Number 3 and done!

[BillGrant]

Hey Guys,
Last cinematic edit of the year... first wedding clip in H.264... drumroll please....
Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you Mr. Clay Aiken (I kid you not)
www.grantphotovideo.com/sarabethgreg

Bill

[damian]

Not too bad.  Our styles are surprisingly similar.  Only spotted a couple things that could make it better.

There's a white balance issue on one shot about midway (just above and slightly right of the "H" it Beth when I click your link).  Simple correction would make that shot better.

Another thing that caught me was the dj audio when they entered.  It seemed like unnecessary noise that really didn't add anything.  Either it'd have to be clearer, or I'd boot it personally.

Last thing, was it seems like there was a shot or two that suffered from auto-exposure because there was a quick darkening.  It was subtle though, and it may have been just a lighting change....but it's a common problem with my partner and I'm always looking for it 

Some nice details though...getting the envelope writing, money shots (ring, closeups, etc).  Overall, nice stuff.  I'd like to see one of your complete vids, versus highlights...see what you really bring to the table here.....

[BillGrant]

Thanks Damian,
This was honestly a monster day. I had alot of issues. You wanna talk about audio the way Hank does? I had 2 audio sources fail. Wireless went flatline about 3 minutes into the ceremony. Iriver same thing. The only thing that saved me was the H2 sitting in front of the PA speaker. The DJ was having alot of issues with his sound system with dropouts and crackling the whole time. So, other than that I couldn't get the white balance right in alot of places. Also realize that I am the worst guy in the world at CC. Every shot you see that is off has been through my extensive CC'ing. I just don't have the patience to get it right. Then there's the spotty bright light and shadows during the ceremony. The minister's face is a bright glowing orb, and the couple is underexposed... on top of all of that, it was so dark in the reception that I had to actually use my light which I hate to do. My finished DVD is very similar to this except there is less emphasis on hitting those cues in the music like Clay sings "raise me up" as the minister raises his hands for the people to stand. I only do that kind of stuff in the highlight. The DVD is more of a marathon than a sprint... I also raise and lower the pace in the DVD. Usually slow to start out, peaceful bulding in to the ceremony. After ceremony into reception is upbeat, then intros and first dance. I then do a dance montage where I use some live audio for the inevitable electric slide/cha cha slide/cupid shuffle triumverate, then to "Let's groove tonight" or some such song for a time stretching dance thing, into cake cutting, then more contemporary country like Big & Rich or Rascall Flatts to the bouquet/garter then into probably another short "really getting down now" dance montage and then the emotional "last dance" I typically take the last dance song into the exit transitioning live audio into the recorded song and done. All done with montages similar in style to this but just longer, more shots, less editing and  changing the pace. Thanks for the comments. Oh and you're right about the intro but oh well it's delivered so next time... And I finished my last documentary wedding today, so that means that I've done 4 weddings in two weeks and I am COMPLETELY caught up. That's right no backlog. Oh yeah!
Bill

[damian]

4 in two weeks is incredible....hahaha.  I'm watchin the one I finished last week on my plasma as I type, and I'm about 75% through the one I'm working now.  I'm trying to do one a week, but not quite keeping that pace due to my other business demanding my time.

Multiple audio sources failing though....   Haven't had that happen yet thankfully.  We've lost one on a couple of occasions, but not more than that yet.

Trust me I realize, and you know how it goes....it's easier to pick something apart than it is to accomplish the perfection.  I've turned my family/friends into the pickiest bunch of critics out there...they'll tear me apart over nothing...so I'm just passin it on...lol.  I wish it was not so much of my partners shots kickin my ass though to be honest.  That's being addressed in the off season though or he gets the size 12 out the door. 

Good work though...once again I'm sure they're very happy.

[osbornes5]

Bill, I have been going back and catching up on some posts I have missed and just caught this. Nice work as usual. Damian already picked it apart pretty good so I'm not doing that. Just a question and comment, There were a few shots that were underexposed a tad especially indoors. An example would be when she was opening the necklace. Was this the limit of the cam or just not set quite right? Not a criticism at all I am really just interested in the cam's performance as I get closer to buying my first HD cam.

My comment would be that the old dude has got some pretty good moves. He's quite a rug cutter! Cool.

[BillGrant]

Hey Marty,
Do you mean opening the necklace in the bright room with all of the windows? Or the shot where she's putting on the necklace? I think it is interesting though that you didn't bring up the shot in the room after the wedding where everyone is huggin because I had to use 12db of gain on that one. I guess it cleaned up pretty good. The only time I feel restricted on the low light capabilities on this camera are where it is truly dark. There are some situations that it handles better than others but I feel no issue with low light on this camera. So, if something is under, it's just me not doing it right  I hope that answers your question.
Bill

[HankCastello]

Four wedding edits in two weeks?  Give that guy a medal! 

[osbornes5]

Actually I was referring to where she was putting on the necklace. The shot where they are hugging looks like it was about as good as it was gonna get. If it was boosted any more the windows would have completely overpowered the subject I think. You are using the Canon XH-A1 are you not?

[BillGrant]

Yeah,
The putting on the necklace part is definately just me screwing the settings. Sometimes I have a hard time with some rooms just depending on the background colors and waht type of light. It's weird, some rooms I just can't get right. If you notice the shots of the girls in the beginning, they are kindof the same. And yes, I'm using the A1...

[BillGrant]

Thanks Hank,
It's a tribute to the Doc style edit though. The cinematic were still tough...
Bill

[osbornes5]

Bill, I am the last guy to cast stones. I have been in three commercials that were shot by a very pro studio out of Tulsa and to see the work that goes into each little shot is quite revealing. At the end of the day we are capturing our images as the conditions exist largely without any manipulation whatsoever. The fact that your shots are as good as they are, and for any videographer that produces good quality video for that matter, is a testament to the ability and dedication of the shooter/editor.

[Terry]

At the end of the day we are capturing our images as the conditions exist largely without any manipulation whatsoever. The fact that your shots are as good as they are, and for any videographer that produces good quality video for that matter, is a testament to the ability and dedication of the shooter/editor.

Amen to that.