Finished New Day Video feed back please
- Thread starter rellyrale
- Start date
First thoughts:
Colors seem a bit washed.. What profile did you use? Try just adding some curves in post..
You definitely need some sort of stabilization, especially for the parts where you're holding the cam. Simple shoulder mount would fix that.
Not feeling all the aquatic shots.. To many of them..
Song has a story for you to follow, you should try telling 'us' a story of it being a 'new day'.
Is he looking for a job? Whats he doing?
Again kill a bunch of the aquatic scenes and give 'us' more of a reason for him walking around.
In looking at the video I feel like he's just roaming the streets of some place looking at wildlife.. If thats what you're trying to go for, then great! If not, then I dont get the point of the vid..
Thats all I have at the moment.
Colors seem a bit washed.. What profile did you use? Try just adding some curves in post..
You definitely need some sort of stabilization, especially for the parts where you're holding the cam. Simple shoulder mount would fix that.
Not feeling all the aquatic shots.. To many of them..
Song has a story for you to follow, you should try telling 'us' a story of it being a 'new day'.
Is he looking for a job? Whats he doing?
Again kill a bunch of the aquatic scenes and give 'us' more of a reason for him walking around.
In looking at the video I feel like he's just roaming the streets of some place looking at wildlife.. If thats what you're trying to go for, then great! If not, then I dont get the point of the vid..
Thats all I have at the moment.
maranfilms
Veteran
I'm guessing you did this for free. But if you did charge for this vid, you should give him his money back or reshoot it. I hate to sound overly harsh, but you did ask for the brutal truth. Here's my opinion of what I think is wrong.
1. exposure is all over the place, mainly overexposed.
2. the shot composition is in need of some help.
3. you need to work on focus, maybe find an ac to help with your shoots.
4. sometimes shakey cam looks good, other times it takes away from the production value as it did here. Had the other things been better, it would have been more exceptable even though it really isn't working for the vid.
5. locations are generic, it looks like you told the singer to go out back and stand in front of the swing. Not to mention the wide shot there is not a very good choice. I would have used a medium shot, or medium closeup;. but thats just me.
6. I didn't like the wardrobe choice for this, the white suite is so p-diddy, lol.
Thats the most obvious that stood out to me, Now for the good.
1. I think it's awesome your out there shooting and not sitting around talking about it.
2. huge props for you posting and asking for feedback, takes courage, because no one like to have their work bashed, but it's the best and fastest way to learn.
3. your obviously very enthusiastic about what your doing, so keep with it, and all the critiques will be a thing of the past, you will start upping the production value with each shoot.
keep us posted when your finished with your next vid, would like to see how you improved from the last.
1. exposure is all over the place, mainly overexposed.
2. the shot composition is in need of some help.
3. you need to work on focus, maybe find an ac to help with your shoots.
4. sometimes shakey cam looks good, other times it takes away from the production value as it did here. Had the other things been better, it would have been more exceptable even though it really isn't working for the vid.
5. locations are generic, it looks like you told the singer to go out back and stand in front of the swing. Not to mention the wide shot there is not a very good choice. I would have used a medium shot, or medium closeup;. but thats just me.
6. I didn't like the wardrobe choice for this, the white suite is so p-diddy, lol.
Thats the most obvious that stood out to me, Now for the good.
1. I think it's awesome your out there shooting and not sitting around talking about it.
2. huge props for you posting and asking for feedback, takes courage, because no one like to have their work bashed, but it's the best and fastest way to learn.
3. your obviously very enthusiastic about what your doing, so keep with it, and all the critiques will be a thing of the past, you will start upping the production value with each shoot.
keep us posted when your finished with your next vid, would like to see how you improved from the last.
ok my biggest problem i don't know how to control the over exposure when i shoot at those times of the day i use a circular polarizer filter and it doesn't help at all. shot composition? they guy wants less of him and more other things representing a new day so in the one thing I'm changing is adding school buses and people going to work basically more morning activities. i just thought it would be neat to have him leave in the morning on the way to the doctor and notice the park and go on this crazy tour and then end up making it to his destination after his detour. i have watched a million color correction videos and i still don't understand what I'm looking for to fix?? is there a way to fix in the post the over exposure the t2i cannot control the iso in video form so when the sun is really out it kills out my lil shots... and i have other videos in the footage second i need some brutal honesty on those thanx for everything these are the things i need to know bc where I'm at people think I'm great
ThisHideousReplica
Active member
First off, rellyralle, you are a lion. To take such tough talk with so much good grace speaks volumes about your character and your desire. Also the thing with the overexposure? What you need is an ND (neutral density) filter. The stronger the better in that bright sun, maybe even stack a few. If you can't get an ND filter than you can either stop down (maybe even all the way to f11 or f22) or take the shutter up from 1/50. Obviously the filter is best but if worst comes to worst, you should up the shutter. I know that breaks every single rule of filmmaking according to the internet but shallow depth of field, while boring to professionals and film geeks, really blows the socks off of ordinary people and you need that. The motion might look weird and thats going to suck but we're talking a rock and a hard place here. Test both options and choose the one you like. And really do it, budget time, like an afternoon, put it into your computer and really look at it--don't just read random sh*t off the internet. But whatevs, thats a small thing, you'll figure it out.
