Perhaps, since it's in an HTML directory, you could simply provide an http link.

I am not sure how to provide a direct link.

Anyway, the details again are:

server: ftp://ftp.dvd-photoshow.com/
username: www.dvd-photoshow.com
Password: dpw347

Hopefully this works. Thanks for taking the time.

Tygrus

To provide a direct link simply embed the actual movie file in a <a> pair like this:

Open an External Player to view. Upload the movie file to the same directory you put the web page with the link or provide a path to it.

Anyhow, I took a look. Nicely done but the special effects are on screen way too long. Nice example of masking, however I kept waiting and waiting to get past the mask so I could see all of what you were teasing then finally at almost the two minute mark they go away only to be replaced by several black screens showing some credits.

I would have opened like you did, slowly expand the mask to reveal more and more going to full screen, no black screen after and do it all in maybe 30- 45 seconds tops. Two minutes is way to long, I also would have superimposed the opening credits with some more of the gorgeous landscapes staying on screen in the background.

Thanks Billy, those are some good suggestions.

Sorry to bump this but I was hoping to get some more critiques.

Here's an http link that people can simply click on without having to muck about with FTP:

http://www.dvd-photoshow.com/Test%20Intro%20(divx).avi

By the way, i don't know if you realize it, but you've given anyone open access to your website with the FTP information. Anyone could log in and change your site, upload different content, delete files, etc. You might want to change your password.

This is all just my opinion...

I think it moves a little TOO slowly. You're trying your audience's patience with 2 minutes of the Canada West graphic / mask....and 3.5 minutes of very little in the way of titles is a long, long time. I understand what you're trying to do in terms of building a slow moving, "patient," slideshow, but it's very long. Unless the music is equally slow and incredibly strong, it's just too much.

I wouldn't tease your audience either. On the more constructive side of things, I'd suggest B&W frames (small window-boxed images) of your pictures on the left with your titles on the left running no more than 30 seconds....allow the last text credit to fade, and then as you fade the B&W window-box image to full screen allow it to come to full colour.

Another option is to have your credits over faded B&W images (70% transparency), and then allow the last image to come to full colour and opacity when the last text credit fades.

These suggestions are based on two things: right now your credits take forever and will bore your audience, not tease them. "Cut to the chase" as it were. Secondly, your images are beautifully coloured...tease the audience with their composition and then 2x4 them with the colour once your credits are complete.

Just a couple of first impressions...I hope your project works out well (and I trust you have lots of pictures of Regina and Edmonton in your show - not just Calgary ;-)

ps: the photos are quite remarkable - I love the sunflower shot

Chienworks - shhhhh !!

going to host sw there you know !! : )


( i was wondering about that - didnt seem like a good thing to give out the admin log in)

Thanks for the comments. Good ideas there and things I hadn't considered. I admit the time is long for an intro, I guess I was so enthralled with the product I kept going on too long.

Chien, thx for the concern about the server, but there is nothing there to steal or delete and the admin PW can be changed.

Lots of beautiful stuff.

Be careful with symbology:

Near the beginning, when the text "Canada West" etc. turns orange, that symbolizes that it is burning.

Towards the end, the dark shot of the body of water in front of the city symbolizes "toxic dump", because this shot has been used for many environmental campaigns.

The flag looks a bit compressed horizontally, perhaps the 10% difference in PAR between video and Photoshop say?

Spell check needed on "director of photograhy".

Lots of potential if the whole sequence is shortened substantially.

Course, thats a perspective I never thought about. The burning behind the logo is a remarkable sunset I captured one winter morning - I guess it does look like flames or fire.

Also the calm water in front of Calgary is the Bow River and as clean as can be. I have never seen shots of water in front of a cityscape being referred to as an environmental problem - I certainly don't want to give that impression.

Thanks for your comments.