Beach Wedding Video - Ideas / Tips / Help!

[HollywoodTinman]

Not sure if this is the right place to post, but I'll give it a shot...

Hey everybody,

My name is Kyle Olson and I am new to the blogs / forums.

I am a videographer out in Hollywood, California and I am currently preparing to shoot a new type of video that I haven't had experience with before.

I've shot tons of Wedding videos in the past, but this one is talking place on the east coast on a beach front.

Some questions:

1. What is my best way to mic something like this on the beach?
2. What things should I be mindful of and really be sure and prepare?
3. Any cute ideas of video to be sure and capture while on the beach with the couple?
4. Does anybody have some links to a beach wedding they shot so I can get some creative juices flowing?
5. Any other video blogs you'd suggest looking into for tips / tricks?

I'm looking forward to hearing yours tips and advice!

Thanks in advance!


Kyle

[wan2no]

well lighting will not be issue just be mindful not to overexposed the video. Lavalier mics are idea for such an occassion, you can mic the groom since he should have pockets to hold the transmitter or the priest, preferably the groom. It's best that you use to cameras, one on a tripod and one roaming. That way you would be able to easily get close ups such as the exchange of vows and ring bearing.

[Soopafresh]

Polarizer or Neutral Density Filter

Mic Wind Shield




http://www.vimeo.com/videos/search:beach+wedding/sort:newest/format:thumbnail

[greymalkin]

second the polarizer! those reflections off the water could become a real problem!

also be sure to set your white balance/exposure on location so you don't get blown out colors!

more than one camera is a must...you can't predict what the wedding party/guests will do and if they do something really dumb (like stand up in front of the camera while the bride/groom are kissing or some other important moment) you can stick them in the gag reel :P.

sorry I just went back and read you've done many wedding video's before the last bit or perhaps all of it is probably elementary for you :P.

as far as mic'ing it up I always have the officiator wearing a lapel mic..this could go to a wireless transmitter/receiver or a digital pocket recorder..one of good quality of course, not the dinky voice recorders. for the music played during the ceremony I usually just overdub and leave a very small portion of the audio captured from the cameras just to retain some of the ambience from the actual event.

[videopoo]

as far as mic'ing it up I always have the officiator wearing a lapel mic..this could go to a wireless transmitter/receiver or a digital pocket recorder..one of good quality of course, not the dinky voice recorders. for the music played during the ceremony I usually just overdub and leave a very small portion of the audio captured from the cameras just to retain some of the ambience from the actual event.

Yep! Only use Lavs. forget ambience...leave that for post.

[filmboss80]

Like greymalkin advised: Wireless lav mic on the pastor, as he will do most of the talking. He will stand close enough to the bride and groom to pick up their voices. Take more than one camera. Keep one fairly wide and roam around with the other to get close-ups and iso shots. You'll also need to be prepared to separately record music and ambience.

One of your biggest issues will be the location of the sun. Yeah, the beach and surf are pretty, but they might make for some nightmare backlighting situations. Avoid turning your subjects into silhouettes by positioning yourself with the sun at your back. If you can't do that, then you'll need to go manual on that iris and get the best possible exposure on the bride and groom.

I've shot at the beach before (never a wedding; I don't do weddings...ever), and I can tell you, the advice on the polarizing filter is primo. Take a can of compressed air with you too. That sand can be murder.