Roger Waters Interview

[Jimmy]

Roger Waters Interview shot with DVX100A's
FCP HD, Motion used for the first time. Filters, Magic Bullet
G5 D2.5 3 gigs ram display 9800XT

http://www.ienner.com/pages/rockrollmain.html

[disjecta]

Pretty cool to get to interview such an icon. Everything looked very rich but I found the constant cuts to be very disorientating like I, as the viewer, was being bounced all over the place.... Maybe it's just my personal preference, I'm not into the "MTV" style editing (just my term) but I think it looks good and very interesting to listen to just the same.

Excellent work.

[Jimmy]

Thank you for the kind words. Yes the cuts are a bit jumpy for me too but I had to cut it that way. The interview consisted of a 50 full page transcript and had to be cut down to 11 pages. Then from there another cut so I had to change cameras to avoid jump cuts. Just about every cut in the piece is shortened due to approved copy from Roger.

[solproductions]

The color looks good. Though the cuts are to hard and I feel disconected to the interviewee when they occur. Otherwise great footage.

[natob2]

This is purely a commentary on the typography and motion graphics in this piece...(sorry to single you out)

I'm kind of scared of what "Motion" is going to do to motion graphics.

It just makes it too easy.

I'll explain: When desktop publishing and programs like Photoshop made high-end design tools available to the masses it just became way to easy to create amateurish work that is just out of control. Just look at the majority of web sites on the web, most are poorly designed...many are horrendous. Before, people had to spend a great deal of time in art and design programs learning the craft AND acquiring the knowledge to "push the right buttons" to make their creations come to life. The craft was the priority, learning the tools was secondary.

As the advent of digital tools progressed motion graphics? Absolutely! But it has also caused the field to digress quite a bit.

My point, in reference to this specific piece, is to be careful with overusing, or misusing, the tools made available to you. I produce work with some of the best motion graphics animators in the industry...many who have extensive fine arts and design backgrounds. They know the craft, they understand line, composition, color, etc etc. AND concept...the tools are just secondary!

Sorry if this sounds nitpicky, I am just a HUGE advocate of good design practices in motion graphics, I know I sound like some old professor in a fine arts program (Ive had them myself!...I just believe it is important to not overuse the tools and create animations that seem pointless, or busy or just not "smart".

To really see what I'm talking about, and for motion graphic inspiration and education visit: http://transistorstudios.com Its great stuff!!

[Jimmy]

Natob2 I agree with you on some level and I do not claim to be an expert in motion graphics. You do not know all the facts in the cutting room on how this all went down so I will be nice and short. Roger Waters is a good friend of mine and he is brilliant in what he does and very complex. He and his manager wanted something very simple on black or animated to something like his past few albums. They approved my choices in what I showed on the test reel. So there you have it among other things that went on which I will never mention. By the way I did check out the web site you recommended and it is very good. Maybe you should give me your number for next time I need an expert in motion graphics.

[PC]

I really agree with natob2. Mind less and over use of motion graphics kill the show. U raised the issue at the right place. Its really sad to see such a begining for this really good work.

[Jimmy]

Guys you are really killing me on this shit. I understand and I think the point is well taken by me but stop hitting me on this and generalize on the rest of the population. I have been doing this for over 20 years with the biggest names in the music business and it usually boils down to what they want they get.

Take this fight to another forum please this is not the right place for this, enough already.
Write a column about this in a magazine or something. Believe me on similar issues I do sound like the 2 of you but enjoy what is hear and let sleeping dogs lay.

[disjecta]

I agree, I think the point has been made and there is so much more to this piece than the opening titles.

[Guest]

The attempt at several cameras was certainly interesting although I will have to agree with disjecta, a couple of times it became distracting... perhaps you could try overlaying the dialogue of certain camera angles on still shots from the "old days" and such -- it could provide some subtext and perhaps alleviate some of the cuttiness... good work overall... oh, btw, "lacoste" is spelled wrong --

i have to jump in your defense on the titles and motion... i'd like to know when it is that someone who considers himself on the cutting edge of technology starts to become afraid of new tech? Motion is just another tool... the hammer has been around for centuries, and yes there have been many bad doghouses built with it, but look at all the great things that have been made when the tool found itself in the right hands... adobe photoshop has made possible mixed media art by the likes of dave mckean (the sandman series) -- who knows what a teenager in a garage will be able to with motion someday?

[Jimmy]

Just to let you all know that I appreciate all of the positive & constructive feedback. Now that (I need it yesterday) deadline is over I was planning on making another version much like the comments posted here more documentary style than Rock & Roll. Reading this post I am now going to do it sooner than later taking in ALL of the comments. Again the cuts are not done creatively they where done to avoid jump cuts in the edited dialogue.

This piece (EPK, Electronic Press Kit) was produced for a limited number of music industry people for the sole purpose to let people know what Roger is saying about these 2 new songs.

[LUXGAP]

Everyone has a valve that gets filled up at a random time and explodes, such seems to be the case regarding the person who jumped all over your piece's graphic look. Unfortunately someone else jumped on the bandwagon and here we have a verbal lynchmob. I am sure they mean well but here you were, just trying to share your fine work about such a high profile artist as Roger Waters. I enjoyed the interview and saw for the first time a side of Mr. Waters which I found refreshingly revealing. I only knew of Floyd's art rock past but suddenly seeing one of the main creators' views regarding the historical times we live in made me very interested in his work. The interview defenitely worked, and the graphics were not deserving of such outcasting.
Oh well, the human condition must persist.

[Craig]

Incredible-

I don't give a crap if this was shot on hi8 or 35mm, dvx100a or drawn on a fricken etch a sketch, the media we present- be it art or information -is what is important. This guy is speaking passionately about a situation that involves the future of the entire world and we are bickering about how good or bad the stupid picture looks. Tell a story, speak your mind, don't look for man's approval, follow your heart- and use whatever means you must.

Wow.... take a breath man.

I have some pearls to offer, but I am not sure where.

Aloha,

Craig

[MrBeaker]

I thought the footage looked great.

thanks for posting :)

hope to see more of your work ;D

[Guest]

The motion graphics looked great.

I liked the interview too. Good points.

Bob Cetti
Audio Video Services

[soundman]

This is great. Also a perfect example of subject over media format. Well done.

[Jimmy]

There is a new version up.

http://www.ienner.com/pages/_rock%26roll_pf.html/roger_waters_interview.html

[ozone1979]

nice clip, man...
makes me wanna do a few interviews....lol

keep up the good work.
entertainment CAN be of a serious nature...
i guess that's y i only watch news, if i'm watching tv.

Fox News is pretty funny, btw.

[Guest]

Great interview. Nice editing. Great use of music.

I really enjoyed this piece. Roger is and always has been a passionate public figure. You captured that passion well.

Thanks for sharing your video, really enjoyed it. Thanks for posting.

[disjecta]

Jimmy,

Much improved over the first version. Nice work.