Watch: Lockdown Sessions // Manly
Byron McLoughlin edited together this frenetic little video from Sunday's swell jump in Sydney.
Shot from drone and land it shows how an already difficult wave can verge on the ridiclous when the swell direction ain't quite right.
Comments
This edit is borderline unwatchable
how? whats wrong with it?
I'm not sure what grievances the guy above has, but for mine, the video just tries to do a bit too much.
This is very noticeable with the mixed sequences near the start. It's a good attempt at style but it just leaves the viewer a bit unsettled.
Also, and I've just had this discussion with Craig, you've gotta learn to edit your own work with a very heavy hand. Just because you filmed something doesn't mean it has to be included.
As I jokingly put it to Craig: Kill your babies.
Sometimes it's tough, you know what you went through to get that shot, but including it will only detract from the whole package.
The more polite expression for editing is 'less is more'. A three minute clip of AAA waves will have more impact then a six minute clip of the same waves separated by filler.
Anyway, you're young and you're willing to get out there and shoot in various ways, and also willing to experiment a bit. These are all very good traits that can be built upon, so good on you for having a go.
I think the negativity is a bit harsh. I found the beginning a bit annoying but the clip great.
thanks, whats wrong with the start?
Byron, thanks for engaging with us.
I found the start almost physically nauseating, or Tourettes-inducing. One thing is to disagree stylistically, and I do that too :-), but this literally turned my stomach. Like some of that ultra-low frequency music.
But hats off to the loonies that took it on. Not exactly user friendly.
GREAT WORDS STU we all started somewhere and if you can handle constructive criticism and learn from it then its only a good thing right. old mate had a dig and thankyou swellnet for promoting the average joe filmers- photographer work as well as surfers. Not every edit is going triple platinum and it sure isn't going to please everyone either.
Get a tripod for a start.
i shot it handheld you just gotta work with what you got
clearly on both counts
sorry?
Hi Byron,
put your clip on swellnet what great idea???? enter the keyboard warrior's!!!! i dont understand why these "keyboard warrior's"have to even comment... they fail to understand the importance of positive affirmation and the result of nasty wording has on other's personally....its a fucking joke every time i read the comments after a story you see the same shit no matter what the discussion.....so don't take it personally mate and don't say sorry to these C...'S keep shooting :-)
On the whole I think the criticism has been pretty respectful and mostly on point. It hurts your pride a bit when people point out flaws in your work, but I've always found that sort of feedback to be pretty helpful. How else can someone expect to improve? I think a much worse result would have been if nobody replied and the clip disappeared into internet oblivion.
clearly hand held and the other thing you said
sorry is wallpaper code for jack mccoy....LEGEND
love yah work byron dm me sometime to talk smack
Sorry, don't mean to have a pile on, but I think it's really important to choose innovative music. There is a solid tradition of Aussie surf movies/clips also featuring Aussie music of the day. You're not obliged to do that, but if you are going to choose a band everyone has heard a million times, maybe try one of their rarer tracks?
Byron,
Sorry didn't meant to be harsh. I had to turn the video off before the end, hence my comments. My main critique is that it's over edited. Playing one second clips sucks. We don't get to see what they wave is actually like or how it started, or ended. Also cutting one clip into multiple clips that stutter is just frustrating. It made me think the raw clip was corrupted. Also splicing a clip with other footage is just pointless (unless you splice in a different angle). Slow mo as well is unnecessary, you get a better feel for a wave by watching it in normal speed. Zooming in on clips just ruins the quality, may as well keep the frame further out (also gets a better sense of wave if you do that). Don't include clips where you loose shot of the rider (e.g the booger at 1.51). It's also hard to shoot a wave from behind. Much better to shoot front on, or slightly to the shoulder of the wave. The drone shots were cool! Especially the more horizontal ones, while the shots directly on top of the wave you lose the perspective and it doesn't add value.
That's just my opinion. Good work for having a crack. I didn't realise you were learning. I shouldn't have said my comment without providing feedback. Keen to see your next video.
