Having spent many years running photographic studio, I thought I'd seen the last of wedding and 'snapping' at social events on my still gear, having packed it all in about 12 years ago. However a colleague has suggested accompanying him on his wedding bookings (stills only) to video in a 'fly on the wall' manner. Assuming no pro video photographer is present of course. The benefits of the small digital minidv gear makes it an interesting proposition.
Has anyone experience of this type of thing and could offer tips and suggestions? All would be available light of course unless conditions demanded a small camera fill in light. I do have one direct question. A recording of the speaches would seem obvious, but trying to be inconspicuous would mean no extra mics.etc. so has anyone advice on this subject as other might also be interested?
------------------
Hello again Peter,
I've done exactly this a few times. I use a Panasonic DX100 and either hand-hold it or use a monopod to get stability or height (hoik the thing up in the air and trust it to get something on tape). It works and raises eyebrows a little, but the results seem ok. I generally use the inbuilt mic if I'm within 20 feet of the sound source, or a Sennheiser MK300 if I'm a long way away. Since I'm not doing a formal job, it doesn't matter too much if I miss stuff, the pro gets all that.
Just use your imaginatioin, be adventurous, and go for it.
I filmed a wedding video for my cousin using a small JVC DV3 camcorder. I started with some location shots of the wedding (using a tripod) and then filmed some speeches at the reception. From then on it was free hand. I just roamed about getting the atmoshere of the occasion.
You want to shoot some weddings, Peter?
I'll list a few tips that come from my own experience.
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. Check out the parking access to enable a quick getaway from house to church to reception. See 7) below.
2) Have a checklist for the Big Day, so you don't forget a single thing. Don't use new untried kit on the day.
3) When shooting, shoot lots. Remember, this day will never come again. Much easier to edit down your master tapes than to lengthen them.
4) Dance on your toes. Stay very alert. Concentrate on keeping the camera still (unless you're adept at tracking). 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.
5) Check over your kit very carefully. Check whitebalance, exposure, focus settings are all as you require, and are happy with, have experience with.
6) 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.
7) 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.
8) 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. Anyway, your colleague will be doing this.
9) 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.
10) 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.
You still want to go ahead?
If you're a video beginner you really want to be part of a team for a few weddings while you learn the ropes. This way you'll understand the heart stopping preparation and planning involved, the need for backup cameras and equipment, the way to approach the vicar and the administrative side to
invoicing, duplication, advertising, and so on.
You talk of lights, but how many weddings have you been to where the Mr Video uses lights, Peter? Unless it's a high society wedding, it's pretty unlikely that the church will allow it or the bride want it, and I can tell you that it brings with it complication out of all proportion to the improvement it imparts.
Mics. Unless you're into spending real money, wireless mics can bring you great
anguish. Thing about a wedding is that it's a very special day. What you need to do is to reduce your variables as much as possible; the less there is to go wrong the less will go wrong. A bit of interference on you home
movie sound track is little more than a hinderence; on the Special Day it
can be absolutely disasterous. Like Alan says, I'd get closer with the in built mics.
Same goes for filters and wideangles. If you're fiddling about choosing and using filters and various lenses then I'd suggest that you're not paying attention. And on this day you need to be dancing on your toes, vigilent, alert, composed, and thinking at least two steps ahead.
Don't enter this arena lightly. But when you do, go with an absolute confidence in your camera control, with an awareness and understanding of the service, etique, sequence of events and your plan of action. And may Good Luck go with you.
tom.
Peter,
I would echo Tom's words...and add a few of my own:
DON'T ENTER INTO THIS LIGHTLY. As a former stills man you will know what COULD happen if you do:
Imagine the scene:
"Well", said Elsie,"Peter made this video you know. He was a professional photographer until he retired 12-years-ago."
"Really?" replied Doris, "It seems a bit shakey in places and it's not all in focus...but he's captured absolutely everything on the 3 hour tape...hasn't he?
"And, I suppose he's getting on a bit and doesn't understand new technology. Still he did it for nothing where as the professional, I understand wanted £xxx"
TAKE PRIDE IN YOU PRODUCTION - as once you volunteer to "do a video" any thoughts of employing a professional might go out the window!
Use 2 cameras (one remote fixed at w/a on a tripod, with the other as your "roamer".
Use the fixed one at three locations(suggest hire/borrow extra unit) locked off and looking down on main activity:
e.g.
1) Inside church (gives continuous ambient sound track)
2) Outside church
3) At reception
Use the "roamer" when and where you like
Buy a minidisc recorder & mic to capture quality continuous close-up sound of key service/speeches close up.
EDIT ON AN NLE system to create a MAGICAL video which the couple will treasure FOR LIFE.
Use shots from the static cameras to move time on and mask problematic roaming shots.
Make sure you have sorted out copyright for any music used and consider using the odd candid still pic taken at the wedding (by other guests) to further enhance your production!
Peter, you know about pictures, but( as Tom says) sound is VERY important too!!
This set-up would not be expensive or difficult to manage (with just one helper you could do more with the fixed camera/sound too).
