Lessons from a 9yr old

[HoGiHung]

Hi,

For a while I have had questions about why my footage wasn't coming out right. I've been a little too afraid to post as I was sure it was so simple. For a while I thought maybe there is something wrong with my camera. It took a lesson from my 9 year old son to show me how stupid I was in forgetting something so simple. Take a look at the two attached stills:

1. TN_Woods (http://www.leftfootmedia.com/mypics/TN_Woods.png) - a shot in the mountains of TN. I've been getting similar results here in Jax.

2. Bark (http://www.leftfootmedia.com/mypics/Bark.png) - the way I was expecting the images/video to look like

The solution?
Son: What is wrong daddy?
Me: I can't get these images to look right. I've made adjustments, checked lighting, etc.
Son: Did you white balance your camera?
Me: /smack head!

I felt so dumb. Oh the trials of the novice.

Ho...

[makinfilms]

smart kid. I don't think you are dumb. With as many options on the camera as there are? it is easy to do. NASA did it from inches to metric? was this not it?
So, anyway....white balance is another thing to check. How a 9year old knew this?
dunno....Smart kid.

[wgzn]

did you white balance? - uh, thats about there with "are you wearing pants?"

- but yes. ive done that as well!

[HoGiHung]

Thanks for being kind to me. :)

Besides hanging out with me, my son is part of his Elementary School "TV Studio". About six 8 and 9 year olds record a show that is presented each morning on the TVs in each classroom. They are not quite ready for live work, so they record a day or two ahead of time. Currently he operates the Audio Mixer, but each student was taught the basics of all the equipment.

He learns faster than me. I had him watch a tutorial on doing Light Sabers in After Effects and he picked up on it first try. Good thing because that is some tedious work. :) Oh, I also consult him on stuff in World of Warcraft.

Never too old to learn, or learn from your kids.

Ho....

[TedRR]

Great story!
And I've learned that it's better to ask early and chance looking stupid than wondering longer and being stupid. :)

[DOSMedia]

that is the kinda kid i want!!!
So for his 10th b day does he get an hvx? haha. ;)

[Charlie Anderson]

World of Warcraft...RUN AWAAAAAAAY!!!!

I've played the game since Alpha and man is it addicting :) I hardly have enough time to play now though but kudos to you and your "crew" so to speak haha

[RE1000]

Wow, that is one smart kid, he works on a school "tv studio"?!
Is he available for hire?
And yes, maybe you should get him a HVX or that new "baby" hvx comign soon.

[Kdawg]

Be proud dad, I have had that same thing happen. Only had no 9 year old to fix it for me, so my image stayed horrible.

[Jokerswild]

Gotta love our kids. I am bringing mine in on this video journey with me and he is helping me greatly and he is in his early thirties! Has been a great asset in helping me with learning FCP. He is a great muscian and timelines are very familiar to him. His music is at thecautions.com if anyone is interested. He is Eric, the lead singer. We are also pretty excited that he has just written and performed all the music in an upcoming movie. Has a screening in NYC at the HBO theater next week. Also performed a piece in the movide Balls of Fury.
signed,
proud dad.... <grin>

[drdimento]

Now on a brighter light (pun intended) "HoGiHung" remember how you got that look on your camera because when you shoot your next movie you have a nice eerieee look. personally I like your "off balance" look and gives me this eeriee mystery/horror/death look :o)

[mcgeedigital]

Whats the kids day rate?

[HoGiHung]

Wow, I love the posts on this thread! No I'm not getting him an HVX - at least not yet. He did ask for a MacBook Pro. I need to get a 35mm adapter, rails, and monitor still for my gear. So he can borrow my gear for now. :)

I check with him to see what his rates are, but if I know him his terms will be in Bionicles/Legos instead of cash.

Yes, WoW is very addictive. We limit both his and my game time.

Jokerswild - that is cool your son helps you out. I'll check out his music. My son is also a musician - piano player. He has a competition this Saturday.

I agree the footage I shoot that was not white balanced did have a cool look. It is a look I want for parts of a script I am writing.

Just wanted to thank everyone for not taking the opportunity to beat me up over my silly mistake. Sometimes I over analyze things instead of looking for the obvious, or less complicated solution.

Ho....

[mikkowilson]

[...] his terms will be in Bionicles/Legos instead of cash.


Can do. :D



- Mikko

[RE1000]

I would love to pay someone for their video services in Legos. :D