Creative Video Ditty

mjroddy wrote on 1/16/2004, 9:23 AM
I'm looking for creative and constructive criticism on a little “promo” video I did with a magician friend. We’re creating a “How To” video based on the illusion you will see.
I should have known better than to make a few of the mistakes I made, but I allowed myself to be rushed and, well, I flaked. But so far, people have been receiving this video ditty with generally favourable remarks.
If you could help me improve my techniques with some comments, I’d really appreciate it. And so would my future clients and projects.
The site to visit is
www.matthewroddy.com/videos
and then go to the lower 3rd of the screen to look for the Butterfly (called, "Back To Life")
For those who are curious, the motion tracking and titles were done in Boris RED 3GL. The music was done with Acid 4 Pro and enhanced by the guy on the screen using his keyboards.
Shot on a JVC GY-DV500 using an Arri combo kit (similar to the softbank iv).
Thanks! -mjr

Comments

Former user wrote on 1/16/2004, 10:06 AM
It is a nice piece. The audio fits very nice. My only complaint would be, where is the magic trick? When you are doing magic on stage, you watch it from beginning to end and can see the morphing from flat to 3d. In your video, with the cuts (which work well continuity wise), there is just the feeling that the flat butterfly was replaced with a 3d butterfly. I don't get the magic feeling, just more like a TV effect feeling.

If you are trying to demonstrate a magic, you need to somehow keep the continuity through either one shot, or an inset shot of some kind.

But like I said, as a video piece it works well and tells a neat little story.

Dave T2
Chienworks wrote on 1/16/2004, 10:26 AM
Yes, as Dave said, this is a good video showing a nice little fantasy. It isn't a good demonstration of the magic trick though.
mjroddy wrote on 1/16/2004, 3:39 PM
Points well taken.
Dave, what kind of insert might you suggest.
I'm discussing this with the magician now to see what we can do, short of a reshoot.
Thanks for the feedback. Very valuable given what I'm trying to convey.