It's in the eyes, man. That's the basic quality that distinguishes a videographer from the rest of God's children. The good news is he's not born with it. A videographer sees better, faster and is able to capture more detail in a scene than the average Joe because he has trained for it.
A good videographer takes good care of his eyes because that's his single most important equipment. It essentially makes him what he is. Whether scientifically or nutritionally proven or not, as far as diets go, I take all my carrots and find excuses to have eggs as often as humanly possible.
I must see in equal clarity at a distance what I can perceive at close range. Your eye muscles function the same as the rest of your voluntary muscles (eg. biceps, triceps, abdominals): no pain, no gain. The more you work them, the better they become. Read at a distance outside your comfort zone, strain your eyes to focus on near objects then switch focus to objects further away. Work them often.
Composition and colour. The videographer's ability to preceive and complement colour stem from his elementary skill as a graphic designer. Evidently all graphic designers make good photographers/videographers. It's all in the practice. The most effective way to pick up this skill is through constant appreciation of well composed colour photographs.
Perception of light. A good videographer has the ability to:
1) Gauge where light sources are.
2) Determine if existing light is sufficient for his video camera.
3) Feel if the subject is under the proper lighting conditions.
4) Add additional light sources if existing lighting conditions aren't appropriate.
5) Set the lights for a desired mood.
It's not that the videographer's eyes are better than others, it's all in the constant honing of his abilities but bear in mind that it's indeed his most important asset. A videographer's eyes needs constant tender loving care.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Pro Talk: Video Lights Make For A Brighter Future
Even with the debut of new technology and the advancement of video camera chips, we all know that a wedding dinner can be a very 'dim' situation.
Although the newer video cameras perform better in low light conditions compared to its predecessors, the lighting condition in hotels and restaurants still pose a challenge to videographers.
The obvious solution would be to deploy mobile video lights. These unsophisticated little helpers are very much brighter than the strongest flashlight out there, cause a tremendous amount of heat and tend to be an annoyance during wedding dinners.
If mobile video lights are not used at all, the footage shot will be grainy (lots of dots, similar to white noise) and desaturated (loss of colour) making for a very unamusing wedding video.
These lights are not usually attached to the video camera since pointing the light from an 'offset' angle produce tasteful romantic footage. To do this, professional videographers travel in pairs, his/her assistant being the 'light stand' and battery holder. Mobile video lights are paired with pretty heavy batteries.
I've heard my peers telling me that their clients disapprove of video lights as they are disruptive and spoil the mood lighting in the wedding dinner.
My question to you is: Will you agree to videographers deploying mobile video lights? What are your thoughts in this matter.
A note to future brides and grooms: Be prepared for this eventuality let us know how we can assist you in your most romantic episode.
Although the newer video cameras perform better in low light conditions compared to its predecessors, the lighting condition in hotels and restaurants still pose a challenge to videographers.
The obvious solution would be to deploy mobile video lights. These unsophisticated little helpers are very much brighter than the strongest flashlight out there, cause a tremendous amount of heat and tend to be an annoyance during wedding dinners.
If mobile video lights are not used at all, the footage shot will be grainy (lots of dots, similar to white noise) and desaturated (loss of colour) making for a very unamusing wedding video.
These lights are not usually attached to the video camera since pointing the light from an 'offset' angle produce tasteful romantic footage. To do this, professional videographers travel in pairs, his/her assistant being the 'light stand' and battery holder. Mobile video lights are paired with pretty heavy batteries.
I've heard my peers telling me that their clients disapprove of video lights as they are disruptive and spoil the mood lighting in the wedding dinner.
My question to you is: Will you agree to videographers deploying mobile video lights? What are your thoughts in this matter.
A note to future brides and grooms: Be prepared for this eventuality let us know how we can assist you in your most romantic episode.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Wedding Wisdom: MC Savvy
He or she is essentially the producer of your wedding dinner/banquet/reception. The Master of Ceremonies ought to be held in high regard, much thought has to be placed in deciding who gets to be your MC because oftentimes, the MC is the mediator between the hotel/restaurant and you.
