Do you use a steady cam for weddings? at DVinfo.net

Kevin Lewis · October 9th, 2011, 04:55 PM

Im just curious, who here does or does not use a stedicam when shooting weddings?

Chris Harding · October 9th, 2011, 06:38 PM

Hi Kevin

Full vest rig but I only use the rig for the video photoshoot...nothing else...it's just too restrictive inside a Church or even a Reception!!! My brides like the "roundie rounds" (walking around the couple in a full circle and then slow the footage down 50%) It's cheesy but if that's what the customer likes........!!

Chris

Jim Schuchmann · October 9th, 2011, 08:11 PM

If we are inside of a prim and proper cathedral - never.

If we are outside or in a "Big box" church - usually.
"Big box" churches are what I call building that could also double as an arena, a warehouse, a Wal-mart. I'm seeing more and more modern congregations go to these type of buildings. The congregations are usually younger, more tech savvy. Seeing a steady-cam rig is not a shock to them it seems. I do try to be discreet and stay out of the spotlight per se. I'll get the processional and then move to the side on a tripod for the ceremony.

Prep, Photo shoot, reception entrance and dances are usually on steadi-cam.

Michael Simons · October 10th, 2011, 05:34 AM

I don't. Maybe one day I will, but by that time they may be out of style.

Kelly Langerak · October 10th, 2011, 07:53 AM

I use my Glidecam HD 2000 at every wedding. I can't live without it. If done correctly AND NOT OVER USED I feel it takes your product to a whole new level.

I only use my vest if I have the time during the photo shoot.

Eliezer Rodriguez · October 10th, 2011, 08:24 AM

I use a home made steady cam with a monopod. It lets me move fast and maintain a steady shot specially between very cramp spaces like moving between tables full of guests or a dancing floor crowded of couples.

Chris Talawe · October 10th, 2011, 09:49 AM

we use the glidecam hd2000 on every wedding but selectively. things like the steadicam and sliders can easily be overused, we tend to use these things in moderation.

Corey Graham · October 10th, 2011, 10:18 AM

Never. Lots of reasons, including the time it takes to get it up and running, ruining the highly unobtrusive nature of my style of shooting, and general overusage by lots of other videographers.

Maybe in the future, maybe not.

However, I love using steadicams for things other than weddings.

Art Varga · October 10th, 2011, 12:44 PM

My Merlin is my favorite tool for weddings. I have it perfectly balanced with a 24mm prime and use it all day. I use it less for dramatic shots than I used to but I find it great to just hang with it. I find the subtle movement significant enough to add interest to the shot without being over dramatic.

Art

Michael Simons · October 10th, 2011, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Art Varga

My Merlin is my favorite tool for weddings. I have it perfectly balanced with a 24mm prime and use it all day. I use it less for dramatic shots than I used to but I find it great to just hang with it. I find the subtle movement significant enough to add interest to the shot without being over dramatic.

Art

Art, do you use the manfrotto quick release plate? I find it difficult to balance with the quick release

Art Varga · October 10th, 2011, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Simons

Art, do you use the manfrotto quick release plate? I find it difficult to balance with the quick release

Yes I do - what lens are you using? I acquired a Canon 24 1.4 because I heard others saying that this was a good lens combo for the 5D and Merlin. After using for several months I agree. I find it very easy to balance quickly.

Art

Warren Kawamoto · October 11th, 2011, 11:44 AM

We have a Steadicam option available for those 1 hour shoots we do for destination weddings. The wedding is performed outdoors on the lawn of the hotel. I use a Flyer, and shoot with an EX-1 that is loaded with 2 wireless mic receivers. Throughout the ceremony, the camera floats slowly around the couple as needed, providing a 360 degree view of what's around them. For the vows and kiss I zoom in slowly to capture their expression. I started using the Flyer for weddings in 2004.

Kren Barnes · October 11th, 2011, 09:58 PM

We found ourselves using a lot of it about 2 years ago, i guess it was the novelty of it. However, nowadays we only use ours for 2 particular shots, bride walking down the aisle for the ceremony and the couple walking in the reception area. We don't even bother with the roundie shots anymore since its so overdone :)

Kren

Tim Kerigan · October 11th, 2011, 11:24 PM

What kind of rigs do you use? Our school just bought a Phantom and it just seems like a Steadicam would get in the way/take far too long to get setup to make it worth it.

Jonathan Teng · October 13th, 2011, 01:33 AM

Yup, for sure!! We use the Blackbird and its definitely worth having for a wedding shoot. So many shots we use come from the steady cam, so if you have the budget, definitely get it.

____________________
Jonathan
Wedding Video Sydney | Cinematic Wedding Videography | eMemories Productions | Wedding Video Sydney

October 9th, 2011, 04:55 PM	#1
Kevin Lewis Major Player Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Philadelphia, pa Posts: 705	Do you use a steady cam for weddings? Im just curious, who here does or does not use a stedicam when shooting weddings?

