I would probably bore you if I began this series by talking about exposure and focus, though those are the two biggest pitfalls of many newbie wedding videographers. Composition, story line, camera angles, camera moves, and many other topics come to mind that would make good articles.

But I've just finished watching two wedding videos, from different videographers, that were decently done but fatally marred by a mistake that these videographers apparently don't even notice as being a mistake. Then, I think back to my first year of wedding videography and I was doing the same darn thing and never paid it any attention until finally (and thankfully) a bride complained.

What was this "fatal flaw" that some videographers make without even realizing that it is a mistake? - Getting into the shot.

This last wedding video was shot by two videographers, one at the rear of the church, one at the front. During both the processional and recessional, they are both centered at opposite ends of the aisle and are prominent in each others' shots, fatally marring the wedding video. Even at other times during the ceremony, they managed to frame each other occasionally.

Part of the magic of wedding videos is to "bring" the viewer to the event, transporting them across space and time, which requires a certain "suspension of disbelief". By the way, the phrase "suspension of disbelief" is credited to Samuel Taylor Coleridge, back in the early nineteenth century. Although he was talking about poetry, it is absolutely a requirement for good tv / film / video. This suspension and the transporting of the viewer into the screen is abruptly halted when the videographer enters the frame and thrusts himself into the viewer's face.

An experienced videographer would probably want to use perspective and good composition to have the aisle create an angle in his frame instead of shooting straight down the aisle, at least for the recessional. During the processional, when the guests are standing, the "straight down the aisle" shot may be the only shot. Either way, the camera people should either communicate or plan ahead of time how they will cover each phase of the event while staying out of the other's shot.

Jean and I shoot from either rear or forward wings and use a static camera in the rear of the church. I frame this camera wide, but am careful to frame us out of the shot. I'll generally note something to mark the outside areas of the frame - lines in the wall paneling or maybe a decoration or electrical outlet, etc. Jean and I will remain aware of this mark and will try to stay outside of that boundry.

Often, I must come to the center to shoot the processional and there is often a time or two when I need to cover a "jiggle" or pull focus. By kneeling, being partially behind a piano or pulpit, etc., I make every attempt to minimize my presence and to ensure that any cut that includes me, will be a very short one. Hopefully, in those cases where I don't have the shot, Jean's camera will have a shot and won't include me. Otherwise, I may have to go to camera #3.

We face the same issue when covering the reception. Whether it's on the dance floor, or cutting the cake, there are three main problems to watch for:

* The couple may not be facing your camera
* A guest or photographer may block you
* We may get into each other's shots

To avoid all three issues, we attempt to place our selves 90 to 120 degrees on either side of the couple. This helps to ensure that at least one of us should have some face to shoot; both of us won't be blocked at the same time and we won't be in each other's shots.

Camera positions for dance floor coverage

By having camera #3 on a jib (ProAm 12' crane), it is easy to keep it out of our shots and impossible for even the best photographers to block!

Another mistake, very similar to this is leaving a tripod or other gear where it will get into your shots (and the photographer's and the guests' etc.) Be good to yourself and courteous to others by storing your gear unobtrusively and not leaving tripods up when they aren't needed. We bring a black child-size sheet to cover our gear, which is usually stashed near the DJ.

Do your clients a favor and boost your wedding video quality up another notch by striving to not "star" in your own wedding videos!

- Hank Castello, WVDR

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Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved.