Exploring the Craft of a Cheshire Wedding Videographer Storyteller

In the realm of weddings, a Cheshire wedding videographer shouldn’t be someone who turns up and just records the weddings; they master the art of storytelling. Curating a film that reflects the emotions, moments, and narratives into a captivating cinematic film. To comprehend the essence of a wedding videographer as a storyteller, one must delve into the intricacies of their craft – from filming techniques to editing finesse and the art of observation. This article covers everything you need to understand how a cinematic film is made.

Key Takeaways:

The filming techniques used by videographers such as drone shots, cinematic shots and different details to embody the story of the day.

• Filming techniques used by wedding videographers to achieve a certain look and to show your story in a unique way.

• What videographers pull on during the editing process, using shots from the day to curate a wedding film that tells your story.

• How a wedding videographer conducts themselves on a wedding day to ensure the footage captured is natural to truly tell a story.

• The art of noticing.

Filming Techniques as Narrative Tools

The lens of a skilled videographer serves as a storyteller’s pen, capturing emotions, nuances, and subtle gestures. Various filming techniques contribute to the narrative tapestry:

Cinematic Shots:

This can be different for each videographers style. For myself I use visual patterns in my compositions such as book shelving, frame within a frame, leading lines and negative space. Each of these shots tells a unique story whether that be to guide the viewer to a certain part of the image or to show the environment the subject is in. Cinematic is a word used a lot and has different meanings but I feel this really refers to how ‘movie like’ the end film looks.

Other techniques can come from using a gimbal, a tool that allows for smooth camera movements. These shots are great for details of the venue, tracking a subject and moving through the scene such as showing the wedding breakfast set up.

Close-Ups and Details:

You can really tell a story in the small details, the art of noticing can be a key moment or subject at that time. A close up shot of a couples hands holding with a gentle squeeze can be used with greater intent than showing a wide shot of the couple in a field. This can hold the viewers attention and really specify the love language on show. 

This doesn’t just have to be with the couple, close up shots can also be within the venue, a painting on the wall at prep can remind the viewer of the location without showing the whole room. It’s also a way of avoiding any undesirable elements in the frame that may distract the viewer from the chosen subject.

Drone Footage:

These shots are used a lot in wedding films, but sometimes not to the desired effect of storytelling. Drone shots are great for setting a scene, showing the viewer where the wedding took place and shows of the landscape. These shots can be used alongside dialogue that may mention the venue or the surroundings which emphasise the words being said.

Find you Cheshire wedding videographer

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Editing Techniques to Enhance Emotions

Editing is the stage where the raw footage transforms into a cohesive, emotive story. Here’s how editing techniques contribute to storytelling:

Narrative Flow:

To curate the perfect wedding film, it needs to flow. The wedding will have certain moments that can help craft a film that tells the story. Using dialogue from the ceremony or speeches whilst using various clips throughout the day to highlight those words is what separates a simple video to a cinematic, story driven film.

Music and Sound Design:

Music plays a key role in a film. Music has the power to evoke certain emotions for the viewer. By adding soft, slow piano music over the vows will have a larger effect on the viewer than using a rock song. It’s important the music and sound marry together perfectly alongside the visual aspect. Foley is a great way to add more intention to the clip. Adding a sound effect of waves crashing, seagulls and some wind noise over a clip near a beach will transport the viewer to the scene in a more impactful way.

Colour Grading:

There is a lot of science behind how colours can spark different emotions. Red can influence anger, love, passion or energy whereas blue is used for peace, recovery and trust. For myself I like to add orange to my clips, it’s a warm colour that is cheerful, just like a wedding day is filled with warm emotions and a celebration, it is used to emphasise this.

The Videographer’s Role on the Wedding Day

Beyond technical expertise, how a Cheshire wedding videographer’s helps on a wedding day with their attitude and skills effect the end result:

Observation and Sensitivity:

The art of noticing goes beyond the camera. A perceptive videographer observes the little nuances of the day, the moments that are fleeting or not noticed on the day due to the days schedule. A natural wedding videographer will have a keen eye for looking for little micro events that are happening such as children playing, grandparents conversing and even the sunset if the films calls for that type of shot. They will achieve a more polished film by capturing your day with this talent.

Guidance and Collaboration:

Interacting with the couple and guests in a supportive yet unobtrusive manner is crucial. What I mean by this is that they will conduct themselves in a professional way ensuring you and your guests are happy with how the videographer is presenting themselves on the day. This could be as simple as dressing appropriately, knowing when to stay quiet and let the moment happen. A videographer doesn’t just film, they can help on a wedding day.

Adaptability and Creativity:

Adapting to unforeseen circumstances and thinking creatively on the spot allows the videographer to capture unique, unplanned moments that contribute to the story. Having a videographer that knows weddings inside out can aid them to adapt to a changing situation or plan in the day. This could be weather and where to get the best shots for you two as a couple, or, this could even be that they have backups of audio equipment in case one fails or that someone new wants to say a toast.

In conclusion, a Cheshire wedding videographer transcends the conventional role of a mere recorder; they are artisans of storytelling. Through a thorough blend of filming techniques, editing skills, a keen eye and presence on the day, and a profound knack for observation, they craft a narrative that cements the emotions and memories of a couple’s most cherished day. They transform moments into a timeless story that unfolds every time the film is watched, embodying the magic of true storytelling.

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