Cameras, cameras, cameras… So, with our Essential Collection we film with 2-3 cameras, and with our 4k Signature Series we film with 3-5 and sometimes 6 cameras. Why? When I first started filming weddings, I really became aware of the “there are no do-overs” concept during a wedding. Also, the last thing I wanted to do was be the guy with a camera running thru your wedding with everyone wondering… “What is he doing?”
So, since I can’t be in multiple places at the same time, and didn’t want to bring a “gang” of videographers to a wedding, I started using multiple stationary cameras. We do our best to place them out of the way, with long lenses on tripods. Your guests may notice them when they first arrive, but are soon forgotten about once you start walking down the aisle… we’re all about being invisible.
While having up to 6 cameras is not always required for a highlight film, I strongly believe that the films we create are about the future, not so much today. One of the most popular add on’s I do is the “Live Edit” wedding film. This is where I take the footage of the day and create a complete film of your ceremony, toasts, and first dances. All of it.
So, when you watch your ceremony film, it will have the look and feel of a high end production. With up to 6 cameras filming at once, I can do a few things with the edit… 1) Create a quick paced film compared to a single or even two camera film that may not be all that exciting to watch for 20-30 minutes. 2) Better capture of emotions, reactions and of course the unexpected gems. 3) I can usually edit out your photographers who are also working to create amazing shots for you. Due to the length of these wedding ceremony films you typically do not see them on a videographers website. To help illustrate the idea, here are three 60 second versions of the same part of a ceremony film, just edited based on 1, 3, or 5 cameras.
5 Camera Sample
[vimeo id=”184921902″ maxwidth=”250″ align=”center”]
3 Camera Sample
[vimeo id=”184920199″ maxwidth=”250″ align=”center”]
1 Camera Sample
[vimeo id=”184921014″ maxwidth=”250″ align=”center”]
Now here’s the interesting part… Think about your favorite movie or television show, how many separate clips or how many times does the filming angle change? It’s so common we don’t think about it but here are a few examples of average clip length: The Hunger Games – 3.4 seconds, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone – 3.7 seconds, and Silver linings Playbook – 2.1 seconds. A great way to experience this is to watch anything with your smartphone timer set for just 1 minute, then count clips or angle changes… all of a sudden it becomes really clear why more cameras capturing interesting angles makes for an engaging and watchable film.
To summarize… when considering your wedding videos, think about the films you’ll have 10 / 20 years from now. While our highlight and feature films are amazing, priceless overviews of your your wedding. How great would it be to go back in time to experience your full ceremony, toasts and first/family dances with the ability to re-live all of the excitement and emotions of the day? Next time… all about audio.
I would love to chat with you about how we can create an amazing set of films for you and generations to follow.
Full Ceremony Film
[vimeo id=”184550717″ maxwidth=”700″ align=”center”]
Trentadue Winery – Milestone Events Group
Details…
Venue: Trentadue Winery – milestoneeventsgroup.com
Cinematographer: Kenneth Sipes Cinema – kscweddings.com
Filmed with 5 cameras plus a GoPro for entrance
