I'm impressed by the cast. Not only is it sizable, but it has Bob Crane's son in one of the roles. One day, I will have to get the DVD...

Music Video On The XL1s For MTV2 & MUN2
 

We just finished a music video for ROCKELL a very well known dance artist.
MTV2 & MUN2 Television is already interested in picking it up. We are looking for opinions from fellow digital filmmakers.
Gotowww.detourrecords.com (Video Page)
And let us know what you think. The are also pictures from the making of the video.

THANKS

I still really like Yohanny :)~
With that said, I thought it wasn't bad. There were places where it went out of focus. I don't know if it was by design, but I didn't care for that. I'm also pretty sure that the sync problem was from the connection. The only other thing I didn't like much, was that it kept flashing between scenes too much. Overall, it was well composed, and shot.

The out of focus was done on purpose I kinda like that. The sync problem is the connection, it happens to me to and I uploaded it :o)
Real Player & Windows Media looks fine though.

THANKS For your input...

Frame Mode or 60i?
 

Hello all. I have the opportunity (and I'm taking it!) on making a documentary on the construction of a sculpture for the Flight Centennial held at Kitty Hawk. I've asked this question in another topic, but it hasn't been answered, so I thought I'd try here!

I have lights, sound, etc. and I'm shooting with a GL1 and GL2. Should I use 60i or frame mode? I like the look of frame mode, and I don't think I'll transfer to film, but are there any arguments/opinions either way?

Thanks.

Would Anyone Like to Look at My Video?
 

I'm an avid, but strictly amateur, travel videographer. I started making videos of our travels just for my wife, myself, and immediate friends and family, but they have gotten more and more elaborate as time has gone by. Lately, I've been toying with the idea of trying to sell them on the internet, not as travel documentaries per se, but as "samplers" for people who are considering specific destinations and want to get a sense of what it would be like to visit, what they would see and hear, etc.

I've almost finished the "commercial" edit of my video of India (Rajasthan, including Delhi and Agra) -- 11 hours of raw footage that I've edited down to a little over 90 minutes (the "friends and family" version was just under 3 hours -- ouch!). One of the things I'm trying to decide is whether I really need a narration, or whether the video can stand on it's own without one, given my stated goal of trying to convey a "feel" of what it's like to visit, rather than specific information about the destination. Though, in its current state, there's no narration, I've used titling to identify locations and sights, and there's a good amount of music (performed by itinerant musicians and recorded on-site).

I was hoping that, if I burned a few DVDs, some of the good people in this forum might be willing to take a look at the video and give me some feedback, both about the narration issue, and just generally.

The video was shot with a VX2000, mostly using an Optex .65x wide angle adapter. Ambient sound and music were recorded with a Sharp MT-15 minidisc recorder. The video is edited in Premiere 6.5 (with a ProOne), augmented with CoolEdit 3D and SteadyHand. Compositing was done in Premiere, though in the future I'll probably use Commotion Pro -- it's faster and easier. The video may be good, or it may be pure trash -- at this point, I'm far too close to it to evaluate what I've done objectively.

So . . . anyone have 90 minutes to kill who'd like to see some video about India?

Paul,

I'd like to see what you've come up with...if you don't mind sending overseas. I'll send you an e-mail with my address.

Paul- I would enjoy watching your movie... as long as I don't have to download it all in one shot :) Maybe you could cut it down a bit more?

Paul, me too. I'll be glad to watch your video and give you feedaback.

Let me know and I'll email you my mailing address.

Definitely count me in. Will send you my mailing address. Also, if you'll cut a short trailer for it, I'd be happy to host it online.

I'd be very happy to view it. I'm starting to develop an interest in travel video myself.

There are a lof of opinions either way, but generally it boils down
to what you like best. If you it is going to be aired on TV most
people prefer interlaced. Some like the softer look of frame mode.
As said: preferences. I personally like frame mode because of
the look and the more easily I can do frame grabs and image
manipulation without worying about interlacing stuff.

If you want to do slow motion effects most people agree that
interlaced with a high shutter speed is the way to go....

I assume you are using an NTSC camera.

If you are going to transfer to film, or want the option, the production houses that I have spoken to have advised me to shoot at 60i. Leave the footage interlaced, edit, when delivered to the production house.

If you are going to television or small scale then shoot in what you prefer.

Hope this helps.

Thanks guys. I met with the artist today and shot some test footage in his studio of "Orville" and "Wilbur" in clay - and I shot in frame mode.

His studio is in back of his house (a large metal building) with neon lights, skylights (let's in a lot of natural light) and he has very warm (looking) spotlights mounted on the ceiling that give a WONDERFUL look to the pieces. By using a gold bounce disk, some of the pieces looked great.

I'll post some grabs on my site and provide a link soon. Thanks for the info.

Sounds great Mark! Please do post some images, always nice
to see those.

Rob (or anyone) - I have to shoot some welding this weekend. What type of filter should I use with a GL1 (and GL2)? The artist also has a huge "red screen" that I'm going to get some footage through - just to see how it looks!

But I just need to know which filter (or combo of filters) will best protect the cam. Is any length of time "too long" in terms of camera safety? If I shoot 1/60, by adding filters, do I open it up/take the speed down more?

My inexperience showing! Thanks.

I have no experience with such welding activity but I suggest
you stack as much ND's on there as possible. Also protect your
eyes (more important!).

If you are referring to the color "red": red is one of the most
difficult things to reproduce in a camera and most camera's don't
do it well therefor. Try before you are really gonna shoot with
red! I'm avoiding it with my XL1s.

Thanks for the reply, Rob. I'll do just that!

As for the red - it's a huge red, transparent "shield" that hangs from the ceiling of his studio. It may (or may not) make a good effect, but I'll try it none-the-less!

Thanks again.

Check this out!
 

Secret of the Hanged man part 3 is the feature of the week!

Impressions

My XL1 worked perfectly at -20 Celcius. I however did not!

Good work
 

Overall: good.

Positives:
- I liked the desaturated look. Fit the starkness of the piece.
- direction was good. You mixed up the 'stalker' footage enough to make the length not seem so long. Your 'steadi footage' was fine. The editing and shot choices were good except where I note below. I'm impressed by the woodfootage.
- I liked the POV shot staring at the guy in the clearing and then it broke off to go deep into the forest. It's the shot right before the guy is led back to his own box.
- I like the FX parts. They were minimal but effective.
- good music

Negatives (or stuff I didn't quite appreciate):
- I think it was slightly too long for the payoff.
- you should have had a closer shot for the noose inside the box.
- more shots of the face of the masked dude. Just two or three close shots on the face to personalize the guy would have made more of a connection to the viewer.
- I'm not sure about the context but you had the gas mask to give the impression of a post-apocalyptic environment? I think the gas mask is a bit of a cliche unless you spend more time on making the mask different. Having the guy take it off for a moment with a closeup shop would also help connect him with the audience.
- didn't like the guy's 'realization' performance at the end. To tell you the truth, I don't get the payoff. I guess that would help me appreciate the length more too.
- the footprints weren't really needed. I know he had to follow something but the big black round footprints looked silly.
- that pan where the guy realizes he's been led back to his box is jerky. You probably could have used a better shot there.

Thanks for the feedback Kieth.

As I mentioned before, it was part 3.

Part 1 was the feature of the week a couple months back.
If you have time, give it a view. It will explain everything you need to know about the hanged man.

http://zed.cbc.ca/displayContent.doi...LTER_KEY=19878

I agree with you on the footprints, but the director insisted on using them.

-Nori

OOPS!

Looks like Zed removed the previous link... I guess you will never know the secret of the hanged man.

The prolugue is still there though.

The Secret of the Hanged Man

-Nori

I liked the camerawork, the editing, and the music. It went on too long though. Somewhere around the middle I lost interest and started watching Jenny Jones, but I came back for the finish. Agreeing with Keith, it was too long for the payoff, but I also haven't seen the other episodes.

PS. How does someone hang himself inside that little box???

<<PS. How does someone hang himself inside that little box???>>
They watch Jenny Jones and force themselves to choke...

<<<-- Originally posted by Nori Wentworth : OOPS!

The prolugue is still there though.

http://zed.cbc.ca/displayContent.do?...LTER_KEY=19878 -->>>

I liked the first one for the combination of styles and video effects. I think it is extremely effective use, technically, of DV and the various ways you can affect video. Well done technically. It reminds me of Hideo Nakata (Ringu). I think, creatively and thematically, all the elements could be overdone, though. You have to tread a fine line between oversaturation of all the 'crazy stuff'. Less would be more.

If you don't mind feedback from a novice, then my favorite aspect of the short was the sound. The sound was great, went well with the movie, and I think it was very effective. You must have spent a lot of time concentrating on that. It seemed that a few edits could have been shortened by a few frames, I noticed this when the stalking camera would approach the bulkhead or actor. I don't really have an opinion on anything else, so I'll finish by saying I admire the work, and would be extremely happy if I ever could make something of such quality!

