My Wedding Video Presentations

[purplemonkey369]

Hihi!

Do let me know what you think of our efforts so far.

We are just starting out and there are tons of things to learn!

Hope to learn from the experienced and talented professional bros here, so do let us know how we can improve.

Thanks!

[video=vimeo;40405567]https://vimeo.com/40405567[/video]

[video=vimeo;41056226]https://vimeo.com/41056226[/video]

[video=vimeo;36464583]https://vimeo.com/36464583[/video]

[video=vimeo;37302562]https://vimeo.com/37302562[/video]

[video=vimeo;36472504]https://vimeo.com/36472504[/video]

 

[azman]

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Hi,

I'm in the same line as well and still learning, all the time
If you are just starting out, Congratulations Both videos are quite good. I like rack focusing bits. It gave the scenes more depth.

But I also notice that quite a large portion the videos look a bit yellowish at times.

Did you set white balance for the camera(s) before the shoot and at each different lighting condition ie. set WB when shooting in direct sunlight and re-set WB when shooting at the void deck ?

I thought the WB for both videos were a bit out, unless of course that is the effect you want for them.

Cheerio !!
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[purplemonkey369]

Hey, Azman..

Thanks for your kind reply!

Yes, we tried out all the white balance settings and I figured that the yellow tint lends a slightly 'romantic' mood and feel to the video.

So, we decided on that.

Still trying to iron out the focusing issues, and setting ISO on the fly.

But I am glad you like them too.

You have a website, so that I can learn a thing or two from you?

Mine's inmotionsg.com.

Thanks again!

 

[azman]

Still trying to iron out the focusing issues, and setting ISO on the fly.

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It looks like you're using DSLRs for your shoots ? If you are, I can understand the situation.
It's not so easy to manually focus while shooting movement.
And in your 2nd video, you used a glidecam or steadicam. That makes adjusting the focus impossible I think. But you did a good job in keeping the same distance from your subject throughout the movement thus maintaining the focus

For the ISO, you could try setting it to Auto ISO with a limit of say...800 ?
In that way, you need not worry about setting the ISO on the fly.

My website is Touching Moments
But you can see some of my sample videos here in VIMEO
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[purplemonkey369]

[vid]yrVaeOr8ECM[/vid]

[vid]tyGYxEyXADE[/vid]

And yes, Azman.

We are using 3 DSLRs for our projects.

Still refining the process.

From the looks of it, I might replace one DSLR with a proper 3CCD videocamera.

 

[purplemonkey369]

Appreciate any other comments or suggestions for improvements.

 

[dilfotto]

okay bro good effort on the whole.though before u roll this out for future clients ,i am suggesting a few stuff that needs to be tighten up..

just a few stuff:

1/ suggestion: opening shots should have some relevance..and not pure redundant shots.although frames less than 3 secs in lenght,its not easy for viewers to bridge something out of nothing in correlation to the whole pre-nikah agenda.if u have to open...try something different yet natural... timelapse could be another style.

2/ are u using a flycam... u need to augment the weight of ur steadicam...maybe a littlebit more practise..and avoid leather shoes...and yes...bend ur knees when u walk while steadicam.

3/ later into the video...here stuffs tightening up..i think by then u already got the feel.

4/ dont let the wix / business heat up ur enthusiasm...lay the groundwork thoroughly.. put up ur best works..thanks

 

[purplemonkey369]

okay bro good effort on the whole.though before u roll this out for future clients ,i am suggesting a few stuff that needs to be tighten up..

just a few stuff:

1/ suggestion: opening shots should have some relevance..and not pure redundant shots.although frames less than 3 secs in lenght,its not easy for viewers to bridge something out of nothing in correlation to the whole pre-nikah agenda.if u have to open...try something different yet natural... timelapse could be another style.

2/ are u using a flycam... u need to augment the weight of ur steadicam...maybe a littlebit more practise..and avoid leather shoes...and yes...bend ur knees when u walk while steadicam.

3/ later into the video...here stuffs tightening up..i think by then u already got the feel.

4/ dont let the wix / business heat up ur enthusiasm...lay the groundwork thoroughly.. put up ur best works..thanks

Hey, thanks for your inputs and suggestions.

