INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE VIDEOGRAPHER
The client is expecting you to arrive at least 30 minutes before the service start time listed above. For example, if the service start time is 5:00pm, you must arrive at 4:30pm or earlier. You will need this time to unload your equipment, find the exact areas where the ceremony and reception will be taking place, introduce yourself to the client, the DJ and the coordinator, talk with the wedding photographer, set up your cameras, adjust the angles, check on the batteries, etc. Please make sure to allow extra travel time in case of heavy traffic. Keep in mind that sometimes finding a parking space or finding the venue may be difficult so it’s always best to arrive at early as possible. I recommend arriving 1 hour before the service start time listed above. Service start time is often the same as the start time of the ceremony so it’s absolutely unacceptable to be late for this.
Please remember to be nice, polite, friendly and professional with the client, their guests and vendors. We have to do whatever it takes to make it a happy day for the bride and groom. Smile as much as you can. Excellent customer service is one of our main priorities. Please make sure you don't miss any important events, such as the ceremony, grand entrance, first dance, toasts, speeches, mother-son dance, farther-daughter dance, cake cutting, bouquet toss, garter removal, etc. Before going to the bathroom, please talk with the DJ, wedding photographer or coordinator to make sure you don’t miss anything. Keep in mind that things can get very spontaneous so you should be ready to film at any given time. Please use the on-camera LED lights at all times, even if you feel that they are too bright. Most people would understand why you have to use them.
Before the ceremony begins, please capture the interior and exterior of the event venue, beautiful scenery, ceremony arch, flowers, chairs, decorations and guests arriving. When the ceremony is complete, please confirm with the bride and groom if they want you to capture their entire photo session with the photographer OR their cocktail hour, guests mingling, appetizers and reception decor OR a little bit of both. Regardless of what they choose, as a wedding videographer, when you have time, please make sure to capture all the decorations, centerpieces, invitations, silverware, food, the cake table, the gift table and literally everything else that’s a part of their wedding. Please try to capture several clips of the same item, because some clips may come out shaky and we need to have backup. Do not forget to keep checking on the batteries and replace them when the camera says that you have less than 60 minutes left. When changing batteries, close the screen and wait at least 5 seconds before removing the battery from the camera. Otherwise, the last file will be corrupted. When filming the most important events such as ceremony, first dance, toasts, cake cutting, etc., please do not stop recording even if you have to move the camera(s). Our clients prefer to have their entire ceremony, first dance, etc. in one single file.
During the ceremony, the main camera (camera 1) will be set up on the right side of the arch (middle height), which would allow you to film the bride’s face. The bride usually stands on the left side of the arch so she will be facing this camera. Camera 2 (highest level) is set up in the back of the ceremony area behind the chairs on the side of the aisle. Please do not place the tripod directly behind the chairs, because guests will block the camera when they stand up. Please be careful when adjusting the angle. Make sure it’s flat and everything looks even on both sides of the screen. The arch needs to be in the upper middle part of the screen. Camera 3 (lowest level) is set up on the left side of the arch to capture the groom’s face. When adjusting the tripod during the actual ceremony or other important events, please try to do it as quickly as possible. Whenever you’re adjusting one of the tripods, it makes the video shaky and creates background noise, which makes the editing more difficult and time consuming. When setting up the tripods for grand entrance or any other important event, try to find out where exactly the bride and groom will be entering (or standing) and then decide what’s best. When setting up the tripods for toasts, please have the main camera (middle height) filming the speaker, camera 2 (lowest level) filming the bride and groom (set up right next to their table) and camera 3 (highest level) filming guests and their reactions. As a general rule with some exceptions, it’s best to have the tripods set up at their highest position. If you see a lot of kids around, please use duct tape to secure the tripods if it’s indoors or metal staples if it’s outdoors.
When filming with a monopod, you need to stand still and hold the camera still. Do not shake the camera or make any extra moves when filming. Always use the ground (or floor) as support for the monopod. Do not just “hold” it in your hands, because in that case the video will be too shaky. Do not walk when filming. If you pan the camera to follow someone, you have to pan very slowly at the same spead in the same direction. The exact same technic applies when filming flowers, centerpieces or any other decorations. Before you start panning, it’s very important to adjust the height of the monopod to make sure the object you’re about to film is right in front of the camera (not above or below). Please keep in mind that most clients will be watching raw, unedited and unstabilized footage so it’s best to avoid any unnecessary shaky movements, because they will negatively impact the quality of the video. Don't forget to use wedding lighting.
