Work Exchange - Feedback

dose that mean we will get them on sat?

Stoo,

Should do, but we are at the mercy of Royal mail. They were posted at dinner time today, collection was 5:30.

Hi All

I think I was the last to post the DVD's due to work load so apologies to all for the delay.

Look forward to feedback. :eek:

Ive got the disks and going to check them out now!!!

Did everyone get their DVDs?

Yes, got mine

Got mine Martin. In the process of viewing them. Will post my comments tomorrow.

Hi
The package has arrived here. Lots
of viewing!

Yaay! Disks arrived today. Shall examine tonight.

got mine

I do several miles on a running machine every morning for about an hour. It has a big 42 inch screen in front of it and I usually watch music DVDs or MTV while I'm doing it.

This morning I started watching these instead and was surprised how quickly the time went by.

Enough here to keep me going all week I should think (but Robbies 'what we did last summer' is still my favourite running companion!)

DVD Feedback.

Please don’t take the following comments as criticism, but as general observations after viewing the DVD’s.

Firstly I have to say that the movies are from a variety of genres, and from a mixture of professional companies and students. Also with Weddings, you have to consider how many cameras were used, how much time was spent on post-production, and what sort of prices they charge / receive. On a personal level, I believe that many of us can achieve similar result, but do we have access to the same equipment, and if we do, are we willing / able to spend the many hours that have been spent in producing videos to this sort of level. I am not going into any technical detail – I’ll leave that to the experts in that field. The feedback is simply in the order I viewed the disks.

Wedding Videos Direct:

Very impressed with this disk. From the commercially produced disk to the DVD menu, it all cries out “Professional”. Good use of black & White footage and slow motion. Sound was also very clear and clean. The Weddings looked like they were high society Weddings, so I guess they are paying around the 1K mark. I particularly like the themed weddings around Grease, Pirates, Star Wars et al. It must have been difficult to choreograph something like that. Don’t know if the wee free kirk of Scotland would allow any of this to go on in the western islands though. Looked like they were all enjoying themselves too much. Would not hesitate in recommending these guys for Wedding Videos.

Martin Shakeshaft: (Viva Sort!)

I must admit, I don’t know anything about Canoeing, but this video would certainly make you interested enough to watch it to the end. This video covered the 2001 freestyle championships in Spain, and took you through all the stages, right up to the final, along with the trophy presentations and evening party. Very good camera work with lots of slow-mo so you can see the action in all its glory. Certainly of broadcast quality, and an ideal purchase for anyone interested in the sport.

Stewart Charles:

A mixture of music videos and some short experimental movies. The main film on the disk was a road trip to Russia for skateboarding and BMX in “Extreme Sport” style. There was also some underlying story regarding potential Russian Brides.

I personally found the films to be of a varied and interesting collection. The type of movies you make; not for the money – but because you wanted to make them. A sort of “Personal” collection. The band demos would certainly be of use to the bands promotion, and the Russian trip would appeal to the extreme sport enthusiast. Some of the skateboarding footage was excellent. Stewart must have bee chasing them with a motorbike. All the more striking when you are told that Stewart did all this on a ZERO budget. Not someone you would want to meet in a dark alley – unless he is selling you this disk.

The Derelict Sensation

Series of six documentaries based around derelict buildings. First impression was the menu screen was very impressive. Very dark and mysterious and created a suitable mood for what was to follow. Unfortunately, the disk was skipping in my drive, so could not use the menu to select the movies, but was able to view using the root of the disk. The first film was about an ex mental patient who, when discovering that the hospital was being reopened, decided to burn it to the ground. The film was very haunting, and took you on a walkthrough the hospital, with a voiceover from the patient explaining about the ill treatment she received. The film used picture in picture a lot, almost like a “Linda Le-Plante” film. This looked good in the first film, but was used extensively throughout all the films, and therefore I found it a bit tiring after a while. However a do think the quality of the films were very good and certainly would make a good series.

Classique Video Productions.

This DVD contains three shortened weddings, a picture slide demo and some old cine type effect footage. The weddings are pretty basic, but I’m sure that the customers were satisfied. All you would expect to be there from the Brides preparation to the dancing was all covered in satisfactory manner. I particularly liked the animated introductions. There was some bad “Shimmering” on the pews in the church. Don’t know if this was because you slowed down the film, or is an encoder problem, but would try and look at solving this. Three good examples, considering that Phil is new to this game, and does so on a part-time basis.

Encore Productions

Another three good-looking Weddings. The 2nd camera certainly does make a difference, provided the Bride is willing to cover the extra cost. I liked the colour on black and white effect, particularly over the flowers. Lots of good close-ups. Video is a close-up medium, and DV resolution looks much better when close shots cover the frame.

JMCP

This is that “Once in a life time” footage of Whales and Glaciers and stuff. Can’t comment on the filming John, as it was not yours. Have to sympathise with you though, on editing someone else’s camcorder filming. I would rather edit three full weddings that I have filmed that half an hour of someone’s “Feet and Ceilings” footage. I take it that’s why there are no shots over five seconds.

