I loved it. Good job. Liked the use of FX's. also the blending of images/scens between the "druggie" and the band. Very well shot.

Good job overall I thought......since you asked for a Siskel and Ebert I'll give it a shot:

One thing that seemed a bit off to me was at about 1:09 when you have the "tunnel" effect. I like the effect but when you pull away from the subject in frame and have the tunnel moving down and forward it seems a bit off and the effects seem to cancel each other out (pulling away and moving forward at the same time).

I liked the "sketch" effect more when it was prefaced with a standard shot first. At 1:49 there is a sequence where it looks like someone is splasing water on their face but it starts and ends in sketch so (to me) it seems out of place compared to the rest of the video.

That being said I thougt it was a very good example of what can be done in Vegas. Nice work.

OK - you asked for it.

I liked it.

Coming from an old fart like me, that's saying a lot.

Critiques - only one. I didn't like the switches to B&W in the middle of a scene (3:25, for example). I would have done it at a normal cut.

Other than that, you did good.

I would like to know more technical info. What cameras did you use, what was your setup, how was the sound captured? How many takes? How long did it take to shoot? To edit?

Thanks.

Steve Mann

Overall very nicely done. Music videos are hard to judge because they are a place where anything goes. Just a few things stuck out at me:

While the pencil sketch is nice I think its overly used without reason. It would be nice if it were used once and with purpose. i.e. perhaps at a point where the video goes into a dream state and that dream is a pencil sketch. Otherwise, it seems odd being turned on and off like that. In fact, you turn it off in the middle of a scene at a few points. I would only turn it on/off at a scene change. At a minimum, I would turn it on and off “on the beat”. (It just turns off in the middle of no where) I would definitely not use it during the guitar solo. It’s the only time we get to see the guitar players face and its masked by the effect. (unless he wanted it that way)

If you are looking for an effect to use more often that is an easier transition for the eyes, try using a negative image. That will also give some negative connotation like right and wrong, good vs. evil, etc. That can be turned on and off without as much disruption to the scene as the pencil sketch which is glaringly white on an otherwise black video.

At 3:25 the lips are definitely out of sync with the music. Very noticeable.

At 3:49 and beyond the cookie cutter edge is very noticeable around the red heads. Try using a bezier mask so that it’s irregular with a feathered edge so that it blends in better.

At the end, what is the significance of the crucifixion cross? It just seems out of place with the rest of the video. If you want it to blend better, try also using it in the middle of the video where they guy has his hands out like he’s being crucified. That would make a connection.

These are only suggestions. As I said, music videos are really an anything goes arena and like any art form are subject to interpretation.

Good work.

~jr

Hi Steve, The video took about 3 hours to shoot. We took 6 different runs with the band, and spent about 2 hours with the actor. Editing took about 2 hours, but I knew what I wanted before we shot and edited. the camera used was a sony vx-2000 and of course Vegas 5.0

JR, I will look at what you are taking about. The cross at the end will make more sence when the part 2 of this video will be shot, called found my way. This video will show, he has found his way out of the life of drugs and into a clean living. I really like everyones view and it was greatly welcomed:)

OUTSTANDING! Loved the music (especially the guitar work) and editing. Made me remember the late sixties. Agree with the comments of others on making it better. Amazed you got it done so quickly. Excellent work.
Randy

two comments

1) do not quit your day job.

2) I hope making music videos is your day job

I do video for a living:) And I hope this band gets signed soon!! They begin air play across the nation on Monday the 7th. I also did make some changes to it which are now online.

I mainly do Music videos as well and that was excellant!

the only things I might change:

You held to the fast cut rule most of the video but I did notice some cuts last as long as 5 sec. The song is fast. IMO no single cut should be more than 2 sec.

The shots of the band playing with no effects (except B&W) seem to stand out. They contrasted a little with the rest of the heavy effects (which I liked). Maybe ad some in and out blur to those shots to keep with the dreamy/trippy theme?

P.S. I had to stretch to offer those suggestions. Very well done!