The Wolfs Dance Christmas 2011 *NEW VIDEO* [from The Wolfs Dance Disney folks]

[accarson]

Great video again!!! Thank you for posting!

 

[MommyRobin]

That was simply amazing! You have such amazing talent and such a fun family!

 

[CVW]

Thanks for all the kind comments. It's definitely fun to share the video, but hopefully even more fun if we can spark a few of you to do the same.

LOVE IT!!! Thank you for sharing!
...He's on the hunt for new software (and a new computer to handle it all), what did you use?

What editing software do you recommend for a novice editor using a PC? Not wanting to break the bank on software of course...

And thanks for taking your time to help others.

I used a Mac, and learned editing on iMovie two years ago for our first video. Now I use Final Cut Pro 7. The opening sequence I assembled in Apple Motion, which had a really tough learning curve.

For Mac owners, it's easy. Use iMovie until you outgrow it. For PC owners, there's different opinions and I don't use any of them, but I'd go with Adobe Premiere Elements. If you ever do decide to go higher end, you can step up to Premiere, which is pro quality. But more importantly, there's TONS of info on the web by Premiere users. Kind of like the DisBoards. You miss all the help when you're trying to vacation elsewhere. Same way with Premiere Elements.

Hopefully some other experts can chime in with their thoughts for the PC.

Nicely done! Looks like it was mostly shot on DSLR, very good quality. My question is, did you use some sort of mini stabilizer for the moving shots, or was that pure handheld? Or camera shake fx like Adobe AE or iMovie?

Most of the smoothest handheld shots were done with a Steadicam Merlin. It folds up neatly, and I'd rent a locker at each park and bring it out for an hour or so each day. (If you're really savvy you'll notice that the Steadicam shots were done within a couple hundred yards of the lockers.) My camcorder has a "super stabilizer" button on it which I kept pressed down most of the time.

The "prettiest" shots were done on my DSLR ( a Canon T2i) but DSLR's are slow to set up and don't have autofocus. You can rely on it for amazingly beautiful footage, but you can't rely on it for running and shooting. I spent most of the day with the camcorder. I didn't have to take much footage with the DSLR, because it all looks so good.

I try to avoid stabilizing software. It tends to magnify your image and crop it in ways you won't like.

Awesome video!!! What type of video camera did you use? The quality is great.

I spent most of the day with a Canon HF G-10. It's a great camcorder, and you can pick it up and run with it. (There are cameras just as good for less money. I went with this one because it can run in almost full manual mode, which is rare on a camcorder; and it can shoot 24 frames per second, which no other camcorder can do. If you don't know what that means then you don't need this camera.)

The shots with the shallow depth of focus were done with the Canon T2i and (usually) a 50mm lens. It's harder to use, but gives amazing results. DSLR video is certainly all the rage. (They actually filmed an episode of "House" on a DLSR.) But they're hard to use when you're trying to actually be part of the family.

The underwater stuff was done with an Olympus Tough TG-810. (I can strongly recommend it over the GoPro...but others will disagree.)

 

[tinksgilrs251520]

Great Video, I wish my family would do this with me I have two people that dont go with me and my daughter is shy when it comes to acting like kid... But is great watching your videos

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

that was AMAZING!!!

 

[tkitty]

And the Oscar for "Best Family Vacation Video", goes to....
The Wolfs!

Your videos make me cry.....in a very nice way.
Thanks for letting us join your wonderful family as they enjoy their vacation.
Hope your already planning the next one.

 

[Jakesmom504]

Awesome video!! Loved it!

 

[GAGirlInVA]

LOVE IT! It made me misty eyed!!!

 

[WDWAtLast]

Great job! Love that you included your son texting throughout the video - many of us can relate to that! Can't wait to see your family on the castle in October!

And you know that one day (several years away!) you are going to have to capture your children's weddings/receptions in the Wolf family tradition!

 

[OB1]

This is like the Harry Potter series. I can't wait to see the next one.

THANKS for sharing

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

Wow, your family really is pretty cool! I loved your first video and am so happy to see another one!

First of all, fantastic job shooting and editing the video but most of all, it is obvious that your family loves each other and knows how to have a great time! So cool that some DISers made an appearance!!

 

[kimgof]

Loved watching your video. All you videos have been wonderful. I would love to do something like this with my family but I am more the photographer than the videographer. I am familiar with Photoshop with my photos but none of the video software. Did you find it easy to use? Since I am familiar with editing photos would I be able to just jump into editing video as well? My DH can get me the software , I was just curious as to how difficult it was to use. Also, I only have a flip camera for video. Do you think I could do something with that?
Again, great job on your video. I have watched them all and they all show how much your family is fun and loving life.

 

[Buttercup2009]

Once again, AWESOME video!!! I have been axiously awaiting the release and it didn't disappoint! You guys are so much fun. Thanks for all the work you put into making these videos. They always put a smile on my face.

 

[BAMLuvMickey]

I was just wondering when you guys were gonna have your new video up the other day! Thanks for sharing it made my day today...
BTW, Can we vacation with you? your vacations seem like you have so much fun...

also, love the throwback to 2 years ago your kids have grown so much!!!

 

[mmullena70]

Thanks for sharing! Your kids are blessed to have parents who do so much to make special memories for them.

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

The underwater stuff was done with an Olympus Tough TG-810. (I can strongly recommend it over the GoPro...but others will disagree.)

I had been looking into the GoPro ... just curious as to your thoughts.

 

[matt&jakesmom]

Your family ROCKS!!! I can't believe that 2 years has gone by since the first one. As much as I am still partial to the 1st one, I enjoyed this as well. If you ever go at the end of August, post so that my family can "dance" in your video. You have put together some incredible treasured memories that your family and their families will enjoy for many years. God's Blessing to your family.

 

[Minnesota!]

Love it! I want to be a Wolf!

 

[daisylove]

Love, love, love your videos. My children and i watch them all the time for a disney fix.

 

[LJD2143]

Your videos explain (in pictures, not words) the reason we keep going back to Disney year after year.

THANK YOU!