What can I say? I’m sure your friend was delighted with the results. Amazing the difference the editing and BG music can make to a film, isn’t it?

CPTV

Occasionally, you come across people with tons of natural talent and creative ideas, and you think, “Why isn’t this guys stuff on the telly”

Chris Thomas’s DVD has a selection of band demos, all filmed to a very high standard. The bands I preferred (Musically) were “Super Atom” and “Lost Boys”. The menu is a joy to use and there are several excellent 3D title sequences. It’s the short drama’s that appealed to me most. They included the cheesiest, funniest stuff I have seen for a long time, including some retro Doctor Who and Jason King type films. I’m trying to find something I can criticise about this disk, but I can’t. Excellent stuff Chris. Send me more when you make them.

Marine Production

Never mind the video – I want to spend a week on one of these yachts, but at 80K a week for the smallest one, I’ll have to do a few more weddings first.

Breathtaking scenery and excellent filming and editing throughout this demo disk for yacht chartering. It’s the sort of work you would do for nothing, just to be there. Not much more I can say about this disk. As an advert it works. As a job, well you would need a helicopter and a speedboat before you started looking at cameras and underwater gear. I found the menu a little tricky till I got used to it, but still very enjoyable viewing (You did mention this in your notes). Nice one Paul.

In conclusion I have to say that I have thoroughly enjoyed viewing such a wide and varied selection of films. The quality has been to a higher standard than I initially expected, and has put my own work to shame. When you get a glimpse of what others are producing, it encourages you to reflect on what you yourself are producing. This is no bad thing, as it is so easy to become complacent in your own productions.

Thanks to Shakey for this great idea. Perhaps we can make this an annual event.

Mike Ward (Busby Video)

Hi
First up thanks to shakey for the event, ive had so much fun viewing the disks.... this should defiantly be an event on a 6-month or annul basis prhaps with difrant strands?
Sadly I haven’t had time to view all of them (I’ve had 2 days work!!) so I’m not going to put my comments just yet!!!.
In response to mikes comment
The movies where cerntaly made because I wanted to, as you can tell they aren’t really commercial.
The experimental section was short snippets of bits of course work, which I did. I must admit that the Russia film was made with a budget and I feel I should have mentioned that in the very short letter I sent. my friend dino sold his house and I used 3 years worth of student loans to be able to fund the trip. Now I’m very poor and am in a bit of a mess.. To say the least. As for the film it was done from a skateboard as I carnt ride a motorbike.
mike thaks for the coments and thanks for waching the clips, I no its not every ones thing!!!
I will have wached all the dvds by wensday so Ill be posting my thorts then!!!
stoo (stewart)

Still waiting for mine, seem to get post in batches in this area, had no post yesterday so hopefully postie will deliver today.

Ok! Having spent about six hours over the last two days viewing your videos, here's my comments.
I've thoroughly enjoyed seeing them all, and it just makes me want to get up and go and film something else! Up the revolution!

Anniesland Library

Good introduction for the new services at the library. The head librarian looked a little nervous!
I thought that the music was a little loud and made the narration a little difficult to hear, but apart from that, great.

JMCP's Arctic hoilday video

There's only so much you can do when editing someone else's footage, and you've done great. I only hope I can manage as well, because I've got a friend's holiday film of Iceland to edit, and they've got several hours of footage that I've got to wade through!
Fades are just about the only transition you need to use for that kind of montage of clips.
They're fine even in the sequence with the whales. The time between cuts could probably only be a few seconds, yet use of the fade still gives the viewer an impression that time has passed but that you're watching the same sequence. Jump cutting between similar shots is too jarring without use of cutaways, so a nice simple fade is your only option really.
I don't think you should be too worried about not cutting the video to the music. If you are able to manage it, then fine. The music gives added weight to the video. But if you don't, then the separation can make the video stand out, almost forcing you to ignore the music, and concentrate on the video.

Classique Video

Wedding videos. Very professional looking. Though I did notice a spelling mistake at the end "Just imagine how you would feel it it was your wedding film." Replace first 'it' with 'if'.

Wedding Videos Direct

Main demo: Wow! Did I just spot Sir John Mills? Again, very professional looking.
"Pirates": Very funny! It's refreshing to see non-standard wedding videos. Didn't you think that the bride was wearing a rather revealing dress? Nice little touch to see a couple of gunshot muzzle flash special effects.
"Summer Nights": Bwahhhahahah! Very, very funny! "Summer dreams.. ripped at the seams... bu-ut... AAAAHHH!" I think that all wedding parties should be convinced to do these sort of silly parodies! They're very entertaining!
"Star Wars": I didn't know used kitchen roll tubes were so dangerous! Dig out your digital lightsabre effects! Without a doubt this prooves that 'love' is a chemical imbalance in the brain which causes you to go completely bonkers! My nutcase "Star Wars" friends will appreciate this one!

