Denali Clip
 

This is my first completed clip, shot in Alaska on a GL2, and edited (thanks to Paul Sedillo's tireless help and support) on FCP 3.0. It has some bugs but I thought I'd post it for comments and let you guys/gals review it anyway. I prefer HONEST comments, you don't have to sugar coat it.

http://www.image-studio.com/movies/Denali.html

Thanks,
Mark

Mark, I could not download your clip. Hopefully the problem is on my end.
Sandy

Sandy,

Do you have Quicktime loaded on your machine? That might be the problem.

Mark,

Great job on your Denali piece! Glad that you were able to get Guy Peters to play Guy Peters. :)

I had the same problem playing the clip. It looks like the HTML code is pointing to a local drive instead of the server.

The direct URL to the file works:
http://www.image-studio.com/movies/Denali.mov


G

Same problem here as well. Using the direct URL works.

OK, seems like you want some real criticism.
All in all, I liked the content and the editing. Now the bad stuff.

Dude, where's your tripod?
The handheld landscape shots are really noticable. I'd reshoot them.

Can I hear you coughing in one shot while buddy with the drum is coughing?

I don't know if it's because its on the web, but the audio was kind of hissy.

The titles were hard to read, didn't stand out against the background enough.


That's it. The most important thing is that it was interesting and entertaining, which is more important than technical perfection anyday.
Thumbs up!

Yup, me too.

I'll take a look at it tonight
 

Couldn't get either link to "go" here at work.

We are pretty locked down per sey, so it could be our network.

I think we may have a Mac, PC thing going on. The first link played fine and the audio was clean (no hiss). Are you guys running the latest versions of Quicktime?

I'll second the need for a tripod. The jitter in the credits (interlacing) needs to be fixed for web. Either de-interlace, or don't scroll the credits.


The concept and visuals are good, strong elements. A little fine tuning and it's there.

Jeff

I fixed the problem. There was an error in the HTML (my fault). So if you are viewing on a PC, you should be able to see it now.

Sorry!

Overall I liked it. I agree that a tripod would have helped.

One suggestion for the future. The camera stayed effectively fixed on the narrator. You might try mixing in close, and medium close-up shots of the narrator to add interest. Use the cutaways to cover the camera moves. You could also add a close-up of the drum he was beating. None of this can be done in post. Always a good idea to try and think like an editor while shooting.

For what it is worth.

Rick

(I agree with Paul, that guy Guy Peters plays a really good Guy Peters.)

Mark, I finally was able to download the clip. Very nice. I agree with other's comments about using a tripod. Being a skier (currently in British Columbia) and having traveled in Nepal I appreciate your subject matter. Good focus on Native American theme.
Sandy

Thanks for the feedback!
 

Here's the background on this piece (my lame excuses:)
This was part of an arranged tour and there were about 45 people all standing around listening to Guy, I edited 18 minutes down to get all the spectator noise out all except that one (@#$!) cough (another edit maybe?). I didn't have a tripod with me although I know it's a cardinal sin! I had been on an old school bus for about an hour and a half before this shot and there was barely room for my big arse let alone a tripod, but not again! I assure you! I aggree I could have done some close up shots and / or drum shots for diversity, thanks for the idea, I have some stuff on the cutting room floor that I might be able to use. I have corrected the titles, they sucked and were truely hard to read. I'll stop the credit scroll, it's not like I have several pages of stuff :) The hiss may have been that it was recorded with the on camera mic, (just picked up an AT835b shotgun so that should help in the future) but I'll go back and re-check my audio file (I didn't use my usual reference monitors). Some of the scenic shots were shot from a train, buss, or airplane, I guess a steadycam is now on my wish list too.

Thanks for the help, and thanks for being honest. I hope to have some more (improved with your help) shorts soon.
p.s. I'd love to reshoot this but Alaska ain't all that close to Tejas, maybe next year?

It was hissing a bit on my Mac also. I don't have QT 6 yet (holding off on it)...I have the version prior to that.

But I enjoyed it just the same.