The Perfect CLPA Video

[Tim Wescott]

Claudio's video of Chip Hyde reminded me of something I've noticed while watching videos of CLPA flights.  I thought I'd put down my thoughts while they're fresh.

If there's anyone out there with ambitions of making The Ultimate CLPA Video, here's what little ol' me thinks should be included.  Note that some of this is dreaming: I talk about multiple synchronized cameras in here, which is getting deep into pro video territory -- unless you run a news station and can abuse your position, this probably isn't going to happen. 

None the less, I think the "one camera" comments certainly apply.

• Locate the flight and the camera where you can see the plane at all times during the flight. 
  
  • This means, unfortunately, somewhere without a lot of clutter on the horizon,
  • or at least someplace that has a really big white building for a backdrop.
  • and possibly a 100 foot diameter raised circle to fly on, so the trees in the background are at the horizon
• Locate flight and camera so a horizon reference is clearly visible
• If you just have one camera, locate it right at the judges position.
  
  • If you have two, and fancy editing software, focus the second one on the pilot to capture foot- and hand-work.  Then inset the pilot video into the flight video.
  • If you have three, then use the third camera to watch the whole flight from a crosswind position
  • Or maybe put the 3rd camera following the plane
• If you have one camera but multiple flights to record (or if you're filming someplace where the backdrop is horrendous), consider just focusing on the pilot for at least a few flights
• Don't move that first camera much -- if you can't get back far enough that you can capture the entire flight without moving the camera, at least try to keep the ground in view for all but the overheads
• Use a long enough focal length on your "whole circle" cameras that your view of the flight isn't fish-eyed

The only other things that I could add would be snarky comments about music, but you wouldn't like Beethoven or Rossini any more than I like Metal, so I guess I'll refrain.  (Unless you want to put in multiple tracks)

[proparc]

Tim,
This is a fantastic post. If I had a dollar for every bad model airplane video I've, seen(all types-not just control line). It kinda makes one feel stupid for not ever thinking about posting a set of guidelines before.

Even if you only impliment some of these guidelines-they sure should produce a @#nm side better result then most of what I have seen,(I watch a lot of them).

[Dan Bregar]

I vote for Beethoven & Rossini every time ! 

[Rick Bollinger]

AC/DC and Metalica

[Howard Rush]

AC/DC and Metalica

That's F2D music.

[ash]

Good thread!

I think the creation of appealing Youtube videos of our activites is going to be an increasingly important method of preserving/growing the hobby. People need to see it and clearly.

Multiple cameras (even simple digital point & shoot cameras can be useful) and sensible editing is the key to getting both the big picture view and the closer detail. Eyes are good at this, single cameras are not. It's not that hard to do with simple gear and free software, but time and experience shortages make it a challenge.

A pro example -

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMhQ5lYY88I&[/youtube]

[Steve Helmick]

Good thread!

I think the creation of appealing Youtube videos of our activites is going to be an increasingly important method of preserving/growing the hobby. People need to see it and clearly.

Multiple cameras (even simple digital point & shoot cameras can be useful) and sensible editing is the key to getting both the big picture view and the closer detail. Eyes are good at this, single cameras are not. It's not that hard to do with simple gear and free software, but time and experience shortages make it a challenge.

A pro example -

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMhQ5lYY88I&[/youtube]

Nice for a promotional flick or "short subject" for the theater (like the old Canadian film "180 is Max"), but it didn't show a pattern very well at all, IMO. Too much telephoto zooming in/out and too much panning. Pros don't always understand the problem either! Steve

[ash]

Yeah, not a good example for analytical documentation of aerobatics. More useful as a promotional tool.

The clip that started this thread didn't strike me as particularly good in the former category. The panning was way too aggressive and the model was often lost in the change from bright sky to dark ground at the horizon. A handy illustration of "level" but not visually engaging. A functionally difficult problem to overcome without a very very large white sheet backdrop!

[Norm Faith Jr.]

That's F2D music.

I see the corners; the squares; the overheads and the laps in between.

[Cliff Henke]

Tim, I believe this footage describes what your expressing and then there is the Classic 2010 C/L US Nationals, complete view with good commentary of each pattern. Very interesting to learn by. I have found a dozen or so F2B pattern videos up to the above standards you listed. But your right, some of these pilots were robbed of a good self analyst study.
Also I think some are seeing the camera for the 1st time and trying to film control line pattern the 1st time they have seen a control line fly............. just saying.
I am grateful for the ones who took the time and effort to preview their performance on screen for the pubic to admire, before they unleashed. 

This is one of my top 10.