Wedding VideoLand

The Goal: Create a top-notch video keepsake that will be treasured for generations to come.

As you advance around the board, you collect the knowledge and techniques needed to produce a keepsake wedding video. But, beware! Along the way, there are plenty of pitfalls that can slow you down or even take you out of the game.

Each leg of your journey will call for different skills. Prep City is where you'll prepare for the big day. On Ceremony Boulevard, you'll focus on the big event. Receptionville will highlight the post-event celebrations. And finally, the home stretch - everything comes together on Edit Row.

Start on Square One. Advance step-by-step, trying to avoid the mistakes that can set you back.

In Prep City, you move forward by discussing plans for the video with the happy couple and understanding the kind of ceremony you'll be filming. Would they like a music montage of pictures at the head of the tape? Should you record personal interviews with the members of the bridal party? Will you shoot with one camera or three? Will you be paid or will you give the video as a gift? This is the time to find out. Here you must gather information, including who the central players are, where and when the action will take place and the kind of ceremony planned. Make notes so you'll remember the details and give the couple a copy so that everyone knows what to expect.

You cannot proceed from Prep City until you have a complete shot sheet spelling out clearly what's expected.

This is also where you make absolutely sure you have everything you need to get your job done. That includes your camera, tripod, batteries, wireless mic and tape stock, of course, but also includes a lot of other things you'll need to make sure your shoot goes smoothly. Extra charged batteries, AC adapters, extension cords and extra videotapes are a good start.

When you're ready to advance, check everything one more time, and then proceed.

From a simple ceremony before a justice of the peace to a full Catholic wedding with high Mass - the variety of wedding ceremonies is staggering.

Romanian Orthodox and Orthodox Jewish ceremonies are worlds apart, so if it's your first time videotaping either, you need to talk to the couple and do plenty of research, so you'll know what to expect.

No matter what kind of wedding you'll cover, don't forget that it really isn't about decorations and fancy dresses. Weddings are about people, and those people go beyond the bride and groom. It is important to identify the important family members, friends and the whole wedding party. A family wedding might be the one and only time Aunt Julia comes back east. So, you need to identify as many friends and family as possible in advance and make sure that you highlight the smiling faces of the entire assembled cast. It's always a good idea to attend the rehearsal. This will let you locate a good place for the camera, get a feel for the flow of the ceremony, and get you face to face with key members of the family and bridal party.

At the venue, you'll need to scout out a great camera position. You'll want to be where you have an unobstructed shot of the bride. Remember, in a wedding, she's the star.

Also, double-check your audio. Whether you tap into the house PA system or use a dependable wireless microphone on the groom, you'll need clear audio of what's said by the minister, bride and groom, and anyone else who participates in the formal parts of the ceremony.

When you land in Receptionville, expect to be on the move. This is where you'll be doing lots of legwork. Depending on the ceremony type, there'll be lots of special moments to cover. The arrival of the newlyweds, the cake cutting, the flower toss and all the other traditions leading up to the toasts, the dancing and anything else the planners have cooked up. It's time to step up and get all those great action shots that will help the happy couple remember this day for a lifetime.

OK, the big day is over, but your job is just beginning. If you got good footage, your editing task will be much easier. Especially if your contract specifies what your "deliverables" will be. Many of today's brides want complete coverage of the events from start to finish, plus a separate short highlights tape edited down for easy viewing. Your notes from the Prep City interview should have covered all of this, so you know what's expected.

Now get cutting, so the tape will be ready before the couple gets back from the honeymoon!