First ever RED music video (We think)... [Archive]

Evin Grant

09-16-2007, 05:26 PM

This is the first cut of "Solo El Principio" the first ever Music Video (we know of) shot on a Red one.

This is a 1.8K (Don't ask, QT thing) H264 about 390MB.

http://www.freehillproductions.com/RED1/SEP1.8K.mov
Please cntrl click and download to desktop.

THIS IS A ROUGH CUT. NO GRADE OR FINISH APPLIED. Be gentle.:pinch:
And yes the H264 does add some compression and noise so don't get bent out of shape if the image has some texture.

Again a big shout out to Brad at VRi for providing #15 "Ripely" and Blair S. Paulson for providing #19 "Opus".

Clayton Harper

09-16-2007, 06:14 PM

The footage quality is amazing. Nice work guys! I can't wait to see an aggressive color grade.

Did you cheat the club interior? Looks suspiciously like an apartment interior. :shiftyph34r:

I am also wondering why you have black borders on the quicktime. Did you just stretch to fix a standard sequence setting in FCP? I think you can crop on export to a custom size using compressor.

Manfred Lopez

09-16-2007, 06:15 PM

Downloading right now... This is going to take a while.

Evin Grant

09-16-2007, 06:16 PM

SalaTar

09-16-2007, 06:17 PM

still dloading

Daniel Gourley

09-16-2007, 06:18 PM

Nice. How did you light the green Wall? --INSANELY FLAT!

Oh and BTW nice red sticker on the ipod :)

Evin Grant

09-16-2007, 06:29 PM

It's a home made ring light I built a few years ago. It uses 48 40W lightbulbs in two concentric rings around a lens hole. All mounted onto a mirrior board back by plywood and supported by C stands.

Greg M

09-16-2007, 06:36 PM

Nice job Evin...the shots on the green wall look great!

Häakon

09-16-2007, 06:38 PM

Thanks for uploading something larger than 1K; it really helps to see detail and show off the resolution advantage that RED brings. It's also nice to see a clip longer than 10 seconds in length. :-)

A couple of mis-focused shots, but that just reiterates how important it will be for shooters to have a talented AC at all times; it's going to be a huge wakeup call for those used to shooting with a 1/3" chip camera. That being said, the stuff that is tack sharp is really nice looking and the clip shows off RED's shallow DOF properties very well.

I'm really thinking of investing in a bartech FFD from the beginning... I think it may be a lifesaver device with this camera.

Compression actually looks very good. This is H.264 like a lot of the earlier clips, so I'm not sure why some people's footage looks so blocky while others do not - I guess it's just the "quality" setting that everyone needs to keep as high as possible.

It's definitely going to be a fun year!

jbeale

09-16-2007, 06:40 PM

As far as I know H.264 quality can be as high or low as you want, just like JPEG, the bitrate is adjustable. When you have a very OOF or low-detail background, of course it's easier to get good quality overall even with a low bitrate.

Thanks so much for posting this! Very interesting to see this type of work pre-grade. Some shots, such as the 7-girl lineup at 01:08 have a very nice look already while others eg. in front of headlights at 01:44 look quite low contrast. I will be interested to see what it looks like after it's finished!

Häakon

09-16-2007, 06:44 PM

I know, I'm just surprised that anyone would want to release their RED footage in "low" quality. :-) This compression in this clip looks very acceptable to me, however, so whatever setting Evin used was a good one. :)

Jim McKinney

09-16-2007, 07:02 PM

While I'm downloading this, Evin, here's a quick question. How was your experience with the Red in the MV environment? pros/cons to the onset workflow? (in relation to film or 1K HD). Feedback/interest from director, artist/label? If this wasn't a Red shoot, do you feel it would've been shot in film or 1K instead?

Okay, not such a quick question, but I'd love to hear any response you care to share in this regard.

Jamon Lewis

09-16-2007, 07:05 PM

Evin Great job the stuff looks great!

Hrvoje Simic

09-16-2007, 07:14 PM

Nice work, guys! The quality is fantastic. Even this H.264 looks great.

