Jessica sent me the following email, asking for feedback on her high school media studies project.
I’m a 17 year old piercing apprentice studying in Hong Kong, and I intend to pursue a career in film and television. I combined my two passions together and for my final film project, I created a documentary about tattoos and piercings in Hong Kong.
As part of the project, I’m looking for feedback both from people involved and interesting in the subculture. I was wondering whether it would be possible for you to tell me what you think of it, or even help me post this somewhere so I can gain some criticism that isn’t the youtube “lol datz good”?
Happy to help! Here it is; let her know what you think.
Comments
140 responses to “Hong Kong Tattoo Documentary”
I quite enjoyed it, as has been said it’s not terribly innovative, but I actually don’t really think that that was the point of the piece. Maybe I’m wrong? Anyway, for someone who doesn’t spend their time on Modblog and isn’t tattooed or pierced it would be an informative and interesting watch I think so well done!
I quite enjoyed it, as has been said it’s not terribly innovative, but I actually don’t really think that that was the point of the piece. Maybe I’m wrong? Anyway, for someone who doesn’t spend their time on Modblog and isn’t tattooed or pierced it would be an informative and interesting watch I think so well done!
yeah, it was good
the whole heavy metal band bit ruined it for i think…
coz it was all everyone has them all hairdresser n that its not just gangs triads and stereotypes and then…
THUMDUMDUM DUM!RAAAWR
yeah 😐 not for me
yeah, it was good
the whole heavy metal band bit ruined it for i think…
coz it was all everyone has them all hairdresser n that its not just gangs triads and stereotypes and then…
THUMDUMDUM DUM!RAAAWR
yeah 😐 not for me
yeah, it was good
the whole heavy metal band bit ruined it for i think…
coz it was all everyone has them all hairdresser n that its not just gangs triads and stereotypes and then…
THUMDUMDUM DUM!RAAAWR
yeah 😐 not for me
yeah, it was good
the whole heavy metal band bit ruined it for i think…
coz it was all everyone has them all hairdresser n that its not just gangs triads and stereotypes and then…
THUMDUMDUM DUM!RAAAWR
yeah 😐 not for me
I liked it. I liked it a lot. I do agree regarding the history blurbs that maybe they could be arranged into one section possibly before the start of the contemporary part of the video. That way they could be a bit more detailed and made relevant to each other.
I liked how you presented each person being interviewed; I’ve never been one for sticking in deep and profound thinking where it’s not needed so I liked the woman getting her tounge redone and the guy getting his first tattoo. It shows the fun side of it, and that not every modification being done HAS to include some level of profound seriousness. It can (and usually is) be done for fun.
I liked what the man stated regarding tattooing being a part of mainstream fashion, because it is, and not enough people want to admit it. There’s more than one side to everything.
Long story quick, this is a very good project 🙂 I hope it’s received well!
I liked it. I liked it a lot. I do agree regarding the history blurbs that maybe they could be arranged into one section possibly before the start of the contemporary part of the video. That way they could be a bit more detailed and made relevant to each other.
I liked how you presented each person being interviewed; I’ve never been one for sticking in deep and profound thinking where it’s not needed so I liked the woman getting her tounge redone and the guy getting his first tattoo. It shows the fun side of it, and that not every modification being done HAS to include some level of profound seriousness. It can (and usually is) be done for fun.
I liked what the man stated regarding tattooing being a part of mainstream fashion, because it is, and not enough people want to admit it. There’s more than one side to everything.
Long story quick, this is a very good project 🙂 I hope it’s received well!
I liked it. I liked it a lot. I do agree regarding the history blurbs that maybe they could be arranged into one section possibly before the start of the contemporary part of the video. That way they could be a bit more detailed and made relevant to each other.
I liked how you presented each person being interviewed; I’ve never been one for sticking in deep and profound thinking where it’s not needed so I liked the woman getting her tounge redone and the guy getting his first tattoo. It shows the fun side of it, and that not every modification being done HAS to include some level of profound seriousness. It can (and usually is) be done for fun.
I liked what the man stated regarding tattooing being a part of mainstream fashion, because it is, and not enough people want to admit it. There’s more than one side to everything.
Long story quick, this is a very good project 🙂 I hope it’s received well!
I liked it. I liked it a lot. I do agree regarding the history blurbs that maybe they could be arranged into one section possibly before the start of the contemporary part of the video. That way they could be a bit more detailed and made relevant to each other.
