Bride Prep : Monopod, Tripod, Slider
Church : 'Steadicam', Two Tripods, Slider
Photo Shoot : Monopod
Speeches : Two Tripods
Dances : Tripod , 'Steadicam'


During the photoshoot, most likely in gardens or estate, I can't take all gear with me. I have to pick just one. I've recently got fed up with the slight shakiness of monopod shots. I managed to carry around my tripod recently and to be honest, I found the effort to be worth it for the steady pans and tilts during what is probably the prettiest part of the day.

What about you guys? What does your days setup look like? And what elements do you find trickiest?

Bride Prep : Monopod, Tripod, Slider
Church : Three Tripods
Photo Shoot : Monopod or tripod (depends where it is)
Speeches : Tripod, monopod (or shoulder mount)
Dances : Tripod , Monopod (or shoulder mount), slider

I find a lot of the little movements from the monopod can be smoothed out in post if needed.

Bride Prep: Handheld (NX70)
Church: Two Tripods (NX70 + Z7)
Photo Shoot: Handheld (NX70)
Speeches: Two Tripods (NX70 + Z7)
Dances: Handheld (NX70)

You DSLR kids do it hard! :)

I'm much the same.
I just use one tripod at the ceremony but I do also have a GoPro on a light stand as well as the two HMC cameras..one on tripod and one on my shoulder. Much the same at the reception.

Preps are all handheld (shouldermount actually) but I use just a single camera on my stedicam for the photoshoot.

Chris

Bride Prep: 1 monopod, 1 slider, 1 glidecam
Church: 3 tripods, 1 slider, 1 glidecam
Photoshoot: 1 monopod, 1 slider, 1 glidecam
Speeches: 2 tripods, 1 monopod
Dances, 1 tripod, 1 monopod, 1 slider, 1 glidecam

As I am one person for all I only use the excellent Fluid Video Monopod with head on all venues except during the time where all the guest congratulate and give the couple money (it can take up to 3 hours as the custom here is to invite as many as they can from 1000-4000) I use a tripod.

stelios

Hi Stelios

Everything on one camera??? I shoot with two so one has to be on a tripod for ceremony and speeches.

I know the feeling about congratulations ..ours sometimes run for 15 minutes and the camera gets heavy but seriously up to 4000???? The most I have ever had was 450 and that nearly killed me!!!

With solo shoots we have to go light on the gear..the only time I have an assistant is when the groom and bride preps are filmed at the same time at different locations and then I just cannot be in two places at once!

Chris

I can't see how people can do second shooters and keep it economically viable. It baffles me. Besides, Its only really crucial in the ceremony IMO.

I generally have one manned camera and one or two statics.

Even then, I've had instances when all my cameras have been blocked at exact same time. Nightmare!

I'm getting a Konova slider. I'm contemplating keeping it on the tripod 100% of the time with the carriage locked, and then allowing slider shots super pronto when i see the opportunity.

It will be interesting to see if this will actually be possible, or if it will be too cumbersome as a unit.

Hi Clive

I only do it when I have to and it just for the prep! I also am curious how people can have two or even three shooters at a wedding and still keep it viable... Then again if you have a wife/girlfriend who goes with you as a partner/shoot and unpaid it works but actually paying two extras for the whole gig must push up the price dramatically.

I always have a camera at least 8' up in the air and it has got me out of trouble many, many times!! Just a high wide shoot so when the photog/mob sticks her ample behind against your lens hood you are covered by the high camera. More often than not I'll put a GoPro on a lighting stand about halfway down the aisle and that covers the whole event and is a unique butt saver!! I have plenty of footage where even if the photog is kneeling down in front of my main camera they forget they have a flash sticking up in the air higher than their head.

Are you using a full blown stedicam in the Church??? I don't find enough space to use/ get into a vest, double arm and be able to move around without injuring someone so my rig is used only on my videoshoot that I do just before the photog takes them away for pics!

