New Music Vid

MUTTLEY wrote on 8/15/2008, 4:43 PM
For those who care to give it a glance. Not really looking for criticism but thought some might like to check it out. Not to sound snotty or arrogant, it's just that almost every vid I do there's always 100 things I want to go back and redo, reshoot, tweak, fix, nudge, finesse, and cajole anyway. Even constructive criticism on something that's done just adds to my pile of regret and self loathing. (That was a joke)

Anyway, don't think this one needs a disclaimer but just in case DISCLAIMER DISCLAIMER.

Ember - Blind

Hope ya like it.

- Ray
Some of my stuff on Vimeo
www.undergroundplanet.com

Comments

Cheno wrote on 8/15/2008, 5:39 PM
Nice work, buddy. Very nice work. Great look. As for anything else, I'd need to watch it again and deconstruct but very good work with the LEX adapter and making it feel as though there isn't an adapter on it (some get rack focus happy ;) )

You've definitely found your niche!

What shoulder mount system are you using? Is that the Indiefocus one?

cheno
MUTTLEY wrote on 8/15/2008, 6:03 PM
Thanks Cheno, really appreciate it. And yes, that is the IndiRAILSpro. Also using a belt type support that Varizoom had similar to their DV Media Rig, though I don't see it on their site anymore. Basically it's a velcro belt, a rod, and then a little piece that connects to the rails. Worked awesome, drag they don't carry it anymore.

- Ray
Some of my stuff on Vimeo
www.undergroundplanet.com
Patryk Rebisz wrote on 8/15/2008, 7:31 PM
Looks great!!!

The only "issue" is that unless they have a following or are at least little bit famous nobody will pay attention because there is no hook (story or visual gimmick).
musicvid10 wrote on 8/15/2008, 8:50 PM
I'd really like to hear this, but it stutters constantly, as is the case with all Vimeo videos on my 1.5 DSL connection (I wouldn't even think of clicking on the HD version).

Do you by chance have it up on YouTube? They may not have the best res, but at least I know it'll play . . .
UlfLaursen wrote on 8/15/2008, 9:41 PM
Nice one, Ray. I really think it pays of with the letus 35 - nice pictures :-)

I take it you charge the bands? Can I ask how much you ask?

/Ulf
MUTTLEY wrote on 8/16/2008, 2:46 AM

Thanks Ulf, my prices really fluctuate, but always just try to figure out how to get the most bang for the buck.

As for Vimeo, I don't ever have issues here with playback and I know quite a few who dont have problems, not sure what the deal is or why it stutters for ya. I know at one persons house who had a slower connect we paused it long enough to cache a little and then played it.

- Ray
Some of my stuff on Vimeo
www.undergroundplanet.com
ChristoC wrote on 8/16/2008, 2:53 AM
Nice one! Only peculiar thing is I hear Acoustic Guitar, but see none!
John_Cline wrote on 8/16/2008, 3:32 AM
Very nicely done! I only have one comment and it has nothing to do with the video. In your description on Vimeo, you use the term "Walla!", the word is actually "Voilà." It's a French word used to "call attention to or express satisfaction with a thing shown or accomplished." It's a combination of voir "to see" + la "there" and is pronounced "VWAH-lah."

"Walla" is a made-up word from the old radio days used for crowd murmur & babble. It's what all the extras would say in the courtroom scene when Perry Mason exposed the perpetrator of the crime.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walla

MUTTLEY wrote on 8/16/2008, 10:36 AM

lol, thanks John, I have changed it based on your recommendation. =)

- Ray
Some of my stuff on Vimeo
www.undergroundplanet.com
JohnnyRoy wrote on 8/16/2008, 12:37 PM
Nice work Ray... as always, you have an eye for this stuff.

> Basically it's a velcro belt, a rod, and then a little piece that connects to the rails. Worked awesome, drag they don't carry it anymore.

Sounds like the Tiffen Steady Stick. I have one and I really like it.

~jr
Former user wrote on 8/16/2008, 1:01 PM
Musicvid,

You can turn HD off and it plays smoother on slower connections.