Please wear formal dress attire, preferably all black or black and white. It has to look clean, formal and professional. During the photo session or at any other point during the wedding, please ask the bride and groom if they want to get a quick closeup shot for video. If they say yes, tell them to face the camera, then slowly face each other, say “I love you” – “I love you too”, then slowly kiss with passion, and then smile and wave into the camera. If possible, please try to get this shot twice, because one of them usually comes out better than the other one. If you have any of your own ideas on how to get a couple more shots that are similar to this one, please feel free to go for it as long as the bride and groom are interested. 10 minutes before the service end time, ask them if they want to extend the hours of coverage. It's cash only if paid on the day of the wedding and the rate is $100 per each extra 30 minutes of coverage. Please make sure to say buy to all the vendors, ask them for their business cards before you leave and thank the bride and groom for having us as their wedding videographers.
TRIPOD VS MONOPOD
VIDEOGRAPHY TEST
All the questions/answers are based on the instructions provided above.
1. How long before coverage start time do you need to arrive?
2. What event(s) have to be filmed in full with all 3 cameras mounted on tripods?
3. What event(s) have to be filmed with a monopod?
4. What event(s) have to be filmed handheld?
5. Is it okay to hold a monopod in your hand?
6. Is it okay to walk with the camera while filming?
7. Where should we set up camera 3 for the ceremony?
8. When do you need to use on-camera LED lights?
9. When should you do guest interviews?
10. What is our main priority?
11. Which of the following is not a valid bonus?
12. What events are considered the most important?
13. Before you start panning, it’s very important to adjust the height of the monopod to make sure the object you’re about to film is
14. Is it okay to sit down while filming?
15. What do you need to tell the bride and groom during the close-up shot?
16. What is the most important aspect of working with tripods?
17. Is it okay to stop recording while filming the ceremony?
18. If you agree to film one of our weddings, but a better job comes up last-minute or you’re not in the mood to work at all, what do you do?
19. If the bride and groom or their coordinator do not offer you food, when is it generally okay to eat?
20. If someone asks you for your contact information, what do you do?
Please remember to be nice, polite, friendly and professional with the client, their guests and vendors. We have to do whatever it takes to make it a happy day for the bride and groom. Smile as much as you can. Excellent customer service is one of our main priorities. Please make sure you don't miss any important events, such as the ceremony, grand entrance, first dance, toasts, speeches, mother-son dance, farther-daughter dance, cake cutting, bouquet toss, garter removal, etc. Before going to the bathroom, please talk with the DJ, wedding photographer or coordinator to make sure you don’t miss anything. Keep in mind that things can get very spontaneous so you should be ready to film at any given time. Please use the on-camera LED lights at all times, even if you feel that they are too bright. Most people would understand why you have to use them.
Before the ceremony begins, please capture the interior and exterior of the event venue, beautiful scenery, ceremony arch, flowers, chairs, decorations and guests arriving. When the ceremony is complete, please confirm with the bride and groom if they want you to capture their entire photo session with the photographer OR their cocktail hour, guests mingling, appetizers and reception decor OR a little bit of both. Regardless of what they choose, as a wedding videographer, when you have time, please make sure to capture all the decorations, centerpieces, invitations, silverware, food, the cake table, the gift table and literally everything else that’s a part of their wedding. Please try to capture several clips of the same item, because some clips may come out shaky and we need to have backup. Do not forget to keep checking on the batteries and replace them when the camera says that you have less than 60 minutes left. When changing batteries, close the screen and wait at least 5 seconds before removing the battery from the camera. Otherwise, the last file will be corrupted. When filming the most important events such as ceremony, first dance, toasts, cake cutting, etc., please do not stop recording even if you have to move the camera(s). Our clients prefer to have their entire ceremony, first dance, etc. in one single file.
