y first Wedding "Music" Video

-|ScottFree|-

-|ScottFree|-

-|ScottFree|-

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Hi Guys

Its quite evident when looking around this section of the forum that there are a lot of experienced and talented guys in here. I have been on a enormous learning curve recently as I had no experience whatsoever regarding photography or videography, know nothing about camera's lighting, composition etc.. then the software side of things is a whole other series of skills that I have had to jump into.

I have been shooting everything and anything, to improve on the many aspects noted above.

I was asked by a friend of a friend to do their wedding "music" video. As this is the genre that I have been working towards... music video's..

They where happpy for me to do it and I was grateful for the experience so it was a win win.

So below is the video hosted on Vimeo... It is my first attempt and I learnt an awful lot that day. Not only about working with my equipment, but organising people... its hard work!!!

I know that there are area's where I can improve, but Im looking for positive or negative.. but constructive feedback... if someone says "its crap".. tell me what I should do to make it better.. I would really appreciate your thoughts and opinions.

Cheers

http://vimeo.com/28340668

Shot with

5d mk2 16-35mm L and a plasitic fantastic 50mm 1.8
Handheld and Glidecam
CC with AE
Edited Edius 6
 
Not the intro i'd have chosen tbh

25 seconds in and i'm wondering if i'm watching a wedding video or a nature documentary

Also i think the cuts could be a bit more uniform. We have some sections with big long clips, then others (like the wedding cake) that are barely a second, which seem odd next to the very long sections.

Otherwise seems very good.
 
Firstly well done! I've never done videography but it looks like hard work!

Going to start on a 'negative' point though, sorry!
In my opinion, there were too many fades to black (more so near the beginning of the video; one which stands out most is at :32 which was black for about 3 seconds; too long imo), and some of the footage were cut too quickly. It kind of left me 'left out' for lack of a better word.
But I do like the content of the actual filming; the composition and lighting were great in parts.
 
Personally, I'm not a fan of the handheld stuff, as hard as you are probably trying, it still looks shaky. When that's interchanged with your glide cam stuff, it doesn't really marry together (see what I did there!) so well.

I agree that the cuts could be more uniform, as some fade out before they've even begun, yet others are left lingering a while.


Finally, this is more of a personal thing....
Were you not part of the wedding reception?
As we are shown the empty room and the cake waiting to be cut, all leading up to much merriment, but nothing happens. So I suppose it could almost be described as slightly sombre, but perhaps that is the look they wanted?
 
Thank you for the kind comments and for the feedback..

I will very much take on board the suggestions people have made and hopefully improve on my editing techniques.

Very much appreciated.
 
Maybe I'm always a bit pessimistic, but judging from your comments and others on here I honestly wasn't expecting much :p But I was really pleasantly surprised. You've made a great video there, damn it makes me want a 5D or something to do HD video with my 50mm! :p

I'm not an editor (nor have I watched many wedding videos), so I'm not sure if saying this contradicts the 'style' that's expected but I feel there's far too many fades. In my experience it's a bit of a rookie technique to hide badly timed cuts, and that's what I think you've got there. Where you can go from here is to try to time your cuts better, as said before with the length of them, but also try to get more of a rythm going. Once you start getting that you won't feel the need for as many fades. Cutting to the beat is somewhat of a dark art that you can only learn with practice, so go practice! :)

Also I felt a bit like I was watching it from a remote controlled plane. Your moving shots were actually very good and well composed (although as said - could be smoother) but I think with the pace you've chosen a few locked-off static shots would have really helped.

I didn't actually like the sound cutting in at the end either. I could see what you're trying to do, but unfortunately unless you have some really quality sound recording you're just going to bring the quality of your video down a notch. I always remember my tutor at uni saying the biggest letdown for any budget film is when it has budget sound. Get some proper sound on it and you boost the professionalism of it by 10 times. Unfortunately I feel you've done the opposite there.

All that said it's a great video and I'm sure they're very happy indeed. Great work.
 
I'm not really into video, but I really like this, especially the Intro.
Good work, I'm sure the B&G + Children + new family + friends of family will enjoy watching this video for yours to come.
 