Also - check out Surfers of Bali on Youtube. There is reason why their videos are so popular - no editing!
thanks mate for your apology and feedback
ok you can speed it up via youtube
ahahahaha right then
Tough wave alright! Gave myself a neck injury there earlier this year, followed by a bounce off, and scrape along the reef at winki. NEED a narrow board for this wave.
Shit it was difficult out there.
Spewing Maxi's (the bodyboarder) bomb wasn't caught on here. Every inch of 12 foot, triple sucking, multiple double sucks, deep take off, death beast. More psycho than any other footage I've seen from the swell so far.
Looks like one of those surfs where you constantly chase that one good one, don't get it, get nothing but smashed the entire time, and come out happy as Larry.
That's correct except for the come in happy part. I had my heart set on easing into it, building a rhythm, get a couple of bombs. It was so East it left me frazzled!
That just looked horrifying. Dedicated bunch you lot.
Great descriptions...
Ridiculous editing.
Maximising partial waves shown per minute of video is just irritating and gave no sense of drama.
Less slow mo. More full wave consequences. More flow.
Crazy bastards all of you
I'll take jumping mountain bikes any time
Dont get me wrong, love watching the paddle 100x more than a tow, but why doesn't this spot have 8 dickheads on jetski's? As oppsed to the cape having a jetski out there every time it break.
That just does not even remotely look like fun.
Hey byron mcloughlin,
thanks for putting this up, but there is some justification re the criticism of the editing. But hey, the best thing is, I'm sure your next vid is going to be so much better.
Don't let the criticism stop you. Don Bradman scored 18 and 1 in his first test and he got dropped. The great man bounced back and made the critics eat their words for the next 2 decades.
Here's some tips. Be brutal with the cuts. Anything that is over exposed or with mist on the lens (drone footage at the end) doesn't make the final product. Let the wave speak for itself. More raw footage with less cuts would be more effective. Half the story of Deadman's is the beatings after the wipeout. Looks like you picked the song first and then tried to match the footage length to the tune length. Hence the slow-mos and lower quality footage making the cut. Go easy with the slow-mos and keep them for the A+ footage.
Don't take this as abuse. I still watched it to the end because Deadman's is very watchable. Just reckon 3-4 mins with a lighter editing touch would have delivered a better end result.
Good luck.
From what I gather of Sydney on a big swell there is a couple of nasty reef/half waves like this, the odd bombie then good luck with the beachies. Ahh if we could only get to Indo again you wouldn't even bother with this stuff.
FoMo Slo Mo must be a Northern beaches thing/ Played it at double speed expecting to hear the chipmuncks doing a punk version of iron man but NO. Yes the music was faster but Ozzy's voice is unchanged.....
ok?
It's all good bro just an unrelated observation.
That made my day, great stuff
Surprised by the criticism/feedback. Deadman's is my local ( although I prefer the relative safety of the Bower ) and the waves were awesome. Bower/Winkie was pretty solid too but way more doable than Deadies. Thanks for the footage to remind us of the day. To all the desk top critics come and paddle out to deadies next big South Swell so we can take some footage of you Sh%$ing yourselves !
thanks bro
Winki is my local as well. I rocked off at Deadies 12.30pm on Sunday. Spent 30 mins there, didn't get any (swell too East). Drifted down to Winki and got a couple of bombs. See you out there next time.
I reckon we should crowd fund jfs Guide to Propositional Logic along with Byron's guide to film making
The criticism has been mostly of the editing. Haven't seen anyone bagging the actual surfing. Or am I missing something?
Worst edit I’ve ever seen get off the crackpipe
thanks
For the boogers out there check out the drops and beatings at 1:50 2:30 and 3:40
To get a feel for the critical take off check out drone footage at 3:47
Hey Byron, noticed the drone hovering above our sessions at Bower/Winki too - is there any more footage to check out ?
thanks for that, when are we talking about?
That could of been a one minute dream video, sadly/frustratingly it wasn't.
