Friday, June 27, 2014

Editing Tricks for Amateur Vacation Video #131

China 2001:  Mao Restaurant



We discovered this "Mao Restaurant" around the corner from Yonghe Temple.  Lots of photos of the Cultural Revolution, and decent food.  The toilets made us laugh out loud, but I didn't take the video camera inside.  That's OK, maybe laughter is contagious.  There are references to earlier chapters:  The pink hat guy at the Summer Palace and jumping shrimp at the Hot Pot Restaurant.

The video ends with some unrelated clips that prove we rode on public transit and passed a hotel named after Gloria.

Lessons Learned:
Consider being bold when traveling with your camera.  The two-foot high gender separation privacy walls in the bathroom were hilarious, but all we see is travelers' reactions.  Maybe a couple of "volunteers" could have demonstrated the situation while someone else kept lookout?

Suggestion:
This video works only in context of being a DVD chapter.  A nice reminder for those of us who went on the trip, but it needs too much explaining to be successful as a stand-alone YouTube video.


FYI:
All of the China trip vignettes are already loaded onto YouTube.  They may be viewed on one of my YouTube channels: HENBCtravel
I have three other channels that might be of interest:  HENBCvideo (miscellaneous videos that try to look professional, with particular respect for copyrights), RAGEAIR (advertises the licensing availability of my newsworthy videos), and this YouTube Channel of Shame (an odd collection of stuff, not respectful of others’ copyrights).



Music Copyright Considerations:
This original audience for this video was friends and family who would view the DVD in my living room.  It 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.

Saturday, June 21, 2014

Editing Tricks for Amateur Vacation Video #130

China 2001:  Yonghe [Lama] Temple



This 90-second looks at a Tibetan Buddhist temple in the heart of Beijing is quiet and informative.  Looking at it today, I am distracted by shakiness at 00:25.  If I were re-editing I'd try some stabilization, cuts, or other tricks to minimize that distraction.
The video consists is assembled from just a few clips and stills, they are reasonably well sequenced together.  That unhappy monk at 01:17 scared my camera hand in 2001.  I used a still frame at that spot so we can get a better look -- he still looks pretty fierce! 

Lessons Learned:
I remember editing this a few years ago.  I was on a roll, quickly knocking out many chapters for the trip DVD.  The audience should never have seen the shaky camera mentioned above, but in my rush to finish I likely decided it was "good enough".  That editing mistake does not haunt my dreams, but I wish I had taken the time to review this movie more closely.

Suggestion:
If you're like me, this video production stuff is just a hobby.  Deadlines are self-imposed.  Grant yourself enough time to do some quality control and audience previews before finalizing the edit.
But don't agonize over the movie.  It's equally important to finalize the edit before it becomes an unwanted chore.


FYI:
All of the China trip vignettes are already loaded onto YouTube.  They may be viewed on one of my YouTube channels: HENBCtravel
I have three other channels that might be of interest:  HENBCvideo (miscellaneous videos that try to look professional, with particular respect for copyrights), RAGEAIR (advertises the licensing availability of my newsworthy videos), and this YouTube Channel of Shame (an odd collection of stuff, not respectful of others’ copyrights).



Music Copyright Considerations:
This original audience for this video was friends and family who would view the DVD in my living room.  It 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.


Friday, June 13, 2014

Editing Tricks for Amateur Vacation Video #129

China 2001:  Hutong



The "Hutong" is a kind of old-world refuge among the Beijing craziness.  In fact, that's precisely what it is ...  a purposefully preserved part of history where residents live in unremarkable buildings that have withstood many generations.

I (as an editor) was fortunate that I (as a cameraman) had captured some nice clips while visiting the Hutong.  There are also some good use of still photographs.  This was also one of those cases where popular music became inextricably linked to my feelings about the raw footage.  It became impossible to edit without using that copyrighted material.

That popular music really sets the mood, regrettably there is a problem with sharing edits like this online (see Copyright Considerations below).   Regardless, its a fun and easy-to-enjoy little video.  A bit of Quincy Jones' Sanford & Son Theme is very appropriate to accompany the opening clip of a jury-rigged smoky gas-engine hoist.  Then Queen's Bicycle Race accompanies nice scenes of our rickshaw ride.  The Bellamy Brothers' Let Your Love Flow is a fun song and goes well with scenes of our interactions with friendly Hutong residents.