The MC officially starts your wedding dinner, gives the cue for your grand entrance, coordinates with the hotel regarding the commencement of dinner, announces your first dance, officiates your champagne toasting, even providing the introduction for any VIP speeches.
In effect, the Master of Ceremonies dictate the flow and style of your evening's proceedings. Engage a simple, down to earth MC and expect an uneventful evening. A skillful MC, eloquent and elegant, will set a most romantic mood, make your guests feel right at home, delight your audience with witty humour and even help you and your lover feel at ease despite the mounting tension.
A professional Master of Ceremonies is level headed and cool. She is the last person to panic when everything goes south. Then again, a good MC will not let anything sour your special day. She is the one everyone turns to in your absence, sometimes even in your presence. She is the glue that keeps everyone tight and she's the oil that makes everything run smoothly. The MC should be able to remember your program by heart and even recite it backwards. She has contingency plans in the event your program doesn't go accordingly and believe me, after so many weddings we've attended, they never do.
Here are some things to consider before you appoint an MC
1) How do you want others to perceive your wedding:
Simple and nice? Elegant and sophisticated? Romantic as in a fairy tale? Cozy and comfortable?
2) The choice of language:
In Malaysia, language will significantly narrow your search for an MC. Let the majority of your guest list decide this for you.
3) Your budget:
An MC who is proactive tend to help you keep things under control at the expense of your wallet. The more experienced they come, the more expensive they are.
4) Flexibility:
Some MCs will oblige you for an evening of fun and witty banter but they won't put on the elegant and sophisticated hat for you. It may well turn out that your favourite candidate may turn you down.
5) Outlook
Would you prefer an older or a younger MC? A younger crowd may not be too thrilled to have an older MC host the event. Similarly, the older generation may want someone more mature. What about voice tonality? Fancy a baritone 'James Earl Jones' voice or do you prefer a more feminine personality?
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Wedding Wisdom: It's Game Over When You Tip Over!
The internet is packed full of useful advice for brides on what to do and what not to do on their wedding day. During our adventures as videographers for numerous weddings and corporate events, we've seen many awkward moments. Here's one advice which we're sure will benefit the grooms out there, particularly grooms who have planned a western/chinese wedding.
Drink in MODERATION!
We can't stress this often enough. Oftentimes you plan your wedding day up to a year ahead. You send out invitations, appoint your photographer and/or videographer, go for your suit fitting, get your new home and/or car in order, select your best man, plan that wedding song/poem, book the hotel/restaurant... all that preparation, not necessarily in that order, only to ruin it all on your wedding night by getting drunk.
You're the man of the hour. All eyes are on you and your beautiful bride, it's your most memorable day. Your wedding dinner cannot proceed if you're slumped over a table or spending excess amount of time hugging the toilet bowl.
Take caution, your photographers and videographers will face a hard time trying to fill in the gap if you're down and out. Half drunk isn't good either, since you'll be swaying and saying things you'll regret the next day.
Almost every table you offer to toast will issue a challenge to you that you down copious amount of alcohol. The master blenders who made brandy or whisky or wines will weep if they see you down in one gulp what took them decades to perfect!
Wines and spirits are made to be enjoyed, savoured slowly as one appreciates its flavour and fragrance.
Discuss with your fiance on how to approach the matter of friends issuing toasting/drinking challenges. Have a few good buddies nearby who can help you out of a tough situation.
Know your limits. Better for you to turn down a few drinks and remain conscious than give your guests a lingering, sour memory of you in a stupor being carried away by your friends.
Drink in MODERATION!
We can't stress this often enough. Oftentimes you plan your wedding day up to a year ahead. You send out invitations, appoint your photographer and/or videographer, go for your suit fitting, get your new home and/or car in order, select your best man, plan that wedding song/poem, book the hotel/restaurant... all that preparation, not necessarily in that order, only to ruin it all on your wedding night by getting drunk.
You're the man of the hour. All eyes are on you and your beautiful bride, it's your most memorable day. Your wedding dinner cannot proceed if you're slumped over a table or spending excess amount of time hugging the toilet bowl.
