A Skate Video & Some Workflow Questions

Scott F

Scott F

Pug Life
Shot and edited some skate footage a few weeks ago using the A1. Here it is. Just a bunch of us old-schoolers who get together and skate a concrete park on Sunday mornings.

Any feedback or comments would be appreciated. Does it stream ok? I was all over the place with the iris, due to shadowy conditions and generally trying to get used to the A1. I can't wait to go back and shoot some footage with Disjecta's "vividrgb" file setting.

So anyways, my workflow questions would be geared toward FCP users. I'm still using FCP Studio version 1. There was a bug with compressor, I've never been able to get the program to work. ("Cannot connect to background process" is the message that comes up.) I've tried uninstalling and re-installing to no avail. I just export my file using Quicktime conversion in FCP.

So anyways (pt.2), When uploading a file to the web, what screen size are you creating? (assuming it was shot at 1080 HD?) Is there a way to crop out the black letterboxes using Quicktime? I'm looking for a screen size that's not to big, not too small.

My current export settings are H.264, 15fps, Data Rate-Automatic, 640X480 VGA, preserve aspect ration using crop.

I'm really digging shooting in HD, but it's all new to me and I've got lots of questions. And I gotta get my copy of compressor working. If you've made it this far, thanks for reading.
 
I think your iris control was ok, but it seemed jittery and slightly interlaced. Nicely done if you can fix the compression settings. I like the last bail. Camera guy gets owned.
 
The iris liked out ok to me. I would invest in the $14 steadicam. That would make your footage a lot smoother!!
 
I loved the 'vibe' of the video but agree with the previous posters about the jerkiness.
Did you have the OIS on? Even without a stedicam type thing it seemed very jerky for even straight hand held shots.
 
pwn3d!

pwn3d!

OK, three votes for shaky camera. I don't think all the OIS in the world can save this hack. (me) I'm still getting used to the weight of the A1 (coming from a DVX) It's got some ballast! I also think riding the iris contributed to some of the shaky shots, but I don't like to use auto.

I think there might be some "jitter" or speed issues with the encoding of the raw footage. I have to go back and watch the original tape on an HD monitor. Shot #1 looks like old-timey newsreel footage.

Thanks for the feedback. There's always next time to try and do better.
 
I think some is due to the 15fps. But yeah I hear you on the weight of that camera. I am used to the DVX.
 
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