first Wedding Assignment, am I missing anything?
 

Hi, first off, I'm not a wedding videographer but more a photographer but I've gotten tired of losing clients to photographers/videographers (because couples prefer dealing with one supplier ) so i decided to offer videography myself.

I've bought a used xl1s, have a little external light for emergency situations where it gets too dark, have around 6 batteries, 2 hi capacity 3 hrs each, and 4 mid capacity, have around 6 dv tapes, no external microphone, I took film classes and did small film assignments in college so I have a little background.

I've hired a cameraman to shoot footage of the wedding and I plan to edit it myself using final cut pro after. I'm getting a 200bg external hard disk and i don't have a dv deck or anything but plan on using my old Sony trv-20 as a player for capturing clips.

I've also informed the couple that this will be a test wedding for me, they weren't planning on getting video but they agreed to pay the cameraman fee and I would edit the wedding footage for my portfolio.

* BTW I'm not sure how most videographers are but I hope I'm not offending anyone by offering both photo and video, too many suppliers do it here in Manila for me not too offer it. For those video purists out there, apologies in advance*

Don't have an external mic though, I plan on using the xl1s' mic in the interim till I know what to buy.

I was hoping that the more experienced videographers might be willing to share technical or practical advice, I've tried to cover all the bases with hypothetical guidance from the internet but am I missing anything major or crucial?


Thanks
Terry

Have you missed anything crucial?
 

Yes.
Audio.
It's the most important element of this.
The only time the picture is more compelling is during the park/photo shoot post ceremony, pre reception.
At a minimum you will need transmitter mics for the groom and a handheld option for interviews that has low sensitivity, short range.
It'll cost about $1K for a nice sennheiser combo along with an MA100 adapter for the cam for xlr input.
Once you have the stuff, do a complete mock run so you will understand levels, sensitivity and gain.
Also, an expensive set of headphones is key.
Anything less will sound and appear like a handicam product supplied by uncle Roy and his "hobby".
Sorry to spoil your weekend ... some shopping is in your near future.

Thanks
 

Unfortunately I wouldn't quite know where to begin with this, and your right, some shopping is in my future. I've still got a week and I've crammed before. Thanks for the heads-up.

You also want to get a solid set of sticks (a tripod). Bogen legs with a 503 head is the minimum I would recommend for an XL1. Prices will be starting around $650 and going up. If you want an extremly good system then a dv miller or vinten set will cost between $1500 and $2300.

Nothing says amatuer more than handheld footage of the entire ceremony. During the ceremony keep the handheld footage for cutaways but always keep your main camera's on tripods. Since you only have one camera it should be on a tripod for the entire ceremony. If you want more variety in shot selection and location buy a second camera.

At the reception you'll need the tripod during the toasts and some of the other events.

Ben

First of all I admit that audio is very important but you are putting the cart before the horse. Rather than spend money on wireless microphones and fancy tripods what you should really get is a high definition video camera. Take it from me Filipinos like high definition. Both my cousin and my nephew owns an HDTV and i just finished shooting a Filipino wedding in high definition. They said the footage looks just like a movie. High definition video cameras are a lot cheaper then they used to be. JVC sells one starting at $2000. Also most Windows XP computers can play high definition footage with a few modest upgrades so your clients don't even need an HDTV to view the footage. Nevertheless you can always downconvert to standard definition when you edit. With the Canon XL1 you have already made the switch from analog to digital so why not go all the way and make the switch to high definition digital video? I really don't think that your customers will pay more for a high definition video but if they are willing to pay more for a digital video you can make your profit there.

Thanks
 

[QUOTE=Ben Lynn]You also want to get a solid set of sticks (a tripod). Bogen legs with a 503 head is the minimum I would recommend for an XL1. Prices will be starting around $650 and going up. If you want an extremly good system then a dv miller or vinten set will cost between $1500 and $2300.

I checked out the Manfrotto tripod yesterday, and yes, it's amazing but for the money I feel I'll be better served using my older photo tripod, which is a Slik, it's not as stable obviously and with OIS, there's a fair amount of shake but I've noticed that the OIS goes a long way to stabilizing the camera shake, at the very least it's better than handheld. I'll just tell the cameraman to pan conservatively.

