Wedding Videos

[Toupee]

Hey, guys.

Haven't been around too much lately, lots of stuff going on right now, including filming my bosses' daughters' wedding this coming Saturday.

I'm not getting paid any large sum of money (maybe none at all), I partly agreed to do it for the experience since I'm a film major right now. I'd like to make it as quality as possible.

Since I know next to nothing about wedding videos, and the wedding is rapidly encroaching, I figured I'd see if you guys knew anything about them. Have you ever tried to film one, or ever get one done for your own wedding?

More specifically, how do videographers usually capture the ceremony? I was thinking of having one camera set up either at the end of the aisle or in a balcony if there is one for a continuous roll of the altar, and another camera going handheld and starting at the front getting the bride and everyone entering, and then staying up there to get a good front facial view of the bride and groom. I have two wireless mics and I'm thinking of putting at least one on the preist if he agrees. Or do you think he'll already be miked and there'll be loudspeakers? Yikes. And that's just the ceremony. I'm not too worried about the reception kind of stuff, though.

[Razor Ramon]

Get a panty shot of the bride or you have failed us all.

[B-Ri]

I'm not getting paid any large sum of money (maybe none at all), I partly agreed to do it for the experience since I'm a film major right now. I'd like to make it as quality as possible.

first mistake.

Since I know next to nothing about wedding videos, and the wedding is rapidly encroaching, I figured I'd see if you guys knew anything about them. Have you ever tried to film one, or ever get one done for your own wedding?

you need great directional mics, and a super stable tripod, nonetheless a great spot for view. Especially the ceremony, you need multiple cameras.

More specifically, how do videographers usually capture the ceremony? I was thinking of having one camera set up either at the end of the aisle or in a balcony if there is one for a continuous roll of the altar, and another camera going handheld and starting at the front getting the bride and everyone entering, and then staying up there to get a good front facial view of the bride and groom. I have two wireless mics and I'm thinking of putting at least one on the preist if he agrees. Or do you think he'll already be miked and there'll be loudspeakers? Yikes. And that's just the ceremony. I'm not too worried about the reception kind of stuff, though.

lavalier mics suck period, especially compared to what a great shotgun mic can get you, and can also be intrusive to the bride and groom to have to put on themselves. You're going to have to play by ear what sounds better, those mics, or the loudspeakers (lesser of two evils). Dont be dependent on just ONE, because if one of their lavalier mics goes out, you cant walk up to them mid ceremony and fix it. Use PRO headphones (not your ipod phones, like sony MDR-7506's) to make the decision.

What camera are you using?

Especially when it comes to weddings, you need protection for yourself when it comes to equipment failure, or out of your control situations that can prevent you from turning in work. If no money is being exchanged you're technically fine, but for the next time you work this or an important kind of event, you need shit outlined and signed.

[Toupee]

Since I'm shit broke, I'm really limited to what I can rent from this campus. Unfortunately, lavaliers were the only thing available. A shotgun would be infinitely better, but oh well.

The cameras are a Sony TRV-950 and a PD-170. The latter has a wide angle lens attachment so I'll probably be using it for a long shot and either setting the other up or going handheld with it. A monopod would be nice. This school kinda sucks for film.

But yeah. I haven't even been contacted about attending any rehearsal, nor have there really been any specifics besides a list of the events and some common elements that they want captured (bridesmaids hair dressing, father-bride dance, etc). So they'll just have to take what I can get.

I'll presumably be reimbursed at least for my expenses and probably more; my boss is pretty generous and seems to have a lot of money. All of the other coworkers who weren't invited to the wedding are getting to go out to eat on her. Hopefully I'll rake in a few hundred bucks. But the whole reason I'm doing this is because they didn't want to spend the money for a professional videographer so I'm not expecting too much.

[B-Ri]

But yeah. I haven't even been contacted about attending any rehearsal, nor have there really been any specifics besides a list of the events and some common elements that they want captured (bridesmaids hair dressing, father-bride dance, etc). So they'll just have to take what I can get.

second mistake. You REALLLY need to know where you can and cant go, and you really need to know where you're going to get your best vantage point on each aspect of the event.

Since I'm shit broke, I'm really limited to what I can rent from this campus. Unfortunately, lavaliers were the only thing available. A shotgun would be infinitely better, but oh well.

The cameras are a Sony TRV-950 and a PD-170. The latter has a wide angle lens attachment so I'll probably be using it for a long shot and either setting the other up or going handheld with it. A monopod would be nice. This school kinda sucks for film.

Schools dont typically like you using their equipment for jobs, so keep that on the DL. Since you're broke, this not only would it have been a great job for experience, but to get PAID! Even if you were going to do it cheaper then going rate, thats CASH! Not to mention doing the best job you could (not just in equipment, but in preparedness, and quality), you instantly have every single person in that room as a potential customer who has seen the quality of your work. This would be cash to buy more equipment, not borrow from school, up your quality, do bigger jobs, and ask for more money.

I'll presumably be reimbursed at least for my expenses and probably more; my boss is pretty generous and seems to have a lot of money. All of the other coworkers who weren't invited to the wedding are getting to go out to eat on her. Hopefully I'll rake in a few hundred bucks. But the whole reason I'm doing this is because they didn't want to spend the money for a professional videographer so I'm not expecting too much.

Presumably = nono. Even if they werent looking for the quality of a professional videographer, you could easily do a damn good job for them to want to hire you for more of their own events, work events, other family and friends event by recommendation, and thats where you continue getting experience, and continue raising your price.

[CouryC]

I dont shoot weddings, but I cut them on the side when I have the extra time.

First off, B-ri was right about price. You have to be up front about it, and it might be hard because, well, it is your boss. But I have a feeling that, being it is your boss, and they see you are working hard, they will toss a little bit your way.

Secondly, always have one wide shot of the ceremony to cut to for when you are reframing. One DP i cut his stuff of this wedding he shot and it was pretty tough because he does a lot of work for MTV and was constantly reframing. Because he was used to having an editor that had 3 other cameras they can switch to.

This particular shoot had one camera to cut to, which was blown out and not white balanced - thats another thing - make sure all your cameras are consistent in quality. Ended up being a bit of a nightmare.

Finally, the best piece of advice I can give is that make sure you talk to the bride and groom and find out what they want and expect. If they are expecting like a 5 minute montage of their wedding day, then you know how much footage you need going in.

Bonus hint - try to get as many interviews with people during the reception and before hand as you can.

[Drewbacca]

This is all bad advice Toupee. Here's the real deal. I'm going to bring you the ruckus right now.

- B-Ri's an amateur. Only use one handheld camera and a ladder (for high angle shots). Overdubbing in post is easier and better.
- Always shoot from extremely high or extremely low angles to make yourself look more artistic.
- Use as many graphical effects such as star wipes and overlayed fireworks as possible. It makes the video look extremely tasteful and futuristic.
- When the bride and groom kiss zoom in and out repeatedly really quickly to get the best possible effect going on the moment.
- If you find one of the bridesmaids attractive feel free to spend a healthy portion of time on her cleavage or ass during the filming.
- Pay all expenses out of pocket. This will make it seem like you have money and are therefore a professional.

This is a winning combination of wedding video tips. Some people tell me not to go edgy, but I don't know any other way.

[B-Ri]

, especially after the edit.

[Tones]

Toupee, how many wedding videos have you watched? The answer should be "a lot", so that you can at least get a general idea of what works and what doesn't.

[Rumpy]

Wedding videos are hell on earth, I can't believe there is even a market for them still. It blows making them and no one ever watches them.