A Motorcycle Tale: DC to the Dragon

Discussion in 'Ride Reports - Day Trippin'' started by behindthelens, Nov 21, 2013.

  1. behindthelens

    behindthelens Adventurer

    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2013
    Oddometer:
    30
    Location:
    Frederick, MD
    Hey guys!

    A few weeks back, two friends and I attempted a weekend ride from DC to the Tail of the Dragon and back! We had an awesome time and were in the peak of the fall foliage!

    I brought along a Canon 60d and a couple GoPro's and have been working on an 8-9min edit of the trip. Not quite finished the full edit yet, but here is a teaser that I threw together, let me know what you think!

    -Matt

    <iframe src="//player.vimeo.com/video/79945221" webkitallowfullscreen="" mozallowfullscreen="" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" width="500"></iframe> Motorcycle Adventure: DC to the Dragon TEASER from Urban Forest Media on Vimeo.
    #1
  2. behindthelens

    behindthelens Adventurer

    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2013
    Oddometer:
    30
    Location:
    Frederick, MD
  3. Bobby Ginger

    Bobby Ginger Cat Herder

    Joined:
    Nov 2, 2012
    Oddometer:
    1,064
    Location:
    Denver
    I usually prefer stills and let the pics do most of the story telling. I think that is because most normal folks cannot make video of your caliber. Great job. Sorry this trip got cut short, but based on the video you did not miss anything by not making it to the dragon. The dragon is an experience and there are great roads all around, but the roads you guys came on were also very nice. Glad to see that no was injured in the accidents. Please post in the future, you guys are definitely talented. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:eek:ffice:eek:ffice" /><o:p></o:p>
    #3
  4. Vinbowie

    Vinbowie Been here awhile

    Joined:
    Sep 29, 2007
    Oddometer:
    444
    Location:
    Maryland
    Outstanding video. :clap
    Sorry you didn't reach your goal.
    You clearly still had a great time,
    except for the accident of course.
    I rode the dragon in September,
    in the rain:eek1.
    It was still great and I will go back.
    Where is the lake you camped by?
    Thanks
    #4
  5. Jocassee

    Jocassee Petrolhead

    Joined:
    Oct 7, 2010
    Oddometer:
    367
    Location:
    Souf Carolina
    What are you editing with?
    #5
  6. bogey78

    bogey78 Been here awhile

    Joined:
    Dec 20, 2006
    Oddometer:
    600
    Location:
    North Alabama
    I really enjoyed it. Sorry about the crash. Can't think of anything better than soaking in a hot spring to relieve the soreness from a get off. Great editing and I would love to see some more ride reports in the video variety. :clap
    #6
  7. Gham

    Gham tritagonist Supporter

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2005
    Oddometer:
    2,655
    Location:
    Auburn Hills,MI.
    I liked it:clap Got a very real feel for the trip and you guys did a good job of narration.Kept everyone knowing exactly what was going on.

    Looking forward to your next adventure!
    #7
  8. tedmarshall

    tedmarshall Been here awhile

    Joined:
    Apr 24, 2005
    Oddometer:
    736
    Location:
    Wilmette, Illinois
    Loved it. The mood was just right between the music/interviews/video.

    Do the dragon and let loose!

    Ted
    #8
  9. nckjms

    nckjms Adventurer

    Joined:
    May 19, 2013
    Oddometer:
    28
    Location:
    Columbus, OH
    Fantastic video, did you use a go-pro for the taping? Did you do interview-style sessions or just sit in front of the camera and start talking.
    #9
  10. behindthelens

    behindthelens Adventurer

    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2013
    Oddometer:
    30
    Location:
    Frederick, MD
    Thanks for all the feedback guys! It's awesome to hear you guys like it!

    We used a lot of gopro footage for the riding shots and the interview sessions where I pulled the narration from was on the last day, I just had everyone sit in front of the camera and tell the story from beginning to end. Then I picked through to find which version I liked for each part.

