Page 1 of 1

Learning Curve - Tall Ship Antigua

Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2012 8:20 am
by John C
I have tried to take on Board the helpful comments made on my previous film and I now post three subsequent films to see how I have got on.
[Following a suggestion from Tim Stannard, I have split this topic into separate threads for each film. - Editor]

Both films ,as most of my films are, shot on Holiday.

The first is about a Charity evening on a Tall Ship, Antigua.

The second film is about Singapore

The third is about Enamelling Beads.

Awaiting with baited breath,

John C


youtu.be/

Re: Learning Curve

Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 9:08 am
by TimStannard
John, those three vdeos are coming up as "private". Please change the status to "Unlisted" which means anyone with the specific link can see it, but it won't be seen by idle browsers.

Re: Learning Curve

Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 8:56 pm
by FredD
I think that you have to study and learn a lot more about SOUND.
I found your material difficult to watch because the sound tracks were so poor.
Picture wise things could be improved a lot,
Also editing could be a lot 'sharper'.
Sorry to sound so negative, but that is how I was left feeling after watching.
Keep at it. you can only improve ! :)

Re: Learning Curve

Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 8:59 pm
by TimStannard
Thanks John for sorting out the links.

I'm going to comment on each film in a separate reply.

Note to webmaster: May I suggest we adopt a policy in this particular section of one film per thread. We use that policy on another video forum on which I'm a moderator. It's a simple rule which prevents the situation we might find here where it becomes unclear to which film in a thread comments refer, particularly if discussion over many posts ensues. [DONE! -Ed]

Back to the Tall Ship film.

There is clearly an issue with the aspect ratio here which needs sorting, but I'm assuming youre aware of that :D

I like a film which uses the interview with the participants as a voiceover as this always adds a level of interest that the best researched narrator cannot. You use the interview as the "bed" and intercut it with shots from around the vessel here.

However, I couldn't help feeling that the shots were a little random random - they were varied and interesting enough, but didn't really illustrate what the skipper was saying. Broadly speaking you had good interview material and a nice selection of shots but they didn't really match. I'm not sure there's a solution for that, but all credit to you for having a go.

You were no doubt aware that the interview sound was spoiled somewhat by the background noise of the motor and frequent wind noise. I suspect you have tried to cover this by adding background music, but for me all this did was add to the cacophony and make it a struggle (not impossible) to hear what the skipper was saying. I think if I'd had to use that material I'd have cut the music during the interviews and faded it in during the bits where there was no other audio.

Watch out for "jump cuts. There were a couple towards the end. This is where you cut between two virtually identical shots (perhaps to avoid a lengthy shot between two pieces of action that you want to show). It's usually best to insert another shot altogether between the two.

Finally, you said this film was about a charity evening on the tall ship. It wasn't. It was an interview with the skipper of a tall ship which I suspect was filmed on a charity evening. There's nothing wrong with that - it's just my expectations were of something different. If you promise people a horror movie, makes sure you give them a horror movie!

Re: Learning Curve - Tall Ship Antigua

Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2012 4:33 pm
by John C
Dear Tim,
I wondered about three attempts at film making,will not do it again.

Thank you for your helpful comments.

I find it very difficult with my films to get set pieces, The Skipper gave me the interview at the end of the trip and I had little control over the location and other ambient noise. My filming was in the hope of a film and the interview was a bonus. Maybe I should have stuck to my original concept.

I take comfort from the fact that there is no right or wrong answer, but there is technical excellence that should always be strived for and not compromised.

KR
John C.