I liked how you presented each person being interviewed; I’ve never been one for sticking in deep and profound thinking where it’s not needed so I liked the woman getting her tounge redone and the guy getting his first tattoo. It shows the fun side of it, and that not every modification being done HAS to include some level of profound seriousness. It can (and usually is) be done for fun.
I liked what the man stated regarding tattooing being a part of mainstream fashion, because it is, and not enough people want to admit it. There’s more than one side to everything.
Long story quick, this is a very good project 🙂 I hope it’s received well!
that was a pretty sick documentary, jess.
keep it up. =]
that was a pretty sick documentary, jess.
keep it up. =]
that was a pretty sick documentary, jess.
keep it up. =]
that was a pretty sick documentary, jess.
keep it up. =]
First modblog comment 😀 been reading for two years now.
For a 17 year old student film, you mangaged to give this a decent production value, congrats! to take this to the next level, constider invensting in a decent mic you can put on a boom arm. Sound is sooo important. Also storyboarding and planning out your shots (pan, short, long) to give your different takes visual appeal.
Another way to up the production value is to white balance. Everyone in your video is kind of orange. Getting a 17 % grey card, or using the preset white balance settings then fine tuning in your post production video editor of choice will make a big differense. Just dont turn them blue or white! I like warm skin tones.
take a lesson from this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UOa7tkByrw wicked useful to me.
I think your introduction being 1 min and 30 seconds is too long. I started to feel like that was the movie itself, rather than a
‘hook’. The bit about not seeing tattos, under suits that follows the title, that would make a great hook. Its around 1.30 secs in that i get interested. Perhaps grabbing a clip or two of the two lovly people talking about the evolving social perceptions around tattoos around 2 mins would complement and round out the hook.
also 6.18 when the man is saying ‘its fashion’ Thats a powerful line and could make a good hook.
I like how you pan around the studeio a bit while we still hear your interviewees talking.
I would like some sort of name or salutation to pop up when we meet a new person. Be creative! Rather than narrated over the interviewrs voice like with the man who got a monkey pirate tattoo (which is wiked sweet!)
the person you interviewed at 11:40 has harsh shadows across herface. Use a reflector http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reflector_%28photography%29 (specificly ‘board reflector’ to give a more pleasing illumination to her face.
Awsome video overall! I can tell you put a lot of work into it. I think you have a knack to documentary’s. Please share more if you make them.
Alex
[email protected]
First modblog comment 😀 been reading for two years now.
For a 17 year old student film, you mangaged to give this a decent production value, congrats! to take this to the next level, constider invensting in a decent mic you can put on a boom arm. Sound is sooo important. Also storyboarding and planning out your shots (pan, short, long) to give your different takes visual appeal.
Another way to up the production value is to white balance. Everyone in your video is kind of orange. Getting a 17 % grey card, or using the preset white balance settings then fine tuning in your post production video editor of choice will make a big differense. Just dont turn them blue or white! I like warm skin tones.
take a lesson from this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UOa7tkByrw wicked useful to me.
I think your introduction being 1 min and 30 seconds is too long. I started to feel like that was the movie itself, rather than a
‘hook’. The bit about not seeing tattos, under suits that follows the title, that would make a great hook. Its around 1.30 secs in that i get interested. Perhaps grabbing a clip or two of the two lovly people talking about the evolving social perceptions around tattoos around 2 mins would complement and round out the hook.
also 6.18 when the man is saying ‘its fashion’ Thats a powerful line and could make a good hook.
I like how you pan around the studeio a bit while we still hear your interviewees talking.
I would like some sort of name or salutation to pop up when we meet a new person. Be creative! Rather than narrated over the interviewrs voice like with the man who got a monkey pirate tattoo (which is wiked sweet!)
the person you interviewed at 11:40 has harsh shadows across herface. Use a reflector http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reflector_%28photography%29 (specificly ‘board reflector’ to give a more pleasing illumination to her face.
Awsome video overall! I can tell you put a lot of work into it. I think you have a knack to documentary’s. Please share more if you make them.
Alex
[email protected]
First modblog comment 😀 been reading for two years now.
For a 17 year old student film, you mangaged to give this a decent production value, congrats! to take this to the next level, constider invensting in a decent mic you can put on a boom arm. Sound is sooo important. Also storyboarding and planning out your shots (pan, short, long) to give your different takes visual appeal.
