Thanks Romain

I'm jealous! Wish I was there to see those places in person, but your gorgeous imagery is a pretty good substitute. My only suggestion is to avoid the slight changes in aspect ratio from one scene to another. I found that distracting except when you switched to the b/w mode near the end.

Thanks Steve. I have sorted out the Cropping issues. As I was using the Letus 35 there were occasions when I had not Zoomed in enough on the GG. I had to zoom in using FCP but I was Cropping the image first to a wider format and hence the different sizes. I have my SH one T together now.

Great footage Michael... so have you shopped it to Tourism New Zealand yet? =]

Stunning. Just achingly beautiful. Thanks for sharing with us - it really added to my day, waking up to this!

Paradise...truly breathtaking scenery. Thank you for sharing Michael. It's made my day bright considering the snow that's about to hit here! I love all three of your videos on Australia and New Zealand.

Absolutely beautiful captures. Very very well done sir. :)

Beautiful pictures !
Wonderful scenery !
Thanks for sharing !

- simply beautiful.....a dream....thanx....

fabulous!!! what did you use for the motion shots? (dolly forward)

I used a home made dolly on PVC pipe track. Had to drag all the way to NZ. My wife made sure I used it as she thought it was a pain in the butt dragging it over there. Glad you like the Vid.

stunning, makes me home sick!

Michael, very nice work. Each scene looked like a photograph in motion. Nice editing and music.

Regards,
Mark

This is one of the most breathtaking piece of work I've ever seen. Music mtch is perfect, I can almost feel being there.
It's my dream to go to New Zealand, you almost made it come true :)
Also, can you explain a bit more about the 'PVC dolly track' ?
Incredible work!

Wonderfully captured and edited Michael.
Makes me want to go to NZ myself.

You truly are talented :)

Wonderfully

Michael, superb landscapes and beautifully composed. I like your use of mono chrome for some of the scenes and the music was a perfect choice also - my impression was: this is Scotland in the spring, but had to keep reminding myself that its New Zealand in the southern hemisphere....BEAUTIFUL!

Micheal, this is simply perfect,how did you make the smooth movements?did you use a dolly?and was all shot in south island?wow i never been in new zeland,you make it so beautiful!thanks for sharing this!

Hi Martin. I used a homemade dolly in a couple of scenes. The pan sequences from top to bottom where a result of using the widescreen filter in FCP and then changing the offset values. Also I used subtle zoom in pans using the motion tab in FCP. Sometimes its better not to over do the pans etc. It can become a bit Cheezy!! and distracting. All the footage was from the south island. It's such a beautiful place that stunning images are easy to get. (just as long as you can handle the cold). It looks quite warm in my footage but it was actually freezing. But I guess I'm a big pussy from Australia when 10 degrees C is regarded as cold. Thanks for watching my vid.

Mike

Beautiful imagery. You're right! Very similar shots to my rockies video. Your camera moves are incredible. Really slow smooth movement. How do you do that? Ok...I just wrote that comment, then I read the comment above...oops.

Love the music from that movie.

I'd love to visit NZ someday! Nice work!

so beautiful

FANTASTIC WORK MAN

What's the music?

¡¡¡incredible!!!

What a Stunning Job.

Kiwi, from the Deep South.

Amazing, wonderful

absolutely amazing! Thx for sharing

Thanks Larry.

Very, Very beautifull, fabulous!!!

Are you shooting in 24f mode or 30?

30

This is some pretty impressive footage. I wish that one day I could film some places like where you have. What sort of work are you in that allow you to travel around the world, or is it just a hobby?

Hi Kyle thanks for the comment. I am in partnership with my brother Christian. We have three photographic galleries in Western Australia. You can check us out at christianfletcher.com.au I have only been shooting video for the last year and the purpose was to compliment the business in regards to blogs, podcasting, video tutorials etc.etc. We dont have holidays every trip is work. It's a shitty existence I know but someone has to do it.

Thanks for watching.

I really enjoyed watching this, thank you for sharing!

