Video montage: 2006

Hahahah! Loved it! What did you use for the flames? They look great. Also, are you using an earthquake effect on some of the footage? I am looking for a way to do it without shaking my DVX like crazy.

Perfect music choice. I have always loved your videos too... so keep it up, my friend.
 
Heya ... thanks fellas.

Yeah, flames = badass. "Motion" is the way to go. Check it out .. it's uber-cool and really powerful (don't try to run it while running FCP ... even with a dual G5 it gets slightly bogged down).

Shake / earthquake = all done while shooting.

-K
 
I am actually a little shocked that you would try to pass off 35mm Panavision footage as DVX footage. Are you on the payroll of Panasonic? This is underhanded. OK, prove that this was DVX by giving the settings you used the most like Master Pedestal and if this was stock lens or did you use a 35mm adapter or Squeeze Mode. Oh, you can't can you because a 35mm Panavision does not have these settings?

OK, just trying to get you to tell us how you got these shots and what settings you used. I can't say one bad thing about this reel. It was some of the best I've ever seen. Just beautiful. I don't think it was too long at all. It was like eye candy. I sat here with my mouth open in total awe. I'm only sorry it ended.

Share some of the settings and what you were using and what lens if not just the DVX etc. Please.
 
Kelly Olsen said:
I am actually a little shocked that you would try to pass off 35mm Panavision footage as DVX footage. Are you on the payroll of Panasonic? This is underhanded. OK, prove that this was DVX by giving the settings you used the most like Master Pedestal and if this was stock lens or did you use a 35mm adapter or Squeeze Mode. Oh, you can't can you because a 35mm Panavision does not have these settings?

OK, just trying to get you to tell us how you got these shots and what settings you used. I can't say one bad thing about this reel. It was some of the best I've ever seen. Just beautiful. I don't think it was too long at all. It was like eye candy. I sat here with my mouth open in total awe. I'm only sorry it ended.

Share some of the settings and what you were using and what lens if not just the DVX etc. Please.
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haha, I think you've got a fan Toast!
 
Kelly Olsen said:
I am actually a little shocked that you would try to pass off 35mm Panavision footage as DVX footage. Are you on the payroll of Panasonic? This is underhanded. OK, prove that this was DVX by giving the settings you used the most like Master Pedestal and if this was stock lens or did you use a 35mm adapter or Squeeze Mode. Oh, you can't can you because a 35mm Panavision does not have these settings?

OK, just trying to get you to tell us how you got these shots and what settings you used. I can't say one bad thing about this reel. It was some of the best I've ever seen. Just beautiful. I don't think it was too long at all. It was like eye candy. I sat here with my mouth open in total awe. I'm only sorry it ended.

Share some of the settings and what you were using and what lens if not just the DVX etc. Please.
Click to expand...


Yeah, so I have to admit ... I got that "fight or flight" feeling when I started reading this! But then it quickly changed to the "WTF is 35MM Panavision" feeling! Yeah, I've never used a film camera ... even though I'm considered part of the Transition Generation (those who experienced the transition from analog to digital).

Kelly - you RAWK. Thanks. I'm pretty pumped about it ... a few small tweeks and she'll be ready to roll :-)

TJOH - Not sure how many vids I've done. Probably only like 25 or so. But of those, only about 3 or 4 that I really like.

Hoping to have the HVX in my hands today. It's like waiting for a Russian mail order bride. Except there's no Russian. Or bride.

Roger. Over.
 
Loved it!

Though, I was really expecting (wanting?) a boot to squish the cricket.
(With a gratifying *skroosh* sound effect...)
 
Kelly Olsen said:
Share some of the settings and what you were using and what lens if not just the DVX etc. Please.
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Ahh... forgot to comment on this. Shorry!

For the most part, I adjust my settings to the vibe of the music/concept/location.

Things I tweek as I shoot: Shutter speed (almost never below 120 unless I'm dead without light and can't crank the iris up without too much grain); iris = always always always manual; DOF = find the sweet spot and zoom in; ND filters suck .. I leave them off unless I'm being blasted by the sun; Scene files are 0 across the board with the occasional Master Ped bumped up to 2 ... maybe 3 to warm things up a bit.

Stock lens only. Tried a .7 WA Century Optics and wasn't very impressed.

Everything else is done in post with very simple CC adjustments (blacks, mids, saturation, etc.).

Das ist alles meine freunde!!!

Again, glad you're enjoying it .. shazam!
 
Step up your graphics at the beginning. They are very weak compared to the footage that follows and it brings down the whole thing. Just the "flame" motion background and weak fade wiped text doesn't work well. Some of the shots are very grainy, might wanna leave those out because they don't fit with some of the other ultra clear shots you've got. Also i feel it was too long with the same shaky cam effects. Do all of your music videos look the same and have the same feel because from your Reel (which is what this is not a montage) i didn't feel like your a very varied producer, you seem very locked into one style. I also found that the audio track was inappropriate. Having lyrics involved that never match the footage is distracting and unnerving. I'd suggest finding a track with less lyrics or none at all. I do think you've got some great shots in their though.
 