Another way to up the production value is to white balance. Everyone in your video is kind of orange. Getting a 17 % grey card, or using the preset white balance settings then fine tuning in your post production video editor of choice will make a big differense. Just dont turn them blue or white! I like warm skin tones.
take a lesson from this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UOa7tkByrw wicked useful to me.
I think your introduction being 1 min and 30 seconds is too long. I started to feel like that was the movie itself, rather than a
‘hook’. The bit about not seeing tattos, under suits that follows the title, that would make a great hook. Its around 1.30 secs in that i get interested. Perhaps grabbing a clip or two of the two lovly people talking about the evolving social perceptions around tattoos around 2 mins would complement and round out the hook.
also 6.18 when the man is saying ‘its fashion’ Thats a powerful line and could make a good hook.
I like how you pan around the studeio a bit while we still hear your interviewees talking.
I would like some sort of name or salutation to pop up when we meet a new person. Be creative! Rather than narrated over the interviewrs voice like with the man who got a monkey pirate tattoo (which is wiked sweet!)
the person you interviewed at 11:40 has harsh shadows across herface. Use a reflector http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reflector_%28photography%29 (specificly ‘board reflector’ to give a more pleasing illumination to her face.
Awsome video overall! I can tell you put a lot of work into it. I think you have a knack to documentary’s. Please share more if you make them.
Alex
[email protected]
First modblog comment 😀 been reading for two years now.
For a 17 year old student film, you mangaged to give this a decent production value, congrats! to take this to the next level, constider invensting in a decent mic you can put on a boom arm. Sound is sooo important. Also storyboarding and planning out your shots (pan, short, long) to give your different takes visual appeal.
Another way to up the production value is to white balance. Everyone in your video is kind of orange. Getting a 17 % grey card, or using the preset white balance settings then fine tuning in your post production video editor of choice will make a big differense. Just dont turn them blue or white! I like warm skin tones.
take a lesson from this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UOa7tkByrw wicked useful to me.
I think your introduction being 1 min and 30 seconds is too long. I started to feel like that was the movie itself, rather than a
‘hook’. The bit about not seeing tattos, under suits that follows the title, that would make a great hook. Its around 1.30 secs in that i get interested. Perhaps grabbing a clip or two of the two lovly people talking about the evolving social perceptions around tattoos around 2 mins would complement and round out the hook.
also 6.18 when the man is saying ‘its fashion’ Thats a powerful line and could make a good hook.
I like how you pan around the studeio a bit while we still hear your interviewees talking.
I would like some sort of name or salutation to pop up when we meet a new person. Be creative! Rather than narrated over the interviewrs voice like with the man who got a monkey pirate tattoo (which is wiked sweet!)
the person you interviewed at 11:40 has harsh shadows across herface. Use a reflector http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reflector_%28photography%29 (specificly ‘board reflector’ to give a more pleasing illumination to her face.
Awsome video overall! I can tell you put a lot of work into it. I think you have a knack to documentary’s. Please share more if you make them.
Alex
[email protected]
Overall I did enjoy wathcing it, but I have to agreee with Tom for Real 14#. The link between body modification and heavy metal is too stereotypical. Myabe try to reeduce the amount of heavy metal within the piece, or try to incorporate other aspects from mainstream culture.
But over all well done.
Overall I did enjoy wathcing it, but I have to agreee with Tom for Real 14#. The link between body modification and heavy metal is too stereotypical. Myabe try to reeduce the amount of heavy metal within the piece, or try to incorporate other aspects from mainstream culture.
But over all well done.
Overall I did enjoy wathcing it, but I have to agreee with Tom for Real 14#. The link between body modification and heavy metal is too stereotypical. Myabe try to reeduce the amount of heavy metal within the piece, or try to incorporate other aspects from mainstream culture.
But over all well done.
Overall I did enjoy wathcing it, but I have to agreee with Tom for Real 14#. The link between body modification and heavy metal is too stereotypical. Myabe try to reeduce the amount of heavy metal within the piece, or try to incorporate other aspects from mainstream culture.
But over all well done.
some of your voiceovers (the translations) are hard to hear or stumble with words.
some of your voiceovers (the translations) are hard to hear or stumble with words.
some of your voiceovers (the translations) are hard to hear or stumble with words.
some of your voiceovers (the translations) are hard to hear or stumble with words.
