Back Seat Driver (a mini documentary) on Vimeo

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I've been working on a project documenting the stories of the many cab drivers I've met while commuting around Chicago. Well, here it is! (As usual, I've subtitled it because most of my subjects have thick accents.) I love talking to all of my drivers... everyone has a story!

MUSIC:
Rusted Root - "Martyr"
Air - "Brakes On"
Robbie Riviera - "Funk-a-faction"
OMD - "Tesla Girls"
Hooverphonic - "Barabas"
David Byrne - "Lazy"
Zorba the Greek - movie theme song

Credits

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Loonachic 2 months ago

oh man wendy. this is super! you should submit this to some local stations or newspaper or something. we need to know more about our taxi drivers.
VendelasCity 2 months ago

I would totally do that! However, I'd probably have to get a release from the drivers to show their images but the only one who's contact info I have is the guy from KryzscA$A%#!istan! I wonder if there's a way to get around a release?
PEIKA 2 months ago

Just do it.
Loonachic 2 months ago

i'm sure there is. you paid your fair for the cab ride..maybe that's a way to get around it? cabs are a public service? i dunno. but this is really great.
Karen Abad loves Dinosaurs. 2 months ago

Wow this is really cool. :-)
VendelasCity 2 months ago

Thanks, Karen! I'm pretty obsessed with Chicago cabbies so there will probably be a Part 2!
Paul Davis 2 months ago

Interesting documentary. Original....I liked it a lot!
VendelasCity 2 months ago

Thank you!!
dwyzak 2 months ago

That was absolutely fantastico.

Actually, i'd have paid to see that.
VendelasCity 2 months ago

Thanks, dwyzak! That's a fantastic compliment. I will accept any and all donations for my HD Camcorder Fund :)
PEIKA 2 months ago

Great piece of work here I love the dedication wendy.
VendelasCity 2 months ago

Thanks, Peika. Your approval means a lot, particularly since your work is so inspiring to me. The dedication isn't difficult when you enjoy creating stuff!
Perez 2 months ago

This is EXCELLENT!

very well done and thank you
Perez 2 months ago

but hey, you spelled Kyrgyzstan right and Colombia wrong! haha. Love this movie, anyway!!
VendelasCity 2 months ago

Oh, shit!! Thanks for letting me know, usually pretty anal about spelling.
Bill 2 months ago

This is fabulous Wendy! Really interesting stuff and I love the way youve edited and done various treatments. Were the drivers all aware of the camera?
VendelasCity 2 months ago

Thanks, Bill. Some of the driver were aware of the camera but most weren't. I didn't want to distract them and cause an accident!!
Underground Planet 2 months ago

It's like "Taxi Cab Confessions" ... but in reverse!

Loved it, stayed interesting throughout. gj

- Ray
VendelasCity 2 months ago

Ray, what a sweet comment. I appreciate it! (You've just given me a great idea for "Back Seat Driver, Pt. 2")
Bo Lorentzen 2 months ago

Great show - what are you shooting with in the caps, Im guessing you are not setting up a tripod. (smile) ?

BTW - Im pretty sure that as long as its "news relevant" you can get away with almost any use of images.
VendelasCity 2 months ago

I'm a Luddite... I shoot on a small Olympus digital camera set to video mode and edit with Windows Movie Maker. It's pretty low-tech! No tripod, just a steady hand :)
Bo Lorentzen 2 months ago

Impressive... that explains the resolution, its low. (smile) even VGA 640x480 will bump you up big time. You may want to check that your camera is set to the best possible video setting, it looks like 320x240.?

You may enjoy the Canon PowerShot TX1 its the size of a deck of cards and can shoot VGA or 720P edit with Vegas Platinum. (check the cam on Amazon) though there is no mic plugs or anything, a used Sanyo HD1 will get you a mic plug.. both shoots to SD cards which in my fuzzy mind is better than getting into tapes.. he he.

Is it me or is everybody leaning to the left in the thumbnails on this page. must be getting late.
Blake Whitman 1 month ago

First off, this is great and a bold first step into documentary filmmaking.

Here is my critique like you asked :)

So, with a little mini doc like this, you need to get right to the point. You can start with a little montage like you did, but keep it to about thirty seconds. Introduce your characters, the scene, the road, and then jump right into your story; the interviews.

Also, think about mixing the interviews together to help keep the viewer engaged. Watching the same person answer questions in a row can be a little monotonous. Cut between the interviews, show some of the scenery if they are talking for a while, vary the shot selection.

There are many more techniques that can help, but these are the foremost that I saw. Overall I would say this piece should be about 4 minutes give or take. If you reedit, let me know and I'll check it out!

Nice work!
Benk 5 days ago

I like the way you subtitled when they spell out words ;)

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