October 9th, 2011, 06:38 PM	#2
Chris Harding Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 8,441	Re: Do you use a steady cam for weddings? Hi Kevin Full vest rig but I only use the rig for the video photoshoot...nothing else...it's just too restrictive inside a Church or even a Reception!!! My brides like the "roundie rounds" (walking around the couple in a full circle and then slow the footage down 50%) It's cheesy but if that's what the customer likes........!! Chris

October 9th, 2011, 08:11 PM	#3
Jim Schuchmann Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 123	Re: Do you use a steady cam for weddings? If we are inside of a prim and proper cathedral - never. If we are outside or in a "Big box" church - usually. "Big box" churches are what I call building that could also double as an arena, a warehouse, a Wal-mart. I'm seeing more and more modern congregations go to these type of buildings. The congregations are usually younger, more tech savvy. Seeing a steady-cam rig is not a shock to them it seems. I do try to be discreet and stay out of the spotlight per se. I'll get the processional and then move to the side on a tripod for the ceremony. Prep, Photo shoot, reception entrance and dances are usually on steadi-cam.

October 10th, 2011, 05:34 AM	#4
Michael Simons Major Player Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Red Bank, NJ Posts: 553	Re: Do you use a steady cam for weddings? I don't. Maybe one day I will, but by that time they may be out of style.

October 10th, 2011, 07:53 AM	#5
Kelly Langerak Major Player Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Bay Area Posts: 522	Re: Do you use a steady cam for weddings? I use my Glidecam HD 2000 at every wedding. I can't live without it. If done correctly AND NOT OVER USED I feel it takes your product to a whole new level. I only use my vest if I have the time during the photo shoot.

October 10th, 2011, 08:24 AM	#6
Eliezer Rodriguez Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Aguadilla, Puerto Rico Posts: 28	Re: Do you use a steady cam for weddings? I use a home made steady cam with a monopod. It lets me move fast and maintain a steady shot specially between very cramp spaces like moving between tables full of guests or a dancing floor crowded of couples. __________________ Eliezer www.ERStudios.com

October 10th, 2011, 09:49 AM	#7
Chris Talawe Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Fremont, CA. Posts: 78	Re: Do you use a steady cam for weddings? we use the glidecam hd2000 on every wedding but selectively. things like the steadicam and sliders can easily be overused, we tend to use these things in moderation.

October 10th, 2011, 10:18 AM	#8
Corey Graham Major Player Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Erie, PA Posts: 390	Re: Do you use a steady cam for weddings? Never. Lots of reasons, including the time it takes to get it up and running, ruining the highly unobtrusive nature of my style of shooting, and general overusage by lots of other videographers. Maybe in the future, maybe not. However, I love using steadicams for things other than weddings. __________________ http://coreygraham.me http://coreygrahamweddings.com

October 10th, 2011, 12:44 PM	#9
Art Varga Major Player Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Belle Mead, NJ Posts: 552	Re: Do you use a steady cam for weddings? My Merlin is my favorite tool for weddings. I have it perfectly balanced with a 24mm prime and use it all day. I use it less for dramatic shots than I used to but I find it great to just hang with it. I find the subtle movement significant enough to add interest to the shot without being over dramatic. Art __________________ __________________________________ - Art Varga www.vargaproductions.com

October 11th, 2011, 11:44 AM	#12
Warren Kawamoto Trustee Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 1,435	Re: Do you use a steady cam for weddings? We have a Steadicam option available for those 1 hour shoots we do for destination weddings. The wedding is performed outdoors on the lawn of the hotel. I use a Flyer, and shoot with an EX-1 that is loaded with 2 wireless mic receivers. Throughout the ceremony, the camera floats slowly around the couple as needed, providing a 360 degree view of what's around them. For the vows and kiss I zoom in slowly to capture their expression. I started using the Flyer for weddings in 2004. Last edited by Warren Kawamoto; October 12th, 2011 at 03:10 AM.

October 11th, 2011, 09:58 PM	#13
Kren Barnes Major Player Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Winnipeg Manitoba Canada Posts: 415	Re: Do you use a steady cam for weddings? We found ourselves using a lot of it about 2 years ago, i guess it was the novelty of it. However, nowadays we only use ours for 2 particular shots, bride walking down the aisle for the ceremony and the couple walking in the reception area. We don't even bother with the roundie shots anymore since its so overdone :) Kren __________________ Modern Wedding Cinema for the Modern Bride www.verticalvideoworks.ca

October 11th, 2011, 11:24 PM	#14
Tim Kerigan Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Chicopee, MA/Upland, IN Posts: 57	Re: Do you use a steady cam for weddings? What kind of rigs do you use? Our school just bought a Phantom and it just seems like a Steadicam would get in the way/take far too long to get setup to make it worth it.

October 13th, 2011, 01:33 AM	#15
Jonathan Teng New Boot Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 5	Re: Do you use a steady cam for weddings? Yup, for sure!! We use the Blackbird and its definitely worth having for a wedding shoot. So many shots we use come from the steady cam, so if you have the budget, definitely get it. ____________________ Jonathan Wedding Video Sydney \| Cinematic Wedding Videography \| eMemories Productions \| Wedding Video Sydney