Hi all, thank you in advance for your help.

I am off to film seals at donna nook bay lincolshire next Monday, I am taking my vx2100 and was wondering if any of you fine uwol posters could give me some advice.

Things like camera settings, filters to use (screw on only I don't have a matte box) I've got a rain cover just in case, obviously I'll take my tripod.

I think the seals will be on rocks by the sea coastline, what should I be looking out for, keep my eye on, things i could potentially fall down with (not off the rocks though!!) anything really to help me make a good video.

Thanks once again, I appreciate it.


Regards,

Russ

Hey, I'm not a UWOL poster (yet) but thought I'd give you the benefit of my limited experience anyway.

Without having a clue of the circumstances you're going to find yourself in "on the day" it's impossible to give any real tips apart from the bleeding obvious:-

Make sure you have the tripod/ head setup from hell at your fingertips. Given what I've seen the North Sea/ Irish Sea throw up in Nov/ Dec, if whatever you have can't stand a force 8 Gale, it's not worth having.

This will, beyond doubt, colour everything and anything you shoot, far beyond settings, pre - sets or anything else. Keep the camera still and all else will fall into place.

If you don't have a decent tripod/ head setup, well, it's going to look rubbish if the weather does it's usual thing up there.



CS

Hi Russ

Well I can say from experience Chris has hit the nail on the head as to the most important factor. You will be lucky to get much in the way of cover unless you take it with you.....which I advise if you can! I filmed Greys and Commons up in Norfolk over 2 weeks and the wind took about 70% of the footage.

Also you'll need that splash cover for your camera, sand and salt will be blowing around and will make mince meat of your kit unless its covered. I had to strip down my tripod and oil/rebuild after my filming too.

As far as the seals go. They are fantastic, if your close to the water edge they feel safe and will come right up to you. I had one young chap that started playing peek a boo with me from 10 feet away every time I looked around from the view finder. They really are a treat ! They won't do this on land though of course but in the water you can just see they feel safe.

Tides ! Get used to checking your tide tables, where I was filming you had to get there at low tide to get relatively close. This is of course when the seals will pull up onto shore and take it easy. It can be tricky to get low tides to coincide with good shooting conditions at the right time of day.

I'm sure you with really enjoy the experience, they are fantastic, be sure to post your results but beware of that wind or you'll come away with lots of bumpy footage.

Oh and check out some of my footage here >>> http://www.uwolchallenge.com/challenge3/MDT_UC3_thewildpoint.mov

Hi Russ,
I'v never been in "seal-land" but I might have som experience to share from my filming in hars winter conditions in Norway.

Second what Chris is telling.

Being on the shore with a camcorder force you to take a lot of precautions. First of all protect it from the salt which are in the air even if you can't feel it. A raincover is a must, not in case... Wrap your camcorder into the raincover before you hit the beach. Always attach a UV-filter in front of your lens or another filter (pola). Keep a dry cloth and/or a lens pen in a pocket on your jacket. Before every shoot, keep an eye of glass in front of your lens. Even if you can't view it in the viewfiner you will most often get tiny salt points on the glass, which you will discover at home when watching the footage afterwards (too late to a retake!). Wipe this off your lens before shooting.

In my taste a low viewpoint is essential for good footage of the seal. Try to get some from the seals eyepoint.

A good and sturdy tripod is also important, spred the leg as much as you can, this will help stabilize it from the wind.

Last but very important. Protect yourself from the wind and cold. A cold DP will in most cases don't do any good. Even if it not feel cold in the start, after some hours at the shore, you will be lucky that you wear a thick sweather, windproof jacket, thick gloves and a warm wool cap. You should also wear waterproof trousers or have something to put your knee on when shooting at low levels.

If you want to entice the seals into "acting" for you. Take a shed load of Mackerel. Go to you local fishing tackle shop, think you can get two for about £1.50. Just start chucking them in and the seals will spot it.

Also to combat (to a certain extent) any water reflections take a decent polarizer.

