Editing Tricks for Amateur Vacation Video #93

Asia Cruise 2008:  Hong Kong Is
land

My previous post included a long essay about the dangers of using copyrighted music as a "placeholder".  But sometimes a song just screams at you, begging to be included.  Such is the case with Screamin' Jay Hawkins' aptly-named Hong Kong.

This song is hilarious; I knew before I left home that it would become part of the permanent record.  Of course that was before I became a copyright advocate.  This video is placed here for your education.  Music used for non-profit educational purposes or which is obviously transformative (consider this a music video?) may qualify as "fair use".

As a video enthusiast I occasionally enter my creations into club contests; "Fair use" might work for something being shown at a club meeting, but organizers of larger contest are likely to demand an actual artist's release.  I am hardly an expert, but suggest you begin your own research into this topic here on Wikipedia.

The video consists of scenes that were mostly taken on Kowloon Island.  But I also re-used some scenes from the previous chapter (Hong Kong - Kowloon).

Lessons Learned:

Be aware of copyright restrictions when you choose commercial music.  (Note: YouTube put up a violation flag for this video.  I am neither disputing nor acknowledging the alleged violation.)

Suggestion:

If I change the music I would need to completely re-envision this video.  At this point in time it will stand, unchanged.  I would not have posted it onto YouTube except to illustrate this blog on henbc.com

HENBC.COM is here to help those of us who have already taken hours of long boring vacation video.  It's too late for advice on how to use your camera; you need help to transform your boring footage into something that friends will enjoy watching!  WWW.HENBC.COM

Editing Tricks for Amateur Vacation Video #92

Asia Cruise 2008:  Hong Kong Kowloon

Kowloon is the mainland side (as opposed to Hong Kong Island).  It's small, everything is easily accessible from the cruise ship terminal.  This is fun, short look at a few scenes from our walk-around.  I love taking video in traditional markets when we travel, this is no exception.  The butcher shops seem sanitary, but look at how they keep the fish fresh!

I used Final Cut Pro 5 to accomplish the preliminary edit while still on-board the cruise ship.  There was some limited music available on the small hard drive of that white MacBook, hence the less-than-obvious choice of John Lee Hooker's Boom Boom for background music.  Copyright considerations aside, that song seems to work pretty well. 

Lessons Learned:

Be careful when choosing temporary "placeholder" music.  It's much harder to choose an alternative soundtrack once your mind links that sound to the video.  Plus you might be tempted to infringe upon an artist's copyright.

Suggestion:

If I want to change the background music I'll probably need to enlist a friend's help.  Play the video silently, then apply music.

Music Copyright Considerations:

This video contains identifiable music that is regrettably used without permission.  

Today, with digital distribution, artists' rights deserve more attention.  Since this video is intended for non-profit illustration and educational purposes only, I believe that valid arguments can be made for its "Fair Use" in this situation.  Please understand that I do not encourage improper use of copyrighted material.

HENBC.COM is here to help those of us who have already taken hours of long boring vacation video.  It's too late for advice on how to use your camera; you need help to transform your boring footage into something that friends will enjoy watching!  WWW.HENBC.COM

Editing Tricks for Amateur Vacation Video #91

Asia Cruise 2008:  Cruising on Oceania's Nautica

We were on-board Oceania's Nautica for twenty-four days.  This video is less than a minute long; rather than focusing on the ports it tells the story of the ship.  The cruising portion of  the DVD has sixteen chapters.  I placed this right in the middle, at a logical break point after the Vietnam segments.

It's short and informative, with some attempt at humor.  Listen to my wife eating in the dining room.  I created that ugly sound by holding a microphone near my mouth while chewing a stalk of celery.  She hates it ... exactly the reaction I was hoping for!

Lessons Learned:

Try making your own sound effects.  It's easy and fun!
As an editor, the sound effects give you immense power.  Try not to make your wife too angry!

Suggestion:

A short segment like this can provide a nice breather in the middle of a long production.  If you're hosting an audience, this is an obvious place to hit the "pause button".  Give them a time-out for refreshments, bathroom, questions and comments.

Music Copyright Considerations:

This video contains a few bars of identifiable music that is regrettably used without permission.  

Today, with digital distribution, artists' rights deserve more attention.  Since this video is intended for non-profit illustration and educational purposes only, I believe that valid arguments can be made for its "Fair Use" in this situation.  Please understand that I do not encourage improper use of copyrighted material.

