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watch What do you think of the latest music vid?

G

gorillaonabike

The client wanted it like this and as always, music videos are collaborative efforts and although I wanted something more story-based, she wanted a very, very simple concept. I was DoP, editor, colourist and had an assistant who managed to smash an expensive light so I've actually made very little profit on this one.

What do you think?:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTJmtTHc31U

I have to say, FCPX is a pig to work with sometimes. It just didn't do what I wanted it to and was really, really annoying. It just wouldn't play ball. Sure, different software has its limitations but this time around, I was so frustrated because I had to continually go back to it...
 
Hi mate. Overall I liked it. Twas solid.

A couple of things (obviously just my opinion, take away what you like)

Loved the more silhouette shots at the window, but it could have done with a bit more variation in action. Great set by the way, would be interested to know how much it cost to hire.

When making things look like film I would suggest a very low blur, just to get rid of the 'digital' sharpness and also add a subtle layer of film grain. I always add a grey solid, HLS noise auto, set opacity to about 12% and set the blend mode to hard light.

Where they pleased with it?

My latest is in the screening room, (I wont link as i don't want to hijack your thread) but I wanted to make what we shot look a little more filmic. Maybe take a look at that. Might help, but then you might think its poop.
 
PaulWrightyThen said:
Hi mate. Overall I liked it. Twas solid.

A couple of things (obviously just my opinion, take away what you like)

Loved the more silhouette shots at the window, but it could have done with a bit more variation in action. Great set by the way, would be interested to know how much it cost to hire.

When making things look like film I would suggest a very low blur, just to get rid of the 'digital' sharpness and also add a subtle layer of film grain. I always add a grey solid, HLS noise auto, set opacity to about 12% and set the blend mode to hard light.

Where they pleased with it?

My latest is in the screening room, (I wont link as i don't want to hijack your thread) but I wanted to make what we shot look a little more filmic. Maybe take a look at that. Might help, but then you might think its poop.
Click to expand...

Will have a look (thought I did and commented but clearly am losing the plot). Major issue with the artist in that she started wanting one thing and changed her mind 50 times during the process. Just steered her towards a simple, sharp look.

In terms of the set, please PM and would be happy to discuss on a Skype / call but nothing in writing. It's pretty cheap.
 
Looked good! Simple concept, good colors (a little too dark in some areas), consistent pacing. I love the idea of your slow "PT Anderson" pushes during the silhouette parts, but they were too shaky for my taste. Did you try stabilizing the footage? Not sure if FCPX has anything similar to warp stabilizer in premiere.

Overall, good! Just need to execute those subtle pushes better. Nice work. :cool:
 
The high head voice is more than nice. I never like b/w, but your brighter ones are excellent. Also the camera jerks seem like like your own. The location is obviously top and the use of lights makes it even better.

Negatives are some unclean cuts that jump. And you miss the opportunity to be true to the song. Wrong dance moves and too aggressive storytelling during the first minute.
 
WhiteOpus said:
Looked good! Simple concept, good colors (a little too dark in some areas), consistent pacing. I love the idea of your slow "PT Anderson" pushes during the silhouette parts, but they were too shaky for my taste. Did you try stabilizing the footage? Not sure if FCPX has anything similar to warp stabilizer in premiere.

Overall, good! Just need to execute those subtle pushes better. Nice work. :cool:
Click to expand...

Thanks. And good point about the pushes. Will bring a glidecam next time.

FCPX has stabilisation and it's OK. However, the 'base' needs to be significantly more stable. Part of the issue is the artist insisted on shot selection which was not based on the shot, but what she wanted the shot to be. So, for example, if there was a shot which she thought made her look slimmer but was shaky, she would insist on it over a shot which was amazing, stable, perfect etc...

Still, no excuses and next time I'll just dolly and tripod everything.
 
Ah yeah I've dealt with that before. Vanity is the name of the game with music video clients. I think even a cheap slider would work for the minimal push you're doing.

I'm shooting a short next weekend in which I have a scene that needs to do a similar push. I'm using a 40" slider for a 10 second shot. Hoping I can be smooth enough doing it by hand!
 
gorillaonabike said:
Thanks. And good point about the pushes. Will bring a glidecam next time.

FCPX has stabilisation and it's OK. However, the 'base' needs to be significantly more stable. Part of the issue is the artist insisted on shot selection which was not based on the shot, but what she wanted the shot to be. So, for example, if there was a shot which she thought made her look slimmer but was shaky, she would insist on it over a shot which was amazing, stable, perfect etc...

Still, no excuses and next time I'll just dolly and tripod everything.
Click to expand...

Part of the trouble working with actresses too :lol:
IDK if it matters to you or not but I can see what is obviously a film light reflected in the window at 26 seconds in.

The beat really reminded me of another song.. maybe elvis presley ?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGJTaP6anOU
 
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We had a dolly track and a slider on my latest. Kept using the slider. Pair it with a wide lens and you get some great effects.
 
The song isn't really my cup of tea (and I'm also sensitive to the sound of the snare).
Talking about the snare: it seems to me that almost none of the cuts are related to the music?

I like the sillhouettes: did she wanted that, because she saw your dance video on that location?
However, it seems to lack drama and/or variety in focal lenght, making the order of the shots a bit arbitrary in my opinion.

sfoster said:
I seem to come up with dolly shots a lot more often than slider ones..
Maybe I am just not good with a slider.
Click to expand...

