The Mike Pulcinella bodybuilding video challenge!

Mike Pulcinella · Mar 26, 2008

Now that I've posted a bunch of tips on creating better workout and posing videos...

http://www.professionalmuscle.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33247

...it's time for my "students" to begin to respond.

Using the techniques that I've outlined, create a short video and post it for us all to evaluate. Then, using whatever suggestions you think are good, re-edit and repost the final improved version.

Since this is a bodybuilding forum, for now let's keep the subject matter of the vid related to bodybuilding. That still leaves a lot of room for individuality and creativity!

Is there anyone brave enough to take me up on my challenge??

michael arvilla · Mar 26, 2008

I got this!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVjPZNdkVlE

Mike Pulcinella · Mar 26, 2008

michael arvilla said:
I got this!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVjPZNdkVlE

Rule number 1: It can't be shot with a freakin' PHONE off the TV!!!

Sigh. Arvilla, what am I gonna do with you?

Mike Pulcinella · Mar 26, 2008

steele said:
Mike,
allright bro, i will post one hopefully no later than this friday night (3/27/08) and see what you think. i just started cutting it this week and should be done by then!!! STEELE

Lookin' forward to it!

Mike Pulcinella · Mar 26, 2008

Remember everyone, any video that gets posted here gets critiqued...not criticized! Feel free to add your opinion but...

"That sucked!!!" is not an acceptable post.

"That sucked!" followed by WHY that sucked and HOW it could suck less IS an acceptable post.

Conversely, "Loved it!" is always nice to hear but we'd like to know exactly WHAT you liked about it. The point of this thread is for people to post their work and improve through constructive criticism. It's important to know what worked as well as what didn't.

michael arvilla · Mar 27, 2008

That sucked!

STEVO 47 · Mar 28, 2008

I can't even post a picture in the members section
so don't even expect a video from this dumbass

Kcm3000 · Mar 28, 2008

STEVO 47 said:
I can't even post a picture in the members section
so don't even expect a video from this dumbass

im right there with you brother. i dont even own a damn camera....and idk about a camera phone video lol

STEVO 47 · Mar 28, 2008

Kcm3000 said:
im right there with you brother. i dont even own a damn camera....and idk about a camera phone video lol

well beings I'm not alone in some strange way
makes me feel better

Mike Pulcinella · Mar 28, 2008

STEVO 47 said:
well beings I'm not alone in some strange way
makes me feel better

That's okay. This thread is for people who are already fooling around with video and want to take it to the next level. However, don't let that stop you from watching the entries when we get them and giving your opinions. All input is valuable.

Mike Pulcinella · Mar 28, 2008

steele said:
taking longer than i thought (of course) and hope to have it finished kinda late tonight. -STEELE

Don't sweat it bro. And don't rush it. It always, always, ALWAYS takes longer than you think it will! That's why there's so little good stuff out there. Because good editing takes an enormous amount of TIME and PATIENCE that not everyone has.

We'll be here when you are ready.

norm1220 · Mar 28, 2008

Here is a 5 minute clip of my fiancee and I training last night. Weights and equipment provided by Pete's Downtown Gym in Anchorage, Alaska. Music courtesy of Tool and Van Halen.

http://www.youtube.com/v/lD8S3hUt8rU

This video stuff is kinda fun...

Mike Pulcinella · Mar 28, 2008

norm1220 said:
Here is a 5 minute clip of my fiancee and I training last night. Weights and equipment provided by Pete's Downtown Gym in Anchorage, Alaska. Music courtesy of Tool and Van Halen.

http://www.youtube.com/v/lD8S3hUt8rU

This video stuff is kinda fun...

Anyone else want to give their opinion before I give mine?

STEVO 47 · Mar 28, 2008

Mike Pulcinella said:
That's okay. This thread is for people who are already fooling around with video and want to take it to the next level. However, don't let that stop you from watching the entries when we get them and giving your opinions. All input is valuable.

