OT: Examples of great video production/DVDs?

ken c wrote on 12/2/2006, 4:05 AM
Hi -

As I continue to try and "learn this craft" of professional video, I am looking for great examples, on DVD, of superb cinematography and/or video shooting for instructional/documentary videos.

What are some examples you'd all recommend I study, from well-shot documentary footage?

I want to learn all the skills like blocking, foreground objects, 3-light shots, OTS interview shoots, and more. Vic Milt's video was certainly superb to study ("Light it Right"); I'm now also looking for examples of documentary DVDs I should buy to study.

It's important to me to work on achieving mastery and continuous improvement in my video "shooter" skills, and I appreciate the comments/critiques, that you've all helped me with this past couple of years.

I now look at everything video, eg commercials to movies to news broadcasts, in a much different, better-informed, light, in terms of how much WORK videography involves. And I will be hiring people to do a lot of the video shoots for me, in the future.

For now, I'd like to see examples of great "How documentary video footage SHOULD be shot, that I can use as an example to communicate to video editors/cameramen, and to learn from personally, because it's always best to learn by seeing masters at work.

I'd appreciate any references any of you could provide, re DVDs to buy that demonstrate great camerawork and editing in motion, preferably documentary/educational style video.

What personally inspires You? What would you recommend for study?


Thanks very much,

Ken Calhoun

Comments

Grazie wrote on 12/2/2006, 4:29 AM
What personally inspires You? What would you recommend for study?

* First day of Spring

* Pablo Picasso

* Bach

* Darwin's and Faraday's approach to analytical observation

* String Theory

* Thorstien Veblein's approach to Economic Development

* Sir Bertrand Russel and Sir Peter Medawar

Look, Ken, first off you ARE already there - You ARE asking the question. How about your ability to listening & hearing your own replies?

Spend time to reflect and consider.

The question I'm left asking is -Why? Why are you wanting to raise your "game"? What has recently happened that is making you reflective. You have my email address. If you want we could have a SKYPE conversation and spend some minutes exploring just what you want to achieve.

The other question I'm wanting to ask is: "How will you know you've arrived?"

Best regards

Graham






ken c wrote on 12/2/2006, 4:39 AM
Hi Graham, thanks very much for the ideas.

I suppose it's because I continue to get feedback that my video productions still need improvment; even though I work very hard to make things better, I still get complaints and/or flames about my video production.

Even though I've made quite a lot of $$ from my DVDs (over 24 produced so far, and counting!), it's probably "in spite of myself" because of my marketing skills/copywriting skills, vs "because of" the high video production quality.

And I do listen/learn, very much from the folks (who say things in a decent manner at least), from the forum here, it's been great, getting feedback from you and others here.

I sincerely want to make top-quality video, so I'm seeking resources. Getting tips here, and from the instructional videos from vasst.com and elsewhere, has made a big difference -- but I still have a LOT of room for improvement, in both my production and editing skills, that I need to work on, and I realize that.

I appreciate the help from everyone, it's much-needed and appreciated.


Ken
vicmilt wrote on 12/2/2006, 5:08 AM
Ken -
thanks for the kind words.

While I LOVE documentaries, I don't feel THAT is the course you should study.

The nature of your shows falls somewhere between TV commercials, infomercials, cooking shows and game shows (no slights intended). Watch daytime TV to get ideas - not esoteric documentaries.

You are not involved in the "gritty details" of "real life".
You are creating an instructional platform to try and teach boring and esoteric materials to the general public.

While I admire and respect your earnest appeal to make your productions better, I really wouldn't dwell on the BS foisted on you by naysayers, snipers and wannabe's. (Yes, I've seen the flames - so what???)

I think you'd be better served by looking at reels from production designers and set designers. It might also behoove you to hire a good TV director for one complete series. And you should definitely consider using the wonderful 3D sets by SeriousMagic.

It's the public that determines the success of ANY film or series, not the critcs. Let your paying audience direct your production, not the benchwarmers.

No film, actor, series or director has universal acclaim, so don't worry about it. Look at your own stuff (it can ALWAYS be better), and forge on forward. With experience will come success.

best,
v
ken c wrote on 12/3/2006, 12:58 PM
Hi Vic, thanks for the kind words; I agree with all of your points. Great ideas re other types of media to study; will do. Interesting re production/set designer reels; I'll check those out.

Good points re using the 3d sets at SM (see tradingvideos.com for example).. will do re daytime tv; especially top rated infomercials and other commercial shows; they help re marketing/sense of urgency.

Agree re letting public be the judge; it's for them, my customers, I do all this stuff for anyways; glad to see they've been responsive!

Thanks as always; you've got a level head and a ton of talent.

Ken
McVid wrote on 12/3/2006, 1:28 PM
While most infomercials are pretty bad, some are done very well. Everything Guthy-Renker does looks top-notch. I imagine they spend big bucks to make big bucks.

And according to the trend in infomercials lately, you need to have an Austrailian in there at some point. He's usually the smart one.

MH_Stevens wrote on 12/3/2006, 1:46 PM
Watch the original Graham Kerr "Galloping Gourmet" shows; produced excellently by his wife. The ones BEFORE she had a stroke and his cooking went low-fat.

Michael