Nice look muttley. Pleasant to watch. I like performance videos better than concept videos but that is probably because I play some guitar myself.

Dave T2
BibbityBoo wrote on 8/16/2008, 2:28 PM
On DSL you need to give vimeo streams a good bit of buffering time, as the streaming speed is definitely slower than playback speed. Load the video, play, pause, open another tab and do something else for a few minutes before viewing.
Jeff_Smith wrote on 8/16/2008, 3:16 PM
Nice work, no stutter from my end.
MUTTLEY wrote on 8/18/2008, 2:28 PM
Just found a link to the support I used. Not sure if they have any more but it worked great:

VariZoom ENG Rig

- Ray
Some of my stuff on Vimeo
www.undergroundplanet.com
johnmeyer wrote on 8/18/2008, 7:10 PM
I always love your videos. I would be interested to know what tool (or tools) you use for the opening logo sequence.

You said you were looking for criticism, so here is some from a person totally unqualified to make any, because I know NOTHING about lighting. So with that disclaimer, you used several different lighting setups, and then cut between them. At the very beginning, there is hard light coming from the left of the screen. However, in following scenes, the key light comes from the other side, and then reverses again. Of course stage lighting changes all the time, and also in a music video you are not trying to capture a stage performance. However, because the opening shot used that really hard, low, key light, it made me more sensitive to the lighting in subsequent shots.

Again, marvelous work.
Steve Mann wrote on 8/18/2008, 9:05 PM
What 35mm adapter did you use?
fldave wrote on 8/19/2008, 4:50 AM
Always love your stuff, Ray!
Randy Brown wrote on 8/19/2008, 2:13 PM
Keep up the great work Ray, I don't understand why bands aren't lined up at your door! I've always thought your work is top notch...now if you'll throw me a bone...I have a question.
I was a pro drummer for almost 20 years and this is something I would really like to try and may be good at also. The closest I've been able to do something like this was a few live performances; very good national bands (ie Fallout Boy, Trapt, All American Rejects etc ) but all live...so no retakes or concept stuff I've posted some excerpts here in case you're curious
Anyway, my question is how do you go about marketing your service? I've thought about a flyer at the local music stores but that's about it. Also are you ever able to get your regular hourly rate through musicians?
Thanks, and again great job...heck I even enjoyed your country bands from a few years back!

Randy
MUTTLEY wrote on 8/19/2008, 2:22 PM

Considering the folks that you've worked with I should be asking you! I honestly don't do a lot, mainly because I'm not sure what to do and partly because I don't like being a "salesman". Probably not good for me if I want to stay in businesshuh? Seems like quite a few stumble on my "real" site via Google, others through MySpace, and then local bands I've worked with word of mouth. And man I wish bands were lined up at my door. Seems that everyone that finds me or that I've worked for likes what I do but getting em there is the rough part. A challenge I've been facing for the last how ever many years.

- Ray
Some of my stuff on Vimeo
www.undergroundplanet.com
Randy Brown wrote on 8/19/2008, 3:26 PM
Considering the folks that you've worked with I should be asking you!
I wish I was working with them!!!
This was kind of a strange deal in that I taught a video production class at New Mexico State University.
5 or 6 interns and I did a regional PBS show (called What it Takes...ie What it Takes to be a firefighter, a race car driver, a rock star etc) and we had free reign almost everywhere we went. So except for Fallout Boy restricting me to one minute with one camera it was carte blanche and fun while it lasted.
I am just now really considering doing realmusic videos (because I'm thinking local bands don't have much money...however it looks like a lot of fun) and I've been wondering how to get the word out.
The flyer at the local music stores (or maybe for you even D/FW and Houston) is one but also wondering about contacting some booking agents (I know...the only good agent is a cleaning agent but...) they might find some gigs through their own bands for a 10% comission.
You are aquiring quite a resume though my friend and maybe now is the time to really push this. Your stuff is better than a lot of stuff I've seen...and I've heard it's not just a labor of love for the big dogs$$$$$.
Anyway, keep up the good work bud, you kick ass!!!
Randy