X

Reg said:
August' video and editing skills are second to none....his timing in particular. Although, probably Brian (Bixler)/is right up along side him. For me this video was just a little too far from reality though....more so that it was a representation if David. Many of David's videos in the past have an angry edge to them, the work ethic, the choice of music even. Having known him personally for a number of years now there's an honesty In that, in his videos. Special FX not needed. Granted, people don't high 5 where I'm from....but that among with the boot walking etc just about made me cringe. Its just tree work, not a boy band. Sorry if I offend anyone, I don't mean to, but same as T.C said earlier, it just too staged and unrealistic for my taste at least.
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Thanks Reg. I love wrecking out/falling trees. I love video editing both for documentation and for artistic expression (and now for vocation). One of the most common complements I have received over the years in my career by clients who watch me work is that,
"it's an art."
I'm sure the other tree men here have heard people say this. When I go all out on an edit it's just a clumsy attempt to show the magic of the industry that's hidden in all the details of smashing and crashing and noise and smells and ducking and dodging. To me, it's not just tree work. It's really cool. My videos are just an attempt to convey that. I have no formal education on the subject of videography. I've actually taught myself everything I know about it and I can't come close to the level I dream up, but I'm glad so many like it, and it's rewarding and motivating to hear passion echoed back in their responses.
I do care about everyone's opinion though because I don't like the energy drain it puts on me to not care, so I plan on releasing some more simplified stuff as well. It's actually a relief to streamline a video to simple music and cut edits at times and not go all out.
Having said that though, I do not think it is in any way dishonest (far from reality) to add music that is timed to the action and change the lighting, add transitions, speed up/slow down etc. to a video. It's not like I'm using CG animation. The process and the prowess of tree work is in my videos lens flares or not.
As far as the theme type stuff I did in the X video… I don't think David is as simple as you say he is. He and I seem to have a lot in common with regard to dreaming up dramatic themes. As it was said here, "he is a showman."
He's the one who calls himself, "X-Man." He's the one who started the hand saw blade attached to the hand thing. I just went with it. I love stuff like that.
Two years ago I was 26 years into my career and was tired of it. Always another puzzle to solve each day and yet always somehow the same. But then I got a GoPro camera and it brought my "focus" back to all of the amazing details in and around each day that I had always wanted to share with people but never seemed to be able to convey through speech. I saw a lot of blank stares and then heard things like,
"oh that's interesting, my cousin Bob is a landscaper too."
I'm hoping my videos never invoke that response from someone.
 
Nice to read you here August.

The video tree-men produce and share their content for many different reasons; none being that far from each other or exactly the same, but either way all different.

I've asked my colleagues why they make videos, they all deeply ponder and go on to explain the various reasons until my eyes glaze over and I stop paying attention, my mind just starts thinking about something else.

I can want longer clips of August climbing a tree all I want but I'm not going to see them very often in his videos. Sometimes we have to (as mentioned before), hit pause or stop the video just to absorb whats going on. Although, every time I re-watch, I will see something special, something hidden, stuff that I keep with me to better myself when it counts.

Reg's vids used to be more about showing a product for STEIN or whatever but the last couple years they've been geared to his subscribers or 'fans'. As a long-time Reg follower, it's been much appreciated, and well overdue. After watching countless hours, getting to know the man behind the cam brings everything full-circle, and I hope to be updated with new video as long as possible. It hasn't been easy to accept seeing such tree-talent show no passion, or feeling, or love for the game... thinking, it's just a job, just a tree, I'm just a robot... But that's the reality whether I like it or not.

Taking trees down as many years as you two have I really can't begin to imagine the toll it takes on a person and lifestyle, or where I might be after another 20 years of climbing. Your videos and online presence will live much longer than you will, inspiring and teaching more people than one could imagine.
 
The thing I like about the video X is that it is one of a select few videos that when I watch it brings up the feelings I have when I am climbing and producing results at my very best. I see and understand a little of the untold hours of work and sacrifice that would have to go into making it. I acknowledge that it is not real time video of a job from start to finish. As a matter of fact I even think it has a lot of parallels to the thought and effort that go into making a Hollywood movie or documentary.


And like a good modern day documentary doesn't show every aspect of a situation or a persons life but rather seeks to tell a story well - so this seems to tell a story well. I don’t brag too much as a general rule but, when I have, I have never thought I did a good job of conveying what a stud I was in the trees that day or what an amazingly beautiful move I made when I did such and such. This video and others of August’s communicate that for me.


In August’s vids I think for the first time that those who don’t do what we get to do could have a bit of a sense of what it would be like if they did. August helps the viewer to soar and be a real life superman.


Thanks for making that possible for the average person to experience August and David.
 
I never thought or suggested David is simple.

Ive had the ‘art’ suggestion many times from people on jobs. I disagree and tell them its just repetition and aptitude. No magic, no wizardry, now pay me.

