The wife and I just branched out for a friend and shot our first wedding film. Although I loved the feeling of being out of my comfort zone and having to think more critically and creatively to make it happen, it turned out to be waaay more crazy than we expected. It made me remember the first wedding I shot, the stress, the rush to try and get certain shots, worrying about gear, etc...
You wouldn't believe how stressful it was when my wife cross threaded our only fluid head with our Glidetrack, so I basically had to shoot the whole ceremony with a steadycam... FYI, those are a pain to hold for more than about 2 minutes. My arms were wobbling like a bridge in an earthquake...
Mad props to film makers like Joe Simon, it's tough to make a motion picture in that kind of situation.
The video is the first post on our blog: www.rothcouple.com
Hope you enjoy!
Dude, really nice! The opening elevator shot was a great find..overall I thought it was really good. Maybe a little to much movement in the ceremony bits for my taste..but seriously if I was this couple I would be so happy to get this.
very well shot and excellent editing! Except for being a big wobbly it is as good or better then most full time wedding video folks that I have worked with... For a first film its absolutely amazing!
Thanks a bunch! Yeah that's an unbalanced Steadycam for ya... Definitely should have balanced that for ONE lens + mic, that's one of the big things I learned.
It made me appreciate how good some Steadycam operators are, that's an art!
Dude, I like it, but I would uber careful about posting a vid to such a high traffic and google friendly area as FM that contains a coldplay song, unless you've paid to use it. Just saying.
Looks good man, you didn't ask for a critique so I'm not sure if you're looking for one but I'm currently looking for more reasons to procrastinate a film I'm editing so here goes:
0:00-0:09 - I like the shot, though it could be cut down to where the fleece and fabric floor is visible to the top floor, also a monopod will help you IMMENSELY should you decide to pursue wedding cinematography (I'm assuming you didn't have one, so I'll leave out the further shots that require more stabilization because you mentioned this being your first time flying a glidecam)
0:09-0:12 - nice shot, I'd hold on it a bit longer and cut out a half second of the white from the next shot
0:12-0:15 - cut the heavy vignetting, it takes away from the shot and isn't consistent throughout
0:16 - 0:18- there are a bunch of shots that are black and white interspersed throughout your piece, change them back to colour. Having this shift works really well with photography and I can understand where you're coming from, but having a few shots that are black and white detracts from the overall piece as it pulls the audience out of it.
also, I don't remember if you've got anyone looking into the camera as the bride does here in the rest of the film, but it's something you generally want to leave out the way that most movies and tv shows do. Breaking the fourth wall (having the subject look into the camera) is something that either works or doesnt work and in this case I think it makes it feel more videographer than cinematographer
0:20-0:21 - cut out the last smidgen where the camera movement stops, the next shot you've got is also on a slider and that stop-start of movement can be jarring
same thing with the whip pan of the church
the movement from guests outside the church to you going through the aisle is nice (as is the cut between them) though in the future try to slow your glidecam shots a bit down (not in post, but when you're shooting them) it gives them more weight
love the shot of the flower girl
1:09-1:10 nice glidecam shot from pew to pew
pewpewpew
for audio recording I know you've mentioned that you had an on camera mic, should this be something you continue, (wedding films) invest in a few sennheiser wireless mics. they're incredible (though unfortunately quick costly)
1:34 - j-cut that clapping and have it run a few seconds longer, it's higher quality sound that's appropriate to have and the short burst of it isn't enough
nice transition from them leaving the church
I really like the transition from that cake topper to them at the head table
during their first dance be mindful of unflattering angles, it's definitely a total circus shooting your first video wedding but the same principles apply to cinematography as to photography.
overall I think you did a really good job for your first video wedding, it's crazy stressful and I think you pulled it off. If it's something you want to keep doing shoot me a message I can give you some pointers
it is as good or better then most full time wedding video folks that I have worked with... For a first film its absolutely amazing!