Here is an overview of the genres used in wedding
videography.
Journalistic or Documentary -
This style is the traditional style that most people are familiar with.
It follows the day as it happens. The videographer uses one
camera stays in the background to record a candid account of the day from
beginning to end. The camera is typically mounted on a tripod and
there is very little variation in the angle of view. Some
videographers include interviews and/or guest commentary. This
long-form, raw-looking product is usually around two hours in length.
Typically, the full ceremony and the toasts are included in their entirety.
Very little, if any, editing is done. The drawback to this style is
that they tend to be boring and they are only watched once or twice.
Cinematic -
Dramatic effect and mood are the signature features of this style of wedding
product. Your footage is transformed into a wedding movie. The
videographer records the events of the day as they happen, however, the
difference is the way the footage is captured. The camera is often
handheld by the videographer enabling her to use creative composition and
movement to enhance the story. The videographer interacts with the
bridal party and guests quite a bit more than with the Journalistic genre
and may pause or direct the events from time to time as necessary to get the
desired shots. Editing is another huge difference. Cinematic
movies are highly edited and highly creative. Enhancements such as
slow motion and dreamy dissolves intertwined with black and white imagery
and set to music make the movie flow seamlessly from beginning to end.
Couples who select the Cinematic style rarely use the fast-forward button
and watch their movies again and again. Cinematic wedding movies run
sixty to ninety minutes in length.
Short Form Edit -
As the name implies, this style is highly edited and uses timeshift
techniques to tell the story of the day. Often the editing is anchored
around one of the day's events like one of the toasts or one of the
scriptures from the ceremony. Short form edits tend to be more
Cinematic in style due to the shooting style utilized to enhance the drama
and emotion of the day. The length runs from fifteen to fifty minutes.
Nostalgic -
Videos of this style incorporate a montage of still photographs of the bride
and groom from birth through their school years, college and courtship.
The video then shows scenes from the ceremony and reception and finally ends
with a montage of still photographs from the honeymoon. Sometimes the
footage is narrated and interviews with family and friends are included.
Music and special effects can be added.
