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Synopsis - so what did you guys think?

Acadian

Born Again Newbie
Sep 5, 2001
714
2
Blah Blah and Blah
I posted a quick review on Pinkbike.com last week after watching it http://www.pinkbike.com/modules/news/?op=articleview&id=2408

After watching it again this weekend I can Synopsis wasn't great…

I just can’t find the words…

Stunning might sum it up a little better ;)

Music: This has been discussed in length already – no use beating a dead horse. There will always be people bitching about the music selection. I personally like the variety or music used in Synopsis. Some songs were better than others, but for the most part it went really well with the footage.

Footage: Clay is becoming a pro at this! :thumb: Most of those big budget movies use more than one camera, lines in the trees, etc… I think Clay did a fabulous job at picking out the sweet spots on the courses. He did a great job with the zoom ins and zoom outs – most of the time this is one area filmers lack at. The only section that I recall being a tad repetitive was Lopes hitting that little rhythm section over and over – but then realized that he never hit it the same way.....cool.

Rider interview: AWESOME – that is all I have to say. That was so flippin’ good. There is NOTHING cooler than hearing the riders opinions/perspective!!!! WAY TO GET IT DONE!! And the fact that he inserted those bits right before each chapter/race was nice. + he split them up for DH and DS/4x. I still have a smile on my face from some of John K’s comments – he rules! Some of the cussing might upset some parents – but it juts makes it “pure”. Cutting that out would be like speeding or slowing down footage ;) Four thumb up, that was awesome…

Format:
- Chronological order +1
- Event name right before footage starts +1
- Nice soft font to identify riders +1, which was displayed just long enough to read, but not too long to distract +1
- always had the name of the people getting interviewed even if they were shown previously +1
- didn’t Display the soundtrack name during the movie +20 (I don’t like that personally)
- No MX +20
- No BMX/street…all dirt +100
- Chapter pages with animated thumbnails + 1 (too bad you can’t click on them)
- split screen with video at the bottom for the bonus selection screen +1
- you get the point…Synopsis passed this test with stellar ratings.

Editing:
nice...no more scratching like on the second spectacle ;) Excellent.

Length of the movie was good – I can’t believe some people were saying it was too long. Heck I rather have a movie that is 2 hours than one that is 30mins long filled with non riding footage.
Synopsis also use just the right amount of “filler”. Synopsis is all about riding…and that is how I like it! Reason why I kindda like True North – it’s ALL riding.

I personally think Synopsis might be the new benchmark - I might be bias since it's been so long since I've watched a new movie (Earthed, Collective, etc... all have been out for a while now and I haven't seen Earthed 2 yet) - but Synopsis made a first impression like no other movie has - other than maybe Transcontinental, but that is a long time ago. But still I think Synopsis's content is on par.

I'm probably forgetting some stuff...Got to take my had off to Clay!! He should be damn proud - he definitely rinsed it with this one. Please don't mind my spelling mistakes - it's still too early and I haven't had my coffee yet! Okay off to brew come joe...

PS: I'm still laughing at Jared Graves monkeying around at the end (tapping his head then hitting that freeride stunt) hahahaahahha
 

profro

Turbo Monkey
Feb 25, 2002
5,617
314
Walden Ridge
I fell asleep around the Crankworx stuff. :rolleyes:

It felt like a bunch of raw footage thrown together. I couldn't hear what in the world Sam Hill or Bryn Atkinson were saying and it seemed to drag on and on.

With one camera I admit he can't be all over the place and get all the great shots, but there were somethings he just missed. The best example was the gaint drop at Durango. The underneath shot was massive, but he only showed it twice?????? There are some scences he showed over and over a kazillion times, why not that one.

Plus the footage at Mammoth was WEAK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I bought it and I'll watch it over and over, BUT with the music off and it won't be in the roation as much a Earthed.
 

