Hi to you all long formers :)

My plans are a bit changed since ULF started and here’s what I want to do with my film.

INTRO
Telling a bit about why I got into wildlife video making and what influences me to do so. Mainly my father, my mother, and Mikkjel Foenhus a former famous Norwegian writer.
I’ve got a couple of pictures of Mikkjel Foenhus, this will take about 30 seconds, followed up by some old Super 8 mm film (no sound) of my father, mother, my little brother John and myself on a Sunday trip to a little forrest/wood.
Together with these clips and pictures I intend to use shots taken in a Zoo earlier this summer, just a few seconds though, showing a Brown Bear and a Lynx. Then some shots of the Pine Marten taken in the wild and clips from the big forrest/woods where Mikkjel Foenhus lived and write about. I’m not sure how long this intro will take, maybe 3 to 5 minuttes. The intro will be in black and white, old film style.
In this intro my narrations will tell you why and how I got my interest in wildlife and wildlife video making.

MAIN STORY
This will consist of short stories from the area where I live, Mid West Coast of Norway. Mainly about seabirds (puffins, gulls, brown skua, eagle), otter and pine marten.
The red tread in the story will be if the puffins and other seabirds will survive, or rather will they be able to find food (fish in the sea) to feed their chicks? In between I will spice up with small stories from the area. Like the famous Geiranger Fjord, The road across the mountain of Sognefjord (from Lom to Sogndal), maybe some shots from Roeros (like The Geiranger fjord Roeros is on UNESCOs list of World Heritage). The narration will be a mix between a thoughts/dreams and real life, following me through the year. I also have done an interview with Alf Ottar Folkestad, leader/president of Birdlife Norway. Last year the islands where I live, and which Runde is a part of, got connected to the mainland by an undersea tunnel. Will the Red Fox or The Pine Marten managed to cross over and make it to Runde? Some years ago the Red fox did so and crossed the undersea tunnel from Aalesund (city) to Valderoy (islands connected by the tunnel). Will the same happen at Runde? If so it will be a disaster for the seabirds?

OUTRO/ENDING
I’m not sure about this yet, but I will try to – and here you English talking friends have to help me to pick the right English word ( or can I just say “sum it up”?): enumerate, list, numerate, specify – either with conclusions, questions or perhaps both, and this way try to end the film. My hope is that more people will love nature and wildlife after watching my video.

OK, friends – what do you think?
Please do give me some comments on this one?
What about using shots from a Zoo, I will tell so in the ending text though.

Now it’s only for me to sew it all together, right?

Geir,


It all sounds just fine, good thing you have been working on the footage already as it is a going tobe a bit of a job to be certain.


I think the end should be that there is no conclusion, things just carry on anew. Yes they are and will be different, often times different than how we as people think they should be. with that in mind closing with some questions and possible direction would be rather significant.

Go for it Geir!!!!

Hi Geir
My apologies for not commenting on your film last round.
Your work is always stunning and these last two rounds are no exception. Beautiful shots.
As far as your story goes, I would say you have definitely changed it for the better.

Judging by what you say here, it has a good solid structure, with some intrigue, potential dangers (for the birdlife) that need to be resolved and a number of questions that will hold the viewers’ interest. I like the idea that it will be your own personal adventure as this will certainly strengthen the story and pull everything together neatly.

Very nice Geir - I can see a well crafted piece in the making here and really look forward to watching the final outcome - really hope you can squeeze it into your already tight schedule.

Marj

Hi Marj and Dale and thank you very much for comments/feedback.

Geir Inge

Ulf-4
 

Because our nr 4 schedule crashes with one of my exam, I have to upload an ULF 4 entry now.
I know I have been changing my plans more than once, and friends - here I go again :)
I think I will use the title ”Seabirds” for my final entry and not ”Wild on the shore”.
What do you think about that my friends?
After ULF is done I will ”rewind” and change parts of my final film/entry,
as I want to use old shots from my earlier Uwol videos.
I have a lots of shots and scenes from shooting Uwol 3 (Wild on the shore) and Uwol 4 (Born by the sea) that I want to use in my final film. Especially some canoe scenes from Uwol 4.
Hopefully I then can make a mini series for television, at least that’s what I’m aiming for.

Ok, here’s my ULF 4 entry and if time let me,
I will try to make some more out of it towards the ULF 4 deadline in October.
Also I have desided to use the music you hear in this entry.

Vimeo link: Seabirds (english intro) on Vimeo

Feel free to give me your comments :)
Geir Inge

Wow, Geir ! I loved everything about it. Gorgeous opening pan, and all the pans were excellent. The choice of music works very well for me, and I really enjoyed your accent in the English narration. very clear and enjoyable to listen to.

I am anxiously awaiting your finished product. If this is an indication, it will be splendid.

All that said, the only part of the film that didn't work for me as well as the rest was the closeup of the bird. It wsn't as striking as the rest of the piece, and seemed to be a little long..

