Heckled during speeches at DVinfo.net

Peter Rush · May 27th, 2013, 04:16 AM

OK at yesterday's wedding the reception tables were so close there was hardly enough room for my tripod but I managed to find a space to be greeted with 'you can't put that there mate - we can't see!' from some guests so I move to the next 'available' space to be also greeted by moans - Finally I compromised by getting in a space not quite central and as the father of the bride started his speech I got a tap on the shoulder 'can you film from the back of the room please - you're blocking my wife's view' - I said - 'sorry I can't move now the speeches are underway'.

Also when the groom started his speech with 'everyone having a good time?' that same person shouted - 'No we can't see you' - obviously aimed at me!

Any polite put-downs come to mind folks? I'm not happy blocking people's view but i've a job to do as I see it - The bride would not be happy with the footage from the back of a really long room!

Pete

John Estcourt · May 27th, 2013, 04:36 AM

That's a nightmare Peter, thankfully I've never encountered that yet. However I think pointing out to them politely that you have been paid by the Bride and Groom to produce the film and that if they wish you to move they should ask the Bride themselves.
Its her choice then.
But yep, not good especially when the speeches have started.
My pet hate is the mad photographer who wants to take thousands of photographs during the speeches, why???

Peter Rush · May 27th, 2013, 04:44 AM

In 5 years (full time) John, filming weddings it's only happened once before so I can wait 5 years till it happens again - thankfully the togs at all 3 weddings I've done this weekend have been pretty good and we got on well :)

Chris Harding · May 27th, 2013, 05:17 AM

Hi Pete

It happened to me once too and I had guests whinging about me being in the way. All our speeches are normally done from the lectern near the bridal table so when I get to the venue I make sure I place it where I also have enough space for camera and lighting .... the major cause of this is bad table layout by the venue and often too many tables in too small a place ... if you can get to the venue before the guests enter then you can always explain to the co-ordinator that they have left no place for you to film the speeches and hopefully they will assist.

Otherwise just write it off to a bad venue plan and move on!!

Chris

Paul Mailath · May 27th, 2013, 06:26 AM

tough one - I've had a similar situation - I moved. I figure the guests have priority.

I avoid blocking the view of the guests at all costs, I can remember having to do that on a couple of occasions but I left the camera unmanned, lowered the tripod and checked with the guests behind the camera to make sure it was okay (I always shoot with multiple cameras).

I think if you find youself in that position again, asking the person who's view you might be blocking should elicit a positive response and minimise complaints before the event.

Peter Rush · May 27th, 2013, 06:46 AM

Paul quite often the tables are so close together there is no way you can set up without blocking someone's view - filming from the rear nearly always is not an option without massively zooming in and all the issues that causes - especially in 'mood' lit receptions.

I'm not sure I would give guests priority in this situation - I've got to deliver good footage that's going to be viewed for many years - If some guests need to shuffle to see around me for half an hour then so be it...

...or am I being harsh?

Chris Harding · May 27th, 2013, 07:01 AM

Hey Pete

Quite often I ask (very nicely of course) for guests sitting in the narrow gap I need to place the camera if they wouldn't mind shifting around just for the speeches... I have never had a refusal ...Maybe I'm just a nice guy??? who knows?? It certainly doesn't hurt to ask if the tables are close!! I always tell them it's just for the during of the speeches ... maybe that's the way to do it ...make friends with the table guests you need to re-arrange and then suck up to them big time and they will do anything you ask!

Chris

Charles Newcomb · May 27th, 2013, 01:12 PM

A well-timed bout with silent flatulence might clear a little room for you. And you can blame it on anyone you want to.

Roger Gunkel · May 27th, 2013, 01:43 PM

I quite often find that I am going to be in someone's way for the speeches, so I always mention it to them well before hand and apologise profusely saying that if it wasn't for the fact hat I am being paid to film it, I wouldn't dream of being so rude. People usually go out of their way to move for me and I have never had a problem.

Roger

Noa Put · May 27th, 2013, 02:20 PM

I have this situation more then once, often they get a venue and pack more people in there so there is hardly any space to move between the tables, I now put my sony cx730 as close as I can to the person giving the speech, I lock the focus so it doesn't hunt and leave the camera running unmanned during the speech, I then use a second camera for guest reactions but I never will block the guests view myself. With only a tripod and unmanned camera people can still look past it.

Ana Conlon · May 27th, 2013, 03:36 PM

That sounds like a bad weekend! its hard enough to do your job without guest sabotaging and embarrassing you...We all do our best to stay off the radar but you can't become invisible! When you were asked to move by the first guest it obviously gave way to a chain reaction and everyone felt they had the right to ask you to move. I can't imagine you are so large that if someone was to leaning a little to the left it would have solved the problem. I've noticed that at some weddings the entire crowd seem unfriendly and other times everyone is great...I know you can't really generalise 100+ people but I'd be interested to know if other videographers/photographers have noticed this as well......I think Peter just got a bad day with a bad crowd. Sign it off and forget about it.