Thanks for not making fun of me. one of these days I'll figure it out.

Mike Pulcinella · Mar 31, 2008

norm1220 said:
Here is a 5 minute clip of my fiancee and I training last night. Weights and equipment provided by Pete's Downtown Gym in Anchorage, Alaska. Music courtesy of Tool and Van Halen.

http://www.youtube.com/v/lD8S3hUt8rU

This video stuff is kinda fun...

I find it hard to believe that you've been reading my video tips thread because there are several glaring novice errors in your video that I've covered pretty thoroughly in there.

Let me start by discussing the positives. You have a husband/wife or boyfriend/girlfriend team working out together. That's great! It's a nice angle to explore. But the couples angle might be better served if you got someone else to shoot you together so we can see the interaction between the two of you.

The most glaring problem with your video is we can't SEE you! You are shooting into the bright light of an open window making you turn into a silhouette. This was covered in the tips thread. Tip #2. "Camera, action....what did I forget?"

The shots are without variety and too long. We don't need to see you taking the plates off off the bar for your drop set. A little editing can go a long way to making this more interesting. See Tip #6. "A lie that tells the truth."

The entire piece is too long. At this point the only people who will want to watch this is you. If you really want to make this interesting to other people so that they will care that it is "to be continued" you are going to have to show us more. More detail, more intensity, more personality.

There are a lot more subtle things that I could discuss about this piece but I think you need to read my tips thread and watch the examples and then give it another try. I guarantee that if you apply even a few of the tips I've outlined your next video will be FAR better than this one.

http://www.professionalmuscle.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33247

Mike Pulcinella · Mar 31, 2008

steele said:
DAMN IT! all excited last night cuz i FINALLY decided i was done editing the video (i could edit ad nausea) and go to put it on youtube and had NO IDEA HOW!!!! arg!!! gonna try to figure it out tongiht

gonna watch that video now...

NORM1220, Bro, you are a beast! video is alot of fun! whatever camera you used makes it look dungeon-style training. some different angels would be cool to see and more edits would speed up the process of the workout making it feel more motivating. At least you could get it on youtube :-( -Steele

What was your problem? Was it how to export your movie? Or was it how to upload to Youtube?

norm1220 · Mar 31, 2008

OUCH..... guilty as charged. I did NOT read your tips until after I posted the video. Once I read them I realized that I was making just about every mistake possible!! Well, at least it is a good example of exactly what you said not to do.

Video #2 will be better because of the advice, but I'm still going to be stuck with the 'Dungeon' look because of my cheap camera. Who knows, maybe it could catch on..... kind of like the Blair Witch Project did. (LOL)

Mike Pulcinella · Mar 31, 2008

norm1220 said:
OUCH..... guilty as charged. I did NOT read your tips until after I posted the video. Once I read them I realized that I was making just about every mistake possible!! Well, at least it is a good example of exactly what you said not to do.

Video #2 will be better because of the advice, but I'm still going to be stuck with the 'Dungeon' look because of my cheap camera. Who knows, maybe it could catch on..... kind of like the Blair Witch Project did. (LOL)

Don't worry about the cheap camera. My first documentary was shot completely on a $500 palm sized camcorder. You can overcome low-end technology with good lighting and creativity.

You have the raw materials for a great video! Please give it a second try! But remember to let me see the sweat and the strain. Keep things moving along. Match the energy of the images to the energy of the music. And along the way let us learn a little about who you are so that we will care how well you do.

Yes, that was a good example of what not to do!! LOL! But now with your second attempt you have the opportunity to be our best "before and after" example! Go for it!

Good luck!

Mike Pulcinella · Mar 31, 2008

steele said:
i obviously am gonna have to reduce the quality and/or compress the video file for it to fit on youtube cuz its not close to fitting.

It's all part of the process. Getting your finished video exported to ANY format, including DVD, is always a compromise between file size and quality. Keep trying. It takes a bit of trial and error to get it right.