GT Rudeboi video

[Cheesesailor77]

But I do understand that my video production needs work, and if you can point me to more learning I would appreciate. All those things - lighting, editing, color correcting etc. There isn't a film school or such here. No video editing classes, if you want to do video here you best be an adaptive learner.

to tell you the truth, I've learned pretty much everything i know from this site and practicing.

That video I posted, that was the first time I had lit anything. I had shot 2-3 very short, very stupid little movies with my friends that taught me to how to use the camera and how to use an NLE, but I really wanted to do something that didn't look like ****, so I decided to do that fake music video almost purely as a lighting exercize. And because I had no idea what I was doing I went to the space a couple nights earlier with the lights (an opened faced 300w I borrowed from a guy at public access and a few $20 worklights from sears) and set up the shots, placing lights almost randomly trying to figure out how to get something cool. I already knew the concept of Key/Fill/Back/Background, but beyond that there's not a whole lot a book can teach you, you gotta go out and try it.

If you really don't have a clue, I'd recommend Rush's Digital Filmmaking Course (or whatever it's called), it has a sticky at the top of the HVX200 page. I did learn a couple things from it, from if you're totally green, it's a really good place to start.

It's not so nessicary for music videos, but if you're thinking of getting into narrative stuff, try getting the Hollywood Camera Work dvds. It seems like common sense, but I actually got quite a bit out of that as well.

and like I said, for me the biggest help has simply been this forum. Get your camera and some lights and practice. Then when you have specific questions, come ask the forum and there's a ton of really smart, experienced folks here that always have an answer.

GOOD TIMES!

 

[cinebuddy]

Johnny for the most part I thought your composition etc was pretty good for a first vid. If you notice I did not try to crush your bridge as the stuff you could improve is again exposure and light blocking. Johnny has the advantage of film school where he was probably taught early on to turn out the lights and start from square one. You are a lot like me in that I started as a recording engineer. I thought this sh^t was easy camera+desire=sweet ass video. But between here and cinematography.com I finally started to get everything in order. Learning motivated lighting/raising the ambient light level/blocking...basically seeing light which I think is the most important thing. You might want to check out a few of Walter Graffs videos or the DCT ones (can't vouch for them perfectly but the demo's seem cool.) I will disagree with Danny on Magic Bullet...if you don't have a firm grasp on the fundamentals it will become a crutch...and that's speaking from experience, I used to slap it on any piece of f'ed up video I had, now I hardly use it. Peace and good luck.

 

[danny d]

Cinebuddy I totally agree with you on magic bullet. I only suggest it for the lazy folks who just want to jump the gun. I will strongly advice anyone trying to shoot great videos for a living, to learn with a team of people who have the same passionate desire for the medium.

division of labor is the key to good filmmaking. This is not the rule of thumb, but I assure you, sharing your knowledge and teaming with friends will get you a long, long way. There is tooo much to learn and too much talent to exude/.
stick to two fields and excel in those .you will be fine.
I live in Los Angeles, where a lot of productions take place on a daily basis. You can say the worst things about hollywood but the enviroment here is the most collaborative. Most music videos you see on MTV have at least 3 companies collaborating to achieve the treatment goals. For the most part one company can handle all the work, but they divide the labor in planning and pre-production, production, editing, coloring, vfx, conforming and final delivery, leaving you with ultra slick looking videos.

Check out MVPA.com and see how they function.

same goes with filmmaking, commercials, television etc.

Now i am not saying this is the best method.

surely indy companies, directors and freelance artists work effectively and more creatively in a different manner.

All I am saying is in Johnny's case it will help if he learned different aspects of the craft with his friends and had them choose what crew roles they would like to pursue.

remember you dont live in los angeles, where a crew can be assembled in two phone calls. Just a thought.

 

[cinebuddy]

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I live in Los Angeles, where a lot of productions take place on a daily basis. You can say the worst things about hollywood but the enviroment here is the most collaborative. Most music videos you see on MTV have at least 3 companies collaborating to achieve the treatment goals. For the most part one company can handle all the work, but they divide the labor in planning and pre-production, production, editing, coloring, vfx, conforming and final delivery, leaving you with ultra slick looking videos.

I'd kill to live out there. I just moved from Philly where there were a lot of like minded people as far as film etc. I moved back to Columbus, Oh and have not found that kindred community as of yet.