QUICK TIPS
for Videographers
IN CAMERA SETTINGS
1
Setting all your cameras to the same frame rate (except for the clips shot in slow motion) will help the visual flow of the final product. Also, when filling up the project request form, please make sure your desired export settings match the same fps you recorded your media in.
2
Setting all of your cameras to the same picture profile will make color grading much easier and produce noticeably better results.
3
Please be aware that if you shoot at a specific aspect ratio but want to upscale the finished video to a larger size, the image will lose quality and may appear slightly blurry or pixelated (for example, shooting in 1920x1080 and asking for a 4K export).
4
Processing will take longer as the size of the footage file increases. We advise shooting at a maximum resolution of 4K because wedding videos are typically not seen on screens larger than TVs.
5
It's crucial to make sure the shot is properly exposed to avoid image noise, especially if you are recording in LOG picture profiles. If you plan to record in LOG, the monitoring setting should be in "Rec 709," and we advise exposing at least one "point" higher than necessary to prevent underexposure and noise in the image. Please make sure the external monitor is properly calibrated if you plan to use one.
6
To prevent overexposure, record with ZEBRA and a wave-shaped exposure monitor; we advise setting it at 90% to allow for a margin of error.
7
White balance shouldn't be left on AUTO. Venues frequently use multiple light sources, which could cause different variations of the WB in the same clip. We strongly advise setting the White balance while taking into account the main light in order to ensure that the video has a good color treatment. It's crucial to spend some time making sure that all cameras are set to the same white balance before beginning to record in a new location.
8
To avoid banding, the shutter should be set to twice the amount of FPS you are recording with. Monitor carefully since sometimes led lights have a frequency that can generate banding, you have to adjust the camera according to what you see on the monitor.
SHOOTING
1
When requesting a documentary video, it is advisable to record the ceremony using a fixed camera so that the editor will always have a reliable angle to fall back on if the other cameras fail.
2
We advise considering the "180 degree rule" to prevent axis jumps and maintain the "gaze axis." When recording speeches with two or more cameras, try to position your subjects so that they appear to be having a conversation with each other from various angles. For instance, in a conversation between the subjects of cameras one and two, camera one's subject is framed to the left and camera two's subject to the right.
3
It is advised to shoot as much B-roll as possible (setting, details, PS) to achieve a smoother storytelling.
4
To prevent audio issues in the finished video edit, position the microphone during the ceremony so that it can "pick up" the bride's voice.
5
The best way to guarantee good audio leveling throughout the entire video is to make sure you are using the db measurement tool correctly if you are using a microphone that is directly connected to the main camera.
6
Make sure to capture a few extra seconds at the end of each clip during the photo shoot; this works wonders and gives the video a more relaxed, natural appearance.
7
Take a different approach to sound. During the day, keep an ear out for things like wind, cars on gravel drives, bird calls, and traffic. Rather than trying to record them, make a mental note of them and replace them later with sounds from online stock audio sites. It costs next to nothing and saves you 30 minutes of work per day. And it usually sounds better, too.
8
Consider the guests' point of view when filming ceremonies or speeches. When we watch a movie conversation, we see camera positions that represent the person listening's point of view. Our listeners are almost always seated at a wedding, but most videographers place their tripods high up and far away. Try recreating a visitor's perspective: take a seat, get close, and shoot from low down.
9
Consider the scenes at a typical wedding. The Preparations (some movement), Speeches (virtually none) Confetti and post ceremony hugs (lots of movement) Dancing (again, lots of movement). It’s a cinematic technique that involves just the camera and doesn’t draw any additional attention to yourself. It just comes down to choosing whether to use a tripod, monopod, or handheld stabilization.
WORKING WITH WANDERLUST
1
When requesting your project through our digital platform, it is very important to fill out as many fields on the project request form as possible - this will provide our team with a higher level of precision about the outcome you expect!
5
At Wanderlust Videos, we use Dropbox as our main tool for online media transfer. Although there are other ways of sharing your media with us, like google drive, the download of the files will be faster through Dropbox.
2
Soundtracks: please be specific! The entire video may need to be restructured if the soundtrack is changed. Sending music references, favorite musicians, and/or preferred music genres, characteristics, and moods, as well as letting us know which song(s) you wish to use, is very helpful.
3
Reference Videos: they are pivotal. We use them as a guide to what kind of video/s you expect to receive from us. The reference video should ideally be of the same type as the requested video (for example, if you asked for a social media teaser edit, send a social media teaser reference video). Please share with us a reference video for each of the videos in your project if there are several of them. You can also send us various videos and include a note about what you like about each one: "I like the structure of this one and the color grading on this one."
6
If there is a camera preference (eg: there is a main camera and two secondary ones) it is a good idea that, within the footage organization, the clips are divided into folders by camera name, this way the editor will be able to know which angles to prioritize, the multi-cameras will be much more organized, and the color grading will be more even.
7
If you are going to request color grading,keep in mind that you will need to upload the original full sized footage, not proxys, since once you receive the XML file and relink the original footage, the footage may not look the same.
8
If you want to send only proxies, make sure to read the manual for your preferred editing program to find out exactly how to create a proxy-only project. When attempting to relink the original footage, there might be issues if the procedures are not followed precisely.
4
Make sure you have uploaded all the folders and files by checking the footage size in GB that was uploaded to Dropbox. Any lack of material can cause delays in the editing process.
9
In case you have any preference on how to organize the footage inside the editing software, you can send over a template and we will adjust the project with the same structure.
REVISION PROCESS
1
Working on revisions will be easier and faster if all your feedback and notes are left directly in Wipster, instead of sharing it through the project chat. Please click for a Quick Wipster Tutorial.
2
Although ‘general corrections’ help to have a global vision of the aspects to be adjusted, we recommend leaving specific corrections, this improves the communication between the company and the client. It also helps us learn a little more about your style and gather information for future projects.