Michael Schrengohst

09-16-2007, 08:21 PM

Not bad for a camera that was only "released" in the wild
2 weeks ago! Of course it helps to have a good shooter
like Evin! Can't wait to see the final grade.

Evin Grant

09-16-2007, 08:24 PM

If this wasn't a Red shoot, do you feel it would've been shot in film or 1K instead?

Sombody at the begining suggested we shoot on a Sony Z1U. I told them to find another DP, then they asked what I wanted to shoot on:shiftyph34r:

How was your experience with the Red in the MV environment? pros/cons to the onset workflow? (in relation to film or 1K HD). Feedback/interest from director, artist/label?
Okay, not such a quick question, but I'd love to hear any response you care to share in this regard.

Over all very smooth. It was nice seeing footage from the day before and the earlier scenes for reference too. Despite Haakons claim about focus I didn't find it that hard. I did have an AC that works with 35mm but for the the handheld I focused by eye and for the most part that worked fine. The director and Artist were drooling over the footage on the laptop, so that worked out very well.

Michael Schrengohst

09-16-2007, 09:19 PM

Sombody at the begining suggested we shoot on a Sony Z1U. I told them to find another DP, then they asked what I wanted to shoot on:shiftyph34r:

Over all very smooth. It was nice seeing footage from the day before and the earlier scenes for reference too. Despite Haakons claim about focus I didn't find it that hard. I did have an AC that works with 35mm but for the the handheld I focused by eye and for the most part that worked fine. The director and Artist were drooling over the footage on the laptop, so that worked out very well.

Z1U - LOL, everyone will have to add the REDRAG to the kit
to wipe up the drool.

bradvr

09-16-2007, 09:27 PM

Very nice first cut! The diversity of looks are powerful . BH

Emanuel A.

09-17-2007, 12:02 AM

Evin,

Felicitaciones! It's nice to hear news from you on the edge of our common worlds into the latin world.

Can you post a 1K h264 version please?

Gracias.

Casey Green

09-17-2007, 12:29 AM

Nice Job, Evin. Good stuff!

jaadgy akanni

09-17-2007, 01:02 AM

Wow, no grade or finish, huh... this is really mind blowing. And every time new footage is posted I keep trying to find the abominable "video-y" look and it's just nowhere to be found. Whoever said it was just like film without the grain got it only half right 'cause in addition to that, I think it's got it's own special aesthetics...love it, love it, love it. I'm also digging how the 24fps motion plays. Now I'm really happy. Thanks Evin.

Rick Darge

09-17-2007, 01:27 AM

This is amazing Evin! Awesome job team! Love the shots and the lighting !

Eddie

09-17-2007, 01:47 AM

Is this clip all jumpy and unwatchable on a normal desktop?

Sanjin Jukic

09-17-2007, 01:54 AM

Bravo Evin!

Amazing!!!

Excellent music video!!!

Don King

09-17-2007, 03:51 AM

Is this clip all jumpy and unwatchable on a normal desktop?

Yes. Could anyone post a 720p version please?

David Cubbage

09-17-2007, 03:57 AM

Great piece of work Evin; thank you so much for posting. I watched it through several times and there was something very special about it I couldn't quite nail; apart from the image quality, and then I suddenly realised it's 2:1 aspect ratio. I love it! Seems more natural to the eye than 16:9.

Well done you! And your team of course.

David

Greg M

09-17-2007, 05:20 AM

Is this clip all jumpy and unwatchable on a normal desktop?

works fine on mine.

ZzzZZz...

09-17-2007, 05:32 AM

Damn, that singer must be even more annoying in 4k. btw. evin why did you choose to have so many scenes backlit that way? secretly testing shadow-detail or what?

Jim McKinney

09-17-2007, 05:46 AM

The director and Artist were drooling over the footage on the laptop, so that worked out very well.

We always like to hear that! (and they should be, too. ;-)
Nice clip.

Mike Prevette

09-17-2007, 07:55 AM

Nice red advertising on the iphone in the lineup shot!

_mike

Álex Montoya

09-17-2007, 08:05 AM

Nice vid, Evin

liquidigital

09-17-2007, 09:19 AM

Evin, looks great and thank you for posting. When you get a chance to breathe, do you think it would be possible to describe your workflow?

