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The skills needed to tell a story...

Reviewer

David Brooks March 4, 2011, 12:26 p.m. permalink

I'm not referring to the skills needed in knowing your camera or gear but an extension of that; like being a pilot, flying a plane or helicopter or in this case a diver... check out this video, it 's an amazing feature part of a larger project and although the subject is "breath-taking," my first thought was, "I need to get scuba certified." I mean I wouldn't even be considered to shoot something like this because I'm not a diver... watch it and hold your breath. HA!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-12151830

Reviewer

Eric Seals March 4, 2011, 2:46 p.m. permalink

That guy was walking on the floor of the ocean like he was walking down the street. Amazing he can do it for 5 minutes longer than he did.

On the same topic. Check out the well shot and edited trailer for this doc coming out called Breathe.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2osGJLA18lk&feature=related

second trailer here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmMQ3-quGBI&feature=related

It is shot and produced by a ESPN guy who has been doing some award winning National Emmy work. He's amazing, down to earth and we chat on facebook from time to time and I send him some of my videos for advice, feedback etc.

I'm not sure when the piece is coming out but I can't wait. That first trailer was great with the open being mysterious slowly revealing what the story is about.

Eric

Reviewer

David Brooks March 8, 2011, 11:33 a.m. permalink

Yeah the BBC video is awesome but holding your breath for SEVEN AND A HALF MINUTES! WOW! That is an impressive preview Eric! Aside from the story about an amazing individual it is shot so beautifully, very cinematic. And what an amazing location with no one else in site on white sandy beaches!

This frames my interest exactly, how the skills you know, outside of photography, can dictate what stories you are capable of telling, in this case diving, which I would love to learn. I also want to learn how to fly a helicopter but my wife said I have to wait till I pay off my student loans, so that basically means no.

This is an aside, I used to be able to hold my breath for almost three minutes but that was with no activity. I could literally sit at the bottom of a swimming pool. I would play tricks on my nephew and he would try to pull me out thinking the worst. Yeah I know, that's awful but I was in high school.

Reviewer

Eric Seals March 8, 2011, 1:05 p.m. permalink

Yeah David, Martin has a great eye for visuals and the story for sure. ESPN really does a bang up job with some of their pieces. Their show E:60 which Martin shoots and produces for has some great stuff. Awesome storys, lighting, shooting, music....the whole package.

They set the bar high.

Check out http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/e60/index

and the headline Video:Have You Seen?

Alligator Wrestling http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=5962420&categoryid=3060647

and a bunch of others. Check them out

Eric

Reviewer

David Brooks March 8, 2011, 3:10 p.m. permalink

Hey Eric-

Very cool! Do you know what they are shooting with for the freedive feature? My colleague and I figured it couldn't be a 5D because of the real smooth slo-mo? Something with 120p capability we were guessing but either way its wonderful.

Thanks for the other links too, I know this is going to sound ridiculous but I didn't know that ESPN did this much feature/short format video for the web. My eyes have been opened. I do watch ESPN on tv and assumed that what they had on the web was the same thing as the broadcast, similar to what local newscasts do, I was so wrong. HA!

David

Reviewer

Pat Shannahan March 8, 2011, 5:24 p.m. permalink

Eric, thanks for sharing the link to E:60. Really nice stories. I though The Children of Bhopal was especially interesting. Way to go ESPN.

Reviewer

Eric Seals March 8, 2011, 6:36 p.m. permalink

That was a good one Pat.

So many there to study, I think I've seen them all a couple of times either from Tivo'ing them or on the computer.

They have a crew from a couple of camera guys, sound, producer etc then back at ESPN some masters at Final Cut Pro, Color, Motion, After Effects, etc.

Us one man band dudes can't compete but it sure is fun and challenging as hell to at least try. Like I said, they set the bar really high but that's a great goal for us to try and reach :-)

Eric