28 Days Later...
 

According to someone on the Fox Searchlight forum, Danny Boyle's new film 28 Days Later was shot on a Canon XL1s. Has anyone heard/read anything confirming this? I haven't seen the movie yet, but the trailer is online and the photography looks amazing (even more so if it was actually shot on MiniDV).

It's old news on this forum Andreas. There is a post dedicated to this very topic. Type in 28 days in the search window and it will show up.

It's true, it's true!

Great movie, saw it a few months ago. Check out the old thread.

paintball video
 

Here's a trailer for one of the paintball videos I've done recently.
http://www.badlandspaintball.com/hom...p2k3movie.html
I know the quality of the clip sucks, sorry in advance.

Re: paintball video
 

<<<-- Originally posted by Dylan Couper : Here's a trailer for one of the paintball videos I've done recently.
http://www.badlandspaintball.com/hom...p2k3movie.html
I know the quality of the clip sucks, sorry in advance. -->>>

Great job Dylan! So how many welts did you get while shooting?

Looks like you shot in 16:9. Did you use electronic or anamorphic?

Great luck catching that head shot.

shocked is a rather subpar short. Exposure i think looks homevideo-ish, i almost dozzed off watching it. Sorry, but I'm telling the truth.

Switch, my short film, and its music video
 

Hey, just thought I'd share my crowning achievment in high school with you guys. "Switch" is a short film based off of Guy Ritchie's "Snatch", and could be loosely described as that movie in a high school setting. We filmed it in about six weeks using Canon Opturas and XL1s, and used FCP on our school's G3 systems to edit.

Switch Website - Movie is in DivX.

A few months ago, I put together my own PC NLE system, mainly consisting of an Athlon 2000+ and a Matrox RTX100. Having nothing to do because community college classes aren't particularly captivating, I decided to test out my new system by making a music video using Switch footage. I set it to Jimmy Eat World's song "Get It Faster", since it's one of my favorite songs with hard chords you can set cuts to.

Get It Faster Website - Also in DivX.

Just wanted to share with you guys what high school kids are still capable of. Love the community, and the talent I've seen just browsing for the past few hours is incredible.

Nathan, 16:9 was done in post, I framed with that in mind when I shot it.

Paul, I can't remember off hand, it was a few months ago. I got shot in the family jewels from 30ft while shooting a tournament last year. It dropped me to the ground, but I kept the camera out of the mud.

Dylan,

How have sales been? (You don't have to give specifics if you don't want to...just wondering if something like this brings in a reasonable profit for the effort)

Cool stuff

that must have been a blast to make.
I really liked the Split screen scene.
The audio needed to be a bit louder, the conversation in the begining was hard to hear.

The video was nice too, but i would have tried to mix up the footage in the video, but thats just me.

Ok, go do Fight Club now

Re: Switch, my short film, and its music video
 

wow, that was excellent! I watched it this morning at an internet cafe and these people sitting beside me started watching it too... that was a lot of fun to watch! I wish I was part of that team! you have *got* to post more stuff up :)

John, this video was for a local tournament, about 30 teams. So far the store that hosted the tourney has sold somewhere between 30 and 50 copies. Glad you brought it up, I think they probably owe me some money!
I only make $15cdn per tape as a wholesale price, and have about $3 in duplication costs per tape. I spent a 10 hour day shooting, and 12 hours or so editing it, so when you add it up, it's not really worth the money. The larger annual local tournament I did last year sold alot more copies, so was almost worth it.
However, to help make it worth my while, the paintball store that hosts the tourney takes care of most of my paintball gear and paint costs, and gives me wholesale prices on guns, which usualy saves me a couple grand a year that I'd otherwise spend (being addicted to paintball is almost as expensive as video production).

Behind the aliminium siding, all of suburbia's a freakshow... that's the true horror of it. Just check out a Todd Solondz film if you don't believe me

On the trailer:

I only saw the first one, Relentless, because I'm on dialup right now, so I can't comment on the second one. I would have to partially agree with John's critique though - the suburban bits don't look very real and neither does the 'scary' bits... but it all comes off as being suspensful, which is what any horror/thriller film aims for.

I think it's kind of weird how you go from suspense to 'scary' scene (for lack of a better name) and then back to a 'normal' scene, as opposed to just making it one big suspensul road to a climax that never lets up (as most movie trailers do).

On a side note, congrats on the sound - it's really well edited; I'm impressed :)