Use of Shot List at DVinfo.net

Jeff Bradt · April 3rd, 2005, 05:51 PM

I've read about using a shot list for the wedding day. Can you share with me more about the list? Is it the basics and the same for every job and just a way to be sure you don't miss something important? Or is it a list that is fine tuned and specific for each job? I just put together a list for my first wedding coming up on Saturday but any advice would be appreciated. If you wanted to post your shot list or send a sample one to me, I would really appreciate it.
Thanks,
Jeff

Bob Costa · April 3rd, 2005, 08:41 PM

WHatever you do, discuss it with your clients. Make sure that if they have some special thing planned (toast from uncle bob, special reading by a grandparent, whatever) that you have it on your shot list.

If you have to write "ceremony" on your shot list, get another job. :) But you may want to think about what you want to get before you get there (exterior of church, bride arrival, couple getting in limo, church empty before ceremony, empty reception hall, bridal bouquet, gift table, receiving line, whatever). But the client's shot list is more important.

I am sure some wedding guys will chime in here too, and maybe they have a basic one for you to build on. But think about your own list while you wait, it will make you a better videographer and you will be more likely to find things the list-giver never thought of. It will probably be a big list so start writing.

Jeff Bradt · April 4th, 2005, 05:41 AM

Thanks for the input John. Yes, I started yesterday and I have about 4 pages of shots. Some are basic like the cake...and others are things like decorations, establishing shots of reception location and stuff like that. Do you guys actually use this list to check off shots you don't want to miss? That's probably a good idea for me as a beginner.
- Jeff

Kevin Shaw · April 4th, 2005, 05:57 AM

I would say that for your first few weddings your emphasis should be on making sure your equipment is working properly and doing a decent job of capturing the obvious activities, plus using any slow periods to get various shots of things like decorations, the food table, etc. I don't use a "shot list" as such but do keep an idea in my head of what I want to record, then pay close attention at all times and be ready to go if anything important happens. As you're recording the basic events, be sure to capture different angles and close-ups of little details, as this can make the difference between a boring finished video and an artistic one. But don't get too carried away with anything until you're sure you can do a competent job of simply recording the day's events.

Jeff Bradt · April 4th, 2005, 12:10 PM

Very good advice Kevin. Thank you.

April 3rd, 2005, 05:51 PM	#1
Jeff Bradt Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Simpsonville SC Posts: 133	Use of Shot List I've read about using a shot list for the wedding day. Can you share with me more about the list? Is it the basics and the same for every job and just a way to be sure you don't miss something important? Or is it a list that is fine tuned and specific for each job? I just put together a list for my first wedding coming up on Saturday but any advice would be appreciated. If you wanted to post your shot list or send a sample one to me, I would really appreciate it. Thanks, Jeff __________________ Jeff

April 4th, 2005, 05:41 AM	#3
Jeff Bradt Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Simpsonville SC Posts: 133	Thanks for the input John. Yes, I started yesterday and I have about 4 pages of shots. Some are basic like the cake...and others are things like decorations, establishing shots of reception location and stuff like that. Do you guys actually use this list to check off shots you don't want to miss? That's probably a good idea for me as a beginner. - Jeff __________________ Jeff

April 4th, 2005, 12:10 PM	#5
Jeff Bradt Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Simpsonville SC Posts: 133	Very good advice Kevin. Thank you. __________________ Jeff

April 3rd, 2005, 08:41 PM	#2
Bob Costa Major Player Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Venice, FL Posts: 850	WHatever you do, discuss it with your clients. Make sure that if they have some special thing planned (toast from uncle bob, special reading by a grandparent, whatever) that you have it on your shot list. If you have to write "ceremony" on your shot list, get another job. :) But you may want to think about what you want to get before you get there (exterior of church, bride arrival, couple getting in limo, church empty before ceremony, empty reception hall, bridal bouquet, gift table, receiving line, whatever). But the client's shot list is more important. I am sure some wedding guys will chime in here too, and maybe they have a basic one for you to build on. But think about your own list while you wait, it will make you a better videographer and you will be more likely to find things the list-giver never thought of. It will probably be a big list so start writing.

April 4th, 2005, 05:57 AM	#4
Kevin Shaw Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 2,488	I would say that for your first few weddings your emphasis should be on making sure your equipment is working properly and doing a decent job of capturing the obvious activities, plus using any slow periods to get various shots of things like decorations, the food table, etc. I don't use a "shot list" as such but do keep an idea in my head of what I want to record, then pay close attention at all times and be ready to go if anything important happens. As you're recording the basic events, be sure to capture different angles and close-ups of little details, as this can make the difference between a boring finished video and an artistic one. But don't get too carried away with anything until you're sure you can do a competent job of simply recording the day's events.