First clip for review at DVinfo.net

Derek Grimes · July 13th, 2005, 03:28 PM

Alright, here it is, my first clip for review. Really hesitant about this but it is the only way I can get better. I know some of the camera work is shakey, so I know I need to work on that. Also, did not plan on getting the steadicam type shot but thought I would try it freehand.

Any comments will be appreciated. Thanks to Ram Purad for the music idea.

http://s43.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=3...T15CITURWZ76YO

Greg Boston · July 13th, 2005, 03:51 PM

Derek,

Some good shots there. I felt some of your camera moves were a little fast for the pace of the music. That's easily fixable in post by adjusting duration of some of the clips. Also, take the volume of the music down a bit, especially in the beginnging. To me, it came on a little strong for the imagery that you had with it.

Overall, a good job but just needs some minor tweaks.

That's my .02 worth.

-gb-

Peter Ferling · July 14th, 2005, 06:11 PM

I agree with the music being too loud, it's overpowering.

I understand what your attempting here, and I believe that you should try to use a tripod with a fluid head for such gentle and sweeping motions, and they should be gentle. Rolling the camera over, and doing so quickly in such a drunken fashion seems unatural. Plan your shots, as if to give the viewer a sense of destination, while going slow enough for them to take-in the grandure of the scene, not helpless yawing to and fro. (Times when it's ok to not use a tripod is following a path by foot, or following a person whom is also walking. Your undulations will match the scene).

Try to think of your camera as another persons head with handles. Think of things like when people first enter the room. They usually pause and slowly take in the scene, then move to something interesting and pause again. If you don't understand what I'm saying, then become a spectator and observe people as they enter a flower filled room for the first time, or approach an interesting picture or statue. Especially when they enter a grand hall, (the pace quickly slows, and the eyes go up to take in the grandure, etc.).

Pete

Rob Gregory-Browne · July 18th, 2005, 04:49 PM

I hate to be critical, but I think your intro is a bit boring. This is a wedding, so I'd be much more interested in seeing PEOPLE, not objects. To my mind, a wedding video should be about emotion and everything else should be secondary. I'm not saying to leave the wonderful decorations, etc. out, just make them PART of the emotion by including the human participants in the shots.

I'd rather be looking at the bride's joyful or tearful face than looking at a vase full of flowers. At least combine them in some way.

Derek Grimes · July 20th, 2005, 06:24 PM

Thanks for the critique. I will try to incorporate your ideas.

I was very limited at this wedding. This was very informal and professional pics were not even taken. That is why there are no people or "joyful" bride in the opening because there was actually very little time taken to get ready. The bride did not even want that. She just simply wanted the wedding. I thought this was at the very least a decent intro. Did not want it to seem like uncle Fred and his camcorder.

Thanks again

Rob Gregory-Browne · July 20th, 2005, 06:58 PM

I assume that you DO have shots of the bride. I'm not talking about BEFORE the wedding shots, but shot of the bride walking down the aisle, etc.

I would think that it might be more interesting to give us very brief shots of her interspersed with the shots you have. A montage of what's to come.

Just my two cents.

Victor Martin · July 21st, 2005, 10:08 PM

Derek,
Regardless of the previous postings, I think the video is great. I like how you were "thinking outside the box" and not making this like every other video out there. As you mentioned, there is some camera work to improve on, but overall, not too bad. I think the level of the music was fine ( not to disrespect any one else's opinion) and I think the way this was put together really builds a sense of excitement.

Try different kinds of shots, especially with the tripod (as mentioned earlier) and if you want to do the moving shots, PRACTICE them. It will make you better.

July 13th, 2005, 03:28 PM	#1
Derek Grimes Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: nashville, TN Posts: 107	First clip for review Alright, here it is, my first clip for review. Really hesitant about this but it is the only way I can get better. I know some of the camera work is shakey, so I know I need to work on that. Also, did not plan on getting the steadicam type shot but thought I would try it freehand. Any comments will be appreciated. Thanks to Ram Purad for the music idea. http://s43.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=3...T15CITURWZ76YO __________________ tayproductions

July 20th, 2005, 06:24 PM	#5
Derek Grimes Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: nashville, TN Posts: 107	Thanks for the comments Thanks for the critique. I will try to incorporate your ideas. I was very limited at this wedding. This was very informal and professional pics were not even taken. That is why there are no people or "joyful" bride in the opening because there was actually very little time taken to get ready. The bride did not even want that. She just simply wanted the wedding. I thought this was at the very least a decent intro. Did not want it to seem like uncle Fred and his camcorder. Thanks again __________________ tayproductions

July 13th, 2005, 03:51 PM	#2
Greg Boston Wrangler Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: DFW area, TX Posts: 6,117 Images: 1	Derek, Some good shots there. I felt some of your camera moves were a little fast for the pace of the music. That's easily fixable in post by adjusting duration of some of the clips. Also, take the volume of the music down a bit, especially in the beginnging. To me, it came on a little strong for the imagery that you had with it. Overall, a good job but just needs some minor tweaks. That's my .02 worth. -gb-

July 14th, 2005, 06:11 PM	#3
Peter Ferling Trustee Join Date: May 2005 Location: Wyomissing, PA Posts: 1,141 Images: 57	I agree with the music being too loud, it's overpowering. I understand what your attempting here, and I believe that you should try to use a tripod with a fluid head for such gentle and sweeping motions, and they should be gentle. Rolling the camera over, and doing so quickly in such a drunken fashion seems unatural. Plan your shots, as if to give the viewer a sense of destination, while going slow enough for them to take-in the grandure of the scene, not helpless yawing to and fro. (Times when it's ok to not use a tripod is following a path by foot, or following a person whom is also walking. Your undulations will match the scene). Try to think of your camera as another persons head with handles. Think of things like when people first enter the room. They usually pause and slowly take in the scene, then move to something interesting and pause again. If you don't understand what I'm saying, then become a spectator and observe people as they enter a flower filled room for the first time, or approach an interesting picture or statue. Especially when they enter a grand hall, (the pace quickly slows, and the eyes go up to take in the grandure, etc.). Pete

July 18th, 2005, 04:49 PM	#4
Rob Gregory-Browne Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 107	I hate to be critical, but I think your intro is a bit boring. This is a wedding, so I'd be much more interested in seeing PEOPLE, not objects. To my mind, a wedding video should be about emotion and everything else should be secondary. I'm not saying to leave the wonderful decorations, etc. out, just make them PART of the emotion by including the human participants in the shots. I'd rather be looking at the bride's joyful or tearful face than looking at a vase full of flowers. At least combine them in some way.

July 20th, 2005, 06:58 PM	#6
Rob Gregory-Browne Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 107	I assume that you DO have shots of the bride. I'm not talking about BEFORE the wedding shots, but shot of the bride walking down the aisle, etc. I would think that it might be more interesting to give us very brief shots of her interspersed with the shots you have. A montage of what's to come. Just my two cents.

July 21st, 2005, 10:08 PM	#7
Victor Martin Tourist Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 1	Derek, Regardless of the previous postings, I think the video is great. I like how you were "thinking outside the box" and not making this like every other video out there. As you mentioned, there is some camera work to improve on, but overall, not too bad. I think the level of the music was fine ( not to disrespect any one else's opinion) and I think the way this was put together really builds a sense of excitement. Try different kinds of shots, especially with the tripod (as mentioned earlier) and if you want to do the moving shots, PRACTICE them. It will make you better.