Videographer training videos

[zvit]

Ok, here's the deal. I want to try to post some of my filmings to get critical feedback (positive and negative) so I can improve my video skills.

1. Each time I post, I will be posting for feedback on specific issues that I will mention before each link to a clip.
2. Some posts might be to explore a new filming technique and disregarding other faults that are obvious to me already.
3. Please keep in mind that I have only filmed 8 weddings so I am new to filming and appreciate your help.
4. Please keep in mind that since I am in a learning process, I am not the only camera man. Not only that, but I am also the editor so I can decide what goes in the final DVD and what doesn't (so I haven't ruined anyone's wedding :-)) There is usually another shoulder camera and crane camera with me, so if I "overdo" a filming effect, it's because I'm trying various ways to create that effect and I understand that if I was filming alone I would not "go crazy" for too long. (When you see some of the clips, you'll understand what I mean.

I'm starting out with 4 short videos I shot 2 days ago at a wedding. Each about 1 - 2 minutes.
These videos are NOT the way I shoot for 4 hours. I will post other videos for that. These 4 are filming effects.

Clip 001:
Time: 1:30
Wanted achievement: Trying various zoom effects (that is the only reason the effect is on the whole song so please to critic about it being overdone... it's on purpose)
Know issues: some heads cut at top, over exposure at a few places.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWUZI943uL4


Clip 002:
Time: 2:08
Wanted achievement: Trying various camera shakes and camera movements. (That's why there is extra movement)
Know issues: Exposure issues at times, heads cut off at times.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06t83hS7tyg

Clip 003:
Time: 0:53
Wanted achievement: Zoom with focus
Know issues: people out of frame at times, maybe focus not fast enough at zoom (I personally like that).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBeJSuQvzG8


Clip 004:
Time: 0:39
Wanted achievement: Turning camera upside-down while keeping steady
Know issues: exposure, second cameraman in my shot. (Should have moved to a different angle)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnezhBfz9co

 
 

[BillGrant]

Hey zvit,
It's certainly good to see you on here. I am always fascinated by other cultures and the way people do things differently. I'm not sure WHY these techniques are so important to you, but I am very happy you are wanting to learn. I think that will serve you more than anything. Here are my thoughts.
First I thought the color and exposure was pretty good. I thought the motion in general was pretty steady and I didn't see any real problem with your framing. The zoom technique seemed to work the way you wanted as far as I could tell. I didn't really understand what you were trying to acheive in the other 3. I noticed a bobble at the first part of the "controlled shake" one but it seemed fine. I didn't really notice a zoom and focus and I definately don't understand why you would want to turn the camera upside down. But. Maybe neither I nor none of here NEED to understand. If it's what you like, go do it. Hope that was helpful.
Bill

[zvit]

thanks for the reply.

When you say we do things differently, I'd really like to see what you mean. Can you post a link for me to see dancing at a wedding so I can see what's different? I'm very curious. Maybe I'll even change my way of filming if other ways seem nicer.

Most of the techniques I filmed with are techniques that I saw other videographers use in my editing work so I'm just trying to copy it. If you have other ways, please share.

p.s. what I meant by zoom and focus was a simple depth of field while filming at a distance and keeping the subject in focus. Sometimes I try to get the focus with the zoom but sometimes I like it when the subject is out of focus on the zoom and you can see the change of focus by the cameraman as he does it. I see that a lot in live concerts.

Thanks

[BillGrant]

Well, it certainly varies from region to region, but if you look at any of the highlight clips on my website you can see the dancing. I have to say that I would not use 40-50 mins of dancing. I include literally like 8 mins at the absolute most. I do not use any special techniques or whatever like you show here. I will vary the angle, height, framing, etc. but I don't use the zoom in shooting. I do not shake on purpose, and I would not show a camera readjustment. And anytime you see a reframe and focus in a concert video it is typically because the cameras they are using don't have autofocus. It is not a technique necessarily, it is how they have to get focus. I also would not necessarily copy what I see other shooters doing, although, I guess that's what I did in the beginning as well. It is important to practice and I do believe that you should follow whatever is interesting to you because you will be better at it. The women in this clip are beautiful btw. Is this your group of friends in a club, or is this a wedding? They seem comfortable with you on camera.
Bill

[zvit]

Our cameras are in full manual mode so my fingers are constantly changing shutter and focus. So I have the ability to play with the focus. No one in Israel shoots weddings in auto mode.

The shoot was a wedding. Never saw the people before and probably never will again (unless one of the girls gets married and uses us as the production :-))

The reason they seem ok with my filming I guess, is because I always smile when I shoot (unlike other Israeli videographers that look like they just want to go home... I hate that) and if I see that someone is not so much into getting filmed, I'll make a playful move like suddenly drop to my knees and bend back while aiming at them from below... which usually gets them into a joyous mood and make the other dancers around me laugh. My main goal is make people happy which is a challenge when you have a strong light shinning in their face :-)

Also, I'm short (5.34) so the camera is like half the size of my body which looks "cute" to some people (I hate it when I get pinched on the cheek like a little kid! Next month I'll be 37 damn it! :-)))

[zvit]

Our cameras are in full manual mode so my fingers are constantly changing shutter and focus. So I have the ability to play with the focus. No one in Israel shoots weddings in auto mode.

The shoot was a wedding. Never saw the people before and probably never will again (unless one of the girls gets married and uses us as the production :-))

The reason they seem ok with my filming I guess, is because I always smile when I shoot (unlike other Israeli videographers that look like they just want to go home... I hate that) and if I see that someone is not so much into getting filmed, I'll make a playful move like suddenly drop to my knees and bend back while aiming at them from below... which usually gets them into a joyous mood and make the other dancers around me laugh. My main goal is make people happy which is a challenge when you have a strong light shinning in their face :-)

Also, I'm short (5.34) so the camera is like half the size of my body which looks "cute" to some people (I hate it when I get pinched on the cheek like a little kid! Next month I'll be 37 damn it! :-)))

p.s. Although I have lived in Israel for many years, I was born and grew up in New York and came to Israel when I was 13.

[HankCastello]

Leaving for Texas to shoot a wedding tomorrow.  I'll check these out when I get back.