Golf Course Clip

[HoustonDigital]

Hi all.

I'm shooting a commercial for a golf course and I've never done it before, so I decided to shoot some very rough clips to send to the marketing firm that's in charge of the account. Before I send it, I'd love some feedback.

This is all hand held, but the actual spot will be done locked down.

http://www.houstondigitalfilms.com/video/golf.wmv

Thanks

[videoav]

needs more color to it. richness. did u use a lens adapter?

[HoustonDigital]

I used MB for CC... Dream Look preset. I wanted to go for a bit of surreal look but I agree the colors are a bit washed out.

No adapter. Just cropped in post.

I think the composition of these shots is poor, and better composition will lend to better color. I couldn't get access to this course as it's owned by the City of Houston and I would be required to have insurance. If I could actually get close greens shots I think it would be better. This is really a very rough "dry run" at shooting golf courses. Most of the spots I've produced have been in-studio.

[ryan brown]

No offense, but I wouldn't send that to anyone, let alone a marketing firm. The handheld is really bad, the transitions suck, and like "videoav" said, it needs more color. Composition? there's nothing to be proud of. This looks totally amateurish.

I know that's really harsh, but it's true, and I'd hate to see you lose a paying gig over it. I'd go out to a golf course and re-do it. If they won't let you on the greens, go to another one, or just bring some clubs and stash your camera. Spend an hour and get some better shots...

Think about the "rule of thirds" for composition. When shooting outdoor scenery, it REALLY make's a difference.

good luck

[J.R. Hudson]

Honesty is an under appreciated skillset.

Bravo.

[HoustonDigital]

rcbrown23,

Please go back and re-read my last post. I know the composition sucks. As far as your other comments, good call. Thanks for the feedback. That's why I posted it here first.

This one's going in the recycling bin. I'll post another after it's done tomorrow.

[sonic freak]

Houston Digital,

going to another course where you can have more access would be the best option. Then you can relax, probably early evening when there are less golfers, and shoot all kinds of shots with great natural light.

I'm shooting a promo video for a friend of mine who is a professional golfer looking for sponsorship and most of it looks good cause I've had unparalled access to the courses and his swing is PGA tour.

A tip I'd give you is take a scratch golfer with you and shoot him on the course for a couple shots. It enhances your shots. (if he has a great swing, that is..)

[Blaine]

A tip I'd give you is take a scratch golfer with you and shoot him on the course for a couple shots. It enhances your shots. (if he has a great swing, that is..)
That is some excellent advice. Nothing looks better on a beautiful course that a great golf shot!

[J.R. Hudson]

I'd shoot first thing at sunrise if possible (most courses are open at 5:30 ish ....)

[Blaine]

I'd shoot first thing at sunrise if possible (most courses are open at 5:30 ish ....)
And if you can get the early morning misty look...wow!

...and a ball landing on a dew moistened green...makes me want to head out tomorrow...

[J.R. Hudson]

Did I mention my new home was on a Golf Course ?

[Blaine]

Did I mention my new home was on a Golf Course ?

Fuck you, golf's not a sport, remember? :evil: :grin:

[J.R. Hudson]

I know

But it's a great game to get drunk while playing

[Blaine]

I know

But it's a great game to get drunk while playing
Especially if you can walk home afterward...I'm jealous as hell...:Drogar-Evil(DBG):

[kimko]

:
I know

But it's a great game to get drunk while playingyou got that right i'm coming over John with a case:Drogar-BigGrin(DBG) . hey i'm heading down your way in june for a couple of days for a feature i landed a small part in. anybody else in san diego up for some beers?

[J.R. Hudson]

Deal

It is .50 Miles from the house

[kimko]

And if you can get the early morning misty look...wow!

...and a ball landing on a dew moistened green...makes me want to head out tomorrow...Blaine you and i got go and party at Johns back yard and play few rounds whether he likes it or not.:Drogar-Evil(DBG): :Drogar-Evil(DBG):

[kimko]

oops scratch that, it's ok with him!

[kimko]

yeah lets do it! i don't know when my shoot date is yet. but i'll pm you John when i know.

[epsilonbass]

am i the only one who thinks that that aspect ratio is completely alienating for a comerical? I would at most crop it to 16:9 if not 3:4

[kimko]

Especially if you can walk home afterward...I'm jealous as hell...:Drogar-Evil(DBG): hell yeah we certainly don't want to drive!:Drogar-Evil(DBG): :furious3:

[dustino]

If you didn't already, use a polarizing filter. Sky had little color.

[art metal art]

Any new shots yet?

[mastertee31]

#1 Definately invest in a polarizer. Get those skies nice and blue.

#2 Crank up the green in post big time! People want to see nice lush colours. (I get the bronze look your going for, but I don't think it's working)

Good luck!

[HoustonDigital]

Thanks for the tips guys. I'm going back out this morning and should have some more shots ready this afternoon. Someone mentioned something about the aspect ratio. The final commercial will be 4:3 letterboxed to 16:9 with top third and lower third graphics for logo and contact info. I agree I should shoot this the same way.

Honestly, I was just messing around with this one. I'll go in with a much more serious approach today.

Again, thanks for the great feedback

[mrpunch]

If you haven't left yet - you might also want to compose your shots so that there aren't things like "traffic" in the background - or the office building. Sure, those things are there - but for marketing? No one needs to know. Make it appear 'tranquil' even if it's not! And try a few shots from the ground / with some grass in the foreground. And when you shoot the fairways and greens - make them look like you would find that an interesting hole if you were a golfer. A challenge / A peaceful day out.

[HoustonDigital]

Awesome -- still having problems finding a course though. Public courses require a million in insurance and a permit--no way I'm doing that, and I've talked to three private courses already that tell me no way. And that's after I told them I'm taking some film classes and I'm doing this as a learning experience. I'll keep trying, in the mean time my battery's still charging.

[art metal art]

Just goto San Diego and film these guys. Make a DVX helmet cam....of course you would be the only one playing with a helmet but you might just start a new fad. Golf safety hats that dispense balls, wash them and refrigerate your drink.

[surf]

if you have such a great camera, you should try to add more colour
try out some sunrise, and sunset clips too
and use tripod.

[art metal art]

Sunset?

http://milosart.com/Milo%20Videos.htm

[tradur]

why send that ?
it's a golf course, they already know that. you need to show what is Great about THAT golf course , and use some imagination to do it. gotta do more than just press record imo

[HoustonDigital]

I scrapped it, and the project isn't shooting this week like I'd hoped anyway. The client now wants to combine two projects into one and shoot in June. That means we're changing the script, blocking, and everything else I've already worked on. Oh well, that's the business.

[Bradbro]

Well if you ever do end up filming the links, go more green, the brown look you had in your first cut looked like the course hadn't been watered in a month on a windless smoggy day. You could almost hear the dead grass crunching under your feet.

[mungk]

I'd use a tripod as well, as it looks like most of your shots are just pans.