But what i really wanted to say was, you have one big plus going for you that a lot of other people don't--you have this talented musician whose given you the opportunity to create his music video. Plus he probably has a built in audience so if you do something good you know you're going to get views and who knows what from there. So already you're a lot better off than the THOUSANDS of people in their backyards taking pictures of flowers and chipmunks with their $1000 cameras.
On the other hand, you've got the challenges. Maybe the musician doesn't realize how incredibly difficult it is to make a good video. He can only fit you in here and there, maybe he's thinking you can just follow him around while he gets some things done and it'll turn out fine. I'm going to guess that you would have loved to have started the video off with him wakin up, getting out of bed, but he didn't want any filming in his house so you had to start at the door and now suddenly its hard to tell its supposed to be morning.
WHAT YOU REALLY REALLY NEED TO DO IS BLOW THE MIND OF IAN SWEET. You need to show him footage where he goes, "This is way better than what I expected. Oh my god, this looks like a real video." Then suddenly you'll have his undivided attention. He'll put his fist through glass for the video. That stuff he wants of a new day happening? Do it. Set your alarm for like 4, and be at wherever you want to shoot a half hour before the sun rises. Stand there like a f*ckin geek camera nerd and just take it. This isn't for the musician, it's for YOU. Go get it. Maybe get a time-lapse of the sun rising to start it off. Cut together 30 sec. (that maybe took you weeks to put together) and just abuse the man with sick footage. Also minor things... you need to get a tripod. Forget the shoulder mount, just get a tripod, even if its cheap. If the tripod costs less than your camera, don't tilt or pan, don't move it at all. Just cut and set up from a different angle when you want to see something new. That's classic technique that no one does so already you'll stand out. Also, maybe cut down on the wides and get in a little closer--maybe this is a good ratio: 30% Medium Closeups (chest and head), 40% Medium (upper body), 20% closeups (head), 8% wide (whole body in landscape), 2% extreme close up (eyes)
I'm jealous. I wish I was you. You've got a beautiful thing just around the corner...
Thank you for this opportunity to think about my own projects while talking about yours.
MESSAGE TO KASTRO AND MARANFILMS: Thanking you for coming around to this corner of the forum and sharing your knowledge with so much honesty. I've often seen you take the time to critique another's work, always with honesty and truth. I know a lot of seasoned vets don't even check whats going on here. Hopefully when I do post some of my own work you'll do me the honour of providing a blunt, no-BS critique!!
But what i really wanted to say was, you have one big plus going for you that a lot of other people don't--you have this talented musician whose given you the opportunity to create his music video. Plus he probably has a built in audience so if you do something good you know you're going to get views and who knows what from there. So already you're a lot better off than the THOUSANDS of people in their backyards taking pictures of flowers and chipmunks with their $1000 cameras.
On the other hand, you've got the challenges. Maybe the musician doesn't realize how incredibly difficult it is to make a good video. He can only fit you in here and there, maybe he's thinking you can just follow him around while he gets some things done and it'll turn out fine. I'm going to guess that you would have loved to have started the video off with him wakin up, getting out of bed, but he didn't want any filming in his house so you had to start at the door and now suddenly its hard to tell its supposed to be morning.
WHAT YOU REALLY REALLY NEED TO DO IS BLOW THE MIND OF IAN SWEET. You need to show him footage where he goes, "This is way better than what I expected. Oh my god, this looks like a real video." Then suddenly you'll have his undivided attention. He'll put his fist through glass for the video. That stuff he wants of a new day happening? Do it. Set your alarm for like 4, and be at wherever you want to shoot a half hour before the sun rises. Stand there like a f*ckin geek camera nerd and just take it. This isn't for the musician, it's for YOU. Go get it. Maybe get a time-lapse of the sun rising to start it off. Cut together 30 sec. (that maybe took you weeks to put together) and just abuse the man with sick footage. Also minor things... you need to get a tripod. Forget the shoulder mount, just get a tripod, even if its cheap. If the tripod costs less than your camera, don't tilt or pan, don't move it at all. Just cut and set up from a different angle when you want to see something new. That's classic technique that no one does so already you'll stand out. Also, maybe cut down on the wides and get in a little closer--maybe this is a good ratio: 30% Medium Closeups (chest and head), 40% Medium (upper body), 20% closeups (head), 8% wide (whole body in landscape), 2% extreme close up (eyes)
I'm jealous. I wish I was you. You've got a beautiful thing just around the corner...
