Swoon Media - Video Production Auckland

22/05/2024

https://vimeo.com/944625768?share=copy
It's taken me a while to get around to cutting a new reel but I really like this.

This is "Jon Waters - Reel 2024" by Swoon on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

08/08/2023

Quick interview setup in this beautiful historic Warkworth building that very nearly became firewood back in the late 90s

20/07/2023

My beautiful wife took part in a collaboration workshop, X>1 potters from Auckland Studio Potters with artists from different disciplines. Shot completely handheld, no extra sound gear, manual focus on my bmpcc 6k in BRaw.

The ‘X>1’ Collaborative Sunday Workshops took place on the 18th and the 25th July 2023. Each workshop was attended by 7 potters from Auckland Studio…

19/05/2023

This is the latest instalment in a series of videos I've been creating for ADP Hydraulics NZ. After conducting thorough research on the topic, I had the opportunity to collaborate with Jean, the Fluid Power Engineer at ADP. Together, we brainstormed an innovative approach to marketing this particular aspect ADP Hydraulics. Once we formulated a solid plan, I returned to my office to meticulously craft a script that authentically captured Jean's voice, having gained a deep understanding of his perspective. To ensure comprehensive coverage, I also developed alternative versions of certain parts of the script. My intention was to make the script modular, allowing each section to function independently as a post on Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn.
On the day of filming, I was fortunate enough to have Jean's valuable time, and I deeply appreciate his patience throughout the process. We took our time, conducting multiple takes until I was confident that we had captured exactly what I needed, even though I'm sure he grew tired of the repetition. His cooperation was invaluable, and I'm incredibly grateful for it. The resulting video has a unique atmosphere that sets it apart from anything else currently being produced in this market.
Our target audience consists of individuals who are some of the toughest guys out there, working in physically demanding environments and thriving on their challenging tasks. In line with this, the initial videos in the series featured fast-paced edits accompanied by energetic music. However, with this particular video, I decided to deviate slightly from that style, opting for a more serene approach that allows viewers to absorb the information we aim to convey.
For me, the script and direction were the key elements that contributed to the success of this video. Without dedicating ample time to this crucial stage of production, I would not have achieved the desired outcome.

Hydraulic Servicing at it's best.

12/01/2023

Here is a snippet from the doco I made last year. It's always a challenge finding new and engaging ways to present images as B-Roll. You need to create a common feel for the photos as they are so disparate in their look and style, and from many different sources. With this treatment, I wanted to use the only visual media they had at that time, Photos and movies at the cinema. Some images I thought a small about of colour bought them to life, but I wanted to use this effect sparingly. Pace and timing is so flexible in FCPX as the containers for the sills can be stretched and shortened to fit the pace right on the timeline without having to go into Apple Motion to edit anything. The images are all from Legendary Warkworth photographer Tudor Collins from the Alexander Turnbull Library.

18/10/2022

Shot on my new very cheap vintage Pentax Super-Takumar lens. Just a quick test shot in our garden but it shows why ppl rave about this lens, it has an unreal quality to it.

31/08/2022

https://vimeo.com/715020156
This is a video I've created for ADP Hydraulics, their website is about to go live. I set out to make something heavy metal but still a little light hearted and full of action. I think this is a pretty good video interpretation of the company and the kind of values it stands for. I'm very happy to be giving the oportunity to do work for this company. For the geeks this is all made in FCPX & Apple Motion, shot on the BMPCC 6K.

10/07/2022

I'm animating some old photos for a short doco on the US Marines camps in the Warkworth area 1942. This technique really brings them to life, it feels so immersive.

09/06/2022

I love making LUTs in Pixelmator Pro., my new favourite design app. You can change quite a ordinary image into something with a lot more impact and then unite a series of images with a unique colour tone. You can probably do the same in Photoshop, but in 20 years I never have. It's just so quick to come up with a look, then save the LUT and use it to colour grade the footage in FCPX to match.
This is part of a campaign I'm doing for ADP Hydraulics, who have been amazing to work with. I'm really happy with the way the video looks. I'll be sharing it here with the site launches.

27/05/2022

I'm shooting old people again, it seems to be my thing. These ones are in their mid 90s and just amazing.

11/02/2022

TradeMe User Experience design team demonstrate their creativity with a completely different medium during a team building day out with Rui Ceramics in Warkworth.

09/01/2022

06/08/2021

27/05/2021

I've finally finished the last part of Paper Dolls, the short doco that's been absorbing all of my time over the last 6 months. We have a theatrical release, world premiere, at DocEdge film fest on June 7 with 2 other films plus Q&A with Director Andrea Kahukiwa, Sky City Cinemas 3.00pm. This has been an amazing project for me with a lot of creative control. I shot mostly in BRAW at 6K on a fully rigged BMPCC 6K. Edited in FCPX.
https://vimeo.com/555600832

This is "Paper Dolls - Trailer edit - Fine cut.mov" by Swoon on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

01/03/2021

Level 3 editing of doco Paper Dolls (working title) I'm using an app called Lumberjack Builder that allows you to edit a transcript of the video (interviews) that remains attached to the video clip. This means you can build a story in the column on the right and edit it like a text editor, then send the sequence to your edit program, like Final Cut Pro or Premiere and it will appear as a timeline for further editing. It's brilliant and I don't know why every doco editor isn't using it, it saves that much time. When you are editing interviews every from looks pretty much the same, so being able to see the text is a massive advantage.