Here's a clip from a recent wedding. Going for more of a narrative/doc approach.

http://www.gmelliottvideo.com/MooneyPrep.wmv

i thought it was excellent. even got a little teary eyed.

That was brilliant, i never would have thought of anything like it.

Glen,

As always, great work!

One possible bone of contention (for me): sometimes the voiceover seems to compete with the song lyrics. Granted, this could be subjective b/c I like the song and so my ear naturally hones into the song and therefore the voiceover seems in the way. The voices in the video over the lyrics seem to blend well, but at least on a few occassions, the voiceover parts felt too busy.

However, the voiceover works perfectly during the instrumental parts. Too bad there's not more of those in the song.

BTW, hats off for the approach! I'm sure the couple will love it.

I really enjoyed the retrospective interview over top of the preps. The shot of the church coming out of the flag was absolutely gorgeous. I was expecting something a little different when I read preps in the clip name, and then I saw the ceremony footage in the clip. I'de be curious to hear how that fits into the overall video- would there be any other preps portion besides possibly the highlights? Would this play first and then the ceremony would start? I think I'de be tempted to almost label that as a trailer and have it set apart on the DVD menu- I think it does a great job of getting you interested in seeing more of the video.

Althought it seemed to fit much better in the doc style you did here, I'm not a big fan of the camera shake and half zooms, but it is likely not something that would be noticed by most who will view it. Great clip!

Patrick

Very nice. I notice a bit of clipping at one point with her voice overs near the end, but that might just be my sound problem. Great use of a documentary style. I actually like that more than the "flying camera" things many people are using these days.

Glen,

As always, great work!

One possible bone of contention (for me): sometimes the voiceover seems to compete with the song lyrics. Granted, this could be subjective b/c I like the song and so my ear naturally hones into the song and therefore the voiceover seems in the way. The voices in the video over the lyrics seem to blend well, but at least on a few occassions, the voiceover parts felt too busy.

However, the voiceover works perfectly during the instrumental parts. Too bad there's not more of those in the song.

BTW, hats off for the approach! I'm sure the couple will love it.

Yeah it's a difficult science to get the right audio levels for the music bed under VO's. Especially music with lyrics. Usually I edit to instrumental only and use very cinematic style scores. The stark change was part of my attempt to create a more tailored, personal, end product. All the songs used are ones requested from the client.

Additionally it isn't necessarily as "dramatic" as some of my other work- again this ties in with the style. I want the video to be an "accurate" reflection of the couple. Slow and sappy thoughout would not fit the bill in this case.

I really enjoyed the retrospective interview over top of the preps. The shot of the church coming out of the flag was absolutely gorgeous. I was expecting something a little different when I read preps in the clip name, and then I saw the ceremony footage in the clip. I'de be curious to hear how that fits into the overall video- would there be any other preps portion besides possibly the highlights? Would this play first and then the ceremony would start? I think I'de be tempted to almost label that as a trailer and have it set apart on the DVD menu- I think it does a great job of getting you interested in seeing more of the video.

Althought it seemed to fit much better in the doc style you did here, I'm not a big fan of the camera shake and half zooms, but it is likely not something that would be noticed by most who will view it. Great clip!

Patrick

Thanks for the feedback Patrick. I know exactly like you mean in regards to the camera movment. It's made more evident because I'm now not hiding safely behind the guise of slow-motion and only using my "creative" shots. Using less slow-motion, as illustrated in this clip, will force me to be a better handheld camera operator.

I do feel some of it is somewhat naturally accepted by the viewer in respect to this style. People are so used to seeing camera movement in doc style productions- not that it's an excuse for shake, but I think I can squeak by easier than if the shake was in a clip featuring all cinematic music and sweeping camera moves. Oddly enough I've seen camera shake becoming more prevelent as a "style" which seemed to be isolated to NYPD blue at one point. Just this weekend I caught the movie Miami Vice (I'm a big Michael Mann fan) and there was camera shake, and get this- half zooms throughout. The latter being something VERY rare in a film production. I know film cameras don't have "zoom" lenses but several shots in the film had a short zoom effect like someone operating a manual zoom lense made a short, abrupt adjustment in focal length. But yes.....mine weren't mean for "effect" and something I need to address.

Very nice. I notice a bit of clipping at one point with her voice overs near the end, but that might just be my sound problem. Great use of a documentary style. I actually like that more than the "flying camera" things many people are using these days.

I think I know what your describing. When I edited this I made sure my audio mix was within a safe range thoughout. There were however times when the brides voice got boomy and sounded almost shrill through the mic- despite the fact I was getting no clipping in-cam during the interview session. It's what I get for shooting the interviews using a small diaphram mic (ie lapel mic) place too close to the subjects mouth.

Hi Glen, thanks for making that in Windows media. I havent been able to view your work for the past few years, only able to read the rave reviews and feeling outside the loop. Now Im in!!!!!!! anyway very nice work and thanks for sharing. I learn so much from you all here. Thanks again TAG

Interesting approach, but not my cup of tea. I'm sure that the couple was pleased---and at the end of the day that's all that counts.