During the ceremony, the main camera (camera 1) will be set up on the right side of the arch (middle height), which would allow you to film the bride’s face. The bride usually stands on the left side of the arch so she will be facing this camera. Camera 2 (highest level) is set up in the back of the ceremony area behind the chairs on the side of the aisle. Please do not place the tripod directly behind the chairs, because guests will block the camera when they stand up. Please be careful when adjusting the angle. Make sure it’s flat and everything looks even on both sides of the screen. The arch needs to be in the upper middle part of the screen. Camera 3 (lowest level) is set up on the left side of the arch to capture the groom’s face. When adjusting the tripod during the actual ceremony or other important events, please try to do it as quickly as possible. Whenever you’re adjusting one of the tripods, it makes the video shaky and creates background noise, which makes the editing more difficult and time consuming. When setting up the tripods for grand entrance or any other important event, try to find out where exactly the bride and groom will be entering (or standing) and then decide what’s best. When setting up the tripods for toasts, please have the main camera (middle height) filming the speaker, camera 2 (lowest level) filming the bride and groom (set up right next to their table) and camera 3 (highest level) filming guests and their reactions. As a general rule with some exceptions, it’s best to have the tripods set up at their highest position. If you see a lot of kids around, please use duct tape to secure the tripods if it’s indoors or metal staples if it’s outdoors.
When filming with a monopod, you need to stand still and hold the camera still. Do not shake the camera or make any extra moves when filming. Always use the ground (or floor) as support for the monopod. Do not just “hold” it in your hands, because in that case the video will be too shaky. Do not walk when filming. If you pan the camera to follow someone, you have to pan very slowly at the same spead in the same direction. The exact same technic applies when filming flowers, centerpieces or any other decorations. Before you start panning, it’s very important to adjust the height of the monopod to make sure the object you’re about to film is right in front of the camera (not above or below). Please keep in mind that most clients will be watching raw, unedited and unstabilized footage so it’s best to avoid any unnecessary shaky movements, because they will negatively impact the quality of the video. Don't forget to use wedding lighting.
Please wear formal dress attire, preferably all black or black and white. It has to look clean, formal and professional. During the photo session or at any other point during the wedding, please ask the bride and groom if they want to get a quick closeup shot for video. If they say yes, tell them to face the camera, then slowly face each other, say “I love you” – “I love you too”, then slowly kiss with passion, and then smile and wave into the camera. If possible, please try to get this shot twice, because one of them usually comes out better than the other one. If you have any of your own ideas on how to get a couple more shots that are similar to this one, please feel free to go for it as long as the bride and groom are interested. 10 minutes before the service end time, ask them if they want to extend the hours of coverage. It's cash only if paid on the day of the wedding and the rate is $100 per each extra 30 minutes of coverage. Please make sure to say buy to all the vendors, ask them for their business cards before you leave and thank the bride and groom for having us as their wedding videographers.
TRIPOD VS MONOPOD
- Pre-ceremony actives, photos, decorations, etc. – 1 MONOPOD
- Ceremony – 3 TRIPODS
- Cocktail hour, guests mingling, etc. – 1 MONOPOD & 2 TRIPODS
- Grand entrance – 3 TRIPODS
- First dance, mother-son, father-daughter – 3 TRIPODS
- Dinner table shots, guest interviews, food, etc. – 1 MONOPOD
- Bride and groom eating – 1 TRIPOD
- Toasts – 3 TRIPODS
- Cake cutting, bouquet toss, garter removal – 1 MONOPOD & 2 TRIPODS
- Dancing – 1 MONOPOD & 2 TRIPODS and some footage with 3 TRIPODS
VIDEOGRAPHY TEST
All the questions/answers are based on the instructions provided above.
1. How long before coverage start time do you need to arrive?
- 15-30 minutes
- 30-60 minutes
- 60+ minutes
- Same time as coverage start time listed on the contract.
2. What event(s) have to be filmed in full with all 3 cameras mounted on tripods?
- Ceremony only.
- Cocktail hour and dinner.
- Ceremony and toasts.
- Ceremony, grand entrance, first dance, toasts and family dances.
3. What event(s) have to be filmed with a monopod?
- Ceremony and toasts.
- Ceremony, grand entrance, first dance, toasts and family dances.
- Closeup décor shots, scenery shots, cocktail hour shots and guest interviews.
- Only guest interviews.
4. What event(s) have to be filmed handheld?
- Cocktail hour and dinner.
- Guest interviews.
- Closeup décor shots, scenery shots, cocktail hour shots and guest interviews.
- None of the above.
5. Is it okay to hold a monopod in your hand?
- Yes, sometimes.
- Yes, when filming decorations.
