Top Ten Wedding Videography Tips
By: Shawn Hickman
1. If at all possible visit the location beforehand to assess the layout, lighting, powerpoints for recharging and to be nice to the priest/officials.
2. Check out the parking access to enable a quick getaway from house to church to reception. See 7) below.
3. Have a checklist for the Big Day, so you don’t forget a single thing. Don’t use new untried kit on the day.
4. When shooting, shoot lots. Remember, this day will never come again. Much easier to edit down your master tapes than to lengthen them.
5. Dance on your toes. Stay very alert. Concentrate on keeping the camera still (unless you’re adept at tracking).
6. Get big powerful closeups. Shoot people, all the people. A bit of the location, but go back and shoot more people. Remember we’re all here because people like looking at people.
7. Check over your kit very carefully. Check whitebalance, exposure, focus settings are all as you require, and are happy with.
8. Check with the bride if she’s asked you to do this film. Ask exactly what she’d like you to record. I had one bride who insisted that I never let the camera stop even for a second. They called me one-shot tom for months afterwards.
9. Try to be in two places at once. (see 4 above). Wear unobtrusive clothing, take a brave pill and move amongst the guests, filming and smiling graciously.
Decline alcohol (difficult one this) as drinking time is lost filming time. You can’t do 2 things well, so concentrate on getting the footage. Don’t be tempted to shoot stills; it requires a different mind set.
10. Edit ruthlessly, you hear me? Keep the original masters for sure, but if possible get the happy couple to see your edited masterpiece before they see the long version.
Remember your video camera is a sound recorder that just happens to record pictures at the same time. If you stop recording mid sentence the conversation will be nonsense wheras the pictures may be fine.
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