My latest wedding highlight video
 

The B&G haven't seen it yet, but this is what I will be presenting to them.

All comments are welcome...be nice...remember it is the holidays :-)

http://www.focusmd.com/video/thomasw...wed121507.html

T Davis

come on guys and gals...not one comment. Is it that bad? :-)
I guess no news is good news...

I like the music and overal very nice atmosphere.

Some points that are up for improvement in my opinion:

I suppose something went wrong with the audio recording of the vowels. Was that a voice recorder with silence detection?

For a highlight video it is too long.

You seem to use a dissolve for every cut, overused imho.

Some nice shots there. I especially liked the fade in of her in the window as the groom is looking out of it.

I have really tried to personally get away form slow mo (except in cases for impact), as well as trying to get away from dissolves. I have been trying to create a more chipper (cleaner) feeling video by using straight cuts and realtime video (maybe slowed down to 85% or so on occasion), along with ambient audio to create a more journalistic (even romantic if done right with the right footage and couple) feel.

Your piece could really use less slow mo (mix straight cuts with slow motion) and more ambient audio under the video, like bridesmaids laughing while getting ready, bridal introduction, people clapping and a sense of excitement during the reception (it doesn't have to be what is actually happening).

If you used the ambient audio, kept a similar slow pace and used cuts (cut slightly before piano keys or during quiet passages) and less dissolves, then I think that you might get a more heightened sense of excitement and realism.

I also have to agree with it being a bit too long, as I found there to be a bit too many makeup and looking out of the window shots in the beginning for me. If you only use your best footage for the bridal prep, and wedding, then you could use more reception footage and probably get it all into one song, or edit several songs together more for a tighter edit.

But they'll probably love it, as we all tend to be too critical of ours and other work.

now that's what I was looking for:-) Thanks very much for the comments. I will keep that in mind for my next shoot.

Hey Troy,
As has been mentioned here, the all slow motion makes the piece drag. I got through about 1.5 minutes, and assumed the rest was like that. I thought alot of the shots were very well done, especially the groom looking out the window. I have 2 comments other than the pace, and these might just be my opinion but...
1. several of the opening shots were over exposed, I think a more consistant exposure would give it a more polished look especially in similar light (same room etc.)
2. I don't particularly like every shot being SOO rock solid. This sounds odd, but I feel like handheld shots, even if not particularly steady give the piece alittle bit more immediacy. Not that shakiness is a good thing, but when it is all tripod pans, etc. it can get a little stiff. I myself am still trying to find a balance (no pun intended) between too shaky shots, and tripod bound shots. It may be an interesting experiment to break off the tripod for a few shots, and see what you get.
My 2 cents. Thanks alot fro posting it helps everyone to see more variety in the work.
Bill

Good Job
 

I would echo the comments about too much slow mo. The shots are good.

How did you do the gorom/window shot?

Thanks Ken. This is only my 6th shoot so I'm still learning. The B&G parents loved, so I will put less slo mo in the next edit:-) Are there any good samples to see what's recommended these days? Also, the window shot was created using a mask in Vegas Video.

Troy