A useful editing technique is to literally step back a few metres from the screen and watch your work with fresh eyes.
I once crammed in too many shots to an edit. When up close and being super familiar with the footage I just could not grasp what I had done. Then an experienced editor suggested I step back and watch again and my mistake was clear as day.
It hurt to lose good shots but once they were gone they were forgotten.
Great advice, I received similar from Stu again today re my gallery ;p
I've spent hours on a single image in Photoshop to go have lunch, come back, realise it looks like shit and start again.
The wave at 2.40 after he belly flops, a crazy face appears in the lip.
Pretty trippy.
Maybe it's the deadman.
Hey BYRON , thanks champ for the video you compiled . I liked lots of this edit . Just remember your in Australia and its an Aussie tradition to tear strips off people . Don't be dispirited by all the highly trained film producers/directors above . Some of the comments were just their honest tips on what they like and don't like .
I personally couldn't/shouldn't get behind a lens , so I don't .
I reckon when you drop your next vid , it will be even better , keep it up mate .
Good point!
It is surprising no one ended up dead man!
That is one of the craziest bits of footage of a swell... I have seen at this place.. ever.
With the footage in this young fellas hands, surely with the addition of interviews an hour or so long doco could be scraped together.
The day or so looked... most unique...
It's interesting how things have changed. Years ago when I lived behind the bower nobody ever really surfed deadmans with this swell direction. It's hard enough in the right swell, let alone the mutations with too much east in it.
I'd have preferred to see the entirety of the waves which were made rather than the focus on beatings, as the drop out there is a piece of work in itself.
In keeping with many earlier comments, it could have been a tight 1:30 full speed edit with a couple of horror wipeout slo-mos and you'd be killing it.
Ha ha Tango beat me to it.I grew up in Manly a long loong time ago, 70 's into 80' s and can't remember anyone out there although I am now cooked. Haven't been back ,a much much bigger world out there,Big bower as a grom was enough and the lords at Winki . Dutchy (Greg Dutch ) ripped and Burnetti also Me old mate Kingo had a go .Hats off to the young blokes taking this on now,fair dinkum having a go ,onya s
Wasn't a good day for that spot but I thought the video was OK. Needed more south and Winki / Bower would have been a better choice. Being a good surfer there also means making good choices and not being stupid because you will get hurt. If the wave doesn't get you the sea urchins will and Ive pulled lots out of my feet getting washed up along there back in the day. Fortunately you don't have the added hazard of turds and sewerage to infect your cuts that we had in the early days.
Back on the edit, for the record, it was the first 40 seconds that just really jarred. It got quite a lot better .after that
For the vid makers, myself and many others like:
- to see the paddle in and take off and ride conclusion (pull off or wipeout) - the full wave (it gives a sense of roundedness to a ride and the take off in super sucky waves is really interesting).
- some full consequence post wipeout shots following the surfer as they struggle to dodge the next sets and deal with rocks etc is always really interesting but rarely shown.
- the jump off rocks dramas are always interesting too in heavy spots but rarely shown
- slow motion sometimes but not too much.
- occasional short sharp edits followed by a longer sequences is easy on the eye.
- I will watch quite a long video if it grabs me - this Deadmans one would have been a good one to have lengthened - not shortened - and told more of a story here and there with some points above.
Go and make your own video frog!! id love to comment on it, i'm sure it would be all class....especially because your such a legend...............
There is nothing wrong with constructive criticism. Helps people learn and improve.
I have watched the video quite a few times now. That is unusual these days so it must be pretty good. Deadmans is such a spectacle.
I could watch an hour of just raw footage on a day like that.
Check out the guy wiping out at 2.15 - I would love to see what happened to him in the next 30 seconds. A personal preference.
Here is my frog video - I'm ripping. Edit is pretty basic though....
Byron good attempt mate,a lot of the critisism is warranted so take it on board and learn.Good on Swellnet for giving you an oportunitity to show your work and hope to see more of it in the future....there is some great advice above........good luck.
I didn't think it was too bad. Quite enjoyed it actually.
