Well, I'm back from Sweden, there was lot's of threads to read and interesting to hear about what others are planning and trying out.

I will start up this week shooting for my plan A. I'm a citizen in the capital of Norway, Oslo. It's lot of green areas, parks etc. surrounding the city. A city by night will always have lots of ambient light, which I think will be suitable to make decent footage and there are (hopefully) some animals/birds out there in the night.
This will be my first attempt to film something in an urban environment ever!

I'm a freaking wildlifephotographer which don't like the city and the noisy, disturbant environment... ...what I'm doing here... ...hmmm, maybe this can change my mind and discover other sides of the city which I haven't thought about before! This gonna be very interesting!

I went out with Claire on Saturday night for a meal and drinks. On the walk back we heard probably the most un-stealthy fox ever....I guess he had probably found a leftover of can of strong lager or something and was a little worse for wear! Anyway he was trying to haul something out of some bushes and making a fine ruckus doing it. As he scampered past us he dropped his quarry by mistake, it was obviously something tasty as he came back again and then trotted off up the carpark.

I think Foxes are great. Am I taking my camera back into the town centre around all the drunks.........NO WAY !

But it was still cool to see the un-stealthy fox!

Thanks for the encouragement Meryem,
I've just got back from my third night out shooting, & well, to be honest, i haven't yet rolled the camera on anything that i'm after. I'm still formulating my plan B just incase i have infact set my own bar waaaaay too high. Ok, 2 more weeks left, that means i will have to get something in the next week & a half, or atleast have my plan B ready to roll, or i'll be going for a swim!
Bryce

I just found out that what I want to shoot doesn't start until the 12th. SO, I guess I just have to be patient.

wow, we drove per out of his mountain lair and into the city to grab some fake light...this *will* be interesting.

i can't wait to get mine going tonight. i finally have a little time to shoot and...it's nothing but bright sunshine and blue skies out there--damn these conditions!!

Meryem, this might be of help to you:

http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials.html?id=1

:-0

it's nothing but bright sunshine and blue skies out there--damn these conditions!!

I'd give a lot for your sunshine and blue sky.
It has been raining nonstop since before sunset yesterday.

Still twisting my brain trying to come up with a good idea for the NIGHT.

Meryem, this might be of help to you:

http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials.html?id=1

:-0

rob, that is pretty funny--see, everybody, there are people are paying good money to generate an effect that you get to produce in nature for free! where is the gratitude??

trond, get some wattage and illuminate that rain and work it in slow-mo...i bet you could make something pretty. one of my favorite opening shots in a UWOL entry--i think it was steve siegel's but i'd have to check, in my opinion, was for WATER, and it opened with a shot of rain running down a window. it was a very pretty daylight shot, but for night, you could light it from indoors from all sorts of angles and not even get wet. water is an excellent reflector.

trond, get some wattage and illuminate that rain and work it in slow-mo...i bet you could make something pretty. one of my favorite opening shots in a UWOL entry--i think it was steve siegel's but i'd have to check, in my opinion, was for WATER, and it opened with a shot of rain running down a window. it was a very pretty daylight shot, but for night, you could light it from indoors from all sorts of angles and not even get wet. water is an excellent reflector.

Hmm, an idea is tumbling around in my head...
Thanks for the tip.
I think Per Johan has done something like that too, some time ago. (also daylight)

I think Per Johan has done something like that too, some time ago. (also daylight)
Yes, thats correct. In fact that was long before the uwol-challenge. High up in the mountains in a small cottage, with only wood-burning stove, there will always be dewdrops inside the windows, especially in wintertime. I was sitting inside looking at those dewdrops and decided to make some footage of them. I also did some slow motion clip of drops from icicle. I'm sure that could be done in night with some light too.