Elijah Kelley

09-17-2007, 10:18 AM

Props where props are due. Nice work. What was your workflow?

grandpa it burns

09-17-2007, 11:39 AM

I think its good for me to watch videos like that. In my youth the world wasn't so accepting of male artists that are so free and open with there alternative sexual preferences.

Evan, the video looks amazing!!! Great casting, the girl is beautiful. I can't wait to get my RED!!!

Álex Montoya

09-17-2007, 11:42 AM

You mean back then you were all gay?

grandpa it burns

09-17-2007, 11:47 AM

You mean back then you were all gay?

I'm just saying, it was a different world back then. I think we have changed for the better.

In all seriousness Evan, the visuales were stunning. Congradulations. You are at the the leading edge of the revolution, and we all greatly appriciate your posts. Keep them coming!

Poi Boy

09-17-2007, 12:22 PM

Evin Grant

09-17-2007, 01:42 PM

Evin, looks great and thank you for posting. When you get a chance to breathe, do you think it would be possible to describe your workflow?

Pretty simple..
CF Cards downloaded via Macbook Pro to two 100GB FW800 Mini G drives Simultaneously for redundant back up.

First I renamed and orginised all the clips and takes.
After fooling around in Red Alert with the OCRT footage I had a pretty good handle on making QTs so I did a one light on each shot and then applied that to all the takes using the presets and output 2k,1k & .5K QTs. I would do side by side checks of the QTs using the .5K which is the only one that would play real time on my Macbook.

Once all the shots had a one light I opened each 2K QT individually and exported it out to a letterboxed 1080 Pro Res HQ file.

From there is was all Final Cut 6.

Mr. Paul White

09-17-2007, 02:19 PM

Evin,

Felicitaciones! It's nice to hear news from you on the edge of our common worlds into the latin world.

Can you post a 1K h264 version please?

Gracias.

Yes. Could anyone post a 720p version please?

Please?

Steve Freebairn

09-17-2007, 02:54 PM

Mirrors would be great! (kind of funny that I'm saying that since we're mirroring for other people). I can't even load our homepage because of how much bandwidth is getting sucked! Kind of funny :)

Evin Grant

09-17-2007, 03:07 PM

Sorry Kino, you asked for it:love:
I'll try to get up a 720P version later today. Anybody have a server for me so I don't slam Kino any more?

Steve Freebairn

09-17-2007, 03:15 PM

It's actually fine, I must have got on at a bad time. I thought we crashed the server, but you're fine. We're still scheduled to be under our usage. I'll let you know in another 20 days if that is still the case :)

liquidigital

09-17-2007, 09:22 PM

Evin thanks for the workflow. :)

Brook Willard

09-17-2007, 09:26 PM

Pretty amazing what a few grand made...

dvpixl

09-18-2007, 04:41 AM

I love how he takes the staircase down with the slight head tilt.
Sort of reminds me of how Jean Claude Van Damme used to "act" when his character is happy.

And his reaction when the hottie passes by. That face he makes is so bad it's gold.

Of course, that's got nothing to do with the beautiful RED footage.

I think you guys did an amazing job and it must've been hella fun just to hold the camera.

yevlar

09-18-2007, 05:42 AM

Very, very nice stuff, sir! I've been showing it off at work on our 1080p monitors, and people are soiling themselves! ;-)

With regards to the low-light shots, what ISO were you at? I presume it was 640+, judging by the grain. Regardless, the grain in the image more closely resembles film grain rather than video noise, which is a very, very good thing!

Emanuel A.

09-18-2007, 05:51 AM

I'll try to get up a 720P version later today. Thank you Evin. I'll be waiting then.

Anybody have a server for me so I don't slam Kino any more?

Maybe:

www.mediafire.com

or

www.rapidshare.com

?

indianaG5

09-18-2007, 12:11 PM

Thanks Evin for uploading ;)

Great DP work ! 1'05'' to 1'09'' just amazing!!

pablokorona

09-18-2007, 01:39 PM

i'd love to see how the color grade is going to affect this footage.