Encore productions

Although "wedding video fatigue" was beginning to set in, I thought that this had a wonderful introduction to the first one. It felt like a broadcast TV program! The principle characters duties and names were overlaid to the music, just like a tv programme's opening titles. I have to admit to skipping though a lot of the middle bits (when you've seen one wedding video... ). Great credits at the end, too.
The second wedding video, was far more subdued. More like I'd imagine a 'proper' wedding video to be. Nice honeymoon type still pictures over the closing credits rounded it off well.
"Perfect Day" video: Absolutely bloody fantastic! I really enjoyed that, and appreciate the effort put into doing a funny little 'home movie' for a wedding video. "Reap, reap, reap!" With real people 'singing' such an emotional piece of music, I'm have to say I nearly cried at the end of that one!

Thin-King Media

"To Russia With Love": I've seen a few skater/snowboarder videos, and quality wise this is easily up there with them!
There were some thumping tunes, and nice quick use of still pictures, "click click click".
The funniest bits were the conversations whilst waiting at the Belarus border (rubber gloves), and the girls in Amsterdam "it's day 10, we're in Amsterdam, on the To Russia With Love tour... we're not caned! hahahahahahahahhah!!". With that maniacal laughter, I bet they were!
Though, with all the skater videos I've seen, shouldn't you have had a big slam section at the end of the film?
"To Russia With Love Documentary": Very well done. Again, you've hit another style of program making on the head. Has Dino made his money back yet?
Music videos: I liked the Baggs video the most. Nice speed/film effects complement the song in a simple and effective promo video. I'm not a fan of rap music, so didn't enjoy the others as much, but I could still appreciate the style. None of them would be out of place on MTV.
Experimental: I find the whole "CSI:Leicester" idea very amusing! I'll have to show that to my mate Gordon (who's from Leicester!). Car was done well.

The Derelict Sensation

Personal stories, illustrated with film. Very arty, filmed well, though not really my cup of tea. I've a couple of 'high brow' type friends who will probably love it. Very haunting animated DVD menus.

Clear Blue Sky

Lovely aerial filmwork! How on earth do you become a helicopter film maker? I'd love to know! I've always wanted to fly a helicopter, but it's so expensive to learn... I want that job! Just last week I was looking into joining a model helicopter club, with the hope of attaching my video camera to it!
Big expensive boats, and great spitfire footage. Slick menu system with great menu music.

Viva Sort

There's some well shot outdoor footage here, though my utter ignorace of sport kayakking will show, because it looked as if they were all just mucking about in some rapids! I couldn't tell how people were scoring points, or who was doing better than the others!
Good choice of instrumental music throughout. I'm not sure exactly what market this video is aimed at, so I'll compare it to the other snowboarding/skate videos I've seen. Most sports videos only have music and action, and that's all they need. Since this film didn't have much in the way of fast moving/panning shots (it was almost 'locked off' due to the nature of the 'pit' that the kayakers were riding) it felt more like a Sunday sports show (especially given the fantastic weather, and light conditions), so I felt it needed some sort of sports commentator voice over to explain what was going on (but that's just me). Maybe you could add a separate commentary track?

So to conclude, I think my favourite overall disk is Stuart Charles' To Russia With Love, with the combination of road movie, documentary, and promo videos. Quite a breadth of work! Followed closely by the "Perfect Day" and "Summer Nights" spoof videos. Thanks to Martin for orgainising this little work exchange! Is it the start to a new grassroots movie sharing scheme? Only time will tell!

Chris.
(Oh, by the way, if you've not done so already, I recomend that you watch my DVD with the director's commentaries turned on. We had a great laugh recording them, and I think they're more entertaining that the videos!)

Okay read your comments ! have a wet appetite now
are we lowly pepole going to have a peek at these so that we can see WHAT the comments are refering to
I pay postage if that,s of help ???

I've received my package and look forward to seeing them. Can I apologise in advance that I know I am going to be a while because I've got editing jobs on top of my day job and a 6 month old baby - so watching DVDs is going to have to compete a bit there.

I think the answer to 'THE MAN' should be that, sorry, this one's a participant swap, but that there'll be another chance in due course. We are trying to learn from each other, and you don't really know how to take someone else's comments except in relation to their own practice: ie if someone thinks you are not very professional, and you look at their work and they are much more professional that you could aspire to, then the comment makes sense in that context.

Thanks for the comments on my one so far, btw.

Now got mine, but like bruise, need to find time to view them all, seen two last night and very impressed.

Perhaps a thought for next time Martin would be for all the material to be anonymous and see what sort of comments are made then. I believe something like this is done on an annual basis with the local meeting of the IOV.

maybe 'next time' there might be some kind of agreed subject/type or something? (hastens to add that is not an offer to arrange such a thing!)

The reason I started my observations with a description of what was on the disks was to help members who did not get the disks to try and get a flavour of what i was refering to.

