Videoguys Home Page > DTV Handbook > Event Videography
|
|
|
The Electronic Mailbox's Event Videography Page
We have the technology and tools to make you successful!
Event Videography is one of the most challenging and rewarding areas of digital videography. It can also be very profitable - if you do it right!
One of the most important aspects of event videography that makes it so challenging is that you only get ONE chance to shoot it. Just like the old days of live TV, you have to get it right the first time. You need to make sure your lighting is good, your audio is coming through loud and clear and most importantly, that you have plenty of power available. Like the Boy Scout motto says "Be Prepared" - even the best, most experienced
Event Videographers will inevitably run into the "shoot from hell". Have plenty of batteries, an extra tripod, back up microphones, a headset to monitor your audio while you shoot, and most importantly comfortable shoes! Once you've successfully shot your video, you still have one major challenge ahead of you - editing it. This is where you can really set yourself apart from the competition. You can add additional production value to your video by integrating high quality graphics and animations, adding animated title sedquences, creating heart warming photo montages, and memorable highlight recaps.
|
| While we can supply you with all of the tools you'll need to accomplish this, it is up to you to take the time to learn your craft and become an event video editor. It is well thought out and executed editing that will give your videos a rythm and pace that will captivate your audience. Anyone can take a camcorder and videotape a wedding, but that doesn't mean they can produce a video that is worth watching or paying for. It requires planning, effort, experience and talent to create a wedding / event video that will make your customers happy and allow you to be successful. |
Videoguys "Bag of Tricks" for Event Videographers
Here's a little "Bag of tricks" that we recommend you bring with you to every shoot - for those times when bad things happen to good videographers:
|
- Extra Batteries
- Lens cleaning cloth
- Shot List in protective plastic
- A small MagLite flashlight
- A beanbag for balancing the camera
- Set of small screw drivers
- Swiss Army Knife or Multitool
- Duct tape & Blue Painters tape
- Scissors
- Belkin self velcro cable straps
- Extension cords
- Assorted cables and adapter plugs
- Extra anteannas and wind screens are a mustt
- Disposable camera with flash (good for synching cameras)
|
- Needle and thread (a small spool each black and white thread)
- Pepto Bismal/ Immodium/ Kaopectate
- Excedrin/ Aspirin
- Benedril /allergy pills
- Strong mint gum or candy
- An eye patch for when you shoot out in bright daylight
- Spare pair of socks and shirt
- A small Black umbrella
- Handy Wipes & tissues
- Bandaids
- 3 or 4 ziplock bags in different sizes
- Safety Pins & Paper Clips
- Business cards and/or demo DVDs
|
The Electronic Mailbox was established over 20 years ago as “The Video Editing & Production Experts.” As the technology has changed so has the focus of our company and the products we sell. However, one thing has always remained the same, our commitment to video editing & production! We pride ourselves on being a value-added mail-order reseller who specializes in providing the technical information and customer service before and after the purchase. Our interest in the Event Videography is an extension of our company's focus. This page is dedicated to providing the information and tech advice targeted to the Event Videographer with links to other valuable resources in the online community.
Info for Wedding & Event Filmakers on this page:
- Our top products for Event Videography
- Choosing the right NLE for Event Videography
- Wedding & Event Videography Resources
|
|
Recommended products for Event Videography
|
Shoot Great Wedding Videos
Shoot Great Wedding Videos from ADITA Video Inc. offers 2.5 hours of professional instruction by Myron and Malcolm Achtman, covering all the key elements of shooting a successful wedding video. The superb instruction is supported by video clips from actual weddings professionally shot by ADITA Video Inc. Weddings are a one-time event with no second chances – which is why Shoot Great Wedding Videos is a critical tool for insuring success.
Besides helping wedding event videographers, the two DVDs can serve as a training tool for wedding video companies that hire assistants or freelancers to operate extra camcorders. In addition, friends and relatives who offer to videotape a family wedding will learn a tremendous amount – or they may realize that so much is involved in making a proper wedding video that it would be wiser to bow out and leave it to the pros – a smart choice.
