Los Angeles Videographer Reveals
Secrets of Cinematic Event Videography
Looking for Los Angeles videographers? Marc Gold of 24KT Sound produces cinematic event videography for his Los Angeles clients.
Veteran Los Angeles videographer Marc Gold describes the cinematic-style of wedding & special event videography enjoyed by his clients... event videos with the look and feel of major motion pictures.
Why do movies make people cry? A captivating movie sneaks into the viewers’ emotions, generating feelings that they deeply identify with. It does so by using techniques that create an emotional bond between the viewer and the characters. This is nothing new for most of us. We’ve all gotten teary-eyed over a movie at one time or another. Fortunately, these techniques can be adapted to event video, and with very similar results.
Q: What's cinematic-style video production?
A: Cinematic-style event videos are those that use motion picture techniques to convey the look and feel of a good movie. There are four key elements: camera position, lighting, musical scoring and dialogue. The first two are the responsibility of the videographer, the last two fall to the editor. When all four work together correctly, an event video can be as moving as a major motion picture. And no, one doesn’t have to be a Los Angeles videographer to be exposed to these techniques; they’re all around us in just about everything we watch on TV and at the movies.
Q: What about camera positioning and movement?
A: Let’s get away from ‘static’ and talk about dynamic camera positioning. Variety in how the camera is positioned makes a video more interesting to watch. Traditionally, in event videography, cameras are mounted on a tripod or on the shoulder. But there are many other possibilities that can and should be used to give variety to a production to make it more movie-like. Creative shooters vary their shots, at times positioning cameras at low and canted angles; they use shots that link one subject to another, shots that reveal through depth of field, and shots that use reverse angles just to site a few examples that can add interest to a video. John Cooksey, an independent videographer and frequent lecturer on the WEVA circuit nicknamed his favorite camera positions “WALLDO” which stands for “wide, angled, low, linking, depth, opposite…identifying six creative camera handling techniques. Being a regular WEVA attendee, I had the good fortune to study with John a while back, and can attest to the fact that WALLDO does move a video(grapher) from ordinary to extraordinary.
Consider an example. How interesting is a static tripod shot of a bride and groom embracing as compared to a 360-degree camera move around the couple? It’s the same embrace, but the circular move reveals the couple in a much more elegant way. The feelings elicited by the later shot with the background spinning behind the couple as they embrace are going to be more emotionally charged than the static shot. Cinematic styling taken a step further can also incorporate dolly shots and aerials to create dramatic perspective. The tools for these shots are readily available to the event videographer.
Directing and cinematic video.
I’ve never been too shy to ask a couple for a shot I know they’ll enjoy seeing in their video. Varying the shots as I've described coupled with some simple directing can bring home some stunning footage of scenes that might not otherwise occur. If the couple is willing, in just 6-7 minutes a videographer can direct some impressive shots that will pay big emotional dividends in the final edit. This is illustrated in the example below.
Here are four stills taken from a few directed scenes at Aja and Courtney's wedding that show what we started with before editing.
And here's a demo clip that shows the finished product, the intro to their wedding video:
What good editing can do.
Creative camera handling together with a little directing is only part of the formula. If you watched the clip you noticed that the editing elevates the directed scenes we began with to a much higher artistic plane. Filters and layering have been applied to give the video depth and drama. Soft transitions add smoothness; animated text adds elegance, and the music adds passion. When both the videographer and editor are on the same page stylistically these are the results that can be achieved.
Q: How does lighting play into this scenario?
A: Just as with photography and film, video needs enough light to obtain proper exposure. Lighting, under ideal circumstances, should be artistically designed to create the mood the videographer is looking for. Sometimes that comes naturally from the shooting environment, but when it doesn’t, the videographer should be prepared to light his subject in a flattering way. Admittedly, in event videography much of the taping is done on-the-go where complex lighting set-ups are not possible. Often, the best that can be hoped for is a bit of ambient light, some low wattage on-camera lighting and perhaps some tripod mounted soft lighting where circumstances permit. In a dark setting, when push comes to shove, any lighting that allows for adequate exposure is going to be better than no lighting at all. I know a few videographers who don’t believe in using any light at an event, and I’ve never understood that. It’s like shooting a photograph in the dark with no flash…dark and grainy is the result. At the opposite extreme care also needs to be taken to avoid over-exposing with too much lighting. This is very easy to do with smaller 1/3” cameras, a lot of which are in use in event videography today. Bottom line: a videographer ought to be prepared with some on camera lighting should the environment turn dark.
Speaking of exposure
Another thing that helps with exposure is a sensitive camera, one that does well in low light, even candlelight. Something in the range of 1.5 lux would do very well. (The higher the lux number, the less sensitive the camera is in low light). Sony’s line of PD 150’s and 170’s, as well as their DSR PD 300 to 500 series meet this criterion as do some of the cameras of other manufacturers. (The existing generation of HD cameras used by many event videographers are 5 lux and above making it necessary to use a lot of light to obtain adequate exposure in dimly lit environments). Rule of thumb: find a professional videographer with a good working knowledge of lighting and a low-lux camera and the image quality will benefit substantially.
Q: What about the musical soundtrack?
A: The music score can make the difference between an outstanding video production and a mediocre one. Music creates the emotional tension that sets the stage for what’s to come in the video. Music creates moods, builds energy, foreshadows and in an important way manipulates the emotional experience of the viewer. The music and the images have an intimate, supporting relationship. When the two come together correctly in a romantic scene, for example, the result is the very predictable, goose-bump feeling that we’ve all experienced in the movie theater. It’s no different in a well-produced wedding or special event video, and it doesn’t happen by accident. When the music is properly researched and matched to the visuals, the two elements enhance each other in a magical way with a big emotional payoff.
Q: How does the use of dialogue fit into a wedding or special event video?
A: Dialogue is an element that is too often overlooked or not used to its best advantage in event video. Insightful comments about the bride and groom from close relatives and friends can be intertwined with the video footage and sound track to add huge dramatic impact and relevance to the production. It’s the content of the message that stirs the emotions as well as the person delivering it. Above all, the information needs to go beyond the all too typical "congratulations, have a nice life" comments to something deeper, reflecting back on experiences, impressions and memories of the celebrants, and the videographer has to pose questions that target this type of privileged information. To hear a parent, grandparent or life-long friend describe a significant moment in the bride or groom’s life in and of itself is very moving, but when coupled with a compelling piece of video and a dramatic sample of music, it’s indescribable. The feelings that are generated can be very powerful.
It takes a commitment on the part of the videographer and dedication to the key elements of cinematic-style videography to produce this kind of special event video. It makes no difference what the event is, from weddings to mitzvahs to anniversaries and quinceaneras. Solid cinematic technique makes better video every time. And though I’m admittedly a dedicated Los Angeles videographer with 25 years in the business, I don’t have a corner on these techniques. They’re available to anyone with a creative eye open to the magic of cinematic-style video-making.
(Marc is a four-time WEVA creative excellence award winner with a 25-year career in the area of wedding and special event video production).
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