OT: Meryem, I was joining a display of the Red camcorder in Oslo tonight! Wow the 2/4K screening was just amazing to view. If I had the budget I would order one right now. And of course a huge Mac Pro with FCP2 (6.02 patch is around the corner), a huge disk-array, accessories etc, etc... ;-)
I gonna be very jealous when you got yours!
But I'm not sure if I could have used it up in the mountains anyway. Think I gonna need a couple of sherpas!

Think I gonna need a couple of sherpas!

i've seen the amount of gear you carry, my friend...you *are* a couple of sherpas...!

it is gonna be interesting to find the lightest possible set-up...we'll see how my plastic tripod handles RED...

(joking!)

it is gonna be interesting to find the lightest possible set-up...we'll see how my plastic tripod handles RED...

(joking!)
They screened some footage taken in Bergen (Hi Trond!) by night. The only light was ambient light found in the street they was filming.
The two professional cinemaphotographers who was doing the trial was amazed how bright the camcorder was in low light conditions, so was I when I view the screening! Whish I had that camcorder right now for this challenge ;-)
This camcorder, I think it was #35 is very bright in daylight conditions, which we could see in some of the samples, some underexposure was clarly recommended by the team. Note that they didn't use any ND or other filters in this trial.
The specific camcorder was unfortunately not present, so we couldn't have any hands on to it, could have been cool :-)

Tonight's the night the focal point of my proposed film arrived during the wee hours of this morning and will depart shortly. So I shoot tonight of come up with a complete new plan. The bad part in all this is that it's very cold -25 the wind is blowing and from time to time snow gets thrown in just to add more to deal with. Avoiding frost bite will be as much of a challenge as shooting in low light.

I'll report my success or failure tomorrow.

Wishing everone the best of luck.

Brian

Hey all, I'm a touched confused (and stuck for ideas)

For the UWOL challenges do our videos need narrative story lines as such? I'm having a bit of trouble coming up with ideas at the moment. Do we need to create video that simply shows landscapes, seascapes, nature etc... Or do we produce narrative videos that incorporate nature in some way?

I'm a bit baffled and could use some pointers please.
Sorry if this has been asked before.

Dave

Sorry, I just read back a page or two and someone had asked this question, so I now have the info I was after, thanks anyway and sorry to bother everyone.

Dave

Ok, i've finally captured something tonight. I was really starting to worry that i wouldn't get anything after having spent 3 nights out in the bush. Hopefully with the weather on the improve, the wildlife will also improve! I haven't yet digitized anything, so i'm not sure how it's come out, but hopefully it will have been worth the wait.
I hope every one elses plans are also coming together.

Bryce

Bryce,

Glad to hear that you have something in the can.

I've rolled my camera a couple times but still haven't come up with anything.

Still haven't hit the idea that clicks.

I've had three or four ideas that I thought would work but as I thought them through I realized there wasn't enough there to really make something of it.

Hey all, I'm a touched confused (and stuck for ideas)

For the UWOL challenges do our videos need narrative story lines as such? I'm having a bit of trouble coming up with ideas at the moment. Do we need to create video that simply shows landscapes, seascapes, nature etc... Or do we produce narrative videos that incorporate nature in some way?

I'm a bit baffled and could use some pointers please.
Sorry if this has been asked before.

Dave
Dave, look at thread #41 in this thread. Daniel Ross is questioning almost the same as you, read some of the answers from Kevin, Mat and Meryem and you are on the road again!

OK, then I'm on the road :)

Plan A:

Date: Evening/night time 10th and 11th October - no matter how the weather is, and of caurse it's gonna be terrible - it's uwol time folks and we've been having rain/bad weather since before uwol 5 :)

Location: my fathers boathouse at the island of Kvamsoy.

Equipment (some of it):
Wetsuit (oh, so cold)
Video lights
Bonfire, some kind of...
Seaweed :)
Canon XLH1 + tripod

Story:
Well, that's yet to be a secret :)

Narrations: yes

Music: I think so

Plan B (hope not):
Hmmm, let's see....
Our cat out on the porch looking for night life.
Me inside the house filming the cat through open window.
And some great music from Sonicfire Pro.