I agree with bruise. Disks should be kept to partisipants only. Any interested parties can join in with the next swap.

Ideally, we could encode up some good quality divx versions of the films and distribute them on the internet, but we'd need a large amount of storage space and a big fat pipe for it to be worthwhile. I could easily set up a large hard disked server at my house connected to my broad band, but the upload speed is only about 100kbps, which is rubbish and would take hours to upload anything worthwhile.

I THINK THIS TURNING INTO MOCKERY !!

In reply to BRUISE/BUSBYVIDEO comments ( so far ) you are talking on an open board about subjects that the rest of us WILL NOT SEE , as we are all keen to learn and go forward with are intrest , this scheme is turning into ELITEST group who are talking to each other.

I do not belive that this board is what it is all about !!

I am surprised that BOB C has not jumped in here and offer to put this on the mags disks as one way out ?

Sorry, THE MAN, but everyone was given the chance to join in. See this thread. You might be able to get access to some versions of the films on some people's websites. I've got a few of mine on my website. Click the link below.

I think you are still missing the point here,WE up and comers are trying to learn and pick up ideas and tips from board i.e. we all share the same common goal.

IT IS GOOD IDEA for those who took the brave step of submitting there work for comments for which I applaud openly HERE !
The point I was making ,is that comments are being made on this board about work submitted and WE learners who wish to pick up from this and learn can relate to the work if we had visual of the work
Or else it is pointless for you to put your comments etc on this board as only relates to 6 of you to understand, you just as well send private emails to each other and free up this board space.
:rolleyes: SO HOW WE CAN RELATE TO YOUR COMMENTS AND VIEWS ????

Hang on a minute there. Put yourself in our shoes. Someone on this board came up with a good idea, and then we follow it up by posting comments back to the same board. Then someone comes along to complain that we're being eliteist (which I think is grossly unfair). I've already suggested that you can find some of my videos on my website, and might be able to do the same with some of the other participants. What more can I do?

How do you think we should have done it then?

NO different than what you have done, No complaints about that whatsoever, I presume that the work submitted is flag waving of each person work.
And from this side of the fence there seems to be valuble comments being made ,but when we read them it is gobblgook to those of us who have not seen them.
That,s why I suggested if the MAG could put them on there front cover disk giving credits to those who took part
THIS IS NOT A COMPLAINT TO THOSE WHO TOOK PART
AND I AGAIN APPLAUD YOU ALL FOR DOING IT

I organised the work exchange so people could learn from each other. The event was open to anyone both new and experienced. It was very much an experiment, which I think has succeeded. It can now be adopted by others.

To be honest it didn't really take that much organising all I had to do was get everyone to send me 9 copies of their DVDs and a SAE. If people were a bit put off by the elitism why don't you organise a similar event but with the title 'My First video' There you go 'THE MAN' your mission if you decide to take it. I will give you any help you need.

Cheers

Martin

hi
fist thanks for the coments so far.
I havent had time to right detailed accounts of every ones work so hears what Ive done up to now....

Shakeys
This is an excellent, very hi quality production, with some excellent camera work which make the most of the subject. The slow motion and fast shutter speed bits really stand out and the use of music also stands out.
can you tell me more about the sound mod you had made and can I ask you qustions that are to do with photogrphy?

John mcpaul
This is a really good piece of video. The style of editing suits the subject and the choice of music really suits the content. as chris has pointed out with this type of footage you carnt really cut it any other way, seeing as its so Beautiful.

cptv
chris I have seen you dvd and it is very good I hvent had time to check it out with the comentays on so Im going to do that before I post in full!.
one thig I will point out is it dident work onmy computer but played in an x box? why I dont no....

Anniesland Library
this disk didnot work im my xbox so Im going to try it in a pc.
I havent had time to see this one yet so again Ill post in full later

To SHAKEY comments

There would be NO point in it,How would the other members of this board see it ??

There would have to mass mailings of Cds if someone like the mag do not take it up methinks

Shakey,

I hope you don't mind me gatecrashing your private party, but The Man has a point. Surely this thread should be on the Chatter Forum?

OK Alan

Bob can easily move it to the Chat forum - or create a new forum for it, but what's the point.

It was open to anyone! - Any work - Any level.

If you decide not to take part, that's your choice. Now that its proved popular, why not submit in the next one?

If it means nothing to readers who did not join in, then simply don't read it. You know what is is by now.

cc

If Bob want's to put it on the cover DVD, I don't have a problem. He would need permission from others also.

The man hello
First up I would like to point out that any one who uses the board had access and an oputity to be part of this. The only restriction was that it was open to the first 10 people. Those 10 people committed to an exchange where it was a chance to see other people’s work and comment on it and an oputity to have comments made about your own work.
You mention that the rest of you will not see it, well every one had there chance, more to the point you seem like you would volunteer to be in the next one, which is good. I think the next one should be bigger!. And if you read my posts I did make a comment that other people would want to do it after this one!!!