Many wedding video productions are as terrible today as they were 15 years ago. Sure, the picture quality may be better if digital camcorders were used, but lousy sound, shaky camera work, poor composition, inadequate coverage and many more blunders continue to plague these productions.
$69.95
|
Add elegance to your next wedding video with wedding backgrounds & scripted titles. When you don’t have time to do it yourself, use our collection of wedding backgrounds to easily add that special touch of elegance and style to your next wedding video. Dazzle your clients with creative options and set yourself apart from the competition. Imaginative choices that will have them talking about you all over town.
Volumes 1-4
$349.95
Volumes 1&2
$179.95
Volumes 3&4
$179.95
Digital Hotcakes
Worship Backgrounds
Make your worship presentations moving. You don’t have to settle for stills. Enhance your worship and captivate your congregation with the new, inspiring Digital Hotcakes Worship Series. Hallelujah! You don’t have to settle for stills. Place these looping religious motion backgrounds behind scripture in your favorite worship presentation program. This professional quality series will reinforce your message while keeping you within your budget.
Volumes 1-4
$149.95
|
Focus FS-4 Pro HD Models
Portable DTE Recorders
FS-4Pro HD models are capable of recording in DV & HDV. Record HDV as as either the M2T file format as well as the unique QuickTime HDV format for Direct To Edit use with Apple Final Cut Pro. In addition to eight available DV25 DTE file formats including AVI Type 2, QuickTime, Matrox AVI and Canopus AVI, the FS-4 HD and FS-4 Pro HD are also capable of recording in the HDV M2T file format.
FS-4Pro HD 60GB with FREE High Capacity Battery
$999.00
FS-4Pro HD
80GB with
FREE High Capacity Battery
$1,195.00
After $200 Mail In Rebate
$1,395 at checkout
extended though 5/31/08
FS-4Pro HD
100GB with
FREE High Capacity Battery
$1,495.00
After $200 Mail In Rebate
$1,695 at checkout
extended though 5/31/08 |
The Phamtom-Powered Azden SGM-1000 comes with a windscreen and Azden's unique shockmount holder with integrated shoe-mount. Designed for Video and Audio Professionals, the SGM-1000 is a highly directional shotgun microphone with a wide frequency response and low noise levels. The SGM-1000 can be powered by external phantom power or a single AA battery.
$299.95
The SGM-1X Professional Shotgun Microphone is designed to provide quality audio for the videographer. It is ideal for today’s smaller, digital video cameras where longer models would appear in the frame when camera mounted. The hyper-directional super-cardioid shotgun microphone has a wide frequency response, exhibits low noise and accepts up to 110dB SPL input levels.
$149.95
FREE leatherette Carrying Case
|
A VHF "discrete" receiver the WR22-PRO allows you to use two wireless microphones simultaneously. Perfect for wedding & event videographers on a budget. The WR22-LH is our most popular WR22 system featuring one lapel mic with body-pack transmitter and one completely wireless handheld mic with built-in transmitter. Unlike the WDR-PRO each receiver inside the case is set to a different frequency allowing you to record the sound from 2 microphones at the same time. On-board controls allow you the videographer to monitor the signals being received and to stop receiving from either microphone if you wish.
WR22-LH - $375.00
Also Available:
WR22-LL - Complete 2 mic system includes the WR22PRO receiver plus 2 lapel mics with body-pack transmitters
$349.95
WR22-HH - Complete system includes the WR22PRO receiver plus 2 Handheld Mics
$399.95
|
The 200ULT is a complete dual-channel wireless system that consists of the 200UPR receiver and two 10BT bodypack transmitters & lapel mics. The new 200UPR receiver allows the use of two wireless transmitters at the same time.Dual 63-Channel On-Camera UHF Wireless Bodypack System
$679.95
Also Available:
200ULH - Complete 2 mic system includes the 200UPR receiver plus 1 lapel mic with body-pack transmitter
& 1 handheld mic
$699.95
200ULX - Complete 2 mic system includes the 200UPR receiver plus 1 lapel mic with body-pack transmitter
& 1 plug-in XLR transmitter
$719.95
|
|
|
Videoguys Mixer Page - Digital Mixing Solutions for multiple cameras
  Are you trying to set up a multi-camera switching solution for your church, corporate board room, school or other organization? We have digital mixing solutions for every budget and situation.