Dave - Generally reserve wardens won't be very chuffed if you do this because they don't want the seals to start thinking human=food. I struck up a good relationship with the wardens in Norfolk and heard thier frustrations directly. They were really helpful gave me loads of info and didn't mind me breaking a few distance rules because I was respectful. Russ if you can do the same it will be another big plus!

To be honest the best footage is when they are being natural and not looking at you anyway.

Hi all who have replied with most excellent advice. I hope my tripod is strong enough, it does open very wide and it is heavy, it's a Velbon D7000 - will that help, I hope it will. Now you mention it, my rain cover really isn't a 'just in case' with all that sand blowing about, i'll bag my camera at the car regardless. It's a good job I asked, because silly as it sounds I never even thought about myself, I'll dig my waterproofs out!

Another question though, my camera doesn't fit a poloriser filter when my lens hood is fitted. I want to use my polar but will I be ok without my lens hood? Also, what about sound? I have a Rode VideoMic with dead cat, will that be ok? If it's under my rain cover, which has mic sleeve too, will it distort sound too much? I want to capture as much of the seal "noises" that I can.

That film was great Mat, if my footage turns out like that then I'll be proud. I really can't wait to go, I'm sure I'll be fine but it's the first wildlife i've shot besides squirrels in the local woods, and I'd love to get it right.

Once again thanks. I do hope my comment here doesn't close the thread, I'd love more suggestions/advice/help if anymore can be given.

Great stuff,

Thank you all. I'll post my film next week. Roll on 26th!!

Russ

Hi Russ.

The Velbon DV7000 should be ok, but it all depends on the weather - a driving wind can make any tripod unstable. It sounds like you have a Kata rain cape for the VX2100 - I would try and keep the videomic outside the cape if that's possible - or record the sound separately with the mic - outside the cape and dub it on later - the combination of deadcat and rain cape will probably wreck the sound.

Just be prepared for all eventualities - that coastline always seems to be windy, but you never know you might have a calm sunny winters day.

If you're using the Kata rain cape - you will have to have the lens hood on or it won't fit at the front.

Whatever the weather - enjoy yourself - should be great, we get seals down here in Cornwall but they are very difficult to get close to as they normally choose coves with vertical cliffs.

Mat - I enjoyed your Blakeney Point film - some lovely shots in there.

Cheers
Pete

www.petermcmurdie.co.uk


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Thanks Peter, your advice is appreciated.

It's getting near time now, getting ready, I really can't wait!

Just an update on the tripod/ head comment I made the other day, Russ.

I took my new Vinten FibreTechs and Vision 3 head out to play at the notorious Shag Point Conservation Reserve, about 60 clicks North of Dunedin, yesterday.

Notorious? It rates as one of the windiest places in NZ most of the time, then it gets even worse. It is, however, an excellent place to get seal footage.

As per usual, it was blowing a howling Northerly (actual air temp was supposedly 18 C, it felt positively arctic!). As per usual, the camera, top mount shotgun, head and tripod (and I) took quite a hammering, and as usual, despite the FibreTechs being about the closest you can get to having the camera bolted to a block of concrete, the camera developed a wobble.

Wasn't the legs, wasn't the head, it was the stupid 1/4" machine screw on the mounting plate and surrounding rubber interface on the camera base warping under the pressure.

I had gone prepared! One "Trangia" strap, looped completely around the Canon XH A1's carrying handle, then both ends of the strap passed under the head block/ mounting plate assembly, then the tongue on one end of the strap passed through the locking jaws of the other end and a bloody good pull applied

Voila! End or "Rock and Roll". Footage looks like it was, indeed, shot from a block of concrete, despite 40 - 60 knot winds.

What's a "Trangia" strap, I hear the assembled holler in unison?

Well, if you go seriously camping, a company called Trangia makes cooking pan sets for campers - light weight, nested sets. Held together when not in use, by a "Trangia" strap. Similar material to a seat belt (tho' much narrower), won't stretch, shrink, rot or, once passed through the jaws of the alligator clamp fitted to one end, let go either.