I'm guessing Byron's quite young and if he takes onboard some of the more constructive criticism from above, I'm sure the next stuff will be bigger and better.
Good on ya Byron for taking on board the feedback.
Speaking from personal experience, sometimes it's hard to read opinions that aren't always favourable, but twenty years of constructive criticism has certainly made me a better forecaster.
Ain't that the truth.
Excellent pattern-recognition skills and a thick skin are essential in the world of forecasting.
I think you said it well Simba & Zen....I wouldn't take it personally Byron. Checking out your YouTube channel - shows you are just getting into Surf Vids. If you check with the masters (or any artist for that matter) it takes years if not decades of trying and failing - so dont expect to post early work and get 5 star reviews. Even Tim B gets smashed for things and he is OLD!!!!! (insert smiling Emoji) Look for the insight behind the keyboard warrior bile and onwards and upwards.
BTW - I reckon you should rename it "Russel made it look so easy!" - which is what I reckon was going through the heads of 90% of the crew as they got pitched onto that ledge and snapped their beautiful dusted off big wave boards. Did that guy at 1:14 even HAVE a board? I was laughing too hard to see....
Ill give them all credit for paddling out - its heavy at a fraction of that size and I suppose you have to learn somewhere. Im just glad I didnt grow up in the digital age where every head first pin drop at Deadmans was posted to the world.
Hey Byron,
Thoroughly enjoyed the clip. Nothing better than massive beatdowns to a a great music clip. Haven't listened to Black Sabbath's "Iron Man" in ages.
Here's the original for you kiddies
HAVE LITERALLY CREATED AN ACCOUNT ON SWELLNET JUST TO COMMENT ON THIS VIDEO.
Just want to say that:
1. This is THE best video that has appeared on swellnet. period.
2. Everyone that has commented adversely on this video, really sucks. And was almost certainly not out that day. I have no idea who you people are, and how you have the time to post adverse comments here about "cinematography" and "editing". Is this a forum for surfers, or is this the new home of Surf-Film Critics Anonymous?
So why is this the best video:
(i) Because you will never see a video of this break that is this gruesome. It is so gore-filled that it basically features no make-able waves. When have you ever seen a video of no make-able waves that is not taking the pi55 and not an outtake video? Well, here it is. This video shows what this wave is like most of the time.
(ii) This is a serious wave, and this clip shows just how unpredictable and sketchy it can be IRL (in. real. life.) on this kind of swell.
(iii) This is heart-in-the-mouth stuff. It is MEANT to be difficult to watch. This wave IS difficult to watch on and off the screen. It is rare that video induces the same gut response as does real life- this is a prime example.
(iv) It's great that this was published here, instead of the usual ultra-refined Patagonia crap pumped out for the masses accompanied by alt rock and rasta drum beats.
@Admin: Thanks for posting this. Please don't remove it. Keep it on the site for posterity. So it can be referenced and shared. Have already shared it with those who appreciate its value.
@Byron. Thanks.
best comment ive seen all day, much love for this thanks dude
Byron I think you need to slow down and appreciate that people actually took the time to comment on what was obviously a rookie piece of work. Take it like a grown-up and not personally. Learn and grow. Avoid the sycophants like this muppet with the comment name, you'll get nothing from them because at the end of the day, despite you being Gen Y or Millenial, not every child wins a prize in real life.
Tango,
Bravo Sierra.
Another contribution brimming with intellect, I see. Though I suppose it's a little more coherent that the one you've deleted, but which graced my inbox all the same. What a time to be alive.
"usual ultra-refined Patagonia crap pumped out for the masses accompanied by alt rock and rasta drum beats" ...excellent response not sure what all the ho ha is about it is just a surf clip for F%$#ks sake not high art.