Thank you for this opportunity to think about my own projects while talking about yours.
MESSAGE TO KASTRO AND MARANFILMS: Thanking you for coming around to this corner of the forum and sharing your knowledge with so much honesty. I've often seen you take the time to critique another's work, always with honesty and truth. I know a lot of seasoned vets don't even check whats going on here. Hopefully when I do post some of my own work you'll do me the honour of providing a blunt, no-BS critique!!
maranfilms
Veteran
@thishideousreplica, Love that screen name by the way, very original
I enjoy seeing people progress with each shoot, it's cool to witness. I think with his determination he will be making some nice vids pretty soon, as you mentioned, he has a good talent to shoot, which makes it that much better.If you post a vid, I will be happy to check it out and share my feelings on it. just send me a pm, so I dont miss it. Sometimes threads get covered over in a matter of minutes when a lot of folks are posting. I like to have my work critiqued as well, sometimes after shooting and cutting a vid, you stare at it so much that you forget something obvious that a fresh set of eyes sees right away. , then it's like , "damn how did I miss that?" lol
maranfilms
Veteran
what you said makes sense, you need to tell it like a story, we as the audience have no way of knowing he's going to the dr., then he gets distarcted and ends up at a park. This is where the challenge begins, because you have to somehow get this accross to the audience. Maybe start the vid with walking to the fridge, where he sees a calender on the door, then he grabs it, cut to a close up of what it says on the calendar,"dr appointment" then cut back to him for a reaction. this is just a quick example of how to tell it as a story.
@Thishediousreplica/Maranfilms- Np man.. Thank YOU for the verbose thoughts which will help everyone who reads.. its a Win/Win for everyone. Especially when you are sharing your thoughts/experience with others who are seeking it.
I dont want to tarnish this thread, but I recently posted a video about 3 threads down from this one (a day with my daughter) I'd like feedback if you guys are so inclined.
@Rellyrale - Try redoing it if he's willing to do it.. Maybe mix up what you have with some thoughts for new clips. I'm sure he knows you're just starting out. Maybe even pick another song and this time try to build up a shot list or something along those lines.
Also, get that ND filter man.. a definite for bright shots..
I dont want to tarnish this thread, but I recently posted a video about 3 threads down from this one (a day with my daughter) I'd like feedback if you guys are so inclined.
@Rellyrale - Try redoing it if he's willing to do it.. Maybe mix up what you have with some thoughts for new clips. I'm sure he knows you're just starting out. Maybe even pick another song and this time try to build up a shot list or something along those lines.
Also, get that ND filter man.. a definite for bright shots..
ok we gonna check out that ND filter... i have a monopod and 2 tripods i used one for for the back yard scene. i have the kit lens 18-55mm and a 50mm 1.8 i hate that i have to back up to get everything like that... this was a 150 video and i was rushed on it so thats why i didn't have time to really shoot and plan it out properly and now he is 1200 miles away in NY now blowing my phone up asking if its done mind you i have 9 different that have been shoot and need editing 3 dvd projects and almost 100 hours of live performances and release parties and radio station promos to edit and complete before the year is out lol... i need this input bc i swear they see my work and think I'm ready for mtv and bet but I'm not satisfied with any of it because it doesn't have the look I'm looking for. before i purchased my camera in feb i didn't know anything about a camera or any adobe products so this year was my learning stage. now that I'm established and quit my day job to do this and have more work then i know what to do with i need to learn how to do this formal before i start these filmmaking courses in the new year... what does everybody else edit with i have vegas hd 10 but don't like the interface master collection cs5
ThisHideousReplica
Active member
c'mon. this is so much better! i can see the talent so much more here. and now that i understand your situation, i think you're right to just to push sh*t out the door. cant wait to see what you come back with after the courses. in terms of this video my personal feeling is it'd be best to stay away from "dip to white" and dissolves and instead just mash on hard cuts as well as crop and blur effects instead.
maran, kastro--positive feeling much appreciated, thanks!
maran, kastro--positive feeling much appreciated, thanks!