i just finished this edit yesterday so it may be a little rough around the edges, but i would love any feedback from anyone here. this is basically a performance video with a couple trick shots and other bits.

immaculate machine - so cynical (rough cut) (QT)

         

more furniture/furnishings, at least that leaves the illusion of something to interpret; way less performance (especially avoid those fixed shots like the plague, i've rarely seen such an unphotogenic bunch). good luck...

         

I think this is really good. The band may not be HOT, but they sure have character, and they don't come off as over-playing their parts. Very genuine, and that's always nice. The panning shots were well done (good setting), and the whole thing flowed seamlessly. The mirror shot was nothing ground-breaking but it got across the concept of them being/not being there.

         

i think we were going to try color correcting brooke's teeth as well. they kind of stand out horribly.

         

since when does a band being hott have to do with anything? who cares? i don't think the director was posting the video to get our input on the something as shallow. and what's up with the teeth comment? again who the fuck cares? i think the video is well done, i would take out some of the drawn out scenes of the room. and add a bit more performancy stuff, maybe more shots and closeups of the band and thier instruments, using different angles. but good work.

         

Agreed that "hott band" shouldn't have anything to do with it (hence my post), but the unfortunate reality is that image is everything in this industry. I mean, why else do stylists exist, and label execs complain about shoes and haircuts? Ridiculous yes, and it sure says something about the world in which we live. (Colour correcting teeth -- is that really necessary?)

         

the end shot is pretty fun. i like that. and i love the track too. and for some reason, i couldn't stop giggling whenever i saw the drummer playing.

         

i guess most of the work that i really like is by artists that aren't perfect. but you are correct about label execs, that's why it's better to go indie.

         

To be honest and constructive as possible, this video bores me within about 10 seconds. Doesn't feel good to say but it's the truth, none the less. The photography (of the band, specifically) is not only plain (which can be cool if you're intentionally doing it for a desired effect) but it's just poorly framed. Specifically the 4th shot we see with the lead singer, which is okay, but the half cut off drummer in the BG just looks bad. Second, the lighting looks pretty lackluster as well. (Still addressing the fourth shot) The lead singer is almost as flat looking as you can get (it appears as if he has one key OS camera right, no fill, no backlight) and the drummer IS as flat looking as you can get. It would be wrong to say it must be 3 point all the time, but you have to at least put in the effort to create the illusion of depth. Maybe I'm the only one, but as soon as you see a shot like that (yes this notorious 4th shot) you can't help but think "amatuer". Again, nasty thing to say, but at the same time it's true.

I'm well aware that it's hard as f*ck to pull off small shoots (lack of crew, gear, etc), done many myself, but you can't blame anyone but yourself when you're the person with the vision.

Lastly, if you're only the editor of this video (i.e. weren't involved in pre/production) then feel free to forward this on to whoever is most needing of this review.

Hate to not have anything complimentary, the mirror shot was cool. Can't deny that.

         

Whoa, I didn't know that there was an inflexible science behind music videos.

         

thanks for the feedback everyone. i wasn't really being serious of color correcting teeth, but it is pretty noticeable on a real tv. as for being amateur, that is the name of the game. we did this on about 100$ and a bare minimum of people. not really by choice, but that's the way it happened. i think the next cut will have more house too and less band. i agree with your comments about the fourth shot- not the best framing.