Here's my contribution for this first round of 2008

Title - the Eagle has Landed
When Meryem announced the theme - Adventure, I decided to make a film about one of our most beautiful birds of pray we got in our country, the Golden Eagle.

Luckily this bird has stabilized in numbers after it was preserved in 1968. Today there are approx. 1200 nesting pairs in Norway. It's the second largest bird of pray, just a little bit smaller than the White Tailed Eagle. It's widespread in our country, but rarely found in the eastern part of Norway.

To make this film, I had to do it in two different parts. The eagle is very shy and difficult to get in reach. Therefore I was shooting it from a hide/blind specially made for this purpose. Even then you have no guaranty that you get what you came for!
I can tell you that I had some very long hours with waiting and waiting in the hide, before it arrived for the first time. The hides is not any comfortable place to be for hours and hours. There is almost no room to stretch out your legs and body, and you have to spend the day from dawn to dusk in this place! Forget about any lavatory, a bucket is your friend!
The smallest noise or movement with your tip of the lens, which is the only thing visible outside the hide and the eagle is gone long before you hit the record button, at least for that day!
3 days, approx 24 hours of waiting and around 40 minutes of footage of the Golden Eagle, was my catch on this trip!
The second part is shot in my neighbourhood. My friend Guttorm was kind to be the actor in this film (he's in fact a very reputable wildlifephotographer). We was shooting some establishing shoot in my living room, to build up the story.
The rest of the outdoors scenes was shoot in a area which is the most look like place to the Golden Eagle area filmed previous. There was some nervousness if we could get the same light as previous but I think we was a bit lucky on this subject!

Ok, here is a link to my film - the Eagle has Landed:
http://www.video-film.no/snutter/uwol7.html

Enjoy!

Per Johan,
Wow, you did it again. Actually, although you didn't have the drama of the bad weather, I think this has been your best yet. Exposing a dark subject with a snow background and getting both right is a real challenge.
Also, some of the shots look dollied. Did you actually take a dolly up there?
One minor story point. You have a picture of the eagle and the fox on the wall behind Guttorm before the story shows that the footage was actually taken. Thanks for doing this stuff time after time. It's an inspiration for all of us.

Per,
Went to your website to check out the film. Had to go through a couple times because there wasn't any controls so it stuttered the first couple of times.

Anyway, another top notch film my friend!

Crisp audio, beautiful shots with a story to tie it all up.

I noticed the eagle and the fox shot on the back wall just because of the stills you posted but I think the average joe wouldn't really connect it.

The jib work was awesome. I especially love the shot coming down and panning as Guttorm went snowshoeing past. Certainly a one shot deal as it would have been ruined by the snowshoe prints from a previous pass. Glad it worked out as I know traveling around with jibs can be allot of work.

My only negative if you could call it that is the SFX of the eagles flashing in Guttorm's eyes. While I understand why you put it in there, your work is so good and so solid that I think it detracts more than it helps. You have a beautiful story going on. Don't take the viewer out of it by using a special effect. They always say the best special effects are the ones you don't notice. I'd take it out and see what you have. I think Guttorm looking through the bird book with a cutaway to his eyes is all you need.

What can you say about the eagle footage but incredible. The fact that you created a story around it and not just "my adventure getting eagle footage" took it to another level.

Everyone expects incredible work from you Per and once again you didn't let us down.

I think you've off to a great start in 2008!!!

i really like the way that you show that shooting wildlife with big lenses is a big adventure in itself...doing what other adventurers do, heading into the backcountry on snowshoes, only carrying a big tripod and about a million pounds of gear....

it's great to see how your storytelling skills are starting to emerge. you've always been a great shooter, but now you're showing the complete package.

I am awestruck by what you put together on this one. Your friend Guttorm did a super job of portraying yours and his dedication and passion for what you do.

The shots of him getting ready and hiking up there told a lot of the story and drew me into some of the feel of adventure. The jib/crane movement added much to the feeling of climbing and experiencing open outdoor space.

The alternating of closeups between the eagle and Guttorm was masterfully done with just right editing pace. I perceived a great sense of drama in the way you did this.

A tremendous piece of work!

Per Johan! As always... awesome job... just awesome.
Nice exposure, good colours and a nice story.
I didn’t like the special FX with the eyes, I think that you could have done that in a better, more traditional way, like Kevin mention. It didn’t look enough “Per Johanish” in quality.

Nice job!
Keep up the good work, I hope that you first year as full time Wildlife filmmaker goes well, and with this photos I don’t doubt it.

..Per Johan! And I was quite surprised to see Kai in his acting debut (?) :o)

I´m looking forward to the BioFoto meeting were you´ll show some of your stuff! And if you´d like some company when you´re out shooting, let me know :o)

I also hear some rumours that Guttorm got some great Kingfisher shots in october, you should encourage him to post it.