Hehehe, thats my plan for uwol#6

Geir Inge

Nice to see you have a plan Geir!

I've got to say I'm looking suspiciously like shark food at the moment. I have something in the pipeline but It relies on other people too and with only a little over 10 days shooting left I'm kind of doubtful its going to come off!

I guess I should be thinking of a plan B....oh dear!

I'm thinking shark food.....

I went out last night straight from the office in an attempt to capture the key to my proposed film. I put about 20 minutes in the can, froze my fingers and toes went home had a double of warm up then viewed the capture. End result I have 20 minutes of nothing, crap, turd.

It's back to the story board and maybe the tank......

Brian

Well tonight will be my first try to get anything, but when I read what others have reported I'm not too optimistic!

It's a cold and clear evening here tonight, so even if the footage don't do I will get some fresh air :-)

Tomorrow I’m heading out to a nice location. It is an old pier, that’s the spot I’ll hunt for my creatures from the deep blue… I got a really nice idea; I hope I can get it on tape. Meryem, if I want to incorporate the UWOL logo (the one from the website), is that ok and if, can I get it in .eps or .png (or what every is possible)?

Markus Nord

I'm done except for refining the edits and adding a touch of music. Two of us went out night before last and set up lights to film some outdoor night activity.

Despite a cold front that literally blew in causing constant blown over lights and stands, we got enough done.

The wind was so bad it was the first time my Deadcat windmuff couldn't handle it. The audio is OK but without the Deadcat, sound would have been unusable.

So unless a sudden better idea comes along, I'll be requesting the upload password in a few days.

Just a note about low light settings. If you have the Canon XL2 or XLH1 there are som information here at the DvInfo.

For XLH1 there are presets to download:
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=66776, look for PRESET07.CPF: LOWLT12 -- for shooting in low light with 12db gain.
I will use this preset tonight and will report back my opinion.

For XL2 I found this intesting thread:
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=53258&highlight=lowlight

Hope this can help some of you, struggling in the dark. If others have any tips for different camcorders, post a thread!

Just bought a new campervan for some family get aways recently and we're all heading off for the first trip this weekend to a nice riverside caravan park.

My plan is to take my fly fishing rod and fish towards the campervan, where my wife, or any of my three boys, can put the high beam of my car on to illuminate the area of the river I will be fishing.

Hopefully, the fish are jumping and I am also hoping there are platypus around (and it is light enough to capture them). The last time I fished this spot it was wonderful, in terms of nature subjects however, that was twenty years ago, so who knows what it is like now.

So fingers crossed that I can capture the "evening rise".

If this plan doesn't work, I suppose I could submit 2 or 3 minutes of darkness - with some narration explaining what you can't see. Then again, my boys tell me they would love to show you how to cook the perfect marshmallow over the fire. Not exactly what i had in mind - so let's hope the car lights over the river works to some degree.

No matter what, I will certainly be submitting something!

Markus : Who do you dive with when you go shooting and what time of night do you dive night dives. I've never dived at night yet but its something I hope to try out when I can get some clear water.

Bruce : Very jealous....I not shot a second yet !

Per : Looking forward to hearing about your results!!

David : Platypus are just one of animals that are truely awe inspiring, such a mish mash of evolution. Do you often see echidna another crazy Aussie creature? I would be stoked to see some footage of those fellas.

David I love the fishing idea so much that with your permission I'm going to steal it and do the same thing. My only modification is that I'll use a boat. See the attached picture that was taken yesterday afternoon. I wonder if I will catch anything.

Brian

hi markus, it's fine with me if you incorporate the logo for a uwol film, you can drag it off the website, but if you want a better version, you'll need to e-mail mat....

glad to see you people rallying! UWOL knows no defeat.

of course, i have not shot a thing yet myself, but i have plans, many many plans....

i'm feeling so guilty, i am going to have to lob a cream puff theme for the next UWOL in february.

