First Video for Critique at DVinfo.net

First Video for Critique · December 26th, 2008, 08:44 PM

Well I have been on this board for a while but have not put up a video for view yet. I see some amazing things and have been working on getting better but would love some constructive criticism. I am shooting with Canon XH-A1. Thanks in advance.

http://vimeo.com/2638625

edit: No password anymore

Stephen J. Williams · December 26th, 2008, 08:54 PM

password??????

Jonathan Schwartz · December 26th, 2008, 09:18 PM

No more password.

Stephen J. Williams · December 27th, 2008, 12:02 PM

hey Jon, thanks for sharing....
I thought that your video had a great flow to it... One thing that slightly bothered me was the audio from the music dropped out way to fast during the vows. Maybe even could have been a slight bit louder... Your shots were very steady,nothing seemed liked it might have been rushed (as you can see most of the time in my shots :-)
Was that a jib in the background of the church?? Towards the end of your video?

Vince Lucena · December 27th, 2008, 12:22 PM

Same here with the Drop in volume it should linger in the background and support your next scene building up to it. It appears all the shots were shot on a stick, I would suggest mixing it up abit with tripod, and hand held shots.

Jonathan Schwartz · December 27th, 2008, 10:36 PM

Stephen,
Thanks for he comments. I agree about he music and have made that change. The jib belonged to the church and it was huge. We did not get to use it :-(

All shots were done on tripod, but I will look at mixing up some handheld shots in with it. I just need to practice more with that. I tried, but I have a hard time balancing the XH-A1. With my DVC30 it is not a problem.

More comments and suggestions are appreciated.

Bruce Patterson · December 28th, 2008, 10:16 AM

Hi Jonathan,

Thanks for posting! I think putting your work in front of a valuable community like this is hugely helpful in the development of the product you're delivery to clients. It's also helpful in getting advice, constructive criticism etc.

I thought the footage was all very steady so it was a very professional product. For me, though...the shots lingered far too long, particularly in the beginning when you were revealing all the detail shots. I'm a fan of detail shots like anyone else, but I think it could have been stronger to mix them in with more shots of the couple. I'm also not so much a fan of black and white unless it is used in a very limited/specific way. It seemed like it was too heavy on the B/W.

Please post more clips if you have them in the coming weeks/months though. For a first-time post, I give you all the credit in the World - it's not easy putting yourself out there!

Bruce

Jonathan Schwartz · December 29th, 2008, 02:41 AM

Bruce,

Thank you for your comments. I tried to use the B&W to enhance the musical change when it popped into color, but I guess it took too long. I was limited on shots of the bride and groom. There was no dancing so after the picture taking was over, that was the last time I had them together (aside from the ceremony). On the DVD, this montage comes after the ceremony so I did not want to use too many ceremony shots. I like your idea of quicker pacing at the beginning to act as a quick preview of the wedding. Thanks again.

December 26th, 2008, 09:18 PM	#3
Jonathan Schwartz Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Ocean Springs, MS Posts: 211	Password No more password. __________________ Jonathan Schwartz CA Video Productions

December 27th, 2008, 12:22 PM	#5
Vince Lucena Regular Crew Join Date: May 2006 Location: Virginia Beach, Va Posts: 91	Same here with the Drop in volume it should linger in the background and support your next scene building up to it. It appears all the shots were shot on a stick, I would suggest mixing it up abit with tripod, and hand held shots. __________________ ......................... MotionOne Studios http://www.MotionOne.tv

December 27th, 2008, 10:36 PM	#6
Jonathan Schwartz Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Ocean Springs, MS Posts: 211	Shots Stephen, Thanks for he comments. I agree about he music and have made that change. The jib belonged to the church and it was huge. We did not get to use it :-( All shots were done on tripod, but I will look at mixing up some handheld shots in with it. I just need to practice more with that. I tried, but I have a hard time balancing the XH-A1. With my DVC30 it is not a problem. More comments and suggestions are appreciated. __________________ Jonathan Schwartz CA Video Productions

December 28th, 2008, 10:16 AM	#7
Bruce Patterson Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 115	Hi Jonathan, Thanks for posting! I think putting your work in front of a valuable community like this is hugely helpful in the development of the product you're delivery to clients. It's also helpful in getting advice, constructive criticism etc. I thought the footage was all very steady so it was a very professional product. For me, though...the shots lingered far too long, particularly in the beginning when you were revealing all the detail shots. I'm a fan of detail shots like anyone else, but I think it could have been stronger to mix them in with more shots of the couple. I'm also not so much a fan of black and white unless it is used in a very limited/specific way. It seemed like it was too heavy on the B/W. Please post more clips if you have them in the coming weeks/months though. For a first-time post, I give you all the credit in the World - it's not easy putting yourself out there! Bruce __________________ Bruce Patterson- Cloud Nine Creative Inc. www.cloudninecreative.com www.wedluxe.com www.reframecollective.com

December 29th, 2008, 02:41 AM	#8
Jonathan Schwartz Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Ocean Springs, MS Posts: 211	Thanks! Bruce, Thank you for your comments. I tried to use the B&W to enhance the musical change when it popped into color, but I guess it took too long. I was limited on shots of the bride and groom. There was no dancing so after the picture taking was over, that was the last time I had them together (aside from the ceremony). On the DVD, this montage comes after the ceremony so I did not want to use too many ceremony shots. I like your idea of quicker pacing at the beginning to act as a quick preview of the wedding. Thanks again. __________________ Jonathan Schwartz CA Video Productions

December 26th, 2008, 08:54 PM	#2
Stephen J. Williams Major Player Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 768	password??????

December 27th, 2008, 12:02 PM	#4
Stephen J. Williams Major Player Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 768	hey Jon, thanks for sharing.... I thought that your video had a great flow to it... One thing that slightly bothered me was the audio from the music dropped out way to fast during the vows. Maybe even could have been a slight bit louder... Your shots were very steady,nothing seemed liked it might have been rushed (as you can see most of the time in my shots :-) Was that a jib in the background of the church?? Towards the end of your video?