HOWEVER, the main point is that by using TWO CAMERAS you will be able to mask ALL the inevitably "faults"...due, either as a result of your own actions...or the baby crying/kid running in front of you at an inappropriate moment!
A wedding day is a magical day. Let's keep it that way by the magical mixing of sound and vision!
Dave,on his soap box again, Currie
[This message has been edited by Dave Currie (edited 10 April 2001).]
Good advice Dave. I've used 2 cams for stage plays and it's a doddle cutting between the two on the timeline. I use the audio track in single frame resolution to sync them up by the way, blowing away one of the sound tracks when the pictures are lined up).
But I'd be wary of leaving a lone cam around at a wedding, really I would. It's a delight come the editing later I agree, but the worry and time involved in looking after this 2nd cam is time out of your wedding filming life.
tom.
Peter,
You could also check out some of the Wedding web sites discussion forums to get a feel for what the brides want. WeddingGuide.co.uk and confetti.co.uk are a couple of them.
The web sites run articles on video which makes the 'customers' surprisingly knowledgeable about these things.
Martin
[This message has been edited by Martin B (edited 10 April 2001).]
To what end are you doing this fly on the wall Peter?
Are you going to sell it to the couple?
Do they know you are going to be there?
If there's going to be a pro present you have got to take an entirely different outlook on your approach.
Don't want to be both turning out the same stuff.
I say find out if there is pro booked even encourage them to book one. Then you don't have to worry about a thing, you can really go to town.
Avant garde, Non Traditional, Fly on the Wall, Wedding Videos Ltd.
Sounds alright to me.
[This message has been edited by red (edited 10 April 2001).]
Thank you all for all the hints and tips on ‘informal’ video at, for instance, weddings. Some of you kindly going to super great lengths to explain all the requirements. Hope you wont mind me mentioning that, as explained, I was an experienced wedding stills photographer and I was used to having all the backup gear with my two Bronica’s, spare backs, duplicate flash guns, spare sync leads etc. and plus also my trusty Nikon – just in case, (not forgetting spare batteries) just in case. . . .
I certainly have no desire to get back into the world of pro work, especially at weddings. (Heaven forbid) All I need to do is be the ‘fly on the wall’ No promises of what I will supply, no commission for work to be undertaken etc. Just my little self, being like any other guest at the wedding with a video camera, except that it would be edited and presented properly.
Any how, I have learnt lots of things from all of you, and for those who do wish to get in to the deep end of wedding video work, all the first class information given will certainly give you a real taste of your needs and requirements.
Thanks Red for posing the questions back to me. All appreciated. Thanks again all.
------------------
To Martin B. Out of interest I looked up the WeddingGuide.co.uk site you mentioned and that is certainly an eye opener for anyone interested in video recording of weddings.
What the brides (past-present and future) have to say about video at weddings is quite amazing isn't it. Hundreds of viewpoints and thoughts on the subject from those that matter and care.
Many of the brides ideas for getting an interesting record of the day without employing an expensive pro. are very interesting and lots just do want that 'fly on the wall' approach that has been discussed.
It also just goes to show that it's not all fellas that discuss things on the web.
I love the type of video you are talking about Peter, it offers a much more natural view of the day.
It's not that hard to disappear between guests with just a polite 'scuse me'. If you take a small dv camera with optical image stabiliser you will come up trumps.
At the speeches sit on a chair fairly near the top table and you won't be noticed. Try and sit at a bit of an angle so you can pan to reactions.
In general, slink about like a ninja and you will get your shots.
Another trick I use is to open my holdall(never use a camera case) and switch on my spare for 5 mins to capture uninterrupted sound track of church bells. This comes in very handy when editing.
I have lost count of the times people have said "we didn't even notice you"
I just give my wry smile. 
They forget they had more important things to do than look for me!
For sound, one thing you can do (in a church at least) is to try and hook up a minidisc recorder to the church PA system, in addition to all your other things you do.
One simple way to do this (if the church has an induction loop) is to plug one of those elctromagnetic pickups you get for putting on telephones into the md recorder as a microphone -- it should pick up the audio off the loop.
Of course, depending on the installation you may or may not get good sound -- but its certainly an extra source...
See you earlier,
Steven
I've done one wedding and doing another in august, so I have reviewed the firts and decided.
1. No drinking the night before.The video was so wobbly when zoomed in. Because i forgot monopod(The demon drink!)
2. Get sound improvement.
I can get a zoom mike for Sony PC100E (about £140) or suggestions please?
3. Reset white colour when in different lighting (Flourescent lights at reception have tinted the colour)
4. Give my details to each other videoer so that I can get some second recordings from them.
regards
Allan
JVC do a stero zoom mic, I've got one but can't recall the model number. It has a slider control to go from zero (degrees) to 120, with a detent at 90 (normal). It's about half the length of the Sennheiser 300. It works well enough for me, HiWay stock it.
------------------
alan@mugswellvillage.freeserve.co.uk. Delete village for a spam-free diet.
Allanwads,
Were you on the amber nectar when you posted your contribution?
Just interested...
Dave C