that I used with some friends.. Mostly all improv stuff.. But around that same time, we got a point-and-shoot 2MP camera that I used (and still do).. I would just bike or walk up to a park, and whatever I see interesting, I would take a picture of it, and try to get creative with it. So yes, I did do photography before videography. But before that, I did lock-off madness with a Hi8 video camera. So thank you for the kind words! I should look into posting some more pics on my site.

Ah, very nice. If only I could come close to affording it... In to future someday, maybe I will. :)

~Gabe

Jeff Hendricks · July 27th, 2007, 10:03 PM

Hey Catherine,

Cool video...I only wish it had been edited a little faster and that you had used the reflection transition as a common thing throughout the video.

It was very tranquil and enjoyable...too bad the little koi didn't snap up that pesky yellowjacket :)...that would have been sweet!!!

Good relaxing piece

Jeff

Per Johan Naesje · July 28th, 2007, 02:26 AM

Catherine, cool video I liked it very much. Sorry that you missed the deadline.

Trond Saetre · July 28th, 2007, 12:20 PM

Catherine, your film is the first one I watch, so you are my top 1 at the moment, haha.

To make a long comment short, FANTASTIC!
I really like what you made.
The music fits well, the reflections in the water...

Next time we'll make sure you sign up before the deadline! ;-)

John Dennis Robertson · July 28th, 2007, 03:34 PM

Been trying to download this video for 3 days now,but with my lousy bandwidth its been a bit of a mission.Now that I have it downloaded I can see what everyone means by the editing.Its stunning,I have to learn to do that....good work

Catherine Russell · July 29th, 2007, 04:46 PM

Hi guys! Thanks for the comments, as always... so very much appreciated!

Trond, you simply crack me up! But I think you're on to something! Simply watch my video first and no one else's and my film will always stay number one on your list! Yeah, I like it! HA!

Jeff, thanks for the watch! I understand, slow moving pieces take real talent to keep them interesting!

John, it's so nice having you a part of the uwol family. Thanks for the kind feed back.

Per, this film must have been a sleeper after the thrill of filming wild bears 100 yards away!

Take care you guys and thanks for watching!

Cato

Gordon Hoffman · July 31st, 2007, 06:12 AM

Cat
To bad you missed the challenge. Some shots may have been a little long for me but over all it was an interesting video. You’re definitely getting better with AE.

Gordon Hoffman

Ruth Happel · July 31st, 2007, 02:12 PM

Catherine,

I really like the way the dissolves create a dreamy feel, when you aren't quite sure when one image merges with another. Very creative. The koi were beautiful, are they your fish? The globe spinning at the end was a dramatic touch, you are great at computer editing.

Ruth

Catherine Russell · August 1st, 2007, 08:50 AM

Hi Ruth and Gordon:

Thanks for the input, I sincerely appreciate and respect your comments.

Gordon, I agree with you. Overall, I liked how it came out, but to really snag people's attention in a very slow-moving clip takes great talent. Perhaps if I had one more "dimension" to it that would have done the trick. Isn't it amazing how long 3 minutes is in film?

Ruth:

So glad to have you back in the loop! How was your vacation? Welcome back. Thanks for your kind feedback Ruth, I always look for your comments. The koi live at a neighbor's. I had a kick out of adding them into the fountain by special effect. I actually fooled Kevin R who thought they were really in there!

Cat

Trond Saetre · August 1st, 2007, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catherine Russell

Trond, you simply crack me up! But I think you're on to something! Simply watch my video first and no one else's and my film will always stay number one on your list! Yeah, I like it! HA!
Cat

Yep, I had to watch your film first to see what you came up with this time.
And you delivered a great film as usual.

Catherine Russell · August 2nd, 2007, 05:43 PM

Wow Trond:

You are kind, and simply put a real friend. Thanks for looking out for me and giving me the heads up I missed the sign up deadline. I don't think that's really something to notice, I know I wouldn't have if someone missed the deadline! You're the best.

Cat

Marco Wagner · August 29th, 2007, 07:46 PM

I hope my fish gets that big, lol

July 26th, 2007, 12:07 PM	#16
Gabriel Yeager Major Player Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Washington, NorthWest USA Posts: 788	Hi Cat. A circular polarizer is a filter that you attach to the front of your camera, and it spins (almost like a focus ring). By spinning it, it allows you to change the amount of reflections on water, windows, glass - anything. For example, you could have your camera pointing thru a window. You have it so that there is no reflections on it, you then spin the filter to show yourself and camera (actor, or whatever is seen fit). Its a really nice little filter to have. I wish I had one during this challenge, it would have helped a lot.. Heres what you come up with when you do a search for them on B&H. ~Gabe __________________ Gabriel Photography

