Advice on shooting a wedding

[Dali Lama]

I'm thrilled to be given the responsibility of shooting video footage for a friends wedding.

Although, I am not a professional videographer, I consider myself a Doom9 certified expert ;)

Some information about the wedding:
1. Both indoor and outdoor shooting (mostly outdoor)
2. Small to medium size event
3. Music will be played

Some information about the equipment:
1. Sony Digital8 DV Camcorder
2. 3-point tripod
3. Standard built-in microphone (I don't think this will work well?)

That's not much information, but I hope those with experience can elaborate.

I am concerned with the lighting indoors (exposure) and trying to capture "the moment" with only one camera, without running all over the place (with jerky movement). Also, how am I to capture the subtle sounds of conversation and laughter with the music?

Are there any rules-of-thumb particular to wedding videos?

My friend and I appreciate your help,

Dali

[bb]

Make sure you have enough light for the indoor shots. If you don't have the opportunity to use good video lights, pray that there's enough ambient light ;)
For the outdoor shots keep in mind where the sun is...
Use the tripod whenever you can, escpecially at the "Yes" moment. Check out the place for a good position. In a church you may be able to shoot from upstairs. Do not zoom while shooting.
For the last wedding shot I did the internal microphone was sufficient, although you can improve the quality by using an external mic. Keep in mind that it's not very handy to jump around with lots of equipment.
Write a script to plan the video: let it tell a story. Make sure you don't miss the main events; talk to the people who may have some surprise in the box.
And a last hint: make sure you don't run out of video tape and batteries...

bb

[Foambullet]

For doing party interviews if theres not a lot of light indoors, I use a "Universal Camlight" 20W light that I got at best buy for $40. It will make your subject bright and clear (but it could also blind them ;). It also has its own rechargeable battery and connects right to the top of most cameras.

[Dali Lama]

Thanks bb, those are great tips, especially the part about the script. I'll try to get some info about the course of events.

"(but it could also blind them)" - Foambullet

lol That's what I was thinking right before I read it!! But I do have an expansion for an extra light, maybe I can find something.

Oh and an update:

I am going to use a better Sony cam, miniDV, Carl Zeiss lens, and better CCD, with a viewfinder. Better equipment, better results! (i hope)

knowledge increasing,

Dali

[Januszb]

Dali,
When you'll use external camera light try to film everything keeping your camcorder high above your head and using side-screen to view your shots.

This is a good way to avoid blindig of filmed persons with a strong camcorder light. During the wedding party you can also use your camcorder on the dancing floor making shots 40 - 50 cm above the floor.

janusz

[theReal]

It's also a good thing to keep filming constantly, so you will get a constant soundtrack to work with at the point of editing. Because if there's music playing plus some background noise, you'll get a more professional video if this soundtrack isn't interrupted every time you cut a few frames from the picture.

However, as soon as there's somebody talking, the sound has to be in synch with the picture, of course. Then you can't "cheat"

I'd also use an external microphone. It will give you much better results than any of the onboard mics (and much less noise from the camera's mechanics). I often experienced annoying noises from the camera using a Sony PC100-E (which I suppose is about the same you will be using?).

...and make sure the white-level is correct during the indoor shots. The Sony PC100 is pretty good at automatically setting the right levels, but maybe you'd want to correct it manually (so you won't get a yellowish or blueish picture). However if you do set the white level manually, you must under no circumstances forget to re-adjust it when changing the location.

[Babeinternational]

Here is what I call the "Cheap Steadycam":
Hold the LCD (open) with your left hand.
Right hand in the strap.
Camera in front of you, with the shoulder strap hurting your neck (this is the most important part). Arms don't fight against chocks, but accompany them.
With this you absorb most of the shocks, and it keeps you from doing some moves...
As it was said, always keep an eye on the LCD (in this case you have no other choice, the other option is too far :-D )
I often test the settings of my cam in the different environments (white balance, backlight, filters...). You have different programs on DV cams (Program AE on Sony cams), which may be very interesting (spot light, little light,etc.).
If you chose to shoot non stop, try to keep your moves smooth (and especially while zooming). I think you can zoom while recording, as long as you zoom smoothly and keep things "centered". That may need some practice. Always remember where the lights are.

