Best set up for 3 camera shoot

[Kevin Lewis]

For those that typcally do 3-4 camera shoots, at wedding, with at least two videographers, how do you mange to stay out of each others shot, especially when filming both the Bride and Groom from different angles?

[Philip Howells]

Seeing/not seeing the means of production (MoP) is probably too old an argument to be exercised here, but in weddings the venue is often the determining factor. It does underscore the argument for dressing the ops to fit in with the surroundings.

The key to limiting the MoP is for all camera ops to be aware of the other's eyelines. Pre-event discussion and practice ensures that tight BCUs are appropriate at key moments eg vows, rings and MCUs or two-shots at less vital moments. Typically the "bride's" camera will be tight on her for her vows but a two shot for the groom's vows etc. It's a set up that works well when it comes to multicam editing when shot selection becomes a throw back to the old days of calling shots from the gallery - with the bonus that if you make a mistake it's not transmitted but can be corrected!

Kevin, a fuller answer would be inappropriate here but I'll PM you our set up.

[Paul Mailath]

I have one fixed camera up the back of the venue no wider than the bridal party. I take the grooms side to capture the bride and my partner takes the other. If they're facing forward, we're ahead of them, if the back camera is facing 12, I'm at 3 and partner at 9 or we're at 5 & 8 if theyr'e facing the guests. I'm on tripod & partner on monopod so he can move and pick off other shots.

that's what we're trying at the moment anyway.

[Matthew Craggs]

With three cameras, one would be locked off in the aisle facing the bride and groom straight on, two would be stationary with an operator close on the bride, three would be manned and roaming around getting details, guests, just plain cool shots, etc.

With four, same thing, only add another unmanned camera close on the groom.

Getting in each others shots is not an issue. Just follow Paul's advice (back camera is 12, side cameras are 3/9 or 5/8) and be aware of what the other cameras are getting.

Of course, this all depends on the venue, and depending on the location everything could be thrown out the window. That is why it's important to adapt.

[Cary Garner]

What kind of lens do you use on the camera stationed at "12"?

[Philip Howells]

12x zoom on the z1. Unless you're working in a cathedral it's adequate for most UK churches and wedding venues.

[Sean Seah]

Is it a practice in Western countries to provide full documentation of the procedures? OR do you only offer crucial parts like the Rites of Marriage etc? Sometimes we have problems to get complete shots of the entire process.

Usual Work Flow:
The Catholic Church in Singapore would have an hour long of Mass. The Priest would be speaking from a fixed position and I'll normally have one camera B on sticks fixed on him. Camera A would shoot the couple expression, the crowd etc.

Operator B would shift B cam if the priest moves around. But sometimes we have other people speaking at different positions and it is not possible to move B camera. Then operator A would cover it. When doing so, B cam would shoot some creative stuff.

Lastly, there would be a C cam the back of the hall covering the cut aways just in case.

We have had problems with changes from the rehearsal so we had find depend on cutaways but that is never nice. I learnt that it is essential to attend the rehearsal but over here, they always do it a few days before the wedding so it can be a little "expensive" for us to be committing more time for that.

I believe the rehearsals are done on the actual day in the States and UK?

[Philip Howells]

In the UK the structure of the service varies greatly from faith to faith. I’m no expert and indeed regard myself as “culturally challenged” and don’t take on Asian or Jewish weddings. Although some businesses do, I think in general weddings in those faiths are often served by specialists who understand the contemporary demands of the particular faith eg the music, liturgy etc.

Within the Christian sects the basic wedding ceremony varies in detail from faith to faith even church to church but at the core lies a series of promises which form the legal and faith marriage.

The same goes for the civil ceremony which often embodies similar promises but rigidly, by law, excludes from the ceremony any mention of a religious faith. This extends to the music played.

Uniquely (I believe) the Church of England ceremony satisfies both the religious and the civil law; others require a civil registrar to complete the civil legalities.

I have never had a civil ceremony rehearsal - the registrars often demand to meet the bride and groom in private before the ceremony to reconfirm their identities. All of my church rehearsals have been before the wedding day - usually the day before but in some cases up to a week before. Not every supplier attends.

Finally, although it is the published policy of the Church of England to encourage photography and video done discreetly and without conflicting with the dignity of the ceremony, the Parochial Church Council for the individual church still has a substantial degree of control over what takes place in each church. Often the policies pursued by these PCCs fly in the face of the reality viewed by the Church of England’s senior hierarchy - namely that fewer and fewer people are getting married in church (of all sects and faiths) and that making it difficult for couples to be photographed and/or videoed is a further discouragement.