The monopod is a good suggestion though, I'll be adding that to my shopping list.

I saw a hdtv presentation and it was amazing but right now here in the Phillippines the demand for hdtv weddings is very small, and I'm reluctant to be a beta tester for a fledgeling standard.

The reason also why I'm with the xl1 is I like the modularity of it, I got a great price for it, clients are impressed with it's form factor and I really like the look of Frame mode ( btw is Frame mode considered 30P? )

Howdy from Texas,

Woah. I strongly disagree. You can produce excellent video and make good money in the wedding video business with any decent 3-chip standard definition DV camcorder. What are you giving to the bride? If it's a standard DVD, then I can't see the necessity for an HD camera. What's the point if you're just going to down-res for a standard DVD anyway. You'll be much better off by improving your shooting skills and increasing the audio quality of your video. Whether you're using a Canon XL1S, or a Panasonic DVX100 or a Sony VX2000, so what if it's a few years old, it does not matter -- how well you handle it, plus how good your audio sounds, will do so much more for your business than a transition to an HD camcorder. Hope this helps,

Also Terry, yes Frame mode on an XL1S is an emulation of 30p.

Terry, I wish you nothing but success as it sounds like you are working very hard to do this. But combining your photography equipment will have you working in a hybrid state that will produce questionable results. Here's the thing: Shot composition you can likely handle, but plopping an xl1 on a photo tripod w/o a fluid head and attempting to pan with the OIS on is a cobble job. The result will be worse that handheld.

The best way to do this is to take your cam to a rental firm or multimedia supply house and get advice on equipment from some pros. It will really help.
This way they can give you the Coles notes on the setup and have you ramped up to speed quite fast.

As for the indication that you should drop your XL and find an HD option, I just can't support that statement. You can't distribute anything yet, the editing isn't stable yet and if you pay no attention to the audio, imagine watching a WMV-HD on a plasma screen with a gorgeous picture showing dialogue but no sound card. This isn't putting the cart before the horse, this is called getting a cart period!!!

[QUOTE=Here's the thing: Shot composition you can likely handle, but plopping an xl1 on a photo tripod w/o a fluid head and attempting to pan with the OIS on is a cobble job. The result will be worse that handheld.

Hmmm, do I have to buy the tripod as well or will the fluid head almost sort of suffice? I have a manfrotto photo tripod, that's fairly large and capable of handling a pro film camera body with a large lens. maybe I can just plop a 501 head on it???

Perfect! The 501 will be just right for the XL1. Remember to keep OIS off when on the tripod. My second xl sits on a set of 144 sticks that are just stable enough at full height. No spreader, so they are more for photo. Your heavy photo sticks should be ok.

Thanks jimmy, will do. I have to admit that 501 head feels gorgeous.

Audio questions
 

I still need help with the audio side and I've posted another topic in the appropriate forum

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=44229

but i would appreciate it if a few of the advisers here chimed in there as well, thanks for the good advice received here so far.

Terry

What Chris said.........
and read it again... and again.. and again..

ROFLMAO...

go get a HD camera.. yeah ok.. maybe when the HVX200 is out, i'll consider it..

in the real world we deal with current issues and work out solutions which pertain to todays business needs for each individual person..

If HDV is for your.. good luck :)
but there are many more factors behind it..

sorry im just in a grumpy mood.. i need coffee

Remember to keep OIS off when on the tripod.

Sorry but why should you keep the OIS off while on the tripod? Does it make a difference??

When you pan, on a tripod, with the stabilization turned on, the camera tries to compensate for you panning, 'cause it thinks the pan is "instability", and will screw up your picture.

Funny but in my case, OIS is needed...
 

...because the photo tripod I'm using isn't as sturdy as the dedicated video tripods, so when I move the cam in any direction or push any button. shake is introduced and the OIS helps counteract this. If and when I get a proper tripod with remote controls then I'll leave OIS off.

