Suggested Reading for Wedding Videography

1. atlastprod
   Member

   
   Looking for your suggestions on required reading for someone wanting to break into Wedding Videography?
   
   Thanks!

   Posted 4 years ago #

2. compusolver
   Member

   
   Naturally, I'd recommend our video course!
   
   Sadly, there isn't much out there that is worth recommending. eventDV magazine often has articles by wedding videographers and IS recommend reading.
   
   As for books, well it has been my experience that what is out there is loaded with misinformation, information gaps and information that is so narrow in scope due to the writers' narrow experiences.
   
   One of the latest - "The Wedding Video Handbook" by CMP Books is in that category. So much misinformation, irrelevant information and so many info gaps, and based on narrow experiences that it likely does more harm than good.
   
   On the other hand, there is plenty to be learned by reading these books, if you know what to overlook and hold your nose at.
   
   Here is the problem - wedding videographers work harder than any other category of video career, yet they are paid less than any other. So what happens? People start off in wedding videography because it is the easiest field to break into. But as their skills increase, they branch off into more lucrative fields.
   
   This means that often (NOT ALWAYS, but often - very often) those who remain in the business more than five years are there because, quite frankly - they aren't very good.
   
   So that leaves us with two groups of authors - those with not much experience, but with talent and those with experience but without much talent or skill.
   
   I am not immune from those issues. This is my third time diving into film. The first was back in the sixties when it really was film. The second was early eighties through early nineties - the begining of wedding videography. And now that we've established a successful wedding business again, we are looking to train other couples to handle our growing business, while we branch off into a new and more lucrative area. (Which I may write about in a year or two).

   Posted 4 years ago #

3. atlastprod
   Member

   
   So maybe I should make the question a little more broad!?!?!
   
   Suggested reading for someone breaking into video (HD)?

   Posted 4 years ago #

4. compusolver
   Member

   
   I've got nothing on HD yet.
   
   I can't think of any one book that I'd call outstanding but I've gleaned a lot from my video library, consisting in part of -
   
   Film Directing Shot by Shot - Katz
   Lighting for Digital Video & Television - Jackman
   Making Documentary films and Reality Videos - Hampe
   Video Shooter - Braverman
   Setting up Your Shots - Vineyard
   $30 Film School - Dean
   The Filmmaker's Handbook - Ascher & Pincus
   
   Obviously, our course includes all the boiled-down knowledge that pertains to wedding videography that I and my two collaborators have contributed.

   Posted 4 years ago #

5. mmontgomery
   Inactive

   
   I'd recommend if you're jumping into Wedding Videography that you take a look at CVP's book "Capturing Creativity." It's a great starter to the field of wedding videography.
   
   Here's their website: http://www.cvpinspiration.com/
   
   Mark

   Posted 4 years ago #

6. ThomW
   Member

   

   I agree with compusolver's opinions and reasoning behind the lack of information.  Not talking about the fundamentals of good camera and editing techniques but the business of weddings.  You won't need any books there are too many bits of info on the net.  The best way that I have found is just getting to know everyone involved in the wedding production as a whole.  Many brides have ideas of what they want in the video and many don't know where to begin.  Be flexible.  There are photographers and DJs that you will meet- network, network, network.  Have business cards in your pockets.  But the most important people that I think any wedding videographers must get to know is the cordinators and wedding planners.  90% of every business that I have received is through these people.  The bride and groom ussually sit and consult their needs to these fine organizers long before they decide whose catering, flower arrangments, photographers and who's doing the video.  They can help in a whole host of items and issues.  From where your allowed to shoot (there are rules in some churches), directions to locations, who you need to know about sound and lighting, even whether or not your allowed to go through the buffet line, trust me wedding cordinators can make your day easy.  And, they can set you up for the next event with little effort on your part.  If you have established relations with as many cordinators as you can in your area you may never have to commute very far.  I never spend any money on advertising instead I give a percentage to those who recommend me.  And that's why they keep me busy.

   Buy my "How To Do Wedding Videos" for the low price of... Just kidding.

   There you have it.  There are lots of things behind the scenes like income tax and epuipment upgrading that you will need to learn.  But dive in and make every one feel comfortable that they have you instead of someone else.

   This industry sometimes forgets that there was a time in the not so distant past that the only time you got paid was when you woke up the next morning and went back to work. Earning royalties for something you did 20 years ago is only a recent phenomenon.

   Posted 3 years ago #

7. cdanddvdpublisher
   Member

   

   But the most important people that I think any wedding videographers must get to know is the cordinators and wedding planners. 90% of every business that I have received is through these people. The bride and groom ussually sit and consult their needs to these fine organizers long before they decide whose catering, flower arrangments, photographers and who's doing the video. They can help in a whole host of items and issues. From where your allowed to shoot (there are rules in some churches), directions to locations, who you need to know about sound and lighting, even whether or not your allowed to go through the buffet line, trust me wedding cordinators can make your day easy. And, they can set you up for the next event with little effort on your part. If you have established relations with as many cordinators as you can in your area you may never have to commute very far.

   I agree. Networking with wedding coordinators is perhaps the best thing you can do for your business. I'm not sure I agree entirely with the comment that only less talented videographers continue doing weddings. Some actually do it because they like it. Though, for the most part, it's probably true that the most talented move on to other things because that's where the money is.

   Posted 3 years ago #

8. ThomW
   Member

   

   Well, there is something to be said about talent going were the money is.  First of all, would you spend $500 or $800 or $1200 for less then a feature length film just so that you may pull it out and look at it a couple of times.  Newly weds think this is the most important day of their lives and want it captured and are willing to fork out every dollar they have to preserve that moment only to find it years later in the back of the stack of other movies shoved in the front.  Unfortunetly many find it because there cleaning house due to the divorce.  The fact is: unless the bride and groom are loaded and don't care what they spend its hard for a videographer to commit all they want to see in their wedding video for the price they are willing to pay.  However, a company or business can justify spending even tens of thousands of dollars to promote their product, training their employees, educating the customers and public.  But business don't want to do business with just anyone with a camera they want experience and quality.  Therefore, many of your better videographers get drafted (sorta speak) to places that pay more and no longer have time to do weddings.  It's true there are long timers in the wedding business that are very good at their craft.  But I bet they have worked their way and learned how to pick and choose the weddings they want to do by which have the greatest income potential.  

   Just a side note: the devious videograpers know that weddings can be the easiest way to hide money from the IRS.  Not advising- just saying that its true.

   Posted 3 years ago #

9. blarevideoproduction
   Member

   

    For my shooters and editors I have had to take the time to type out very specific instructions and have training sessions for a day or two.  I haven't found any other way to really get my employees to understand exactly what I want the m to do.  Step by step specific situation bound instruction is the best.  general theory and practice often leads to obvious mistakes.  I would love to see something out there but EVENT DV is the best right now and really does everything else that I would want to do on a more general level.

   Posted 3 years ago #

10. cdanddvdpublisher
    Member

    

    I would check out the book "The Wedding Video Handbook: How to Succeed in the Wedding Video Business"

    Posted 3 years ago #

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