Think they're possibly over engineered for their original purpose - believe it or not, many years ago when I was a "Cable Guy" I used just two of these amazing gizmo's to hold my Double 13' ladder onto the roof racks of the car - never let go even once despite some pretty hairy "emergency stops".

So, possibly a bit late for your major outing, but handy to know - when the going get tough, get a Trangia strap!


CS

Thought I'd just post a little message thanking you all for your advice, and to let you know how my day went.

Got there pretty early, as we got to the beach we were told that it was fence restricted today due to the RAF testing bomb dropping on the beach! Great! a protected seal colony living on a bombing range! So we only had one section of the beach to shoot on, and it was fenced.

So, I couldn't get as low as I wanted to so the closest seals were all high shots. However, there was some dune banks where they fought, played, shouted at each other, gave birth, and the seaguls picked at the dead.

The footage I got was pretty good, the sun was fairly bright, there was a slight wind blowing, but it was rather chilly. I managed to get about 2 hours of footage shot in my six hours there, so all in all a good day and a great experience. I'm really into nature filming now!

I'll post my film here shortly.

Russ

Hi Russ,

Sounds like you had a great day - 2 hours of footage, brilliant. A bit of drama as as well with the birth and seagulls. Shame about the limited access - but the seals do have to come first.

What a great experience - looks like you're hooked Russ!

All the best
Pete

www.petermcmurdie.co.uk

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The edit is coming along, but I'm finding that alot of my footage is essentially the same, I've got some quite nice sequences, not sure if my final film will exceed 5 mins or not, but as long as it stays interesting I don't think it matters.

By the way, where's a good source to get royalty free music suitable for wildlife films from?

Thanks!

Russ

By the way, where's a good source to get royalty free music suitable for wildlife films from?

Thanks!

Russ

Sonicfire Pro, Cinescore. www.magnatune.com

Thanks.
Back soon with more updates!
Russ

All,
Maybe a silly question, but looking at the site Chris suggested to me, which kind of license do I need to purchase the music under to use in general web-based not for profit wildlife film?

Do I use the Non-Commercial creative commons license? or something else. I didn't know there would be this much to it.

I don't want to end up getting into trouble, I've never added music to anything before, just sound effects.

Thanks,


Russ

If its non commercial and for your own use I really wouldn't worry about it to much. I find it surprising that it common practise in wedding video to use pretty much anything going and that is commercial in a sense. But If you are bothered then go for the non-commercial option and it should be fine!

Russ,
as Mat says I think you are fine with this.

Regarding using copyright music, I have experienced several times when I have been on photoexhibitions and without mentions any names, well known (still)photographers are using music of famous artists like Pink Floyd, Alan Parson Band, Vangelis etc... when they screened their photos to the audience.
This was open exhibitions where audience had to pay money for watching.

Confronting the photographers afterwards about if he was allowed to use the music I only got a crookedly smile and a shrug.

Just wonder what have happened if I have used his photos without asking or paying in one of my own films! Musicians need money for their work, so also the photgrapher. Lets not brake any rules by using others work in our own productions without paying for it.

One important thing I have found after going out over 50 times filming Chinese White Dolphins is to try and avoid filming the horizon. If you don't see the horizon, the viewer has no idea if the camera if off level or wonky.

Good luck

Bob

PS: a autofocus camera has an advantage as it is one less thing to worry about, while trying to avoid falling overboard in rough seas

Hi Russ.
You can also check out this web site for music/sound: http://www.freeplaymusic.com/
Read all about licensing and terms of use :)

All the best.
Geir Inge

Try and avoid filming the horizon. If you don't see the horizon, the viewer has no idea if the camera if off level or wonky.

He he he... Yeah, I did have this trouble in some shots, I spent what seemed like more time getting my tripod level than actually shooting exciting footage! Lets just say that some shots are being cut from the final.

