Hey everyone!

I'm shooting my first Mitzvah on Saturday. It is a Bat Mitzvah, and I was told we weren't supposed to go to the synagogue for that part of the ceremony, but rather we have been hired just to cover the party after the fact.

The timeline I was given has it starting with a cocktail hour, moving into a candle lighting ceremony, followed by a brief speech by the father. Then we were given nothing. I was told that the father, who hired us, wanted interviews with him and his wife, his sister, and his father. I figure I'll use those interviews and the speech in the same way that I do for wedding videos.

Other than a "short" film from the event, what else should I provide on the DVD? Full uncut speech? Interviews? Uncut candle ceremony? Etc?

I'd love to get some perspective on what all one would expect to receive for something like this. I am not technically contracted for anything but the short film but I'd like to, for experience sake, create the full experience for them, but I don't know what that is... Thanks so much in advance!

Have a great day/night!

- Matthias Claflin

I di one a few years ago. The actual filming of the ceremony in the temple on the day was forbidden so we organised to do it at a "dress rehearsal" the day before! I filmed everything that was going on there as I don't understand Hebrew ...normally the priest will guide you as to what is required.

My celebration in the evening was much the same as a wedding ...I was told to make sure I got the men and women doing their wild dancing in a big circle as that was important ...speeches were much like wedding speeches. I think the general rule would be, "If you are not sure, film it anyway even if you are not going to use it" Like a wedding it's a one off event.

Rabbi= Jewish Priest ;-)

Hora=big circle of people dancing...This can be dangerous. Watch for flying elbows.

The men will more than likely pick the mitzvah up in a chair and dance around him. This is must get footage.

Otherwise, yep get all the speeches which generally aren't a lot (Dad, maybe Grandfather if alive, etc) and any blessings they do before the fun begins.

Remember you're dealing with a bunch of 12 to 15 year old kids at the party....watch yourself they can get quite wild.

And THAT was why I stopped doing mitzvahs about 10 years ago! To me, they were more "dangerous" than jumping from airplanes...with or without a parachute! ;-)

Thanks for the advice guys! I'll keep my eye out for rowdy kids and swinging elbows!

A bit after the event but for anyone wanting to film Jewish or Hindu wedding dancing this is a must

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/wedding-event-videography-techniques/529563-never-film-dancing-without-one.html

Pete