C100: First Wedding

K

Kastro

Well-known member
So this was a last minute type deal (called wed to shoot on sat) as well as being my first wedding. Was a bit rough around the edges while there, but it was an experience.

2man show. C100/5Dmk2/T2i . Unfortunately due to all the movement and hubbub I couldnt get the glidecam in order for some smoother movements.

Would like some opinions to better myself overall.

Thanks

 
get a manfrotto 561-bdhv monopod. get better sound equipment ( wireless lav + rode mic)

shoot 3 in 1 (3 shots make a sequence, wide, medium tight).

always always find backlight/flare for weddings, since the situations arent allow you to carefully frame a shot.

if you like handheld shot (I suggest get rid of it cuz it takes you a lot of practice to master it, harder than steadicams), try to zoom in a bit

wide handheld shot isnt that easy to film. Why ? cuz everyone videotape using wide angles on their smartphones. you are shooting the same angle and level as them.

for example, 4:15, your first dance shot. This shot is complete useless, Id rather cut between a steadicam @35mm or even 50mm with F2.2, and another angle using 70-200 super tight.


and always always find foregrounds. try to create a 3 dimensional space.

bottom line, for wedding

1. you have to have a wireless lav for the groom (sometimes the ceremony place doesnt have a sound system, like parks), and always bring a audio recorder to hook up any sound systems in the ceremony/reception.

2. tripod, 70-200, is MUST HAVE. why ? you need 70-200 + tripod for ceremony OTS shots, and reception Podium shots. F2.8 IS !!!!

3. monopod is MUST have (only manfrotto 561-bdhv), cuz for run n gun, you can do a fake crane, fake slider shots using this piece of gear. VERY VERY USEFUL



if you have these, then you can do basic weddings by 2 man, and once you are familiar with the flow and work pace, you can add steadicam, slider, even do timelapse as your taste.

2 man = a little bit stressed for Chinese, Indian type of weddings where it requires lots of travelings between locations (morning prep, door game, ceremony, photoshoot, reception)

but 2 man is definitely do-able for Caucasian weddings.

3 man is safe
 
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That's a brilliant tip on use for a manfrotto 561-bdhv. Faking steadicam with a monopod...never thought of that.
 
I've found sound is always key for weddings. Get great sound and be redundant.

For doc-style work I send out two Sennheiser G3 lavs (I would put one on the groom and one somewhere else) into a Tascam DR100 mark II. I use Sanyo XXX AA batteries and can record for 8 hours straight on that setup.

I used to try to hook into the outputs of sound boards or PAs, but I've found that usually the person running the board either doesn't know what they're doing, has zero interest in making your recording work, or there simply is no way to patch into the outputs. I bring cables to patch a DR-40 into their mixer if necessary, but I find it's often easier to just put a small mixer (like the DV ProMix 3) upstream, so my levels are predictable. Added bonus is that you get the "is this thing on" moments even when the person running the sound board has the mic down.

I also use something small, like a Zoom H1, to hide in a plant, behind a lectern, etc. Since it's impossible to fix lav problems live, you need some kind of backup. It may also get some cool moments the lav misses.

I love the 70-200 IS for weddings, but if you shoot with a different kit, or you're outside, you don't necessarily need it. And you'll still feel like it isn't fast enough in a dark reception hall. I am 100% on primes by the time the sun goes down.

I shot a wedding with two BMCCs as my C&D cams and really liked them. I don't like them as manned cameras (really jell-o-y), but they are great to get a medium and close fixed shot.
 
I doubt you have the rights to much of the music in this do you? It's probably not a good idea posting such things online. You need sync and streaming rights for all songs when doing so.
 
How did the introduction come about? That was odd to me. I don't know the groom but it sounded like he was being fed lines off camera, or otherwise was a bad actor. It is my opinion that interviews during weddings will never be remotely genuine. It's nobody's fault, just that the interviewee has no time to trust you, and he/she knows the entire family will see it. Too much pressure. Anyway, this interview at the beginning was very uncomfortable.
 
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