brandondull
Well-known member
I booked a wedding and I want to shoot it on my hvx200a & DSLR. Any sugggestions on the best way to shoot it with 1 16 GB P2 card @ 720 HD. (40 mins to record) any on camera lighting setups?
Wedding Video
- Thread starter brandondull
- Start date
steev'sHVX
Well-known member
bring everything just in case. hope you have a laptop to upload footage too.
Focus and sound are critical in weddings in particular.
Jarek Zabczynski
Veteran
Only one card? Impossible. Get more cards or turn it down. You can't wing something like this. These are people's memories and you get one shot to get it done. Sure, you'll probably be able to record the ceremony and have enough time to dump the card before the reception...maybe. But having one card at the reception will kill you. Sure I guess you can shoot with the DSLR while your card is dumping and vice versa, but honestly you're asking for trouble, especially if it's your first wedding and are unfamiliar doing these. Also, you absolutely NEED to have the following for something like this.
...lots of batteries
wireless lav
on camera lighting
some sort of shoulder rig if planning all handheld
Reliable footage transfer solution (laptop?)
You can't count on being able to recharge batteries.
You really need to mic the groom or priest to hear anything.
Rerceptions get really dark. Unless you're outside all day during the day you'll get screwed without your own lights.
HVX gets really heavy for handheld, especially after sticking a mic and light on it. You will get tired.
Those are the basics. If you don't have that in check then I suggest you gracefully bow out before you get in over your head. Maybe I'm coming across a bit harsh, but you seem to be under the impression that this will be a walk in the park for you.
Also, make sure it states in your contract that you will be fed at the reception.
No joke!
...lots of batteries
wireless lav
on camera lighting
some sort of shoulder rig if planning all handheld
Reliable footage transfer solution (laptop?)
You can't count on being able to recharge batteries.
You really need to mic the groom or priest to hear anything.
Rerceptions get really dark. Unless you're outside all day during the day you'll get screwed without your own lights.
HVX gets really heavy for handheld, especially after sticking a mic and light on it. You will get tired.
Those are the basics. If you don't have that in check then I suggest you gracefully bow out before you get in over your head. Maybe I'm coming across a bit harsh, but you seem to be under the impression that this will be a walk in the park for you.
Also, make sure it states in your contract that you will be fed at the reception.
No joke!
Tom 4
Well-known member
Only one card? Impossible. Get more cards or turn it down. You can't wing something like this.
...lots of batteries
wireless lav
on camera lighting
some sort of shoulder rig if planning all handheld
Reliable footage transfer solution (laptop?)
You can't count on being able to recharge batteries.
You really need to mic the groom or priest to hear anything.
Rerceptions get really dark. Unless you're outside all day during the day you'll get screwed without your own lights.
HVX gets really heavy for handheld, especially after sticking a mic and light on it. You will get tired.
Also, make sure it states in your contract that you will be fed at the reception.
Great advice , seems all your listed is the same world over, Yes food at reception is a must, we had to buy a pizza and cans of drink at one wedd years ago because the brides father cancelled our seats and meals, he said tyo me "what, we have to feed you as well as paying you!". (the bride began to cry as she was paying for us, and her stupid dad embarrased her in front of many friends).
we began at 10am that day and were expected to be there till 1am next day, with no seat or food. it hasen't happened since. we now demand a seat with photo guys and band, and push to be fed first (after head table) if your fed last no doubt you will have to tape something at that point in time.
Cheers
Tom K
bclighting
Well-known member
Yup, one card won't do it. A standard ceremony is 30 min. Make it a Catholic Wedding with mass and you are looking at an easy hour. There rarely is enough time to dump cards with two shooters; one person, downright impossible and dangerous. Missing things is NOT an option. I have had brides call asking for video stills because the photographer missed something.
At least 3 batteries is a must as well, 1 for b roll, 1 for ceremony and 1 for reception. Always a fresh one for each segment, changing a batt. during the ceremony is bad news, once again even worse if it is one shooter/camera.
Everything we do is 2 shooters/cameras and a 7D backup/b roll. Also 8 tracks of audio; 2 wireless, 1 shotgun, press feed in and the on camera mics as extreme backup. Redundancy is the name of our game.
At least 3 batteries is a must as well, 1 for b roll, 1 for ceremony and 1 for reception. Always a fresh one for each segment, changing a batt. during the ceremony is bad news, once again even worse if it is one shooter/camera.
