culzean castle ayrshire

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harrier
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Joined: Sep 6 2008

hi folks, looking for advice , opinions(good or bad!) on the following short film.
It was filmed last week during the first day of good weather we had in weeks using canon xh-a1 @ 25p converted to 24p on capture using cineform hd.
I would really appreciated any feedback please.
thanks. john

http://exposureroom.com/members/eventfilms.aspx/assets/7649c851e23e4933903794c38cb42974/

Flame1
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Joined: Apr 21 2007

Hi Harrier,

Nothing bad to say about it at all.
Very relaxing with some nice framing and focus pulls.

Maybe not to everyones taste for style, speed etc, but you have a very good cinematic eye:)

Thx for sharing.

Flame.

harrier
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Joined: Sep 6 2008

Thanks for the positive comments:) Flame, Ive been watching a lot of philip blooms work and I find it really inspiring perhaps I can come close to his standard of work one day.
My next purchase has to be a jib arm to get the movement I want into the shots without the shake.
thanks again john

branny
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Joined: Nov 6 2001

Yup! Beautiful colours and a nicely balanced range of shots. Haven't heard the track so can't comment on the pace of moves/cuts, but a really nice piece.

Do not follow, I may not lead. Do not lead . . . I may not follow.

harrier
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Joined: Sep 6 2008

Thank you for the feedback Branny, appreciated, its always nerve wracking allowing your work to be judged by your peers.
The music is two tracks , Red admiral and Autumn by Kevin Kendle, seemed appropriate somehow.
cheers john

SJJ
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Joined: Sep 23 2005

Beautiful! :) As been said nice and relaxing, some very gorgeous shots in there and the colour correction is perfect. Only 1 shots that was just a bit less, shot of the canon going the the Scottish flag, it just wasn't as smooth as the rest of the clip. But that's just me being picky now!

It is easier to be critical than correct.

harrier
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Joined: Sep 6 2008

No not picky, quite correct and honesty appreciated thanks.
Smooth camera moves is somthing ive got to pin down and a jib arm is my next purchase.
Having watched Steven Dempsey's work using a jib it shows how it opens up so much more scope when trying for the 'film look'.
Once again thanks for taking the time to comment..john

H and M Video
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Joined: Jun 5 1999

For me, 5 + minutes of sheer bliss. My kind of film. Thanks for sharing, John.

Harry

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harrier
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Joined: Sep 6 2008

Thanks again for all the comments..you have encouraged me to go out and do some more filming when i get a chance perhaps I can nail this camera movement .
Cheers john

branny
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Joined: Nov 6 2001

I use a 8ft camera jib, which is very useful. Only problem is heaps of practise, and there's still the wavering sideways to contend with.
I think it was Foxy who had a jib arm stabiliser fashioned from rear screen damper struts.

Do not follow, I may not lead. Do not lead . . . I may not follow.

harrier
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Joined: Sep 6 2008

hi, what jib do you use ? I had been looking at a Hague or kessler perhaps for next year.
Ive seen one on ebay (avant-gardefilms)but not too sure about the quality as the head looks real flimsy.
cheers john

branny
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Joined: Nov 6 2001

I imported one from the good ole USA.
http://www.bargain-camera.com/store/product.php?productid=16133&cat=275&page=1

Very handy and easy to use. I love very stable and fluid shots, but the side swing is a problem. Maybe foxy, if it was foxy, will let you have the details.
It seemed to work from an arm bolted to each side and the gas arms bolted further along the jib arm.

Do not follow, I may not lead. Do not lead . . . I may not follow.

harrier
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Joined: Sep 6 2008

thanks for the link...very competitive price.

branny
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Joined: Nov 6 2001

As you've probably gathered if you've watched the videos. The camera platform remains level no matter the angle. This feature can also be disabled to allow a high manual tilt if needed.
There's also import duty to add and I think this is advised about on their site.

Do not follow, I may not lead. Do not lead . . . I may not follow.

Arthur.S
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Joined: Jun 2 1999

Hi Harrier,

My 2p worth; It has the look and feel of a quality production. It's beautifully shot. As has already been mentioned, you've a good eye. As an XH-A1 user too, it was interesting to see the 'Magic Bullet' look. Colours looked nice and rich. My only criticism would be that it's mainly static shots. After a while it starts to feel a bit "same 'ol same 'ol". For that reason, I never made it to the end - sorry :o . (Probably because I have a nano second attention span. :) ) I thought most of those could be cut by a second or two without losing the feel of the film?

harrier
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Joined: Sep 6 2008

Thanks for the feedback,I think your probably right about being too long with just the static shots. The problem was I had so many shots I wanted to use that perhaps I didnt notice how long it was getting(still got good 30 mins unused footage on hard drive.ha). I may go and re edit and be more ruthless with the cutting.
The location was crying out for a long jib arm to get some movement , unfortunately I just cant justify getting one this year.( and its not something you can say to her indoors...oh that old thing had it ages)haha.:D
Will look into the jib arm Branny mentioned earlier or perhaps the hague.
I used a preset for the canon it was the panna look. then used the magic bullet looks which is fantastic to use.
cheers john