A wedding filming checklist

Yes, another wedding. I remember all those words of wisdom that wrote, and how well I would be prepared for the unexpected. So I went forth undaunted and with full confidence. Oh dear, I almost forgot the tripod. Ho Ho! So it would make sense to have a pocket sized card with a check list. Must make one!

EQUIPMENT On my Pocket Card and Wedding Essentials.

1. CAMCORDER POWER: 2 or 3
Batteries. Work out roughly the time scale so you have enough power to cover: happenings leading up to the Wedding, people arriving, especially best man and groom - ‘smiling or otherwise! Then followed by the bride to be, ‘blushing or otherwise!’ The Service can be lengthy, if a choir is present or there are organ recitals, readings etc. then the signing of the register, and the Bride and Groom leaving.
Make use of the official Photographer, who will hopefully be good at grouping the Guests. He or she may get the men to throw their toppers in the air and set up a confetti throwing scene. All this can take a lot of time and battery power.

2. RECORDING TAPE Always have more than you need; 2 or 3 hours.

3. THE MAINS UNIT And have say TEN metres of leadTo save the day, if the last battery fails during the crucial speeches or cake cutting at the reception.

4. THE ALL IMPORTANT TRIPOD Not
always practical whilst trying to take candid shots at the reception. But a must for the cake and speeches.

5. THE REMOTE CONTROL I find this of limited use in this sort of situation; so much moving about! You have to be at the controls, especially while people are making speeches. Most tend to sway from side to side.
6. LIGHTING A video light is useful, you can never tell what the indoor light will be like at the reception, especially if the weather is dull. But I think any other lighting is out of the question, unless you have a couple of assistants, and they could certainly get in the way!

The only extra microphone I find necessary, is the lapel mic. Mainly for the speeches, so the laughs and heckler, (or even aircraft if outside) won t drown those well planned words.

JOHN'S POCKET CARD

FULLY CHARGED BATTERIES
TAPE/MEMORY CARD

MAINS UNIT + EXTENSION LEAD
TRIPOD + SPREADER
REMOTE CONTROL
VIDEO LIGHT
LEADS
EXTRA MICROPHONE
LAPEL MIC
REFLECTOR
NOTE BOOK + PEN OR PENCIL
STILL CAMERA

RULES OF THUMB
There can never be too many CUTAWAYS! They need to be in mind all the time, that is before during, and even after the wedding. Also as many reaction shots as possible at all times, not
just the happy couple, but especially the onlookers.
 
 
 
 

PLANNING
It is important to ‘Case the Joint’ first. This is where the Rules of Thumb start. At the church, get shots of windows, L/S & BCUs from inside - flowers - organ pipes - lectern and carvings etc. Also outside views of the
church. You may need these, especially if the amount of shooting inside is limited, so you might need plenty of fill-in shots.

ORDER OF PLANNING
My order of the day is; first when visiting the brides house (this is no problem with friends or relatives), take preparation shots.
The wedding cake, the buffet etc., if that is where the reception is to be. The bride ready and prepared; but only if this is what she wishes!

Then a visit to the church, for those vital Cutaways. You could be lucky enough to find the organist there practising; this would be an opportunity to record him with C/Us of hands on the keys, but don t be afraid to ask if he would mind; he is not likely to object! Also, see the vicar and have a word with him, then you can discuss what is permitted. It is important to have a copy of the ‘ORDER OF SERVICE.’

At the end of The Reception, you have had such a busy time with the camcorder, you find you have missed out on the food, and especially, the Champers! You couldn’t blame the wobbly shots on that!

John Woolmer