Lessons Learned:
This was a well-paced good example for the use of varied camera angles, live action, and stills.
When I edited this clip I did not own a license to use any royalty-free music.  I have since accumulated a reasonable collection of tracks from SmartSound.  If I was editing today I would try to not use unlicensed music.

Suggestion:
A viewer of this video knows that we were at "The Hutong" but the term remains undefined.  Perhaps some explanatory titles or mention in the narration?

FYI:
All of the China trip vignettes are already loaded onto YouTube.  They may be viewed on one of my YouTube channels: HENBCtravel
I have three other channels that might be of interest:  HENBCvideo (miscellaneous videos that try to look professional, with particular respect for copyrights), RAGEAIR (advertises the licensing availability of my newsworthy videos), and this YouTube Channel of Shame (an odd collection of stuff, not respectful of others’ copyrights).



Music Copyright Considerations:
This original audience for this video was friends and family who would view the DVD in my living room.  It 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.

Friday, June 6, 2014

Editing Tricks for Amateur Vacation Video #128

China 2001:  Beijing Duck Restaurant



It was Ron's birthday and he wanted to eat scorpions.  Others wanted to try something more traditional.  The Beijing Duck Restaurant had something to satisfy everyone.  And this 28th chapter from the China Vacation DVD is reasonably satisfying too!

Comments on the editing:

  • Opens with a still frame, then the motion video is released after 8 musical bars.  I remember not having enough footage for the scene so I inserted the still ... but it unintentionally worked out well to build a little tension and excitement.
  • The dialog in the restaurant is almost hilarious.   I like the use of titles and unrelated images to help clarify the sound.  (e.g.  01:11 Baby with air-sickness bag; 03:08 Mr. Bill )
  • Close-ups of individuals trying the fried scorpions are well-mixed with fanfare from the Tang Dynasty Show
  • Reference to Joe's Apartment is a great way to illustrate man's relationship with bugs
  • Interaction with people outside could perhaps be trimmed to shorten the vignette, but all together it's a nice 4-minute piece.

Lessons Learned:
Use titles and composited images to clarify dialogue and bring home the laughs.
Illustrate your message with clips and photos from referenced cultural icons.  (Someone unfamiliar with Joe's Apartment and his roach friends would otherwise miss the humor.)

Suggestion:
The scenes outside of the restaurant were unrelated to the meal, but fun to see.  Without them, this movie would be a minute shorter ... should they have been cut?  I don't know; that's why its a good idea to preview your movie and get comments from some friends you trust.

FYI:
All of the China trip vignettes are already loaded onto YouTube.  They may be viewed on one of my YouTube channels: HENBCtravel
I have three other channels that might be of interest:  HENBCvideo (miscellaneous videos that try to look professional, with particular respect for copyrights), RAGEAIR (advertises the licensing availability of my newsworthy videos), and this YouTube Channel of Shame (an odd collection of stuff, not respectful of others’ copyrights).



Music Copyright Considerations:
This original audience for this video was friends and family who would view the DVD in my living room.  It contains identifiable copyrighted music and video 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.

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Editing Tricks for Amateur Vacation Video #127

China 2001:  The Sacred Way



Continuing my theme of disrespecting China's cultural treasures, this minute-long chapter features a stroll along the "Sacred Way".  This is a pedestrian walkway lined with fanciful sculptures that leads to the Ming Tombs.  Guess I was reminded of the Cleaver brothers walking down their street (Grant Avenue in Mayfield) in the opening scene of Leave It To Beaver.

The last clip is the ultimate disrespect, but it's directed mainly at myself!  It's fun, everyone always laughs at me/with me.  But the video could be improved ... if I re-edited I likely would not use the ten seconds of unrelated clips that begin at 00:23.

Lessons Learned:
Keep 'em laughing!
Call upon your memories and experiences to inspire creative ideas.  In this case, I remember feeling like Leave It To Beaver while we walked down the Sacred Way.

Suggestion:
Keep a notepad with you while you travel.  Take a moment to jot down feelings that might inspire your future video edit.

FYI:

All of the China trip vignettes are already loaded onto YouTube.  They may be viewed on one of my YouTube channels: HENBCtravel
I have three other channels that might be of interest:  HENBCvideo (miscellaneous videos that try to look professional, with particular respect for copyrights), RAGEAIR (advertises the licensing availability of my newsworthy videos), and this YouTube Channel of Shame (an odd collection of stuff, not respectful of others’ copyrights).



Music Copyright Considerations:
This original audience for this video was friends and family who would view the DVD in my living room.  It contains identifiable copyrighted video and 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.