There are a few areas that i'm curious to see how you work with them.
specifically the dark hallway, and the dance sequence front shot because both are significantly dark, i'm curious to see the threshold of noise.

There are some breathtaking shots, and some that need help/editing - i'm interested to see this work in progress!

Can't wait to see the next edit or final
Please post the final when you're done!

Nik Manning

09-18-2007, 02:16 PM

I know it is 4K footage and all but a good old 480p version would make me happy.

Brook Willard

09-18-2007, 08:55 PM

Thanks Evin for uploading ;)

Great DP work ! 1'05'' to 1'09'' just amazing!!

I blame the gaffer. :wink:

Evin Grant

09-19-2007, 03:26 AM

Here is a 1280 wide version for you less well endowed (Bandwidth wise)...
It's a slightly earlier, less refined cut but it'll show off the camera well enough.

http://www.freehillproductions.com/RED1/SoloElPrincipio1280.mov
Cntrl click and download please.

Ramesh Jai

09-19-2007, 04:06 AM

If anything, this video has only highlighted the importance of good directing, good lighting, good subject matter, set design, make-up, etc.

RED has performed remarkably well BUT if not for me wanting to check out the performance of RED I wouldn't give this video "Solo El Principio" a second look.

Evin Grant

09-19-2007, 04:22 AM

In defense of the Director it was his first project. And I can't say it's my type of music but it's certainly not the worst MV i've been a part of. That's just the nature of the job, one for the meal one for the reel.

Emanuel A.

09-19-2007, 05:20 AM

Robert Mott

09-19-2007, 04:55 PM

Is that a red sticker on that girls phone?

Evin Grant

09-19-2007, 07:32 PM

Very preceptive of you:shiftyph34r:

Evan Owen

09-19-2007, 07:41 PM

Very preceptive of you:shiftyph34r:

Evin, when can we expect a finished grade? I'm loving what you've showed so far and really looking forward to seeing how it turns out.

Evin Grant

09-19-2007, 08:08 PM

I've got a lot on the plate right now (Blogging from PA after shooting) but I'll hopefully have time to finish the grade by next week.

jaadgy akanni

09-19-2007, 09:20 PM

I've got a lot on the plate right now (Blogging from PA after shooting) but I'll hopefully have time to finish the grade by next week.

Evin I'm diggin' those images like crazy. Take care to have someone with you that aide in sync-ing the vocals to the image. I spotted one or two misses here and there, and since it's a foreign language that could be tricky for someone who doesn't have a good grip on it.

Phil Becque

09-20-2007, 01:10 AM

I've got a lot on the plate right now (Blogging from PA after shooting) but I'll hopefully have time to finish the grade by next week.

Hi Evin, Great job! I generally don't like MV's at all; but I do like all the images you've shot and edited in this project.

One question - did you only use the lenses you list in your signature or did you have access to some other ones? If so which ones? If that was all done with your Nikon collection I think it speaks volumes for their quality.

Thanks, Phil

Tonaci Tran

09-20-2007, 02:01 AM

He used Zeiss Super Speeds 1.3 for this project.

Phil Becque

09-20-2007, 02:10 AM

He used Zeiss Super Speeds 1.3 for this project.

Thanks Tonaci - not being a lens person but I can only imagine that Zeiss would be considered better than Nikon ? Crisper perhaps??

All the best, Phil

Mr. Paul White

09-20-2007, 05:47 AM

Evan Owen

09-20-2007, 06:07 AM

Thanks Tonaci - not being a lens person but I can only imagine that Zeiss would be considered better than Nikon ? Crisper perhaps??

All the best, Phil

Yes. Sharper, faster, easier to pull-focus. And more expensive...

Frank Mirbach

09-20-2007, 06:12 AM

WAY more expensive !!

Evin Grant

09-20-2007, 06:34 AM

Since I don't yet have a Nikon mount I can't really comment but the Zeiss SSs are very nice. Still they are a little cold, and the 18mm wasn't all that sharp compared to the others. My guess is that there really won't be any thing to worry about optically with the Nikkors, just the focus pulling, which we need to test to know for sure.

