Wedding style terminology at DVinfo.net

Mark Ganglfinger · January 18th, 2009, 12:18 PM

I have seen a lot of great footage here by some awesome wedding videographers.
I have noticed that much of the footage requires some sort of cooperation from the bride and groom, such as them standing still while the videographer circles around them with a glidecam.
I am truly respect the talent necessary to pull stuff like this off, however I prefer to shoot the "fly on the wall" type video where they don'y really know I am there.
I think there is room for both styles of video, but is there terminology to clearly define the different ways of shooting.
I try to steer clear of the term "Documentary" because it sounds so boring and non-artisitic (no offense to the docu-shooters out there).
Anyone have creative ways to describe this to brides?

Travis Cossel · January 18th, 2009, 02:56 PM

I know photographers often describe themselves as "photojournalists" for the style you describe. So maybe something similar to that?

Tripp Woelfel · January 18th, 2009, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Ganglfinger

...I prefer to shoot the "fly on the wall" type video where they don'y really know I am there.

Not sure you're going to get a more accurate and descriptive phrase or term than that. Describe your style that way and 98% of your clients will get it. The other 2%... well you might want to check and see if they're still breathing.

Oleg Kalyan · January 19th, 2009, 07:16 AM

"I have seen a lot of great footage here "

Dont think you've seen the footage here at all.
FOotage means, pure shot material, with no processing at all..
most of what is seen here posted edited, corrected, graded, speed altered finished product..

can it be called a documentary? Good question.
That's another subject for another lengthy discussion..

Warren Kawamoto · January 19th, 2009, 08:14 AM

Could you call the style you're referring to as "unobtrusive candid shots?"

Mark Ganglfinger · January 19th, 2009, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oleg Kalyan

"I have seen a lot of great footage here "

Dont think you've seen the footage here at all.
FOotage means, pure shot material, with no processing at all..

Fair enough, I think I meant samples for critique.
I also was curious if there was terminology for the (seemingly) newer style of video were the bride and groom are actually posing for the video.
I tend to see very few highlight clips where the shots from the actual ceremony and reception are used.

Jason Robinson · January 19th, 2009, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Ganglfinger

Fair enough, I think I meant samples for critique.
I also was curious if there was terminology for the (seemingly) newer style of video were the bride and groom are actually posing for the video.
I tend to see very few highlight clips where the shots from the actual ceremony and reception are used.

Here is one of my highlights where I staged very few shots. Mostly the photographer set up some shots and I asked to jump in where she was done to do a video version of that pose.

2/3 of the shots I used were from actual wedding & reception. That way the couple gets a feel for the whole day, and not just the staged parts before the ceremony.

Jeff Harper · January 19th, 2009, 03:11 PM

Mark, the terms I am familiar with are "Cinematic" and "Photojournalistic" (documentary style which has already been mentioned).

The cinematic style is extremely popular and will often incorporate the posed shots you mentioned, dramatic music, and any variety of effects, specific shooting styles (moving shots) use of fish-eye lenses, steadicam, etc.

There are also the short-form edits which are just catching on here in Cincinnati. For a 30 minute finished video a friend of mine charges around $2500 and the prices go up from there.

January 18th, 2009, 12:18 PM	#1
Mark Ganglfinger Regular Crew Join Date: May 2007 Location: Hermon Maine USA Posts: 138	Wedding style terminology I have seen a lot of great footage here by some awesome wedding videographers. I have noticed that much of the footage requires some sort of cooperation from the bride and groom, such as them standing still while the videographer circles around them with a glidecam. I am truly respect the talent necessary to pull stuff like this off, however I prefer to shoot the "fly on the wall" type video where they don'y really know I am there. I think there is room for both styles of video, but is there terminology to clearly define the different ways of shooting. I try to steer clear of the term "Documentary" because it sounds so boring and non-artisitic (no offense to the docu-shooters out there). Anyone have creative ways to describe this to brides?

January 18th, 2009, 02:56 PM	#2
Travis Cossel Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 2,933	I know photographers often describe themselves as "photojournalists" for the style you describe. So maybe something similar to that? __________________ Black Label Films www.blacklabelweddingfilms.com

January 19th, 2009, 07:16 AM	#4
Oleg Kalyan Major Player Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: MOSCOW Posts: 860	"I have seen a lot of great footage here " Dont think you've seen the footage here at all. FOotage means, pure shot material, with no processing at all.. most of what is seen here posted edited, corrected, graded, speed altered finished product.. can it be called a documentary? Good question. That's another subject for another lengthy discussion..

January 19th, 2009, 08:14 AM	#5
Warren Kawamoto Trustee Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 1,435	Could you call the style you're referring to as "unobtrusive candid shots?"

January 19th, 2009, 03:11 PM	#8
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Mark, the terms I am familiar with are "Cinematic" and "Photojournalistic" (documentary style which has already been mentioned). The cinematic style is extremely popular and will often incorporate the posed shots you mentioned, dramatic music, and any variety of effects, specific shooting styles (moving shots) use of fish-eye lenses, steadicam, etc. There are also the short-form edits which are just catching on here in Cincinnati. For a 30 minute finished video a friend of mine charges around $2500 and the prices go up from there.