Why are live music videos edited so poorly

I'm rediscovering my love of Rory Gallagher and checked out "Live at Montreux" from the library.  Seems like so long as Rory is singing they pretty much keep the camera on him then as soon as he breaks into a solo they cut to the drummer, or the bassist, or keyboard or all three, then come back to Rory FROM THE BACK, then maybe show his fingers for a second before he charges across the stage.

Then I put in a DVD of the Old Grey Whistle Test, where they did a much better job showing Rory playing, but with some other groups tended to do the same thing: during the guitar solo show everyone except the guitarist or show the guitarist's face.

I remember being frustrated by this sort of thing as a kid, so maybe it's just that these videos are all from that era, but it'd be like showing a sporting event and every time the ball starts to move showing everyone except those directly involved with the movement of the ball (whatever type of ball it may be).

So, am I being overly critical?

Making a TV program costs a lot more than making a record.

So, the lack of "quality" may simply be a result of budget

But, IMO, the observation that the OP has made simply reveals a difference in interest between the producers sense of taste and the OP's perspective as a viewer.

The producer may be intending to feature the songs and the concert experience and de-emphasize the guitar slinger reputation.

At a "live" or "live to tape" event the various cameramen are all competing to get their shots featured.

If the director asked for shots of Rory playing a solo... there would be a bunch of cameras pointed at his fingers.

Out in the field a big part of my job is to have the camera guys backs covered. So. I have an urge to do it here as well. :-)


all the best,
mike

Let's not forget The Last Waltz ;-)

Yes... we can watch in stereo.

Just cross your eyes.  (Lower cost option)

mike_mccue


We're going to do it all with mirrors.

As long as they're not on the ceiling, I'm OK with that.

Will Murphy be in it?

bapu


Will Murphy be in it?

Maybe.

mike_mccue

bapu


Will Murphy be in it?

Maybe.

But will he care if we turn up the sound?

bapu


Wow Drew.

I never thought of it that way.

I mean.... bringing a thread back on topic like that.

It's sheer genus of you.

What? Really?

I thought I was taking it off topic.

What are the chances?

I don't know, but I'm really relaxed and mellow as long as I don't think about how bad the editing is on some music videos. 

(I liked the editing on the Rush in Rio DVD)  Most of the time, the cameras managed to catch the action.  It wasn't perfect, but it was fun.

I think these rails are more of a suggestion than an actual "track" that the thread must follow.  Is that why there are seven of them?

I believe the Monkees had a routine involving a murphy bed.  I don't know that they were visited by clarity and focus, however.  They may have worn a habit, but not consistently enough to get used to the idea.

What were you saying?

The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy moon.

My favorite WTH? is when a guitar solo starts and the cameraman is pointed at (your choice: the singer attempting to play air guitar, the bass player getting a drink or the drummer with that silly smile on his face)...