Real Life account of Wedding Videographer

Hello My World

2010-09-26T21:20:00.002+08:00

My Internet Calculator

2010-09-26T16:57:00.000+08:00

The interview

2010-05-16T20:40:00.002+08:00

One evening in the month of December, I still remember it was a weekday, there was I sitting in the office lobby of a company which seemed like waiting for someone. Time showed 8pm. The person I was expecting to meet was busy at that time with his clients.
A few days earlier, I received a phone call from a fellow photographer regarding some December projects that I might be interested in. This is how it started.

The man I have waited for approximately 20 minutes finally appeared in the foreground of the lobby. Without delay, he directed me to a meeting room and finally we settled down to business. The man that sat with me I referred him as Mr M. He explained to me that due to some miscommunication between some parties, resulted in some wedding projects’ videographers became unavailable. Mr M asked for my help if I can find some videographers as the events have been scheduled in less than a week. That meant to say there might be about 7 to 8 wedding events in the coming week their video service get screwed up unless I able to help Mr M at that time. I looked at Mr M face and he seemed desperate. From the list that was given to me by Mr M, I have taken my share of the projects that I felt fit and able to do a good job. InsyAllah!

I feel to have this philosophy is important and will save us on every assignment that we as a service providers provide the best service as far as possible.

It took me 30 minutes to call my network videographers which made us of a small group actually from my mobile phone list. While I was on the phone, Mr M was listening to my conversation. Finally, Mr M was relieved and thankful to me to have sourced out the remainder projects or else someone’s big day will get screwed up.

Malay Wedding Videography (Part 2)

2009-09-01T23:10:00.003+08:00

What happen in the Bride's room

As soon as I have completed setting up the audio cable for the Akad Nikah ceremony which normally done at the living hall area, I will walk towards the bride's room with my camcorder on hand. Usually, the room is closed. I would give a gentle knock on the door and informing the people inside the room that I, the videoman, would like to enter the room. It is a polite to knock on the door first before entering the room. Normally, the bride is well ready with the best Malay baju on her which she has selected to wear earlier. There were instances when the bride was not yet ready and I have to wait outside for a couple of minutes.

Once inside the bride's room, you will notice the gubahan or the gifts usually neatly place on the couple bed. The bedroom set is nicely decorated with the bride's preferred colour and cloth material. Some use cloth such as satin, lace and soothing colours to beautify their bedroom set. After giving gesture of my presence in the room, I will then start to film the decorated couple bed with the gifts being laid in an orderly fashion. Ninety-nine percent while I was filming on that time, the 'Mak Andam' or the make-up artist will be busy doing the bride's hairdo or applying makeups on her face. Without interrupting both of them, I will record quietly as I would want the video clip to be as natural as possible.

Beside recording the room and bed décor on tape, I will do a brief interview with the bride when I sense it to be at the right time. The questions I would normally ask is that how she feel at the time before the solemnization, as to how she met her future hubby etc. When I feel that all the necessary video footage is on tape, I will leave the room and wait for the arrival of the groom at the living hall.

Malay Wedding Videography (Part 1)

2009-08-30T22:51:00.003+08:00

Introduction and the Nikah Ceremony

Nearly 8 months of absence from blogging, something spur me to write to my blog, probably due to perhaps my hands are now free from my day works or my freelancing works but also due to the fact that some individuals come to me recently wanting to learn the Malay wedding videography. Surprisingly, one comes from my own client who got married in 2004.

In many years doing the Malay wedding videography, my opinion is this. It is not as easy task as what to some as just point and shoot style video. If that were to happen, I guess, a seven year old kid would be able to take videography as his first nature. And I believe if a videographer were to do a big mistake during his pre production ( Akad Nikah) for the wedding video on one occasion, then he should roll up his video business as the words of months can spread like wild fire. Even though you don't need a degree or diploma scroll, one need some time to master the craft. And of course, it is the Malay wedding videography.

