Censorship in wedding videos? « Videomaker Community Forums

compusolver
Member

This question is for all you wedding videographers - Do you censor?

Sometimes well-wishers have a bit too much to drink and get obnoxious and/or x-rated in their interviews.

In my latest wedding video, it was the DJ who went out of bounds. When the groom undershot the garter throw, the DJ said, "I hope you can shoot straighter than that tonight." I found a gap of ambient sound, duplicated it a couple times and blanked out the inappropriate comment.

I've yet to have a client complain about cutting out a DJ's comments (they probably don't remember), and they probably never know about their intoxicated "well-wishers", but another videographer mentioned a similiar, but even worse occurance to me and said he felt it ruined his video, yet he felt obliged to leave it in because it was his job to record the history of the event.

I wonder how many others feel that way? I think it is our job to record the event, sure - but more importantly it is our job to please our clients. To that end, I will continue my censorship practice.

What do you do? What are some of the worst things you've had to cut out (or left in)?

Posted 6 years ago #
Video-maniac
Member

Good topic!

For me I always make sure that everything comes out on the up-n-up. While there hasnÂ’t been too many times where I had to do this, I just feel that I need to make the video safe enough for the Pope to watch. You just never know who will see it. My biggest fear would be children watching something that maybe they shouldnÂ’t be.

Sure I suppose that there would be a couple that would want something left in but IÂ’d be inclined to make an Â“Out takeÂ” disk or something instead for them.

The only thing that has happened to me that required some divine intervention was of course at a reception in which a woman wearing a rather low cut dress was dancing up a storm when low and behold 8-O everyone (including myself) was treated to a little extra sugarÂ… if you know what I mean. I just didnÂ’t include that in the final copy.

RAM

Posted 6 years ago #
birdcat
Moderator

Video-maniac Wrote:
at a reception in which a woman wearing a rather low cut dress was dancing up a storm when low and behold everyone (including myself) was treated to a little extra sugarÂ… if you know what I mean.RAM

Hasn't everyone seen that photo of the woman popping out as she goes for the bridal bouquet? (I've gotten in email at least half a dozen times over the past few years).

If it were my wedding (37 days from today as it turns out) I would want that scene - just not in the main video - Maybe a "Bloopers Reel"? I think it would be hilarious and I'm sure there are others who feel the same - Or maybe it's just my sick sense of humor???
Bruce Paul
7Squared Productions
http://www.7squared.com

Posted 6 years ago #
compusolver
Member

I agree that would make a good outtake, but I'd leave it to the couple's discretion. Coarse comments by DJs, and lewd remarks by "friends" are another matter altogether - in my opinion.

I don't think most brides would want a wedding video that children couldn't watch - but I might be wrong.

Posted 6 years ago #
KBVP
Member

Many years ago, I shot my CPA's wedding. When it came time to shoot the reception, he briefed me on his "method of removing the garter". He told me where to be for the correct camera angle. Use your imagination, but he and I decided to make two versions of the video.
I think a good guide line is if you think it could offend someone, don't do it.
Along the same lines, I've shot tons of "B" roll of crowds at airshows. I had one shot that made a perfect cutaway to people looking up, pointing, and showing amazement. After a couple hundred copies shipped, a friend of mine called and said he really enjoyed the crowd shots I put in. The lesson I learned from this is get a bigger monitor and look very closely at the women in the grandstands. I decided to change the master.
Editing the audio from a wedding reception really boils down to common sense. Wedding videos have been known to ship to the minister, etc. On the other hand, it's the bride and grooms moment in time- maybe they should make the decision since they paid for it. Remember- you can extract the sound clip and email it to the client for their input. I've do this for marketing videos when there are choices of music or changes in voice overs.

Posted 6 years ago #