I thought about the time-lapse thing but couldn't really find the time to sit down and do it. Too busy with work and the henna thing was on a Friday evening. Had to rush there after work. Thought the scenes at the bride's home would be ok.

Yes, the flying apparatus (using a Wondlan Ares) - we had just acquired it one or two weeks before the shoot, and thus didn't have sufficient time to practice and perfect the techniques.

I guess it's all about pre-planning and knowing exactly what to do but hey, judging from feedback from people we know and strangers alike - they have been very positive and encouraging.

Just looking towards learning technical things more, as we know what we want, in terms of creativity.

We are trying to be anything but your run-of-the-mill wedding highlights, disjointed, unemotional and all that.

We'd like to focus more on a really memorable and romantic wedding video presentation.

I guess it'll be some time before we have a portfolio with our 'best works', since we are just starting to get our feet wet.

 

[dilfotto]

i wish you the very best in this line.

i myself dont meddle with the video section of the market because i feel i lack emotional talent for an excellent visual narrative, especially,when it comes to the malay section of the wedding market. i mean how many wedding video /highlights that you've watched ,though depicting strangers, actually move u..i mean we're trascending into moving frames era where photographs will walk hand in hand with videography..as in new SLRs too..but the benchmark isnt there..

i hope that the videographers out there ,and especially yourself..could turn things round when it comes to ML videography coz sorry to stereotype things..i feel we've got the soul...seni memang kita... but our end products are just so cheesy like b-grade home video...so we need a new standard out there.and since ur starting out perhaps thats a mission/vision.

p.s :i think u should sell the Ares once u get the money back..and then get a merlin.

hope to see more from u

 

[purplemonkey369]

i wish you the very best in this line.

i myself dont meddle with the video section of the market because i feel i lack emotional talent for an excellent visual narrative, especially,when it comes to the malay section of the wedding market. i mean how many wedding video /highlights that you've watched ,though depicting strangers, actually move u..i mean we're trascending into moving frames era where photographs will walk hand in hand with videography..as in new SLRs too..but the benchmark isnt there..

i hope that the videographers out there ,and especially yourself..could turn things round when it comes to ML videography coz sorry to stereotype things..i feel we've got the soul...seni memang kita... but our end products are just so cheesy like b-grade home video...so we need a new standard out there.and since ur starting out perhaps thats a mission/vision.

p.s :i think u should sell the Ares once u get the money back..and then get a merlin.

hope to see more from u

Wow, wise words from you bro. Seriously.

You sounded like you've been in the business for a long time, and know exactly what's going on.

It's true, what you said.

Though I think it's because people have always accepted it as just that - video highlights for them to remember what happened, in chronological order as they may not have been able to experience all of the segments of the event.

To me, yes - highlights are important but they are often not memorable at all. They don't give you the feeling that the event was something that will move you when you grow old, and watch with the children and grandchildren.

Event highlights are just... event highlights.

Well, I have not seen that many wedding videos and there may those which are very well-done, in terms of so-called storyline and emotion factors. So, if you have seen any - please do share so that we can all learn and be inspired.

Personally, I feel that wedding video presentations ought to be romantic, moving and ultimately memorable because it is supposed to be one of the most important days for a man and a woman.

I thought that we, as creative persons paid to capture these events, have a responsibility to at least create a piece of memory that may even help in the future, if let's say, the couple face difficulties. When they look back at the beautiful photographs and watch the emotional video presentations, they will think back of how wonderful getting married and being married have been.

I have a dream, yes.

I do not want to be just a videographer, operating the camera and all that.

I would very much like to learn how to produce nice, breathtaking cinematography and make it as memorable for the two people getting married as we can.

Yes, we have a long way to go but we do have a dream.

And yeah, I was thinking about getting a Merlin too. You must have psychic powers of some sort.



Thanks, bro!!!

 

[azman]

...

To me, yes - highlights are important but they are often not memorable at all. They don't give you the feeling that the event was something that will move you when you grow old, and watch with the children and grandchildren
...

Personally, I feel that wedding video presentations ought to be romantic, moving and ultimately memorable because it is supposed to be one of the most important days for a man and a woman.
...