Allan Black · May 27th, 2013, 06:42 PM

It can get worse as the alchohol flows.

Arrange for the MC to announce, big bucks is being paid for a video so please assist, and that includes the best man ..

Cheers.

Paul Mailath · May 27th, 2013, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charles Newcomb

A well-timed bout with silent flatulence might clear a little room for you. And you can blame it on anyone you want to.

now thats lateral thinking - you could more through your selected spot and 'mark' the territory and once everyone had moved you could set up your tripod and all you'd get was sniggers from the guests.

Chris Harding · May 27th, 2013, 09:27 PM

That's why it's a good idea to initiate your "territory" a bit earlier in the evening and explain nicely to the guests that you have to put a camera there and IF they all shift around a bit then they will all see.

However it sounds like the heckler probably had a few more beers than he is used to and wanted to hear his own voice and this was the perfect opportunity ... I'm sure that some people do get blocked (especially those behind you) but they don't say anything ...it was unfortunate that the heckler was the "comedian" of the wedding ....even if you didn't block his view he probably still would have come up with other loud and obnoxious comments just to get himself noticed.

Luckily they don't pop up and all weddings but when they do they are indeed annoying (I even had a groom who fancied himself as a "standup comedian" and was twisting the words of the vows around of an otherwise solemn ceremony just to get attention.

Chris

Kelly Huffaker · May 27th, 2013, 10:26 PM

Yup. Been down the heckled road before. I've even been heckled during the ceremony by the officient by walking in the back with my glidecam. For christssakes, i'm WALKING IN THE BACK! None of the guests notice me cuz they're looking at the altar. But apparently it's too distracting for the officient who is the only one looking opposite direction. As for the toasts, I find it easier to use monopods and even have 1 camera on a mini tripod sitting on a table. The guests always say "cool look at that. that's a good idea" It's non obtrusive, and you kind of get that cool "in the audience" look at the end.

May 27th, 2013, 04:16 AM	#1
Peter Rush Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: UK/Yorkshire Posts: 2,069	Heckled during speeches OK at yesterday's wedding the reception tables were so close there was hardly enough room for my tripod but I managed to find a space to be greeted with 'you can't put that there mate - we can't see!' from some guests so I move to the next 'available' space to be also greeted by moans - Finally I compromised by getting in a space not quite central and as the father of the bride started his speech I got a tap on the shoulder 'can you film from the back of the room please - you're blocking my wife's view' - I said - 'sorry I can't move now the speeches are underway'. Also when the groom started his speech with 'everyone having a good time?' that same person shouted - 'No we can't see you' - obviously aimed at me! Any polite put-downs come to mind folks? I'm not happy blocking people's view but i've a job to do as I see it - The bride would not be happy with the footage from the back of a really long room! Pete

May 27th, 2013, 04:36 AM	#2
John Estcourt Major Player Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Scotland, Ayr www.amour weddingvideos.co.uk Posts: 305	Re: Heckled during speeches That's a nightmare Peter, thankfully I've never encountered that yet. However I think pointing out to them politely that you have been paid by the Bride and Groom to produce the film and that if they wish you to move they should ask the Bride themselves. Its her choice then. But yep, not good especially when the speeches have started. My pet hate is the mad photographer who wants to take thousands of photographs during the speeches, why??? __________________ john estcourt www.amourweddingvideos.co.uk

May 27th, 2013, 04:44 AM	#3
Peter Rush Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: UK/Yorkshire Posts: 2,069	Re: Heckled during speeches In 5 years (full time) John, filming weddings it's only happened once before so I can wait 5 years till it happens again - thankfully the togs at all 3 weddings I've done this weekend have been pretty good and we got on well :)

May 27th, 2013, 05:17 AM	#4
Chris Harding Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 8,441	Re: Heckled during speeches Hi Pete It happened to me once too and I had guests whinging about me being in the way. All our speeches are normally done from the lectern near the bridal table so when I get to the venue I make sure I place it where I also have enough space for camera and lighting .... the major cause of this is bad table layout by the venue and often too many tables in too small a place ... if you can get to the venue before the guests enter then you can always explain to the co-ordinator that they have left no place for you to film the speeches and hopefully they will assist. Otherwise just write it off to a bad venue plan and move on!! Chris

May 27th, 2013, 06:26 AM	#5
Paul Mailath Trustee Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Central Coast - NSW, Australia Posts: 1,606	Re: Heckled during speeches tough one - I've had a similar situation - I moved. I figure the guests have priority. I avoid blocking the view of the guests at all costs, I can remember having to do that on a couple of occasions but I left the camera unmanned, lowered the tripod and checked with the guests behind the camera to make sure it was okay (I always shoot with multiple cameras). I think if you find youself in that position again, asking the person who's view you might be blocking should elicit a positive response and minimise complaints before the event. __________________ Cheers - Paul M. www.perbenyik.com

May 27th, 2013, 06:46 AM	#6
Peter Rush Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: UK/Yorkshire Posts: 2,069	Re: Heckled during speeches Paul quite often the tables are so close together there is no way you can set up without blocking someone's view - filming from the rear nearly always is not an option without massively zooming in and all the issues that causes - especially in 'mood' lit receptions. I'm not sure I would give guests priority in this situation - I've got to deliver good footage that's going to be viewed for many years - If some guests need to shuffle to see around me for half an hour then so be it... ...or am I being harsh?

