I Need Some Advice From All Of You Pros! :)

NewJames37 wrote on 4/27/2006, 10:19 AM

I am looking to start in the business of "event video recording (weddings, family events etc)", and was hoping to get some advice as to if this endeavor is worth it, and/or what kind of equipment can I get for 3000? I 'd like to buy to cameras. I already have a PC, Vegas, and an ADS Pyro. I'm an audio guy (Sound Forge, ACID, Cubase SX) who has run from his video roots for twenty years. Any and all advice is welcome!

Comments

jrazz wrote on 4/27/2006, 10:35 AM

For another 1000 you can buy to HVR-A1U's from B&H up in New York. I am about to purchase another one- GREAT CAM for weddings and they shoot HDV and native widescreen. Tons of options. It sounds like you already have the equipment and all you need is the cameras. Make sure you ask ask ask for advice on shooting, lighting, (Dealing with candle light in low light situations), etc. Find out what is important to capture and what to capture before hand to implement into your wedding video.
I know this is short, but there is a ton of information on here about shooting weddings- just use the search feature. I would strongly recommend the HVR-A1u camera (and I would save up another 1000 to buy the second one).

j razz

JohnnyRoy wrote on 4/27/2006, 1:39 PM

> I am looking to start in the business of "event video recording (weddings, family events etc)", and was hoping to get some advice as to if this endeavor is worth it,

Then you might want to visit the Wedding and Event Videography forum at VideoUniversity.com. They could really tell you what to expect. If you ask me it is a very high-pressure job that involves a lot of hours of work (both on the day of the event and in post production) and good customer skills in addition to shooting and editing skills. The people on that forum will help you a lot if you do decide to do it.

~jr

NewJames37 wrote on 4/27/2006, 3:03 PM

Thanks jrazz and JohnnyRoy. This is the kind of advice I am looking for. :)

vicmilt wrote on 4/27/2006, 6:10 PM

Although I haven't shot a wedding in a bazillion years, it is where I started.
So I STRONGLY suggest you train with someone for a wedding or two, before you strike out on your own.
A wedding is a precious event for the folks that are going to hire you, and as easy as it may seem to someone who simply wants to pick up a camera and shoot, it is not.
A wedding is a highly organized and stylized event. If you forget or miss Grandma dancing with the groom, no matter what else you have done (or how BEAUTIFULLY you have shot), you will be castigated and condemned by the family.
And there are dozens of equally important shots in each kind of event.
My suggestion??
Go to a town nearby, where you won't become competition, contact the local (best) wedding photographer and explain that you want to enter the "biz". Tell him you'll carry his lights for free, load his cameras and schlep his gear. Do a couple of gigs until you get the gist of what's REALLY expected.
Then you can strike out on your own.
best of luck,
v

NewJames37 wrote on 4/27/2006, 7:53 PM

Thanks vicmilt. Your words make sense. I greatly appreciate them.