[Al Herr]

Hey thanks Mark.
Good advice…
Another thing that has come up is the finished DVD.
Selling copies to the riders…. in my proposal I don’t know how or if
we should split these revenues.

My proposal so far is scaring me – on duty for 24/7 (somewhat) for a week, and then editing and DVD production… I am in the $3-4,000 range already but I am willing to come down as I am very hungry and losing weight as we speak. Having never done a shoot like this before is making it difficult.

Al

alchemyvideo.biz

[Al Herr]

yea Doug the previous guy shot from the back of an SUV and his footage was at times too shaky but how else you gonna do it. I would think this would be less shaky then a bike cam.

I have a PDX 10 and think a stabilizer might be helpful for this at some point. Now that I think about it I don’t have an SUV….. I think this is going to be imperative or else I am going to be doing it Le Tour de france style – out of a car window.

thanks for comments,
Al

alchemyvideo.biz

[Al Herr]

Hey Mark,
Thanks a lot – lots of help and I think you are on the right track as the client said one of the points not covered previously was the setting and historic sites along the way. So I am thinking of getting the radio guy to provide commentary of different sites. The main prob with the previous effort was no structure to the video – no reason to watch.

Your way of coming up with the story/documentary I think is the way to go and one I had not thought enough about. I have never filmed anything like this and since it is not a race I can’t go in that direction. I need to improvise as you say. Getting the riders story before the race would work and be easier. I think I will now focus on 3 very different riders and follow them through the week and merge this with commentary about the sites they pass and then try to sell this footage to the towns or see if they can use it somehow – I would like my footage to be usable by several groups of people: the riders, the towns, and the organization for the ride.

I also thought of putting daily highlights on their website ….
I mainly will be shooting during the AM until 1-2:00 and then just bits
of nightlife.

Anytips on how to charge for this…. The ride lasts for a week and I will there 24-7 but only need to shoot just so much. Travel, equipment, gas… Lodging will be provided free I would think… plus I am going to have to come up with some music that I can use legally.

The previous guy had a good technique of filming a local band and intercutting that with the ride – broke the monotony but probably not interesting for the riders. His voice was always on the tape to asking the questions and that is something I would try to avoid.
Al

alchemyvideo.biz

[Al Herr]

Thanks Mark.
I will take a look.

So far I have added animation to the intro and some thought balloons during the ceremony. It is goign pretty well. Once I embraced the cheese- ideas started to flow.

Al

[Al Herr]

Ok fellas those are some good ideas…
I am limited though to FCP3 and Photoshop Elements.
I believe I can pull off the Home Improv. effect after Doug’s description.

I am also trying to go in the direction of cheesy story not just effects… like doing some slow mo of different people dancing to show who is the best dancer in slow mo etc.., I think my recept is my main focus for fun – what the heck can one do TO a ceremony without coming off sacriligeous.

Also the couples first date was at Starbucks so I am incorporating coffee whenever I can like when the Groom and 2 officiants came out they were standing left to right in perfect height order so I added
“Tall, Grande, Venti” below them – stuff like that… she said cheese.
Bride also mentioned Mystery Science Theater with the talking objects on screen. No problem coming up with the characters to use but what the heck do they say ? Everything I came up with sounds like I am making fun of a wedding and the couple.

I also videoed there rehearsal dinner where friends roasted and toasted them and I have that footage but not sure how to use it yet.

I also had the groom on wireless mic and talking before he came out to the altar- wide range of subjects with the groomsmen….
Their cake toppeer was a bride dragging a groom to the altar. I
should have noted that more!!!
I appreciate all the ideas.
Thanks,
Al

[Al Herr]

Oh did anyone else at the reception have a video camera…?

a family member once saved my but.

Al

[Al Herr]

I would talk to them first and let them do all the talking just to make sure everyone
knows what if anything is bothering them. I have been surprised before in situations like this thinking I had screwed up and they didn’t notice and VICE VERSA.
or perhaps you already have…

if the conversation doesn’t go well I wouldn’t necessarily make a decision right then and there how to compensate them – the reason is I usually never make good decisions in the heat of the battle… I wait – tell them I am going to consider how best to compensate them… maybe get a “sorry note” from Joe – yea sounds wishy but weddings are terribly psychological and you want them to know you tried everything and that Joe feels bad unless he doesn’t.

Play chess – try to end positive…

based on the camera work you describe I would offer several copies of the DVD for free
UNLESS the wedding video was 2 hours long and everything else Joe did was great.
But it sounds like it is only a 30 minute job so I would definitely compensate.
Sounds to me like you are on right track.
Al

[Al Herr]

Everytime I think of WEVA I always think of that Groucho quote;
something like: “I won’t join any organization that would have me as a member.”

Al

and man it works; I have never joined.

[Al Herr]

I had the same problem but using a Sony PDX10.
What I did was to put some velcro on the on the bottom of the receiver and attached it to the top of the tripod where the legs meets there is some “shelf” space. So the tripod head is up and the receiver is down below on top of the area where the legs come together. The back of the receiver rests against the center tripod pole. I then use a watch strap to go around the receiver so between that and the velcro it is held in. Of course you can’t go running anywhere – but never fails me.

Al

[Al Herr]

Now a days at wedddings I rarely see less than 2 or 3 guests who don’t also have video cameras… perhaps a guest got the candle shot.

Al