Wedding Film - Could use feedback

[Clayton Taylor]

Ok - so I finally broke in the Scarlet. This was also my first wedding video... I understand there are some things that are more obviously wrong than others, but would love feedback to try to make the next one better. Things to consider:
1) I was a one man show... not happening again, but this was a freebie gig to gain product for a reel - couldn't afford to drop $300 on a second shooter when I was already out cash for lens and a backup body rental.
2) This was super traditional - no personal vows, no first look, no speeches, no toasts, no gift exchange, no cards, nothing... the only audio to capture was the father and their vows. It was the typical stuff, that hurt and limited my "narration" of their story.
3) There was about five shades of fluorescent lighting plus stained glass in the church as the procession made it's way to the altar. If you expose for one section, you're out on the next. Tried to find a happy medium, but some places were more magenta than others. Luckily my next one's in a glass chapel so I'll have daylight to light with.
4) Audio Synch - it is synched properly in the master - no clue how vimeo lost it on her vows. It was fine when I first uploaded, but after I enabled mobile optimization, it seemed to have shifted hers just a hair.

If you see anything else please let me know. Thanks again!

 

[Chris McKechnie]

You did a decent job for your first wedding film. Here are just a few simple suggestions for you:

Edit Suggestions:

Instead of having your logo write/animate in over white, I would make it over black and a simple fade in/out would make it much more polished. I would also change it to say "A Clayton Taylor Wedding Film," and I would have the song start playing during it.

Did you get any b-roll of them together at all, privately? That could really help your story.

Remember, you don't always have to tell a chronological story...weave elements/happenings of the day throughout a little more will help keep your audience longer.

I think having a little ambient sound in places would also help add another dimension to your film - not everywhere..just in some places

Did the client pick the song? Make sure it's licensable since a lot of wedding companies are getting hit with major fines and C&D orders. If you get more audio sound-bites on your next job, I'd go with a track without vocals and let your couple/pastor/guests tell the story.

Shooting Thoughts:
I would try and stay off a tripod as much as possible, except for the ceremony. Throw the camera on a monopod - like this one: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/945109-REG/manfrotto_mvm500a_pro_fluid_monopod_with.html Don't freak out but the little weight capacity, I've put over 20lbs on that head without any issues. This will allow you to get a wide range of camera angles/heights, quickly, which is what you want. It's always a hassle moving around a big, heavy duty tripod.

If you have a steadicam or gimbal type stabilizer, that would help immensely! Or even a slider will do as well, for all those establishing/setting up shots. That was one thing I also thought was missing was those establishing/extra b-roll shots of where they were.

Wedding films are some of the most difficult to pull off. Still good work sir! You'll get better and better!

 

[Ted Parkes]

I haven't shot a Wedding video but it is all about telling their story. Chris offered up some great advice. The one thing that hit me was the opening sequence of shots featured the Make-up artist. I think it would have been better to open on a shot of the bride. All in all a job well done.

 

[Clayton Taylor]

Thanks guys.
Chris - No - no footage of them together... no first look or time to get them alone for couple shots prior to the wedding... then preps ended up running an hour late which meant she had to rush to get in the dress, I had to scramble to set up three tripods/cams in the church, then BAM... wedding started. While the photog was shooting formal pics I ran to the reception hall to get setup to catch their entrance. Hopefully the next one has more time and goes smoother.

Thoughts - Would you go back to the town (about an hour away) to get B-roll? I had no time as a single shooter on this one, but I've considered going back to get creative establishing shots after the fact. The only downside is it was a rainy day so if I go when it's pretty with a gorgeous sunset - it's obviously not the same day lol. Now for the one coming up - it's at a glass chapel which is gorgeous. I plan on going a day early to get slider and jib shots of the chapel and other interesting things in the area to blend with their wedding footage. They're doing all of the good stuff too - they'll have a first look, gift exchange, toasts/speeches, etc. WAY more stuff to play with in editing. I'll bring this one back to you guys for feedback too - I shoot it 4.11.15. Wish me luck

 

[Tristan Houghton]

Here's one I shot for my side business.

May help you with some ideas.One man band, all natural lighting...pretty flogged after it...long long day hahaha

http://milque.wistia.com/medias/2qcltav251?embedType=iframe&videoWidth=1702