Terry I hope you have not digressed. Surely you are going to have a professional tripod setup for your upcoming paying gig?
Perhaps this is your boot camp field expedition into the realm of wedding videography whereby your first few works are pro-bono, but even if you chalk this up to experimentation and ramping up of the learning curve, you still haven't practiced with the right gear.

It's still business and you have a deliverable. If the bride has contracted for a highly reduced price in view of the circumstances, then I fully understand.
If not, you might want to be sure your finished product is excellent before you turn on a camera for any client. Up here and south of the border, referrals are a huuuuuge part of the business.

Yup, she's paying a total of less than $100 labor for hiring the cameraman to shoot the footage ( You have to remember, the middle class in the phillippines is extremely small, skilled labor like the cameraman can go for very cheap )

In fact, she's paying the cameraman directly, I'm only supplying the camera because I wan't to use the cam for editing and having a quality camcorder image to play with. Trust me, i do food and architechtural and interior photography, and I can't live without my tripod but under the finanacial circumstances I'll have to take things slow. i already outlayed 2k for the camera and I'll be outlaying another 1k for the audio, this is roughly equal to what the minimum wage is in two years here, the pro tripod will have to wait. : )

Actually if there is a will to distribute high definition video there is a way. One delivery methoud is D-VHS. Now videotape may seem obsolete but many older people have a distrust of new technology and new ways of doing things. Somehow there is this idea that they just don't make things like they used to and the old technology is the tried and true way. Perhaps some old timer will come up to me and said "I suppose you are going to tell me I have to buy some $3000 Plasma television" and I will tell him that in actuality a good old fashioned picture tube television actually displays a better high definition picture for a lot less money and in fact some of these new fangled plasma televisions aren't even high definition. An old timer may come up to me and say that when he was a youngster he used to shoot weddings using 16mm film and years later he had it converted to DVD. But then I told him had he converted it to the old fashioned D-VHS format he could have preserved the high definition qualities of his film. And then I told this older guy that I distribute in D-VHS because its better than that new DVD stuff because D-VHS supports high definition. And the reaction was a lot of respect. A lot of older people like it when I tell them that I saw some old World War 2 footage on the PBS HD channel. Older people hate it when the younger generation looks down at them.

Tommy: Nice anecdote. The more you can stay connected to generations beyond your years, the better. Makes you a better story teller. And us old guys sure like to stay on the leading edge of tech., because one lapse and we're obsolete as well as being old.

The point here is that the shooter has explained his role and I think his foray into multi-discipline is now taking it's logical course.

As for HD, yes some of us geezers are being quite cautious as the brand trademarks and patents swirl aroung the net creating quite a storm of speculation as this evolution reaches the tipping point for producers and end users. You have to remember that we did endure through this once before and thankfully it was short lived, but sadly the superior format was squashed for consumer use.

Here's to HD! May it live for a long time. I just can't wait to see the deliverable.

XL-1 Audio
 

Hi Terry,

One thing to consider is the audio setting on the XL-1, either 12 bit or 16 bit. 12 bit will allow you to use the on camera mic in stereo as well as two other audio sources in mono. These sources plug into the hand grip via RCA jacks. The RCA jacks of the MA 100 plug into the RCA jacks of the hand grip.

If you select 16 bit, the RCA jacks in the hand grip are not activated. In that case you plug into the rear RCA jacks. Then one of the toggle switches inside the audio door will activate either the on camera mic or the RCA's, but not both at the same time. It's been a couple of years since I have shot with the XL-1, so I can't remember the name of the toggle.

Another thing to consider is this. Will your NLE let you capture 4 tracks of 12 bit audio? If the answer is yes, then go for 12 bit with the 4 tracks. If the answer is no, then you would have to go back and capture tracks 3 and 4 in a seperate audio capture.

I hope this helps and doesn't confuse matters even worse for you.

All My Best,
Mark Von Lanken
Picture This Productions, Inc.
www.TulsaWeddingFilms.com

One thing no one's mentioned.

Take your Sony TRV-20 and plop it on the cheap tripod either at the back of the church or the side of the alter (if allowed). This will give you cut away shots for when your main cam moves around.

***note*** I have never shot a wedding profesionally, so take my advice with a grain of salt. However, most event shooting is the same, and the more coverage the better.