Filming the rehearsal dinner... What to do? at DVinfo.net

Brian Farris · July 11th, 2006, 08:56 PM

So I've done a few weddings but this is the first time a client has ever asked us to film some stuff at the rehearsal dinner. I'm not exactly sure what kind of footage I should be getting.

I'd hate to wip out my XL2 and then everyone get camera shy and not make toasts or anything.

What do you guys do in this situation?

Don Bloom · July 11th, 2006, 09:24 PM

Like any party. People schmoozing (talking, drinking) speeches, people schmoozing, no people eating though, looks bad when grandpas dentures fall out and you got it on tape ;-O

Some dinner are more extravagant than others. I did one where they had a DJ and dancing, got some of that, I did another where they had a BBQ at the house. Of course they also had about 150 people there so you never know.
I would cover it like another party overshoot and you'll probably end up with enough footage to make a nice 3 to 5 minute peice iver music BUT don't forget the "heartfelt" speeches, you might want a tripod or at least a monopod for them ;-)

Don

Peter Jefferson · July 11th, 2006, 09:29 PM

i hate speeches.. no really i do.. i dont see why a speech needs to go over 5 minutes...
i mean if i was hired to document a "this si your life " seminar I'd understand, but its a party FFS...

I guess everyone wants their 45 minutes of fame...

Don Bloom · July 12th, 2006, 05:53 AM

I too do hate the "speeches". Party ettiquite calls for a "toast" not a speech. The difference? A TOAST is 90 seconds or less---a SPEECH is anything over 90 seconds and we've all had the standup comic that thinks they're doing an opening act for a big name in Vegas (the city-not the software :-0) they go on and on and on-even the B&G don't like it BUT it's our job to cover it then EDIT out the crap and just leave the GOOD stuff; at least the way you and I edit Peter!
Plug in the headphones and turn down the volume that way it's a bit less painful ;-))))

Don B.

Steven Davis · July 12th, 2006, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Farris

I'm not exactly sure what kind of footage I should be getting.

Ok Brian, call me crazy, or call me lacking coffee this early in the morning, but make this suggestion. Have a 'hat' full of questions that is passed around to the bridal party. And in the hat may be questions like, 'talk about an instance when you saw the groom show his love for the bride in a special way.' This would make things more intersting than just the best man getting up there and saying, 'yo, he's a great dude, PEACE OUT!'

Rick Steele · July 12th, 2006, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steven Davis

Ok Brian, call me crazy, or call me lacking coffee this early in the morning, but make this suggestion. Have a 'hat' full of questions that is passed around to the bridal party. And in the hat may be questions like, 'talk about an instance when you saw the groom show his love for the bride in a special way.' This would make things more intersting than just the best man getting up there and saying, 'yo, he's a great dude, PEACE OUT!'

This sounds corny but it has merit. ANYTHING to liven things up. I mean, how much footage can you have of Uncle Jack making an ass out of himself?

July 11th, 2006, 08:56 PM	#1
Brian Farris Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Hattiesburg, MS Posts: 99	Filming the rehearsal dinner... What to do? So I've done a few weddings but this is the first time a client has ever asked us to film some stuff at the rehearsal dinner. I'm not exactly sure what kind of footage I should be getting. I'd hate to wip out my XL2 and then everyone get camera shy and not make toasts or anything. What do you guys do in this situation? __________________ Videography Blog - http://www.video.thirdprong.com/blog/

July 11th, 2006, 09:24 PM	#2
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	Like any party. People schmoozing (talking, drinking) speeches, people schmoozing, no people eating though, looks bad when grandpas dentures fall out and you got it on tape ;-O Some dinner are more extravagant than others. I did one where they had a DJ and dancing, got some of that, I did another where they had a BBQ at the house. Of course they also had about 150 people there so you never know. I would cover it like another party overshoot and you'll probably end up with enough footage to make a nice 3 to 5 minute peice iver music BUT don't forget the "heartfelt" speeches, you might want a tripod or at least a monopod for them ;-) Don

July 11th, 2006, 09:29 PM	#3
Peter Jefferson Inner Circle Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Aus Posts: 3,884	i hate speeches.. no really i do.. i dont see why a speech needs to go over 5 minutes... i mean if i was hired to document a "this si your life " seminar I'd understand, but its a party FFS... I guess everyone wants their 45 minutes of fame...

July 12th, 2006, 05:53 AM	#4
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	I too do hate the "speeches". Party ettiquite calls for a "toast" not a speech. The difference? A TOAST is 90 seconds or less---a SPEECH is anything over 90 seconds and we've all had the standup comic that thinks they're doing an opening act for a big name in Vegas (the city-not the software :-0) they go on and on and on-even the B&G don't like it BUT it's our job to cover it then EDIT out the crap and just leave the GOOD stuff; at least the way you and I edit Peter! Plug in the headphones and turn down the volume that way it's a bit less painful ;-)))) Don B.