T2i NOT my First Music Video

[DHLOGAN]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRUOfkeUr7c

OK maybe I stretched the truth a little bit. This is my first music video, but I would really like any input you guys can give.

For this video I just used available lighting for just about all of the shots. The only shots I used any lighting was for the wine bar scene. For lighting I only had a Light Panels Micro and that was it. In hindsight I wish I had something a little brighter.

I graded it slightly with Magic Bullet Looks to create a kind of washed out look. I'm a newbie to color grading so your input would be appreciated.

The entire video was all shot in one day and it took me a few weeks on the edit. Let me know what you think. I really enjoyed shooting this music video and look to do more in the near future. Anything you guys/gals would have done differently??

Equipment Used:
Canon T2i
Canon 50mm 1.8
Tokina 11-16
Flycam

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRUOfkeUr7c

 

[life4eva]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRUOfkeUr7c

OK maybe I stretched the truth a little bit. This is my first music video, but I would really like any input you guys can give.

For this video I just used available lighting for just about all of the shots. The only shots I used any lighting was for the wine bar scene. For lighting I only had a Light Panels Micro and that was it. In hindsight I wish I had something a little brighter.

I graded it slightly with Magic Bullet Looks to create a kind of washed out look. I'm a newbie to color grading so your input would be appreciated.

The entire video was all shot in one day and it took me a few weeks on the edit. Let me know what you think. I really enjoyed shooting this music video and look to do more in the near future. Anything you guys/gals would have done differently??

Equipment Used:
Canon T2i
Canon 50mm 1.8
Tokina 11-16
Flycam

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRUOfkeUr7c

Lets start with the negatives:

You had some nasty moire when the artist was in the suite shop getting fitted, really bad. You should do something to try and correct that

Now while the video looks nice and I like the fact that there are a lot of different scenes me as the audience never really knew what was going on..... Like what does the visuals have to do with the song?

Personally opinion of mine also is the song is too long, no reason a solo artist especially rap should have a 4+ minute song for something so basic.



Now IMO what can you do to improve:
* Build a better story or just base it on performances
* Watch that Moire.


Other than that I would say you did a good job as far as a Camera operator and Editor but you need to work on your Directing skills.

Regardless good job .

 

[RawkThisFistRed]

Hmmm, I agree and disagree with life4eva.

The Moire was definitely bad. Gotta watch that. It however, wasn't that distracting.

The video was pretty solid. The guy's got a nice flow. I could feel the story behind the song (really clever how you worked it in, actually), but I would say that you actually rested a bit too much on what he was saying and used it too literally. I think it kind of fell short story-wise because you didn't bring any unique interpretation to the table. It felt just like a frame for frame representation of his song. I hope I'm making sense.

Either way, your shots and camera work were spot on. It dragged out towards the end but I really don't think it was because of the length of the song, but moreso because it got predictable after a while. Even in Music Videos, it's fun to give your artist a tough time. Music videos about a guy being 'smooth' don't really work that well unless it's a) all performance based or b) based around a girl that is seemingly 'intangible', giving Mr. 'Smooth' a challenge.

Either way, bravo for your first video. Way better than my first!

 

[DHLOGAN]

I guess for starters I chose to go with a story instead of just performance shots because just about ALL hip hop videos nowadays have no story whatsoever. Also, I feel like strictly performance shots is kinda lazy and anyone with a decent camera could do it.

As far as the storyline. It's pretty simple...the artist is getting prepared for a grand evening with his girl (Getting his haircut, suit fitted, flowers, nice bottle of wine) instead of the "chillin in the club, popping bottles hip hop video". The point was to separate the artist from the typical "rapper" mold.

This video is actually the first part of a series of videos, hence the "plus a suivre" at the end. It means "more to follow".

You had some nasty moire when the artist was in the suite shop getting fitted, really bad. You should do something to try and correct that

Yeah I totally agree about the moire. I realized that after the shoot. I wasn't sure what I could do about it. Any suggestions for how to correct it after the fact? The artist is in another state and its not feasible to re-shoot.

Personally opinion of mine also is the song is too long, no reason a solo artist especially rap should have a 4+ minute song for something so basic.

Not my call. Nothing i could do about that. It wasn't like I could tell him I would only do the video for 2/3rds of the song.

I would say that you actually rested a bit too much on what he was saying and used it too literally. I think it kind of fell short story-wise because you didn't bring any unique interpretation to the table.

Hmm interesting. Are you talking about the performance shots rested too much on what he was saying or the story did? Thats interesting because I didn't try to do that at all outside some of the performance shots.

Either way, your shots and camera work were spot on. It dragged out towards the end but I really don't think it was because of the length of the song, but moreso because it got predictable after a while. Even in Music Videos, it's fun to give your artist a tough time. Music videos about a guy being 'smooth' don't really work that well unless it's a) all performance based or b) based around a girl that is seemingly 'intangible', giving Mr. 'Smooth' a challenge.