May 27th, 2013, 07:01 AM	#7
Chris Harding Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 8,441	Re: Heckled during speeches Hey Pete Quite often I ask (very nicely of course) for guests sitting in the narrow gap I need to place the camera if they wouldn't mind shifting around just for the speeches... I have never had a refusal ...Maybe I'm just a nice guy??? who knows?? It certainly doesn't hurt to ask if the tables are close!! I always tell them it's just for the during of the speeches ... maybe that's the way to do it ...make friends with the table guests you need to re-arrange and then suck up to them big time and they will do anything you ask! Chris

May 27th, 2013, 01:12 PM	#8
Charles Newcomb Major Player Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Salida, Colorado Posts: 561	Re: Heckled during speeches A well-timed bout with silent flatulence might clear a little room for you. And you can blame it on anyone you want to.

May 27th, 2013, 01:43 PM	#9
Roger Gunkel Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: LIncolnshire, UK Posts: 2,213	Re: Heckled during speeches I quite often find that I am going to be in someone's way for the speeches, so I always mention it to them well before hand and apologise profusely saying that if it wasn't for the fact hat I am being paid to film it, I wouldn't dream of being so rude. People usually go out of their way to move for me and I have never had a problem. Roger

May 27th, 2013, 02:20 PM	#10
Noa Put Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 9,510	Re: Heckled during speeches I have this situation more then once, often they get a venue and pack more people in there so there is hardly any space to move between the tables, I now put my sony cx730 as close as I can to the person giving the speech, I lock the focus so it doesn't hunt and leave the camera running unmanned during the speech, I then use a second camera for guest reactions but I never will block the guests view myself. With only a tripod and unmanned camera people can still look past it.

May 27th, 2013, 03:36 PM	#11
Ana Conlon Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Ireland Posts: 69	Re: Heckled during speeches That sounds like a bad weekend! its hard enough to do your job without guest sabotaging and embarrassing you...We all do our best to stay off the radar but you can't become invisible! When you were asked to move by the first guest it obviously gave way to a chain reaction and everyone felt they had the right to ask you to move. I can't imagine you are so large that if someone was to leaning a little to the left it would have solved the problem. I've noticed that at some weddings the entire crowd seem unfriendly and other times everyone is great...I know you can't really generalise 100+ people but I'd be interested to know if other videographers/photographers have noticed this as well......I think Peter just got a bad day with a bad crowd. Sign it off and forget about it. __________________ www.videoproductions.ie

May 27th, 2013, 06:42 PM	#12
Allan Black Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sydney. Posts: 2,936	Re: Heckled during speeches It can get worse as the alchohol flows. Arrange for the MC to announce, big bucks is being paid for a video so please assist, and that includes the best man .. My Clumsy Best Man Ruins Our Wedding - THE ORIGINAL - YouTube Cheers. __________________ Drink more tap water. On admission at Sydney hospitals more than 5% of day patients are de-hydrated.

May 27th, 2013, 09:27 PM	#14
Chris Harding Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 8,441	Re: Heckled during speeches That's why it's a good idea to initiate your "territory" a bit earlier in the evening and explain nicely to the guests that you have to put a camera there and IF they all shift around a bit then they will all see. However it sounds like the heckler probably had a few more beers than he is used to and wanted to hear his own voice and this was the perfect opportunity ... I'm sure that some people do get blocked (especially those behind you) but they don't say anything ...it was unfortunate that the heckler was the "comedian" of the wedding ....even if you didn't block his view he probably still would have come up with other loud and obnoxious comments just to get himself noticed. Luckily they don't pop up and all weddings but when they do they are indeed annoying (I even had a groom who fancied himself as a "standup comedian" and was twisting the words of the vows around of an otherwise solemn ceremony just to get attention. Chris

May 27th, 2013, 10:26 PM	#15
Kelly Huffaker Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Pasco Washington Posts: 128	Re: Heckled during speeches Yup. Been down the heckled road before. I've even been heckled during the ceremony by the officient by walking in the back with my glidecam. For christssakes, i'm WALKING IN THE BACK! None of the guests notice me cuz they're looking at the altar. But apparently it's too distracting for the officient who is the only one looking opposite direction. As for the toasts, I find it easier to use monopods and even have 1 camera on a mini tripod sitting on a table. The guests always say "cool look at that. that's a good idea" It's non obtrusive, and you kind of get that cool "in the audience" look at the end.