Everything we do is 2 shooters/cameras and a 7D backup/b roll. Also 8 tracks of audio; 2 wireless, 1 shotgun, press feed in and the on camera mics as extreme backup. Redundancy is the name of our game.
steev'sHVX
Well-known member
all these things make me stay away from weddings.
paid gig=stress=no fun
paid gig=stress=no fun
NC17z
Well-known member
Brandon, I'm a full time wedding filmmaker. I''ve shot over 30 weddings this year alone and still have another 30 to go before my year is complete. I shoot with the HPX170 with 2 X 64Gig, and 2 X 32Gig Cards. In order to get around your space issue without having to break you piggy bank I would suggest shooting to DV tape. What ever money your going to invest, I would suggest picking up a cordless Lav such as a G2 wireless system, A more affordable way would be to buy a this
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...5_Portable_24_bit_Digital.html#specifications
with a LAV Mic and mic the Groom or the Officiant/Priest/JP/....
I'm sure you can figure out how to sync audio... Its a lot easier these days with NLE's...
Use your 16 Gig card for some 720P overcranking stuff during the photography session. Document the Day, Capture the details, Focus on the EMOTION... If you can get your hands on a Zoom H4n or the new H1 they could be so valuable in making your wedding video come to life. People hear with their eyes and see with their ears.
Your end product will end up on DVD anyway, unless you've promised bluray.
Shoot 23.98 (24P) in order to match the cadence of your DSLR...
I know you'd like to shoot HD however, it ain't going to happen with a just 16 Gig Card.
We haven't even talked about "on camera lighting" thats a whole nother story... Additional Batteries, Tripods, Mono Pods, oh... and wear all black...
YOU CAN DO THIS...
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...5_Portable_24_bit_Digital.html#specifications
with a LAV Mic and mic the Groom or the Officiant/Priest/JP/....
I'm sure you can figure out how to sync audio... Its a lot easier these days with NLE's...
Use your 16 Gig card for some 720P overcranking stuff during the photography session. Document the Day, Capture the details, Focus on the EMOTION... If you can get your hands on a Zoom H4n or the new H1 they could be so valuable in making your wedding video come to life. People hear with their eyes and see with their ears.
Your end product will end up on DVD anyway, unless you've promised bluray.
Shoot 23.98 (24P) in order to match the cadence of your DSLR...
I know you'd like to shoot HD however, it ain't going to happen with a just 16 Gig Card.
We haven't even talked about "on camera lighting" thats a whole nother story... Additional Batteries, Tripods, Mono Pods, oh... and wear all black...
YOU CAN DO THIS...
brandondull
Well-known member
I was thinking of getting my hands on a mac laptop again since I stupidly sold mine. I talked it over with the clients about offloading footage and the time frame it might take. If I did get a p2 card what size would you recommend?
brandondull
Well-known member
should I try & buy a shotgun mic? What decent one would you recommend?
brandondull
Well-known member
I am getting paid. half up front so I have some money to work with. My DSLR camera is ready to go. I have 36 gigs for that. I just might need an on board camera light but my main worries are the HVX200a. I only have 1 16 gig card. the wedding is in October so I have some time to make some purchases.
brandondull
Well-known member
Only one card? Impossible. Get more cards or turn it down. You can't wing something like this. These are people's memories and you get one shot to get it done. Sure, you'll probably be able to record the ceremony and have enough time to dump the card before the reception...maybe. But having one card at the reception will kill you. Sure I guess you can shoot with the DSLR while your card is dumping and vice versa, but honestly you're asking for trouble, especially if it's your first wedding and are unfamiliar doing these. Also, you absolutely NEED to have the following for something like this.
...lots of batteries
wireless lav
on camera lighting
some sort of shoulder rig if planning all handheld
Reliable footage transfer solution (laptop?)
You can't count on being able to recharge batteries.
You really need to mic the groom or priest to hear anything.
Rerceptions get really dark. Unless you're outside all day during the day you'll get screwed without your own lights.
HVX gets really heavy for handheld, especially after sticking a mic and light on it. You will get tired.
Those are the basics. If you don't have that in check then I suggest you gracefully bow out before you get in over your head. Maybe I'm coming across a bit harsh, but you seem to be under the impression that this will be a walk in the park for you.
Also, make sure it states in your contract that you will be fed at the reception.
The budget is small - there not asking for much.
brandondull
Well-known member
Thanks for the advice. The ceremony is 30 mins long so on the HVX200a I have enough time. Then offload the footage I am thinking & capture the reception as a highlight reel. I have a feeling its going to turn out nice for the budget I am working with & my effort. I have softbox lighting thats amazing to help the reception hall as well *they said it was really dark & dont mind* My DSLR is good to go - just need to get a mac laptop some audio & or more p2 cards. I am not understanding that audio device you posted your link to. looks pretty cool though.
AlpineSteez
Active member
You seem to be lacking the audio side of things my friend.
This is the most important part of the video.
This is the most important part of the video.
That's why I've said as well.
At weddings, people want to hear what is being said, and you should have multiple redundant sources of it.
At weddings, people want to hear what is being said, and you should have multiple redundant sources of it.
brandondull
Well-known member
what do you suggest I get for audio? please provide links so I can buy it.
brandondull
Well-known member
what do you suggest I get for audio? please provide links so I can buy it.