Espen

Exposing a dark subject with a snow background and getting both right is a real challenge.
Also, some of the shots look dollied. Did you actually take a dolly up there?
Thanks, for all nice comments Steve! It has taken me some hours of shooting to get exposure nice in snow conditions, it's very hard to get it right. Fortunately we have some month to practise where I live ;-)


One minor story point. You have a picture of the eagle and the fox on the wall behind Guttorm before the story shows that the footage was actually taken.
Rule #11 my friend, most of all have fun!

Per,
Went to your website to check out the film. Had to go through a couple times because there wasn't any controls so it stuttered the first couple of times.
Kevin, I'll try to upload another version of the flash video with controls, hold on a second...


Anyway, another top notch film my friend!
Crisp audio, beautiful shots with a story to tie it all up.
Thanks Kevin!


I noticed the eagle and the fox shot on the back wall just because of the stills you posted but I think the average joe wouldn't really connect it. Rule #11, first of all have fun!


The jib work was awesome. I especially love the shot coming down and panning as Guttorm went snowshoeing past. Certainly a one shot deal as it would have been ruined by the snowshoe prints from a previous pass. Glad it worked out as I know traveling around with jibs can be allot of work.
Yes, that was almost a masterpiece in timing. In this shoot I used the 6x wideangle lens for the H1. I did realize that I had to time the move of the jib perfectly because of the snowshoe prints could not allow any retake. There is a big difference in how far away objects are with the wideangle lens compared to the 20x. I could not do any practise shot, so I was quite nervous for when I had to start the move of the jib when Guttorm was approaching!


My only negative if you could call it that is the SFX of the eagles flashing in Guttorm's eyes. While I understand why you put it in there, your work is so good and so solid that I think it detracts more than it helps. You have a beautiful story going on. Don't take the viewer out of it by using a special effect. They always say the best special effects are the ones you don't notice. I'd take it out and see what you have. I think Guttorm looking through the bird book with a cutaway to his eyes is all you need.
In afterhand I agree with all of you, who don't like this effect. But it was so tempted when I was editing my piece that I couldn't resist!


What can you say about the eagle footage but incredible. The fact that you created a story around it and not just "my adventure getting eagle footage" took it to another level.
I'm very satisfied with the footage I got from the Golden Eagle. It's so stunning to view it on a 40" HD TV. Footage is so razor sharp of every details in the plumage and the eyes.... ...it's almost a crime to destroy this sharpness for this web delivery!

it's great to see how your storytelling skills are starting to emerge. you've always been a great shooter, but now you're showing the complete package. Thanks Meryem, appreciate your fine words!

The alternating of closeups between the eagle and Guttorm was masterfully done with just right editing pace. I perceived a great sense of drama in the way you did this.

A tremendous piece of work!
Thanks Bruce, yes it was my goal to try to show how I felt it in the hide in the first place!


I didn’t like the special FX with the eyes, I think that you could have done that in a better, more traditional way, like Kevin mention. It didn’t look enough “Per Johanish” in quality.

Thanks Markus, read my answer to Kevin about the FX!

..Per Johan! And I was quite surprised to see Kai in his acting debut (?) :o)
He, he, I'm not sure about if this is his acting debute...! Anyway he did it "on the run..."


I´m looking forward to the BioFoto meeting were you´ll show some of your stuff! And if you´d like some company when you´re out shooting, let me know :o) We gonna screen some of our work 22. October 2008 at the BioFoto meeting. Don't decide what we gonna show yet, but something spectacular I guess!!! ;-)
Of course you are welcome to come along with me. Nice to meet new fellows, shoot me an email, so we could speak in our own language! [/QUOTE]


I also hear some rumours that Guttorm got some great Kingfisher shots in october, you should encourage him to post it.

Espen
Yes, Guttorm got som awesome shoots of the Kingfisher last autumn. Unfortunately he's not the guy who put them up for any audience. I've told him to but.... ...maybe he will show them at the BioFoto meeting!?

Thank you Per:

Stunning filming, a masterpiece as usual. Narration (in a second language!) wonderful.

It makes me appreciate how fortunate we are. Right up (immediately!) behind our house to the east is a ridge called eagle ridge. We often see golden eagles circling right above our heads over the ridge and once in awhile they land close to our house on telephone poles. Along with the eagles we have Red-tailed hawks and Kestrels. Once in awhile we will have the great honor of a Goshawk, Northern Harrier, Cooper's and Sharp-shinned. We simply enjoy their company... you however, capture their magnificence on film with great skill for all to see and marvel at these beautiful birds.

Thank you Per,

Where would we be without you and your contributions?

Sincerely,

Cat

Now that's a raptor! When you watch an eagle you can see it's pure of purpose and almost reptilian in a way, truly a magnificent animal. Nice work with the story, I followed it well and it was interesting to boot. The wait was definitely worth it.

