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Help With Surf Video

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Lou.
Posts: 1787 - Karma: 3,876
Hey NS,
So I normally film ski edits but I have a friend who is sick at surfing and he wants to film a surf video. Im stoked to try filming something new so I agreed. Im just looking for any tips on filming a surf edit. Anyone made on? Tips? Tricks? Any insight is appreciated. I have the tokina 11 16, t3i, glidecam hd2000, 18-55 kit, some 50 dollar 50-300mm zoom, cheap directional mic, gopro hero 2, and a nice tripod. Im just wondering if you guys have any insight on how I should shoot, angles, tips, anything just because im clueless at how to film a surf video
Dec 26 2013 8:21PM
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raymondcabral
Posts: 747 - Karma: 1,094
Watch some pros surf videos and try to do what they do? I would mount the gopro on his surfboard and then stand on the shore, or in a boat, with the zoom lens and the camera mounted of the tripod. Sorry to not have very much info, but this is what i would do.

Just curious what 50-300mm lens do you have and is it any good?
Dec 26 2013 8:42PM
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Lou.
Posts: 1787 - Karma: 3,876
Thanks man, will do. The 50-300 is a piece of shit. My uncle gave it to me when he got a an actual lens. He previously used it to take pictures of his kids playing soccer haha. I looked it up and it retails for like 70 bucks. I dont have it with me now so I can't even remember what its called. But ya its shitty. I may rent a nice telephoto for the surf edit
Dec 26 2013 9:13PM
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DrZoidberg
Posts: 5676 - Karma: 4,297
Find the edits of john john florence on vimeo, like these http://vimeo.com/65625885, I'd say they're filmed well.
Dec 26 2013 9:32PM
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foodisfun
Posts: 5427 - Karma: 287
probably goes without saying but typically early morning/late afternoon will give you the best (most interesting) light. glidecam and 11-16 prob won't be of much use except maybe for some pre/post surf lifestyle shots like waxing the board, putting in the fins, etc.

definitely use a tripod and the tele lens for footage from the beach; it will probably take some practice to track him smoothly but play around with different zoom lengths and framing. also look around for interesting features to include like wildlife, lifeguard stands, other people, driftwood... don't be afraid to go down the beach a bit too so you're at more of a diagonal to him rather than facing him straight on.

with the gopro you have a bunch of options so just do whatever comes to mind. u can swim with him in the lineup and get as close as possible, or have him hold it or mount it on the board. could also just get some empty wave shots with it in the barrel (assuming it's barreling).

kind of obvious but remember it's really sandy and usually windy so be sure to protect your gear. try and clean off the tripod as best as possible before collapsing the legs so there's not a bunch of sand grinding around in the little spaces.

that's all i can think of right now but as others have recommended just watch a few edits and get some inspiration.
Dec 26 2013 11:09PM
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Lou.
Posts: 1787 - Karma: 3,876
Thanks man
Dec 27 2013 9:38AM
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AElot
Posts: 462 - Karma: 9
I surf more than i ski,and watch a ton of surf movies, and know some filmers. they say its really boring to film, casue you just stand on the beach next to your tripiod and wait for your friend to get some waves (which can take a long time sometimes) basically just follow your buddy in the water and he should be in the back1/3 of the frame in the direction he is travelling. better to be more zoomed in than out, becasue the waves will look smaller. i suggest dressing warm and prepare for long waits of no waves.
Dec 27 2013 12:17PM
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Mar-O
Posts: 960 - Karma: 827
Remember watching this video a while ago, didn't re watch it now so cant remember if it had some helpful tips or not but here you go:
Dec 27 2013 2:35PM
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Rafiki
Posts: 3858 - Karma: 2,251
if you wanna shoot in water and have an iphone/galaxy, get one of these cases. my friend was an intern for surfer mag during pipemasters and he shot a ton of footage with his 4s and one of these cases
Dec 27 2013 3:08PM
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NickVentura
Posts: 243 - Karma: 1,229
Just like AElot said, but if its cold by you, everyone will be head to toe in neoprene which is hard to differentiate who is who out there. I would try and use something to be able to tell who your friend is like tying something to his arm or just tracking him while he's out there. You could also use the glide cam while he is getting dressed, waxing his board and even following him onto the beach. I have not seen any surf edits so far with a glide cam involved. Good luck and have fun
Dec 27 2013 4:18PM
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juicedrummer11
Posts: 1960 - Karma: 1,331

vimeo.com/24380083

can't embed but this guys seems to know how its done

Dec 30 2013 3:30PM
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juicedrummer11
Posts: 1960 - Karma: 1,331
clicky -   http://vimeo.com/24380083 
Dec 30 2013 3:33PM
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