Acadian

Born Again Newbie
Sep 5, 2001
714
2
Blah Blah and Blah
profro said:
I couldn't hear what in the world Sam Hill or Bryn Atkinson were saying and it seemed to drag on and on.
First time I watched it was on my Computer - and the sound was perfect. This weekend Carlos and I watched it on TV and on there it was hard to hear the rider interviews..its like the music wasn't dimmed enough.

Even with the sound up Carlos couldn't understand what Sam was saying (due to his accent)...I didn't have any problems understanding what he was saying...guess it's a Euro-French Canadian thing :p
 

profro

Turbo Monkey
Feb 25, 2002
5,617
314
Walden Ridge
Yeah,

"Murrmmur murrrmmmurrr, I can corner really good"...Sam Hill :p

But I can say that I have hella respect for Andrew Neethling now. That guy has some sick style, plus that washout he has in the Calgary section is SICK :eek:
 

Acadian

Born Again Newbie
Sep 5, 2001
714
2
Blah Blah and Blah
profro said:
Yeah,

"Murrmmur murrrmmmurrr, I can corner really good"...Sam Hill :p

But I can say that I have hella respect for Andrew Neethling now. That guy has some sick style, plus that washout he has in the Calgary section is SICK :eek:
oh when he hits those course markers - I was thinking "thank god those weren't rebar"
 

stiksandstones

Turbo Monkey
May 21, 2002
5,078
25
Orange, Ca
I have not seen the full version yet...supposed to get one this week. Mammoth coverage probably looked weak, because the race was weak looking to the eye as well. Cant wait to get the video...although I am afraid of the length.
 

Zutroy

Turbo Monkey
Dec 9, 2004
2,443
0
Ventura,CA
BMXman said:
so where can I get synopsis and the second spectacle?

www.justpushplay.com has them.

I gotta say i really liked the vid, i agree with the interview thing, it did seem like the sound balance was off on some of them. Although i did like alot of the interviews...the 4x comments where pretty good...i also liked the talk about getting nervous...actually made me feel better about how nervous i get before a run.

There was alot of great footage in there, some more cameras probably would have helped if they had some more cameras, but what he got I think was great.

The music...I gotta say the first time i watched it, i didn't like alot of the music, however after watching it a few time I'm really diggin alot of the stuff i didn't like. It seemed to me instead of just throughing in some hard banging music like most of the vids, he was really trying to find music that fit the course and the mood of the riders about it.

I really like it, i'm ranking it up there with earthed, and Plush2 which are probably my 2 fav vids a the moment. I think for his age and what he has to work with, he's doing great....i mean if the stuff looks like this now, what's it going to look like in a couple years?
 

stiksandstones

Turbo Monkey
May 21, 2002
5,078
25
Orange, Ca
It would have been nice if Clay were around 10 years ago when people like FOX were pissing out money to young MTB film makers. I know what Clay could make with those budgets and staff of "back in the days" and it really would have set a mark. I am not saying he is some godlike movie maker, but he really loves racing, riding, the riders, the skills, the personalitys and is able to catch it all pretty well. Anyway looking forward to it.
 

-BB-

I broke all the rules, but somehow still became mo
Sep 6, 2001
4,254
28
Livin it up in the O.C.
Acadian said:
I personally think Synopsis might be the new benchmark - I might be bias since it's been so long since I've watched a new movie (Earthed, Collective, etc... all have been out for a while now and I haven't seen Earthed 2 yet) - but Synopsis made a first impression like no other movie has - other than maybe Transcontinental, but that is a long time ago. But still I think Synopsis's content is on par.
Great writeup. :thumb:

I'll have to check it out.
Every film since Trans Continental has been a letdown IMO.
Good to watch once, but not enough for the humdreds of viewings TransCont has had. :drool:
 

stiksandstones

Turbo Monkey
May 21, 2002
5,078
25
Orange, Ca
profro said:
You thought the Mammoth DH race was weak? :rolleyes:
Sorry about that, I was more thinking the 4X there. DH was pretty cool to see-minus the "cemetary vibe" finish area, but the track was cool. Hope that clarifys it.
 