Nice work, but as it was said before the historical part should be at the beginning, use it as an introduction and you could go forward in time mentioning the Triad members getting tattooed before getting to what it’s like now, it would complement the commentary by the guy who says it’s now mainstream and people don’t associate tattoos with organized crime anymore. Maybe it’s the guy studying history in me who speaks, but I think this part could be a bit more organized 😉
I have to agree with what Tom for Real said, stating that it’s now mainstream and that everyone gets tattooed and then showing the metal band is just a way to make people think that you contradict yourself by associating tattoos with metal… You could mention the fact that they get tattooed to celebrate their second tour, but I wouldn’t show a lot of footage from the show…
Nice work, but as it was said before the historical part should be at the beginning, use it as an introduction and you could go forward in time mentioning the Triad members getting tattooed before getting to what it’s like now, it would complement the commentary by the guy who says it’s now mainstream and people don’t associate tattoos with organized crime anymore. Maybe it’s the guy studying history in me who speaks, but I think this part could be a bit more organized 😉
I have to agree with what Tom for Real said, stating that it’s now mainstream and that everyone gets tattooed and then showing the metal band is just a way to make people think that you contradict yourself by associating tattoos with metal… You could mention the fact that they get tattooed to celebrate their second tour, but I wouldn’t show a lot of footage from the show…
Nice work, but as it was said before the historical part should be at the beginning, use it as an introduction and you could go forward in time mentioning the Triad members getting tattooed before getting to what it’s like now, it would complement the commentary by the guy who says it’s now mainstream and people don’t associate tattoos with organized crime anymore. Maybe it’s the guy studying history in me who speaks, but I think this part could be a bit more organized 😉
I have to agree with what Tom for Real said, stating that it’s now mainstream and that everyone gets tattooed and then showing the metal band is just a way to make people think that you contradict yourself by associating tattoos with metal… You could mention the fact that they get tattooed to celebrate their second tour, but I wouldn’t show a lot of footage from the show…
Nice work, but as it was said before the historical part should be at the beginning, use it as an introduction and you could go forward in time mentioning the Triad members getting tattooed before getting to what it’s like now, it would complement the commentary by the guy who says it’s now mainstream and people don’t associate tattoos with organized crime anymore. Maybe it’s the guy studying history in me who speaks, but I think this part could be a bit more organized 😉
I have to agree with what Tom for Real said, stating that it’s now mainstream and that everyone gets tattooed and then showing the metal band is just a way to make people think that you contradict yourself by associating tattoos with metal… You could mention the fact that they get tattooed to celebrate their second tour, but I wouldn’t show a lot of footage from the show…
I enjoyed this and found it interesting. I agree with comment #20 that the content could have been organised better – in particular, more thematically – but I thought the quality of the narrative was generally good. Well done!
I enjoyed this and found it interesting. I agree with comment #20 that the content could have been organised better – in particular, more thematically – but I thought the quality of the narrative was generally good. Well done!
I enjoyed this and found it interesting. I agree with comment #20 that the content could have been organised better – in particular, more thematically – but I thought the quality of the narrative was generally good. Well done!
I enjoyed this and found it interesting. I agree with comment #20 that the content could have been organised better – in particular, more thematically – but I thought the quality of the narrative was generally good. Well done!
I would try to make your intro a little shorter. I started losing my focus after a short time. As stated previously, I would maybe reconsider my music in the soundtrack, maybe something more contemporary. Audio balance is off a little bit. I would bring up the narrative part or lower the music. A tripod is a must, or at least a shoulder stabilizer. Work on the transition into the conclusion and make it slightly longer. The thought process seems to just drop off. Otherwise, you did a great job and clearly worked on this for some time.
I would try to make your intro a little shorter. I started losing my focus after a short time. As stated previously, I would maybe reconsider my music in the soundtrack, maybe something more contemporary. Audio balance is off a little bit. I would bring up the narrative part or lower the music. A tripod is a must, or at least a shoulder stabilizer. Work on the transition into the conclusion and make it slightly longer. The thought process seems to just drop off. Otherwise, you did a great job and clearly worked on this for some time.
