Woah! Big subject . . . not really . . .

I'm an inveterate "browser" and tip picker. I have the attention span of a gnat combined with the memory of a goldfish. BUT! But . . . I find my local library is always a good starting place for garnering info - of all sorts.

I've recently got a book on loan from said library, "Taking Better Videos: Achieving Professional Style and Impact" (Cassell Camera-wise Guides) by Roger Hicks (Editor)

Unfortunately this is now out of print AND it was published in the early '90s. However, I would really recommend you searching your library for a copy. Of course it will depend on your present level of skills. You appear to be somewhere near to me. Maybe I've done a bit more. But, I must say, I've learnt not only allot from this super "How To!", but also have had some of intuitive thoughts on this subject reinforced - i.e. : "I do this! Okay that means I'm in the right direction!"

Plenty PLENTY of projects with lots of colour plates to truly understand what's what.

I highly recommend the book. I did say it was an early '90s publication - the editing still relates to Tape to Tape type editing. This is the only thing. However, the basic filming techniques - telling a story; project planning; between shots; the Moving Camera; Thinking in Sequences; Interview techniques; Shooting wildlife . .. and lots more . . . . still hold true.

Oh yes! "Digital Video for Dummies" - y'know the Dummies . .. . series of books - www.Dummies.com - As I say, it is really up to where you think you are. You can spend an awful amount of money on some very wonderful books - nearly been there and nearly done that! -

So, library first - have a search there. Oh yes, Amazon has many vid books, where you can view some "sample" pages and see the Contents pages of such books. THEN you could make a better decision.

. . . . oh course, some of the best "Instruction" I've absorbed has been to look at a range of "others" Wedding Videos - Good ones - how did they do that!! Ah yes! AND: bad ones: Why did they do that - yuck!

Regards

Grazie

- Go another day and get details, close-ups of the room and building.
- Make interviews with parttakers where they explain what is going to happen. You can cut to some of these to fill out parts of the event that seems too long (on video) or use them as voice-overs.
- Rent or borrow separate sound equipment to capture the entire procedings on tape or minidisk. If you can get two systems, record the music on one and the speakers on another. Get an intelligent person to change disks at non-critical points, and not when they run out.
- Get someone to shoot mastershots on a separate camera, while you consentrate on following the "action" with close-ups, semiclose-ups etc. (Or hire someone "good" to do the close-ups and do the masters yourself.) Make sure the two cameras are not stopped a the same time. Make sure the settings (white balance and stuff) on the cameras are as similar as possible.
- Familiarize yourself with what is going to happen, in what order. Whenever possible let action "come to the camera", don't go running after it. I mean if a minister is walking from the altar to the pulpit, position your camera on the place he or she is coming to. Decide on the positions in advance, so you know where you must go at what time.
- Also, make sure all important people are included favourably in the finished product. You decide who's important.
- Use tripods and do not zoom.
- Try to make things clear, not clever.
Tor
(Sorry for the long post - you asked for it)

This might be worth a read

http://www.cybercollege.com/tvp022.htm

which stems from this general index to a huge amount of advice/information about media production and relevant/recommended reading
http://www.cybercollege.com/indexall.htm

Checkout "The Little Digital Video Book" by Michael Rubin. Great practical information on shooting video.

There are many good books and online resources out there for helping you to learn and improve your video shooting skills.

But, what I would like to offer you is the mindset that I use in my 15+ years of earning a living as a professional videographer, as well as my other adventurous undertakings.

1. Success Leaves Clues! Train yourself to become aware of good shots and angles as you see them. No matter what I am watching on television or a movie - my brain sounds an alarm when it sees a shot that it likes. I'll think about that shot and visualize how I can use it in my own video skills tool box.

Just, last night - I was watching "The Graduate" and I saw at least 5 shots that moved me. It's fun to try and understand why a director chooses certain shots for effect.

2. Practice, Practice, Practice! The more you practice your new angles and shooting skills - to more second nature and readily available they become in your mind!

Good Luck and Have Fun,


--Jay Mitchell

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SoCalVegasUsers/

Southern California Vegas Users Group