dondon

Monkey
Mammoth was kept short because it didnt fit in with the rest of the movie since it didnt have alot of the international riders he was profiling. It also was not part of the series he was following. I didnt find any repetitive shots in there - if you appreciate style skill and racing you would see that each shot was strong in showing a different riders take at the same section of course. Showing more than 2 shots of the Durrango drop would be repetitve -same goes for crashes - its okay as long as it just doesnt show cooks crashing just for the hell of it, that would take away from the professional race feel of the video. Clay also had some balls on some of his song choices - what you would think would end up sucking actually grows on you the most.
 

Motionboy2

Calendar Dominator
Apr 23, 2002
1,800
0
Broomfield, Colorado
I liked it a lot, the first time I watched it I didn't even notice the length. However I have noticed the length the 2nd and 3rd times that I watched it.

I like the music, I love the interviews, The shots are awesome. Graves with the drifting right then drifting left in the corner at Keystone is just AWESOME.

There are a few things to clean up or tighten up in there, but over all I really like that movie! (OH the one thing that I didn't like was the copy that I had didn't work in my dvd player, but it worked in my computer)
 

BMXman

I wish I was Canadian
Sep 8, 2001
13,827
0
Victoria, BC
stoney98 said:
transcontinental made we start racing. I wanted to huck then I saw transcontinental. No movies since transcontinental have made we want to race and ride FAST like Clay's movies
same here...D
 

911

Monkey
Feb 28, 2002
275
0
Vail CO
My favorite part was in the credits when Graves does his best freeride/hucker immitation... classic.
 
Feb 10, 2003
594
0
A, A
stoney98 said:
transcontinental made we start racing. I wanted to huck then I saw transcontinental. No movies since transcontinental have made we want to race and ride FAST like Clay's movies. I can only imagine about Synopsis. It might make me want to start riding/racing again.
you are calling me after u get off work tommorow and coming up to my shop and buying the last copy we have. DO IT!!
 

DylanDeanDesign

Turbo Monkey
Dec 10, 2004
1,097
0
San Diego area, California USA
best movie that' i've seen in a while! but it's missing something....oh yah... MORE OF ME!!!! i mean come on....only a 2 sec clip of me shooting photo!?!?! I know people want to see more of me!!!! well, ok...maybe not. :D :D :D
I'm just stoked that Clay put me (& my name next to my clip) in his movie!!
(In case you're wondering, i'm in the Snowmass section i think).


& i agree w/ whomever said it...the funniest part was w/ Graves screwing around on the "freeride" section, banging his head & getting lifted onto other guys shoulders....funny stuff!

I'm truly stoked to see a good race flick. Clay keeps getting better every time! I can't stand the Freeride vids.

CLAY for President!
 

SinatorJ

Monkey
Jul 9, 2002
582
51
AZ
I personally liked the Pat the pro on the back sessions. these guys were being so cudley and cute, made me wana puke.
 

Zutroy

Turbo Monkey
Dec 9, 2004
2,443
0
Ventura,CA
DylanDeanDesign said:
best movie that' i've seen in a while! but it's missing something....oh yah... MORE OF ME!!!! i mean come on....only a 2 sec clip of me shooting photo!?!?! I know people want to see more of me!!!! well, ok...maybe not. :D :D :D
I'm just stoked that Clay put me (& my name next to my clip) in his movie!!
(In case you're wondering, i'm in the Snowmass section i think).


& i agree w/ whomever said it...the funniest part was w/ Graves screwing around on the "freeride" section, banging his head & getting lifted onto other guys shoulders....funny stuff!

I'm truly stoked to see a good race flick. Clay keeps getting better every time! I can't stand the Freeride vids.