Hi Per Johan,

As always you deliver stunning footage. I especially liked the close ups of the eagle.
And as others already have commented, your storytelling is improving. This is very good to see!

ps, if you are able to, it would have been good to have some playback controls available for your film on your website.

Cat, Adrinn - thanks for your kind words!
Trond - thanks to you too, I've provided a new file, QT this time with controls at my webside. Could you please check that you got the controls, if not try to refresh the page!

Trond - thanks to you too, I've provided a new file, QT this time with controls at my webside. Could you please check that you got the controls, if not try to refresh the page!
Per Johan, the playback controls works perfectly well.

Hi Per Johan


You have done it again.A powwer full film from ower nature.
Fantastic clip you make her.


Greait-Jobb


VJV.


__________________

Per,

I truly enjoyed the whole story. Must agree with kevin about the eyes. Still, it was a pretty cool effect!!! Nicely edited!!

the golden is a beautiful adult Golden. I am impressed with how light he is. Most of our adult goldens get quite black in comparison.

another great Job, as always.

I just wated more of the eagle!!! left me hungry.

Per:

Sorry if this may repeat what others said in this thread, didn't have time to read it all. I liked the way you centered the story on the adventure of getting to hide, and then show the waiting for the right moment-- and then showed the results of all the hard work and the investment of time. Taught me a lesson that I need to learn.

Hey Per

Well you know in my critiques of your work previously I've talked about your story telling and editing, well you stepped it up a gear and to great effect. Your images are all top notch but from you, what else! But to see you craft a nice, on topic adventure story about a true king of birds and nail it will footage that would look at home in a big BBC production...very well done fella!

I wouldn't have bothered with the eyes FX either, it just didn't need it but good on you for a bit of experimentation ! The only thing I would have liked extra was some flight shots to add some diversity to the piece or even a couple of wider angle shots on the prey. Was this baited by you and not a kill by the bird?

I am in awe of you spending time with this bird, I would love to see one myself....but for now seeing it through your eyes is good second :-)!

Top row fella!

This is really some great footage. The way you shot your friend and cut it with the eagle gave a good sense of your own adventure in capturing the footage. Your film really teaches the patience necessary for wildlife video!

Maybe the special effects were a bit off with the eyes, as others have mentioned, but personally I like the fact you are experimenting. I think this contest is a good forum for pushing the envelope, to figure out what works or not, and it's good to try something new with each film.

Do you have any details on how you got such great footage with the fox? That seems like a really wonderful oppotunity to see an eagle feeding on its prey in the wild at such close range - an incredible glimpse into the life of this amazing bird.

Ruth

You have done it again.A powwer full film from ower nature.
Fantastic clip you make her.
Thanks Vidar, appreciate your nice words!

the golden is a beautiful adult Golden. I am impressed with how light he is. Most of our adult goldens get quite black in comparison.
Thanks Dale, interesting to hear about the color difference. In our country I think this is the common color of the Golden.

Taught me a lesson that I need to learn.
Thanks Chris, yes wild species is not the easiest targets to get good footage of. Even in a special made hide, there are many days with no activity.

...on topic adventure story about a true king of birds and nail it will footage that would look at home in a big BBC production...very well done fella!
Thanks Mat, think we scaring the big boys with the really big equipment with this one. It's possible to get stunning and really good quality pictures with semi-pro equipment too!


The only thing I would have liked extra was some flight shots to add some diversity to the piece or even a couple of wider angle shots on the prey. Was this baited by you and not a kill by the bird?
flight shots is not possible to get in hides like this. The view sector out of the small hides is too narrow to accomplish. I tried to get some wide angle shoots too, but the bird didn't listen to my prayers! In this particular setting they was baited with the Red Fox.

Do you have any details on how you got such great footage with the fox? That seems like a really wonderful oppotunity to see an eagle feeding on its prey in the wild at such close range - an incredible glimpse into the life of this amazing bird.
Ruth thanks for you kind words! My camcorder is a Canon XLH1 HDV. On this model you can interchangeable lenses. In fact you can use any model of ef-lenses with Canon or Nikon mount. The big advantage using those lenses is that you got a magnifying factor of 7.2 x. So a 300mm will be a huge 2160mm on the H1!
At this specific hide I couldn't use a 300mm because I got too high focal lenght, it was almost impossible to frame and focus the bird with only it's head in the viewfinder! Actual distance to the bird was approx. 15-16 meter at the nearest. Therefore I mainly used a 70-200mm which was suitable to get good close-up and some distance shoot, but not any wide angle shoots because of the large focal lenght this kind of lense gives on the H1. There is of course a high learning curve using this kind of lenses. You don't have any auto focus and you have to constantly maintain manual focus due to a very narrow DOF.

