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Shooting Challenges as a Videographer
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As a videographer of mainly Weddings & Functions for the last 25 years
obviously I had my challenges...
Technical Challenges
Constant technology upgrades and improvements in the last 25 years have
changed the face of videography. The poor quality of VHS technology and
duplicating from VHS master tapes was something which had a low
professional standard. Editing, to any really acceptable standard, for a
then freelancer like me, was unreachable financially (80s and early
90s). Thank heavens for digital 3 CCD cameras , computers and DVD
recorders, which now enable us to produce broadcast quality at an
affordable rate.
My immediate technical problem now days, is my compatibility with my
computer written DVDs with some peoples DVD players. There are +R and -R
reading machines, especially machines older than 3 years... dirty laser
lenses on DVD machines, and scratched fingerprinted disks can be a
problem. Machine generated disks (the ones you hire from DVD movie shops)
are tougher than computer burnt discs and often read better which further
confuse clients. Fortunately most modern players have improved.
High Definition Technology
1080 lines super high quality pictures is still an unsettled and incomplete technology. The computer demands require 8 times more storage for editing purposes. The cameras are now available but the disks and players are still unsettled, like Beta & VHS of the 80s. Sony has Blue Ray and Toshiba are competing with a 100 Gig disk. Apple Computers have 'Final Cut Pro' an editing package which is high def compatible. Within 5 years high def will be in all our houses which will mean us video people will have to move with the
times!
My Personal Challenges
In the Function & Wedding market the most demanding thing is setting up
for quick scene changes and being ready to get the right angle and sound
for the shot in very rushed situations. It sounds obvious but can be very
stressful. I usually have a back up camera on tripod to film crucial
scenes.
Lighting function halls for speeches often can be quite embarrassing as
the ambient atmosphere is suddenly disturbed when I switch on. I use my
2000 watt, bounced Halogen light for the 1st dance, Cake cutting and
Bouquet throwing. I use a direct camera light for the dancing and
interviews.
Sound is crucial: from experience I invested in a powerful radio lapel
mike for most speeches and interviews. For plays and music videos, I
capture sound directly off the sound mixer's desk and edit it in post
production.
Another observation is, that the average person hates being videoed,
'candid camera' is the way to go if possible. The challenge is to make
people relax. Don't make a big deal of the camera, be unobtrusive and
after a while they ignore you... Setting up and posing scenes is false and
contrived . A lot of editing tricks like slow motion, and use of stills,
sound effects & music can help a lot.
Cultural Challenges
Videoing in South Africa is challenging as we are a very multi-cultural
society. Even within Christian communities :
- Catholic
- Baptist
- Apostolic
- Assembly of God
Church services vary considerably and have their rules. Within certain cultures certain traditions follow similar patterns
for example:
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Wedding |
Traditional Pattern |
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Jewish |
The couple is lifted on chairs in the dancing |
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Greek |
They break plates.. |
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Afrikaans |
The groom is surrounded by his male friends during his speech and interrupted with teasing |
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Coloured |
The Couple are greeted by their friends and given their gifts and special messages |
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Moslem |
Have separate services for the Bride & Groom |
I could mention countless examples ... I videoed a Japanese wedding in the
80s which was all in their own language.. the speeches were 2 hours long
(I luckily had a spare tape) In the middle of the speeches the whole main
table began to weep, I only afterwards discovered it was a remembrance of
Hirosima. All guests were given really expensive gifts which just goes to
show how different cultures can vary.
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andrew@emdonvideos.co.za