HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1989-02-08, Page 27THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1989. PAGE 27.
Your wedding: tape it as a life-long keepsake
Wedding albums on video
cassettes are the growing matri
monial rage, as super grade video
tape is replacing photographs as
the memory medium of choice for
future generations.
And why not? Super-VHS video
tape retains visual clarity for
decades.
Still, making the most of your
wedding ceremony on videotape
requires a bit of preparation and
planning.
“Many wedding photographers
now offer video as an added
service,” explains Bob Burnett, a
home videotape expett at 3M.
“However, if you plot all your
moves in advance, you can easily
do it yourself.”
Burnett is in a position to know,
since 3M won an Emmy for the
invention of videotape and an
Oscar for film sound.
He further advises that you
master the use of your video
equipment before attempting to
preserve a once-in-a-lifetime event
like a wedding. Be sure to use a
reliable brand of tape, or Burnett
suggests, make sure to buy enough
to record the entire event.
However, the planning doesn’t
stop there.
Most houses of worship have
deferred to the new technology and
permit wedding ceremonies to be
videotaped. But it is still a good
idea to consult the proper authori
ties beforehand to see if they have
any special rules.
For example, some churches
allow videotaping but don’t allow
you to use auxiliary lighting; as a
result, you’ll hve to use a video
camera that functions well under
low light conditions.
Some churches, meanwhile, are
so up on technology that they can
advise you on lighting and sound
conditions, and save you time and
headaches in the process.
Neverthless, it is a good idea to
visit the sanctuary before the big
day, Burnett says. Decide on your
lighting and sound requirements
before the crowds arrive. Attend
the rehearsal the night before, so
you know where everyone will be
standing and what will transpire.
If you require auxiliary lighting,
now’s the time to decide where to
place your light stands, or practice
getting the best effects from a
single hand-held light. Of course,
make sure extension cables and
wiring are tucked and taped out of
the way.
And, you might want to bring
along a small audio cassette recor
der to tape organ music or other
sounds that your camera’s micro
phone might otherwise miss.
Now you are ready to go. But,
according to Burnett, it still plays
to know some basics:
•Take different kinds of shots.
Keep moving throughout the cere
mony and capture it from various
angles. Be sure to “establish” the
location of the wedding with envir
onment details. Use long shots to
capture the couple surrounded by
guests, admist a shower of rice, for
instance.
Mix in medium shots to bring
you closer to the action, and feature
closeups that deliver the emotion
and feelings of everyone involved.
•Remember to catch the re
actions of the crowd. “Mood”
shots of the mother of the bride
wiping away a tear will edit nicely
into the final videotape package.
•Beware of backlighting! In oth
er words, make sure the light is
coming over your shoulder and not
from behind the backs of your
subjects. Backlighting results in
silhouettes rather than well-lit
video images.
•Shoot plenty of tape and, re
member, there’s far more to a
wedding than just the ceremony.
Tape behind-the-scenes shots of
the bride and groom getting ready
for the procession, for example.
Follow the new couple out to the
car - and to the reception, for a
champagne toast and cake. Don’t
worry about chronological order
because you’ll have to edit the
tapes anywav.
•Bring enough battery power.
Carry backups if your video
camera’s battery won’t last for
several hours wqrth of taping.
•And be discreet - don’t get in
the way. Remember, you’re focus
ing on the wedding; you and your
camera shouldn’t be the focus of
attention!
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