WANTED: Constructive Criticism!!

[Jared Knecht]

Hey Red users!

Just flexing a creative muscle. I created a short film for a music video contest for the artist Macklemore. I decided to test the Scarlet in run and gun mode. I had begun my own myth that using the Scarlet was just impractical for "runing and gunning".... I was wrong. Process went smoothly and I created this short film in a total of 4 days. (Including shooting and editing)

Disclaimer; this is obviously not a realistic timeline or approach for any video. Just flexing a muscle and wanted to enter the contest last minute. Here is the link:

https://vimeo.com/63047927

I want some honest feedback from all of you talented people! I am still a new red user and have MUCH to learn. I want to know what your interpretation is of the video, tips on cinematography, and opinion's on grading and color theory!

Really appreciate taking the time to watch and comment! This is the best and only way to learn!

THANKS!

-Jared Knecht

 

[jimhare]

Hi Jared,

Great job, obviously a lot of effort put in. I agree about the run-and-gun thing. You can get fantastic results, but there is a tradeoff when doing doco work, especially if you need to zoom, focus and expose with no warning. But if you have a moment to compose your shot, works great for narrative work.

These projects are very personal, and in the end all that matters is that you're happy with it.

I'm always hesitant to comment critically on people's work because it's a very delicate and clearly subjective thing. Just look at my Cloud Atlas thread to see how many people can watch the same thing and have completely different opinions about whether it worked or not. http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?96702-Cloud-Atlas-AMAZING!&highlight=

But you are asking so here are my thoughts:

Some nice images, you've done well to capture each environment and give them their own look.

To be critical for a moment, at first it almost looked like lens/exposure tests, then the narrative started coming in, but was a very slow burn and the sense of been there, seen that, done that, repeat, repeat made it a bit difficult to watch. Kept waiting for a new approach, new twist, new something, but never came.

But again, all that matters is that you made it, and probably learned volumes from the experience.

All the best,

Jim

 

[Justin Marx]

I'm very blunt BTW,

I liked it. Kept me entertained. Not the most original, but still you have some nice shots. Lighting was lackluster, but framing was usually nice.

You told a story-- I watched and understood the story--- I liked it---- could I tell/care what camera it was shot on? --- nope = success.. Is that the success your looking for? Only you can answer that..

you could have a set of amazingly lit perfect images with a crappy story and it can fail..

 

[Kirk.Attard]

Agree with Jim a lot. Entertaining - Characters were directed well. Some of the panning shots were a bit jerky but otherwise not distracting. Usually like the color and look. Some of the inside night shots were a bit noisy but overall it was quite well paced I think. Kept me there to watch.

Good job. I liked it.

 

[Jared Knecht]

Hi Jared,

Great job, obviously a lot of effort put in. I agree about the run-and-gun thing. You can get fantastic results, but there is a tradeoff when doing doco work, especially if you need to zoom, focus and expose with no warning. But if you have a moment to compose your shot, works great for narrative work.

These projects are very personal, and in the end all that matters is that you're happy with it.

I'm always hesitant to comment critically on people's work because it's a very delicate and clearly subjective thing. Just look at my Cloud Atlas thread to see how many people can watch the same thing and have completely different opinions about whether it worked or not. http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?96702-Cloud-Atlas-AMAZING!&highlight=

But you are asking so here are my thoughts:

Some nice images, you've done well to capture each environment and give them their own look.

To be critical for a moment, at first it almost looked like lens/exposure tests, then the narrative started coming in, but was a very slow burn and the sense of been there, seen that, done that, repeat, repeat made it a bit difficult to watch. Kept waiting for a new approach, new twist, new something, but never came.

But again, all that matters is that you made it, and probably learned volumes from the experience.

All the best,

Jim

Can't thank you enough for your time, Jim! Critical viewing can be a sensitive and a delicate subject, but to me personally it is the most important. I have an intention for my vision. If it's not coming across then I need to re-align. So every feedback is a gold mine for me!

That said, can you touch on how it looked like lens / exposure test? I felt that way as well. Is this an issue in the color correction perhaps?

Thank you so very much!

-Jared

 

[Jared Knecht]

I'm very blunt BTW,

I liked it. Kept me entertained. Not the most original, but still you have some nice shots. Lighting was lackluster, but framing was usually nice.

You told a story-- I watched and understood the story--- I liked it---- could I tell/care what camera it was shot on? --- nope = success.. Is that the success your looking for? Only you can answer that..

you could have a set of amazingly lit perfect images with a crappy story and it can fail..

Blunt is straightforward honesty. I spend to much time on this forum already. I appreciate not beating around the bush. ;]

Story is king! I did not render as much creative involvement as I would like too. Time constraint. But nevertheless I am glad the story was made clear to you.

When you said you couldn't tell what camera it was shot on that's an interesting notion. - I do not want any images to be slaved to the camera but salved to the story. When you say you couldnt tell what camera it was shot on? could that be refernce to lack of professionalism (i.e. shot on an iPhone) or the masking of the image to the story? Hopefully that makes some sort of sense.

I appreciate your time! Can't thank you enough!

-Jared

 

[Layi B]

I really enjoyed this and it stuck with me for a few days after watching. Also, I now want to find out more about Macklemore. A job well done Id say.

Looking forward to more from you

 

[jimhare]

Hey Jared,

Sorry about the delay, just got back from NAB and my head is still spinning!

Regarding the exposure test thing, I said that for a couple of reasons.

The main one is at first I didn't realize there was a narrative, it looked like "hey, this might look cool" shots one after another rather than telling a story. Lots of different environments, framing, lighting conditions. It only occurred to me later that they were being used to set the scene.

The other was the look. The slightly flat, 8mm look. Not my favorite, but there again comes the subjective nature. For me it the look doesn't draw me in but rather keeps me at arms length. Maybe that's a good thing, but something like Tree Of Life has a similar style, but each shot is a work of art. Of course there's a reason for that when it comes to production design, budget and so on. If you haven't seen it then definitely have a look.

Pace is another factor. When set to music sometimes you have to divide the duration by the number of shots and that plus tempo will determine pace, but it is important to make sure the story is served by it. Again, took me a while to realise there was one.

Anyway, bottom line is you did it! There is a beginning, middle and end and the shots are all there. I know you are looking for advice on how to improve, but the truth is there are so many directions you could go in, any single bit of advice would be hit or miss. Just keep doing what you're doing and strive for better results each time, however they may manifest!

Can't thank you enough for your time, Jim! Critical viewing can be a sensitive and a delicate subject, but to me personally it is the most important. I have an intention for my vision. If it's not coming across then I need to re-align. So every feedback is a gold mine for me!

That said, can you touch on how it looked like lens / exposure test? I felt that way as well. Is this an issue in the color correction perhaps?

Thank you so very much!

-Jared