Overall however, excellent, really excellent! I'd love to see it on Vimeo in HD.

Chris Swanberg

Geir,

It was a nice watch and I did not see anything i would take out! It is a bit of a teaser as i am waiting to see more of the birds. Very nice to be certain!

I am sure the finished product will be outstanding if it is as good as this piece.

Hi Geir

I do hope all your studies have been working out well and that you will be able to find enough time to finish this beautiful film. The scenery is breathtaking as usual, and there are some lovely details of flowers and birds as you make your way to find the Great Skua.


I really like the font you have used for your titles Geir. It is both elegant and informal - really well suited to the style of your film. What is it called - could do with that in my font folder?
Marj

Many thanks Geir - got your mail.

Thank you Chris, Dale and Marj for comments on my ULF4 video.

I'm struggling a bit to find exactly how I'm gonna make my final entry (the whole video).
Though our deadline is in november, I have to film a bit more next year. It's very important for me to get more scenes from the breeding season, chicks, but also combat scenes between different birds. I so deeply want to film the Great Skua when it is chasing other birds (air combat) and steeling their food. I have seen it many times at Runde, but never got it on tape. So I think I will give you a short version as my final ULF video, with a length around 20 to 30 min, and it will be about seabirds.
It's kind of funny how this ULF have brought me to think in other terms than when making 3 min videos for UWOL, and I like it :)
When it comes to my exams, I've passed two of them allready :) and my final (this year) is on 4th november.
The font Marj was asking about is Pristina and found in my prg Total Deko Pro, following my editing software Avid Liquid Pro.
I'll post the vimeo link again, as I now understand it will be playable direct from our forum, that's cool :)

Geir. Wonderful. Almost like a fantasy. Besides well framed and steady footage the music was just perfect. Team Norway is definately in play. I can see the competition really heating up. Great job!!! Bob

Hello Geir:

This is simply beautiful. I love it. The music gives it such an easy and flowing feel to it, and like Marj, I think the font is classy and works well. When the title "Seabirds" comes up next to the close up of the Pippin... it takes my breath away.

Now, about your other comments about needing more time for filming after the deadline. It turns out (from the thread "bowing out" I put up a month ago) most of us feel this way also. I for one am going to keep working on my movie for the next year. So, as Mat says, the UL entry is becoming a sort of rough cut for what is to come. We are going to still post and get feedback from those who are interested in continuing on. So join the club. It's funny how after a year's worth of work, most of us feel we need more time!

All the best with your film!

Cat

Geir Inge- I watched your Round 4 entry back when you posted it but I have just realized that I neglected to comment. Sorry about the delay. Things have been…interesting… lately! Like so much of your work, I really enjoyed this one. I especially liked the shots of you at work behind the camera. I think they add a lot to the atmosphere of the piece and help the viewer feel like we are there with you. Did you shoot that all yourself or enlist the aid of another cameraman? Good luck on November 4. I am confident that you will do as well as your last exams! I am looking forward to seeing the best of the Pine Martin footage.

My goodbye to ULF
 

Hi to all of you.

First I have to thank you all for support and feedback.
Without you I couldn't have accomplished what I've done so far.
This goes for both ULF and UWOL, you are all a bunch of great people and for you to know, there is a little bit of you, in every single one of my videos participated in these two challenges. That’s why I also consider you to be my friends. Even though I only have met two of you, Per Johan and Trond, I feel like I know you all – and it is a good feeling :)
Because of my studies I know see that I have to make priorities and priority number one has to be my studies and my family.
I have hours of video on tape, from the very beginning of UWOL and up to now and I will use some of it in my future ULF video, because I will try to finish it, but in my own terms.
I’m not sure when it will be finished; still I have some scenes to shoot, like combat scenes, feeding scenes, etc, etc. I also wish to put in some predators like a fox, mink and pine martens. Also I’m a bit unsure how to make it, like series or just one part, let’s say around 60 min. It will be in Norwegian only and I will try to sell it to NRK (our national TV Company).
This little short is raw material from this years shooting, it's my sad goodbye to ULF.
I will try to follow you in this forum and if time let me, I might consider participating now and then in Uwol.
Hopefully I will be here in 2012 too and then as a Social Educator of profession :)
A special thank you goes to you Meryem for keeping this challenge open, you are just one of a kind.
God bless and all the best to you all.
Geir Inge

Hi Geir:

O.K. So now you've gone and made me tear up, especially at the end. I miss you already! Keep posting your continued works in progress next year, for most of us too will be doing this. I don't think anyone in the long form feels like their film is complete.

You have brought us the very best, both in your filming, your beautiful homeland and all that you are.

I hope that someday there can be a uwol reunion of sorts, and we can finally be with fellow uwolers in person!

Best,

Cat

Geir,

I spent a life time in Education, an education is never wasted and it always opens more doors. I hope you come back and join in as time permits. I love your work!!!

Geir, your entry will be missed. We all wish you the best and can't wait to see the final, whenever you get it finished. Bob