Me thinks @memlasurf that this was brought upon ones own head, by the budding surf videographer. Its hard to not be amused by the fact that second comment in is a somewhat defensive reply from Byron (ie. He's glued to the screen, refreshing the browser waiting for the love to flow). So maybe it was all stirred up a little too much. Personally - but then again maybe I'm going all existential on this bad boy - its a fascinating microcosm of our modern world. The YouTube generation take up a craft, throw it to the world expecting glory and praise and stardom - and are perplexed when people don't like it. (The keyboard warriors spew bile - the older ones (cough, cough) try to offer support and "what can we learn from this"sort of parenting vibes._
So yes - a lot of reactions to a video - but also a fascinating inter-generational narrative.
So in summary are we all taking ourselves too seriously and like everything these days, here today, gone today. Next!
It's a pretty decent video from a guy who is still developing his craft.
"This is THE best video that has appeared on swellnet. period."
I think you might be overreaching a little there Sunshine.
This is THE best comment that had ever appeared on Swellnet. Period.
Thanks, but I think you might be overreaching a bit there too Blowy me good matey.
Perhaps the best comment ever on Swellnet….tribute?
Totally agree with bestvideoeveron.
Isn't this a surfers website ?
The cinematography critiques seem so out of place with the heavy sh%@t that was captured and shared.
Byron any footage of Bower/Winki sessions on Sunday arvo as the sun set ?
I thought this was a great video. It is a gut churning place to surf and I really feel that the video captured that. I loved the slo-mos and all the hapless wipe outs. It really took me right there and creeped me out no end! Yes, I agree it could do with some better editing, but in this case I think more is more. As for the criticism, like all comments boards, take the constructive criticism, and ignore the rest.
Hey Byron,
Don't worry about the haters mate you have a video that's been published! Couple tips:
- Slo mo is like a finishing punch or a special dance move gotta be sparing. All of us have gone overboard with it before hard not to.
- KILL THE BABIES again super hard to do but it's the key .
- Go buy a second hand tri-pod with a fluid head it's a game changer, even ask around and some guys that are pro shooter may even have an old one they can lend ya. Miller is the shit mate best ever.
- Don't over shoot or you will be stuck in the edit suite till ya 90.
- This one is a bit of a stinker but every stinker you release is one step closer to the gold.
Stick with it mate it's a brave move going public with the work and you will shudder in the future when you watch your old stuff but your away, go hard!
Thanks for your vid Byron. Art is always personal and I know first-hand how hard it can be to put it out there for the world to critique. Harder probably than some of the avatars on this feed will ever know.
Good on your for taking it all with class. Try to ignore the dickheads, and hopefully some of the more constructive feedback will help you on your journey.
thanks mate comments like thease make my day
I've only every made one video, and here it is, from 13 years ago!
Shakey AF and low quality but at least the footage matches the song. Ha.
Byron's footage is much more compelling but IMO the editing needs to be worked on quite a bit. Great constructive criticism above though.
Lucky I stuck with photography.
I'm pleased to report that your taste in music has also improved over the last decade.
now that shits all over Byron's pile of crap
Hahahahaha
(:
Shakey AF? I will just assume you were giving the West End Draughts a good nudge on your trip to SA.
Shakey as fark.
I grew up there VL and nah, just cold, shaking pre-post surf handheld vision.
Ha ha! "Filmed and Shaken by Craig B".
Ain't that the truth. But actually, quite a good watch.
Not bad Craigos. You covered a lot of spots there.
Haha, and yeah didn't I Bknref.
No different to last decade of Hollywood DDT's. You were before the times Mr Craig...
Next generation then..
your images craig are sub par fullstop, i wouldn't be thrown to much shade if i was you
Thanks Punchy, want to elaborate? Seeing as there's constructive criticism going down in here.
Not enough breasts.
Nor seagulls
not enough collagen injected into them.
yeah spot on Craig with the low quality shaky as af like a day after a meth bender but hey stick with it you have potential......might even get a cover on swellnet one day.....heehehehe ...jokes mate......
Shaken.........not stirred.
Far out, gotta be honest, i watched the video and the last thing i was thinking of was the editing. I loved the opening with Ironman, and was thinking how good old school tunes sound with heavy waves. I feel like I'm that one person looking at the picture that everyone sees is blue and white, but to me is gold and green.
