Event Cinematography: What Filming Weddings Teaches You
From the HD Pro Guide Magazine archive: this article first appeared in HD Pro Guide Magazine, Vol. 2, No. 2 (2014). By Nancy Yachnes.
weddings Yet, filming events (the trade is moving away from using the term “videographer,” and towards using more cinematic-inspired descriptions) is so different than the protocol of a film set. First of all, the crews are usually drastically smaller at events. Most wedding cinematographers are working with one assistant, at best. There is no one to pull focus, no “audio guy,” and no gaffer. Yes, we shoot with multiple cameras, each camera having an operator, but only the highest-end studios have a dedicated person working with sound, and another with lights. Even though every wedding is unique, there are aspects that are expected, and each cinematographer learns to become a “jack of all trades.” What really sets event cinematography apart is the unexpected. For the most part, there are no “second
Making films and filming events like weddings are becoming More and More similar in terms of
Equipment needed. “the guy with the video camera”
Probably does Still exist, but these days, Most professionals are shooting with high end cameras, dslrs, and are incorporating an array of lighting, audio, and camera stabilization equipment that would be fine on a film set. wedding videography event cinematography
takes,” (“Could you please give the ring again?”) and many impromptu emotional moments that will add tremendous depth to a wedding film. At a commercial shoot, or a film set, the constraints are usually budget and weather. If something goes wrong, it can usually be repaired with a reshoot. At a wedding, the first shoot is the only shoot. At the start of my filming career ten years ago, I learned from my mentors Kathy and Al Ritondo that everything needs a back up. Every camera, every microphone, every light… because you just don't know what's going to happen. And another tip from Kathy and Al: all your gear better be super organized, because you're going to need to pull it out on a moment's notice.
Every time I think I've “seen it all,” at events, something new turns up to challenge us. Last fall, we were shooting a magnificent wedding in a hotel in Atlantic City. The bride was gorgeous, the hotel lovely. We took the bridal party to the beach and created both still and moving images that were beautiful. The portraits sessions were fine, and then the outside ceremony went off without a hitch. Smooth sailing, right? Except that immediately following the ceremony, there was a near-by car accident, which took out all the power in the region. Yes, the hotel had a generator, but only to illuminate emergency exits.
Because we had learned to be prepared, we had plenty of battery-powered lights, which we used to good effect for the recessional, and post-ceremony portraits, as was expected with this wedding. Fortunately, power was restored in time for the reception (what would the band have done?), and the bridal party “oohed and ahhed” over all their portraits, even those lit with video lights!
Event cinematography is not for the faint of heart… it can be extremely rewarding, though, and allow for the release of endless creativity.
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