Its really cool to hear your interest and enthusiasm, but I would like to point out its not an elest group, and the board isn’t about that. This exchange was about bringing people of various backgrounds and skills toghter to share their work. For whatever reason you didn’t take part, that doesn’t make us elitist.

There are 10 of us in the exchange not 6, and as for freeing up board space you don’t have to read it and you don’t have to comment on it!!!.

I carnt speak for shakey but I’m hoping that the work exchange continues, and I hope it gets bigger. Sadly I would need at least 6 months to put toghter what I put in the last one. So the man I have to suggestions for you…..

1 set up your own work exchange

2 some one be brave and give a date (6 months away so I can make some new stuff) and have it open to more people…?

The man please don’t take offence to any thing I’ve put. I understand how you feel but I’m sure there will be more chances to do this in the future. This has been about bringing work, inspation and people toghter but it also gives a cnace to get feedback from the work that’s submitted. I think to all of that’s valuable

Ok I guess I’m firing from the hip on this….
Some one volunteer to be the organzer, every one who wants to be part of it pays a fee and sends a DVD of there work to the orgaser. The fee covers the cost of p&p and duplicating of other people DVDs. Ever one signs a relase form allowing there work to be copyed and passed on to other subscribers that way any one can join and there is no limit on the numbers. Perhaps it could be done every 3 months?
Or perhaps the mag could do a cover cd/or DVD over the next few months and use that as an oputity to show peoples work…..
I don’t expect harsh crisium for this it’s just a suggestion

I am getting a bit fed up with this! It isn't a private party everyone was invited. It was aimed at members of this forum so that's why its here. Each message starts with 'Work Exchange' so if anyone wants to avoid them it's fairly easy.

alan if you dont want to read about the work exchange why are you looking at the post?...

It's a bit like television you know if you don't like what your watching or you don't understand. Switch over or Switch off.

SIMPLE REALLY
I need to know what I read in the feed back of the work as to what you are talking about ??

As there seems to be usefull comments coming back so far, ONE of the reasons I am monitering the work exchange is to LEARN :confused: I thought it was all about that NOT a secret :eek:

OKAY THEN = REF: STOO REPLY

PEACE OFFERING

If ? the 10 pepole who have taken part in this experiment agree for this work to be distrubuted on your suggestion I would be willing to organize this to give everbody a fair hearing and a compermise on my part

To put an end to it ,anybody else intrested in recieving copys please email provisional to find response to this please
I can not be fairer than that !

BLIMEY !!

3 provisinal leads already, there must be a lot pepole sitting on the sidelines here

If Shakey has no objections I’ve no problems in volunteering to be the duplicator and dispatcher,

I’ve a 1 to 7 DVD duplicator and live next to a Post Office so posting is no trouble to me, over the years on this forum I’ve seen quite a few members work when duplicating their work for them and have always been very impressed.

Some thoughts on organising such an event:

Entry date 3 months (approx) from now, all entries to be posted between 4th October and the 11th last date for receipt of entries the 14th October

One other suggestion is for the fee\cost whatever you want to call it to include 65p for Recorded Delivery as if a member didn’t receive their discs I would like to recover costs of replacements from the P.O.

No objections here! Your taking on a big job. Could I suggest you start a new thread - Work Exchange 2, so others that are not interested in this exchange know there is another opportunity. and we can get back to discussing the work we are reviewing currently.

Best of luck with the project I will start working on something new.

Martin

sorry - but this is a ridiculous set of responses. This is not 'the forum' - it's just one thread on a forum.

i'm also a writer (I scripted 'affective disorder' on my disk) and to my mind this is more like a writing circle - ie a small group get together to share work. i've never heard that described as elitist.

beyond a certain number such groups become unmanageable - i'm going to have difficulty looking at 9 DVDs as it is.

set up another small group and off it goes... it's obviously a good idea.

charles - why make more work for yourself. as i said in previous post (didn't realise there was another page, d'oh!) i think there's a certain size beyond which such a 'share-work' group becomes pointless. you take every comment in the context of the person's work submitted. comments from a position of complete anonymity are only so much use.

a 'cover disk' coverage could be something different - like an open competition or something.

I think bruise has a point - what I hope the first exchange evolves into is more genre related exchanges. The DVDs we have been interesting as I can see what other people are doing, but to be honest I don't really have a long term interest in seeing, for instance many more wedding video's. I can appreciate the skills that people have, there were some really good ones in the exchange, but it is not where I want to go with my own work.

What I would like to see is that we now splinter off and collect other people that have similar interests. I would be happy to contact people into adventure sports or politically motivated (documentary-comment) type work. It would be great if we had loads of exchanges going on so we could dip in and out of genres. It's too easy to get into the geeky side of video production. the technical challenges IMHO should only be part of the path to the final production...lets see more work!!!!

Martin

I received this email today…. Wonderful stuff

Now if I was at all concerned that our work was like this then I might be a little paranoid – but it isn’t and I’m not

Do take note of the tone, the upper and lower case, and the silly spelling mistakes. Reminiscent of a forum member that regularly appears under different guises.

