Updated my website!

Nice and clean. Looks a bit template-ish though?

Some observations:
1. The links run too close together (at least in Safari 4)
2. The text based logo seams a bit bland.
 
It is totally template. I have absolutely no skills in website or graphic design. Wish I did. Then again, can't do everything. :)

Thanks for checking it out!

P.S. -- Do you mean the links in the menu at the top?
 
chapelgrovefilms said:
It is totally template. I have absolutely no skills in website or graphic design. Wish I did. Then again, can't do everything. :)

Thanks for checking it out!

P.S. -- Do you mean the links in the menu at the top?
Click to expand...

Yeah, the menu links. If you could put some kind of divider between them, or just space em' out. :thumbup:
 
Here's how it looks to me....

CGF-menu2.jpg
 
Simplified updates are better than none. I finally decided to update my personal and my non-union production company's site after procrastinating for a year or two on it. I know they look like poo, but at least I know they're somewhat current.

Your sites serves up the info you want to present quickly and easily, so it's effective enough, despite the design looking like it was done in the mid to late 90s.
 
Being a creative industry and considered an art, I think sometimes a website can do more harm than good. The first thing a potential client could think when they look at a template is that is what they don't want in their video. In this case, it may be best just just scan a business card with an under contstruction tag on it.
If you throw an ad out on various forums or even cragslist, you'll find a yong hip designer willing to do your site for portfolio or trade. Doesn't have to cost you much, if anything and could mean the difference of several thousands of dollars a year.
 
It's a nice, clear, communicative site. Agreed that as a creative artistry outfit it would be good for the site to sell a little bit more creative flair, and might attract a bit more interest, but the facts are there and easy to absorb.

Of course your plan to compete with Hollywood means that you must be completely and utterly destroyed. But that's another matter for another day.
 
It has some things that caught my attention, like on the About Us page. Dave must be a busy guy, he is mentioned too frequently. Seriously, it's not all about you... ;)

This really kind of looked bad to me-
"Our current feature Afterlife was shot using a Panasonic AG-DVX100a 24p digital video camera. It's the same kind of camera that was used to shoot the Courtney Cox movie November, as well as other feature films." You are comparing yourself to the guy who is shooting something else, because it is the same camera. Don't promote that guy, let him do it himself. And the link in that page going to Open Water, just goes to a generic domain for sale... all links should open in a separate window. Don't let them leave your site, just open the link.
 
I think that it's legitimate to note that their hardware fit is the same as that used to shoot other commercial projects with A-list names.

Good point, though, that it's better to keep visitors on your own site rather than direct them to navigate away from it.
 
I'm a visual person so I have to see a photo, print, logo, poster of video, something on that first page. If all I see is text, my mind goes blank.
 
There is nothing on the front page that makes me want to dig deeper. The page of text is dry, i.e. not exciting. Show a picture of your studio (if you have one) or your crew in action. Let me know the minute I surf to your site that you're a filmmaker. Wow me just enough so I HAVE to click on your headings to see more. As SadMax said, sell me on the site.
 
Under current projects, the project description of Focal Point is cut off. The text cannot be read over the black background.
 
Capt Quirk said:
It has some things that caught my attention, like on the About Us page. Dave must be a busy guy, he is mentioned too frequently. Seriously, it's not all about you... ;)
Click to expand...

Well actually, I am the company. I write, produce, and now direct. So, as far as the company is concerned, there's nobody but me to talk about. :)

This really kind of looked bad to me-
"Our current feature Afterlife was shot using a Panasonic AG-DVX100a 24p digital video camera. It's the same kind of camera that was used to shoot the Courtney Cox movie November, as well as other feature films." You are comparing yourself to the guy who is shooting something else, because it is the same camera. Don't promote that guy, let him do it himself. And the link in that page going to Open Water, just goes to a generic domain for sale... all links should open in a separate window. Don't let them leave your site, just open the link.
Click to expand...

I'm not promoting the guy. I'm sure he doesn't need my endorsement. I'm trying to validate the technology to folks who may think shooting on digital video isn't 'real filmmaking'. Good point about making the link open in a separate window though. Thanks!
 
grinner said:
Being a creative industry and considered an art, I think sometimes a website can do more harm than good. The first thing a potential client could think when they look at a template is that is what they don't want in their video. In this case, it may be best just just scan a business card with an under contstruction tag on it.
Click to expand...

Business cards. Hmmm.....I should probably get some of those. :)

The templates I use don't allow for putting any kind of graphic into the top area where I have "Chapel Grove Films" -- they only allow the graphic that is part of the template. Again, I need to find a decent website designer who's willing to work for the sheer enjoyment of it.

If you throw an ad out on various forums or even cragslist, you'll find a yong hip designer willing to do your site for portfolio or trade. Doesn't have to cost you much, if anything and could mean the difference of several thousands of dollars a year.
Click to expand...

I'll work on that. Thanks!
 
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