DJ, who is sitting at the desk next to me editing her entry that she shot at 4 am this morning has suggested that i make the next theme DAY.

heh. good one.

have to correct myself...the groovy opening shot of the rain that i mentioned previously was shot by grant sherman for "argent"--check it out, if you're strapped for ideas and stuck in the rain, it is quite pretty....

i'll be quiet now and let someone else talk for a bit...

Hi Brian,
Yes, go for it. I would love to see your shot of some 20 pound atlantic salmon jumping out the water with the ski doo lights illuminating the water drops (my wife tells me I'm a bit of a dreamer).
It was a shame to read your other plan didn't come off - so good luck with the new one.

I went looking for some Creative Commons Christmas music and was quite pleased with what I found. Some Jingle Bells to go with Christmas lights works for me. I will be using Natalie Brown's version, but there are some more available that you might find interesting.

If anyone else is looking for Christmas music look here:

http://www.hermann-uwe.de/blog/10-100-creative-commons-christmas-songs

Hi Mat,

Yes, Platypus are something different.

The echidna is quite common and relatively easy to locate - so I will keep this as another option. The problem with them is they dig into the ground as soon as they are spotted, with only their spikes visible. Not particularly interesting footage however, I may have to resort to this sort of material (thanks for the idea).

Hope your plans are working out.

Markus : Who do you dive with when you go shooting and what time of night do you dive night dives. I've never dived at night yet but its something I hope to try out when I can get some clear water.

I always go diving with my best friend. He is a Dive Master (like me) so I'm in good hands. The Sun sets at 4:30 pm now so we'll go down at 5:30 pm. The Water is getting clearer every day now, I guess the temp is about 7 centigrade so the thing I’m looking for should be out now. We’ll use two Xenon lights, the blueish lights on modern car. It’s 35W and got a colour temp at 5600 K and on them I got a 90 degree Lumedyle reflector. It will be bight, nearly daylight, but you’ll see that it is night.



David : PLATYPUS! I LOVE THEM… me wildlife video from Australia (that I shot I April this year) are nearly finished. I’m getting the VO recorded next week and the music are produced this mouth. I guess that the DVD will be at sale to Christmas this year. In the film I got some really nice platypus shots, a small one crawling around on a riverbed (at that time that was so little water around, just watch Davids film ( http://www.uwolchallenge.com/challenge4/DG_UC4_awishforwater.mp4) from UC4).
David, you could make a “hunt” video for Platypus… give your boys a flashlight each and go looking for platypus, that you got the light source in a “natural way” in the video. And if you spot one, hopefully you get the on tape, id not, too bad, but you still got a video about Platypus.

Markus Nord

Well actually, such a theme and being a beginner in UWOL don't go very well together..Anyway I have been planning something and hope I can manage that. Since filming is an issue of capturing light on the media and the nights are dark out here :) it seems it will be a bit challenging.
I filmed a trial version and am content with the results but it is really difficult to work with creatures of night...but there is still some hope...

Well, I was out downtown to capture something, most of all to do some sample test of what is possible to get into the camcorder without any other light than what is ambient.
Hmmm... to capture small species who is hiding in the shades you need some kind of a extra light source. If you are lucky you may get some footage of them in skyline in front of the city lights.

Below is some samples shoot last night from the City of Oslo. This is framegrabs from the original footage shoot at 1080/50i with the Canon XLH1. Aperture wide open and shutter speed at 1/50. Gain vary between +6 and +12. I've used the special setting LOWLT12 as described in my previous thread #75.
It's amazing to view how less noise it is even in +12 gain. I will recommend this setting to everyone who will shoot at night with the XLH1.

