My Sisters Wedding Footage

Rick Meyer

Rick Meyer

Veteran
Hello all-

Finally, I have SOMEthing completed to post to get some feedback. The link below is of a 7 minute edited piece that I filmed from my sister's wedding. Yeah I know, Enya. But, I'm new, it seemed fitting and I doubt she'll have many other wedding videos to compare it to. Besides, this wedding video, when all is said and done, will be a gift.

Please give me some constructive criticism. I am starting to get numb.

A warm thanks-

Rick
http://download.filefront.com/40425...5305318af7fbdb8c487528286783e57f39c7801d3d55b

I've taken down the previos link. Here is a new link with some changes. The new link has more dissolves, color corrections and steadier opening shot. Also, it's in the correct aspect ratio.

Please take a look and please feel free to comment. Keep in mind, the Bride is not in the video much. This chapter is one of many. The chapters preceding and succeeding this chapter are going to be featuring the bride and the groom. The theme of THIS chapter is "the gathering of people".

http://download.filefront.com/40722...e79996dcd06989b8332d23bce079271f25f6e37eef42a

PS Guys...this IS my sister...no inappropriate comments please.
 
Just my .02 cents worth. I'm by no means a professional wedding video photographer but I have done about 10 so here goes:

1) Overall - Looks like you shot in squeeze mode but edited on a 4:3 timeline??? Everyone is vertically stretched.

2) Opening shot - Great view overhead, but it looks like you were too lazy to haul the tripod up to the overlook and shot it handheld. It would have been perfect had you taken the tripod.
3) I would have used more dissolves on the crowd shots instead of the cuts.
4) 2:21 before we see the Groom. I know, I know, don't want to miss any family members.
5) 5:36 into a 7:20 highlight clip before the Bride makes her appearance!
6) Your sister's a hot @!$%@ - oh wait, you said not to do that.......:evil:
 
Sirius-

Thanks a lot for you input. I completely appreciate it.

Actually, I did shoot it in squeeze mode and am editing on a Widescreen Timeline but I am just getting the hang of the compression settings. So, I will re-compress and repost I think in the right format.

Opening shot, believe it or not, I did use a tripod. I had a hell of a time getting the exact movement I wanted because I was aiming for the Alter but missed it a couple of times. Plus, I had the center of the tripod stick fully extended to shoot over the balcony (I shot it from my sisters room) and I just ran out of time trying to get the perfect smooth movement.

But, I am glad you pointed that out. The jittery movement annoyed me to but no-one on my end will bother pointing that out. (They don't want to hurt my feelings. What am I a nancy??) Now I know its way worth fixing. Perhaps I can smooth the movement out with some software?

The dissolves, the dissolves...yeah, I love 'em to. But I try so hard to avoid them. I think they are cheating. If you can cut without them and have the movement still flow, then I think you are making some skillful choices. But, perhaps you are right. I will put together a piece that has more dissolves and see how she looks.

So far, you are 3 for 3 Sirius...I will address these issues.

As for the late groom and Bride entry...that was intentional. In fact, I wasn't even going to put them in this piece. As I was editing, the music got optimistic and called for something other then Uncle Joe playing with a little kid. I figure...enter the groom. This was supposed to be strictly Family and Friends that came to see their union. But, the next chapter in this video will probably be a very subtly cut sequence of their wedding. I didn't want to be self-indulgent and mess with their ceremony. I figured she'd rather have a record of that part of the day. I could be wrong, but that is my take.

But I appreciate your comments a lot. I will definitely address all of your input.

Thank you-
Rick
 
Glad I could offer the advice.
I kind of figured there was more to come since you fade to black right when the ceremony is about to begin.
Great location for the ceremony.
Dissolves have their place....:grin:
 
...I'm workin' on the dissolves now. The re-post will have to wait though. I'm getting sleepy.

Do you recommend any good software to steady that opening shot? Now that you've mentioned it, it's going to bug me until I fix it.

Rick
 
Yes, I use Premiere Pro 1.5 and AE. They have a steady plug-in? That's good to know. I will look for it.

Thanks again.
 
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47761030.jpg
 
I am attempting to download it, but the server is going pretty slow, another hour and 48 minutes to go! I will let you know when I look at it tomorrow...
 
I just pulled the first clip down and put up a newer version. As I've mentioned, it has a steadymove Pro opening shot, more color corrections (a tough art to master) and more dissolves as well as the correct aspect ration of 1.2.

Please take a look and constructively criticize.

thanks.
Rick
 
Rick - Looks great. The opening shot with the SteadyMove plugin makes all the difference.
I like the dissolves too..................
 
rlm7189, where can i get a licence to use that song in my videos? its great, nice work!
 
ST_ said:
rlm7189, where can i get a licence to use that song in my videos? its great, nice work!
Click to expand...


ST-
Who needs a license when you're putting it on you sister's wedding video? Actually, if it's on the DL, I think it's OK to use it pretty liberally. That's just my take.

Sirius-
Thank you. You are right, the steadier shot is a HUGE improvement.
 
Good work!
a little slow for my taste but Enya is Enya. I had shooted more general view but this is an personal estimation. congrats.
 
AVR-

Thanks for taking the time to comment. I thought it might have been a little slow as well but most of the rest of the Wedding chapters will be in real time. So, I think it might work to break up the flow a little.

Thanks again!

ST-

The song is from Enya. It was the second track from the Soundtrack SWEET NOVEMBER, called "Only Time". I hope this helps.
 
Overall very nice - slowmo is ok, good colors, good grading, overall there's a very polished feel, etc. The only other comment I will make is to consider (for the future for other weddings - don't worry about it now unless you want to take the time) editing the song to better match the footage you have. Enya is a good choice, but there's a lot of room to play w/ musically to edit the song (take out an entire verse cleanly and 9 out of 10 people won't notice). The footage you have during these first 6 minutes is largely the same thing over and over again - which is nice, lets the B&G see who was there and reminisce, but you've seen everything there is to see the literally the very first time you watch the video - if that makes sense. I got the impression that things were placed more to fill up the length of the music than because of a certain pacing.

Shorten the beginning, make things a bit more dynamic. It engages the viewers thoughts as well as eyes. $.02

Regardless, very solid edit and I'm sure your sister will love you for it!
 
patrickj said:
Shorten the beginning, make things a bit more dynamic. It engages the viewers thoughts as well as eyes. $.02 Regardless, very solid edit and I'm sure your sister will love you for it!
Click to expand...

Excellent $.02 Patrick. That's a great idea. I appreciate the input.

For those of you taking the time to comment, believe me, I do not take your suggestions lightly. I love this learning processes and the advice people are willing to give. It's great.

Rick
 
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