I think I have a pretty good idea of who you are, ‘cos I’ve been around the business a while. I think my friend Alan Wareing knows you pretty well too (he’s the current director on Corrie but also regularly directs on Eastenders, the Bill, Emmerdale, etc.

Every business has a Nigel!

Anyway, I digress. Obviously our work isn’t that good at all ‘cos here’s the email (from an anonymous address obviously!!)

Hi

Ive just seen one of your so called professional wedding videos

MORE LIKE WOBBLE CAM

What a load of boring crap.

NO SOUND- JUST MUSIC.
NO ATMOSPHERE.
NO CONTINUITY.
POOR SOUND IN REG.OFFICE AND CHURCH.
TERRIBLE CAMERA JERKS IN SPEECHES.
SLOW MOTION AND QUICK SHOTS TO MUSIC,maybe TO GET SOMETHING OUT OF TERRIBLE CAMERAWORK.

Call yourselves professionals.....what a joke

And your prices......Ive seen more professional videos for a third of the price.

How can you say your the best in the UK
False Advertising I think.

Keep up your advertising campain, because I think you will need it.

The only way I can see you get more business. Won`t be from recommendations.

Think you should go to more wedding shows and see whats out there.

GOOD LUCK!

Stuart

nice - obviously from a position of insecurity. some people have no manners, taste or tact.

Anyway….

I think this work exchange was a very good idea.

It stayed at about 5 participants for ages so anyone had plenty of time and could have joined in. Then it had 10 and that was that.

Move it to chatter by all means, but here’s 10 people commenting on each other’s work. If others want to read the comments then that’s great. If you want to have a go yourself then set up another one. If it annoys then don’t read this thread.

I wouldn't see it as "more work", over the years on this forum i've made quite a few friends and as costs would be covered i see no problem.I think Z Cheema pointed out on the original post a similar idea was done on the Casablanca list

This would probally be the best option but Bob C has pointed out before how tight the purse strings are but things may have changed and if i remember correctly C\V did ask members for footage for the cover DVD !

God… I’m getting quite into this tonight…

My main business (some may call it my true passion in life!!) is wedding videos. I absolutely love being involved in the wedding video business and am passionate about the films we make and the business I am in. Unequivocally that is my (filmic) love.

But I do have another small business…

I also have a completely separate company that makes short promotional films for (mainly) glamour models. We present these in a very unique way that seems to be pretty popular.

The reason I mention this is because the guy that mainly films/directs these is the guy that did the pirates film and the star wars film on our wedding demo (I was also filming on the pirates thing and, my word, it was a nightmare, because there was a pub right next door to the ship and they had all been in there for hours!!! – oh, and the dress… she was wearing absolutely nothing underneath and the out-takes were something else!! – but she was absolutely great – and so was he – really nice but ‘just soooo good looking!!)

Anyway….

My colleague and dear and very talented friend can only spend so much time (about 4 minutes) looking at a wedding video ( he won the UK sci-fi film of the year award last year and loves making short, sharp, sexy and slightly quirky films ), so it seems like a good idea to get a number of these different categories organised for the various genres and then keep everyone interested in their own particular field.

All that is needed is a few organisers (and top marks to shakey for getting this generic one underway). So step forward, stop moaning and organise!!

This was a great start, now get a few others on the move and make them more genre specific.

Gerry

I was going to mention the Pirate and Star Wars films when I finally get around to posting my comments. I thought they were great and must be real fun for the couples to have after the event.

The out-takes for the Pirate film would probably be a best seller in their own right!

As I have mentioned I was not particularly interested in wedding videography, but I could appreciate the skills and innovative ideas that some of you had.

Thanks for the top marks, I have enjoyed seeing others work.

Cheers

Martin

I would be happy to arrange a disk swap with anyone who has fun / glamour footage (like the pirates etc). Although I film mainly Weddings, my friends and I have produced some fun videos that may be of interest to others.

Work exchange 3?

Hi Chris

Thanks for the feedback on the Anniesland Library.

The Librarian "is" the Librarian, and not a pro presenter, so was, naturaly a little nervous, and had not done any tv work before. Will check out the bg music again.

Any further feedback most welcome. It's the only way we can improve our work.

I think it’s not a bad thing viewing others work, keeps us on our toes which must be a good thing as the films are bound to improve.
Here are my comments to the nine that took part this time, there in no preference order just the way they were viewed. Must admit that I have not watched every one in their entirety so these comments are just my first thoughts

WDV
Shame there were no details to accompany this excellent demo of weddings, I can only assume that it was shot on professional gear as the clarity of the pictures were superb. Very pacey and kept my interest, this demo will certainly catch the punters eye. I enjoyed the summer nights video to music but unlike others found it hard to believe that the pirates theme was in fact a real wedding taking place. Very professional as you would expect from one of the top UK wedding companies.