Chris

Sorry Chris, my bad, not Steadicam the brand, just a steadicam-type device. No Vest etc. I try to use it to follow/lead up or down the aisle.

I like your idea of the GoPro up high. I bought one and sold it again in a week afters eeing the shocking low light quality. I bought a Nikon Coolpix P310, which has decent enough HD footage for backup-backup purposes. But then i found it has a 30minute clip limit! So I'm still looking a relatively cheap and small option. Light Stand sounds like a good trick!

During the photoshoot, most likely in gardens or estate, I can't take all gear with me. I have to pick just one. I've recently got fed up with the slight shakiness of monopod shots. I managed to carry around my tripod recently and to be honest, I found the effort to be worth it for the steady pans and tilts during what is probably the prettiest part of the day.We used to use a monopod all the time but like you I gradually became more & more intolerant of the wobble & weave that is impossible to eradicate when using a monopod. We now use very lightweight carbon fibre tripods from Giottos with a very basic video head. We still use monopods but only where space is at a premium & where each shot is no longer than a few seconds any prolonged shots & the camera is on a tripod. So while it's OK to snipe guests at the drinks reception or grab reaction shots at the speeches on a monopod the actual speaker needs to be shot on a tripod.

I can't see how people can do second shooters and keep it economically viable. It baffles me. Besides, Its only really crucial in the ceremony IMO.Two options 1) Don't pay the second shooter much 2) Charge the clients enough to cover paying the second shooter decently. Photographers often use an assistant but they mostly opt for option 1) & people are glad of it just for the experience so consider getting yourself a videography intern. Personally I think that while you can get away with a single shooter operating multiple cameras you will always get better footage if you have a second shooter e.g. You get a shot of the bridal party entering the church coming towards you while your assistant gets the shot of them from the rear. Besides it's someone to chat with when you get some downtime & they can help carry all the equipment to/from the car. There is a lot less pressure when there are two of you.

I'm getting a Konova slider. I'm contemplating keeping it on the tripod 100% of the time with the carriage locked, and then allowing slider shots super pronto when i see the opportunity.

It will be interesting to see if this will actually be possible, or if it will be too cumbersome as a unit.The Konova slider. is pretty heavy. You will need a very substantial tripod or it will all overbalance & topple when at either end of the slider. You are better off just using the slider on the ground or on a table or other available object rather than lugging it round on a tripod.

Hi Nigel

I do agree about the 2nd shooter when it comes to having someone to chat with and also ease the pressure...my shooter (when I use her) never stays longer than the ceremony end so I still have no-one to keep me company at the reception and normally that's where the quiet periods arise.

The answer is to make sure when you get married, your wife to be is a comptent videographer ..I can just see a typical ad in a lonely hearts forum.. "Wedding videographer requires a beautiful and young lady with a view to matrimony. Must have video skills and gear. Personal photo not necessary but rather post a few photos of your camera and accessories"

That should work??? Seriously over here we have photogs galore and plenty often advertise wanting to work for free at weddings to build a portfolio, BUT it's only photogs..never a videographer!!

Earlier this year I advertised for a 2nd shooter and received zero replies!!! My current lady is good but is getting into a relationship now so that will be the end...Not many husbands/boyfriends or wives/girlfriends and too happy with their partner disappearing for 12 hours every Saturday until the wee hours.

Chris

Chris, the problem is that for weddings you don't need two full time videographers all the time (same is also true of photographers) but there are times when one isn't enough. If you have someone who will be there just for the ceremony then that could work well.

