big $$ in HK :: full credits and hd download link @ vimeo
         

lol, wtf? That was quite an experience, not a bad one either.

         

Yeah, this is pretty dope right? Some really cool shots. Tune's not too shabby either. But did I read that right? It cost a million dollars? For a week of shooting and the post work?! That sounds...wrong.

         

"$1 million Hong Kong dollars" according to google that's about $129,000.

*update: here's the director's animated short about Hong Kong, adds a little perspective: www.jjpous.com

         

I do not like this video, I'm being honest. It is messy, with one too many concepts that don't stick. The budget afforded all the ideas the director could stick. It's always better to get one idea or two and do them really well than just run free.

129,000 may not seem like a lot, but doing the shooting in HK saves a lot of money. It's all up on the screen. The green screen composite looks cheap though. Color correction is not broadcast safe.

Saving grace? those spectacular visuals. But I can't enjoy them because they're buried under layers of post work and crunchy edits.

Editorially, it's a mess. Hate videos that don't have a clear connection between edits and visuals, just a mishmash of presentation. That's just me. Sorry for being blunt. Now, the making of it is way more interesting.

"More is more" is more no greater. That's all I'm trying to say.

         

@alanedit: "129,000 may not seem like a lot, but doing the shooting in HK saves a lot of money. "

i beg to differ shooting on location in hk is (or at least used to be) very expensive

         

Ever shot there? worked on commercial for Samsung in HK and the savings were 40% greater than shooting in the states or Seoul, were they wanted to shoot. Offset post costs with overseas companies and that's at least another 10% savings on budget. The reason things cost so much nowadays is because location is expensive yes, but also how the money is spent when the clock is thicking. They don't budget post like they used to, except on big effects shows it's almost looked upon as an afterthought, and I factor the pre production as a problem on many shows. Directors and prod companies fight over budget all the time, but savvy ones know their shit and know how much can be accomplished with what they've got. And they plan accordingly.

A recent promo for ___________ had the prod co spend 900k on a two day shoot for a _________ ad. They spent 300 of those k on getting the song rights, and the rest who else. When I saw the rushes I said to myself "where the hell is the money spent"? cause I sure didn't see it on the screen. They asked me to grade it so it looks more expensive, like that's something you can magically achieve by pressing a key. I said "why didn't you light it SO IT LOOKS expensive'?

Gotta love the business. A lot gets wasted on bullshit and many good conceptually good videos / promos suffer by undisciplined filmmaking and too many hands on the bucket. But you know what ruins it? whinny, artsy directors (mostly from ny) who don't understand the technical process of actually making something happen look good for a price. Commercial directors do. It helps they also have something to sell.

Sorry for the dashes, can't say the name of the client because I honor my agreement. And this is a public forum.

         

ma bad, i didnt read properly i thought that you wanted to shoot there and wanted to recommend you a prod company to work with and also warn you about costs but since you've already shot there, its all good

         

No worries legion, thx for the topic.

         

Shooting in HK ain't cheap. I freelance here in HK and I know how much things can cost. From production to post-production the shoot was completed in Hong Kong. I think that is pretty amazing with that kind of a budget. I believe the music video has done HK proud and I hope more excited projects like these turn up on my shores. Thanks JJ for choosing HK and well done to the production team. I can tell that all the money went into making this pretty awesome music video. And yes, the music ain't bad either!