The Architecture of Videography

There are many important aspects and new products of wedding videography that have become available for the couple that wants a new wedding video experience. These new aspects and products do require a more skilled videographer and a couple that is willing to invest an additional two or three hours in planning and pre-ceremony preparation.

The Wedding Invitation DVD. This DVD, or mini CD, opens with a very personal introduction and invitation for your guests to attend your special day. The DVD can include a small montage, special thoughts, printable maps with important information, and the availability for an e-mailed response. My favorite invitation was a more formal, yet contemporary printed invitation with an R.S.V.P. card and a sleeve for the matching covered DVD. This new addition has made a big hit with all generations. If you are having a private ceremony or smaller ceremonies in different locations, DVD wedding announcements are also a wonderful way to personally share your moments with important friends and family. This new product can be edited and provided via e-mail, CD or DVD.

Weddings on the Web. Today’s wireless technology allows us to live broadcast or “up-link” to a specified website for easy viewing. If a wireless link is not yet available at your location, try a mini recap of your wedding posted on the web for all to see. Just sign on, with a password, to your own wedding website or your videographer’s website and instantly view the wedding. This also allows for your family or friends to directly order personal copies of the DVD, per your approval. Wouldn’t it be great to relive your wedding while on your honeymoon?

Inventive Touches. For the couple that is creating a video montage to be presented on the wedding day, a new idea is to add pre-ceremony and ceremony footage to the montage. You will not believe the response of your guests when they relive a little “Behind the Scenes” from the ceremony while enjoying the reception.

Before I introduce the important aspects of videography, I would like you to try something very new — something that all your professional creative vendors use everyday. Take a moment and look at your wedding plans with perspective. The perspective from your honeymoon or your first anniversary. Today’s advances are quickly changing the traditional approach. This new and fresh perspective will change the hierarchy of the aspects.

Planning with Perspective. In reality, the “planning aspect” means developing an attitude towards all the wedding vendors that you are using. The amount of time and monies you will invest all depend on this attitude. In our case, what is your attitude towards videography? Realize that your wedding DVD is absolutely the first thing you will look for after the wedding and typically the last thing you plan for. When the wedding is over what are you left with? A grandmother’s smile, your father’s tears, and your husband’s first expression only truly live through the “medium of movement.”

Film or Digital Video? Cost, lighting requirements, and obtrusiveness are major factors. Film is thought of as new, artsy, and cutting edge. The textures, color and sound, or lack thereof, appeals to our senses in a way that is very new because we do not see it on a regular basis. Film is wonderful, in the right setting. Digital video, with the advancement of special effects, provides today’s newlyweds with the best of both worlds. Black and white, film effects, sepia and sound should be used as aspects on a creative palette to create a final movie that stirs the soul and brings emotions to the forefront. Your style and attitude will reflect your final choice.

Tools of the Trade. Your day is truly a celebration that you may have been planning for years. Imagine yourself walking down the aisle towards your fiancé. You can see your parents, wedding party, friends and videographer all standing before you – videographer? Well, depending on what types of cameras are being used – you might not! A great new aspect of videography is the types of cameras available. The new smaller “handheld” cameras are less obtrusive in size and light requirement, but do require the videographer to be much closer to you. The larger professional cameras require greater expertise, provides you clarity, and distance not available in the smaller cameras. Floating cameras typically referred to as “Steadicam” provide another addition to the “palette of creativity.” While this is a wonderful addition, it does draw great attention to the operator. A professional company will use all the tools of the trade at the appropriate time. The videographer should never be the center of attention or detract from the context that you have worked so hard to create.

In conclusion, the new industry advances allow for a multitude of new creative ideas and products while requiring a new perspective in planning. The professional will always possess an inventive use of tools, a complete creative palette, and a formal knowledge of the context in which his craft is being captured and viewed. It has been said, “Life is what happens while you are making plans.” Keep your life in perspective, enjoy the journey.