Secrets
of Professional Wedding Videography
Visualize that the videotape
of your wedding day will be the one item that truly brings back
that very special event again and again, and permits future generations
to visit this historic time. What is that worth?
Shop for your videographer early
in the planning process. You will gain many tips and ideas for your
own event by viewing other couples’ wedding days. It is best
to review complete productions, not just highlights or brief demos.
Though most wedding days follow a traditional schedule, each is
unique. Look for a style that captures those special details. Is
the artist’s individuality and creativity, his/her heart and
soul if you will, revealed in the finished product or is it more
canned and routine? Secure the artist that captured those special
moments in the style most pleasing to you. Will that artist indeed
be the one performing the work (barring unforeseen circumstances)?
What are the back-up provisions with regards to equipment and personnel?
It is not the paint, it’s
the painting. Technology changes daily. What was the best of the
best yesterday, today is old news. Preserving a wedding day does
not depend on the best, finest, newest and most technically advanced
equipment. Few brides will pay $10K+ for their wedding day videotape.
What is important? The videographer’s instinct, experience
and variety of equipment options; an awareness of what is about
to occur and a readiness to capture it at a level far surpassing
the video hobbyist. What insures that? Training, experience and
preparedness are major elements and quite frankly, economic motivation.
How many events has this person videotaped? What inspired he/she
to enter this line of work? Why does he/she enjoy this type of work?
What is the artist’s background? What type of formal training
has he/she had? What about continuing education? Is he/she a member
of related professional groups or organizations and does he/she
actually attend their functions?
There is perhaps no more formal
an event than a wedding. Does the videographer recognize that appropriate
attire and unobtrusiveness are key elements? Does he/she view your
photographer as a competitor or an ally? Will he/she be a part of
the team of professionals you are assembling or operate more independently?
Some facilities are scheduled
very tightly; will the videographer have enough time to properly
set-up equipment? An hour of set-up time is not excessive and should
not be rushed. After all, the ceremony cannot be paused because
some piece of equipment is not operating properly.
What is the reasoning for multiple
cameras? Additional cameras offer increased viewer interest. A second
camera provides an additional vantage point for capturing activities
that inevitably occur outside the viewpoint of the primary camera
position. If manned, what sort of training and experience does the
second camera operator possess? A third camera provides a stable
wider image or "cover shot" for those moments when other
camera positions do not have an appropriate view of the action.
Why are so many microphones required?
The bulk of the ceremony will transpire in the immediate vicinity
of the bride and groom, so a wireless microphone on the groom or
officiate is a must. Other key elements such as scripture or poetry
readings and music are often part of a traditional ceremony, so
additional microphones need to be situated close-by for clear, intelligible
recording of these components.
Why is rehearsal attendance important?
A site inspection is minimal preparation. Some facilities are very
concerned about videographers based on unfortunate previous experiences
with unprofessional behavior. Learning of those concerns and restrictions
is best done before the wedding day. A familiarization with your
ceremony is quite important. Determining camera placement and microphone
requirements are key for successful event documentation.
Is there enough light? Cameras
record reflected light. The stronger the lighting, the more vivid
the colors and crisper the image. A wedding ceremony is generally
a softly lit, intimate event. Adding additional lighting from harsh
spotlights will most often detract from this atmosphere and will
probably not even be allowed. It is therefore wise to consider recording
equipment that works well under less than optimum conditions and
be aware that some deterioration in image quality will be noticeable.
At the reception keeping light levels up a notch or two will help
and a small (20-watt) on-camera light should yield acceptable results
without being too intrusive,
When does coverage begin and
end? Do you really need someone videotaping your wedding party being
photographed? Though it is a part of the day, most professionals
avoid videotaping all but a brief portion of that activity. Experienced
professionals understand that more coverage at the reception is
generally preferred. What is the overtime rate? Remember that overtime
includes not just additional recording but additional editing.
How much videotape will be recorded?
How long will the final product be? Why is so much not included?
Creating a smoothly flowing finished product generally requires
overshooting or repeated recording of elements (for just the "right
look"), recording ambient sounds, and just letting the camera
roll to get facial expressions/ reaction shots of friends and loved
ones, or in anticipation of some event to shortly transpire. Have
faith that nothing will be omitted that might add to your satisfaction.
Editing makes the story interesting and enjoyable without your finger
on the fast-forward button. This is where documentation of a sacred
event and a grand celebration becomes entertainment. You will share
your videotape with many friends and relatives. Good editing techniques
create a product you will enjoy again and again without making excuses
for saving a few dollars.
What is "digital video"
and does it really make a difference? Portable video cameras have
been available for over thirty years. Each generation has brought
advances in image capture and tape formulation. Size, weight, battery
life, and recording time have been addressed and the latest advancement
to compete with the old standards is digital video (DV). The tape
itself is quite small (only 1/4" wide vs. 1/2" wide VHS
& BetaCam) so the cameras can be quite small as well. Digital
video was introduced as a consumer format but was so good that manufacturers
rushed to design professional level equipment that would utilize
it. In the development of new cameras, low-light shooting conditions
were addressed, at least partially as a result of influence by the
Wedding and Event Videographers Association (WEVA). The other element
of the digital realm is the use of computers to edit. All that digital
video information is downloaded onto massive computer hard drives.
Since the transfer is done digitally, there is virtually no loss
in quality. Individual clips of scenes are created and a soft dissolve
or appropriate special effect may be added to polish the final production
into a jewel. Sweetening or the layering of music and ambient sound
can bring the visuals alive. This type of editing is called non-linear
because the work is performed without the encumbrances of a fixed
timeline, as is the case with (linear) videotape. The primary drawback
is editing usually takes twice as long.
If things go wrong, what protects
you? Does the videographer carry liability insurance? How about
"Errors and Omissions" insurance? Is the refund policy
fair? Event documentation is a field many video professionals choose
not pursue. They recognize it as situation where they have little
control over what transpires and continually need to be anticipating
and reacting to what is going on around them. Some people with a
video camera look at weddings as a way to finance a hobby. A true
professional wedding videographer, like your photographer, is the
emulation of grace under pressure. He/she also realizes that in
such a pressured environment there is potential for technical problems
and mistakes to occur. Protection for the client is included then
in the service.
So how much should a professionally
produced wedding day videotape cost? What is the value of preserving
this historic joining of two families for you and future generations
to enjoy? Is it worth 10% of your budget, maybe 15%, or only 5%?
This is something for you to decide, but please choose a professional
and let your friend or relative with a camcorder enjoy the celebration.
They should not have to work so hard.
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