Your opinion please....

[ben1000]

Howdy...

Well, here is my FIRST attempt at a video with 2 new things I've never used before...

First, it's my first time using my new Steadicam Pilot. I know, it needs a lot of work, and there too much roll and jitter. Some of the shots were ok, but some need work...

Second, I'm using the Sony .8 wide angle for the first time. I have mixed feelings so far. The wide living room shots look great, but there seems to be more bloom and softness on images with back lighting...

I'd love to get your thoughts.... Please let me know what you think...

http://vmlh.com/homes/broncotrail/mls.html

Best,

Ben


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Benjamin Freedman
VisitMyLuxuryHome.com
480.240.9262

[matthew77]

House looks comfortable, the decor not to my taste.

Well spoken and attractive spokeswoman.

[thxdave]

It looked good to me. A couple of the outside shots were a little overexposed in the highlights (sidewalks especially) but given the moves from blazing sun to full shadow, I think you still did fine. Also, since it was all available light, I'm not sure how you could overcome the bloom around the windows given the fact that this is a lens "attachment" and not a true prime wide angle. Couple of other questions: How long does it take to shoot a home like this one and what is the cost to the client?

[thxdave]

Also, I kept trying to find the wireless transmitter. I finally saw it when you....ummm....gave us a nice close shot of her.....ummm....seat. ;)

[Buck Forester]

Are you asking what we think about the technical aspects of the video quality, or the whole feel of the video?

As for the feel of the video, it was pretty good but on a non-EX1 related issue, I didn't get the feeling that you and the talent were on the same page as far as shot planning. She would sometimes point down a hall one direction while you backed away the opposite direction and panned away from where she was pointing, etc. I noticed this a few times. That would be easily fixed by doing a quick rehersal or have a game plan beforehand. And as you mentioned, as you're standing still there's still some camera sway movement. I'd also like to see some close-up cuts when she points out detailed things, like the small wetbar... we're still far across the room at wide-angle so I don't feel like I came away impressed by the actual wet bar. But that's nitpicky stuff, I'm sure most people watching who don't notice camera stuff wouldn't notice these things. Overall I got a good feel for the house and I'd sure like to live there, so hey, it was successful. The talent did a very good job too, she's a natural.

[nsoltz]

I have very mixed feelings about the wide angle as well.

Perhaps what I would have done is a little more B-roll with CU shots of features which otherwise cannot be emphasized in a wide shot (stone fireplace and wet bar are two good examples here). And to be just a little nit-picky, your otherwise superb talent said "and over here" too much. I would work with her to vary the transitions somewhat.

With just shooting existing light and without ND film, etc over windows, the bloom is very difficult if not impossible to control. Only way to avoid is to plan the shot in such a way as to avoid the windows. However, I don't think it much matters in a house-tour video.

You might consider a nice breezy music track. I think it would add some interest to the piece.

I have not used the Steadicam Pilot but I think I could get the same stability with my DVMultiRig Pro.

Good work!

[ben1000]

Actually, I have the DVMultiRight, and couldn't even get close to this stable on it.

You can see other vids taken with my DVMultiRig here: www.vmlh.com. Maybe you could do better, but I couldn't get my body motion out of the handheld shots...

Thanks to everyone for the kind words, and I'll pass your comments on to the talent.

I was hoping for more comments on the steadicam and wide-lens rather than the actual flow of the video.. Although you all have good comments, we have to keep things inside the 'business model', which means only a certain amount of time for the shoot. No time for ND film, lots of broll, etc...

We've tried music, but it sounded too cheesy, so we ditched that...

We started this business in Feb, and so far the response has been incredible. I'm trying to hire new talent and videographer/editors to keep up :-)

-Ben


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Benjamin Freedman
VisitMyLuxuryHome.com
480.240.9262

[Sumfun]

Steadicam work looks smooth, but I have to agree with some of the others that sometimes it's not pointing in the right direction. This is where some cutaway close-ups might help you. These don't take much extra time, and they might help sell the house by showing off some of the details. I think some good music can also set a good ambiance and help sell the house. Isn't that why realtors always bake fresh bread when they're showing off a house?

I also have a DVMultiRig, and I don't think I can get it as smooth as a steadicam. Ned, if you can do it, then please share some of your secrets with us.

[FrankC]

Ben...Nice job. I've produced about 40 or 50 similar videos and you succeeded in the most important aspect...Make the house the star (not the talent) however you certainly do have an excellent Tour Guide. I know playing with the Steadicam is fun, but I notice you still get that famous side to side Steadicam wobble. Sometimes I'm not sure one couldn't do just as well with a shoulder brace and running the footage through Apple's Motion? We got rid of our Steadicam once we saw what we could do with Motion just as easily.