I would try to make your intro a little shorter. I started losing my focus after a short time. As stated previously, I would maybe reconsider my music in the soundtrack, maybe something more contemporary. Audio balance is off a little bit. I would bring up the narrative part or lower the music. A tripod is a must, or at least a shoulder stabilizer. Work on the transition into the conclusion and make it slightly longer. The thought process seems to just drop off. Otherwise, you did a great job and clearly worked on this for some time.
I would try to make your intro a little shorter. I started losing my focus after a short time. As stated previously, I would maybe reconsider my music in the soundtrack, maybe something more contemporary. Audio balance is off a little bit. I would bring up the narrative part or lower the music. A tripod is a must, or at least a shoulder stabilizer. Work on the transition into the conclusion and make it slightly longer. The thought process seems to just drop off. Otherwise, you did a great job and clearly worked on this for some time.
I liked the content, and while the technical aspects could do with a little polishing, it was really well done considering the (assumed) lack of precision equipment and experience.
I hope you keep at it 🙂
I liked the content, and while the technical aspects could do with a little polishing, it was really well done considering the (assumed) lack of precision equipment and experience.
I hope you keep at it 🙂
I liked the content, and while the technical aspects could do with a little polishing, it was really well done considering the (assumed) lack of precision equipment and experience.
I hope you keep at it 🙂
I liked the content, and while the technical aspects could do with a little polishing, it was really well done considering the (assumed) lack of precision equipment and experience.
I hope you keep at it 🙂
this is good, i definitely respect the production value. the intro is a little long. watch out for audio discrepancies – your voice over sounded very different and very ‘weird’ opposed to the interview audio, almost as if it were shot with the camera mic in a small room. i would say re-do the VO’s altogether, but keep the writing, it fit very well. the first guy getting tattooed could have been interview somewhere other than the couch – it’s the second time we see the couch for an interview, it makes the viewer uneasy. the lighting on the tongue piercing interviewee makes her look pretty awful (there’s an episode of seinfeld where a woman only looks good in some light and terrible in others – she looks terrible because of the straight over head light that casts long shadows over the face – just like this interview). i would make the ending a little more dramatic. all in all, this was a pleasure to watch, most definitely. great job.
this is good, i definitely respect the production value. the intro is a little long. watch out for audio discrepancies – your voice over sounded very different and very ‘weird’ opposed to the interview audio, almost as if it were shot with the camera mic in a small room. i would say re-do the VO’s altogether, but keep the writing, it fit very well. the first guy getting tattooed could have been interview somewhere other than the couch – it’s the second time we see the couch for an interview, it makes the viewer uneasy. the lighting on the tongue piercing interviewee makes her look pretty awful (there’s an episode of seinfeld where a woman only looks good in some light and terrible in others – she looks terrible because of the straight over head light that casts long shadows over the face – just like this interview). i would make the ending a little more dramatic. all in all, this was a pleasure to watch, most definitely. great job.
this is good, i definitely respect the production value. the intro is a little long. watch out for audio discrepancies – your voice over sounded very different and very ‘weird’ opposed to the interview audio, almost as if it were shot with the camera mic in a small room. i would say re-do the VO’s altogether, but keep the writing, it fit very well. the first guy getting tattooed could have been interview somewhere other than the couch – it’s the second time we see the couch for an interview, it makes the viewer uneasy. the lighting on the tongue piercing interviewee makes her look pretty awful (there’s an episode of seinfeld where a woman only looks good in some light and terrible in others – she looks terrible because of the straight over head light that casts long shadows over the face – just like this interview). i would make the ending a little more dramatic. all in all, this was a pleasure to watch, most definitely. great job.
this is good, i definitely respect the production value. the intro is a little long. watch out for audio discrepancies – your voice over sounded very different and very ‘weird’ opposed to the interview audio, almost as if it were shot with the camera mic in a small room. i would say re-do the VO’s altogether, but keep the writing, it fit very well. the first guy getting tattooed could have been interview somewhere other than the couch – it’s the second time we see the couch for an interview, it makes the viewer uneasy. the lighting on the tongue piercing interviewee makes her look pretty awful (there’s an episode of seinfeld where a woman only looks good in some light and terrible in others – she looks terrible because of the straight over head light that casts long shadows over the face – just like this interview). i would make the ending a little more dramatic. all in all, this was a pleasure to watch, most definitely. great job.
hell yea to the MSI music in the background. 🙂
hell yea to the MSI music in the background. 🙂
hell yea to the MSI music in the background. 🙂
hell yea to the MSI music in the background. 🙂