Great input. Thanks. The second part of the story adds some controversy.

Thanks again for taking the time out to respond guys. I really appreciate it. Gave me some food for thought. Anyone else see anything you would do differently?

 

[zeke]

I think the only thing missing was an actual woman (as to why he is inspired...). I didn't know you could shoot at the National Cathedral, cool.
I'll have to go there to test out my new 60D.

 

[DHLOGAN]

I think the only thing missing was an actual woman (as to why he is inspired...). I didn't know you could shoot at the National Cathedral, cool.
I'll have to go there to test out my new 60D.

Yeah good point about the woman. Originally we wanted to have quick clips randomly throughout the video of a woman getting ready too. However, casting didn't work out how we planned so we had to cut it.

About the Cathedral...I don't know whether we were allowed to shoot there or not. We just kinda went there late on a Friday afternoon and started shooting. It was really a guerrilla-style shoot. No one bothered us....Go for it.

 

[dgr81rtns]

To be quite honest, it works better without seeing the woman.......considering EVERYTHING he does in this video is contrary to what "Rappers" do, his chick would be different form "eyecandy" The moire is there, but very minimal. I didn't see it until I read it here. I think this is a keeper...put it in the can and on to the next one..

 

[jaems]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRUOfkeUr7c

OK maybe I stretched the truth a little bit. This is my first music video, but I would really like any input you guys can give.

For this video I just used available lighting for just about all of the shots. The only shots I used any lighting was for the wine bar scene. For lighting I only had a Light Panels Micro and that was it. In hindsight I wish I had something a little brighter.

I graded it slightly with Magic Bullet Looks to create a kind of washed out look. I'm a newbie to color grading so your input would be appreciated.

The entire video was all shot in one day and it took me a few weeks on the edit. Let me know what you think. I really enjoyed shooting this music video and look to do more in the near future. Anything you guys/gals would have done differently??

Equipment Used:
Canon T2i
Canon 50mm 1.8
Tokina 11-16
Flycam

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRUOfkeUr7c

I watched your video on my little blackberry screen with the audio turned off because I'm at work. I think you did a great job. The shots were nicely composed, good camera moves. The only things that jumped out were a couple of the street shots, like the performance shot in the middle of the street looked blown out. And yes, the liquor store needed some light and the actors, a little separation from the background.

Did you find any noise in your liquor store shots? Didn't see anything watching your vid on my bb, but I often get a lot of noise in dark areas with my 7D even at low ISO.

Anyway, nice job. Keep it up! Where did you film, btw? Nice small, old town feel.

 

[maranfilms]

Wow, im impressed. A rapper/ wine conisuer. Rap has really gone full circle. From killing cops to pinot. lmao

Anyways, I found it really easy to watch the cuts were nice. overall really good job!!

 

[DHLOGAN]

Thanks dgr8 and maran. There really are rappers out there that have more to talk about than boats and hos. LOL.

Did you find any noise in your liquor store shots? Didn't see anything watching your vid on my bb, but I often get a lot of noise in dark areas with my 7D even at low ISO.

Where did you film, btw? Nice small, old town feel.

Yeah there is a little noise in the wine bar shots. Those shots were very dark. We shot while the locations were open for normal business so we couldn't setup any lighting that would interfere with their normal flow of traffic. Most of the locations turned out good because they let in alot of natural light. I did what I could to bring those dark wine bar shots back up. Its definitely my least favorite scene. We couldn't cut it because it was key to the story.

The performance scenes were shot at the National Cathedral in DC with the exception on the cobblestone street performance. All of the narrative scenes were shot in Old Town Alexandria, just outside of DC. Funny you said it had a "old town" feel. That was actually what we were looking for.

Thank again. I had a lot of fun shooting this music video and look to do more like this in the future. You guys feedback is golden.

 

[life4eva]

Watched the Music Video again..... You had the elements for a great Music Video but certain key things could have been better. It's cool to see the artist going to all of these different places preparing for what seems like to be an evening with someone, but you need to convey that message a lot better to your audience on what exactly is happening. One scene that made me laugh was when the artist denied a bottle of Citroc, that was clever!

Regarding the shots with the moire I would have just cut to something else or just defocused those shots. Personally I like Music Videos as it is very hard to do but when it's done everyone is happy. So on my second look I like the project a lot better than the first time, if you ever shoot anything in the future make sure to keep posting it here!

 

[xlerate]

The video looks great.
I didn't notice the Moire until it was pointed out here.
I disagree that the clothing shop needed more lighting, it had a good warm feel, and added a layer of intimacy between the artist and the lady fitting him.

As for the artists, at first I saw some drake/jay similarities in mannerisms and references, but he seems to have his own style, and held his own.
I think overall this is a good look and would like to see more work from you.

Great Job.