I loved the camera angle of the bride coming down the aisle (at about ankle height) and the wide angle of the inside of the church---absolutely beautiful! You had some very visually stunning shots in the clip....

Was this a 2 or a 3 cam shoot? How long after the ceremony did you do the "interviews"?

I think you make a great cup of tea, Glen... I guess it boils down to taste.

M

Glen

I love your clips, They give me such great inspiration. I do have a question for you. Can you send me a list of the questions you ask the b&g during an interview? I did a quick search and got some questions but I would like a little longer list. I am going to interview the b&g groom for the first time I normally do not want to do this but the bride really wants it. Also do you have a link to all of the clips that you have posted. I did a search and some of your older stuff is not available anymore.

Thanks

Nick

Hi Glen, thanks for making that in Windows media. I havent been able to view your work for the past few years, only able to read the rave reviews and feeling outside the loop. Now Im in!!!!!!! anyway very nice work and thanks for sharing. I learn so much from you all here. Thanks again TAG

Terry I only ever use WMV or MPG formats. ???

Interesting approach, but not my cup of tea. I'm sure that the couple was pleased---and at the end of the day that's all that counts.

I loved the camera angle of the bride coming down the aisle (at about ankle height) and the wide angle of the inside of the church---absolutely beautiful! You had some very visually stunning shots in the clip....

Was this a 2 or a 3 cam shoot? How long after the ceremony did you do the "interviews"?

Thanks for the feedback. 3 cam ceremony- 2 cam reception. The interviews were shot aprox 2 months after the event.

I think you make a great cup of tea, Glen... I guess it boils down to taste.

M

Thanks Maurice.

Glen

I love your clips, They give me such great inspiration. I do have a question for you. Can you send me a list of the questions you ask the b&g during an interview? I did a quick search and got some questions but I would like a little longer list. I am going to interview the b&g groom for the first time I normally do not want to do this but the bride really wants it. Also do you have a link to all of the clips that you have posted. I did a search and some of your older stuff is not available anymore.

Thanks

Nick

Nick, thank you for the kind words. Here's a link to an article that inspired me:
http://www.eventdv.net/Articles/ReadArticle.aspx?CategoryID=104&ArticleID=9830

It's a good starting point. Check out Ken's other articles on EventDV as well, many of them tie into the same subject.

Glen

Thanks that was exactly what I was looking for.

Excellent video!!

I love the use of some black & white clips and slow motion. You have told an ordinary wedding story in a very interesting way. Ordinary people become movie stars!

I have learnt a lot from your work and I will try to use your style next time when I shoot & edit my kid's performances.


Kenneth

Thank you so much for sharing it, Glen. Not that this means a whole heck of a lot these days, but I have a M.F.A. in Film, and while in school I was always taught to stay away from the "creative" camera moves because they distract the story being told. Contrary to that, every wedding video I see these days seems to try to outdo the other one in terms of fancy tricks, and unless it's something extremely unique, they tend to all look like the same video after awhile. I think this narrative approach is very unique -- I was so immersed in the couple's story that didn't even notice the minor things others have pointed out. To me, it is an awesome piece of work.

As usual nice work mate.. like afew others have mentioned, it really isnt something which hooks me though, but one can see how much work goes into something like this, its a well paced and tight fitting piece which works. Most of the Doco Style clips ive seen are a little of centre or lacking, but this flows quite nicely. It still has that Elliot flavour but with alot of your work, i DO notice that in the past, some clips were a little too overworked (for my taste), and this moves away from that, which is a good way to show the natural flow and a different element to yoru style.
Am i making any sense?

"was always taught to stay away from the "creative" camera moves because they distract the story being told."
And this is where weddings are different.. basically youre working with the same script with different actors, so making each stand out from the other is paramount to business success... you dont want to fall into the generic wedding video category.. coz then ur just tossed aside like everyone else who refused to detract from a certain theme or style or "how it should be's ".
With weddings, there is no "how it should be" and trying to stick to "rules' is silly in any live situation.
Weddings offer teh most creative freedom for any producer, so i recomend to ANYONE to take advantag of that freedom.
Camera moves are one way of showing an ordinary (to us its ordinary) wedding and make its something more.. as with colour gradings, and filters, transitions, effects... u can either use them generically, or be clever with them and create someting different.

We know what the story is about u see.. as does every other potential client... but HOW we tell that story... well thats up to us... and its the "HOW" which either makes or breaks us...

Thanks Peter, point well taken. And I've only shot a few weddings, so I definitely appreciate what you said. I shouldn't have generalized, it's just in my recent preparation, I've just seen a lot of really bad wedding video which IMO is relying too much on camera technique. But I do think you learn from work that is done poorly as you do from work that is done brillantly. This clip is probably just done more in the "style" that is in my comfort zone. I'm still just learning the ropes here, and I realize that I'm in a completely different ballgame than the work I to do (that left me practically homeless!). That's what I meant by "it doesn't mean a heck of a lot" -- except to the bank every month I get my (outrageous) loan payment bill :-) Thanks again!

Beth

what camera are you using in that clip?

