Assuming you’re familiar with using a non-linear editing software program, here are some techniques to use when editing your client’s wedding videos.
File Management
Before getting started, be absolutely sure you have enough storage space!
If you shot with multiple video cameras, you’ll definitely need enough gigabytes before importing. Wedding footage takes up LOTS of space--even if you have just one camera! First create a new project on your non-linear editing software program and be sure to set a new scratch disk before importing any of the footage. Poor file management can be a nightmare, especially when editing! Once you’ve started a new project and have a new scratch disk, you may begin digitizing the footage.
Capturing
Before capturing your footage, be sure to select the appropriate settings (e.g. if you shot in 60 fps, be sure the capture settings are the same.)
If you shot with more than one video camera, capturing will assumedly be more time consuming and of course take up more gigabytes. The entire wedding ceremony, from each camera, will need to be captured in real time. Therefore if you had 3 cameras recording a 45-minute service, it will take just over 2 hours to digitize the entire service (and this is just the service!). Be sure to organize and digitally label everything you capture so it will be easier to locate for later. For instance, Service Cam 1 --you’ll instantly know that this was camera 1 (in the back-or wherever you placed the camera during the service).
When capturing the reception and/ or other footage, such as the bride getting ready or the bouquet toss, to save time and gigabytes, it’s best to simply import the footage you prefer to use, even if you wind up not using it at all. *It’s best to capture, from each camera, the footage you have that actually plays out: first dance, cake cutting, bouquet toss, garter toss, etc. The other shots, such as cutaways of flower arrangements, wedding gifts, candles burning, etc. should be captured in separate clips for easy access.
