"Nature Trip" - a bit of experimental fun :) at DVinfo.net

Carl Middleton · December 8th, 2007, 12:27 PM

Hey guys! :)

I decided to have a bit of fun with some nature footage and a bit of misc footage I hadn't found a good use for - and this is what happened. Don't ask me, it kinda created itself. Footage is all filmed with a Z1U in 50i, Cineform'ed to 23.976. Footage filmed in Florida and a tiny bit from Costa Rica.

I wanted to go for something based off of a saying from Monte Python....

And now for something completely different!

http://www.whizkidmedia.com/new/naturetrip.htm

Any feedback appreciated!

Carl

Carl Middleton · December 8th, 2007, 08:49 PM

Really? 34 views and nothing?

Is it that it's in DivX, or is it that bad? :)

Mark Williams · December 8th, 2007, 09:48 PM

Sorry, would like to view it but don't want to download divx. How about a wmv or mov version.

Carl Middleton · December 8th, 2007, 10:54 PM

Okay. I'll work on finding some good settings for a different format. Had no idea how unpopular divx seems to be, for the file size, I have pretty good luck with it as an online sharing format. :)

I'd rather that than 'everyone just didn't like it' ;)

Carl

Per Johan Naesje · December 9th, 2007, 12:56 AM

Carl,
divX has a bad reputation of beeing filled with computer virus and trojans when downloaded and installed on computers.
The best bet for you will be to provide your films in QuickTime (mov) or Windows Media Video (wmv) format.

Carl Middleton · December 9th, 2007, 01:48 AM

Argh. That's a pity, Per. It actually impressed me with the quality to speed ratio for streaming, but I'd rather not use a codec with that sort of a reputation. (Last thing I need is to have a customer blaming me for them getting a virus!)

I'm uploading a few quicktime h264's now (I recommend the high quality one, you lose a LOT for the half file size on the other one!), the link at the top is updated. :) I just added the links at the bottom, and put it on a template for the new website update. Feedback on that'd be nice too ;)

WMV is rendering, we'll see whether or not I'm asleep when it finishes!

Carl

Carl Middleton · December 9th, 2007, 03:00 AM

Alright, mov H264's and a WMV are all up. :)

Carl

Mark Williams · December 9th, 2007, 07:58 AM

Carl,

Just looked at the .wmv version. You were right, it is different. Some of my favorite scenes were of the spider and the sun coming up over the roadway. Looks like you had fun putting it together. Also, pretty good encoding for such a small file size. Could not get the .mov versions to open, but that may have been an issue on my end.

Meryem Ersoz · December 9th, 2007, 10:35 AM

hi carl: i couldn't load the h.264 files either, but i did view the .wmv--although playback is never that good for me on .wmv. it looked a bit shaky to me, but i can't tell if that is the images themselves or the junky flip4mac playback.

the trick to throwing together random nature footage is finding a center to hold the randomness and multiple locations together. this almost holds here, through the music and effects, but not quite. i'd give the edge to randomness. still fun footage, though, and interesting images. as discrete images and discrete effects, they're cool, but it doesn't work as well at the level of organic wholeness.

looking forward to seeing what you can put together for a Challenge round, when you're focusing on a single theme. you've got some skills and a good eye and some interesting concepts--i like the levitating leaf the best, that was a lot of fun--

Carl Middleton · December 9th, 2007, 11:29 AM

Thanks for the feedback, both of you. :) I'll try to get a fixed MOV up - I guess H264 isn't a good choice, either.

Mark,

The DOF effects on the spider were definitely my favorite parts to work with. The vertigo on the banana spider was the key shot I designed the spidey colors around.

As far as the sunset pics - that was fun too. All those cars were slowing down to 20 under the speed limit. They thought I was running radar. =D

Meryem,

I can't say I disagree. :) In all honesty, I tried to cheat with effects and color themes to bring things together where it should have been filmed in a cohesive manner to begin with - something I know better than to do! ;)

I also can't wait for my first UWOL. February is going to be crazy - but I'm going to try to get in!

I think the main thing that hurt me with this project was the audio - whenever I do audio from scratch (loops included) I feel like I'm trying to force it. And that always seems to show itself in the final product - at the very least to me. I'm definitely not an audio guy :D

As always, the constructive criticism is much appreciated!

