My first wedding video at DVinfo.net

Stelios Christofides · January 29th, 2007, 03:27 PM

Hi Guys
Can I have please your commends on my first (serious) wedding video?
I have some highlights here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNjOkiJ1aR4
This was filmed with my Sony DCR-TRV80. Since then I bought the Sony HDR-FX7.

Sorry guys for not showing some "breaking plates"

Stelios

Jonathan Nelson · January 29th, 2007, 03:58 PM

Fascinating video. It was a little out of control. I would try limiting the amount of different songs that played and transition each song to a different scene.

I would also eliminate either the music or the ambient noise of the scene where the bride/groom show up in the car. The bells made the music sound kind of funny.

Also, I noticed a few shots that cut people off by the waists which is something you might want to try to avoid for aesthetic reasons.

Michael Nistler · January 29th, 2007, 05:35 PM

Hi Stelios,

Thanks for sharing your first video - it's lots of hard work at first and it's great that you're looking to improve your technique.

To begin with, I suggest you listen only to audio track and consider areas for improvement. I'm sure just listening to the audio/music by itself, you'll be able to make a comprehensive list (compare with other videographers you admire). And be sure to continue working on your mixing skills.

Basic camera work and technique is also an important area of improvement for us when we enter the trade. This time turn off the audio and evaluate the video by itself. What story are you trying to tell the viewers? Does the video do so? Does it support the emotional story you are trying to tell others?

Editing is the third area that you'll want to develop. Try to ensure your editing is complementary to both of the above topics. Also work on the getting the length of each shot to support and complement the story.

Incidentally, the last cut of the kissing B&G was my favorite; the music really matched the nice slow kiss, a very emotional experience - now that's the kind of "money shots" everyone loves to see (perfect timing, too). One suggestion here, use less blurring so we can enjoy seeing the B&G; if your software cannot make the change, next time pull back from a tight close up to a chest shot to optimize the framing.

Good luck, Michael

Steve Burke · January 29th, 2007, 05:53 PM

An excellent first wedding video, Stelios.

One constructive comment from me would be to use the camera on full auto. I did notice some auto exposure give aways ( eg food serving hot lamp - your wide shot was exposed ok, then as you panned across the lamp, the background went black, as your auto exposure homed in on the lamp. ).

I agree with the comments made on the sound....

I thought the intro photographs were EXCELLENTLY presented in that album. What did you use to produce this?

Keep up the great work!

PS Where in Cyprus are you?

Best Regards

Steve

Stelios Christofides · January 30th, 2007, 02:21 PM

Thank you guys for your constructive criticism. You always learn from you experts. The complete video that I have made was edited to about one hour. The version that you saw was posted on my blog: http://steliosc.blogspot.com/
Steve the software I used is Ulead VideoStudio 10 plus. I am busy learning Sony Vegas but I found it too much complicated at this stage. But I suppose when I learn it, it might be OK. I like VideoStudio because its easy to use and gives me very good results.
I live in Nicosia Cyprus by the way.

Cheers
Stelios

P.S. Thanks again for taking the time to see the video and commend about it.

Steve Burke · January 31st, 2007, 06:39 AM

Thanks for your reply, Stelios, and best wishes for your future projects.

Steve

January 29th, 2007, 03:27 PM	#1
Stelios Christofides Trustee Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Nicosia, CYPRUS Posts: 1,080	My first wedding video Hi Guys Can I have please your commends on my first (serious) wedding video? I have some highlights here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNjOkiJ1aR4 This was filmed with my Sony DCR-TRV80. Since then I bought the Sony HDR-FX7. Sorry guys for not showing some "breaking plates" Stelios __________________ My Blog: http://steliosc.blogspot.com "I hope for nothing, I fear nothing, I am free" Nikos Kazantzakis

January 29th, 2007, 05:35 PM	#3
Michael Nistler Major Player Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Petaluma, CA Posts: 456	1st Timer Hi Stelios, Thanks for sharing your first video - it's lots of hard work at first and it's great that you're looking to improve your technique. To begin with, I suggest you listen only to audio track and consider areas for improvement. I'm sure just listening to the audio/music by itself, you'll be able to make a comprehensive list (compare with other videographers you admire). And be sure to continue working on your mixing skills. Basic camera work and technique is also an important area of improvement for us when we enter the trade. This time turn off the audio and evaluate the video by itself. What story are you trying to tell the viewers? Does the video do so? Does it support the emotional story you are trying to tell others? Editing is the third area that you'll want to develop. Try to ensure your editing is complementary to both of the above topics. Also work on the getting the length of each shot to support and complement the story. Incidentally, the last cut of the kissing B&G was my favorite; the music really matched the nice slow kiss, a very emotional experience - now that's the kind of "money shots" everyone loves to see (perfect timing, too). One suggestion here, use less blurring so we can enjoy seeing the B&G; if your software cannot make the change, next time pull back from a tight close up to a chest shot to optimize the framing. Good luck, Michael

January 29th, 2007, 05:53 PM	#4
Steve Burke Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: UK Posts: 63	An excellent first wedding video, Stelios. One constructive comment from me would be to use the camera on full auto. I did notice some auto exposure give aways ( eg food serving hot lamp - your wide shot was exposed ok, then as you panned across the lamp, the background went black, as your auto exposure homed in on the lamp. ). I agree with the comments made on the sound.... I thought the intro photographs were EXCELLENTLY presented in that album. What did you use to produce this? Keep up the great work! PS Where in Cyprus are you? Best Regards Steve __________________ Canon XL2, Photoshop CS2, Premiere Pro 2.0, After Effects 7.0, Encore DVD 2.0, Audition 2.0. 2x PCs both Duo-Core 3GHz, both 1GB RAM, both dual monitor. 1x Laptop, single core, 3GHz, 1GB RAM.

January 30th, 2007, 02:21 PM	#5
Stelios Christofides Trustee Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Nicosia, CYPRUS Posts: 1,080	Thank you guys for your constructive criticism. You always learn from you experts. The complete video that I have made was edited to about one hour. The version that you saw was posted on my blog: http://steliosc.blogspot.com/ Steve the software I used is Ulead VideoStudio 10 plus. I am busy learning Sony Vegas but I found it too much complicated at this stage. But I suppose when I learn it, it might be OK. I like VideoStudio because its easy to use and gives me very good results. I live in Nicosia Cyprus by the way. Cheers Stelios P.S. Thanks again for taking the time to see the video and commend about it. __________________ My Blog: http://steliosc.blogspot.com "I hope for nothing, I fear nothing, I am free" Nikos Kazantzakis

January 31st, 2007, 06:39 AM	#6
Steve Burke Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: UK Posts: 63	Thanks for your reply, Stelios, and best wishes for your future projects. Steve __________________ Canon XL2, Photoshop CS2, Premiere Pro 2.0, After Effects 7.0, Encore DVD 2.0, Audition 2.0. 2x PCs both Duo-Core 3GHz, both 1GB RAM, both dual monitor. 1x Laptop, single core, 3GHz, 1GB RAM.

January 29th, 2007, 03:58 PM	#2
Jonathan Nelson Major Player Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Kingman Arizona Posts: 298	Fascinating video. It was a little out of control. I would try limiting the amount of different songs that played and transition each song to a different scene. I would also eliminate either the music or the ambient noise of the scene where the bride/groom show up in the car. The bells made the music sound kind of funny. Also, I noticed a few shots that cut people off by the waists which is something you might want to try to avoid for aesthetic reasons.