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Bro, what kind of shots do you have in mind to fit the criteria you set for yourself in the above quotes ?
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[purplemonkey369]

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Bro, what kind of shots do you have in mind to fit the criteria you set for yourself in the above quotes ?
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Hi, Azman..

I don't know about others but personally I think it's -

1) A fine balance of getting the best framing (photography experience comes in handy, I think. Just like there are Directors of Photography in a movie)

2) Capturing enough of shots of goings-ons to select the best in order to have a seamless storyline that flows comfortably enough that the viewer doesn't even have to think about it or notice the changes.

3) Knowing exactly what types to take in order for you to have a nice storyline

4) Being fast enough to catch the action since it's a 'live' event

5) Finding a 'killer' song to suit the mood and scenes

At least that's what I learnt, reading and observing from the famous wedding videographers from the west.

Doesn't help that their people are more telegenic, their architecture and beaches and greenery are nicer, so.. it's a bit hard to even emulate 50% of what they do.

And from what I know, the typical charge for a wedding video in the US is like US$7,000!

 

[azman]

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7000 US Bucks ?? That means we have been grossly undercharging our clients !!

Hehehe !! :bsmilie:

But seriously, technical aspects of shoots aside (framing, flow, camerawork, beautiful scenery and killer songs etc).
What shots do you think will move the viewers and make them want to watch the video again and again ?
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[purplemonkey369]

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7000 US Bucks ?? That means we have been grossly undercharging our clients !!

Hehehe !! :bsmilie:

But seriously, technical aspects of shoots aside (framing, flow, camerawork, beautiful scenery and killer songs etc).
What shots do you think will move the viewers and make them want to watch the video again and again ?
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Ya, man.

Of course there are videographers here who command a premium, and they have all the equipment and manpower to get what they want out of a 'live' event but they are quite rare to come by.

Well, not again and again but when it gives you some sort of emotional effect, that it moves the viewer in some way - then the video is successful.

There are some videos from the west that I personally have literally watched over and over again because the scenes are breathtaking, and the emotions from the event are captured and reproduced perfectly that you feel like you are watching a film or a movie, and not a 'live' event documentary.

And technical know-how and creativity needs to go hand in hand, to achieve this.

Other than that, I really don't know how to describe it because every event is different. All the couples are different. All the attendees are different, and all the environments are different.

 

[azman]

There are some videos from the west that I personally have literally watched over and over again because the scenes are breathtaking, and the emotions from the event are captured and reproduced perfectly that you feel like you are watching a film or a movie, and not a 'live' event documentary.

And technical know-how and creativity needs to go hand in hand, to achieve this.

Other than that, I really don't know how to describe it because every event is different. All the couples are different. All the attendees are different, and all the environments are different.

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Agreed. The videos in the western countries and some from our neighbour, Malaysia have scenes that are breathtaking.
Yes, the viewers may go, " Wow ! That's beautiful ! Superb !"

But...after watching the scenery twice, thrice, will the viewers (other than nature-lovers or videographers ) still be amazed ?

If a scene can provide the necessary emotional connection with the couple, I think that would be, in the eyes of the couple, an award-winning shot.

Imagine shooting heartland scenes which used to be the playground of the couple when they were kids.
When they watch the scene, they will be reminded of those days. There is emotional attachment there.

A scene showing the place where the couple first met, dated etc would also appeal to them.
Of course we need to subtly get the info from them.
And if the location is beautiful and in Singapore, that would be better.

And you are right. Every event, couple, attendees, environment are different. We have to adapt to each of them.
Therefore pre-event homework is very important.
Get to know the couple, ask about the itinerary. In detail if possible.
Do a ground recce a few days before the event.

These few little things may help a lot in the shoot and edit.
My two cents
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[purplemonkey369]

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Agreed. The videos in the western countries and some from our neighbour, Malaysia have scenes that are breathtaking.
Yes, the viewers may go, " Wow ! That's beautiful ! Superb !"

But...after watching the scenery twice, thrice, will the viewers (other than nature-lovers or videographers ) still be amazed ?