Carl

Kevin Railsback · December 9th, 2007, 04:30 PM

Seems like the page is down.
I tried downloading the .mov file early this morning but it said it couldn't be found.

Carl Middleton · December 9th, 2007, 05:19 PM

Meep. I broke it. :)

http://www.whizkidmedia.com/naturetrip.htm

I went live with the new website layout, and forgot to update the link here! Sorry....

C

Ken Hodson · December 9th, 2007, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Per Johan Naesje

Carl,
divX has a bad reputation of beeing filled with computer virus and trojans when downloaded and installed on computers.
The best bet for you will be to provide your films in QuickTime (mov) or Windows Media Video (wmv) format.

I don't think so. Unless someone has hard time figuring out that http://www.divx.com/ would be the right place to go, and not http://www.givemeavirus.com/ there isn't a problem.

Kevin Railsback · December 9th, 2007, 06:38 PM

I'm not to worried about catching a virus on my Mac but I have no real need to install divX on my system. Same goes for Real Player.

If a file is in either of those formats I don't bother with it.

Yeo Wee Han · December 9th, 2007, 07:42 PM

CArl,

The colours are nice but some of the shots are not as appealing as I would like them to be. For e.g the pull out of the spider reveals the very bright roofed shelter...that distracted me from the subject for a while. Alot of the footage is also too handheld for my liking. That's my personal opinion and that may be your style...:)

Cheers

WeeHan

December 8th, 2007, 12:27 PM	#1
Carl Middleton Major Player Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Fernandina Beach, FL Posts: 562	"Nature Trip" - a bit of experimental fun :) Hey guys! :) I decided to have a bit of fun with some nature footage and a bit of misc footage I hadn't found a good use for - and this is what happened. Don't ask me, it kinda created itself. Footage is all filmed with a Z1U in 50i, Cineform'ed to 23.976. Footage filmed in Florida and a tiny bit from Costa Rica. I wanted to go for something based off of a saying from Monte Python.... And now for something completely different! http://www.whizkidmedia.com/new/naturetrip.htm Any feedback appreciated! Carl __________________ Carl Middleton Whizkid Mediaworks Last edited by Carl Middleton; December 9th, 2007 at 02:01 AM. Reason: fixed link

December 8th, 2007, 08:49 PM	#2
Carl Middleton Major Player Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Fernandina Beach, FL Posts: 562	Really? 34 views and nothing? Is it that it's in DivX, or is it that bad? :) __________________ Carl Middleton Whizkid Mediaworks

December 8th, 2007, 09:48 PM	#3
Mark Williams Trustee Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Deep South, U.S. Posts: 1,526	Sorry, would like to view it but don't want to download divx. How about a wmv or mov version. __________________ Mark videos: http://vimeo.com/channels/3523 Stock: http://www.pond5.com/artist/mark29

December 8th, 2007, 10:54 PM	#4
Carl Middleton Major Player Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Fernandina Beach, FL Posts: 562	Okay. I'll work on finding some good settings for a different format. Had no idea how unpopular divx seems to be, for the file size, I have pretty good luck with it as an online sharing format. :) I'd rather that than 'everyone just didn't like it' ;) Carl __________________ Carl Middleton Whizkid Mediaworks

December 9th, 2007, 12:56 AM	#5
Per Johan Naesje Trustee Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Akershus, Norway Posts: 1,413	Carl, divX has a bad reputation of beeing filled with computer virus and trojans when downloaded and installed on computers. The best bet for you will be to provide your films in QuickTime (mov) or Windows Media Video (wmv) format. __________________ - Per Johan

December 9th, 2007, 01:48 AM	#6
Carl Middleton Major Player Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Fernandina Beach, FL Posts: 562	Argh. That's a pity, Per. It actually impressed me with the quality to speed ratio for streaming, but I'd rather not use a codec with that sort of a reputation. (Last thing I need is to have a customer blaming me for them getting a virus!) I'm uploading a few quicktime h264's now (I recommend the high quality one, you lose a LOT for the half file size on the other one!), the link at the top is updated. :) I just added the links at the bottom, and put it on a template for the new website update. Feedback on that'd be nice too ;) WMV is rendering, we'll see whether or not I'm asleep when it finishes! Carl __________________ Carl Middleton Whizkid Mediaworks Last edited by Carl Middleton; December 9th, 2007 at 01:50 AM. Reason: update