[matzed]

I hope it's not too late, but it'll be useful for anyone after..

During a wedding, we had an idea with one of my friends who just bought a MiniDV cam... We came to every people (we knew only 5 or 6 out of 100 persons !) and asked them : "tell me who you are, and tell anything you want to X and/or Y". Then, we edited the video with 10-15 seconds of each people in the wedding...

It was really, really great for them, because they didn't knew that we were doing that...

And, of course, replace X and Y by the people wore wedding...

Matzed

(sorry for bad english)

[Dali Lama]

@theReal, I didn't think of keeping the sound track continuous thanks!

@JanuszB, I don't really know how I'd do that, since my camera doesn't have an lcd.

@Babeinternational, thanks for that steady cam tech. I have recently done something similar, by using the tripod and pressing it against my body, it works pretty well.

@matzed, its not too late :) But that's a great idea!! I will do it, thanks

And thank you all again,

Dali

[avih]

i really like this thread. it makes me happy ;)
gl dali.

[Sigma9]

Hi,

one more thing I found very handy in the end was having shots from a second camera. Put this on a tripod somewhere in the back of the room(s), preferably elevated. Have this camera run continuously, at least at times you expect something to happen.

Many advantages: 1. if something goes wrong with the main camera (suppose somebody jumps up in front of you right at THE moment...), you have a backup. 2. It makes later-on editing much easier, as you can fill gaps. 3. It helps you to edit... (no to say fake...) 4. you have a continuous sound stream which also helps a lot.

At least for me it turned out to be a big advantage. Of course, you need a second camera - but just ask around: in a medium-size event like this more people will nowadays own one. Borrow it, put it on the tripod, put your tape in, and bingo. When I did it I could have even more than two.

/Sigma9

[theReal]

... then you'll probably better get a DVCAM or DVCPRO camera because the tapes are much longer than miniDV. Maybe you can rent one for a day? Don't know how much that would cost, but you don't film a wedding every day, do you? :)

[writersblock29]

@Dali Lama

One of the first weddings I videotaped, I was stuck without much in the way of equipment, too. But if you have the time to scope out the church and general area where ceremonies are to be held, you'll save yourself some major headaches in the end.

Are the vows to be exchanged inside or outside? If the actual cerimony is inside of a church, do a quick check (days before the event) and see if they have microphone stands -- many will, for choirs. You may (depending on your camera) have the ability to jack an external mic into it. You can also use headphones on most Sonys to monitor the sound. If any of this sounds like an option, then you can simply sneak a mic stand close to the preacher (watch those cords! Duct tape is your friend!) and have all the sound you need for the main event.

If you have access to other camcorders, then set up your "sound" camcorder on a tripod, and let it run with a wide view of the scene. Now sneak around with the OTHER cam, getting close ups that you can edit into the cemenony later. When you're editing, just eliminate the sound from the "sneak" camera -- in favor of the sound from the mic'd tripod cam -- so that your sound is always consistant between camera angles. Leave both cameras running, so that the length of the film is roughly the same; it makes it easier to edit in the end, when all you'll have to do is count frames from a point when someone used a flash bulb. (I now set off a flashbulb purposefully on most videography jobs -- MUCH better than using a clapper!)

Film the audience, off and on! You can use these clips. And for dances, you're better off just filming several couples swaying to a one-two beat, then eliminating the natural sound from your clips, and mixing in music that was played at the ceremony (so long as the tempo of the music matches what you edit to, it'll appear that these people are all dancing to the same song). Grab people to interview! Mom and Dad! Grandparents! The Best Man! You get the idea, right? Just ask them what they'd like to say for the bride and groom, and let them go from there. Catch the bride alone, and let her ham it up for the camera. Catch the groom alone and do the same for him. Remember these people are all in good moods right about now... make use of it!

In the end, you'll see it's more about remembering a good time as opposed to which camera has better resolution, yadda yadda. Just pay special attention to the vows (you can't "just do that over!"), and get creative with the rest.

Have fun!