    I edit in Adobe Premiere and After Effects. The lake we stayed at was Lake Watauga just south of Mountain City TN.

    We are planning to shoot another trip next year! I'm really hoping at some point I will be able to ride/document the TAT!
    #10
  11. doc4216

    doc4216 Chronic High Fiver

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2009
    Oddometer:
    763
    Location:
    The Land of Cle
    Great post! Loved the video. Shame you didn't make it to the Dragon but looks like you still had an awesome adventure! Glad you guys were okay. Happy Thanksgiving! :clap
    #11
  12. Miltonkid

    Miltonkid Been here awhile

    Joined:
    Apr 12, 2013
    Oddometer:
    128
    Location:
    New Hampshire
    Great video and footage! Mini documentary style
    #12
  13. CaptnSlo

    CaptnSlo Long timer

    Joined:
    Jul 16, 2012
    Oddometer:
    1,893
    Location:
    VA
    Terrific stuff! Thanks for sharing.
    #13
  14. radianrider

    radianrider Adventurer wanna'be

    Joined:
    Aug 4, 2006
    Oddometer:
    1,828
    Location:
    Avon, IN If we never go, we will never know
    Nice shooting! First, I like the video, but since you asked for constructive criticism (and recognizing that every editor has their own style...)

    Minor quibbles, since you clearly have good control of the editing process

    1. Audio between narration and music was a bit off. Bump up the narration bits a bit.

    2. I've never been a fan of the black over narration sequencing. Just sorta feels jerky to me. A couple of the black sections felt a bit long.

    3. Really like the quality of the shooting and editing other than those two items.

    4. A bit more of an introduction to you guys as people to set up the story would have helped grab the viewer. How long you been friends? How long have you been riding? Who is on what bike? Maybe some lower thirds on the closeups?

    Sure, we are riders and just about any story with riding will get a LOT of attention on ADV, but the stories that matter are about the people who ride.

    Reject any of that if you wish--I watched it a couple of times and enjoyed it as it is!
    #14
  15. TrashCan

    TrashCan Scary Jerry

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2005
    Oddometer:
    11,973
    Location:
    Louisville, Tn
    Cool video.
    Sorry about the change of plans.
    #15
  16. behindthelens

    behindthelens Adventurer

    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2013
    Oddometer:
    30
    Location:
    Frederick, MD
    Thank you for the feedback radianrider! I definitely agree with you on the black screens over narration. Unfortunately that was one of the spots that I just didn't have enough fitting video to go over the narration :/ I also had the gain too low on my camera using the external Rode Videomic... so my audio was quiet and the more I turned it up in post the more background hiss I got too :(

    Definitely took away a few points to improve on the next trip!
    #16
  17. radianrider

    radianrider Adventurer wanna'be

    Joined:
    Aug 4, 2006
    Oddometer:
    1,828
    Location:
    Avon, IN If we never go, we will never know
    Ha! Been there and done that! Nobody EVER said, "I shot too much B-roll." :rofl

    Haven't used Premier, but Final Cut has some filters that analyze the hiss and remove some of it in post. Premier has upped its game, so might have that feature. I always forget to get a few seconds of just ambient noise so I can actually use it. :lol3

    I was doing a shoot with the Marion County Prosecutor a few years ago and accidentally turned off the mic when I moved a camera. Discovered it after five minutes (always wear headphones--except this time) and had to get him to reshoot. He was gracious, but not happy. Learned something on that shoot for sure!

    Anyway, keep at it. I like where you are going with your work!
    #17
  18. behindthelens

    behindthelens Adventurer

    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2013
    Oddometer:
    30
    Location:
    Frederick, MD
    Haha oh man that would suck! I will have to do some searching and see how well the hiss/reduction works in premiere. And thanks, I can't wait to get out and shoot another trip! Hopefully longer this time!
    #18
  19. ameen

    ameen Adventurer

    Joined:
    Sep 29, 2011
    Oddometer:
    78
    Sweet video!
    #19