Take caution, your photographers and videographers will face a hard time trying to fill in the gap if you're down and out. Half drunk isn't good either, since you'll be swaying and saying things you'll regret the next day.
Almost every table you offer to toast will issue a challenge to you that you down copious amount of alcohol. The master blenders who made brandy or whisky or wines will weep if they see you down in one gulp what took them decades to perfect!
Wines and spirits are made to be enjoyed, savoured slowly as one appreciates its flavour and fragrance.
Discuss with your fiance on how to approach the matter of friends issuing toasting/drinking challenges. Have a few good buddies nearby who can help you out of a tough situation.
Know your limits. Better for you to turn down a few drinks and remain conscious than give your guests a lingering, sour memory of you in a stupor being carried away by your friends.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Wedding Wisdom: The Guest List- A nightmare personified
The Guest List: A nightmare personified
Don't take this task lightly. The Guest List is a daunting obstacle you need to overcome if you want your table seating to be in order. Failing to finalize your guest list early is like nuclear fusion: it's going to set up a chain reaction that will possibly ruin an enjoyable wedding dinner!
When should you start planning on your guest list? The moment you say 'Yes' to his proposal!
Here's an example of the things that depend on your guest list:
1) Table confirmation
2) Table seating
3) Costing
4) Guest Registration
Your hotel/restaurant will need to know how many tables your require for the evening at least one week before your wedding night. Guests want to be seated next to people they know. Friends who are in charge of registration will need an accurate printout of your guest list for registration purposes. Without the guest list, you won't have an estimate of how much the dinner is going to cost you.
If your husband is not anxious by then, he must really be the strong silent type.
Most hotels/restaurant will allocate at least one table in reserve for those 'difficult' guests who decide to show up without informing you. Those who don't RSVP may just show up unannounced. In one wedding where we were videographers, an entire family of 7 members showed up. Worst of all, they didn't bother to register but walked right into the ballroom. The host had to deploy the reserve table.
Always communicate. One week from your wedding day, inform guests politely that due to time constraint, you can't wait any longer for their confirmation, you will not include them in your wedding dinner. This is easier said than done.
Print a neat Guest List with columns for:
1) Names
2) Groom or Bride's side
3) The number of attendee for each head of family
4) RSVP status
5) Table no.
Make additional copies for the Registration Table (at least 2 copies) and yourself. Make another list for seating arrangements, basically a list of tables with its diners.
Elect close friends or relatives for your guest registration. Try to avoid situations where no one knows your guest when they arrive. Make sure you delegate this job to people who are familiar with most of your family/friends/clients. This is a time-sensitive job, ensure they are at the registration table on time!
Get the floor plan of the ballroom from the hotel/restaurant which they will gladly provide.
Remember, it's highly unlikely your Guest List will be carved in stone. Even the best event planners for the most prestigious parties have last minute cancellations or guests deciding they want to attend after all.
Try to be flexible but have the wisdom to know when to put your foot down. Trust the friends you put in charge of your registration. On your wedding day, you have more important things to worry about, like... YOU! So get out there, relax and smile!
Don't take this task lightly. The Guest List is a daunting obstacle you need to overcome if you want your table seating to be in order. Failing to finalize your guest list early is like nuclear fusion: it's going to set up a chain reaction that will possibly ruin an enjoyable wedding dinner!
When should you start planning on your guest list? The moment you say 'Yes' to his proposal!
Here's an example of the things that depend on your guest list:
1) Table confirmation
2) Table seating
3) Costing
4) Guest Registration
Your hotel/restaurant will need to know how many tables your require for the evening at least one week before your wedding night. Guests want to be seated next to people they know. Friends who are in charge of registration will need an accurate printout of your guest list for registration purposes. Without the guest list, you won't have an estimate of how much the dinner is going to cost you.
If your husband is not anxious by then, he must really be the strong silent type.
Most hotels/restaurant will allocate at least one table in reserve for those 'difficult' guests who decide to show up without informing you. Those who don't RSVP may just show up unannounced. In one wedding where we were videographers, an entire family of 7 members showed up. Worst of all, they didn't bother to register but walked right into the ballroom. The host had to deploy the reserve table.
