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GODec 2006 - Jan 2007, No. 15-001
Shooting Challenges as a Videographer
link to: Emdon Video Productions

Andrew Emdon
As a videographer of mainly Weddings & Functions for the last 25 years obviously I had my challenges...

Technical Challenges
Constant technology upgrades and improvements in the last 25 years have changed the face of videography. The poor quality of VHS technology and duplicating from VHS master tapes was something which had a low professional standard. Editing, to any really acceptable standard, for a then freelancer like me, was unreachable financially (80s and early 90s). Thank heavens for digital 3 CCD cameras , computers and DVD recorders, which now enable us to produce broadcast quality at an affordable rate.

My immediate technical problem now days, is my compatibility with my computer written DVDs with some peoples DVD players. There are +R and -R reading machines, especially machines older than 3 years... dirty laser lenses on DVD machines, and scratched fingerprinted disks can be a problem. Machine generated disks (the ones you hire from DVD movie shops) are tougher than computer burnt discs and often read better which further confuse clients. Fortunately most modern players have improved.

High Definition Technology
1080 lines super high quality pictures is still an unsettled and incomplete technology. The computer demands require 8 times more storage for editing purposes. The cameras are now available but the disks and players are still unsettled, like Beta & VHS of the 80s. Sony has Blue Ray and Toshiba are competing with a 100 Gig disk. Apple Computers have 'Final Cut Pro' an editing package which is high def compatible. Within 5 years high def will be in all our houses which will mean us video people will have to move with the times!

My Personal Challenges
In the Function & Wedding market the most demanding thing is setting up for quick scene changes and being ready to get the right angle and sound for the shot in very rushed situations. It sounds obvious but can be very stressful. I usually have a back up camera on tripod to film crucial scenes.

Lighting function halls for speeches often can be quite embarrassing as the ambient atmosphere is suddenly disturbed when I switch on. I use my 2000 watt, bounced Halogen light for the 1st dance, Cake cutting and Bouquet throwing. I use a direct camera light for the dancing and interviews.

Sound is crucial: from experience I invested in a powerful radio lapel mike for most speeches and interviews. For plays and music videos, I capture sound directly off the sound mixer's desk and edit it in post production.

Another observation is, that the average person hates being videoed, 'candid camera' is the way to go if possible. The challenge is to make people relax. Don't make a big deal of the camera, be unobtrusive and after a while they ignore you... Setting up and posing scenes is false and contrived . A lot of editing tricks like slow motion, and use of stills, sound effects & music can help a lot.

Cultural Challenges

Videoing in South Africa is challenging as we are a very multi-cultural society. Even within Christian communities :
  • Catholic
  • Baptist
  • Apostolic
  • Assembly of God
Church services vary considerably and have their rules. Within certain cultures certain traditions follow similar patterns for example:

Wedding Traditional Pattern
  Jewish The couple is lifted on chairs in the dancing
  Greek They break plates..
  Afrikaans The groom is surrounded by his male friends during his speech and interrupted with teasing
  Coloured The Couple are greeted by their friends and given their gifts and special messages
  Moslem Have separate services for the Bride & Groom

I could mention countless examples ... I videoed a Japanese wedding in the 80s which was all in their own language.. the speeches were 2 hours long (I luckily had a spare tape) In the middle of the speeches the whole main table began to weep, I only afterwards discovered it was a remembrance of Hirosima. All guests were given really expensive gifts which just goes to show how different cultures can vary.

Tel.: +27 (0) 21 434-5307
Cell: +27 (0) 82 424-2447
mailandrew@emdonvideos.co.za

Source: News June 2007
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