If a scene can provide the necessary emotional connection with the couple, I think that would be, in the eyes of the couple, an award-winning shot.

Imagine shooting heartland scenes which used to be the playground of the couple when they were kids.
When they watch the scene, they will be reminded of those days. There is emotional attachment there.

A scene showing the place where the couple first met, dated etc would also appeal to them.
Of course we need to subtly get the info from them.
And if the location is beautiful and in Singapore, that would be better.

And you are right. Every event, couple, attendees, environment are different. We have to adapt to each of them.
Therefore pre-event homework is very important.
Get to know the couple, ask about the itinerary. In detail if possible.
Do a ground recce a few days before the event.

These few little things may help a lot in the shoot and edit.
My two cents
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Hi, Azman.

Well, I think I'll be glad if the bride and bridegroom's friends and relatives are impressed and somewhat moved the first few times they watch the wedding video presentation.

It's just like your favourite movie which sometimes some of us watch even twice or thrice in its entirety but anything beyond that, they are just likely to skip to their favourite parts.

But I think my mission will be accomplished if people enjoy watching my productions, and not think that it's just another wedding video highlight that they will even find it a chore to watch it from beginnng to the end, unless they played an important role in that event.

Well, I guess different videographers have different visions of what a video presentation will be like.

For me, I find it logical to summarize the most important and useable scenes in a short, succinct, MTV-style presentation for the couple to share with their friends and relatives in their Facebook page or personal wedding blog.

And this will of course be complemented by a separate video highlight, comprising of a more detailed set of scenes complete with the original audio, which the couple and close relatives can watch in their leisure time.

That's why it has a lot to do with the actual work process, and your vision too.

For me, a short MTV style presentation can easily be shared and enjoyed with friends and relatives who may not have been able to attend the event, so I tend to emphasize more on that, rather than a normal, conventional video highlight.

And precisely because of that, I feel that I cannot simply squeeze every single segment in. Just the most important scenes specifically related to the wedding itself, and ensure they have a logical storyline and flow to it, so that it won't feel disjointed and it doesn't have uncomfortable, abrupt pauses. The rest of the footage can of course be inserted into the video highlight.

Because if you don't insert things like the couple's childhood places etc. properly, the audience may be left wondering what has these places got to do with the wedding, unless there is a narrative accompanying those scenes, or you direct it such that the audience knows exactly what these places mean, and how they relate to the couple. It has to make sense not only to the couple but the intended audience too.

So, it has a lot to do with whether you want a succinct summary presented MTV style, or an extended video showing a lot of things (like the conventional Chinese wedding videos showing photographs of the couple courting, in school uniform etc.).

And yes, you are right.

Homework and recce are very important, so that you know exactly how to work on the actual event day, and what to capture, where to stand, where to rush to, etc.

 

[azman]

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Well Bro, it looks like you are all set.

You have a very good idea of the style you want for your video, what to shoot, what to include and exclude, the storyline, the flow etc.

The only thing left for you to do now is to carry out your plans.

I wish you all the best
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[purplemonkey369]

[vid]4yHu_JPuSjU[/vid]

 

[jasonjoseph]

wow great improvement in your work

the color tempreture is better
focusing is better
steadicam is smoother

well done

i would play with more slo mo shots on 720/50fps for some of the more emo scenes. and go in tighter too

 

[purplemonkey369]

wow great improvement in your work

the color tempreture is better
focusing is better
steadicam is smoother

well done

i would play with more slo mo shots on 720/50fps for some of the more emo scenes. and go in tighter too

Hey.. thanks!

Yeah, we are constantly learning on the job, and constantly learning how to operate without getting into each others' frames and spoiling the scene. Hehehe..

Some photographers are very particular and we always try our best not to steal their moments. Hahahaha!!

I guess we need better 'Steadicam' equipment, proper follow focus devices and good zoom lenses.

And more and more training! And more valuable words of advice from the experienced bros here.

What do you think?

Hee...

ps We met yet another beautiful couple the other day. The groom-to-be said our work fits his vision (that he always had) of what his wedding video will be. And the bride-to-be said she was so moved by one of our videos, she actually shed tears! Can't wait to capture their wedding day.