Always communicate. One week from your wedding day, inform guests politely that due to time constraint, you can't wait any longer for their confirmation, you will not include them in your wedding dinner. This is easier said than done.
Print a neat Guest List with columns for:
1) Names
2) Groom or Bride's side
3) The number of attendee for each head of family
4) RSVP status
5) Table no.
Make additional copies for the Registration Table (at least 2 copies) and yourself. Make another list for seating arrangements, basically a list of tables with its diners.
Elect close friends or relatives for your guest registration. Try to avoid situations where no one knows your guest when they arrive. Make sure you delegate this job to people who are familiar with most of your family/friends/clients. This is a time-sensitive job, ensure they are at the registration table on time!
Get the floor plan of the ballroom from the hotel/restaurant which they will gladly provide.
Remember, it's highly unlikely your Guest List will be carved in stone. Even the best event planners for the most prestigious parties have last minute cancellations or guests deciding they want to attend after all.
Try to be flexible but have the wisdom to know when to put your foot down. Trust the friends you put in charge of your registration. On your wedding day, you have more important things to worry about, like... YOU! So get out there, relax and smile!
Wedding Wisdom: Confetti crackers add glitter
It's true. The next time you walk out of your bride's home, hand in hand, broad smile on you face, have some friends standing by with confetti crackers. In a home environment, very little else can add last minute glamour to your wedding video than bits of glitter streaming down you and your other half as you walk out the house or walk down the red carpet in a hotel setting.
Our experience as video production specialists we've seen various wedding videos getting the confetti treatment and we are now advising our clients to invest in at least two confetti crackers. It's one of those little detail that add dazzle to the presentation which you tend to overlook during your busy schedule. Imagine the industry size confetti cannons that are used during a concert's finale and you'll know what I mean. They give the performance that bling factor. The home version is inexpensive and easy to set up.
The advantages:
1) Value for money- looks great on video. Confetti crackers costs very little.
2) Easy to set up- all you need are two friends handling one cracker each. Just one twist on the cracker and it'll send bits of shiny foil all over the place.
The disadvantages:
1) Very messy- if you have no one on hand to clean up, be prepared to live with bits and pieces on the ground/wedding car, your hair etc. Some hotels may take offence to this. Be sure to check.
2) Shock & awe- whoever plans to use this technique, please inform the bride and groom early. We've seen too many startled expressions on the bride and groom's face as they weren't told in advance hence they were shocked by the crackers' bang. This affects the video in a negative way.
There you have it. So go out and purchase a pair for your wedding. Oh, one more thing. Do be kind enough to let your videographer/photographer know about this setup in advance. We've seen many videographers jump during recording, from the shock of the blast, which spoils the shot.
Have fun :)
Our experience as video production specialists we've seen various wedding videos getting the confetti treatment and we are now advising our clients to invest in at least two confetti crackers. It's one of those little detail that add dazzle to the presentation which you tend to overlook during your busy schedule. Imagine the industry size confetti cannons that are used during a concert's finale and you'll know what I mean. They give the performance that bling factor. The home version is inexpensive and easy to set up.
The advantages:
1) Value for money- looks great on video. Confetti crackers costs very little.
2) Easy to set up- all you need are two friends handling one cracker each. Just one twist on the cracker and it'll send bits of shiny foil all over the place.
The disadvantages:
1) Very messy- if you have no one on hand to clean up, be prepared to live with bits and pieces on the ground/wedding car, your hair etc. Some hotels may take offence to this. Be sure to check.
2) Shock & awe- whoever plans to use this technique, please inform the bride and groom early. We've seen too many startled expressions on the bride and groom's face as they weren't told in advance hence they were shocked by the crackers' bang. This affects the video in a negative way.
There you have it. So go out and purchase a pair for your wedding. Oh, one more thing. Do be kind enough to let your videographer/photographer know about this setup in advance. We've seen many videographers jump during recording, from the shock of the blast, which spoils the shot.
Have fun :)
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