J5 squared said:
Step up your graphics at the beginning. They are very weak compared to the footage that follows and it brings down the whole thing. Just the "flame" motion background and weak fade wiped text doesn't work well. Some of the shots are very grainy, might wanna leave those out because they don't fit with some of the other ultra clear shots you've got. Also i feel it was too long with the same shaky cam effects. Do all of your music videos look the same and have the same feel because from your Reel (which is what this is not a montage) i didn't feel like your a very varied producer, you seem very locked into one style. I also found that the audio track was inappropriate. Having lyrics involved that never match the footage is distracting and unnerving. I'd suggest finding a track with less lyrics or none at all. I do think you've got some great shots in their though.
Click to expand...

Thanks J5 ... always welcome feedback. I don't use "Director's Reel" simply because I consider myself a music video guy. I'm not of the Director ilk. I might share some qualities, work flow, equipment with "real" director ... but I wouldn't presume to take the title. I make rockin music videos! I'm "the video guy" and this is my montage :-D

Good segue ... my style is evolving (thankfully) but yeah, I shoot - almost exclusively - punk/hardcore/metal bands.

And this tune is TOTALLY appropriate! Come on man .. Van Halen .. Unchained .. it destroys! If you don't feel good listening to this song ... if you don't want to just jump outta your chair and throw a double fist pump in the air .. well, I guess ... have a wine cooler or something.

:-)
 
I didn't think it was appropriate because of the lyrics not matchin, as i stated. If you look at reels in general they tend to be using music tracks with no lyrics at all. Did you plan organize and shoot these videos? If so i'd say your a music video director. Being a director isn't some gold medal only given to hollywood its just a job title. And reel is what demos are called in the industry. Be it an editing reel, DP reel, Directors reel, Lighting reel, etc. If its your demos that you send to prospective clients then its a reel. Just saying if you want to be professional using the right titles will help.
 
Right on dude!

I decided to do something a little different.

*Pa-ching!* Two thumbs up!

-K

(pssst....dude...I know what a director is...catch my wave here man!)
 
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Toaster, Thanks for telling us about the settings you use. I am surprised by the high shutter speed. What do you think it achieves at that rate? I thought it would make things look much different (like Band of Brothers battle scenes if you ever saw that) but it looks good or what I mean is a lack of anything obvious at that high rate.

As far as the music you chose: At first I was thinking that it was odd because of it being a known group with a different style of the bands in the video (or what I think they would sound like from the looks of them) but then I saw all the very clever cuts and cues. I just loved that mike stand with the words on Look Good or something like that and how it went with the song. Very subtle, and very cool.

However, to distinguish yourself as a director of real groups and real videos you may consider putting original music from one of the bands. For some period of time I thought that you may have taken videos off of MTV and built a reel. Part of this was because the videos look so damn Panavision good and another part was because the music was from Van Halen.

While I love the music and it works for the visuals I think it distracts from focusing on you as a director and your groups and brings into question if this is original work.

Glad I "gotcha" with my first post in the first sentence and very glad you got the fact that I was using some humor to lead into a giant compliment. I never diss people or their work. If I don't like it I mind my own biz. But yours is some of the best I have ever seen posted on this site.

But consider making it so when people see the reel they are thinking about your name not Van Halen's. Other than that suggestion all I can say is keep it up!
 
Hmmm u said you your settings were 120 shutter speed and the rest of the settings at zero with the master ped bumped up to 2 or 3 and simple cc in post...im going to go out tomorrow and see if I can achieve that same look. I thought for sure you tweaked the settings and added a lens to get those nice crisp images.
 
Kel - again, you rock. I was going to thank you via PM, but hey ... I'll thank you for your kind and supportive words in PUBLIC! Thanks :-) You're on the payroll (all I have are beer caps and wine corks, though)


Shutter - yeah, I love that Band of Bros, Private Ryan look. At 120 with good light, and modest iris opening, you can still get a sharp and relatively smooth image. To get the high-energy BoB/SPR shutter, I go up to 250 and 500, blast light, and open the iris wide. Very effective. But 120 is kind of my sweet spot for "average" action.

Music choice for the montage = well stated. I've already started working on my "Fall Montage" which will feature cuts from a hand full of new videos (PM me and I'll send you some links ;-) ... I think I'll take your advice and use an original .. we'll see. I'm also leaning towards ... well, let's just wait and see!

Kelly Olsen said:
I never diss people or their work. If I don't like it I mind my own biz!
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Such wisdom! I'm always wondering why people (not necessarily at dvx site, but in general) always feel the need to state personal opinions when viewing others' work ... as if they're an authority in a given area. But I love well-thought out and stated critiques. So valuable. Actually, invaluable!

DVX100shooter:

Go for it dude! Shoot at 120, turn your zebras on and adjust to 100% (and then adjust your iris so you have only a hint of white blowout), then shoot. Pull your footage into FCP and do one small thing: slap a Color Correction filter on your clip and then crush your blacks (take from "0" to about "-5" or "-10" and then bump up your mids to about "103 - 105". You'll have a nice crisp sheen. (Not to be confused with Charlie Sheen).

For some reason, the DVX seems to wash out the blacks. Crushing them back really creates a nice deep and rich vibe.

Lemme know how it goes man!

-K
 
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