With regards to music, Geir, I'll check that site out too. Matt, The only place this film will be seen is here and my personal website.

Thanks again,

Russ

Hi all,
I've finally finished the film. I'd love some comments from you all, I'm quite eagar to take advice for another wildlife outing - I'm well into it now :)

A few things though, after playing it back to myself about 5 times I'm now not too sure the music is the right choice. After searching what seemed to be all day for a piece that would 'fit' I finally chose this one, although I don't know where it was from or who it is by, without searching for it again by site and name, a mistake I shall not make again.

Maybe it's too long? Loads of footage turned out to be essentially the same, repeated shots, so I tried to get the most variety and action, which I think I did but maybe trim a few? The music is a tad repetative?

Also, it's my first film I've encoded in Quicktime h264, so feedback on quality would be good too, thanks.

Anyway, enjoy.

http://dutchfilms.russthedutch.net/movies/sealsfilm_small.mov (34mb)

I've loved making this.

Regards,

Russ

Nice video Russ.
Maybe a bit too long, but very nicely done.
You may short'n it a bit and maybe put in some more cutaways at some places. The music was fine and relaxing and I liked the way you put in some sounds from the seals :)
This could easily been a great doc if you mix in some narration, facts about the area and the seals, mixed with the music and the sound of seals.
I have to look at it again to give you more exact details about my opinion though. The quality was fine on my computer.
Again, I liked it very much :)

Geir Inge

I'd like to do a piece on seals real soon. Looks like you enjoyed yourself. I'm still real new to this (how long can you say you're still real new at something?).

I can't edit for beans but I hire a guy who works carpentry with me during the week, who does pretty well at editing in his spare time. He keeps repeating a lesson some pro told him to always keep in mind, "If YOU think something runs a little long, then everyone else will have already changed the channel.."

I try to keep that in mind while I fumble through clips.

On your compression settings, at that size and length I bet Compressor could get that to @ 12mb. But since you're already hosting it at 34mb and you're fine with that, I'd play with the settings and increase the size a bit. I bet you could go at least 480 and still be under 34mb. Slide your quality down to 50%, turn down your audio a bit and see what you come up with. A little on the quality slider goes a long way.

Nice work. Makes me wanna get my feet wet.

Russ, you got some very nice scenes there, liked your peace very well!
But as the others has mention maybe a bit too long and repeative.

Pros:
Your opening was nice, good that you show us the sign and make some establising shoots.
Close up of cubs very nice, also the details of muff clapping
Good that you show us that this is an area where people can take pictures behind the fence.

Cons:
Some unsteadyness and camerashaking (I know steady picture is hard to archieve!).
At 01:38 you got a "hard cut" and and unwanted zoom. There was some hard cuts other places too, but this was the sequence where it was most visible!
Some of the scenes was too long and repeative.
In the pan at 03:28 your horizon is out of level.

I'm not sure about the gull at 02:36, maybe I would have removed it! What was it feeding on btw?
Overall a good piece and you have a great talent for wildlifefilming Russ!

You have to join us for uwol-challenge in 2008 Russ!

Now that you mention it, the gull was a tad too much! It was eating afterbirth from the pup just born from the stained cow.

Oh yeah, that horizon in the pan isn't level! The hard cut I did notice but thought the shot complimented the scene well, just the shot quality was poor.

It was difficult to shoot still, although I did use my tripod 98% of the time, I did do some handheld particularly on closeups through the fence. It was rather windy and at full zoom maybe there was a slight shaking caused by the wind?

I really thought about putting some narrative on it, but I really don't have the voice for commentary and felt it would have spoilt it. There was loads of information on various websites I could have wrote a script.

Definately agree to you saying it's too long, there wasn't much I wanted to cut out of it, but I might do a re-cut based on your feedback and also see if I can get a better compression and file size - I'm not happy at the 34mb file size really, I'd like it smaller but I'm only really used to using media encoder presets and I still have a lot to learn about compression - this one I didn't use a preset and I was happy with the quality but not the filesize.