Not sure exactly what you need? No problem! Give us a call and we'll spec out everything you need!!
Click here for our mixer page
|
|
|
Before we recommend any specific NLE for Event Videography, we need to examine which features are most important for the level of work you are going to do. You want to make sure that you have all the tools required to produce the best possible production as efficiently as possible. Before we do that, let's talk about the computer you are going to use to edit your Event videos.
Make it a Workstation
You're going to need rock solid stability and perormance from your NLE system. That's why you want a Workstation class machine. You are going to be editing long format productions that can be 2 hours long or longer. That really taxes the storage and overall capabilities of your system. Do not cut corners. Forget about minimum specs, you want to get the most powerful machine you can afford, loaded with RAM and very fast storgae. You basically have 3 options here:
- Get an HP workstation like the xw4200 (single processor) or xw8200 (dual processor). While Dell still makes pretty good Workstations, they are not as robust and reliable as an HP. The HP will cost you more, but in the long run it will be worth it
- Get a turnkey NLE solution from an expert NLE integrator. You can follow this link to a list of turnkey providers recommended by the Videoguys. All of the companies featured on this page make excellent NLE workstations, fully loaded and optimized for long format video editing.
- You can certainly build your own computer. You can and should use our DIY articles as a guideline. Make sure you have adequate power supply (minimum 350 Watts, 500 Watts is better) and plenty of cooling and airflow inside the box.
Whichever way you go, here is a very general guideline on the specs to put in it.
|
|
Processor
|
RAM
|
OS
|
Graphics
Card
|
System Drive
|
Video
Storage
|
| Single Processor Event Videography Machine |
Hyperthreaded P4 3.2Ghz+ w/800 Mhz frontside bus & PCIe (PCI Express) |
1.5 GB DDR2 |
WinXP Pro |
Quadro 540 PCIexpress w/ 128 megs RAM |
80 GB System drive |
SATA RAID 0 (2x200 GB) or SCSI Drives |
| Videoguys Dual Processor Dream System |
Dual Xeon or Opteron 3.4Ghz+ w/800 Mhz frontside bus & PCIe (PCI Express) |
2 GB DDR2 |
WinXP Pro |
Quadro 1300 PCIexpress w/ 128 megs RAM |
120GB system drive |
SATA RAID 0 (2x200 GB) or SCSI Drives |
|
|
Here are the features we feel are very important for Event Videography:
Multicam Support - Many Event Videographers will use two cameras to shoot with. This allows you to capture al the action and also include close-ups and interesting angles that you can combine together to produce a much more powerful and professional video.
Multicam support means that you can synch up and view the video from 2 or more sources simultaneously, and cut between them, selecting the footage you want. For multi-camera shoots this utility alone can save you several hours per production!
You don't have to worry about starting the cameras at the exact same time either. You can use a photo flash to create a synch point for your cameras. Once the initial synch point is set, the multicam function of your NLE is ready to roll!
Advanced Color Correction - Lets face it, it happens to even the best videographers. You shoot the video and when you go to edit it, you realize that the lighting and or color just isn't correct. Thankfully you can fix it in post! Not only that, Color Correction tools can be used to excentuate the mood of your footage and to add a more romantic feel.
Advanced Color Correction tools also allow you to do one of the most popular special effects used in wedding videography. You can drop the color out of the main picture, while leaving or even over accentuating the color in other areas. As an expmple, turning the video of the bride and groom to black & white, but leaving the red roses or the brides lips red.
Keyframable motion controls - This will allow you to use Picture-in-picture effects throughout your production. Keyframing allows you to set precise points in the video to control the position, size, speed and other factors for each video track. A good keyframer is crucial when you want to have multiple video layers fly on and off the screen, because it gives you complete control of the video over time. This way you can make sure the video flying in of the best man giving the toast doesn't block out the face of the bride or her mother.
Motion controls can also be used for creating very professional looking photomontages, loaded with 3D transitions and effects. You can also use motion controls on still images for the "Ken Burns" effect - when you scan and pan and zoom over an image. Combine these two features together, set it all to music and you'll be producing photo montages that will blow your audience away.
