Your thoughts on my product info/install vid!
 

Hey, all.

I just encoded and posted some product information and installation videos on my employer's site. We sell retail truck accessories and are really trying to ramp up our video efforts. Here are some of my first attempts...

http://www.stylintrucks.com/parts.as..._prod_ids=1947

http://www.stylintrucks.com/parts.as..._prod_ids=5263

Camera: Canon ZR-85 (brand new XH A1 should arrive today - yeah!)
Software: Premier Elements
Exported to .flv

Your thoughts? How about framing? These are my first attempts at both hosting, and shooting video, so bare with me.

Yes, the audio and camera aren't the best, but my new A1 should be here today. So quality should dramatically climb from this point.

Videos just try to load and will not play for me. I use the same player on my website so I know the flash part is working.

Hmm, I just clicked them and they are playing fine for me. Anyone else having problems? Even if you watched and have no opinion, at least let me know if the thing played...

Thanks,
Will

Worked fine for me.

I watched the first one.

The camera work was rock solid. I appreciate the tripod work. A little much headroom at times, and sometimes I'd like a closeup of what the guy is doing, but overall, good work. I'd say you're about 80% of the way there, and already doing better work than others in your field.

The lighting sucks, and I realize you're not trying to re-shoot El Mariachi or anything, so probably looking for something cheap. In a room like that, I'd say a $20 worklight splashed against the wall behind the camera, or the ceiling, would be a great improvement. Not as good as $2000 worth of lights and softboxes, but certainly halfway there.

Audio would be solved with a $20 radioshack lavalier mic (wired) and a 25 foot cable. A wireless lav mic would be better, at a greater expense (but possibly worthwhile).

I didn't watch the whole video, so I can't comment on the whole thing. The guy seemed to be killing a lot of time, and I'm not sure why. I tell my film students to cut until it hurts, and then cut some more. I gave up on the video when your guy was pointing out that when you opened the box, there would be two pieces. The two pieces would be encased in this poly foam. The foam is to protect the pieces in the shipping process, so they don't get nicked or chipped or scra.... *YAWN*. Start with the point where folks get lost. When I get the box, I know what's in it. I know how to open the box and get the pieces out. I don't know how to attach the f'ing thing to the truck. Start there.

Good effort! Can't wait to see how it improves.

I absolutely agree with Mike.

Great Feedback!
 

Dammit! That's really good feedback! And "the guy" you're referring to is me.

I shot a bunch of this mini-product videos in one day and am now realizing that they are a bit on the long side. I was too wordy when talking about the product.

You mentioning me opening the box and saying something about the foam wrapping is dead on. I didn't need that in the video. Of course the product will come in a box and be wrapped safely!

I think maybe I like to hear myself talk too much and once I got in front of the camera I just kept yammering. Kindof like now... :)

I really appreciate the feedback guys.

If anyone else checks out the vids, please leave me a comment here.

OK the work for me now, Ill blame my work network... any way. I agree with all above. It does appear you have a light with an umbrella in it, looks like my Smith and Vectors. Either way, I think you had auto white balance on as the colors seemed to shift.

I know what you mean about the color shifting. I did a manual white balance, but the reflection of the chrome product tweaked the colors in the camera. You just see those off-white/bluish colors flash right after the chrome sparkles at the lens.

I'll work on making my videos more concise and I'll try to add insert footage with close-ups of certain steps.

I really appreciate the feedback. Week by week, refining my new craft...

Will

I agree with most of the comments here but in your defence its difficult to be camera op and talent at the same time - not to mention director too... keep at it!!