July 26th, 2007, 11:25 PM	#18
Gabriel Yeager Major Player Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Washington, NorthWest USA Posts: 788	I know... - Just kidding.. Hahaha. Thank you. :) Umm, before I got into DV, I had a Hi8 cam that I used with some friends.. Mostly all improv stuff.. But around that same time, we got a point-and-shoot 2MP camera that I used (and still do).. I would just bike or walk up to a park, and whatever I see interesting, I would take a picture of it, and try to get creative with it. So yes, I did do photography before videography. But before that, I did lock-off madness with a Hi8 video camera. So thank you for the kind words! I should look into posting some more pics on my site. Ah, very nice. If only I could come close to affording it... In to future someday, maybe I will. :) ~Gabe __________________ Gabriel Photography

July 27th, 2007, 10:03 PM	#19
Jeff Hendricks Major Player Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: The Carson Valley, Nevada Posts: 248	Hey Catherine, Cool video...I only wish it had been edited a little faster and that you had used the reflection transition as a common thing throughout the video. It was very tranquil and enjoyable...too bad the little koi didn't snap up that pesky yellowjacket :)...that would have been sweet!!! Good relaxing piece Jeff __________________ www.tahoestarr.com

July 28th, 2007, 02:26 AM	#20
Per Johan Naesje Trustee Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Akershus, Norway Posts: 1,413	Catherine, cool video I liked it very much. Sorry that you missed the deadline. __________________ - Per Johan

August 1st, 2007, 08:50 AM	#26
Catherine Russell Trustee Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Lyons, Colorado Posts: 1,224	Hi Ruth and Gordon: Thanks for the input, I sincerely appreciate and respect your comments. Gordon, I agree with you. Overall, I liked how it came out, but to really snag people's attention in a very slow-moving clip takes great talent. Perhaps if I had one more "dimension" to it that would have done the trick. Isn't it amazing how long 3 minutes is in film? Ruth: So glad to have you back in the loop! How was your vacation? Welcome back. Thanks for your kind feedback Ruth, I always look for your comments. The koi live at a neighbor's. I had a kick out of adding them into the fountain by special effect. I actually fooled Kevin R who thought they were really in there! Cat Last edited by Catherine Russell; August 1st, 2007 at 12:02 PM.

July 26th, 2007, 05:19 PM	#17
Catherine Russell Trustee Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Lyons, Colorado Posts: 1,224	Thanks Gabe! That's awesome information. You're the best. It sounds like there are infinite possibilities with that kind of filter. Not only am I getting a kick out of your films, I would love to see your photography too, isn't that what you were doing before film? I forgot to answer your question to me, please forgive! I do 90% of my work in Adobe After Effects. I will be 110 and still be cracking the tip of the iceberg as to what you can do with it. It is very powerful. Like the circular polarizer, if you can afford it, it is very worth the investment. Cato

July 28th, 2007, 12:20 PM	#21
Trond Saetre Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Bergen, Norway Posts: 3,375	Catherine, your film is the first one I watch, so you are my top 1 at the moment, haha. To make a long comment short, FANTASTIC! I really like what you made. The music fits well, the reflections in the water... Next time we'll make sure you sign up before the deadline! ;-)

July 28th, 2007, 03:34 PM	#22
John Dennis Robertson Major Player Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Johanesburg South Africa Posts: 217	Been trying to download this video for 3 days now,but with my lousy bandwidth its been a bit of a mission.Now that I have it downloaded I can see what everyone means by the editing.Its stunning,I have to learn to do that....good work

July 29th, 2007, 04:46 PM	#23
Catherine Russell Trustee Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Lyons, Colorado Posts: 1,224	Hi guys! Thanks for the comments, as always... so very much appreciated! Trond, you simply crack me up! But I think you're on to something! Simply watch my video first and no one else's and my film will always stay number one on your list! Yeah, I like it! HA! Jeff, thanks for the watch! I understand, slow moving pieces take real talent to keep them interesting! John, it's so nice having you a part of the uwol family. Thanks for the kind feed back. Per, this film must have been a sleeper after the thrill of filming wild bears 100 yards away! Take care you guys and thanks for watching! Cato

July 31st, 2007, 06:12 AM	#24
Gordon Hoffman Major Player Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Pincher Creek, Alberta Canada Posts: 619	Cat To bad you missed the challenge. Some shots may have been a little long for me but over all it was an interesting video. You’re definitely getting better with AE. Gordon Hoffman

July 31st, 2007, 02:12 PM	#25
Ruth Happel Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Black Mountain, NC Posts: 488	Catherine, I really like the way the dissolves create a dreamy feel, when you aren't quite sure when one image merges with another. Very creative. The koi were beautiful, are they your fish? The globe spinning at the end was a dramatic touch, you are great at computer editing. Ruth

August 2nd, 2007, 05:43 PM	#28
Catherine Russell Trustee Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Lyons, Colorado Posts: 1,224	Wow Trond: You are kind, and simply put a real friend. Thanks for looking out for me and giving me the heads up I missed the sign up deadline. I don't think that's really something to notice, I know I wouldn't have if someone missed the deadline! You're the best. Cat

August 29th, 2007, 07:46 PM	#29
Marco Wagner Trustee Join Date: May 2005 Location: Saint Cloud, Florida Posts: 1,043	I hope my fish gets that big, lol __________________ www.facebook.com/projectspecto