But for most of the video i was just wondering at what point does the wrong swell direction make this place unsurfable because it looks like very real consequences when that second gurgle sucks up after the takeoff. Gnarly efforts by all out there and was stoked to see the place in all it's horrendous glory in that swell angle. Enjoyed it. Thanks.
Terrible direction to surf but great to watch it go mutant. I'm also very surprised no one really hurt themselves bad on this swell. It's very very ugly and has so much weight and ocean behind each set, some of them are almost backless.
thank you
Awesome music, wicked footage of a beast of a wave…..not sure what more is missing? Better than a heap of vids, it held my attention.
Awesome wave and sick little clip. Do what you love, keep diversifying and go for it!
I fully agree with Numbatt Byron... Keep up the great work.
Old wise saying
" Great spirits receive violent opposition from mediocre minds"
This can probably be extended to other thread subject matter...
Good work Byron
What a day to be out there giving it a crack...
You lucky buggers!!!
I like blunt criticism... perhaps a little too much... and I think tango is on the money re. the generational thing, and being able to take criticism, and use it to your advantage...
also, don't relish in your sycophanatics too much, but hey that is all a generational thing, and not really your fault...
but having said that, I liked this vid, the beginning was a bit too jittery, but you matched the music well, ...generally... perhaps a little too well, music clip style... hence the criticisms of over editing
always a fine balance the music, some crew pick terrible music, which there's no coming back from, and some crew pick good music, but seem to do little to try to match it, which seems a lost opportunity... you overdid it, which was your creative flair bit, well done for that, just a bit too overdone in the first few seconds, but hey, even that bit has it's merits
I agree with whoever said that day was about carnage, and you could have drawn out more some of the after effects and lead ups to that carnage. some of us really want to see that shit, but we don't want a tacky endless summer wipeouts reel, your too short carnage snippets here comes back to what I said about the music video tactic, so just depends what you are aiming for
stunet and others gave excellent technical advice (kill your babies etc.), but honestly, I think most people are tired of overpolished vids of perfect rides. i enjoyed the empty waves and double/triple ups, and i enjoyed the wider angle shots. both of these gave more of a feel for the line up, which was the real star that day
but yeh, probably could edit out the more glarey and not clear shots
take the criticisms, but break the formula...
(read the oversaturation thread, ...i watched it to the end, very rare...)
I rekon we should start a page called swellnetzflix where we can all upload our shitty home made surf flix that never need to be seen by the larger world on yourtube, And then sling shit on each other about the crap video editing and lack of ability/style in the water. Comments can only be added after 6 beers minimum. As close as you'd get to being at the pub during lockdown.
I thought it was great.
Good to hear some Sabbath, most vids these days have the gayest music
Don't listen to anyone except yourself.
Opinions are like assholes everyone's got one and most are like shit.
good vid mate
no matter what ,something will always fire up the haters.
One thing that is alarming is the number of people prepared to risk
their life so they can get ON a video. LoL
You could hardly call that a surfable wave it’s more like a massive close out with one second of glory. Does anyone actually make the wave? When it’s smaller maybe?
Wow you can tell everyone is in lock down, sfa to do, I’m more impressed with the people surfing places like this that just shouldn’t, seen lots of adult intermediate surfers getting way above their heads since COVID. People will drown soon
That's a good point, I reckon, drodders. Years ago it was either 'CT aspirants or extremely good surfers who would have a crack. Now it seems there's a whole mob willing to throw themselves under a bus, I just hope they don't get seriously hurt.
Byron, I enjoyed it all! And the music that goes with it, Black Sabbath, the Original in Heavy Metal, awesome! It really suits in my opinion!
Loved that video although it was painful to watch. I mean, smashed when you dont make it...and smashed when you do make it. Can a surf video be depressing?
I thought the music really suited that brutal wave.
Just watched it again...loved it even more. You armchair surf video experts are boring as F(*&. Go Byron make another one!