The start of it sucked balls, too many plants - like others have said I didn't know it was a wedding video for a little while, after that the content was really good. Keep up the good work :)
 
Good video, was a nice surprise.

I quite like some panning but as mentioned before some static position clips would be good. The entire group clip is over pretty swiftly and didn't really either include or show everyone present which must have been a little disappointing.

Some of the clips were incredibly short, if you blinked you'd miss them! It's obviously difficult to predict something happening but somehow you need to make these moments last longer.

Your personal credit at the beginning doesn't really suit the rest of the video or atmosphere too.
 
Thank you for taking the time to add your thoughts and ideas. It's nice to hear from people who aren't related to me. Its much more useful for me to be able to approach my next project with a mind to eradicating some of the issues like editing, pans and fades etc.

I learnt an awful lot myself that day. There are essential pieces of equipment needed for me to resolve some of the issues mentioned. I need a decent tripod and video head.. And what's very important is a nice fast zoom lens with IS. That's 1-2 grands worth there. As I am not charging for any work that I do at the moment, I will have to master the equipment I have got while getting the money together for some more gear ( this game is expensive :) ).

No excuses. You have to make the best with what you have and I will continue to do that.

Cheers...

BTW, The couple who got married said it's there best wedding gift they had received, they had run out of money and could not afford to have a video done. So we both had nothing to lose and everything to gain, it was my pleasure as they are both very nice people.
 
You've been watching StillMotion's work ! :D

I can see where your inspirations comes from, however, I appreciate due to limitation of gear (just one 5D), and it is your first time, some obvious faults are present.

1 - You need a steadycam rig.
2 - You do way too much move and pan shot. It got too repetitive.
3 - Too much fade to black
4 - Some cuts too quick.
5 - Some scenes needed some post production in terms of levels and exposures.

If you had 2 camera and shooting the same moment from 2 angles you can edit between the 2 footage in the same moment in time and no need the fade to black.

However, it is really nice work, for a 1st go and I can honestly say i don't know if i can do better !
 
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Thanks Raymond, I'll keep working :)

Great thing is, I actually love doing this. Because of that, I know in my heart and soul that I will one day be where I want to be.

Cheers Raymond, big fan of your work.
 
I can only parrot what the others have said about the fade to black and the logo-intro at the start not fitting to the them, but what is clear is that you enjoy what you do, and will continue to improve because it's something you want to get better at. Good luck in the future with this endeavour.
 
I have read other comments suggesting to other "production companies" that they should change their logo. That is something that I find a little strange. My website is in the middle being designed at the moment. The intro sequence with the "particular" bokeh effect I thought was fitting. In order for me to have continuity I am using a screen shot of the ScottFreeStyleProductions as my background page and building the site around that.

So do I take it out of my videos altogether?... Or shorten it... Or redesign it altogether. The reason it's there is to promote your work to other viewers, no? What would you suggest as a alternative.. Im open to anything!!
 
-|ScottFree|- said:
I have read other comments suggesting to other "production companies" that they should change their logo. That is something that I find a little strange. My website is in the middle being designed at the moment. The intro sequence with the "particular" bokeh effect I thought was fitting. In order for me to have continuity I am using a screen shot of the ScottFreeStyleProductions as my background page and building the site around that.

So do I take it out of my videos altogether?... Or shorten it... Or redesign it altogether. The reason it's there is to promote your work to other viewers, no? What would you suggest as a alternative.. Im open to anything!!
Click to expand...


Is your logo on the actual wedding video?
(Although we may have to treat this a little differently now you've said you did it all for free).

If it was an actual wedding video I'd paid for, I would be pretty disgusted if a production company logo popped up at the start. Obviously if the couple are fine for you to use the video for promotion, then there is no reason you couldn't have a credit at the start for a web version. I just feel it's unnecessary for a version given to the people paying for it. For one, you could have a credit at the end, or on the DVD itself, which would still look very professional. Worst case, the family can still tell anyone who sees it who they used.


Inregards to your logo, it's not bad, however I feel like something is wrong with the font. It looks too tall and squished together.
 
Ok nexus that's a very good point and I appreciate that. I will absolutely refrain from having my logo on the wedding video...and only have it on my website for promo purposes.

Thanx
 
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