DVD Authoring - While it was a novelty just a few short yearrs ago, today your customers will demand a DVD of the big event. Creating a DVD is more than just burning the video onto a blank DVD and handing it to your customers. You'll want to add menus, and buttons and chapter points that will allow easy navigation. The menu graphics and navigational buttons will be the first impression viewers get of your work, so you're going to want to put as much care and effort into them as you did when you edited the video.
|
|
Matrox RT.X2 with Adobe Premiere Pro CS3 |
Matrox RT.X2
with Adobe Premiere Pro CS3
Adobe Premiere Pro CS3 is the most advanced video editing solution for editing SD and HD video. The integrated Adobe Encore CS3 software features professional DVD and high-definition Blu-ray disc authoring support and Adobe OnLocation CS3 provides direct to disc recording & on-set monitoring. This software combined with the Matrox RT.X2 PCIe card and professional video/audio breakout box will turn your computer into a video production powerhouse capable of editing HD & SD footage in realtime – that's the HARDWARE ADVANTAGE!
If you’re a professional editor looking to get the maximum productivity from Adobe Premiere Pro CS3, Matrox RT.X2 is right for you. Here are just some advantages of this revolutionary hardware:
• Support for the most advanced cameras in the industry including Sony HDV 1080p, Canon 24f/30f, JVC ProHD HDV 720p and native editing of Panasonic P2 MXF 720p and SD files
• Hundreds of Realtime Effects mean you can spend less time waiting and more time creating! RT.X2 features realtime Matrox Flex CPU effects including color correction, speed changes, chroma/luma keying plus realtime and accelerated Matrox Flex GPU effects including 2D/3D DVE, blur/glow/soft focus, shine and many more
• Monitor your footage in realtime, in full-resolution, on an inexpensive flat panel display! Matrox RT.X2 lets you preview your video & color correct on the same monitors that your audience will be using to view the final production
• Print-to-tape in realtime and enjoy accelerated exports to DVD, HD DVD, Blu-ray, QuickTime, Flash Video, and other multimedia formats with Matrox Media Encoder
$1,695.00
ATTN Adobe Premiere & Premiere Pro Owners - SAVE $200
Upgrade includes Matrox RT.X2 hardware plus to Adobe Premiere Pro CS3 upgrade from Premiere + Encore CS3
$1,495.00
|
|
Avid Liquid 7 Pro Video Editing Solution
Includes $100 Instant Rebate |
|
Avid Liquid Pro combines a powerful SD and HD video editor with a versatile breakout box to provide editors & videographers with all the connectivity they need using just a simple USB2 computer connection. Avid Liquid Pro software provides video editing integrated with DVD authoring from the timeline; surround sound audio processing; & amazing visual effects. The integrated breakout box adds analog & digital video and audio I/O as well as 1:1 & MPEG capture codecs.
$849.95 at checkout
Includes $100 Instant Rebate
Upgrade from Adobe Premiere or Liquid Edition or Pinnacle Studio to the Avid Liquid 7 PRO
$679.95
|
Avid's Best Promotion Ever...
The "BIG SPLASH" Promotion includes FREE Software, FREE Training & Videoguys Bonus Pack |
|
Sony Vegas+DVD Including Vegas 7, DVD Architect 4 & Dolby Digital Encoder
Includes $40 Instant Rebate - Expires 7/30 |
 NEW! Sony Vegas Pro 8
with
FREE
VASST Absolute Training for Sony Vegas Pro 8 Training DVDs With
an extremely powerful titling engine, multi-camera video editing tools,
a complete virtual audio mixing console, an industry-leading 32-bit
video signal path, and Blu-ray Disc burning technology, the Vegas Pro 8
collection is poised to be the essential high-performance professional
digital nonlinear video editing application.
