Feedback Appreciated

[milepost13]

This is about the 6th video of this kind that I've shot and edited. It's the second in which I've used a stationary camera and a moving camera (I don't the know the professional terms). This is my best go at it so far.

I'd love some feedback:

1) the story

2) the video

3) the audio

4) the editing

5) whatever else

Video (http://practicalworship.blogspot.com/2007/11/chris-scarboroughs-story.html)

Thanks!

Nate

[amprodirect]

Nate, as I am wiping the tears from my eyes I must say it is very simple and real. I am not sure I would want to change it in any way. Powerful testimony of Chris, powerful.

I know you really would like to hear some critical feedback though, so for me, I would try a little better lighting and depending on how dramatic you wanted to make it use the shadows but definitely some back lighting. I would also suggest a lavaliere mic so it doesn't appear he is doing an interview, I might also suggest a different seating arrangement, I think on a stool makes it a little colder, but to sit in a comfy chair with feet on the floor might be better. I would also encourage him to take hiss time and feel his story, it sounds like he is saying something he always says.

The story is amazing, the editing is good and I know Chris is touching the lives of many. A beautiful transformation. Great video Nate, well done!

David Cherry
Shoreline
Austin

[milepost13]

Thanks, David. I liked the stool and the mic stand for this video, but I do want to try using a different mic and seating for other videos. And, I definitely need to rig some better backlighting.

Thanks!

Nate

[worshiptrench]

Good storyline which is the root of all good video. A tricked out bad story still stinks. Maybe soften the side lighting a tad. You did a good job on the pre-homework. We have more tips here http://www.worshiptrench.com/?p=155

I'll have crisitan take a look from a technical standpoint since he is the guru of that.

[milepost13]

Good storyline which is the root of all good video. A tricked out bad story still stinks. Maybe soften the side lighting a tad. You did a good job on the pre-homework. We have more tips here http://www.worshiptrench.com/?p=155

I'll have crisitan take a look from a technical standpoint since he is the guru of that.

The washed lighting was actually an effect I used for that side angle...just messing around for my entertainment. Thanks!

Nate

[dtpuga]

Milepost,
It looked good to me. Everyone has an opinion on lighting, you have to do what you want with that. I thought it looked cool, and no two guys are gonna do it exactly the same. If you can see what needs to be seen and don't distract from the content, then its not broken in my opinion.

The microphone did strike me as awkward. But, I know the drill and I know you have to do what you can with what you have. One thing you might try is boosting the gain on a mic like that and moving it further away. Since its not being played back through a PA you can get away with much higer gain. If you are in a noisey room, BG noise can be a problem but try cutting the air conditioners and stuff like that off and give it a run.

Before I had a camera mounted wireless mic to use I would wire up the sanctuary lapels. You can get adapters and run those XLR outs into just about any input. Audio-Technica also makes a very cheap camera mounted wireless mic. We use a few Sennheiser ones now that work great. Let me know if you decide to buy something, I can give you more info.

Hope this helps,
Travis

[milepost13]

Thanks, Travis. I'm actually running the audio directly into the camera (not through our digital board). I'll try what you suggested sometime. I'll also take a look at adapting a wireless mic as well.

Nate

[twc_admin]

awesome - what a story .. I'm not a video tech guy, so no comment on the tech part .. but the story and music worked great.

[El Ben]

That story floored me. That guy kinda reminded me of this old biker guy who got saved in my home church. He looked raw as all get out, like he'd just as soon break your face than to look at you, but whenever he talked about Jesus, he was a baby.

I actually liked your idea about the mic, but I would have used an SM-57 or one like it and would have ran it overhead. Still show it in the shot, but it's not quite as awkward as the SM-58's big silver bulb. Actually, now that I think about it, you probably could have unscrewed the metal cap and gotten the same aesthetic effect, though I'm not sure how it would have affected the sound.

Something else you could have done now that I think about it would be to borrow one or two of those choir mics from a local church. I'm not sure what they're called, but you know what I'm talking about. They're kind of long and skinny and are on those big stands. I've also seen them used to mic the cymbals of drum kits. Those would have looked good, but I'm not sure how the sound quality would have been affected.

Like I said, I actually like that you showed the mic and the lights in the distance shots. I kinda got the whole edgy/smug "yeah, he's mic'ed and we've got lights. *shrug* So what?" kinda vibe and really dug it. There were some video transitions (like when he mentions that he's married and has a daughter where it seems as if there's an uneccesarilly long pause in video and the sound continues over a black screen. I actually wondered if the video were over and you forgot to cut the excess audio.

All in all, though, I'd say it was a great video, good story, an interesting feel, and mostly good editing and music choices. Good call.

[milepost13]

Something else you could have done now that I think about it would be to borrow one or two of those choir mics from a local church. I'm not sure what they're called, but you know what I'm talking about. They're kind of long and skinny and are on those big stands. I've also seen them used to mic the cymbals of drum kits. Those would have looked good, but I'm not sure how the sound quality would have been affected.


We actually have a few of those mics...I'll take a look at them for next time.

Thanks!

Nate