John McPaul
Excellent choice of background music to accompany the film. I bet the person who shot this and then asked John to edit it couldn’t believe the outcome of the final film, nor would they have appreciated the hours of editing he did on this film. I thought it made a nice little film, about the right length.

Stewart Charles
The opening shots on the fast moving parts of the film were jumpy on both my players, the rest played ok. Very pacey film and plenty of time spent on editing. My daughter thought I was watching one of the cable channels and asked which it was as there was no logo showing. Goes to show that this could be broadcast stuff for those that like this sort of thing.

Viva Sort
Brilliant shots and surprised it was only shot on a VX2000 the colours were excellent. This for me was about the best for keeping my finger off the fast forward button. This was an excellent record of an event. What shutter speeds were used Martin for the slalom footage?

Clear Blue Sky
Very impressive DVD presentation and I should have thought very informative for the passengers. I thought that a few of the shots were under exposed. It must have been a big budget yet surprised that it was only shot on a Sony 900. Anyway, I’m available for the follow up as 2nd camera and probably do it for free.

Anniesland Library
Pretty basic DVD menu, may have been created on a stand alone burner, my only other poor impression of this film was that the background music was too powerful over the voiceover. To say this was produced with 2 weeks notice is a credit to the film maker.

Urban Exploration
(Affective Disorder) Pity no accompanying info of the gear used, good narration. Overall, for me, I started to lose interest as the pictures became very similar.
(The Cement Factory) Too much double exposure shooting for my liking, I thought the film took a while to get started, not really sure what the film was trying to illustrate. Sorry, just my personal thoughts.

Encore
Again shame no details. Only thing on the first wedding not to my liking was the titles, other than that a good example of a wedding video, nice to see other wedding videos with just the ambient sound of guests and some good cutaways of the congregation. On the second wedding titles were good but I thought had the wrong footage behind them, e.g. title of bestman came up and it showed three females, usher titles came up and it showed two little bridesmaids. Other than that, again I enjoyed watching it and thought some of the camera angles on the second wedding were excellent. Also enjoyed the music video, how long does something like this take to do and what background was it filmed against?

CPTV
Well shot and edited, good opening title on DVD, I thought set the mood for the rest of the video. By looking at the shots and the content and how it was put together there’s defiantly talent there.

Hi
I'm having a really busy week, so my comments will be a little longer in coming...

For those who haven't got the DVDs, and have broadband, here's a link on one of the web sites I've designed to web-res versions of one of the superyacht movies on my DVD:
www.yachtpangaea.com/mintro.htm
At the moment the bigger movies aren't progressively downloading properly (because the webmaster has changed something probably). However they will run once downloaded.
Regards
Paul
Clear Blue Sky
Here's another fun page on the same web site - though I can't put these 360 degree photos on a DVD for a DVD player to view interactively so easily ;)
www.yachtpangaea.com/vrintro.htm

Cptv
For me overall this was my favourite disk. I thort it showed an excellent range of work and I was impressed with the lay of the DVD.
I didn’t like the first video because it I didn’t like the song and it looked like winter…. However it was made in 99. the only other bit I didn’t like was the Solihull job.
The music videos where excellent I particuly like the welsh music video and the super atom video. I was surprised to hear that only one of your music videos had made it to TV!. The lost boys video was also good, the stage bit where excellent but I thort the bw bits could have been a bit more rock star.
The prrtts wedding video intro I found absolutely hilarious… I would love to soot a wedding in that style!
The greatest outtakes ever surprised me. I fraed that it was going to be wacky clips that where as dull as the real life program but I was stunned to see that it was actually better than the real versions shown on TV. What struck me is it looked like every one had a good time making it.
Over all this was in my opion the best disk. In future exchanges I want to see more stuff like this…… it was excellent…..

Urban exploration
Again I thort this was excellent, both in program quality originality and technical competence. I thort this was an excellent original example of digital film making.I can see why some wouldn’t like it but I did.

Cbs-I
Although there where some fantastic examples of camera work and some fantastic locations/products I found all the boat orientated programs repetitive and slightly to long. After thinking about the programs I put it down to the fact that I have never been on a yat and its unlikely I will ever go on one let alone afford one so don’t take my opion seriously (im sure some of you feel that way about my Russia film!)
The plane clips where very dynamic and really stud out I can appreciate how hard it is to film from the ground or from in side the plane but I found some of the cam work a bit sketchy.. I don’t film planes and I’ve never tried to film from inside a plane so my view doesn’t really count.

Classic video
All the weddings on this disk where of excellent standard. The only thing which I picked up on there seemed to be a lack of continuity between effects. In some clips it looked like the effects had been added because they can. I think it would have been better to make sequences treated in the same effect… apart from that they are excellent.

Wedding videos direct
I was amazed at the quality and the lay out of the show reel. You oversly make excellent videos jugging by the show reel. I thort it was a cool idea to have the star wars and other clips to show what you can do I also like the fact that you are pushing the boundary’s of a established format.