The
Vegas Pro collection combines Vegas Pro 8, DVD Architect Pro 4.5, and
Dolby Digital AC-3 encoding software to offer an integrated environment
for all phases of professional video, audio, DVD, and broadcast
production. These tools let you edit and process DV, AVCHD, HDV,
SD/HD-SDI, and all XDCAM formats in real time, fine-tune audio with
precision, and author surround sound, dual-layer DVDs. Key features
include: comprehensive HDV support, full-featured XDCAM workflow, 5.1
surround sound encoder, Cinescore™ software plug-in support,
ProType titling technology, multi-camera editing tools, audio mixing
console, 32-bit floating point video engine, AVCHD read and write, and
Blu-ray Disc burning.
$499.95
Click here for Sony Vegas Pro 8 bundles |
Videoguys Sony Vegas 8 Bundles Now Available!
Sony Vegas Pro 8 Blu-ray Bundle with VASST Training DVDs
This bundle includes:
• Sony Vegas Pro 8 with DVD Architect Pro 4.5, and Dolby Digital AC-3 encoding software
• Pioneer BDR-202B
• 5-pack of TDK BDR-25
• VASST Absolute Training for Sony Vegas+DVD vol. 1-3
• NEW! VASST Absolute Training for Sony Vegas Pro 8: Vegas 8 Update
$1,174.95
|
|
Avid Studio Toolkit 5.6 with Blu-Ray Authoring Capabilities |
 Avid Studio Toolkit
Now Supports Blu-ray Disc!!!
With Avid Studio Toolkit, independent editors, producers, and filmmakers can add professional effects and titles, create 3D animations, and author standard-definition DVDs or high-definition Blu-ray Discs right from their Avid editing system. No other suite combines this level of features, integration, and ease-of-use. And no other solution makes an end-to-end HD workflow this affordable.
Avid Studio Toolkit adds sophisticated compositing, 3D animation, and professional DVD authoring - as well as Blu-ray Disc output - to your creative arsenal. Three software applications, Avid FX, Avid 3D, and Avid DVD by Sonic, intergrate seamlessly with Avid Xpress Pro, Media Composer, and NewsCutter editing systems and give you best-of-class tools to take your ideas all the way from concept to delivery.
Upgrade your Avid Xpress Pro or Avid Media Composer software
with Avid Studio Toolkit for only
$399.95
|
Avid Xpress Pro with Studio Toolkit
Avid Studio Toolkit adds sophisticated compositing, 3D animation, and professional DVD authoring - as well as Blu-ray Disc output - to your creative arsenal. Three software applications, Avid FX, Avid 3D, and Avid DVD by Sonic, intergrate seamlessly with Avid Xpress Pro, Media Composer, and NewsCutter editing systems and give you best-of-class tools to take your ideas all the way from concept to delivery.
$1,795.00
|
|
Adobe Creative Suite 3 Production Premium |
|
Maximize
your productivity with Adobe Creative Suite 3 Production Premium
software, the total post-production solution available for both Mac
& Windows. Tighter-than-ever integration between Adobe's all-new
video, audio, and design tools - now including Adobe Flash CS3
Professional software for rich interactive authoring & Adobe
Soundbooth CS3 software for audio - helps ensure fluidity in every
aspect of your workflow, including capturing, editing, motion graphics,
effects, compositing, & rich media authoring. Move beyond SD &
DVD to HD, HDV, Blu-ray Disc, & other emerging web & mobile
formats so you can deliver your content to the widest possible audience.
|
Adobe Premiere Pro CS3
Includes Adobe Encore CS3 & OnLocation CS3
Tell
your story with maximum impact using the start-to-finish solution for
efficient video production that now includes Adobe Encore CS3 and Adobe
OnLocation CS3 (Windows or Mac with Bootcamp), formerly the
award-winning DV Rack HD. Save time with tools that take you from
on-set capture using Adobe OnLocation through to output, and edit
virtually any format from DV to HD and beyond.
$788.00
 |
|
Roxio DVDit Pro HD Blu-Ray Authoring |
|
DVDit Pro HD is a professional, studio-caliber DVD and Blu-ray Disc authoring tool for videographers, independent filmakers, corporate users and video enthusiasts.