CLAY for President!
Ya got some nice face time in the BB Slalom stuff too it looked like, showin off them photo skills..............
 

DylanDeanDesign

Turbo Monkey
Dec 10, 2004
1,097
0
San Diego area, California USA
Zutroy said:
Ya got some nice face time in the BB Slalom stuff too it looked like, showin off them photo skills..............

damn! i missed that section...the only time i saw the movies was at the Premiere (i was getting drinks at the time...surprise surprise). guess i'll have to watch it again! i can never see too much of me! hehehe :thumb:
 

Pip3r

Turbo Monkey
Nov 20, 2001
1,112
0
Foxboro MA
i like how straight foward the interviews are, rennie/hill bashing the courses and sven totally calling out freeriders at the end ahaha.
I hated the music in some parts but whatever, there hasnt been a movie yet that i havnt. I kinda wish there was some helmet cam stuff.
It felt more like a skate video kinda which was cool, way different than earthed.
 

Lady Litton

Chimp
Oct 25, 2001
21
0
Bend
I think Clay did a great job. Now that you all mention it, Transcontinental was a big inspiration to me getting into DH too. This is my new pre-race video. Watching Sam Hill definitely pumped me up for the Sunday race at Fontucky.

I like that this film has more real-time in long sections, so you can really see how frikin' fast these guys are going. Also, Rennie trying to be nice about one of the 4X courses, then saying how he really felt was hilarious. Can anyone quote it yet? HA!

Nice work, Clay.
 

WheelieMan

Monkey
Feb 6, 2003
937
0
kol-uh-RAD-oh
Lady Litton said:
I think Clay did a great job. Now that you all mention it, Transcontinental was a big inspiration to me getting into DH too. This is my new pre-race video. Watching Sam Hill definitely pumped me up for the Sunday race at Fontucky.

I like that this film has more real-time in long sections, so you can really see how frikin' fast these guys are going. Also, Rennie trying to be nice about one of the 4X courses, then saying how he really felt was hilarious. Can anyone quote it yet? HA!

Nice work, Clay.
“Durango, that was a pretty decent 4x course I guess, but not really, actually it was ****, it was horrible, I hated it.” -Rennie

Haha, yeah I liked that line too. Rennie is a very honest guy
 

Zutroy

Turbo Monkey
Dec 9, 2004
2,443
0
Ventura,CA
WheelieMan said:
“Durango, that was a pretty decent 4x course I guess, but not really, actually it was ****, it was horrible, I hated it.” -Rennie

Haha, yeah I liked that line too. Rennie is a very honest guy
Yeah from that into John Kirkcaldie going off about the 4x course was hilarious.
 

Banshee Rider

Turbo Monkey
Jul 31, 2003
1,452
10
Good movie, way to much 4x i thought, i sort of wish they put the DH footage at the beginning of each sectiong and the 4x at the end, sort of like earthed and plush 2, but thats just me. Well shot video, the music wasnt bad either. The interviews were goodbut i wish i could hear the riders alittle better. It sounds like im bashing on the movie but i enjoyed it more than i didnt, the things i mentioned were just personal preference thats all.
 

Full Trucker

Frikkin newb!!!
Feb 26, 2003
10,483
7,521
Exit, CO
I'm down with the Synopsis action for sure, and have been since I first saw it at our Denver premier. I think the BEST part about the movie, which I don't really feel has been mentioned enough (if at all) is the RIDING!

I mean, there are certainly things that could be better or worse or whatever with Clay's editing or music choice or whatever, and there is no doubt that he made a great film - I mean we're all armchair critics and I'm no exception. But a great photo is only as good as it's subject matter and the RIDING is standout part in the film IMHO.

Rennie continues to just have sick style and grace, commanding the terrain everywhere he points the bike. Ruling. Grave's Keystone section bugs me out everytime I see it! Maybe it's because I've ridden there so much, but seeing how it SHOULD be ridden just amazes me. And nothing can be said about Lopes that hasn't been said - like him or no the man can ride a bike and we could all use a lesson or two from his years of knowledge. So many more great scenes and riders that I can't even get into!

