Pizza commercial shot using the HPX300

M

mvetanen

Active member
This is a pizza commercial for a local pizza chain in Portland Oregon. I used the HPX300 set to 1080 30P with the DVCPRO HD Codex and the HVX200. We used two large gold reflectors for lighting. I edited with Sony Vegas 9 using music from Digital Juice.

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I AGREE


or view http://www.youtube.com/user/mvetanen#p/a/u/0/ORM3cShfYIY

Mark Vetanen
www.eventonevideo.com
 
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Hmmm....

I dont really understand the garish lighting, it looks overblown, and the highlights and colours look a bit icky to me.

The concept for the advert seems to make little sense, we have a gorgeous girl, smear her with a dirty burger and then claim 'poor taste' and then generically this pizza is alternatively 'good taste' with no real reason or suggestion as to why.

The graphic 'stamp' to me is taking my view for granted and doesnt look right - first dirtying up the girl with messed up burger, then stamping a graphic over her face 'poor taste'.

It seems quite humourless and presumptious to me, shot inconsistently between very nice - to mediocre. Far too little thought seems to have gone into the idea behind this advert.

So thats my opinion? Anyone else?
 
Wow, how do you really feel about it, lawriejaffa?

As for context, I believe the intent was to spoof this Carl's Jr. ad (something you may not be aware of in the UK): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_iRnhNsyK8

I think the overall video quality looks good - the gold reflectors at the beginning are a bit much for my taste as well - but the quality of the HPX300 certainly shines through and the spot makes sense to me. :)
 
You never know it may be exactly what the client wanted. I would have liked to have seen more shadows on the stairs or at least less flat lighting on the model. I'm not a fan of gold reflectors in daylight ( unless the talent is in shadow ). This ad would have looked better with a more shallow DOF too.
 
To lawriejaffa's credit he has probably never been subjected to the Carl's Jr burger ads with Padma(?) that this so obviously spoofs.

Creative comes from the client, and we as filmmakers just have to make the best of it. Sometimes we can elevate an idea to higher standard, and sometimes we just have to cave and accept the paycheque.

This gets the point across for a regional chain on a budget, and allows the poster to pay for gear and gain exp.

G.
 
Yep id say thats about right heavyG, mountainmedia - its better to offer honest and direct assessments at least among peers here, there obviously just points of view, opinions etc. Yep seeing the ad it spoofs, it makes sense (the concept) and is workable (albeit a little tacky) but it is funny - got some attitude hitting on the other ad, which is i think a good punchy strategy for any smaller business.

Yep so ill stick with my technical comments :)
 
lawriejaffa said:
mountainmedia - its better to offer honest and direct assessments at least among peers here, there obviously just points of view, opinions etc. Yep seeing the ad it spoofs, it makes sense (the concept) and is workable (albeit a little tacky) but it is funny - got some attitude hitting on the other ad, which is i think a good punchy strategy for any smaller business.

Yep so ill stick with my technical comments :)
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It just kind of felt like you gave the guy both barrels (and then some) - that's all I was saying. And I agree, honest and direct is the best policy, I guess I just choose to temper my remarks a bit. To each their own... :)

Chris
 
That is me tempering my remarks! In my world thats an upfront honest assessment, not a 'brutal' or 'mean' truth - if there is such a thing.

For the record im not saying the ad is total crap either, my criticisms were specific more or less. I know it might appear harsh but it honestly isnt, if that was then god knows how cruel some of the best feedback i ever got myself must have been in comparison hehe.
 
heavyG said:
To lawriejaffa's credit he has probably never been subjected to the Carl's Jr burger ads with Padma(?) that this so obviously spoofs.

Creative comes from the client, and we as filmmakers just have to make the best of it. Sometimes we can elevate an idea to higher standard, and sometimes we just have to cave and accept the paycheque.

This gets the point across for a regional chain on a budget, and allows the poster to pay for gear and gain exp.

G.
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HeavyG is quite right. The client in this case crafted the ad and the budget was very tight. With limited time and access to the location, we shot with what we had. This certainly is not best video I ever shot, but it is a testament to the power of the HPX300 as a workhorse camera to shoot great HD video with tight budgets and constraints.
 
mountainmedia said:
Fair enough - and the original poster didn't seem to take offense (that or he's still sobbing in his office somewhere). :happy: Have a good one!
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In this biz everyone has their opinion. The more experienced videographers know that most of the time conditions are not ideal and that there is time and budget constraints are always factors as to the end results so they are more able to put themselves in my shoes and realize that there are factors and conditions in play that no videographer has control over.

Anyway, just finished a feature film with the HPX300. I will post clips as soon as the editor gets them done.
 
I understand.

I see the reflection (Bounce ? Reflector?) from the right but also see the natural sunlight coming down from overhead on the left.

But you're correct. It's a local commercial. Definite room for improvement but it serves its purpose.
 
mvetanen said:
The more experienced videographers know that most of the time conditions are not ideal...so they are more able to put themselves in my shoes and realize that there are factors and conditions in play that no videographer has control over.
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Exactly.

I look forward to seeing clips from the indie you worked on.
 
Its not really a testament to the HPX300, theres much better that can be done with it. What you have produced is a slightly mediocre/average local ad with some nice bits here and there.

I'd be a little wary with bits of it myself, but theres some good stuff in there. Budget and time is not really an excuse, its up to you to ensure that you work in conditions that properlly allow for a qualitive expression of your work.

As an abstract example (not particular to you) id say that any film producer suggesting they can do better with more $$ or time has to remember how pointless that claim is. Any potential customer that is left unimpressed with a work, won't rush to make a call regardless on that possibility alone.
 
I agree

And shooting the spot in an almost high noon state (judging from the angle of the natural sunlight) didn't help.

Gotta get up at the A88 crack of dawn and take advantage of the lighting conditions.

Imagine the spot with the porch actually in the light and then using diffusion and bounce.

That's be nice.
 
lawriejaffa said:
Its not really a testament to the HPX300, theres much better that can be done with it. What you have produced is a slightly mediocre/average local ad with some nice bits here and there.

I'd be a little wary with bits of it myself, but theres some good stuff in there. Budget and time is not really an excuse, its up to you to ensure that you work in conditions that properlly allow for a qualitive expression of your work.

As an abstract example (not particular to you) id say that any film producer suggesting they can do better with more $$ or time has to remember how pointless that claim is. Any potential customer that is left unimpressed with a work, won't rush to make a call regardless on that possibility alone.
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Hi Iawriejaffa,
I visited your website and took a look at your video. Some shots where great, some where mediocre, and some where just terrible (do you even color balance your cameras?). The point, just keep in mind that everyone can find fault with anyones work...I can find mistakes and problems in just about any Hollywood film or TV show...though I know that they are doing the best they can with the budgets and time constraints they have. If you ever have done any commercial work it really is amazing what is done with insane budgets and impossible shooting schedules.

Anyway, I got more commercials to shoot now and a made for TV movie now. So things are working out well :)
take care,
Mark Vetanen
 
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