Thanks Tuomo. I have a mate from Finland. He came from Hariavolta (I think thats how you spell it?). What gear do you use?

i am an old school film guy..not really touched digital until i tested the new canon 5d...in hd mode..
i think you are a seriously talented guy..this work is as good as the pros..all i would say is the black and white stuff,does not work..it might be a grade thing..
but man,your good. and yes the camera moves take it to another level

Thanks Al. I appreciate the comment. NZ is so beautiful that with the right gear and plenty of time you could really create some stunning stuff. I'd like to go back with the 5D and give it a go. The XHA1 + Letus extreme is a bloody heavy combo and it was so cold some days that I couldn't hold the camera because my hands would be numb.

I use black and white a lot with my clips. I like using it to disguise bland colors in a shot. I think it can really add emotion. I'm sorry it didn't work for you.

I know after finishing an edit and watching it over and over I realize I should of done some things differently. I hate that. I dont think I have done anything yet that I look back at and say "yep that was perfect". You just keep trying to get better and peoples opinions help you develop your skill. Thanks for that......Mike

I really enjoyed this. You have serious talent, Michael - both in the post and the production side of things. I loved the edits and the choice of music complimented your cinematography quite well.

I would like to see a cut with selected snippets of the natural audio. I think particularly with the first low angle ocean scene and the waterfall, perhaps even the "forest" sounds (love the low angle grass shots) there would be another level of drama added. Not for every scene, but I think it would be a great "extra" cut.

Additionally, I sense something is different after the credits. Not that I didn't want it to continue, but the shots, while framed great felt (emoted) a different sense all together. Was there less color grading after the creds? Am I making this up? I would cut it after the credits...

Seriously good stuff. My comments are only an honest opinion; moreso opinion than critique. I've watched all your videos in 1280x720 and really enjoy them!

Michael (I'm sorry about the name thing; I edited my comment) - I agree that going back to projects to swap shots and tweak would be never ending. You have the right attitude - take what we learned from this one, and apply to the next...

Something I find myself doing a lot of is splitting the music in the middle (so as to keep the intro and the ending, which are usually the best) and slipping the edit point around until I find a good fade/edit. I totally get using the track, but it often doesn't work that way. Cutting the music like that (snipping a middle portion out) seems to work out quite nicely for me...

I'm speachless...

What can I say that has not already been said. Just Beautiful. I love your choice of music and your edit is excellent. I am saving this one also. I envy you your talent and patience. (it takes patience to make quality) :o)

Magnificent job Michael. I haven't been to NZ yet, but the plan is there. You have only inspired me more to make it a part of my travel docos I've started to produce with my friend. The music was awesome too. Keep it up. Want to see more.

Amazing! I spoke about this on my website lucidalab.com

As always another excellent production. Makes me want to go back for another holiday. Excellent!

nice shots and editing.
about the music i am not so sure.

Beautiful shots Michael, thanks for sharing. I've always fancied going there. Hmm maybe one day…
Avey

Beautiful work Michael! Well done.

wow!

Wow !!! to me Michael Fletcher is a synonymous of beautifully catched landscapes ... amazing, envy you that part of world :-)

Wow that was beautiful, it felt like every scene was a wonderfully restive painting. How did you get into the whole film-making/photography area? I am very interested in this area, especially natural/wildlife scenery (I am a nature buff!)

absolutely loved it! you have a great eye for key photography, beautiful work, very inspiring.

im so impressed with these images! i need to master the EX1 to produce stuff like this.. it really does look nicer than the EX1 from the way i see it, maybe my lenses are just dirty? :P

Nice, I love New Zealand

Wow, what a wonderful film. I really love your smooth pans, and the colors in the film.
One of the best nature films I have ssen for a long time.
Thanks for sharing :-)

Only one word: Wow!

perfect footage and edditing with harmony in sound and scenery.

Excellent job! Very relaxing video. Great music choice. Makes me want to make a trip down there!

simply A.M.A.Z.I.N.G!!!!!!!

Wow! Absolutely stunning.

beautiful

Beautifully composed!

I love this video...what do you do to stop down your lens? Canon ef lenses are electronic, the only method I know is to stop down in camera first and then put it onto the adapter. Did you use a polarizer at all as well?

Really good stuff.

very nice work. Congratulations !!!!