Maple Syrup - first professional shoot

So, I've been in the photography game for 2 years now, spent way too much money but had a lot of fun in the process. I've been thinking for a while that it's time to turn professional and start earning a little money back from this sinkhole of a hobby!

I was approached by a local business to produce a short social media advert for them promoting their product. Armed with PProCS6, and 7D and too much kit to mention on here, I went ahead. Video and audio recorded and produced by myself, music was supplied by the company owners son to fit in with the production.

Comments welcome.

YouTube player here

hotpicsel.com (Zenfolio player) here

Ok, well...it is what it is right? A guy talking about his maple syrup. It's not bikini girls on holiday in Cozumel. But, given the context, I think the music is absolutely horrible! I find the background distracting; too much product. Some of the takes needed more refinement as there's a little stammering and I think the color grading is a little strange.

But, overall I think it's a good first effort.

Bob

you're right, it is what it is.... sadly had no control over the music, and I'm inclined to agree with your opinion on that.

And yes, agree, the takes are a little rough around the edges. This was a one day shoot with someone who had never sat in front of a camera before, talking off the cuff about the product. A script was prepared, but that got thrown out of the window after the first go!

Colour grading.... I'll work on that for next time, it's definitely a weak point of the video and something I'll need to brush up on. I think my white balance was off on the shoot (too warm), and therefore I found it a little difficult to make the reds pop against a slightly too warm white balance.

Learnt my lesson I think on that one.

Thanks for the good critique, much appreciated!

Way too long for an advert, but a good first effort. Instead of voicing to camera as much, use footage of production and voice over also tie in the "packing into cartons" comment with that actual shot.

To be honest unless you are really "into" the product it is not something you can watch for too long.It may be fine for enthuisiasts but i had had enough by 45 seconds.It's not a smear on the filming it just doesn't grab me.

First off, The music is literally horrible... And for an advert it is way too long..

The back ground is far too busy, and the MD's monologue should really have been scripted. there are too many umms and he says the work "basically" far too many times..

However the voice is recorded really well..

The background is a tad too busy.. and there are only so many product shots you can stomach before getting bored... You should edit it down to a minute max.. with only one or 2 product shots that are shorter.... and focus more on the production of the syrup...

I disagree with Hot Bob, I liked the color grading. It's very... syrupy - even if by accident.

I also don't mind the background much, although you definitely could've blurred it out a bit more, and your subject is too far to the right. I think the sweet spot would've been with his (camera) right shoulder just barely in frame.

You need some more shot variation - I don't know if it was up to you to do, but I went into this expecting to see maple syrup being poured over some steaming blueberry pancakes, or gushing over some fresh strawberries. You're selling how delicious this syrup is, we need to see it in action!

Like already said, it's too long, the narration needs to be tightened, and that is some straight up eerie abandoned mental asylum music. All in all you definitely captured the visual mood of the product, though, and I liked the risky playful font type for his name and the production line shots.

Is it just my monitor or is the guy talking a little on too much on the soft focus side?

I think the shots of the product on the assembly line and the product shots themselves were the best parts. That guy is just boring..

SVThuh wrote in post #15997565
Is it just my monitor or is the guy talking a little on too much on the soft focus side?

I think the shots of the product on the assembly line and the product shots themselves were the best parts. That guy is just boring..

You're right, the first part of the interview shots are in focus, the latter shots are out of focus, to the trained eye good spot.

We took 4 shots of 20/30 min dialogue. I framed the shot and focused before every take, but on the latter takes, he got into the habit of shuffling around in his chair... sadly I didn't notice until post! Another lesson learnt!

I think technically it is good. It has all the elements that this can be cut into smaller ads and this in its entirety is about the right length for an infomercial that we see so often online. Was this guy working off a script because he is a horrible public speaker. Too many pauses like he is thinking what he will say next and I don't like it when someone uses as many "uh's" as he does in his pauses but that is not your fault. I'm not partial to the music but I don't hate it either. Music is one of those things that you will always find some that dislike the choice of music and some will like it.

ssim wrote in post #15998578
I think technically it is good. It has all the elements that this can be cut into smaller ads and this in its entirety is about the right length for an infomercial that we see so often online. Was this guy working off a script because he is a horrible public speaker. Too many pauses like he is thinking what he will say next and I don't like it when someone uses as many "uh's" as he does in his pauses but that is not your fault. I'm not partial to the music but I don't hate it either. Music is one of those things that you will always find some that dislike the choice of music and some will like it.

No he wasn't working from a script, just some general questions. I'd nail that down better next time, although that was a little out of my control on this occasion.