HENBC.COM is here to help those of us who have already taken hours of long boring vacation video.  It's too late for advice on how to use your camera; you need help to transform your boring footage into something that friends will enjoy watching!  WWW.HENBC.COM

Editing Tricks for Amateur Vacation Video #90

Asia Cruise 2008:  Hanoi

This chapter of the Asia Cruise DVD takes viewers to Hanoi.  The tone of the opening narration makes it pretty clear that I was displeased with the ship's tour.  Nevertheless the video consists three fairly interesting minutes of scenes taken in the former capital of North Vietnam.

Pace and sound mix are good.  Still photos are well mixed with video clips; sound consists of narration with subdued live background, very little music.  The DVD has five chapters in Vietnam.  This chapter is chronologically correct, and well placed as the last of five. 

Lessons Learned:

The tour of Hanoi was not all that I had hoped it could be.  But there were some gems among the clips and stills that comprise this video.  I'm glad that I didn't use this entire three minutes to complain about cruise-ship packaged tours.

Suggestion:

I'm still wondering about adding a laugh track.

Music Copyright Considerations:

This video contains only a few bars of identifiable music that is regrettably used without permission.  

Today, with digital distribution, artists' rights deserve more attention.  Since this video is intended for non-profit illustration and educational purposes only, I believe that valid arguments can be made for its "Fair Use" in this situation.  Please understand that I do not encourage improper use of copyrighted material.

HENBC.COM is here to help those of us who have already taken hours of long boring vacation video.  It's too late for advice on how to use your camera; you need help to transform your boring footage into something that friends will enjoy watching!  WWW.HENBC.COM

Editing Tricks for Amateur Vacation Video #89

Asia Cruise 2008:  Ha Long Bay

This video is more "perky" than the previous two from Mekong Delta and Da Nang.  This is important, since the videos are each chapters in my chronologically-organized DVD collection of the trip.

Why does this video seem faster paced than the previous two?  Music!  If I played traditional Vietnamese music, the editing would be virtually indistinguishable.  But Baja Marimba Band's Brasilia is a bright uptempo piece that lightens the mood.  (see comment below regarding music copyrights.)


Lessons Learned:

A wise choice of background music can make your video more fun to watch.
Help your viewers journey through the chapters of your production by using a variety of musical styles.

Suggestion:

I like to divide my vacation videos into chapters.  The simplest chapters form a chronological sequence, then your audience has a trip experience that matched your own.  But sometimes a group of clips form a theme that is non-linear.  For instance, you could create a chapter titled "Interesting People That We Met On The Cruise". 

Music Copyright Considerations:

This video contains identifiable commercial music that is regrettably used without permission.  

Today, with digital distribution, artists' rights deserve more attention.  Since this video is intended for non-profit illustration and educational purposes only, I believe that valid arguments can be made for its "Fair Use" in this situation.  Please understand that I do not encourage improper use of copyrighted material.

Editing Tricks for Amateur Vacation Video #88

Asia Cruise 2008:  Da Nang & Hoi An

This video is similar in many ways to the previous one from Mekong Delta.  Three big differences: more close-ups; I convinced my wife to act in a couple of scenes; and it's two minutes longer.

That extra length is a bit worrisome, since this is once again a low-energy video. Nonetheless there are several elements that keep it interesting: the narration is well done; there are some surprises like when a smoky motorcycle rides through the middle of vendor stalls in the market; and the sight of an old lady hand-scooping noodles for sale.  I also laugh at seeing women laboring in street construction while men play cards at a table next to them.

Lessons Learned:

Good mix of clips keep this video interesting.
Encourage the people who are traveling with you to take an active roll in the video.  I often warn my wife, "If you keep waking ahead, all we're going to see is your back!"

Suggestion:

Look for ways to trim 15-30 seconds from the edit.

Editing Tricks for Amateur Vacation Video #87

Asia Cruise 2008:  Mekong Delta

Oceania's  Nautica was docked in Saigon for two days.  This little video shows the highlights of a tour to the Mekong Delta.  This is not a high-energy video, reflecting the relaxed nature of the tour.

Starting with the frilly pink curtains on the tour boat, there are a few interesting scenes of candy-making, paddle boats, and strange food.  A local band played during lunch, this provided background music for the video.

This is a likable little video.  Good cuts, clear audio, lighthearted narration.  It's only 2-1/2 minutes; could possible target the candy factory scenes to tighten it up by a few seconds.

Lessons Learned:

An enjoyable travelogue does't have to be action-packed.  Nevertheless, keep it moving with well-paced editing. 

Suggestion:

Close-ups work well in this video; for instance the scene where a huge knife is used to cut the candy.  While you are on vacation, try to remember to vary your shooting distances.  I find it more fun to edit when I have a good mix of camera positions to choose from.