I believe as a wedding videographer, you need a lot of passions and love. Sometimes, I would rather call myself the 'love videographer' than a wedding videographer. You ask me why? It is because the wedding videos that I am recording are not only unique by its own but involving two people who are in love which ends up with tying the knots. Thus, the camera movements should interpret the motions of love. It should be done in a gentle manners as the camera moves. And why passions? It is because you must passionately record your video steadily as far as possible using either a tripod or a monopod.
And that passion of course involve your love for your video works. And that is my formula over the years as to why my customers are happy with my works.

Referring to the Akad Nikah event, what are the biggest mistakes a videographer can do. If you ask me, this is what I see. One of the biggest mistake during the Akad Nikah is by having not to capture the audio of the event. As you should know, the Akad Nikah is another name for the solemnization ceremony. It is the single most important sub event of the wedding where two people is about to be confirm as husband and wife. So it is important for videographers alike to check the audio cable and audio connector again and again so that to ensure the audio coming in to their camcorders. Always check the audio meter on the camcorders readings and also always wear a quality headphone.

It is my practice to lay the audio cable first to the designated spot where would be the Akad Nikah event take place, at least half an hour to one hour before the event takes place. I will put my Audio Technica AT897 to the microphone stand for stability and use a fresh battery for the boom microphone. Then I will tap a few time to ensure audio is receive to my Panasonic AG 102 camcorder. After a few testings and I am confident that it is working, then I will proceeds to my other duties.

There were numerous occasion when guests or the immediate family members thought that the boom microphone that I connected it to my camcorder will have the amplified sound to the surrounding. This is not so. It is meant for my camcorder. Not one but on two occasions, I have to shout to the person who acted harshly to my boom microphone to stop what he was doing because he was thinking that there was no sound generated during the event was taking place. So, it is best to consult the videographer first before doing anything as not only can cause harm to the expensive equipment but can cause the audio recording from working.

The Ijab Kabul is part of the solemnization ceremony or Akad nikah in Malay. On this part, the video stability and the audio quality is of upmost importance.

From the first day I started doing the wedding video, I have use the XLR audio cable and connectors to my camcorder. This will produce a better audio quality and more natural audio sound compared to videographers who are using the internal microphone which are attached to their videocams. I have noticed quite a numbers of videographers who are practising using the internal microphones for their video projects and especially the crucial Akad Nikah ceremony. I feel that it is either the videographers are not aware of the quality the sound that is produced or just simply for his convenient sake! I pitied the wedding couple who especially might have paid the video persons thousand of dollars for the video and yet the videoman just using the internal microphone. If this were to happen, I feel that the couple is like being robbed on the broad daylight.

Someone asked me the other day as how long the Nikah would takes? This depends on some factors. One must remember that there are some sub events takes place during the Nikah ceremony. They are the followings :-

1)The exchange of gifts conducted by the bride or groom representative
2)The Doas by either the bride or groom representative.
3)The Kadi's administration and Doas
4)The Bride' signature done by the Kadi and the Bride
5)The actual Ijab Kabul between the Kadi and the Groom
6)The Taklik Nikah
7)The ending Doa

All this would takes about 30 minutues to as fast as 15 minutes depending as how elaborate the two family members would like it to be. It is also my practice to record the whole event footage and only to edit the wanted clips as what my clients wishes.

How I become a Wedding Videographer

2009-01-26T02:31:00.005+08:00

The decision to be a wedding videographer was not by chance. And definitely not by pure coincidence and not also by presumably of what maybe having a natural talent that I may have.

What I can recall back then, it all started when one fine day, I was told by my boss that there was no annual bonus payout for me although my work performance was good on their record. Naturally, I was very frustrated. I told myself that if my employer don't pay for my bonus, then why should I complained. It was just a waste of time.

Then, an idea zoomed into me. Something inside my system told me that if they(the employer) don't have the bonus for me, then I should make 'the bonus' for myself. And that thought was more than 10 years ago. I felt at that time and am till today that idea may come quite easily. However, it was a difficult decision as to what can I do to make some money especially on weekends. It took me awhile. After much thought, I decided to take videos on other people's weddings.

Here are some of the obstacles that I encountered along the way.

No 1 Problem.
I was the sort of person who hate to go for wedding functions since teenager until my late twenties. Even my wife knows it very well.

Solution : I have to change my mindset.

No 2 Problem.

