If it's Wednesday, this must be West Lima, Wisconsin.
Among the ideas learned in this week's "Frugal Traveler" edit: the importance of 500 Hz. The audio on the original interviews was quite problematic (I'm not certain if there was a problem with the camera or a setting or that's just the nature of that camera under certain conditions) with little or no bass in the voices. I used a three-band equalizer on these, but it turned out my first instinct -- boosting the 80 Hz frequency -- had little effect. After a lot of trial and error, boosting 500 Hz as far as it would go returned the voices to a more normal sound.
As always, with only one day (less really) to edit a 4:36 piece, there are some things I see now that I'd like to go back and refine. First draft of the cut was over five minutes, so the last part of the process was trimming down about 30 seconds of material. With enough time and coffee, probably another 15 seconds could be taken out, and there are a few edit points that could be made more precise.
I've always loved the way Walter Murch describes standing while he edits, and hitting certain by edit points "by feel" until he hits the same point repeatedly, then deciding that must be the right instant. Over time, of course, I've come to realize that's terrible advice, sort of like some great baseball batter advising one to swing at the right time....
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Frugal Cutting, Week 4
It's Wednesday, so here is the next episode of the Frugal Traveler. Week 4 is "Columbus, Indiana."
In the end it is a straightforward cut, but in the process there were some interesting editing questions. For example, there is a shot of a kid on a rope swing. He starts from standing, jumps up on the rope, swings toward us, then away. The end of the shot went out of focus and wasn't usable, so the cut is based on screen position -- when he hits a point that puts him in relatively the same position as where you would look in the next shot, I cut.
Does that work, or not? The old editing maxim was "motion to motion, still to still" so in a traditional view it doesn't -- he should finish the swing, then we can cut to the next non-motion shot, or the next shot should be motion also. Of course, with documentary materials this is the type of problem that comes up all the time, since there is often only one take available -- and it's needed for the story....
In the end it is a straightforward cut, but in the process there were some interesting editing questions. For example, there is a shot of a kid on a rope swing. He starts from standing, jumps up on the rope, swings toward us, then away. The end of the shot went out of focus and wasn't usable, so the cut is based on screen position -- when he hits a point that puts him in relatively the same position as where you would look in the next shot, I cut.
Does that work, or not? The old editing maxim was "motion to motion, still to still" so in a traditional view it doesn't -- he should finish the swing, then we can cut to the next non-motion shot, or the next shot should be motion also. Of course, with documentary materials this is the type of problem that comes up all the time, since there is often only one take available -- and it's needed for the story....
Friday, June 08, 2007
Last Night of "Truth Be Told"
Saw:Bowery Scenes by Tina Grapenthin
A Flower for Lisa by Tijana Petrovic
Lee Feldman, Lee Feldman by Maya Mumma
Getting Back by Anthony Weeks
Florent by Laura van Schendel
There was a reception after, then the After Party at Fiddlesticks and then on to Art Bar. Art Bar makes a good Negroni (1 oz Gin, 1 oz Campari, 3/4 oz Sweet Vermouth).
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Third Night of "Truth Be Told"
Saw:Notebook on Santas and Elves by Ted Fisher
Met Pool by Meredith L. Patten
Moving House by Andrea Nugent
820 Classon by Nihal Ataman
Best question I received at the Question-and-Answer session: Why is the film in the "Second Person"? I answered, but thought of a better answer until later: "Because you think it should be."
After Party: Spain, but I didn't get to go. Rushed home to edit....
Second Night of "Truth Be Told"
Saw:Woman With Cats by Erin Clarke
Reinventing Ellen by Elisabeth Walter
These Simple Acts by Courtney Coulson
Double the Pleasure...Eight Times the Therapy by Linda Goldman
After Party: White Horse Tavern.
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
The Frugal Traveler goes to Nashville
New Frugal Traveler posted.
I edited until 6 p.m., then ran to the screening of my film (will post about that soon) then back home to finalize the edit and post it.
I edited until 6 p.m., then ran to the screening of my film (will post about that soon) then back home to finalize the edit and post it.
Monday, June 04, 2007
First Night of "Truth Be Told"
Saw:
Nice Question-and-Answer session with the subjects of the films. Most importantly: after party was at Il Buco.
Krumbs by Margaret Galbraith
Shadows of Guilt by Dana Bartle
Hearts Suspended by Meghna Damani
in/sight by Jennifer Jones
Nice Question-and-Answer session with the subjects of the films. Most importantly: after party was at Il Buco.
Sunday, June 03, 2007
Truth Be Told Documentary Film Festival
Truth Be Told: Documentary Film Festival
Sunday–Wednesday, June 3–6, 7:00-9:00 p.m. screenings.
The New School, Tishman Auditorium, 66 West 12th Street, ground floor. Admission: Free. Reception following screening on Wednesday, June 6.
The New School’s Documentary Media Studies Program presents four evenings of short documentaries. The inaugural class’s final work from the program, these films are the product of a year of intensive work in documentary production, history, and theory.
Sunday, June 3—Truth Be Told: Against the Odds
Whether starting a baked-goods business on a street corner in Brooklyn or starting a new life outside of the walls of maximum-security prison, the individuals profiled in tonight’s films have overcome or are facing tremendous challenge.
Monday, June 4—Truth Be Told: Who Are You?
How does your identity form when you are born as a twin? How do your profession, your daily rituals, or your hobbies contribute to who you are? These films address the basic, profound question of human identity.
Tuesday, June 5—Truth Be Told: Citywide
From Williamsburg to Queens to the Upper West Side, New York inhabitants explored.
Wednesday, June 6—Truth Be Told: The Journey
A man is on a difficult path to recovery. A neighborhood changes. Careers and businesses rise and fall. We are all on a journey.
