Lost Video Island

[PsychoCynic]

Again, this is mainly directed toward judges, but I'd appreciate comments from anyone.

Can someone please tell me what I could have done to improve this video? http://lostvideo.net/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=6815.

I really feel as if I have been progressingly gettting WORSE at vidding and I can't seem to figure out what it is that I'm doing that is so terrible.

I'll take any constructive criticism I can get because it seems that I obviously need it.

Thank you for your time.

-PsychoCynic
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[rbexter93]

I'm no judge (as you can guess), I have only a silver council pick to my name but it's always easier to review and know whats wrong with a vid than making a good one, but if you want my two cents...

I loved your editing, it was matching the lyrics and nice and short.
I wasn't sure about your effects, I don't know the look you were going for but I didn't like it. I dunno, maybe the opening on the record player is overused? As I said I'm no judge and you may find my comments a load of bull but...
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[PsychoCynic]

No, not at all, rbexter93, I completely am looking for anyone’s two cents, and your time to watch and review my video means a lot to me.

In reply to your comment about the effects, I was going for a “Desmond-in-despair” feel. He was thinking over his life, love, and all the things he’s done. It was supposed to be a nostalgic-like feeling. I guess I didn’t completely convey that. In all honestly, though, I had also just gotten some of those effects and wanted to feature them the best I could.

Even if the record player is overused, would it really be so awful that it would jeopardize my chances at getting a silver/gold pick?

Again, I really appreciate your thoughts, rbexter93. I just wish I had word from the “horse’s mouth” so I could really know if your likes and complaints were the same ones that got me disqualified from a Council pick.
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[rbexter93]

yep same with my videos, I really expected a silver but got none
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[Polarbear]

If you want to know why your video wasn't given gold or silver you can post in Ruth's thread here: http://lostvideo.net/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=5358

I deleted the last one Hopefully you guys can get this one up and running again.
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[PsychoCynic]

I don't mean to be pressing or annoying by resurrecting this issue, but I read Hobbes's Siver and Gold CPs Thread and tried to identify the mistakes he mentioned with this video, and I can't see what it is I did wrong. I have a few ideas of what it might be (was it the overuse of effects? Quality of the video? Mood of the song?), but I'm not exactly certain.

While I do accept anyone's ideas on what I could've done to improve this, I'd really appreciate the thoughts of one of the judges since they WERE the ones that said "yes" and "no" to certain parts.

Thank you again.
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[Hobbes]

Well, I'd say this vid deserves a silver, but I'm just one judge. You pulled off a really nice, structured story, with as much beat use as could be mustered with the song. Also, you tried some effects out, although I don't think they really turned out as well as they should have, probably because of your stupid editor... grrrr..
As far as I can see, there are a few thigns that probably contributed to this vid not getting anything from the judges:
1. It went over the same stuff over and over throughtout the vid without really straying to actually give one "woah" moment... i.e. no climax at all really It just really seems like a montage of random Desmond clips that way, which kinda sucks because they weren't
2. Bad quality and messy editing - though probably just your editor's fault, and though we try nto to count them much, can still really impact the general thoughts of a viewer when you're watching and you already have the feeling that the clips are random, or the vid itself is boring.
3. I just said it before, the vid itself comes off as kinda boring, which is a shame.

I feel like we've let you down on this one It's tough to see that you actually put a lot of thought into the vid from the first viewing, so it really seemed like one of the hundreds of vids which are mainly random-clippers. I'd say this deserves a solid silver. Why not gold? The reasons I listed above, and the fact there isn't really all that much originality unfortunately. But don't feel like you're getting worse, I think it's just that since the Silver CPs came in, we've kinda bumped up the Gold a bit. And that goes for both this vid and the last vid. I can see you put a lot of thought and work into your vids so I'm really really sorry that this happened. You're a really good vidder, so please don't be discouraged just from this.

[Shankle]

Well I really liked this actually. I personally would have gone silver. Although it did seem quite random at times, i still liked the whole feel of it. I didn't notice any messy clips...but i think you overdid the effects at the beginning. It looks to me like you wanted to use the effects to make the video more powerful, but to be honest you have a lot of different ones in there, and it actually diminishes the quality. Less is more, so try to use one effect at most, as a sort of theme.
But like i said, I personally enjoyed watching it. A lovely song/character pairing.
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*hearts* Aislynn, Kaja, Rachel and Steph
*Rips whatzit"

[PsychoCynic]

Thanks for the lengthy and well-thought-out explanation, Hobbes. You always are coming to my assistance in the Self Help Section here. I agree that because of the song, the video may have come out as boring. And as for the quality of the clips, I only found two versions of "Live Together, Die Alone" - one was in AVI (which my WMM won't accept ) and one was in WMV (which was used in this video). I guess there wasn't much I could have done about that.

Ed, thanks for your input too. I'm glad you liked the video and I'll try to downsize on the effects next time. Perhaps I should have just used them in the middle of the song where the instrumentals really popped up. I'll keep that in mind next time.

Thanks all.
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[Aislynn]

[Polarbear]

I would say it is probably a silver vid. I really like the song you used it was a very original choice. Some of the effects were a lil overdone and random but I have seen worse. When you're matching up clips try and make them not only pay attention to the lyrics but also follow the mood/beat of the song and also that they make sense and 'feel' right. At the end of the day you only have your perception of what works or not so trust your instincts and ask yourself does that fit.

I have to say we probably favor fast paced, upbeat songs when they are done with appropiate beat use cause they are usually more fun to watch. Personally I also really like moody, sad and twisted vids aswell so I did enjoy this and would give it a silver.
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[PsychoCynic]

Thanks to both Aislynn and Polarbear.

Aislynn, thank you for your helpful hints and tips and for specifically telling me which parts you liked and disliked. It helped me understand what it is that the judges are looking for. And, of course, I will take your cookies because they are too delicious to refuse

[Hobbes]

Three. Once a vid has three votes and the vote is determined, it's marked and ready to go. I voted on it originally as a "None", but I actually changed my vote when I saw this the second time, leaving it at 1 Silver to 2 None. I wouldn't have a problem with awarding this vid a Silver CP if another one of the judges who voted on it is willing to change their vote, but that's their decision, and I'm afraid I'm not at liberty to say just who said judges were But you've got my vote! And thanks for being so coperative

[PsychoCynic]

Oh, I get it now.

Only three judges originally vote on a video. I had assumed ALL the judges voted and if three voted silver, then the vid would get a silver pick. When in reality, only three judges vote and it's the majority rules (2 out of 3), right?

Well, thanks for changing your mind on my vid, Hobbes. I suppose my work has the tendency to do that do you.

I'm probably pushing my luck, but any other judge willing to help me out a bit?
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[Hobbes]