Bride Prep : Monopod
Church : Two Tripods
Photo Shoot : One tripod
Ceremony: Tripod and steadicam
Speeches : One tripod, one cam handheld
Dances : Steadicam

Bride prep is often less space and a lot of people moving in and out, that's why one monopod with a DSLR with a 35mm f1.4 lens (no stabilisation, I fix that in post if necessary) is easiest to move quickly.
Here the Groom sees his bride at her house the first time in the morning, then I go handheld with my sony cx730, that's always a wide shot as I have to get it right teh first time.
Church is two sony cx730's locked on a tripod, maybe a 3rd sony xr520 if I got the time. I also set 4 external recorders for sound, no fancy stuff here, just a decent recording of the event.
Photoshoot I take my dslr with a 85mm f1.4 on a tripod, just for those very shallow dof pretty shots of the couple, I might use my cx730 as well handheld when it's the family shoot, often theres more going on, people laughing, having fun and so on and then I need to be able to film wide, zoom in fast or whatever, and the cx730 allows me to quickly capture those "fun" moments.
Ceremony, from there the steadicam is used as well, I use a dslr with a 14mm on the steadicam and a dslr with the 85mm on a tripod.
Speeches: 1 tripod with a cx730 for th eperson giving the speech and one cx730 handheld to quickly grab reactions, the person giving the speech often addresses people and I try to see who they are talking to and try to get them in frame, the very good OIS of the cx730 allows me to film handheld and make it almost look like it was on a tripod.
Dances, mainly steadicam.

I do have a slider but don't use it too much, again only if I have the time for it but that tool often feels like the 5th wheel.

Two options 1) Don't pay the second shooter much 2) Charge the clients enough to cover paying the second shooter decently.

I'm lucky enough that my wife comes along and is my second shooter. It makes the company part that much better.

......I know the feeling about congratulations ..ours sometimes run for 15 minutes and the camera gets heavy but seriously up to 4000???? The most I have ever had was 450 and that nearly killed me!!! .........

Chris

Usually when people get married here (in Cyprus) they invite as many as they can (even the postman,..)_and this can be really up to 5000 people. Why? very simple , to get money when they come to congradulate them. The minimum that you give to the wedding couple is 20-30 Euro. So imagine how much money they on heir wedding night. This is a great help for a young couple.


stelios

Usually when people get married here (in Cyprus) they invite as many as they can (even the postman,..)_and this can be really up to 5000 people. Why? very simple , to get money when they come to congradulate them. The minimum that you give to the wedding couple is 20-30 Euro. So imagine how much money they on heir wedding night. This is a great help for a young couple.


stelios


I'm sure it is a great help. They can pay for a great videographer like you! ;-)

this can be really up to 5000 people. Why? very simple , to get money when they come to congradulate them.

But then they still have to feed and give 5000 people something to drink?

Noa
What they usually give to these people is snacks and drinks (wine, beer) Usually they start at about 7pm till 9:30pm,then after that at around 10pm have a sit down supper for about 250 - 350 close friends and relatives. This goes on until about 1 after midnight.

stelios

That's quite amazing, that's about a small village that shows up on their wedding :) must be a hugh venue.

Noa
Yes it is and if it's in a village then the WHOLE village as well as some people from nearby villages are invited.
You can see some clips from my blog here: SC Videos (http://www.steliosc.blogspot.com/)


stelios

here is US, we call it "table to table toasts" --the one with the box full of envelopes

I started off with a 2nd shooter and I've always worked that way. we split up for prep, meet up at the church where he concentrates on the groom & family shots in the church while I wait for the bride - we both stick to close-ups of the couple with a 3rd camera on a lightstand getting the wide shot

we don't do the photoshoot

reception is both of us getting different angles with a wide shot on the guests, speeches have 1 camera on the bride & groom, 1 on the speaker and the wide on the guests.

my 2nd sticks with me the whole night and helps pack up and reminds me what I've forgotten " Did you get that recorder on the lecturn?"

