5/4/2015
Videography etiquette is a subtle subject, quite literally. Videography and photography etiquette are extremely similar so take this advice even if you shoot stills. Dealing with People A big aspect of videography etiquette is dealing with people. There is also the toss up of being subtle or being obtrusive. Being subtle often means you are not in the centre of attention. This means you will need a long lens such as a 70-200. This can make getting the special shot hard. This is often what you have to deal with when shooting event such as weddings or funerals. The bonus of being subtle is that you don't take any attention away from the intended target. This is the kind of way I like to act when shooting an event. To still achieve brilliant shots I use a long lens such as the Canon 70-200. When shooting with a long lens you need a stable tripod as any vibration is amplified when using a long lens. Being obtrusive means, that you stick your camera in the perfect position to capture the shot, without considering anyone else's view. The obvious disadvantage of this is you take away the attention from the centre of attention. This means that the audience often get distracted and the centre of attention can get distracted. There is a huge benefit of being obtrusive. You capture the best possible shot. Capturing the best shot possible means you increase your reputation but it can also can have negative effects. If you get in the way too much, often the event manager or bride and groom will be peeved. This can lead to bad comments about you. And no one wants that. Often when dealing with people you have to get the balance of being obtrusive and being subtle. This means that you still capture amazing shots but still are subtle. Finding this balance is really a game of trial and error. Don't expect to get it right first time around. Another great way to get the balance right is to just ask. Whether dealing with a wedding client or a event just ask who ever hired you how subtle or intrusive they want you to be. Often they will just straight out tell you, this means that you will always please them in the end. Dealing with Property If you're shooting on private property I recommend you seek the permission of the owner. This is just common sense. How would you feel if someone wondered onto your property and started filming. All you have to do find who owns the property (ask someone). Ask the owner if you can film on their property. It's that simple, nothing to it. 99 times out of a 100 the owner will say yes and thank you for seeking permission. Filming on property is easy. Additional Information When shooting on public there are a few things you might want to consider. Filming identification. What I mean by this is don't accidentally film car number plates, etcetera. There are many legal issues with this and they are all complicated. To avoid this just don't film them. In the worst case scenario you will have to blur them out in post production. But this is a strenuous task as you have to make the filter move to cover the identification. Communicating with Clients Communicating with clients is a big part of being a videographer. There is no way to avoid it. So just embrace it. It's important to understand how to communicate properly with clients. This will increase your business opportunities and your reputation. Many people struggle with communicating with clients. This can make your life and your client's life stressful. Here are some tips for being brilliant at communicating with your client. 1. Be Proactive Email, text or call your client. They aren't going to do it, they are organising hundreds of things. Make their life easier by being proactive and don't let them worry about you. Assure them that you are organised and know what you are doing. 2. Ask Questions Don't be embarrassed about asking questions to make sure you know everything. Asking questions will make sure on the day you will be confident about the plan and what is happening next. We are always learning so never feel embarrassed when asking questions. 3.Have your Client ask You Questions. This one sounds weird but it is quite simple. If your client has any questions make sure you answer them. This makes their life easier, therefore making your life easier. If your client has no doubts or questions they will be happy with you. Don't ever leave your client in the dark. 4. Meet in Person No matter how much you communicate online its best to have one meeting in person. This allows the client to see who you really are. This also allows them to put some trust in you. It's hard to put a lot of trust in someone you have only talked to online. This is a brilliant way of making sure your client is confident in you. Conclusion There is an art to being a great communicator and being well mannered. Remember to get a balance of being obtrusive and subtle. Be a great communicator by being proactive, asking questions and having meetings. This is a surefire way to make sure you are great with dealing with your clients. |
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