That could depend on the slider you use or the distance you want to travel ;)
 
WalterB said:
The song isn't really my cup of tea (and I'm also sensitive to the sound of the snare).
Talking about the snare: it seems to me that almost none of the cuts are related to the music?

I like the sillhouettes: did she wanted that, because she saw your dance video on that location?
However, it seems to lack drama and/or variety in focal lenght, making the order of the shots a bit arbitrary in my opinion.



That could depend on the slider you use or the distance you want to travel ;)
Click to expand...

It's a versatile slider.. fluid head mounted like a tripod and it goes about 2 feet.
 
WalterB said:
The song isn't really my cup of tea (and I'm also sensitive to the sound of the snare).
Talking about the snare: it seems to me that almost none of the cuts are related to the music?

I like the sillhouettes: did she wanted that, because she saw your dance video on that location?
However, it seems to lack drama and/or variety in focal lenght, making the order of the shots a bit arbitrary in my opinion.



That could depend on the slider you use or the distance you want to travel ;)
Click to expand...

She saw my silhouette shots and hired me on the basis of my skills there. The shot selection is based on her idea of her aesthetic, not the aesthetic of the shot or the poetry of the sequence which is not what I would advise but she felt very strongly about this and music videos are always a collaboration.

I've noticed a fundamental difference between amateurs and pros in that pros tend to be concerned about the overall aesthetic, rhythm, flow and prefer this over individual aesthetics within a shot. They want meaning, feel, a bond with the music and visuals rather than 'that shot makes me look fat.' Most of the time...

Still, I now want to stop music vids because I've been there done that and move to completing and selling my first feature doc and shooting my first feature.
 
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I try and be a little bit firm with musicians if I feel they are taking it the wrong way. I know a music video is a collaboration, but they hired you to make the images to go with their song. When I start out with a band/musician I let them know from the outset that I (think) I know what I'm doing. Not that I don't see it when someone points out a better idea.

Not my latest, but the music video before for Louis Barabbas (where the guys is in the cellar with all the string, you might have seen it) we were going to have an animal brain and do sfx where it gets cut into, but just for shock. He had the idea of pulling out memories in a more surrealist fashion. WAY better idea. That lead to a bit of a rewrite for the script, just from his one idea.

So yeah, only take what they say if its better. I've hand bands make terrible suggestions and I've had to be diplomatic about it and so 'no'.

Just my contribution.
 
I liked the video. The silhouette shots when she is stood against the window were great. I think the video really fit the mood of the track. :)
 
PaulWrightyThen said:
I try and be a little bit firm with musicians if I feel they are taking it the wrong way. I know a music video is a collaboration, but they hired you to make the images to go with their song. When I start out with a band/musician I let them know from the outset that I (think) I know what I'm doing. Not that I don't see it when someone points out a better idea.

Not my latest, but the music video before for Louis Barabbas (where the guys is in the cellar with all the string, you might have seen it) we were going to have an animal brain and do sfx where it gets cut into, but just for shock. He had the idea of pulling out memories in a more surrealist fashion. WAY better idea. That lead to a bit of a rewrite for the script, just from his one idea.

So yeah, only take what they say if its better. I've hand bands make terrible suggestions and I've had to be diplomatic about it and so 'no'.

Just my contribution.
Click to expand...

Mostly, yes, I'd agree with this. The issue is not around 'ideas' or concepts or direction, the artist's shot selection was just about literally one element in the shot. Does that element exist in the shot or doesn't it? If that element is in there, irrespective of the visual poetry, messages, ideas or elements around this, she wanted it in or out.
 
gorillaonabike said:
Still, I now want to stop music vids because I've been there done that and move to completing and selling my first feature doc and shooting my first feature.
Click to expand...

I have begun turning down a lot of offers for paid video work (like music videos) to focus on my art. I needed to reclaim the mental space and physical energy that those projects were taking from me. As I've already got a day job, it wasn't a huge hit financially.

Hands down the best decision I've made in my filmmaking career.


Creating short films (and eventually a feature) is what I care about.

Being able to look back in twenty years at a catalogue of uncompromised, intimate, passion-driven artwork.
 
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WhiteOpus said:
I stopped doing music videos to focus on my art. Best decision I've made in my filmmaking career.


Creating short films (and eventually a feature) is what I care about.

Being able to look back in twenty years at a catalogue of uncompromised, intimate, passion-driven artwork.
Click to expand...

I 100% agree. Music vids for me have been about whether complete strangers feel my ideas and execution are strong enough that they will give me money. That's the true test.

And yes, they have!

Test over.
 
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WhiteOpus said:
I have begun turning down a lot of offers for paid video work (like music videos) to focus on my art. I needed to reclaim the mental space and physical energy that those projects were taking from me. As I've already got a day job, it wasn't a huge hit financially.

Hands down the best decision I've made in my filmmaking career.


Creating short films (and eventually a feature) is what I care about.

Being able to look back in twenty years at a catalogue of uncompromised, intimate, passion-driven artwork.
Click to expand...

uncompromised ... sounds like a fairy tale unless youre stanley kubrick.
i have to compromise to get things done :(
 
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