Thanks Lorinda. I used a Sennheiser Evolution G2 wireless with a cardiod mic on it - I've always loved the way it sounds. For the audio when she's not on that I used an Audio Technica AT897 shotgun mic.

I shot everything on my XHA1.

Lorinda, thank you so much for your feedback.

You are spot on on your comments about 3rd's "rule" and noseroom. I know better and once I realized where my keylight was, where I had set up the noseroom and where *I* would be sitting.... I thought... oh shjt... what ELSE can I do wrong? Excellent points raised, and points to you for noticing. (In the FWIW category...I also believe that IF the subject is talking directly into the camera you can throw 3rd's rule out the window and centered is almost preferable.... but that had little application here)

As for the end piece of his interview when the camera "came" back to him at the finish... that was never shot with that intention at the time it was created, and had it been I fully agree with your comments. After about an hour of listening to him talk (and it was a fast hour because I was raptly listening and very interested - he is a remarkable young man) I wanted to give him the chance to pour his heart out. I told him that his wife and kids would not see this until after he was gone, and if there was something special he wanted to say to them, this might be a good time to do it...

I didn't expect his quick response to the offer. He started talking before I could get to the camera to zoom... so it ended up being a little (a lot)clumsy on my part....Chris B., in his edit hid JUST how clumsy it was to a great extent, and I thank him for that. The timing of the closeup was fortunately exquisite.... every time I watch it, I still choke up when he does. I was talking with his wife Katie today as Chris and I were working on our DVChallenge "Travel" entry and she said she too just "lost it" at that point in the film.

On a more general note...I think the feedback and critique on these films are VERY important for the filmmakers..... I mean what is a "poor man's film school" with a thoughtful critique of the "assignment" ? Thanks again Lorinda for providing more of that.

ps. Chris and Chris are throwing down the gauntlet with our "travel" entry. We have covered thousands and thousands of miles in making this. Beware. Exotic locations. Beautiful women. Killer stuff. (Can filmmakers engage in trash talking?)

Ha ha! Someone else from the DV Challenge will have to engage in the trash talk with you guys--mine is so far to the other end of the spectrum I can't compete. (As of today I haven't even ventured off my property.) Can't wait to see what you two have done now; it'll be hard to top "A Lucky Day." :)

Well today I finally managed to ge to see Ken's entry. With that I now have seen "ALL" the entries.... I am glad we had three I hope in the future there might be more.

So, I have said that feedback is important to me, and will assume it is to you two as well. Chris B. has weighed in, now it is my turn.

Philip: You have displayed a command of various (documentary) film making tools at a high level. Even the very intro title was very professional and very sweet. Kelsey is a delightful youngster..... and you captured that well. Your film was well shot and edited. The hand-held issues that Chris B. mentioned I saw but thought worked well in the free form of her life. (Chris and I don't always agree on things but respect one another enough when we don't agree to shoot things both ways when we work together - so disagreement amongst film-makers is to be expected I suppose. I might add more often than not I like his finished result in a take better than mine or than I thought I might anyway.). Chris B's comment about the wider audience appeal in conjunction with your film is something I am in agreement with. This film shows your range of talents....I would be interested in seeing it extended to something less personal and of of wider appeal. I will anxiously await.

Ken: There is something about parody or spoof that takes things to a higher level of mentation. I enjoyed what you did in this entry very much. My link to Youtube was not the best quality unfortunately - but I enjoyed the content, though what I had to watch did not do the picture quality any justice. Your choice musical accompaniment was perfect. The "self indulgent over confidence" that so typifies some of these kinds of programs was perfectly executed. The man on the street interviews were fun....

I think a program element that was spot on and so well done was the 911 call. May I ask your technique? I'd like to have THAT in my arsenal of tricks if you want to share.

In the end analysis, yours was a tad rougher around edit points than Philips. As Chris B said though, overall yours will appeal to a broader audience. I look forward to seeing more of your wit, and work.

This has been a fun first foray into documentary film-making. I hope it will mature and endure on here.