Anyway, thanks again, sorry if i've missed replying specifically to feedback so far, I've taken it all in and I think another re-cut is in the pipeline. Still no narrative though - I'm set on that one! my voice is rubbish!!!!

Ta

Russ

Hi Russ,

I was filming at Donna Nook on Monday and Tuesday morning - It doesn't look it, but it is a very difficult place to film, the seals are great and are very close, but that driving wind off the North Sea is always going to cause problems.

The film - I enjoyed the film very much, I don't think it would be too long if there was narration. Now Russ I know what you've said about your voice - I hate mine too - most people do. But, I had to bite the bullet and narrate my work - no-one else was going to do it. That said everyone else thinks it is ok and I'm sure you will find the same - give it a go and show just the people you know to get feedback. If Alan Titchmarsh can narrate wildlife programmes - so can you!

The gull and afterbirth scene wasn't too much at all, that was there in front of your eyes - it was real, and is nature in reality - My film will contain far worse - but will probably put a warning note on it.

Getting a push focus on a VX2100 was pure genius - I used to own one so I know how hard it is to achieve with a servo focus ring.

I liked the blooded bulls and the bull chase across the sand, and I especially liked the affection and intimacy between the cows and pups - they are just so cute!

The quality was fine on my PC - and didn't mind the download time.

Someone mentioned establishing shots - at Donna Nook there almost isn't any - it's virtually flat with sea in the distance - you will get away with one or maybe two.

Music - I liked the music, chilled, gentle and set the mood.

Overall Russ I think you did pretty good - correct me if I'm wrong but I think you said it was your first wildlife film (I know you've made other stuff - seen them on your website).

Keep at it and rethink the narration issue - go on give it a go. The most important thing for me is getting out there and enjoying our wildlife, sometimes I'm out all day and don't achieve what I set out to - but I always see something interesting and learn something new.

Well done you - and I'm sure you'll not forget Donna Nook. Lovely place and lovely creatures.

All the best
Pete

www.petermcmurdie.co.uk

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Hi again Russ.
I've watched your video again and I agreed with Per Johan in some of his comments. Some how I liked the gull and understood that it had to be from the baby seals birth. It would have been nice though to actually see the birth, but I guess it was bad timing :)
My father is a former seal hunter (yes I know he shouldn't be doing it, but it's over 50 years ago, now he's retired) and he shown me pictures from the ice at Greenland.
About narrating/voice I think you are in good company, we all think our voice sound a little bit weird when we hear it ourself, at least me.
Over all it's a great video, but need to be short'n a bit.
I hope you will join the UWOL in February 2008.
It's a great challenge and since I started in the first round in 2007 I've learned a lot from the other participants.
It's a great bunch of wildlife videoing people :)

All the best.

Geir Inge

Hi again, right sorry for the delay, I've actually had an accident with my camera, so it's currently in repairs. I was getting ready to film my new chinchillas and dropped it onto my kitchen floor which is solid stone...from a 5 feet height, now its seeing green and the mic has smashed and the lens is cracked...

Anyway, while that's in hospital I have done a recut of the seals film. I've done the hardest thing and been very brutal - cutting out a good minute of footage that when I kept looking at it was actually almost the same as a shot i'd already used but a different seal, so the repitition has been hacked away, a few cross dissolves have been put in place (i'm not a fan of transition's I think too many look "home movie")

But, because I no longer have a camera I've not done any narration. I'm happy with this one though, I'm glad I chopped the minute out. Also worked on the compression but still not mastered it playing as it's downloading so there's a fair delay while it loads before you can watch it, sorry.

Anyway, enough of my babble, thanks again for all your feedback, I think this is a smoother, more fluid cut all your help is appreciated.

I must say, Peter's comments truely inspired me, they were lovely thanks.

http://dutchfilms.russthedutch.net/movies/donnanook.mov

Regards,
Russ