Ive made lots of tree videos over the years too. Well over 100 in fact. They’ve proved very useful for networking, as have the forums, and thats all good. I try to focus on the treework – technique side of things in the videos, for which has always been the main talking point in both discussions on line and with people that Ive met thereafter. I shake lots of hands at expo’s etc, and probably spend more time B.S about specific jobs than the actual products Im there trying to sell. And thats ok too because I get to meet lots of good people who I have respect for, can relate to and vice verca.

I will use slow motion occasionally to better highlight an event or situation, if I feel important details might otherwise be missed. I will add music if I think think it breaks up the monotony for those viewing it. The particular choice in music, lyrics etc does not symbolize nor have any connection to me or the video.

Whilst I cant ‘not’ be in the video, and sometimes Ive chosen to speak, or been asked to speak and explain a given situation....I try my hardest that they don’t appear extravagant or conceited. The very fact that most people want to talk about the actual job or technique, rather than the video as a piece of work in its self, tells me I am where I want to be. I speak only for myself here of course.

As for having or not having passion for the work....well for me its hard to be passionate and celebrate the killing of a tree. In that sense Im a hypocrite too for going on to make videos about it....but I convince myself that the decision is ultimately made outside of my influence, and its gonna happen with or without my participation. The videos show how the work was done, and on to the next one. To be fair I do a lot of pruning also....and tough big trees with no corners cut. I get hired just as much for the tough prunes as the big removals. I have the greatest respect for people who strive to save trees, and plant more. They are not the sort of people who make videos though....and I must confess I dont think ive ever made a tree pruning video. Just photos.

Ive been climbing since I was just turned 17. In practice I probably appear to have a big appetite for the work....but in reality its an attitude that drives me....part upbringing, part genetic. On jobs I get lots of respect from people, if not before certainly after. I could definitely take it a lot easier, but I remain hungry, and so stays the attitude. There was once a boxer, Hagler, who in his own words ‘ was a champion who would always fight like a challenger’. I get that. I suppose thats as close to passion as I have when it comes to treework.

We cant all feel the same, or like the same stuff even. I cant get the themed tree videos, but so what....lots of others do it seems. Doesnt really matter either way. If you’re a straight up and honest person, thats what should matter. I don’t know what else to say about it, I hope I dont have to say anything else about it, only, I have a lot of good and better stuff going on outside of treework.
 
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Daniel said:
I personally love August's vids, with my favorite piece being the cat giving him a hard time about using a blake hitch.. And his "working man's blues" made me cry... He obviously has talent and passion which come through..
Its been fun to watch the whole evolution of tree videos for the past 7 years... August has set the bar VERY HIGH. Here's a hard act to follow. where can tree vids go from here... IMO the only place to go from here is taking the contnet to a new level.. To that end I've been working on video production with new vigor. Might have 30-40 new ready to go soon. Gonna break them all out at once. That is in part inspired by meeting August and Xman right after labor day.
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Great to hear Daniel. Also, I am looking forward to finally seeing some stuff from you again. Very curious about what you will come up with and how you will present it.
 
TreeLogic said:
this is still my fave...

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Thanks, I had a blast on this video. There is quite a back story behind it also. (Reg will love this ; ) I was going to have all these cut scenes. Where my crew, (a rough bunch believe it or not, but with quite adequate senses of humor) and my wife and some other pretty ladies would do this choreographed sort of lumberjack line dance. Thing is, no one knows how to dance, especially myself and we just could not get in sync with each other. It was a total riot though. We looked ridiculous. So ironically, the "boy band" thing has already been tried by me. I haven't ruled it out but it's not really in my skill set.
 
Daniel said:
I never really "Got" the brit humor on TV etc... not my thing, yet a lot of people seem to think its funny so it must be...

... someday we should do a "making of tree videos" video
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1. Britt humour. I like what Reg said about how tv is basically bs. We don't watch tv in my house at all. Also, how it may be hard to generalize the humour of an entire country. If Americans laugh at Monty Python then it's obviously their sense of humour too.

2. Definitely planning on a how-to or behind the scenes making of tree videos vid.

Check out this "Britt humour" btw.
It's hilarious and brilliant. IMO

 
Stihlmadd said:
won't stop me from watching like Reg's style as much as Davids or Brians or whoever is making them, they don't cost me a cent to view, I get to learn cool stuff, see new things that I would want to purchase ( treestuFF!) and generally am entertained whether it is a 201 getting trucked up or a cat rescue its all good here Bro.
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Amen
 
Adkpk said:
Ya, about the road trip. You don't fly then drive in the tunnel then get on the subway to Brooklyn to arrive in wonderland Pa. something to work on next vid for us who know a little something about travel. Just kidding David.
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Okay, back story on road trip scene I was trying to convey is that;
I flew in to X week.
David picked me up and drove through a tunnel.
Lawrence came from NYC where he is famous for hauling all his gear around on the subways.
We all converged on the job from far and near.
 
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"No magic, no wizardry, now pay me."
one of the best statements ive read on treebuzz.

i didnt know you guys were making tree videos, i thought they were music videos.
 
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