Did my first “property” short film yesterday at a nearby hotel. It was an awkward space to manoeuvre in but its a starting point. Plan is to do a load more over the coming months and build up a portfolio. This one didn’t go 100% to plan because as usual, I lost synch with what I was recording so some of the best shots werent recorded even though i thought they were. Instead I recorded my moving about between them! Plus it was busy with cars and people so I had to deal with that.
I am offering free visits and media packages across a multitude of local social media platforms to try and grow some sort of portfolio but have to say, it appears very difficult to get any kind of interest. I suspect the fact it is gloomy and winter has a part to play but will see as the year progresses.
Two major things stuck out to me, with one bonus minor thing These are just from my viewpoint so others may have dissenting opinions.
You need to shoot in manual if doing professional work. The change of exposure from 0:22 to 0:42 is huge. The grass goes from being vibrant green to almost black. The Drone Creative bangs on about exposure on almost all of his videos.
I know it’s a demo but there’s too many transitions including the zany ones. You’re demoing your photography skills, not the editing software.
And the bonus one was the aforementioned colours. Is this what you were on about in your DaVinci thread? It seems oversaturated watching on my iPad. Might need to try it on my OLED TV and see what it looks like there.
Again, these are just to my eye. I myself need to sort out the manual mode. Normally I’m concentrating on the flight so leave my camera in auto like a loser
Edit: Just thought of another thing. I’m not sure MacDonald Hotels or other businesses will want you promoting your business with their logo if they are not a client. You normally have that sort of thing written in a contract that it can be used for advertising purposes.
Edit 2 : The colours are even more saturated on my TV.
I’ve noticed judder and the YT video is set for 24fps. Did you film at that frame rate? If not then either your time line or export settings are incorrect.
Hiya, re the first point yes I also picked up on the light changes. I haven’t used it in this film, however I will be using colour stabilisation going forward in DV which should correct this.
The saturation I dialled down manually in both green grass clips. The DV correction had the grass almost luminous. Yes, this is what I was on about in my editing thread however its very hard to get specific guidance or answers. The blackmagic forum is too busy and posts disappear quickly.
Frame rate is something I havent got involved in yet. I did look yesterday and only had the option to increase to 30 fps but left this at 24.
Re hotel logo I obtained permission in person on site and have shared the link with them. Im not just rocking up and cowboying.
Im only looking at a couple of local jobs a month as a side venture for small and local venues. I hadnt thought of taking the camera off auto, would this improve the colour correction do you think?
Yeah that’s down to the auto exposure. I’m only an amateur so I’m not sure if that can be corrected for a video in DV without a bunch of work. You can copy colour corrections but that won’t fix the exposure as far as I know.
This was a bit coyboyish as the hotel is part of a chain. Nobody onsite would be able to give permission to let you use company logos on your own advertising. That’s a corporate head office request. For a one-off hotel, it would probably would be fine.
I would love to see your project settings. I have a feeling it’s to do with the colour space selected for the project, but could be wrong.
The frame rate is a biggie. When you imported the clips it was asking if you want to change to match the clip rate of 30fps. If you have a mismatch then you can get the judder I noticed. Again this is set in the project settings.
If you can export your project to an archive - steps are on this page How to Archive a DaVinci Resolve Project in One Minute - then zip and upload it somewhere like Dropbox, I’m sure myself and others could have a look.
Very nice, for I prefer the music without voice, but that is just a me thing. anyway I enjoyed watching it, its just that I suffered with hearing problems so like softer subtle music
My advice not that i am an expert in this field but i find it best to start with these settings
2k60 or 4k (with video the more the software you use has to play with the better)
1/120 Shutter (stops that judder in post)
100 ISO if its bright or 200 ISO if its low light
and WB 5600k I think this is what the human eye is set at
Its all a learning curve we all fight and struggle with include ND CPL UV filters in the mix and it will do you’re box in
Cheers Parmo paul, I will look at that. I didn’t getva “change frame rate” message for this, but I can look at that for future projects.
The colour stabilisation is a fusion function that I have looked up specifically because of the opening shot where the exposure changes. I almost didnt upload this video because of it, however I liked the clip and decided I wanted to get something out rather than do nothing. I will shoot manually and see how DV reacts to the footage.
The logo or video is easily amended if needs be, personally dont think its cowboy like having taken the courtesy to introduce and ask the manager in person before I did this. I bet many would have carried on behind a bush and remained out of sight, but I like to do things properly.
Ironically I have had a load of responses today from businesses who want to take me up on my offer, so looks like I will get the opportunity now to create my best work.
I am using a range of different music at the moment to generate different flavours of video. This soundtrack isnt perfectly suited to the purpose of the footage but I am looking to avoid the generic synths and brass overtures that accompany 90 percent of drone videos.
TBF I can’t use that Fusion feature as I only have the free version.
Certainly get used to manual exposure settings as a starter. That Colour Stabiliser looks good but it won’t work miracles.
Right, I don’t think you’re getting me on this point. It’s not about filming the location. If you want to use a chain hotel logo in advertising your business, you will need corporate approval. Not a manager in the hotel itself.
I do see your point. Tbh, I placed the logo on the video purely to show I could physically do so, and to see how it changed the end result. It wasnt intentionally placed to suggest monetisation.
As it happens I emailed the hotels marketing department last night with a link to rhe video, and saved that email, so I’m fairly happy with my transparency. I think I will end up taking it down in a month or so anyway because there are things that arent perfect as discussed above that I want to fix on the upcoming videos I will be doing that do have corporate approval.
But all the above is great as I want the feedback and want to develop my productions so appreciate the time taken to respond. Ill be posting my future demos too, so you will have ample time to review my work!
Reflecting on the train - I wonder whether the advice to come off AUTO on change to MANUAL is the golden nugget. I had not even considered or thought about this. Potentially I am colour correcting twice - once in auto camera settings then again on the editor. I will switch straight away and monitor the corresponding output. If DV colour correction is as good as billed, this will be interesting.
Thanks, will have a look in a sec and adjust it all ready for tmrws ventures. I will always colour correct, but I allow the software to do it all itself, inputting the “DJI Gamut” camera input in the process of timeline correction. It makes a huge difference but it has been over saturated.
Do you have the Mini 3 as per your profile? There is no LOG format, only a Normal profile, so set the project and output to Rec.709 which is what I use. Colour correct from there.
Yes a 3. The colour correction process I use requires you to select the camera type from a list, after you have gone through the steps to unlock the timeline and apply the correction, so that is how I correct. I could go through each clip and adjust it manually, but thats very time consuming and the process on the course I did uses the input list.
Morning Paul - I have just posted some test clips and info from a couple of clips I took this morning in manual mode. This is in my DV thread in the editing category. Be interested to see your thoughts.
These are just from my viewpoint so others may have dissenting opinions.
TBF I can’t use that Fusion feature as I only have the free version.