Secrets of Professional
Wedding Videography
By Rick Phillips
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,
MORE...
WEDDING VIDEOGRAPHY SECRETS
Research
Kansas City Wedding Videographers