Thank you so much for sharing it, Glen. Not that this means a whole heck of a lot these days, but I have a M.F.A. in Film, and while in school I was always taught to stay away from the "creative" camera moves because they distract the story being told. Contrary to that, every wedding video I see these days seems to try to outdo the other one in terms of fancy tricks, and unless it's something extremely unique, they tend to all look like the same video after awhile. I think this narrative approach is very unique -- I was so immersed in the couple's story that didn't even notice the minor things others have pointed out. To me, it is an awesome piece of work.

Thanks Beth. I know what your talking about and agree. I believe fancy camera moves should support your video not cary it completly. In other words used to spice up the main content rather than taking it's place.

You indicated in another post that you haven't seen much of my work- a lot of my older stuff is in stark contrast to this piece. This is an example of the new direction I'm taking my videography.

As always with anything- some on the forum will like it some wont. The same goes with your clients, thus the reason staying flexible in wedding/event video is important. No two clients are the same, likewise with their tastes.

I think it's good to stretch your creative boundaries. I got so comfortable with my other style I wanted to expand my horizons and try something new. So far I'm enjoying it and feel, overall, it's making me a better editor and shooter.

Thanks for watching.

As usual nice work mate.. like afew others have mentioned, it really isnt something which hooks me though, but one can see how much work goes into something like this, its a well paced and tight fitting piece which works. Most of the Doco Style clips ive seen are a little of centre or lacking, but this flows quite nicely. It still has that Elliot flavour but with alot of your work, i DO notice that in the past, some clips were a little too overworked (for my taste), and this moves away from that, which is a good way to show the natural flow and a different element to yoru style.
Am i making any sense?

Makes completes sense. I knew some people wouldn't be as fond of this style compared to my previous work as it's less "grandios" looking. Less "flash" and more (at least what I feel is..) substance.

With Wedding videography I feel the most important element is the individual couple's story. I'm trying to focus on what makes each couple different (back-stories on how they met, their personal experiences during the day, their feelings at various moments during the day) rather than what makes them the same (white dress, chruch wedding, reception activities).

what camera are you using in that clip?

Sony PD-170 and Sony VX2100

Thanks, is there much difference between picture quality of the PD150 and PD170?

Thanks, is there much difference between picture quality of the PD150 and PD170?

Not at all. The 170 has a "slightly" higher low light (1lux) rating but that has nothing to do with the optics and glass. More so with tweaks to the electronic gain algorithm.

Here's a clip from a recent wedding. Going for more of a narrative/doc approach.

http://www.gmelliottvideo.com/MooneyPrep.wmv

The video was great but there was no audio! Did anyone else have this problem? Would love to see both audio and video.

What OS and video player are you using?

"substance. "

Thats the key my friend...

its funny, just today i was tlaking to a client who didnt want their interview on their main DVD's. It was one of the limited times where they were actually being themselves (hes abodybuilder and came out in her bra... it was one of those funny things that u just had to see.. ) and it awas all gold.. BUT they didnt want it to tip the flavour of the actual Presentation (which is all glossy and wow factor kinda stuff... which to be honest, didnt really show off too much of their characters or personality... well it did, but not as "natural or easygoing" as i woudl have liked it to have been.. prolly coz they were so stressed from their nazi Phtoog... lol Shame really, either way moving away from ones comfort zone is not an easy thing.. i do it all the time though adn even if i think it may not work, the clients usually njoi it becuase it IS so different.. as an example, i used Paul oakenfold "ready steady go" for a re-edit of their phtoshoot.. i thought the original was good, pretty mellow trip hoppy DnB... they loved it.. but because of the amount fo footage i had, i had to do somethng with it (i didnt want to just ditch it coz it didnt go with the rest of the piece.. and it was too good to jsut pass up... ) so i just did another one.. a little more energetic, quarter note synced cuts to half beats and backspins, really messed up filters and tricks jsut prety much messing with it to the point wher eif i did anymore to it, it would break.

Doing this shows 2 very differnt perspectives of thr same story. on their DVD its a bonus scene, so they will feel that this is added value to their product.. even if the music isnt to their styling it goes with what were seeing..

I guess it all comes down to what kind of risk your willing to take, as well as what your doing to ensure that the client get what they want, but at the same time, retain that creative freedom to use the material you have, at ur discretion.. Sometimes moving away from the norm not only helps with your own repoitoire (spelling? lol) but also shows a willingness to experiment.. and in this game, its usually the experiemnts which are memorable... when competing for a job, its the differences u can offer which is what sets u apart from teh next guy

good stuff man, keep up the good work :)

Hey Glen,
It took me two times watching the clip, one last week and one this week. I had a initial take on it and then waited and viewed it again. You did a great job. Exploring a new style and desiring to reflect the couples personality is a huge plus. It will be very cool to see how you progress with this style 2-5 weddings from now. Keep it up, your doing very good. Nice outside shot of the church.

That was excellent! Excellent pacing, combining of both documentary/interviews/beauiftul shots. Excellent camera work too (loving the waist level camera) Bravo & Congrats!!

K thats it im going to put up my sloppy wedding demo up as inferior/different as it is to yours.