Since I seldom attended wedding functions, I was not aware to some of the Malay wedding customs like what to do after the 'Akad Nikah', 'Berinai' etc from the view angle of a video person. To be frank, I have forgotten until today who was my cameraman when the day I married in 1994! I simply cannot recall.

Solution : I have to ask around, especially to my wife and friends. Also, I have to attend to weddings invitations from then on. I always take the opportunity to observe what the cameraman or video man doing when on the scene.

No 3 Problem.

This is the biggest problem of all. The question is how do I take video for weddings.
How about the camera handling, techniques, style, video editing, secret of the trade in wedding videos etc.

Solution : Read good books from the National Library about videography to begin with. Also, I took courses from some freelance video men themselves. Some charged as high as $1000 which I did attended for a day course. ( But I was cheated actually). But I did take some courses that are mostly practical skills taught the seniors themselves.
Then, the next thing I do, was to practice and keep practicing faithfully with the video camera.

Above are the 3 biggest point that I remembered so far. I will add on soon.

As the saying goes, NO PAIN NO GAIN.

SOP before event shooting

2008-12-28T19:07:00.006+08:00

1 Make sure you have charged all your batteries for your videocam.

2 Check that all the equipments like video cables, microphones,
videocameras working fine.

3 Pack all your tools of your trade inside the bag at least 1 day before.

4 Have sufficient of sleep or rest before the event.

5 If unfamiliar with the location of the event to take place, always refer to map.
Personally, I check the locations each time before the event by means of the
http://www.streetdirectory.com/ or the http://www.map.gov.sg/.

6 Plan your journey time well.

7 Always be at locations at least one hour before the event starts.

8 Always wears a BIG SMILE on your face.

On Location : Fort Canning Park

2008-12-22T14:26:00.004+08:00

This photo was taken at the Fort Canning Park on the 21 Dec 2008 at around 5pm. The weather was good. It was a rare occasion where the couple's speech was done in the park. The groom and bride of the day was Kamal and Kartini. They had their wedding event at the Fort Canning function hall.

As you can see, the boom mic was made to stand pointing towards the couple. In fact, I use another boom mic which was attached to my camcorder. It was only after the shooting did I realize that the boy was behind me after much later looking at the photos back at home.

To Kamal and Kartini, congrats from abangvideo.

Wak Jai and the Gang

2008-12-21T23:13:00.010+08:00

Through my camcorder focus lens, Wak Jai with his traditional Javanese style kompang and dancers has captivated my eyes. Their performance is brilliant. For all these years, never have I seen a kompang group gang up with Javanese traditional dancers plus the 'Kuda Kepang' warriors that is unique in the Malay wedding scenes. Perhaps Wak Jai group's is the best.

They wore colourful traditional Malay clothes. And on top of that, Wak Jai performance is the best so far that I am sure has delighted many guests at any wedding locations in Singapore. The beats of the drums and kompang synchronize with the dancers and the Kuda Kepang. I have observed from a couple of video shots made at different locations, times and conclude that Wak Jai group is well organized and discipline.

As of 21 December 2008, I nominate that Wak Jai and the Gang as the number 1 on my list for the best Malay Kompang service provider.

Keep up the good work , Wak Jai.

Just not my day

2008-12-20T03:11:00.008+08:00

That afternoon, which was on the 19 December 08, I have packed neatly all my video equipments in my camcorder bag and ready to do a wedding video shot at Tampines Blk 428. I got the project from one of my network photographers. The event actually started at 8pm, but I have promised the bride, Aisyah, to come early to the groom place by 6.15pm to take some shots. I left home very early, infact, by 4.15pm I have hit the road. I took the public transport from Chua Chu Kang to Tampines, which was by MRT. By 6.00pm, I have reached Tampines.

For your information, this was the starting point to the groom's place where the 'nightmare' began. I unknowingly took the wrong bus but with the right bus number 293. Puzzle? The bus number 293 in white plate which I wrongly took travelled to the other side of the estate within Tampines. Later did I learn that I should take the number 293 in green plate. This gravely mistake of mine cost me more than 40 minutes delay to the groom place, Tampines Blk 816. I should have reached Blk 816 much earlier if I were to take the right bus. Every minute ticking. From 6pm to 6.25pm, I was inside the bus(white plate) puzzled. At one point of time when I felt that the bus was doing a loop I immediately approached the bus driver. He told me that I should have taken the green plate 293. But he also told me that since the bus at that time was traveling toward Blk 816 as it was doing a loop( bus got to pass the interchange first prior to the intended destination, Blk 816). Now that I have been reassured, I took a seat .

