Elementary two camera wedding question.... at DVinfo.net

Tom Blizzard · January 7th, 2008, 11:50 AM

Here's a quote from an experienced wedding videographer. I don't understand what he is saying.
Would you help???

"I instruct the back camera operator to frame 4 different shots, WS, MS, CU and ECU and have them locked down with hands off the camera visible to me so I know that I can move camera if necessary and still be covered."

I DO understand the WS,MS, etc.,etc., but not the rest...

Thanks for helping a novice.
Regards, Tom B.

Ken Gilford · January 7th, 2008, 11:58 AM

Wide Shot, Medium Shot but what are the other two? CU and ECU?

By locked down and hands off I think he means the camera focused on a particular shot and the pan/tilt screws are locked down so the camera can't move so your hands don't have to be on the camera. With this, the other camera person can glance your way and if he sees the camera is hands off, he is free to move for his next shot because your camera is getting a steady shot.

Matthew Craggs · January 7th, 2008, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken Gilford

Wide Shot, Medium Shot but what are the other two? CU and ECU?.

Close Up and Extreme Close Up.

Tom Blizzard · January 7th, 2008, 01:56 PM

Thanks Ken and Matthew,

That does make sense and Ken, I do understand your explanation. However, I still can't understand what he means when he mentions framing all four different shots.
I understand the locked down part, but how can he lockdown four different frames at one time??? I'm sure he doesn't meant that, but I wonder just what does he mean??

Matt Bishop · January 7th, 2008, 02:08 PM

Tom,
I think he's just referring to the shots he wants that second camera operator to get. Meaning those are the the only 4 shots he wants to see coming from that camera. That makes sense and really are the only shots you can get anyway. I understand this because I work exactly the same way. I want that person to be off the camera when they have their shot because then I know I can move and will still have something to go to when editing. I personally want to see clean cuts with little movement ..minus the occasional follow or push in / pull out. If both of us are moving and resetting our shots at the same time, that can really screw up your editing and make for a messing product.

Tom Blizzard · January 7th, 2008, 02:44 PM

Thanks Matt. I do understand. Yes, I've had that happen to me in the past. It does make sense.

January 7th, 2008, 11:50 AM	#1
Tom Blizzard Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: West Rosemary Beach, Florida Posts: 199	Elementary two camera wedding question.... Here's a quote from an experienced wedding videographer. I don't understand what he is saying. Would you help??? "I instruct the back camera operator to frame 4 different shots, WS, MS, CU and ECU and have them locked down with hands off the camera visible to me so I know that I can move camera if necessary and still be covered." I DO understand the WS,MS, etc.,etc., but not the rest... Thanks for helping a novice. Regards, Tom B.

January 7th, 2008, 11:58 AM	#2
Ken Gilford Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 32	Ws, Ms ... Wide Shot, Medium Shot but what are the other two? CU and ECU? By locked down and hands off I think he means the camera focused on a particular shot and the pan/tilt screws are locked down so the camera can't move so your hands don't have to be on the camera. With this, the other camera person can glance your way and if he sees the camera is hands off, he is free to move for his next shot because your camera is getting a steady shot.

January 7th, 2008, 01:56 PM	#4
Tom Blizzard Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: West Rosemary Beach, Florida Posts: 199	Thanks Ken and Matthew, That does make sense and Ken, I do understand your explanation. However, I still can't understand what he means when he mentions framing all four different shots. I understand the locked down part, but how can he lockdown four different frames at one time??? I'm sure he doesn't meant that, but I wonder just what does he mean??

January 7th, 2008, 02:08 PM	#5
Matt Bishop Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: East Moline, IL Posts: 231	Tom, I think he's just referring to the shots he wants that second camera operator to get. Meaning those are the the only 4 shots he wants to see coming from that camera. That makes sense and really are the only shots you can get anyway. I understand this because I work exactly the same way. I want that person to be off the camera when they have their shot because then I know I can move and will still have something to go to when editing. I personally want to see clean cuts with little movement ..minus the occasional follow or push in / pull out. If both of us are moving and resetting our shots at the same time, that can really screw up your editing and make for a messing product.

January 7th, 2008, 02:44 PM	#6
Tom Blizzard Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: West Rosemary Beach, Florida Posts: 199	Thanks Matt. I do understand. Yes, I've had that happen to me in the past. It does make sense.