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Mocks 2012

Mock Presentation (September 2011)

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NL
Ne1L C
Hello

I'm new to this forum. I've designed new idents for British channels Both real and fictional. The first video is for ABC based on the premise that it is still going and serves the UK on ITV 1 at Weekends.


http://www.youtube.com/user/nezzac?feature=mhee#p/u/19/2SsufRy8CtA
JA
james
Not good. Shocked
NL
Ne1L C
Can I ask why it's not good?
JA
james
Well if you are on about this video here : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SsufRy8CtA&feature=channel_video_title

It has bad editing, a stock video of some clouds and a horrid soundtrack.
Last edited by james on 13 September 2011 8:10pm
NL
Ne1L C
Ok. I appreciate your remarks thanks. Can you or indeed anyone give me any tips on how to make them better?
JA
james
Ok. I appreciate your remarks thanks. Can you or indeed anyone give me any tips on how to make them better?


Sure. Normally I say 'don't bother' but credit where its due you seem to want to improve your mocks so here goes:

1) Start from scratch. Sit down and plan the mock from the very beginning. Use a pencil and paper even before letting yourself loose on your computer software.

2) Check out safe areas. They are important as TV channels use them to make sure everyone can see what they are meant to see. Use this template to plan your mocks : http://img390.imageshack.us/img390/4405/aspectratioguide640x3600zi.png (Credit to dbl for the template).

3) When you have created a design, don't instantly publish to YouTube. Leave it for an hour or a day and see what it looks like in the morning. A fresh set of eyes may make you think your 'amazing' work from the day before isn't as good as you thought it was! Laughing

4) When you have done all of the above steps then publish to YouTube or where ever and work upon the feedback given from users (there is nothing more annoying than people who just want to hear comments like 'Amazing 5/5!').
NL
Ne1L C
Thanks for that. I do post to youtube a lot and in all honesty comments are few and far between. Quite a few views though.

I would love to be as good as "makingmocks" and "tvmocks2010".

Do you think it would be worth putting some other mocks up I've done?
SR
SomeRandomStuff
All this ABC ident needs is a proper logo... as for the others, If you saw them on TV, what would you think? (you're 3000+ views for that Aweful Granada Ident are because you mislabelled it.)

I don't want to put you off doing these, but a few tips...

- Use complete proper logos. Having a BBC Logo followed by "Entertainment" in a completely different font, and size, and in the wrong alignment, does not make for a good mock.

- When you use Stock Graphics, use them in such a way that they dont look like you've just plopped in the text and a random shape, and fiddled with a few buttons. There is nothing wrong in using them if you have personalised them.

- Pick the right music. Some of those pieces you have used are instantly recognisable as Stock Music from iMovie, ive got them all on my Mac, but i'd never use them. There are plenty of websites online that provide royalty free music samples that are not so recognisable. Or have a go on Garageband, you can probably create something using the loops.

There is other stuff such as safe areas, and all that crap, but until you've got the design right i wouldnt worry about those...

With the tools that you have (iMovie 11, Final Cut Pro X and Apple Motion) you should be able to come up with idents that are many times better than what you're currently producing. You cant think what you've produced is good.

I suggest, keep going, but don't clutter up Youtube, or this Forum until you produce something you feel is brilliant.
NL
Ne1L C
Thank you. I've never thought what I produced was good. I make mocks for pleasure more than anything. Can anyone suggest any tutorials?
JA
james
There is other stuff such as safe areas, and all that crap, but until you've got the design right i wouldnt worry about those...


Surely it is best to start designing to the correct ratio and safe areas from the start? Confused If you design a video then hack it to bits to make it 'safe area correct' then it will look ridiculous.
SR
SomeRandomStuff
james posted:
There is other stuff such as safe areas, and all that crap, but until you've got the design right i wouldnt worry about those...


Surely it is best to start designing to the correct ratio and safe areas from the start? Confused If you design a video then hack it to bits to make it 'safe area correct' then it will look ridiculous.


I will rephrase - The entire video is doomed from the start unless you've got the design right, so I wouldn't worry about safe areas until then.

Besides, these programmes are designed so you can 'hack it to bits' because each element is separate, titles can be altered, graphics can be tweaked, and if you really are serious about this, its better that you learn to correct your mistakes than to do everything perfect the first time.
JA
james
Quote:
its better that you learn to correct your mistakes than to do everything perfect the first time.


No! The thing you should do is start from scratch. I am sorry but the way you are going about it is stupid. If you want to do it right, do it right. There is no work around. There is no ' well that will do, as it looks half decent '. Either do it right or don't. Simple.


/rant over

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