I received a call , actually the second call from the groom's brother asking for my exact location. My adrenaline was pumping fast. I assured him that I will be reaching in few minutes. Truth enough, I finally jumped out of the bus on seeing the Blk 816 which near at the Old Folk Home, and quickly took out my camcorder and added the battery and dv tape like lightning. I just tried to compose myself and stayed calm by telling myself that I need a few shots for the groom.

I hurriedly went up to the 11th floor of the groom's place and bumped into the groom's brother who I should be thankful to him for giving me the fast route to the house. As I approaching the door, I powered on my camcorder. But I was suddenly shocked. It stopped to record. My heart was pounding hard by this time. I sit back to the nearby staircase near to the door trying to do a quick troubleshooting.

I tried a few time but it did not want to record. This is another lesson to learn. Earlier part of the day, I did do a clean up using a camera soft cloth on the camcorder. Maybe it has accidently touch the button. The lesson to learn from my mistake is that NOT to do cleaning on your camera on the same day unless you have tested your machine back at home.

After realising this, I tried using the safety pin to push the reset button for a few times. After a few time, which I nearly went 'grabbra' which is a local term for being nervous, then it started to work. PHEW.............

Without further delay, I dashed to the door and looked for the groom to do the shooting. Of course I was embarrassed for the whole situation but lucky me that the camcorder has started to work. In spite of what has happened, I was very relieved that the video turn well at the groom's place and also at the bride's place earlier on.

What a relieved.... Tomorrow I have to bring along my AG62 for a backup. What a Day!!!

Trust

2008-12-11T23:42:00.005+08:00

I learn from one of my network videographer that his Panasonic AG102 spoilt after lending the equipment to one of his fellow video shooter for an event. And the videocam is not cheap, cost around US$ 2000. My friend lent to this guy because the event was my friend's project. Since the person has no equipment of his own, that was why this friend of mine willing to give the 'baby' on temporary loan. After all, my friend was the project manager for the event and the guy was paid to do the shooting. Heard from sources the camcorders was spoilt particularly due to forcefully mishandled to the lens adjustment area of the camcorder by the guy.
This friend of mine put so much trust on this person. If I were him, I am not willing to lent my equipment especially when doing some paid projects. Videographers alike , old or new in the field, should have his own equipment. I also have a bit of same experience to share.

If I was not mistaken, sometime back , about 3 years ago, I was video shooting with a photographer for an event at Jurong West area. I still remember that day was in the afternoon. Suddenly, this photographer, in his 20's, told me that his battery for his Nikon DSLR went flat. He was nearly in a fainting mode. What I see from my eyes, he has one dslr and one battery for the event. Wow,, should I say, either he is truly ignorant or just simply unprofessional or what the local were saying, simply 'Boo Chap'. During that time, I have with me a Canon Ixus 400 which is a 4 megapixels on my other hand where it come in handy to take photos for the cds cover as such while doing my shooting rounds with my shoulder mounted Panasonic AG 62. Time was at 2pm. 3 more hours for the event to end. Suddenly, he asked for my help. He was so desperate as there were group photography sessions going on. He wanted to borrow my compact camera. At that moment, I did not give much thought, and handed over the camera immediately since there were a lot of guests around us.

The time he waited for has come. His watch showed that the time was at 5pm. Which mean the event has finished. Coincidentally, his home was just nearby. Just a 5 minutes walk. He asked me to wait while he ran to his home to upload the camera to his pc. I just nodded. I waited for about half an hour and then he reappeared with my camera. I did not check much, and rushed for home. Later did I realized that my camera did not functions properly. But that time was too late. I was at home and don't have his contact number. After checking my camera, I have the opinion that the photographer has mishandled my camera badly. From then on, I don't borrow my camcorders or cameras to anyone anymore. This was a bitter lesson I have to gulp. Not only I have pitied for the fellow but have given my trust. But see what has happened!!! There is this saying in Malay I heard before, something like, 'Barang sendiri jaga betul betul, barang orang lain main hentam aje' or translation in English is like we take care of our personal things more than others. Which I believe is true.

