| Are you thinking about being a Good Samaritan to a | | | | control operator to give you an audio feed to your |
| bridal couple by offering to shoot their wedding video? | | | | camera. Plug one end of your audio cable into the Mic |
| Have you just purchased the latest, high-tech video | | | | Level output and the other end into your camera. |
| camera that you're sure will make this production a | | | | These cables are also available inexpensively for |
| "slam dunk?" | | | | purchase or rent. |
| Certainly, video cameras today are designed to | | | | 5. Headphones |
| capture footage in the easiest way possible...you turn | | | | It's important to check the quality of the audio that you |
| the camera on," point and shoot". So couples wanting | | | | are receiving by having someone speak into the |
| to save money, or well-intentioned friends or relatives | | | | microphone while you listen through headphones. |
| with a new video camera decide that shooting a | | | | There will be a headphone jack on your camera that |
| wedding video is a breeze, and quickly find themselves | | | | you can easily plug into. Adjust audio levels as |
| in way over their heads. We've been asked to fix | | | | necessary. You can purchase headphones as cheaply |
| many of these "do-it-yourself" wedding video disasters. | | | | as $9 at your local Radio Shack. |
| This may come as a surprise, but you can have the | | | | 6. AC Power Adapters |
| easiest to use video camera inthe world but it won't | | | | If convenient, you can power the camera by electricity, |
| guarantee that you will end up with a decent-looking | | | | however, its critical that you make sure the power |
| wedding video. As my friend, Tony, likes to point out, | | | | cord is not a tripping hazard. Where necessary, attach |
| "just because you can light the stove doesn't mean | | | | the cord securely to the floor by completely covering |
| you can cook." | | | | its length with duct tape. This is called "dressing" the |
| Shooting an important event, such as a wedding, | | | | cord. |
| where you only get one chance to get it right, is a little | | | | 7. Duct Tape, Markers, Pens and notepad |
| more complicated than "point and shoot." But the good | | | | These small supplies will prove invaluable for helping |
| news is that its not that much more complicated. With | | | | you get and stay organized. Duct tape comes in |
| just a little planning and utilizing the following very | | | | handy when dressing power cords or attaching |
| important, but easy to gather equipment and supplies, | | | | wireless microphone receivers to the leg of your tripod. |
| you can do it yourself and have a wedding video that | | | | You can also duct tape your audio cable connections |
| you will be proud to present to the bride and groom. | | | | so they can't be accidentally pulled apart. |
| 1.Tripod(s) | | | | Markers and pens are important for marking |
| It doesn't matter if use VHS camcorders, DV Cams or | | | | numbering your videotape cassettes and taking notes. |
| film cameras, but a tripod is one of the most important | | | | 8. Videotape Stock |
| pieces of equipment you will be using during the | | | | Ask the couple how long they expect the wedding to |
| shooting of the wedding. A tripod ensures that your | | | | be, then purchase enough videotape to cover twice |
| shots will be stable while giving you controlled flexibility | | | | that length of time. For example, if the bride tells you |
| to perform smooth and simple zooms and pans. If you | | | | she expects the wedding to last one hour (60 minutes) |
| can't afford to purchase a tripod, rentals are easy to | | | | then purchase enough tape to cover two hours (120 |
| find at reasonable prices. | | | | minutes) for each camera you will be using. This |
| 2. Camera and Microphone batteries. | | | | ensures that you will have enough tape for the |
| Each camera and microphone should have two, | | | | wedding and the reception. Its better to have too |
| fully-charged batteries. If you don't have power, your | | | | many tapes than not enough. |
| camera and microphones are useless. Two batteries | | | | 9. And...something to carry all this equipment (camera |
| insure that if one battery dies you'll have a backup. | | | | bag, duffel bag, backpack, etc.) |
| 3. Microphone (Hand-held or lavaliere) | | | | Having all your supplies in an easy-to-carry bag will |
| Another piece of optional audio equipment you may | | | | ensure that everything you need will be within easy |
| want to rent or buy is an external microphone. A | | | | reach while reducing the chances of misplacing |
| microphone plugs into the camera through the external | | | | something. |
| mic input jack and allows you to capture better audio | | | | Just remember, anyone can use a video camera. It |
| and gives you better range with your camera. | | | | takes something special to create a |
| 4. Audio/Microphone Cables | | | | professional-looking wedding video. Something special |
| Audio/microphone cables will give you the flexibility of | | | | means taking the time to do a little planning and |
| increasing the range of your camera and/or accessing | | | | havingall the right tools to make this a positive |
| the sound system of the church/wedding venue. If | | | | experience for you with a special outcome for the |
| there is an available sound system ask the audio | | | | bridal couple. |