:thumb:

And Acadian - thanks for the write up. Nice work!
 

biker3

Turbo Monkey
Full Trucker said:
I'm down with the Synopsis action for sure, and have been since I first saw it at our Denver premier. I think the BEST part about the movie, which I don't really feel has been mentioned enough (if at all) is the RIDING!

I mean, there are certainly things that could be better or worse or whatever with Clay's editing or music choice or whatever, and there is no doubt that he made a great film - I mean we're all armchair critics and I'm no exception. But a great photo is only as good as it's subject matter and the RIDING is standout part in the film IMHO.

Rennie continues to just have sick style and grace, commanding the terrain everywhere he points the bike. Ruling. Grave's Keystone section bugs me out everytime I see it! Maybe it's because I've ridden there so much, but seeing how it SHOULD be ridden just amazes me. And nothing can be said about Lopes that hasn't been said - like him or no the man can ride a bike and we could all use a lesson or two from his years of knowledge. So many more great scenes and riders that I can't even get into!

:thumb:

And Acadian - thanks for the write up. Nice work!
agreed, who cares about the music, I can watch a bike video on mute and still love it. The first time I saw the teaser I was so stoked i couldnt sit still and Ive been waiting so long. Its finally coming tom or thursday and I cant f-ing wait. Its all about the ride, not the music, editing and what not. Everyone is gunna bitch about music regardless so there isn't much anyone can do about that. I can't wait for earthed 2 as well it should compare amazingly.
 

I know sanjay

Monkey
Aug 16, 2004
247
0
The OC
That kid Taylor Sage was poppin like it was hot, he rulesand hes so good looking. Sven is sketchy. If you didnt enjoy this movie go into the woods with ur grandmas picket fence, elavate it and ride on it because apparently ur into riding with no skill level needed. I wish sven could speak english.
 

Juano

Monkey
Feb 12, 2003
328
0
my hi-use
Taylor's section is pretty Sketch and that's okay cause he is pretty gay anyway.





I know sanjay said:
That kid Taylor Sage was poppin like it was hot, he rulesand hes so good looking. Sven is sketchy. If you didnt enjoy this movie go into the woods with ur grandmas picket fence, elavate it and ride on it because apparently ur into riding with no skill level needed. I wish sven could speak english.
 

Lady Litton

Chimp
Oct 25, 2001
21
0
Bend
WheelieMan said:
“Durango, that was a pretty decent 4x course I guess, but not really, actually it was ****, it was horrible, I hated it.” -Rennie

Haha, yeah I liked that line too. Rennie is a very honest guy

LOL!!! Thank you for that.
 

biker3

Turbo Monkey
Just got my copy and WOW. Freaking awsome. The music isn't that bad at all but the riding completaly blew my mind.

T-Sage why no hucks to flat, I was looking forward to your part with Huge hucks. Sick Djing nonetheless.

My fav part would have to be either gravey's or neethling's man that guy is sick all around.
 

Micro-Sanjay

I invented Erbon Assolt
Nov 26, 2001
192
0
Tustin- not in OC
I know sanjay said:
That kid Taylor Sage was poppin like it was hot, he rulesand hes so good looking. Sven is sketchy. If you didnt enjoy this movie go into the woods with ur grandmas picket fence, elavate it and ride on it because apparently ur into riding with no skill level needed. I wish sven could speak english.
I think you need to stop acting like you are someone special.
 

I know sanjay

Monkey
Aug 16, 2004
247
0
The OC
Biker3-I've been hittin some big roof lines lately and I can almost roll away with my feet on the pedals now.
Micro- I am special because i kill it, if you've ever ridden with me you would know.
Juano- Ben Gay is the new lotion