LSD Live - Export

Turns out my export was 366gb full quality (it is half an hour long with cuts but I wasn't expecting it to be this big!) So I've had to scale it down using different export types on Avid (I also tried one online using a website called clipchamp.com). 

The first one I exported on Avid managed to scale it down to 75gb but looked really squished. I then tried the website which took ages to scale down, but eventually it worked and was at 380mb. The video below is this video.



Me and Yiannis then had a look at different format options on Avid and managed to scale down the video as well as the quality. I feel bad for loosing the quality. I also thought of uploading it in parts in full quality but would have been very small parts and a full gig would be better. We managed to get this one down to 1.18gb which is better and is better quality than the clipchamp one.




Nope I got this wrong, turns out the clipchamp one is better quality and can be viewed in HD whereas the Avid one can't. My predictions were wrong. Don't understand how a 1gb one is better quality than a 300mb one but ah well.

LSD Live - Editing

Our client couldn't turn up today to watch back our videos, so we had a quick meeting with all the levels looking for extras and crew for their shoots (I put my name forward for all of them as I know how painful looking for extras can be). I'm pretty excited for their noir scene where we need to come suited and booted. 

We were left to our own devices today so I took the time to edit out live gig footage from Friday. It turns out Richard is also editing this so we are now having a private competition to see who's is the best. I found an easy way out and make different tracks for the different cameras so it's easier to sync them up, and then edit between them. Richard has not done this and was reluctant at first to include other cameras as it would look "mismatched". Since I had done this, I was done at around 15:45.

Lots 'o layers.

I also included some cut aways at the start of all the pretty lights and disco balls in the bar. The sound was a bit dodgy as I foretold, but I managed to fix it with a mixture of Janice's camera's mic and the master camera's mic. It not the best sound ever, but it will have to do. 

We also showed the actors what we have done so far and our drafts. They seemed very happy with the results, Ryan even said we "would get a good mark" for it. 

While waiting (ages) for the file to export, I found and watched the tech dem I missed on vision mixing. The thing they actually recorded afterwards with the blue screen and Rosie the baby was terrifying and also the best thing ever.

Overall I am happy with the results! I hope the clients will be too!

LSD Live

Today, me, Janice, Richard, Jamie and Ethan went to KU Bar in Stockton to film our clients live as an extra bit on top of the music videos. If we don't use the footage in out music videos, it's still nice to edit together the live gig and give them it as well. This is for brownie points (please).

Equipment pick up at 3:45. We had to book out the P2's as another group wanted the AVC's and we had to do a trade with them tomorrow. This was fine as I have used them before. Lee also gave us a few handy pieces of equipment on top of the cameras like lights to put on them for crowd shots, monopods and sound cables and equipment so we could use their output and recorded it.

8:00pm at Spoons for pick up and we were told nothing. Luckily someone on the bus found our hoodies and guided us to the bus. We met Ethan and Jamie there since they live near Stockton. We set up quite fast since there were 5 of us and we knew what we were doing. We even had time to look around (and film some nice filler shots of all the neon signs) and enjoy the sound check.

Lost State of Dance performed quite late compared to the schedule on Facebook (they were due on at 10:30 but ended up not playing until 11:00, ish, maybe even later). We assigned roles: Richard and Ethan were in charge of the master camera (Richard was also in charge of sound on this and make sure the levels are fine as this one has a microphone and is most important for sound) and me and Janice were the secondary cameras getting close ups of the band. Jamie went home at this point but he was taking production stills and helped us set up (cheers Jamie!) 

The gig went really well! I haven't seen the footage back yet but what I got was really good. I was just a bit upset the crowd wasn't as active or drunk so we could film them dancing along. It was also really nice to hear all the songs live and in the flesh. A nice round off to Live Project.

I asked afterwards how everyone found it. Most were positive. I asked Richard if the sound was fine and he "doesn't know". I told him before to make sure the level's don't go in the red and showed him how to turn it down if they did. I looked back at him a few times during the show and he was enjoying the show with his headphones not plugged in, or anywhere near the camera. I wasn't very happy. I just hope the sound is alright (luckily I changed it during sound check but it did get louder during the show). 

We packed away very quickly and got Richard and the kit home and ready to hand over to John the next day. Me and Janice hung around with the camera we need to return (that John didn't book out) and the P2 cards to transfer the footage before we and over to John. Janice brought her laptop so we could do this at the venue and give it to John any time the next day. Transfer went quickly. We had time to enjoy the other band and watch everyone get drunk throughout the night (we didn't have much to drink as this is technically work). Me and Janice ended up getting back in Hartlepool at around 3:00 am. Commitment. Thanks Janice for letting me kip over as well!

Group... 4?

Our clients for our live project have a gig coming up on Friday. After reminding the group, half of those who were interested dropped out, leaving me and Janice a bit stuck. We had to find another two members or we can't film. 

Filming gigs and bands is what I want to do as a career. I love both Films and Music. Every time I go to gigs with live feeds on screens, I always think to myself "this is what I want to do when I grow up" (haha like I'll grow up).  I was very lucky to have this as a live project. (this is turning into a sob story so I'll wrap this up). So of course I jumped at this chance to film a live concert. I just hope we can still get the kit out and record. Even if we don't get it in our music videos, it's still something to edit and also give to our client. 

So far me, Janice and Jamie have put our names forward. We need one more member or we can't film, which would be such a shame. I don't want to let go of this opportunity so I really hope we can get someone.