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Post by Dave Homewood on May 4, 2008 21:27:05 GMT 12
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Post by sleemanj on May 19, 2008 0:07:42 GMT 12
I was the lucky winner of this auction.
Don't want to offend if anybody involved is reading, I'm sure it was pretty good for the time but the world of video production has moved on in 15 years.
Reminds me, in more ways than one, of a 1980's school video project or something.
Consists of a number largely off the cuff interviews, in which the interviewer (waving about a sufficiently large unprotected mic in full wind so you have trouble hearing half of it) is very stilted umming and ahhing through questions, while the interviewees are much more relaxed. The first interview set the stage for the quality, Capt Neville Hay and the interviewer, sitting in a 747 cockpit having the interview, with the camera behind them looking forward, INTO THE BRIGHT BRIGHT WORLD, meaning that the subjects were little more than shilouettes.
Not much "flying action", and unbelievably, most of which there was, including the only two inflight videos had all the sound completely replaced with typical Dambusters music!
Suffered from a little "narratorrhia" which is something my dad had when filiming home videos in the late 80s early 90s, you know... "and yes, here he comes for a spot landing", "and here people are eating breakfast", "and now we are at the runway after breakfast", "there are lots of different things here" (during a particularly long and lingering shot of a hot food caravan). Worse was that the narrator wasn't especially well informed in his narration "here comes the long-ez for a high speed run", as a long-ez dawdles past at just above stall somewhere, "here he goes up and over the top" as an unknown aircraft performed a hammer head stall or some such distinctly non looping manouver.
The worst though was the atrocious video quality, it was obviously transferred from VHS to DVD (complete with stuttering, jerking and picture break up), a flying sequence of a Cri-Cri was the worst, it had obviously been edited in by doing a VHS to VHS copy of another copy, and was like watching it through a beer bottle or something - the sequence itself consisted largely of filming said Cri-Cri from another aircraft, as it flew along apparently in a perfectly straight line for what seemed about 10 minutes.
I give it 1 prop out of 5. It earns that 1 because one of the interviews was with a Maori bloke from Tauranga flying an Avid, I didn't catch the name (if it was mentioned, wind or skips must have missed it) but it was good to see somebody other than white middle class guys in aviation.
If the guys who produced this thing are by some chance reading this, it was a good idea, but how about you give it another shot, 15 years later I expect you've improved a bit in your documentarian skills.
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Post by Bruce on May 19, 2008 19:08:08 GMT 12
Interesting to read that review, thanks for giving your opinion of it. I've seen copies around and I was considering whether it would be worth getting one to play in the background on SAA displays etc, but it sounds as though its not really up to today's standards. I'd like to see a contemporary doco on homebuilding in NZ as it is an interesting area - the characters you meet and the various projects going on around the place would surely provide some material of interest.
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 19, 2008 19:12:29 GMT 12
Bruce, we should talk further on that mate. I was wondering if it was worth making a modern day version too. Would it sell though? Is there a market?
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Post by stu on May 19, 2008 20:39:06 GMT 12
I'd be keen to have a go at helping put something together if you want. If footage could be provided on dvd (or mini dv) along with a rough idea of what's wanted I'm sure I could churn out some segments or whatever was wanted. Might even be able to shoot something if needed - although be warned, my profession is audio along with some training in editing so there are probably many more experienced cam ops out there  Cheers, Stu. |
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Post by Bruce on May 19, 2008 22:25:58 GMT 12
John king's book on homebuilding "All their own wings" has sold very well, so that may indicate a suitable level of interest. The key thing I feel is that it shouldnt be just pictures of aeroplanes flying around - it is essential to tell some of the amazing stories behind the aircraft, and meet the great characters involved. Obviously something showing what is involved in building a homebuilt and a brief overview of the whole movement is required as well. almost a video version of Johns book (not a direct copy of course) but something with a story to provide a backbone - that would set it apart from many other aviation videos.
I can get the duplication and production run sorted at work - sounds like we could be on to something.....
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 19, 2008 22:50:06 GMT 12
Find some funding first, then we might be onto something.
But yes, it could be an interesting project. Stu could cover projects up his way, us down here, etc.
What are the most interesting projects and flyers right now on the scene? I guess the Titan Mustangs are one.
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