|
Post by frayadjacent on Jun 15, 2012 22:21:00 GMT -5
Nervous as it makes me to post a vid for open beta, I figure it's the best way to improve! The title isn't actually "Buffy goes hunting", but the vid is so simple that those three words pretty well sum it up. Streaming at Vimeo here (password: "Under Stars") Would love any and all feedback, but am mostly interested in comments on the editing and overall flow. I also have been at some loss with what to do after ~2:00. To me, the "hunt" needs the resolution of a slay or two, but actual fighting and slaying don't fit the music. I've wondered too if the vid is a little boring in its low-action & focus on a single character. Short as it is, I considered taking out one of the verses since the simplicity lends itself more to a vidlet. Also would like to know if anyone finds it unbearably literal -- the "music vs lyrics" thread has got me wondering if I focus too much on lyrics in my vidding. Thanks all!!
|
|
|
Post by violace on Jun 16, 2012 16:11:33 GMT -5
Aww, I like this a lot. The song is a good choice and creates a very interesting, melancholic atmosphere, and it also helps that it's one of my favourite Neko Case songs. ;D That said, I don't know what impression it would make on someone who doesn't know the song, because it *is* a slow one and I usually have a hard time getting into videos with slow songs that I don't know. Hope that made sense. I like the way you finished it up, but I think the second vampire she stakes makes it feel a bit "bumpy". I feel like it should either be only the first staking, or a series of consecutive shots with more than two killings. Hmm. Also, I don't find it distractingly literal at all.
|
|
|
Post by lillythekid on Jun 16, 2012 17:06:10 GMT -5
Hi, I really like the song choice and the mood you created, especially those parts where streets and alleys are shown while people are running through them. This adds a really dramatic touch. Just a few thoughts and suggestions: - Maybe it would be interesting to also show what Buffy is observing while she is out hunting. - I agree with kali that it would be worth exploring showing a row of slayings at the end Related to the multiple slayings: it's true that this is a slow song but, nevertheless, it is possible to to include some fast paced parts. I don't know if you're familiar with the Buffy vid Scarlet Ribbons by aycheb. Here the song is also very quiet, yet there is fast paced editing at times which, I think, works really well. This is just my personal opinion. If you feel that this contradicts the basic idea of your vid, please feel free to ingnore it
|
|
|
Post by frayadjacent on Jun 16, 2012 18:31:56 GMT -5
Thanks for your responses!!
Yes, I admit I can be that way as well. Ha ha, I suppose people are unlikely to tell me if the vid was so slow they couldn't be bothered watching it! They just won't say anything at all. Though one thing I liked about making this vid is that the slow pace lent itself well to longer clips than I'd used in my first couple of vids, so I put some effort into finding clips that (I thought) were visually interesting in terms of internal/external motion. Even so, it might be worth trimming the song a little more to make it a proper vidlet.
Yes, I initially tried drawing out the one fight, but was having a lot of trouble timing it with the music since it's such a short scene. I then tried having a bunch of stakings but it just seemed too actiony for the rest of the vid. Though lillythekid's post is making me think that with some more effort I *can* do that right. But another option would be to just show the one staking and then Buffy walking away.
Ooh, I like this suggestion! Thank you! And thank you also for pointing me to "Scarlet Ribbons". Being new to the vidding world, there's still so many great vids I haven't seen yet, and that was one of them. It's inspiring me to figure out a way I could have multiple slayings at the end of the vid.
|
|
|
Post by amnisias on Jun 17, 2012 4:28:47 GMT -5
I'm loving that you start out with a Buffy vid - that makes me very happy. This is a really great vid and it does not look like the effort of somebody just starting out at all.
In terms of tech you've got a solid proces, the source looks vey shiny and crisps, there are no stay frames and the editing is very clean and neat. I also has a clear purpose and narrative, and a build up of tension. I don't find this vid too literal, but in general terms if you struggle with content vs literal interpretation I'd go with the former, as a rule of thumb.
If you're looking for ways to improve the vid, I think i'd go for the middle part, where I think you miss the opportunity to increase the tension a bit. As Lilly said above, it would be really nice to start introducing the focus of Buffy's attention sooner. I think it helps if you think about how the vid reads if somebody does not know the source.
You've set the first act up very well, we've got Buffy, restless, leaving the house, wandering the streets, handeling weired looking weaponry. That builds intrigue and suspense. But we don't really find out what she's hunting until very late. You've got some shots of feet, and again that's a very good way to increase tension and step up the game. Some more scenes that slowly 'reveal' what she's persuing and hunting would lead more organically to the end sequence. The end sequence I found was strong, actually. However, if you've got worries about pacing the clips to the music, you could consider leaving the fights and stakings out and just have 'face off' moments instead, e.g. the moment just before the fights ensues, like her raising a stake, drawing the bow etc. But that would turn the vid into more of a teaser vid. As I said, i find the end sequence good the way it is.
|
|
|
Post by frayadjacent on Jun 17, 2012 17:21:40 GMT -5
Thank you amnisias! I like your suggestions a lot. I worked on the ending a little last night and got a better-looking sequence of slays in there, but I also like your suggestion of a more "teaser" vid. I might try that too and see which I like better.
And the way you're talking about building the tension in the vid is really useful to me. I think I was only semi-conscious of that as I was doing it, and seeing you articulate how the vid builds tension as well as where it fails to do so is great for helping me understand how I would do that more deliberately not just in this vid but in future vids as well. Good for the learnin'!
|
|
|
Post by amnisias on Jun 17, 2012 18:12:33 GMT -5
You're welcome! I think that's why the beta process is so useful, because it necessitates putting visual information, emotions & motivations into words. I stongly believe it's that process, rather than any feedback given, that's so useful. A vidder might reject (on good grounds) all suggestions, but still gain a much better understanding of their vid, how it works and what it is about. At least that's my experience with the process (so I've never done an open beta, and probably would be reluctant to do so). So, again, you're so much braver than me. Theme of the day....
|
|
|
Post by frayadjacent on Jun 18, 2012 22:14:15 GMT -5
Yeah, I can definitely see how the beta process's use goes well beyond the vid in question, and how it can be helpful even if you don't take the suggestions.
|
|