Phil Becque

09-20-2007, 09:10 AM

Yes. Sharper, faster, easier to pull-focus. And more expensive...

Thanks, that's an interesting comment - easier to pull focus - why? I've never tried to pull focus on the fly as it were - why would it be easier with this lens over a Nikor? Just curious . . .

Evan Owen

09-20-2007, 09:30 AM

Thanks, that's an interesting comment - easier to pull focus - why? I've never tried to pull focus on the fly as it were - why would it be easier with this lens over a Nikor? Just curious . . .

Because they're not designed for cinema, Nikkors aren't made for pulling focus. Often they'll work ok (as has been discussed many times on the lens forum), but there are a few caveats that vary in severity from lens to lens.

1) The focus throw (distance you have to turn to focus from close to infinity) is often much shorter than you'd normally find in a cinema lens so it's harder to nail the focus every time. A geared follow-focus can make pulling lenses with shorter throws a little easier.

2) The build quality isn't quite the same, so there might a little undesired movement when you focus. This isn't a huge problem and most Nikkors are fine, AFAIK.

3) The focus distance marks are sometimes a little off, so blocking and measuring shots is difficult. It sounds like RED's zoom-in functionality combined with Graeme's focus assist will make measuring a thing of the past anyway...

Because their optical quality is still quite good, Nikkors are often rebuilt to fix these few caveats and create usable cinema quality lenses.

Phil Becque

09-20-2007, 09:48 AM

Because they're not designed for cinema, Nikkors aren't made for pulling focus. Often they'll work ok (as has been discussed many times on the lens forum), but there are a few caveats that vary in severity from lens to lens.

1) The focus throw (distance you have to turn to focus from close to infinity) is often much shorter than you'd normally find in a cinema lens so it's harder to nail the focus every time. A geared follow-focus can make pulling lenses with shorter throws a little easier.

2) The build quality isn't quite the same, so there might a little undesired movement when you focus. This isn't a huge problem and most Nikkors are fine, AFAIK.

3) The focus distance marks are sometimes a little off, so blocking and measuring shots is difficult. It sounds like RED's zoom-in functionality combined with Graeme's focus assist will make measuring a thing of the past anyway...

Because their optical quality is still quite good, Nikkors are often rebuilt to fix these few caveats and create usable cinema quality lenses.

OK - got ya - thanks. I can see how important point #1 is - I hadn't thought about that at all also #2 and #3 could influence my choice as well. I don't have anything yet and I may just rent anyway.

Good info thanks, Phil

Michael Schrengohst

09-20-2007, 01:30 PM

It's a home made ring light I built a few years ago. It uses 48 40W lightbulbs in two concentric rings around a lens hole. All mounted onto a mirrior board back by plywood and supported by C stands.

Hello,
Do you have a pic of this rig?
I would be interested in building
something like that. I love the look
you get with it. Get with RED to produce
the RED light!

Mike Prevette

09-20-2007, 02:58 PM

I built a similar rig a few years ago with 16 individual dimmed photo floods. Same thing plywood ring with c-stands on either side.

Steve Sherrick

09-20-2007, 04:07 PM

Because they're not designed for cinema, Nikkors aren't made for pulling focus. Often they'll work ok (as has been discussed many times on the lens forum), but there are a few caveats that vary in severity from lens to lens.

1) The focus throw (distance you have to turn to focus from close to infinity) is often much shorter than you'd normally find in a cinema lens so it's harder to nail the focus every time. A geared follow-focus can make pulling lenses with shorter throws a little easier.

2) The build quality isn't quite the same, so there might a little undesired movement when you focus. This isn't a huge problem and most Nikkors are fine, AFAIK.

3) The focus distance marks are sometimes a little off, so blocking and measuring shots is difficult. It sounds like RED's zoom-in functionality combined with Graeme's focus assist will make measuring a thing of the past anyway...

Because their optical quality is still quite good, Nikkors are often rebuilt to fix these few caveats and create usable cinema quality lenses.

I have not been able to find the Nikkor 17-35mm in stock anywhere. Did Red users buy them up? They've been out of stock at BH for months.

Steve