Please tell me what you think.

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dominicwitherow
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Joined: Apr 2 2006

Here is a link to a video exercise I undertook in January. http://www.revver.com/video/26732/

The challenge was to make a one minute documentary about anything at all in London. It had to be made in one day. The subject I chose is one that I have admired for years.

I used my XM2 and edited it in FCP. Each shot was roughly ten seconds long and I sped most of them up to about x20 in order to inject a greater sense of energy to the subjects. I think it's a bit too long in some shots, but I was having difficulty making the minute!

I'd really appreciate any feedback.

Thanks very much.
Dominic

PS
If you click on the advert at the end of the film, I'll get a couple of cents - just so you know!

hedleyw
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Joined: Oct 3 2000

Well, to be brutally honest it doesn't do anything for me at all. Speeding up the clips has just accentuated the camera shake. Perhaps taking some more dynamic angles and introducing some camera movement (not shake) would have helped?

Just my thoughts :)

Hedley Wright Web design: brettvalestudios.co.uk/webdesign.html Follow me on Twitter twitter.com/bvstudios

dominicwitherow
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Joined: Apr 2 2006

Thanks Hedley. Brutal honesty is the only thing that counts. Much appreciated. Some more stable stuff yet to come...
Dominic

foxvideo
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Joined: Sep 9 1999

Good to see you've taken criticism in the right vein, I watched the clip earlier and agonised over a reply but hedleyw beat me to it.

I think I can see what you were trying to achieve, I've seen stuff similar - maybe it was just a bit to ambitious at this stage......

Try something a bit easier to start with, even copy something at first until the techniques are mastered.

Dave Farrants Fox Video Editing

dominicwitherow
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Joined: Apr 2 2006

Constructive criticsm is exactly what I want and need. Thanks for your input. A short boxing film is my next project. Nothing like jumping in at the deep end!

nash
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Joined: Nov 20 2003

Dominic,
There is always a danger when timewarping a clip to accentuate the camera movement. This can be a feature of the piece. If you are trying to create a dynamic and pacey effect then induce fast pans and tilts to exaggerate the requirement. Still shots with shake simply don't work.

Try it on the boxing short. Extreme close ups and create a sense of ducking and weaving? AND don't forget to let us have a look.

............Neil

Neil Ashcroft
Fastroc is Media in Motion
http://www.fastroc.co.uk
[EMAIL=info@fastroc.co.uk]info@fastroc.co.uk[/EMAIL]

dominicwitherow
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Joined: Apr 2 2006

Thanks Neil. Very helpful tips that I will take on board for my next effort.
Best
Dominic

rbarry
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Joined: Mar 27 1999

Dominic,
I liked your idea very much. The fact that you didn't quite pull it off shouldn't stop you from trying it again taking on board the feedback you have already had, and hopefully will continue to get from this thread. The juxtaposition of an inner city invironment and the open plains of an African big cat kill work really well. Some of your angles were great. Why not shoot it again; spend some time making a storyboard taking on board the parts that work in the original, use a tripod, and act on the advice you get from those better qualified than I who have posted here. Post your remake so we can see your "before and after" results.
Rick.

dominicwitherow
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Joined: Apr 2 2006

Thanks Rick. I'm delighted with the quality and helpfulness of feedback on this forum!
Dominic

branny
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Joined: Nov 6 2001

Great idea Dominic, with brill subject matter, but as others have said, try using a tripod with a few whip pans, tighter closer ups and tightly cut to the beat (all of em) for maximim impact, and this will be terrific!

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

dominicwitherow
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Joined: Apr 2 2006

Thanks Branny! I'll be revisiting Grosvenor Gardens at the soonest opportunity for a reshoot.

Dominic