Per:

You may have talked about it earlier, but what tripod are you using for your setups ? Looks pretty solid...

...but what tripod are you using for your setups ? Looks pretty solid...
Well, I'm using a huge Miller Arrow HD tripod system, 100mm bowl, rock steady even in wind conditions.

Here's a link to my current setup:
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showpost.php?p=782604&postcount=18

What can I really say? Per you are the master at this, the presentation, the flow, the consideration of each shot was excellent. With all these amazing films coming out of Norway, I really can't wait to visit ;-)

Hi Per Johan.
Nicely done, this film.
A little bit different then your other films, as you are moving on to the use of an "actor". This braught back memories to me of some of Sverre M. Fjelstad's (pioneer amongst norwegian wildlife film makers) TV programs.
Your scenes of the Golden Eagle, I reccon is at Flatanger same place as the raven film, is great. I admire you for experimentation in the editing prosess, and if your on to try out new things/methods, you've come to the right place. No one here will "shoot" you for putting that eagle into your actors eyes. Just tell you to leave it out next time :) That's what friends are for, eh?

Thank you for sharing and have a nice touring at Dovre.

Geir Inge

Hi Per,

As you know, my son and I were really looking forward to seeing this entry, and what a wonderful entry it is.

I sort of feel for you a bit at times as we all consider you the master of filming nature and have such high expectations. How you manage to pull such wonderful footage out the hat each time is a reflection of your talents and also the effort you put into UWOL. This was clearly evident in this film (and all your other UWOL entries).

I also disliked the special effects with the eyes, but enough has been said of that. I think the main thing is that you actually captured such wonderful footage of such a wild and timid bird of prey. Three days to get 40 minutes! This just reinforced what goes into getting these shots.

Setting the scene and story through your friend worked very well although I would have liked to have seen more footage of the Golden Eagle - just because I could watch birds of prey for hours on end.

Well done Per, my son and I thought it was a wonderful piece.

Hi Per,

A beautiful film and kudos to you for your patience in getting those lovely eagle shots. The narrative was good and I liked the jib shot you put in there. I do agree with other comments about the special FX with the eyes, a little out of place, but otherwise great footage and a splendid film.

Mihali

I would only be repeating what everyone else has to say...Your work and work ethic is still among the top 3 here.I always want the action to start within a few minutes of filming....you however can spend days in a Hide just to capture that one shot...Big respect here

Rob: thanks, hope to see you in April at Hardangervidda!

Geir Inge: the thought about Sverre M Fjeldstad touch lightly our minds when we was shooting this, albeit he was using some older equipment though!

David, Mihali and John: thanks so much for your kind words!

Per

Once again you have outdone yourself - what a truly stunning movie - both technically and aesthetically. This is your best contribution so far.

No wonder you love Norway and that weather! I have been looking forward to these adventures filmed in the snow with great anticipation - all I can say is that was wonderful. The landscape scenes are fairy tale stuff. The Golden Eagle is magnificent. You have captured it flawlessly. What an exciting adventure you must have experienced to film it . . and eating a fox to boot!

Your friend did a good job of acting and your good close-ups of him at the hide almost reflects the tight squeeze I imagine you must have endured for hours on end up there. How on earth did you avoid freezing up there??!

Not so sure about a couple of things - besides the eagles in the eyes - I felt the music at the end was a bit loud and dramatic after hearing such beautiful, calm natural sounds. It made me feel like the adventure was about to begin, not end. Perhaps a bit lower in volume? I liked the choice of music.

I too was puzzled to see the picture of the eagle eating a fox on the wall of the sitting room - before it was filmed in your story. Same picture was on your book cover. I understand now that you were having some fun - okay - we’re allowed to do that - rule no? 11? Nice work Per.

Per, OK, you beat me again. This was one of your best! Great narration and the video really followed the story. The story was about the videographer and his adventure videoing the eagles. The shots of the eagles were magnificent. A true adventure and a great job. Bob

Per, I knew I was in trouble the moment you put up that frame grab weeks ago. That's when I went after that Vulture. Just not pretty enough, so I bowed out. Nice story line. It's generous of you to take us along like you do. Takes extra thought, time, and planning. Nice work, beautiful footage, entertaining film.

Next time brother. Next time...

really enjoyed this film, the eye bit, as with others, was not to my taste but it didnt detract from an immense film with great wildlife and an exceedingly pro jib shot!

Per Johan
This is a bit of a change from your usual videos. Some excellent camera work as usual. As mentioned the effect with the eyes is the only thing I would leave out. Well done.

Gordon

Hi Per,
Well, i must admit i had already seen that your film had won before i had watched it, so there was no surprise with the quality of film i saw. Here was i thinking i might one day be able to achieve what you do in your films, but then you go and keep upping the ante! Looks like i'm going to have to work even harder.
Congratulations on a beautiful film.

Bryce