This was the first time I'd ever seen someone attempt special effects with DV, nicely done

As for the comments about the cutting on music, I think there is some truth that cutting on music too long will become predicatable, especially if you do it too long. Sometimes cutting to music is highly effective when it is motivated.

For example I think the criticisms are coming because the beginning, its just a bunch of establishing shots cut on music, its not particularly motivated. However I think also its the nature of your music, in that it stands outside the action. Like Kubrick's 2001, the music he used was transcendental, in that it wasn't written to underline the action, but exist outside of it(in the words of Roger Ebert), so he didnt cut to music.

So my suggestion is, to make a few cuts on music if you like, but not enough so that audiences catch on and it ends up being predictable and lose its surprise appeal.

Overall, I still thought it looked great

Thanks Young
I'm planning on changing most of the cuts in the first part. I'm just getting swamped with work (yay?) so I don't have time to get to it until the middle of July. Still, it will be done! :)

I really enjoyed watching this - especially thought the B&W compositions were great. The Moonlight (Sonata quasi una fantasia) fits well. The minor key really enhances the feeling of mystery. But listeners familiar with this piece expect it (especially this movement) to convey a sense of tranquility. It is marked to be played "most delicately" ("Si deve suonare tutto questo pezzo delicatissamamente e senza sordino.") while this performance seems quite ham fisted. That would not be noticed by people unfamiliar with the piece but is disturbing to those who are. Perhaps that is exactly your intention?

A.J.

Hey Dylan,

I get a "file not found" notice. I wanna see!

Since it's B&W, have you considered using some post filters that mimick black and white photography films? I've seen some that with a simple click will give you a Tri-X look, an Ilford look...whatever.

John: the first link is gone indeed, but the second link is still
working. It's halfway down the thread.

Very nice, Dylan...it looked like a black & white coffee table book come to life. Nice imagery. And forget my suggestion on filters (I hadn't seen it yet). Some of the whites are overblown, but I expect that's because I'm on a Mac.

I think that was by design, John! (the overblown whites)

Thanks for the comments on the music and photography!

John
Rob is correct, it is blown out on purpose (done in post).

AJ
As far as the music goes, I chose that one because I could get it cheap! :) Sorry, I wish I could say that variation was chosen on purpose. I don't really know enough about classical music, so your comments are very appreciated!

Well now...I knew you intended it to be somewhat overblown...but remember the gamma is different between PCs and Macs. On a PC, it looks perfect. On a Mac, it's a tad too overblown, in my opinion.

John
What's a Mac?

Heh heh heh...
Just kidding.

Seriously though, you watched it on both a Mac and PC and it seemed right on the PC but overblown on the Mac?
There is quite a bit more brightness/contrast work for me to do in it. There are a few shots that I'm going to tone back a bit, and some I want to bring up. Just too much other editing on my plate for now. Sigh.

Hi Dylan...

I have an eMac (has a CRT) and what I said still stands. It did looked a little washed out in some areas, but it suited the film.

A.J. hit it right on with the music. Dylan, I don't know how one goes about buying rights to music... is there any way to find another rendition of Moonlight Sonata? This version did sound harsh, not soft like I have heard in the past. It would suit the film better.

What's a Mac? Boy, I oughta....

Anyway... I'm not sure of the equivalent software for PC, but Cleaner compression software allows you to output Mac and PC versions (different gamma levels), and also gives you the web page code that'll sniff out which platform is being used by the visitor and fetch the appropriate film for them.

Cleaner is also available for the PC, but I've had some troubles
when testing that product once. The only other thing that comes
to mind for the PC is Canopus ProCoder. I'm not sure whether it
has this very specific feature (most PC software seems to be PC
oriented only).