Funeral Footage?

Kevin Lee

Kevin Lee

Veteran
I was just asked to film a funeral this friday night. I was suprised, and concerned. As far as trying to get crying faces and things that people don't normally want to be filmed. Plus .... umm ...... its a funeral. I guess they want it as a memorial or something.

Anyway anyone else ever do a funeral? And any pointers?
 
Hm. I can understand your concern. Not the kind of thing I would expect people to want to watch back, but I can also see the memorial thing I guess. I have no pointers whatsoever, sorry, just thought I would let you know you're not crazy. That is a hard time for everyone and I would think they wouldn't want their faces immortalized on film. Good luck!
 
I can see the need to film at a funeral if a head of state or royal family member were to pass away... but I haven't heard of the average person wanting to have video shot at a funeral. I would probably recommend using the zoom on your camera (or a long lens if you're shooting with an adapter), so you aren't in everyone's face. Other than that, maybe pretend it's a wedding and you're watching tears of joy?
 
Look for some funerals footage, I'm sure there is stock footage for that, and take ideas, or maybe look for a film with a funeral on it. Other than that no Idea, I would really feel strange in other people's funeral with a camera................But i'm sure it's a really emotive thing for the person that asked you so that would be an important reason to do it.
 
you know at weddings how people take one picture where everyone is making a silly face... you may want to avoid that.
 
I shot a funeral/memorial once.

There actually are some pretty legitimate reasons to shoot it. This person who had passed away was a fraternity member with my brother, and his parents lived in Florida (I'm in Austin). The fraternity held a big thing for the guy, and his parents wanted some way to see it.

I got footage of flower arrangements, pictures of the guy, people entering from behind, and everyone who got up and spoke. I wouldn't try to shoot any people who look even mildly upset.

I wasn't paid or anything for that, so I don't know how different that would be.
 
I've shot a few. Usually it's for the purpose of relatives not being able to be there, so they send them a DVD of it. Lots of times there's older relatives that just can't make it, or are bedridden.

Shy away from people's crying faces, and, for the most part, get a wider shot that encapsulates the entire event. Lav up the officiant, and whoever will be speaking or giving a eulogy. Stay back and be as inconspicuous as possible.

Leave the beer bong at home.
 
I have to agree, just look at it like, If I was at a funeral what would I see. you'd watch with respect the people talking about the departed, memoris, you'd see a slide show, you'd have moments when you can't really deal with anything so you look at the flowers, when you're shooting a wedding, there is some room for being an artist, at a funeral, you're jsut a camera man. if you're also shooting at the grave, and you can get the shot from farther off, do it, if you have to be upclose, just try to be out of the way, be at an angle that people will not naturally be looking at, they will typically all be on one side of the coffin, the priest will typicly be at the head of the coffin, so I would say be at the foot of it, and 5 to 10 feet to the side of the people, try to get the priest, and the coffin, flowers and nothing else. after they leave the grave site there is often a reception, sometimes its before the funeral, this is where you ask people to say a few world about the departed.

never look happy, never look sad, show no emotion,

good luck
 
Drew Ott said:
I got footage of ..... people entering from behind...
Click to expand...

Hmmm......I always thought that was the part ....after... the funeral. Ehhh...morality in modern times....

Drew Ott said:
I wouldn't try to shoot any people who look even mildly upset.
Click to expand...
I wouldn't do that either. What beast could shoot people in pain? I wouldn't shoot them when they are happy either, I just don't have the heart (but I know others do it for a living).
One other thing no one has mentioned: counting on this kind of business would ultimately lead to crime. (when you run out of customers, ya know...) :beer:
 
The main thing is to be totally unobtrusive. Stay behind everyone, on a tripod. Filming from the rear gives the experience of "being there", and avoids issues of people who don't want to be filmed. You'll get the speakers; if people file by the casket, you'll likely get them in profile - in that manner the important people will be seen a bit in the video...
 
I would avoid any shots of people's faces, at all. I'd imagine you'd have some difficulty getting everyone to sign releases...
 
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