Encore productions
This was the first disk I watched. I was amazed at the quality and the way its cut from the 2 cams is excellent.

Viva sport
As Id already mentioned I really liked this. Excellent production both sound and picture wise. The only fault I found with it was the 2nd time I watched it I found it a bit respective, however I’m not a canonists and I don’t know any thing about it.

Jmcp
Ive already posted what I thort

Library vid
I thort this was a good video, it showed the spectrum of the community that use the library and I think over all it served its purpose well. the music seemed a little to load in places…. But apart from that I thort it was good.
Mike you have mentioned that you have made other vids Id like to see these at the next exchange

Overall I liked cptv best. To me it stood out because of the rage of work and because it looked like a lot of fun to make. I’m really surprised to hear your stuff isn’t being shown on TV!!!

Id also like to add..
This was the first time I had ever seen a good weeding video. All the wedding videos where excellent and to be honest I didn’t think any one made wedding videos as well as what you lot are doing. However I found the wedding videos very slow to watch after a while.. Perhaps in future exchanges we could do a separate one for weddings?
Stewart

birtyboy 1
thanks for the postive feed back on my disk.
the start section of the disk should have a jumpy look to it as it has had an effect added to it to give it this look!.
later this year a 24min cut down version of it and a new unseen verion of the documentry will be shown on the extream chanel.
stewart

cptv
the russia film dident have a slam seciton becuse threr where hardly any, due to the lack of time spent on the trip (it was 10 or 12 days) so due to the distance and amout of time spent travling we where lucky to get the footage we got!
dino has not got his money back yet! nor have I!
the experimental stuff was bits of course work. for the csi clip I had to make a start of a crime program using after effects. due to every one leting me down I ended up puting my self in it and trying to copy the csi intro. for the actull pecie of course work I made a dvd with the orgianl start my version and a side by side view.. the uni loved it!!!

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

Looking forward to Work Exchange 2 (The Sequel)

Thank you for the kind and positive comments regarding the Wedding Videos Direct demo DVD – it’s really appreciated.

Just for info – as it seems not everyone may have had explanatory details with our DVD

Virtually all of the work was shot on either DSR300 s or JVCDV500’s – a few bits on lower specced cameras. It was all edited in Premiere and I use Spruce Virtuoso for the DVD authoring to a DLT for duplication. Spruce Virtuoso was terrific, and I still use it for all our DVD work - but no longer exists – it was bought by Apple and reincarnated in their current DVD authoring software (the name of which escapes me)

None of the work is less than two years old – the most recent addition was the Pirates sequence, which was shot in 2002. Some of the work dates back to 1999 but most is from 2001. The original demo simply evolved into this current version and we are now working on our new demo DVD.

The Pirates sequence really was a real wedding – you can get married in the hold of the Golden Hynde. The whole thing was the brides’ idea.

Please feel free to ask either on the board on by email if you want any further information.

And can I say how impressed I am by those who have responded to this so efficiently – I’m still desperately trying to find the time to get an appraisal together – but will try very hard to get it finished over the week-end

Best wishes all

Did anyone get around to listening to my director's commentaries?

yes i did

Amused?

yes.
have you joined the second work exchange? I think you should.

Between baby feeding and speed editing, I think I've watched all of the dvds. Thank you very much - an interesting experience. I'll post comments on individual DVDs later, but some thoughts overall.

These comments probably apply equally to my own DVD (derelict sensation) and it's only intended as a 'thinking aloud' session.

I was impressed by a lot of the editing and camera work - and mostly the pace of the editing was really excellent. Presentation was generally good, as well.

However, I found narrative missing from most. I think every type of video is a story of some kind - it's just the genre changes. The wedding videos seemed to come closest to this - I think that's the point of the otherwise mystifying "watch them get dressed" bit - as it builds some sense of anticipation. I couldn't see much narrative development in many other videos, which made the experience a bit static.

Audio is a general problem - my partner came across me watching the library one - "hell's waiting room" was her comment on the background music - which put her completely off watching any other aspect of the video. That might be unfair, but that's going to be most people's reactions. The air flight one had this horrible 80s synth block chords - which completely undermined anything happening on screen. (Even if you can't afford to pay, there are a lot of amateur musicians out there dying for experience of film work - why not tap in?)

Also - where are the voices? In the library the voice was half the volume of the music, or about the same, and it was really hard to tune in to the interviewer. However, at least there was someone there. Almost none of the rest had interviews, or they seemed like after-thoughts. Surely there's a space in wedding videos for the couple's voices, or the rest of the family?

It's a very distancing experience watching so much visual stuff which had very little audio or human interaction - it doesn't engage. Pretty images are just that - they lose their impact pretty quickly, imho. There seems a general bias in favour of the image over other aspects of video. Was this other people's reaction/impression?

Hi Bruise. Thanks for the "Bruise-ing"

The bg music was the Libraries own choice. I will look at the voiceover level, as several people have commented on it.

Thanks again to all who participated / commented.