Sunday–Wednesday, June 3–6, 7:00-9:00 p.m. screenings.
The New School, Tishman Auditorium, 66 West 12th Street, ground floor. Admission: Free. Reception following screening on Wednesday, June 6.
The New School’s Documentary Media Studies Program presents four evenings of short documentaries. The inaugural class’s final work from the program, these films are the product of a year of intensive work in documentary production, history, and theory.
Sunday, June 3—Truth Be Told: Against the Odds
Whether starting a baked-goods business on a street corner in Brooklyn or starting a new life outside of the walls of maximum-security prison, the individuals profiled in tonight’s films have overcome or are facing tremendous challenge.
Monday, June 4—Truth Be Told: Who Are You?
How does your identity form when you are born as a twin? How do your profession, your daily rituals, or your hobbies contribute to who you are? These films address the basic, profound question of human identity.
Tuesday, June 5—Truth Be Told: Citywide
From Williamsburg to Queens to the Upper West Side, New York inhabitants explored.
Wednesday, June 6—Truth Be Told: The Journey
A man is on a difficult path to recovery. A neighborhood changes. Careers and businesses rise and fall. We are all on a journey.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
New Video for The Frugal Traveler
The Week 2: Armuchee, Georgia episode of The Frugal Traveler is now online at The New York Times.
This was a challenging edit for a number of reasons, and as always editing a project in one day leaves little imperfections easily fixed later -- except there is no later to rely on. Nonetheless, I'm enjoying the process, and really learning a lot by doing it.
This was a challenging edit for a number of reasons, and as always editing a project in one day leaves little imperfections easily fixed later -- except there is no later to rely on. Nonetheless, I'm enjoying the process, and really learning a lot by doing it.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
The Weather in Kosovo in August
Just received an email that our short film Blind Faith: A Film About Seeing will travel to Kosovo in August for Dokufest.
Doug Whyte, Producer of The International Documentary Challenge, sent a note explaining that the IDC Finalists Showcase will be shown there. Details soon....
Doug Whyte, Producer of The International Documentary Challenge, sent a note explaining that the IDC Finalists Showcase will be shown there. Details soon....
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
YouTube Update Update
The videos I cut for the New York Institute of Photography roll ever upward:
Project Redeye: Halloween Challenge has 2,084,974 views and is currently the 23rd most-watched "arts and animation" video of all time on youtube.For better or worse, new vids are coming soon....
Project Redeye: Holiday Challenge has 24,084 views.
About NYIP has 5,615 views.
Frugality, Part One
I spent yesterday cutting Frugal Traveler: American Road Trip.
It was a fun experience, and you really learn a lot editing on a tight deadline. More on the experience in future weeks: there are eleven more of these scheduled....
It was a fun experience, and you really learn a lot editing on a tight deadline. More on the experience in future weeks: there are eleven more of these scheduled....
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Friday, May 11, 2007
Friday, May 04, 2007
On "Nightline" Tonight
I believe I'll be in the last segment of the ABC show Nightline tonight. I'm hoping I seem like a normal person in it, and that I don't regret participating after it airs....
We'll see.
We'll see.
Thursday, May 03, 2007
You'll Be Out Then, But Nonetheless
While you are out Friday night having fun, Ted will be appearing in a taped segment of Nightline about digital technology's effect on the family album. Ask the bartender to change the channel to ABC about 11:52 p.m. or so to see if he says anything embarrassing.
As always, as someone who makes documentaries, it is very informative to be a subject on the other side of the camera. Although, really, it was about as you'd expect. They set up a light, got me in the right place, put a microphone on me, changed the chair I sat in, got the correspondent into her spot, then shot. At the end they took a lot of cutaways. Nothing out of the ordinary, just good basic newsgathering.
As always, as someone who makes documentaries, it is very informative to be a subject on the other side of the camera. Although, really, it was about as you'd expect. They set up a light, got me in the right place, put a microphone on me, changed the chair I sat in, got the correspondent into her spot, then shot. At the end they took a lot of cutaways. Nothing out of the ordinary, just good basic newsgathering.
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Honigman's Forever
For me, the viewing highlight of HotDocs was Heddy Honigmann's Forever.
As well, it was great that, despite an announcement that she was exhausted and unable to come to the screening, she dragged herself in at the end to take questions from the audience.
The film centers on Père Lachaise Cemetary and the visitors who come to it to connect to the artists, writers and musicians who are buried there. (Despite a few joking references to "Jim," the film avoids Morrison's grave, instead finding its subjects in the fans of Chopin, Modigliani, et al.)
I would love to see this again, since it is one of the best viewing experiences I've had all year, but also to try to understand its structure. The material of the film is amazing, but the real achievement here is how to make a film that takes place in a cemetary -- with a few side trips into the lives of the cemetary visitors -- into a compelling story that moves toward a satisfying ending.
I often claim that the reason I'm interested in Documentary film is that the material is essentially richer than fiction -- and I think this film may work as Exhibit A for that argument.
As well, it was great that, despite an announcement that she was exhausted and unable to come to the screening, she dragged herself in at the end to take questions from the audience.
The film centers on Père Lachaise Cemetary and the visitors who come to it to connect to the artists, writers and musicians who are buried there. (Despite a few joking references to "Jim," the film avoids Morrison's grave, instead finding its subjects in the fans of Chopin, Modigliani, et al.)
I would love to see this again, since it is one of the best viewing experiences I've had all year, but also to try to understand its structure. The material of the film is amazing, but the real achievement here is how to make a film that takes place in a cemetary -- with a few side trips into the lives of the cemetary visitors -- into a compelling story that moves toward a satisfying ending.
I often claim that the reason I'm interested in Documentary film is that the material is essentially richer than fiction -- and I think this film may work as Exhibit A for that argument.
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