Not Budgies

Following on the trend of presenting videos based on a theme started by Chas I have pleasure in presenting one of my pets; Mostyn the Welsh Collie.

This was probably only the second video I have made with the 60D and is far from the quality normally associated with this forum. I appreciate that so be gentle as I am showing something I agree is far from perfect. I would, none the less, appreciate your comments.

Shot with the 60D on a mono pod. I got my focus and zoom rings muddled a few times - this was prior to realising one should generally cut off ones own testicles before introducing a zoom any way. I didn't have the loupe then so focusing was a bit hit and miss although I seem to have grasped the concept that you don't auto focus on the fly by then.

As a further point of imminent ridicule I am to blame for the music. I didn't have my hard drive with all my royalty free music with me so I used a track I had produced with a keyboard playing mate as this was available. I'm also to blame for the guitar. I said this would be a point of imminent ridicule.

Any road up, after the raft of excuses, here is Mostyn.

Well as Len Goodman says on Strictly, I enjoyed it well done, couple of bits that you already mentioned, perhaps could use a bit more pace, perhaps edit it down to about two minutes.

artyman wrote in post #13484741
...... perhaps could use a bit more pace....

I'm not sure Mostyn would agree, he was knackered at the end.

This is always the issue when you are emotionally involved with the subject matter and why family videos (such as this) are so boring for everyone else. I want to see more of Mostyn because I am besotted with him.

It would perhaps be interesting to revisit as there might just be enough adequate content to make a half decent 2 minutes. If I get a chance I might give it a go. In retrospect I am quite surprised how steady some of it is considering it was all on a mono pod.

Thanks for your comments Ken.

Well you are right about one thing, Mostyn is no Budgie! But he is a super cute doggie!

I liked the film because it was a journey. It had a There and Back kind of feel. I think you were too hard on yourself, yes some of those half hearted zooms weren't great, but it gave it that "home movie" kind of feel. And besides, you were working with a dog, sometimes not the most receptive or willing of creatures to work with or predict. Apparently he is very able to play on his own while you got to watch. I kept wondering how often you had to set the camera down and throw the ball with Mostyn before gathering it up and getting back to shooting. And its obvious that he has been down that path before. I loved the shots of negative action as Mostyn lead the way back towards home and you shot him from behind. He's obviously a smart dog.

Did you have anyone else with you on this shoot to be the handler/wrangler?

And give yourself credit for the music. Not many here could do that or would to doing it, let alone actually admit to performing, recording and then putting it on the internet! Nicely done sir!

I hear what you're saying about trying to edit down the length of our personal videos. I had to go threw my budgie video a few times and hack stuff out that either didn't add anything to the video other than I shot it and I thought it was "OK", or hack it out just for time. It's hard to do, but is a necessary chore. I only saw two clips that I would whack out right away. Otherwise I felt the length was alright.

I hope to see more movies featuring Slaz Enger in the future! A true up and coming young talent.

Cheers Chas.

It was just Mostyn and I. He does know the beach well being down the valley from my parents place in Wales and he loves chasing a ball so it was no big deal for him. His grandparents were both working dogs (Granny was Welsh Sheep Dog Champion) so is very intelligent and obedient. He will leave the ball alone if told and will stop and sit and not move until you tell him so any failures in the doggy acting department were the fault of the Director. He thought up the scene where he lost the ball in the sea all by himself so, despite the poor camera work, I had to leave it in. I did say I was besotted.

Nice one mate good watch that, can see you're fond of your dog. Was wondering for a while what beach you found in Essex that looked like that lol

Yeah, I thought I would leave that word alone, but seeing how you used it again I have to ask. What the heck does that mean and is that a real word? besotted

Is it contagious? Will I suddenly have a hankering for Bangers and Mash if I suddenly besotted?

I'll have to look up the meaning in The English Dictionary .

Yeah, because that word ain't in no decent American dictionary!

'Ave a butchers at this mi old cock.

I had a Border Collie years ago that looked just like Mostyn, so I loved it! But I'd have to agree...maybe a bit too long.

And yes, it is definitely very hard to cut down a clip you are emotionally connected to!

John Sims wrote in post #13503305
'Ave a butchers at this mi old cock.

Sorry, missed that one. Were you asking me out on a date? I hope not...

Hmmm... As they say, two countries separated by a common language.

ChasWG wrote in post #13541735
Sorry, missed that one. Were you asking me out on a date? I hope not...

Hmmm... As they say, two countries separated by a common language.

Ha, ha. I think you are getting a bit ahead of yourself Mr Gorden. If you ever get to the UK it would be great to have a pint together though; it sounds like you will need an interpreter. Isn't it strange how children corrupt their mother tongue when their parents aren't there to correct them.

Ok, you might still have inches but, in honesty, they are pretty rubbish (trash) compared to millimetres and it's about time you moved forward. Miles are fine though and proper beer should only be bought in pints.

I'll give you the beers in pints comment! And some day I would love to have a pint with you, on either side of the pond!

And it's the proper Scottish spelling of Gordon mind you...