How to Video an Event

Event videography is a professional specialty. Even seasoned shooters can be taken aback by its on-the-spot demands. I think back to the first wedding that I taped, back when we would actually tape and edit on VHS tape. I had taught production for several years and had worked on several professional sets. I was powering up my gear when the priest turned to the groom and me.
"
Are you ready?" he asked.

"Just give me a moment," I replied.

The priest stared at me as if I were a truculent student who had spoken out of turn. He turned on his heel strode onto the altar with me struggling to catch up. I learned in a second that this was nothing like directing a commercial.

Shooting an event whether it's a wedding, bar mitzvah, baptism or reunion means the activity happens around you. You only control what you are shooting. This posting is geared to the advanced amateur who might one day want to shoot for a living, but is not yet ready to do so. But compared to your relatives, you've got the best eye in the family.

Instructions

1. Unless you're shooting a higher end format, like DV-50, Betacam or HDV, upgrade to mini-DV. Although the format does have its short comings regarding color, most of what our eye perceives as detail is brightness information. Here min-DV excels. Also, because it is a digital format, it can be easily edited on your home computer. Do not waste your time with a camcorder that records directly to DVD. They are convenient, but record less data and create digital files that are harder to edit. Most camcorders today have many automatic features that work well most of the time, but can be fooled by backlighting as one example. Make sure your camera has manual override.

2. Check out your equipment out well ahead of time. Make sure that you have enough tape, adequate battery power, and on camera light with diffusion for facial fill and an external microphone. A radio mic is preferable, but at least get one that can be handheld that allow you to approach your subjects close enough to minimize ambient noise. Carry earphones, even a cheap amateur set, just to monitor audio.

3. Watch television news with the sound off. Some of the stories will be boring pressers where a speaker glances down at his notes and looks directly into a camera. Ignore these. Instead, pay attention to how a station's staff shooters and editors cover a live happening. Notice the mix of shots: An establishing shot to give an overview, medium shots to introduce us to people, close ups of details. Turn the sound back on and notice the sound bites which convey the essence of what is occurring.

4. Get the lay of the land. Recently, I was asked to shoot a birthday party in a dim restaurant, not exactly the best place for available light shooting. Shoots like this will only disappoint unless you're prepared with lightning.

   How long will the event be? For a conference I shot in April, I had to buy $120 of video tape and delivered a DVD of nearly 4 hours. Get to the event early and set up as close as you can to what is happening. The further away you are the more you'll need your tripod to stabilize the shot.

5. Employ the shot choices you've seen used before on the news (i.e. long shots, medium shots, and close up). Be sure to shoot several reaction shots of the crowd or close ups which will give you opportunities to edit. The best way to do stabile handle held work is to zoom out all the way and get close to your subject. The added depth of field will cover will help cover focus errors too.

6. Pay attention to sound. If a public address system will be in use, to obtain the cleanest possible sound, you want to be attached via a cable with an adaptor that feeds your camcorder. After the ceremony, draft a family member to be your boom person. Give her the external mic. Remind her to point it at the person talking and stand next to your camcorder asking short questions of the guests. Emphasize that she shouldn't move her hand on the mic while the camera is hot, since the mic will pick up movement as noise. These guest comments can be the best moments of an event video such as advice offered to newlyweds.

7. Label every tape as you remove it from your camcorder and make sure that each has the record inhibit switch on.

8. Don't drink until your shooting is done and all your equipment is accounted for and packed. Now you're ready to toast the bride and groom.