I have an arrangement with the local uni, they recommend suitable 2nd & 3rd year film students and I take them on. some are crap - others are bloody great!

equip is pretty much the same as everyone else

Bride Prep (1st Shooter): Tripod+GH1+50mm f/1.2 <-----shoulder-mount equipped, as well.
Camera Sling+GH2+14mm f/2.5

With such light equipment, I simply use the tripod as a monopod and even bi-pod when space is tight. Don't see the reason to bring extra gear when I don't have to. I use the GH2+14mm slung around my shoulder to pick shots super quickly and easily, kind of my sidearm. With the 14mm and post-stabilization, it's wide enough to do steadicam-like shots very quickly and effectively.

Groom Prep (2nd shooter): Tripod+GH1+50mm f/1.4 and 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5

Ceremony: 1st Shooter covers bride walking down isle. Tipod used as bi-pod. GH2+50mm.
2nd Shooter covers groom's reaction. Tripod+14-140mm lens.
3rd Camera: GH1 + whatever lens necessary shooting down the isle.

With a third stationary camera, the 2nd shooter and I can make as many camera moves as necessary without regard for the other. Also, with the GH2's extended tele mode, I can turn my 50mm into a 130mm lens in 10 seconds, without light loss or quality loss. This is great for bigger churches.

Photoshoot: Me again, with same setup as bridal prep.

Reception: Similar to Ceremony with my 2nd shooter except we're both on 50mm lenses+Voigltander 25mm f/0.95

For every wedding, I bring my camera slider and glidecam, but they never leave the car trunk because of the setup time. Also, sliders require either more gear, or a heavier, bulkier tripod... I think if/when I acquire a 4th camera body, I will attach it to my glidecam and leave it there all day. So I can just pick it up, shoot, and put it down.

This single tool has helped me get better shots in tight spaces and also be mobile and steady.
I do use my Sachtler ACE for the ceremony for a second camera but I use this monopod (the feet at the bottom do help with more steady shots and reduce the chances of the monopod slipping) for the main camera (sometimes a Canon XHA1s and even a Canon XF300!) the head is not as smooth as a Sachtler ACE but with care it can give good results.
I find it that I use it 70% of the time and then the tripod with a Hagee light slider which I use with a Canon T3i.
I considered getting a Blackbird or Merlin but since I shoot mostly solo...well...that's just complicating things too much. The slider helps add some spice to videos for sure and much easier to set up with the tripod.
E
Fandango Video Productions | Wedding Event Videography Toronto | Corporate Video Production Toronto | Quinceanera video Toronto, GTA (http://www.fandangovideo.com)

I think if/when I acquire a 4th camera body, I will attach it to my glidecam and leave it there all day. So I can just pick it up, shoot, and put it down.Now that my 5D3 is my main DSLR this is what I do now with my 5D2 & 16-35mm F/2.8L. At a pinch I can even just stand the Glidecam on the floor shooting a wide locked off shot.

My setup constantly changes... I'm a DSLR shooter... Almost always shoot with two videographers. My friend on a Merlin the whole day. I'm basically on a monopod the entire day.

But some variations:

-- Bride and groom prep -- sometimes I'll go to an Edelkrone DSLR rig or completely handheld, trusting in a Z-finder and the IS on the lens to smooth the shot out. Times to go handheld include: when it's crowded in a bride's bedroom, and/or you're getting some strange, un-monopodable angle, like from below or from above or close to the ground or when standing on a bed.

-- Sliders and skater dollies and Cineskates are also more likely to get used during bride and groom prep than anywhere else. GoPro occasionally comes out here.

-- Ceremony: at the moment, we usually cover with two cameras on tripods, and one camera switched between steadicam and tripod; more cameras on tripods when we can get 'em.

-- Photoshoot: used to go nuts and take everything. And that really hurt. Walking around with a heavy tripod and a slider attached, with a steadicam curled around your neck. Now it's just monopod and steadicam. When it's too windy, steadicam gets swapped out for tripod-mounted slider. GoPro occasionally comes out here.

-- Reception: tripod coverage for speeches. At least one or two on tripod during first dance. Monopod and steadicam for most everything else.