Essentials of Indian Wedding Cinematography

As part of our #WeddingWednesday Series, Marigold Events (ME) interviewed Nathan Delack of Delack Media Group (DMG) about the Indian Wedding Cinematography. We asked Nathan about how Indian Wedding Videos have evolved over the years, and what the latest trends are. Delack Media Group is a boutique cinematography studio providing the latest in modern wedding films.

ME: How do you feel videography/ cinematography has evolved for Indian Weddings in the past few years?

DMG: In the past, couples were looking for their wedding day to be captured on video from start to finish. That usually meant an extremely long, and often times, boring wedding video.

Nowadays, more and more couples are looking for a studio that can film their wedding day and turn it into a movie. It makes the film more exciting, fun, and emotional for everyone to watch.

ME: How is filming an Indian Wedding different than other weddings?

DMG: Indian weddings have so many different cultural aspects than other weddings we’ve filmed. The multi-day events offer so much color, music and tradition that make the wedding film so interesting and beautiful.

The emotional aspect of the vidai is something you don’t see in any other but Indian weddings. We’ve had fans of our work tell us that they cry when watching that part of the video, and they don’t even know the bride!

The Baraat is also something that is the perfect backdrop for a great wedding film. The music and anticipation of the groom entering the venue makes for extremely captivating video.

ME: How can Indian brides keep themselves updated about the latest video technology?

DMG: Brides who are interested in the technical aspects of video should just give their cinematography studio a call.

We use DSLR cameras, like the Canon 5d Mark ii, which give us a High Definition image.  We can also use cinematic tools like the Steadicam, camera crane, and aerial footage to simulate camera movements you might see in big budget movies.

Every studio uses different cameras, and most of us use varying editing equipment. It’s really not about what the cinematographer is using to capture your wedding with, it’s how he or she uses it. Expertise, creativity and experience are more important than what camera is used.

ME: What are some of the new video editing styles that are emerging?

DMG: You’re going to be seeing a lot more short form wedding films.  Gone are the days of the 2-4 hour wedding video.  That’s the old style of videotaping weddings.  Now, wedding videos are wedding films.  The duration of your wedding film can vary (usually anywhere from 5-30 minutes in length-depending on how much material your cinematographer has to work with).  Also, a lot of studios are now offering movie-style trailers.  They’re usually a 2-4 minute recap of your wedding events (similar to a movie trailer) posted online or uploaded to your mobile device.

ME: What are some of the angles that you explore in while filming a wedding?

DMG: We’re always looking for unique and interesting ways to film Indian weddings.  With so much color and culture, it’s not hard for us to find a unique perspective.  Our goal is to present your wedding day to you from a completely different angle.

ME: How do videographers and photographers work collaboratively with each other?

DMG: It’s very important that you choose a photographer and videographer/cinematographer that respect each other’s craft. They don’t need to have worked with each other before (although it is ideal!), but it certainly helps if they are both respectful and mindful of each other’s working environment.

We do our best not to get in front of a photographer’s camera when they are shooting because we want our client to have the best photos possible. It’s important that the photographer is aware of where the videographer is at all times as well so that they don’t accidentally ruin a great shot.

ME: How do you go about doing the sound check, when it comes to recording the ceremony, speeches and toasts during reception?

DMG: Before the ceremony starts, we meet the priest and DJ/Band.  We put a microphone on the priest and check his levels.  We also connect our audio recording equipment to the reception sound board and make sure that all of our levels are adequate for a good recording.

ME: How do you maintain proper lighting for the optimum video quality?

DMG: Our equipment does pretty well in low light.  Video technology has evolved quite a bit over the past few years.  A general rule of thumb is that if your photographer needs a flash to capture the moment, the lighting might be too dark for our video camera.  We do have lights that we can bring along, but recommend that you talk with your cinematographer about the lighting you have planned for your venue.

ME: What are some things that brides should keep in mind while selecting their videographer?

DMG: Before contacting a videography studio, a bride should have a vision about what she wants her wedding film to look like. Is she looking for a long video that captures the day in its entirety, or does she want something more intensely edited and more modern looking with a storyline to it?

Most companies don’t offer both styles, so it’s important to know what you are looking for in advance.

Even though the more intensely edited and creative looking films are shorter than a long-form wedding video, they typically cost more money. For many brides, the higher price tag is worth it because you’re getting a more skilled craftsman and a higher end product.

If a luxury film is out of your budget, we recommend cutting back in other areas to accommodate a great cinematographer. You can’t put a price tag on captured memories!