Pat, your video was beautifully shot. Lighting, lens selection and audio are all first-rate. Each shot in this video is a master class in composition and framing.

As a Sony XDCAM EX1 shooter, I am always amazed at seeing the cinematic quality video that comes out of the Canon 5D MkII.  Also, I see, used a separated recorder for you audio, which I assume overcomes the limitations of the camera’s limited audio capabilities.  You lucked out that the farmer was so articulate. Without this character, the video would be just a bunch of pretty pictures. You crafted an excellent edit that paces out well for the time allotted.

This is one of those stories that is more informative rather than having a traditional story arc.  Not much conflict or resolution here, but I’m fine with that.  The gold coins in this story are the visuals that pull the viewer along. In the end, I learned a bit about cotton farming and irrigation practices. Well done.

  
Hey, other Finding the Frame members, if you’re lurking, please join in and add your comments! Pat needs to hear your opinions too.

 

A very nice, quiet, reflective and well shot piece Pat and the music fit really well too.

Well done, Pat!

I'm glad to see you taking a leading role by example of what kind of work your partner station should expect from you and your colleagues.  I think what I like most about your piece is that it is patient, and that breaks the mold for most of what I see in local TV reports.  You make smart choices about what you want to show and then you let it unfold for the viewer.  Rather than driving the pace based on how quickly you make your cuts, you are letting the content dictate the pace and I like that.  I think my favorite example of that is when the worker hitches a ride on the machine to reach the top of the cotton bundle.

Love the slider stuff too.  Any tips that you wish to share on what you're using and how would be awesome.

Keep raising the bar....let the influence of the new partnership come from the minds at the paper and not necessarily the other way around.

Best,

James

Basic is good for lower thirds and size does matter I believe.  We have a standard setting for the first line to be 25 pt and the second line to be 15 and have the lower third near the bottom left of the video. Everyone has their own way of doing it I just think just a bit smaller than you had yours is better.  You just try until you get it to where you want it.

This was really a nice piece to watch.  Too bad about the 2min time limit, this is one of the few times where I felt a short video was too short,  I think if you make a longer cut I would be interested in hearing more about the irrigation process.