- No, except when walking with the camera while filming.
- No, the monopod has to be supported by the ground at all times.
6. Is it okay to walk with the camera while filming?
- Yes, during the most important events.
- Yes, during cocktail hour and dinner.
- No, except when filming the bride and groom walking.
- No under any circumstances.
7. Where should we set up camera 3 for the ceremony?
- On the right side of the arch (middle height), which would allow us to film the bride’s face.
- In the back of the ceremony area (highest level) behind the chairs on the side of the aisle.
- On the left side of the arch to capture the groom’s face.
- In front of the aisle to capture guests faces and reactions while they are sitting.
8. When do you need to use on-camera LED lights?
- While getting closeup décor shots + at all times in rooms with low light.
- Only while getting closeup décor shots.
- Only at night.
- Only indoors.
9. When should you do guest interviews?
- Before the ceremony.
- During cocktail hour.
- During dinner.
- During dancing.
10. What is our main priority?
- Getting high quality video footage for editing and post production.
- Being dressed appropriately and acting in a professional manner.
- Being friendly with everyone and doing whatever it takes to make it a happy day for the bride and groom.
- Being on time, listening to the wedding coordinator, working hard and demonstrating professionalism.
11. Which of the following is not a valid bonus?
- Send a quick text when you are done before going home.
- If the video footage is delivered within 24 hours after the wedding.
- If you’re on time for the equipment pickup and dropoff meetings.
- If company owner (Charlie) is completely satisfied with the footage after the wedding.
12. What events are considered the most important?
- Ceremony, grand entrance, first dance, toasts, mother-son dance, farther-daughter dance, cake cutting, bouquet toss, garter removal.
- Ceremony, grand entrance, first dance and toasts.
- Ceremony, cocktail hour, grand entrance, dinner, first dance, toasts, mother-son dance, farther-daughter dance and cake cutting.
- Ceremony, grand entrance, first dance, toasts, mother-son dance, farther-daughter dance and general dancing.
13. Before you start panning, it’s very important to adjust the height of the monopod to make sure the object you’re about to film is
- Slightly above the camera.
- Slightly below the camera.
- Right in front of the camera.
- Not too far away from the camera.
14. Is it okay to sit down while filming?
- Yes, during the ceremony.
- Yes, when filming the toasts.
- Yes, when filming décor shots,
- No under any circumstances.
15. What do you need to tell the bride and groom during the close-up shot?
- First say “I love you” – “I love you too”, then kiss, smile and wave into the camera.
- First smile and wave into the camera, then face each other, say “I love you” – “I love you too”, then kiss.
- First face the camera, then face each other, say “I love you” – “I love you too”, then kiss, smile and wave into the camera.
- First face the camera, then face each other, then kiss, smile and wave into the camera.
16. What is the most important aspect of working with tripods?
- Adjusting the height to make sure it’s not above or below the object/person that you’re trying to film.
- Adjusting the angle to make sure it’s flat and everything looks even on both sides of the screen.
- Keeping them out of the way of the bride and groom and their guests.
- Setting them up right next to one another to have backup footage of the most important events.
17. Is it okay to stop recording while filming the ceremony?
- Yes, when moving the tripods.
- Yes, when adjusting the angles or moving the tripods.
- No, except when the main camera is overheating and needs to cool down.
- No, except when the ceremony is too long and boring.
18. If you agree to film one of our weddings, but a better job comes up last-minute or you’re not in the mood to work at all, what do you do?
- Contact the owner to cancel the job at least 2 days in advance.
- Contact the owner to cancel the job at least 1 week in advance.
- Find a replacement and contact the owner to arrange it.
- Turn down a better job opportunity and/or other activities to honor my commitment.
19. If the bride and groom or their coordinator do not offer you food, when is it generally okay to eat?
- During cocktail hour.
- During dinner, as long as I ask first.
- When everyone else is eating.
- Outside of my coverage time. I am not there to eat or ask for food.
20. If someone asks you for your contact information, what do you do?
- Provide my phone number.
- Provide my business card.
- Provide a business card of the company owner.
- Politely explain why I’m not supposed to give it out
Quick links:
1. Wedding videography packages, prices and more information.
2. Wedding photography packages, prices and more information.
1. Wedding videography packages, prices and more information.
2. Wedding photography packages, prices and more information.