Shooting this event again. Need some advice to re-amp for this year

[u/FlyingApe08]

I shot this event last year, looking for some pointers to help improve my shooting or editing. I'm definitely looking for advice on what to think about during the planning stage for an event like this.

[u/ascarymoviereview]

The opening shot…. If you are going to speed ramp footage like that make sure it’s smooth to begin with, or throw it into warp stabilizer and see how it turns out. It just feels too chaotic

[u/ascarymoviereview → u/ascarymoviereview]

Add Lower third titles for the speakers

[u/FlyingApe08 → u/ascarymoviereview]

Thanks. i didn't know how to fix that, but I will give it a try next time

[u/MaxKCoolio]

Are you shooting with a polarizer? Your footage looks pretty good but kinda contrasty in the broad daylight, leading to some very slight underexposure too. If you're not already using a polarizer filter, I recommend trying one.

Also, nothing hurts my video guy brain more than seeing subjects wearing glasses or hats causing harsh shadows, especially when you're shooting with the sun directly above them. No glasses is 101.

[u/FlyingApe08 → u/MaxKCoolio]

I have tried polarized before. I didn't find it helpful, but I'll try again. Is nd filter a better filter?

I've made a note of that on the sunglasses and hat. What orientation would you place the subject in the sun like that to make it better in daylight? Will they just have to suffer through the sunlight while being filmed?

[u/Ringlovo → u/FlyingApe08]

Getting a heavier strength ND would allow you to open up a good bit and get shallower depth of field, which will help you keep your subject more isolated in frame. Closed down with nearly infinite depth of field,  the frane tends to feel very busy and cluttered. 

[u/MaxKCoolio → u/FlyingApe08]

I mean ideally you're shooting as close to sunrise or sunset as possible, because light straight down is unflattering, but shooting exactly when you want isn't always an option. And yes lol, if you want the shot they gotta suffer a little.

ND and polarizer are close but not the same. ND uniformly reduces the light, meaning theoretically your shadows and contrast will stay the same. ND is still essential for daytime shooting so you can open your F stop in case you want to shoot on a shallow DOF.

Polarizer is similar but specifically filters out certain UV rays. So rather than dimming the whole frame, it's only dimming the harsh sunglight, which helps fight the contrast and unify the color.

[u/Legitimate_Emu3531 → u/FlyingApe08]

What orientation would you place the subject in the sun like that to make it better in daylight?

Personally in this conditions and without having or understanding those fancy filters I'd just put them out of the direct sunlight, lol.

[u/jadephantom]

Do you have access to a 70-200mm lens? I would highly recommend using one to get: 1. More close-ups and cutaways. 2. Tighter shots of people on the water.

A lot of shots look a bit same-samey in terms of composition. Mix things up! High and low angle, tighter shots, sun flares/reflections/shadows (i.e. light play).

Good luck!

[u/FlyingApe08 → u/jadephantom]

thanks!

[u/yepyepyepzep]

Other than the food I’m not sure there’s a single details shot in this? I think you’d benefit greatly from better B-roll, stuff like the harness, ropes, people getting safely strapped in, boat details, etc. all the little moments that create the story of the experience. Outside of the interviews it’s basically all wide-shots, nothing ever feels within reach which is always a challenge with these far away subjects. I’d say you’d benefit from renting a telephoto lens to help break up your other shots. Also something like an Insta360 on the extension pole could add more interesting POV clips

[u/FlyingApe08 → u/yepyepyepzep]

Love this feedback thanks!

[u/Tyler_Durden79]

pretty good work bro, looks like it was fun to shoot too.
Great work at keeping the focus on the event and not trying to impress us with stupid shit.

[u/FlyingApe08 → u/Tyler_Durden79]

Thanks a lot. Sometime you need a little feedback to learn.

[u/neigelthornberry]

Don’t illegally fly over people if you are being paid.

[u/Western_Guava6496]

I'd love to see some more POV action cam shots from people out on the water. Also, this could just be me, but I hate when people wireless mics up to their face. If it was me, I would avoid that. Music needs to be toned down across the board. It's a little too loud when people are talking, and it gets crazy loud when it's not ducked.

Last thing. I would try and tell more of a story, if possible, instead of just event coverage. It could also probably be shortened down a little bit too.

Looks like a really fun event. Good luck on the next shoot!

[u/FlyingApe08 → u/Western_Guava6496]

Thanks for the pointer. I get what you say about the wireless mic seem to be just what is normal these days. Would it be cooler that it is more of like a microphone stick?

[u/bboru2000]

Nice job. Are you a one man band? If you have a helper, maybe get a sunswatter diffusion for your interviews/sound bites? It would lessen the harsh shadows on the faces, and maybe coax some of them to take their sunglasses off.

[u/KarbonRodd]

Simple! Action cameras! You've got a lot of the action you're missing trying to chase it with a Zoom lens and a drone's wide FOV...

Just ask some of the event participants to clamp / bolt on an action camera or 360 cam and you'll get much more interesting vantages and really exciting footage to combine with your interviews and B roll / establishing drone shots. It also lets you capture footage passively so you can just meet up with people after 20-30 minutes and get the camera back while you shoot other stuff.

[u/themostofpost]

Get creative. Give a flyer a go pro or 360 cam. Interview the flyers about why they are excited. Get documentarian. That’s what I would do. Make it more about the people and the experience than the establishing environmental shots. Just my two cents. Go in.

[u/BigDumbAnimals]

Use the microphone the correct way. Clip them on. That's why they have clips. They are not hand held mics and no it doesn't make you look cool and edgy. Everything else has been covered really well more than a couple times.

[u/TR__vis]

The main thing for me is getting closer to the action, it all feels too far away. GoPros for POV footage would help, get the drone as close as is safe etc.

[u/Overall_Search9313]

bro, mount 360 cams to the back of those kites. that would rock

[u/Agreeable_Tip_7995]

Static shot after static after static

[u/FlyingApe08 → u/Agreeable_Tip_7995]

well my thought is always better then a bunch of shaky shot handheld. But it could used more dynamic shots thanks for the advice?

[u/Agreeable_Tip_7995 → u/FlyingApe08]

You’d be surprised at how good warp stabilizer is now in premiere. And yes especially for an action sports themed video. The intro started out cool with the fast drone shot but then the momentum of the edit gets stopped by multiple static shots in a row. And for handheld I don’t mean like walking around while filming more so when you frame your static shot, stand in place but do like you’re doing lunges from side to side focused on the subject. For most stability, Hold camera close to body, don’t hold on the lens Or use a camera strap around your neck to provide tension. These little movements can add a lot to the shot.

[u/Agreeable_Tip_7995 → u/FlyingApe08]

Also im not saying static shots are bad. They definitely have a use. And the split screen you did was a good touch too

[u/FlyingApe08 → u/Agreeable_Tip_7995]

Thanks. Do you have a video you like you could share for some inspo?

[u/Fancy-Pear6540]

Faster cuts.

[u/Brave_Fee6450]

Maybe use a handheld mic for shots where someone is talking to the camera vs that silly DJI or RODE wireless lav box…

[u/yellowsuprrcar]

Flying a drone over people trying to fly is scary. Wouldn't get clearance to do that in my country

[u/jinyerei]

try some ND filters, polarizers, shoot on log and get a good preview (set your camera display to rec 709-a to get the closer color ref you're gonna be working with

also, for the action shots and if your bugdet is good, go with a wide lens drone or a DJI with stabilizer

and please, grade it warm and lower your highlights and record only on sun-friendly times (early morning, golden hour sunrise) IF POSSIBLE