The goal was to create a
very simple fifteen-second video for Instagram of a book just received. It was
essential that the video covered the inscribed message from the author in addition
to the book cover.
A very simple task that should
not have taken more than a minute but turned out to be quite a journey.
The following is an
account of that journey.
Take 1: The video did work, but the choice of the white backdrop against the white covered book didn't for obvious reasons
Take 2: A hunt for a dark background ensued and ended with a dusty chair. After a much-needed clean operation, the background looked ready. Another video was shot. Alas, the video was jerky as pages of the book were turned.
Take 3: No jerky video this time, but the realization dawned the coverage of the first blank page chewed precious time from the 15-second video.
Take 4: The first page was tucked into the cover flap, the video was shot. Alas the focus on the coverage was 11 seconds while only 4 seconds were dedicated to the message. The converse was probably needed.
Take 5: The video seemed perfect, 6 seconds for the cover and 9 seconds for the inscribed message. Upon deeper inspection, the video also covered area beyond the edge of the chair and hence the floor was visible.
Tea break commenced where a YouTube video was discovered which demonstrated that music on the phone could be played while the video is shot. The camera would easily capture the sound and precious time hunting for background music tools would be saved.
Take 6: Mere seconds after the record button and was pressed and the music was played the mixer is turned on in the kitchen drowning the background score.
Take 7: The record button was pressed and the music was played, then someone in the flat above decides it was time to use a hammer.
Take 8: The video seemed perfect, with 6 seconds on the cover and 9 on the inscribed message. But in addition the background score there was a swishing sound, probably the fan caused interference.
Take 9: The video seemed perfect again, but the background score just didn’t sound clear enough. Because the camera was capturing the sound played on the phone, clearly the quality deterioration was to be expected.
Take 10: The video is being shot with a lower volume when the door is knocked.
Take 11: A realization dawns that there are in-built tools within Instagram that facilitate easy video shoot along with the addition of a background score. Alas, the background score selected didn’t show up in the video.
Soon exhaustion
overcomes me, it was lunchtime.
Take 12: The background score was selected, so was an appropriate video theme. The video looked fine but there was a slight jerk at the very end.
Take 13: The video looked great, but the section of music chosen and so was the theme. This time the theme seemed to harm the video.
Take 14: No theme was chosen, the background score choice remained as is, 4.5 seconds for the cover and the rest for the message. Alas the section of music selected did not make the tune instantly recognizable.
Take 15: The most appropriate section of music was selected and shot again. 4.5 seconds for the cover and the rest for the message. It looked fine. A suggestion is given to attempt it with the doors closed and the tube light on.
Take 16: The video is shot was the tube light on, the end result was definitely superior to the previous attempts.
Take 17: The video is shot was the tube light and the other LED light on, this was the best among them all.
Mission sort of accomplished!
The reel was uploaded as a
story with the appropriate captions.
As I rewatched it I
realized slight jerks to the camera but it wasn’t too bad.
Clearly, the experience
would have been much more efficient had I invested time researching the various video
edit tools available.
But I do now empathize
with those who indulge in relentless retakes to achieve their vision. I wholeheartedly concur with those who say that the world is unknowingly but perpetually conspiring to ruin video shoots.
Despite all the time and toil, the end product is always unsatisfactory to the maker, what
they had envisioned in their mind’s eye is never realized.
Despite going through hell, paradise was not achieved!
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