The annoying part was that they never owned up and that they should be responsible for the equipments that were being loaned to them. So, what my friend can do is just to throw him out from his team of videographers.

So, would you lend your cameras or videocams to someones, especially the expensive ones. What you say? Any comments?

Why must you engage a Videographer

2008-12-07T13:16:00.000+08:00

Through my work as a freelance videographer, I feel that you, either as a private individual looking into engaging a video service provider for your video collections or may be you are an event planner doing some corporate video events, should engage their service directly rather than from the third parties.

This is very true from my perspective such that you will be able to ask the video persons directly by first asking as to what equipment they are using. As a brief guideline, they should be using professional video cameras and audio recording devices to ensure the end products are of highest quality. As technology grows at such a rapid rate, it is hard to justify between comsumer and the pro consumer equipments and the professsional ones because the distinction where quality is concerned has narrow down.

If the engaging videographer is using pro consumer video camera, make sure that their machines built with xlr audio inputs. I have seen videographers on locations recorded their videos using the internal microphone that were built in with their camcorders despite the pro series video cameras that they are using. Actually, it is better to use the boom microphone rather than the internal ones as the audio quality make a lot of difference. Of course , the xlr audio boom microphones record the best quality. Personally, I am using the Audio Technica AT 897 and am happy with the vocal audio recording quality so far.

Moreover, you can sit down with your videographer face to face discussing the plan or itinirary for the whole event. This is crucial if you plan to have a number of activities to fit in the whole day's event. I am sure that the video service provider would be happy if you are to highlight to them earlier as to which video scenes that you category them are of highest priority. I have heard a long the way derived from discussion from fellow videographers that the clients have complained much later, when the whole event have ended, either though their ignorants, I don't blame them especially the first timer, that some of their wanted scenes not being capture on tape or hdd video. And never never assume the video person will capture the scenes you wanted if you have not discussed it earlier. After all, videographers are also human. On the clients side, you need to tell them what you have in mind.

Another advantage you have is that what the end products that you would like to have. Normally, as a service provider, we have a few flavours to offer. The video formats that the video service provider normally offer to their clients are the vcd, dvd, and also the blu-ray formats.

In addition, you will be able to discuss further things such as the camera works, special effects, pricing etc.

In other words, you have a better control as a consumer if you engage your videographer or video service provider directly. What is your comments?

Must own 1 or 2 video camcorders

2008-12-07T10:37:00.000+08:00

As a life of a freelance videographer, I encounter at some times or another, scenarios or issues face by videographers alike be it during events of filming or outside the time of video recordings. I am tempted to write this first article after several years in the field.

I clearly remember which happened last Saturday, 29 November 2008, a videographer friend of mine, called my mobile in an urgent manner stated that his video camcorder, a pro 3CCD , suddenly stopped recording. He was definitely very nervous and terrified then we talked over the phone. The worst part was that the event going to start in 5 minutes. At that time, I was in my study room, facing the computer. I tried my very best to do the troubleshooting over the phone. Started with pushing the resetting button that is available on the video camcorder but to no luck. Still it don't worked. Then, while on the phone with my trouble videographer of mine, with the handphone still stucked on my right ear, I took out my Panasonic 3 CCD AG-62 from the dry cabinet. By the way, he is using the same model as mine. That was why he called me for the immediate fix, he hoped for. We managed to go through the menu settings exactly the same as mine but to no avail. Still, his camcorder refused to record.

By this time, his adrenaline was sky rocketing. He was at a lost of word since the equipment was his one and only video camera. He don't have a back up. But he was very lucky, because a fellow videographer came to his rescue with a Panasonic AG-102 on hand while we were on the phone. What a lucky man!
Whew...

So, the question is, as a videographer either doing fulltime or even a freelancer, when doing paid projects, must he or she own a ONE video recorder or TWO video recorders with one camcorder as a backup? What's your comment on this?