December 9th, 2007, 03:00 AM	#7
Carl Middleton Major Player Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Fernandina Beach, FL Posts: 562	Alright, mov H264's and a WMV are all up. :) Carl __________________ Carl Middleton Whizkid Mediaworks

December 9th, 2007, 07:58 AM	#8
Mark Williams Trustee Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Deep South, U.S. Posts: 1,526	Carl, Just looked at the .wmv version. You were right, it is different. Some of my favorite scenes were of the spider and the sun coming up over the roadway. Looks like you had fun putting it together. Also, pretty good encoding for such a small file size. Could not get the .mov versions to open, but that may have been an issue on my end. __________________ Mark videos: http://vimeo.com/channels/3523 Stock: http://www.pond5.com/artist/mark29

December 9th, 2007, 10:35 AM	#9
Meryem Ersoz Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 3,015	hi carl: i couldn't load the h.264 files either, but i did view the .wmv--although playback is never that good for me on .wmv. it looked a bit shaky to me, but i can't tell if that is the images themselves or the junky flip4mac playback. the trick to throwing together random nature footage is finding a center to hold the randomness and multiple locations together. this almost holds here, through the music and effects, but not quite. i'd give the edge to randomness. still fun footage, though, and interesting images. as discrete images and discrete effects, they're cool, but it doesn't work as well at the level of organic wholeness. looking forward to seeing what you can put together for a Challenge round, when you're focusing on a single theme. you've got some skills and a good eye and some interesting concepts--i like the levitating leaf the best, that was a lot of fun--

December 9th, 2007, 11:29 AM	#10
Carl Middleton Major Player Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Fernandina Beach, FL Posts: 562	Thanks for the feedback, both of you. :) I'll try to get a fixed MOV up - I guess H264 isn't a good choice, either. Mark, The DOF effects on the spider were definitely my favorite parts to work with. The vertigo on the banana spider was the key shot I designed the spidey colors around. As far as the sunset pics - that was fun too. All those cars were slowing down to 20 under the speed limit. They thought I was running radar. =D Meryem, I can't say I disagree. :) In all honesty, I tried to cheat with effects and color themes to bring things together where it should have been filmed in a cohesive manner to begin with - something I know better than to do! ;) I also can't wait for my first UWOL. February is going to be crazy - but I'm going to try to get in! I think the main thing that hurt me with this project was the audio - whenever I do audio from scratch (loops included) I feel like I'm trying to force it. And that always seems to show itself in the final product - at the very least to me. I'm definitely not an audio guy :D As always, the constructive criticism is much appreciated! Carl __________________ Carl Middleton Whizkid Mediaworks

December 9th, 2007, 04:30 PM	#11
Kevin Railsback Trustee Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Cedar Rapids, Iowa Posts: 1,544	Seems like the page is down. I tried downloading the .mov file early this morning but it said it couldn't be found. __________________ --==Kevin==-- http:naturephotostudios.com.com

December 9th, 2007, 05:19 PM	#12
Carl Middleton Major Player Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Fernandina Beach, FL Posts: 562	Meep. I broke it. :) http://www.whizkidmedia.com/naturetrip.htm I went live with the new website layout, and forgot to update the link here! Sorry.... C __________________ Carl Middleton Whizkid Mediaworks

December 9th, 2007, 06:38 PM	#14
Kevin Railsback Trustee Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Cedar Rapids, Iowa Posts: 1,544	I'm not to worried about catching a virus on my Mac but I have no real need to install divX on my system. Same goes for Real Player. If a file is in either of those formats I don't bother with it. __________________ --==Kevin==-- http:naturephotostudios.com.com

December 9th, 2007, 07:42 PM	#15
Yeo Wee Han Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Singapore Posts: 155	CArl, The colours are nice but some of the shots are not as appealing as I would like them to be. For e.g the pull out of the spider reveals the very bright roofed shelter...that distracted me from the subject for a while. Alot of the footage is also too handheld for my liking. That's my personal opinion and that may be your style...:) Cheers WeeHan