Pictures from top left:
- overview of the City of Oslo
- next three is Akershus Fortress
- bottom left, City Hall of Oslo
- bottom right, beautiful dock building

Very nice pictures from Oslo, PJ.
I can see by the weather forecast it's gonna be nice weather at your place this weekend, lucky you.
I will try out my idea this weekend, but I'm trying hard to find a plan b without our cat involved :)
It's a terrible weather at Sunnmore, but there may be better conditions next week and colder. Can't say I like thinking about step into the sea at this time of year. I only got a wet suit, brrrr.
I will be in Oslo (meeting) Friday and Saturday next week.
Have you tried to shoot something at Akerselva (river in Oslo)?

Geir Inge

It's a terrible weather at Sunnmore, but there may be better conditions next week and colder. Can't say I like thinking about step into the sea at this time of year. I only got a wet suit, brrrr.
I will be in Oslo (meeting) Friday and Saturday next week.
Have you tried to shoot something at Akerselva (river in Oslo)?
Geir Inge

I hear you about the weather. We are expecting a storm here in a few hours.
And I'm off to work this evening. Bringing my videocamera of course, hoping to get some good shots too.

I'll be in Oslo next weekend too. (From nov 16, to nov 20)
Maybe you, Per and I could meet if the time permits?

Would have been nice with a Norwegian uwol meeting in Oslo, Trond.
Maybe Friday evening would do?

Geir Inge, Trond,
good idea to meet next week. I'm in town myself next week, could be fun to talk!

Geir Inge, yes Akerselva is on my list, in fact I'm going to shoot something at the Mølla waterfalls tonight :-)

Edit: Friday will be fine for me, lets meet!

Geir and Per, I'm only visiting family, so I can meet up whenever you have time.
Geir, tried to send you a private message/email, but that didn't work.

Well, I've been out now for a little under a week trying to get great shots of my fantastic animal but the critters just haven't been out!!

Driving me nuts!

Oh well, not got long to start thinking of a backup idea :(

Pity really, cos I had a great one lined up.

Geir and Per, I'm only visiting family, so I can meet up whenever you have time.
Geir, tried to send you a private message/email, but that didn't work.

Got mail from PJ.
I'll manage to meet you on Friday around 8pm.

As for now, our first winterstorm arrived, so I have to reconsider my plans for uwol#6, changing of plans. But it's not the first time :)

Geir Inge

got some footy tonight, but i need a lot more.

tough theme, who thought up this hideous nightmare??

hey, at least i eat my own cooking! i'm right out there, cursing, swearing and freezing with you all...well, except for brian maybe, who is in a classification of "freezing" that no one else can quite touch....

Where I plan on shooting, they have to make snow, it certainly won't happen otherwise. With any luck at all, it will be in the 70's until well past dark. I do love living in Florida. I am still waiting since what I plan on shooting doesn't start until the 12th.

I did light the fire in the fireplace the other night just for ambience. I opened the doors and windows to cool it off down to 72 degrees and then lit the fire. Very nice, but it isn't something I do very often.

ha, forget norway and nunavut, we're moving our UWOL world tour 2009 to steven's place. 72 degrees sounds pretty nice after schlepping around in the freezing cold in the dark mountains.

steven, get ready for some houseguests.

Got mail from PJ.
I'll manage to meet you on Friday around 8pm.


That's great. I'm looking forward to it.

Meryem,

When you live 30 minutes from Disney World, you not only outfit the house with a guest room, but you set up a Murphy bed in the office as well.

Over the last couple of years we have seen relatives we had not seen in many years. So what's a few more?

All kidding aside, there are reasons that I moved to Florida. One was Disney, one is the weather.

Well so far I've been having an unusual problem for Southern California:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2254/1950420541_eef62e7321_o.jpg
Heavy fog up in the mountains! And an unusual problem with this board! I can't post pictures here? So I'm going to have to go with Plan B which Could be pretty boring but I've never ridden my bike at night anyway so it'll be a new challenge all around.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2159/1950421017_f7096804f8_o.jpg
Unfortunately some out of town relatives dropped in so I won't even be able to shoot till at least Monday night.