• Author once and output to Blu-ray and DVD
• Deliver 1080p. 1080i or 720p movies on Blu-ray Discs
• Design interactive menus at full HD resolution
• Drag and Drop HD Slideshows
• Up to 8 uncompressed audio & 32 subtitle tracks
• Professional mastering features for DVD and Blu-ray
DVDit Pro HD
$399.95
reg. $499
Attention Sonic/Roxio Owners:
(For DVDit, Easy Media Creator, Videowave, MyDVD and all Sonic Profauthoring apps) - Upgrade to DVDit Pro HD
$199.95
|
|
|
|
Recommended links for Wedding & Event Videographers:
4EVER GROUP
The 4EVER Group is dedicated to providing resource, educational materials and services to all facets of the event video industry. By offering quality products and services, by hosting educational events and by bringing the industry together as one support network, The 4EVER Group will help advance and promote the entire event video industry.
The 4EVER Group is in the process of assembling programs to enrich and enlighten the budding videographer as well as the seasoned pro. Workshops, seminars and other programs will be presented by some of the most well-know experts in the industry from all over North America and will include:
Many programs and workshops have now been assembled. To view an individual presenter's available programs, click on their image. Stay tuned and check back often, we are on the fast track to compiling the largest program 'menu' in the industry.
WEVA
The Wedding and Event Videographers Association International (WEVA) is the largest nonprofit trade association representing professional wedding and event videographers. Based throughout the US and around the globe, WEVA International members are dedicated video producers who specialize in the art of documenting and preserving important social and corporate events and presentations.
Whether your market size is large or small, WEVA is passionately committed to helping you enhance your business and your professional stature. Through superior resources for updating your skills, marketing your services, identifying new trends, understanding and applying new technology, and networking with your peers, WEVA provides videographers everywhere with the tools for improvement. In addition, WEVA offers exclusive membership benefits that will save you valuable time and money.
EventDV
Now in its sixteenth year, EMedia, The Digital Studio Magazine will change its name to EventDV and its focus to event videography in January 2005. The magazine's readership will change as well, continuing the trend that began in July 2004 when the EventDV section first appeared.
Many new editorial elements will be introduced, including a comprehensive Reader's Choice Awards dubbed the "Evvys." The EventDV web site is now live, at www.eventdv.net. Beginning on December 9th, a related enewsletter will launch, called "EDV Weekly." New subscribers may qualify for a subscription to EventDV at: http://www.submag.com/sub/ea?tc=1&pk=EDVNWS
Video University
Whether you're a veteran of the film and video business or you're just starting out, you've come to the right place. You'll find in-depth articles, handbooks, guides and helpful resources - all about video and film production. We all owe a big THANK YOU to the experts from around the world who've contributed the fine articles and resources. You've helped us win the CyberFilm School Top 10 Moviemaking Website Award for outstanding content.
The web is about content, but more importantly, it's about people and community. In our eleven forums you'll meet many great pros who gladly share their knowledge and help others. I've made lots of great friends through these forums and I hope you will too. With over 80,000 indexed messages and a great search feature, you can learn a lot about video here.
DV Info Net > Special Interest Areas > Wedding / Event Videography Techniques
Here on DVInfo.Net you'll see a lot of material submitted by many different people... it is a network, after all. You can be a part of it -- if you want -- and therefore, I'll usually refer to us, as in, you and me and everybody else who's involved. Interact with more than 8000 other people around the world who are using DV on the Community message boards. All kinds of forums covering specific cameras and much more. Membership is free!
FastForward Club
A very informative sight loaded withuseful information for Event videographers. You'll find product review, Business/Marketing Tips, and articles on video production. The forums are an excellent resource of information and advice.
|
Videoguys.com • 800-323-2325 • Fax 516-671-3092
For sales inquires please email our Sales Team: sales@videoguys.com. Dealer inquiries welcomed.
For customer service please email our Customer Service Team: custserv@videoguys.com
If you find any problems on this site please send email to: videoguy@videoguys.com
Copyright 1995-2006 TEM Trading Corp. The information on this site is provided and maintained by The Electronic Mailbox. Prices are updated regularly, but subject to change without notice. Reproduction of articles for eductational / non-commercial use is encouraged. Any use of our content or graphics for commercial use must be approved by VIDEOGUYS.COM aka The Electronic Mailbox.
Videoguys.com 10-12 Charles Street Glen Cove, NY 11542 |
|
