comments on a first video

Hmmm. Not sure what to say. Not to come of the wrong way, this is just criticism. I saw the title of the video. This is a spot? first of all, you'll have to rights to use that music. Second, The visuals are all over the map. If you are trying to sell a resort of some sort, I think you should stay away from using any music of "Prodigy". Their music doesn't work for that market. Try looking for Chill or lounge music. That might work.

Pick what you want to use. Try to show just visuals or still photography only. I would not use both. but please fill free to do whatever you want. Whatever you fill works. Also, know what your client or the market wants! I can't stress that enough.

I'll give you an "A" for effort.

Cheers,

Murray
 
Last edited:
Yeah I agree, the music especially at the start of that is kind of eerie, doesn't fit with the theme, it makes me watch for Lara Croft to swoop in and start shooting the tourists.

Also why is the video apparently like a minute longer than it should be with all black? That's weird...
 
JonathanLB said:
Yeah I agree, the music especially at the start of that is kind of eerie, doesn't fit with the theme, it makes me watch for Lara Croft to swoop in and start shooting the tourists.

Also why is the video apparently like a minute longer than it should be with all black? That's weird...
Click to expand...

Yeah, I forgot to mention that also. Make sure if you're doing a Commercial Spot. You have to be exact with your timing. is it a 30 second spot or a 60 second spot?
 
thank you guys,

i will look for the music which fits better.

please,advice me which editing program except final cut pro may i use?

is it possible to download editing program from the net?

thank you
 
dear Murray,
i'm just back from your youtube account.
all my respect.and i appreciate that a professional guy like you spends his time to give advices to newcomers,thanks.

may i ask your personal opinion-my ambition is to become film director and i realise that cinematographer is an important step stone.
please,advice how should i start-maybe you may recommend any schools?
or do you consider it waste of time and the best thing i can do is go straight on to film and study on my mistakes?

thank you and good day
 
I believe Murray will say much the same as I would, or a lot of people, that the ongoing (and never-ending?) debate about film school or not is much a personal preference, how you learn, and what you hope to get out of it. I chose to go to film school -- twice -- and both times dropped out. It wasn't for me. I found the pace too slow and the teachers were not giving me information I found entirely useful (I don't care how union productions work right now, I don't care if Avid and 35mm are still prevalent, none of us smaller guys work with union budgets, cut in Avid, or shoot on 35mm, so it's all sort of irrelevant until you "make it" big enough to pay your 1st A.D. the union-minimum $3,800/week or whatever).

I know several of my friends went to film school, they made some great work, and they work in the industry now, I think they're happy they attended. I am happy I dropped out. It just depends so much on what you want to know. I do believe if you want to be a jack-of-all-trades and learn something about every part of filmmaking, film school is fantastic. To be honest I never had that mentality. I know a lot of directors way more successful than me, since I'm just starting, who are the same way. I don't care about the details of how you rig this or that light, or how you setup this camera, or how stuff like that works -- I can pay people to do that for me, and I do. As long as I know the basics, what things cost to rent, what I need on my sets, I'm fine with letting other professionals take care of the details. Ideally I'd love to know everything about everything, but my time and capacity for knowledge is limited, so I have to make do with whatever I can learn and hope for the best. I don't need to know how to light a set great, or how to operate a bunch of cameras. All I need to know is someone who does, and I have plenty of those connections who are far better than I could ever be.

But maybe you want to learn every detail you can about every position. I just tend to think you should pick one area of expertise and stick to it, or maybe several. Most beginning directors have no choice but to be their own producers most of the time, at least when building your reel if not more, because even if you're as disinterested in ever being a grip / editor / cinematographer as I am, you still better know how to produce your own projects and file proper paperwork so you cover your butt (insurance, taxes, liability, releases, location agreements, etc.).
 
Hello there Nvaneer.

As you can see, JonathanLB's response is what I had in mind. The whole film school and whatnot is a never-ending debate. The best filmmakers that create these blockbuster hits never went to film school, dropped out, or were denied upon entry. It all depends on what you want for yourself. Think about it. Do some research from those who did not go to film school and those who did. I really believe that you want this, but I think you need to sit back and do some research before you start kicking yourself in ass because you made the wrong choice. Trust me, the research is worth it.

Also, thanks for your comments about my youtube account. We are all here to help one another. Also, we are always learning something new. You will never know everything about the industry. Start cleaning up your commercial and keep us posted. Let me know when you have a new cut.

Cheers,

Murray
 
Yeah the other thing is, who is to say that if I had went to USC, UCLA, Chapman, or something like that, I wouldn't have been quite happy and learned a lot, be in a good position, etc.? I will never know. All I know is I think I did what was right for me, but what is right for someone else? I cannot say. There really is just what is right for each person. A lot of it really is learning style and your available resources. Actually I think if you have few financial resources, I'm not sure film school is a great idea either, just because it is so expensive and to take out student loans for an uncertain career path, I don't know, that's rough.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top