shooting a wedding video « Videomaker Community Forums

Ryan3078
Member

my uncle is getting married next month. he asked another uncle and myself to film the wedding. we are extremely limited in equipment. I have a Panasonic PV-GS39 and a tripod. Also some basic halogen worklights. My uncle has a Digital8 camcorder. How can we make the best of this situation?

Posted 5 years ago #
faqvideo
Member

Use Panasonic as a main camera, the Hi8 as a back up. Most likely you won't be able to use lights in the church, and those worklights are extremely bright, so keep them for speeches.

Think ahead of tapes and batteries. Make sure, you have enough of both.

Check my Shoot-It-Yourself Wedding Video Guide at http://www.faqvideo.com.
Shoot-It-Yourself Wedding Video Guide, http://www.faqvideo.com/siy_book

Posted 5 years ago #
compusolver
Member

Keep both cams on tripod during the ceremony. Maybe one to the groom's side, where you can occasionally get closeups of the bride and one to the rear of the church (especially if static) or in front to the bride's side where it can occasionally shoot cu of the groom. If the 2nd cam is not at the rear, it can occasionally go wide to include minister and the couple, then (when you're sure the other camera is steady on a shot) go through the bridal party, cu's of guests etc.

Get lots of closeups and pay attention to audio. Mic the groom, the minister and any other speakers, singers or musicians. Do not use buit-in camera mics.

During the reception, work as a team with one camera on tripod shooting a bit wide and the other handheld shooting close. If your handheld abilities aren't up to it, have both on tripod but same idea, wide/close. Put a mic in front of a DJ speaker to capture that sound and another elsewhere for the ambient. When you get audio that is pertinent to your cu shots, blend it in.

Have fun.

Posted 5 years ago #
Ryan3078
Member

Well, I had a blast filming it. My uncle wanted to do his separately, so I used my footage. I use Premiere Pro 1.5's very useful wedding templates, did a few montages of choice video at the reception, and ended it with the song "Time of Your Life" by Greenday. In my opinion, a very easy and simple video, yet the couple loved it. Even made the bride cry.

Now, at my church, there is a person who did the weekly video of masses. Last fall, he handed the job over to me. Now, he has gotten back in touch with me and has hired me to help with 2 wedding videos this summer. What are some things I should be thinking about/considering for these shoots?

Thanks in advance.

Posted 5 years ago #