01 Camera profiles & video settings
SonyS-Cinetone
Profile
S-CINETONEFormat
XAVC S HDStandard · LGOPResolution
1080 / 50pBit depth
10-bit · 4:2:0CanonStandard
Profile
STANDARDFormat
XF-AVC S LGOPStandard · LGOPResolution
1080 / 50pBit depth
10-bit · 4:2:0No log profiles — ever
Flat or log footage cannot be used directly in our edit pipeline without grading. If you're unsure whether your current profile is a log profile, check now before the day.
If you're not sure — ask Kristy before the wedding.
02 Wide / static cam
Tripod CamCeremony aisle · Reception speeches · First dance
Resolution
4K / 25pSetupLocked on tripod — do not handhold for this role
03 Card handling
Your master card
Keep your master card in your possession. Do not hand it in.
Retain all master footage for a minimum of 1 week post-wedding as backup, until CineMotive confirms the footage is captured.
Dual card recording
Use the CineMotive slot 2 card provided to you for your secondary recording slot. This card is returned to us.
04 Audio · general coverage
Mic typeOn-camera external shotgun micPreferred wherever possible
MonitoringMonitor recording levels throughout the dayCamera audio is regularly used in edits — bad levels cost us in post
05 Camera setups · ceremony coverage
Greek Orthodox
Church camera coverage
Processional · bride walking in
11st Shooter
On the altar
24-70mm · or 50mm
- Position up on the altar for the bridal processional
- Capture the bride walking down the aisle toward you
22nd Shooter
Among the guests
- Groom reaction, plus a second POV of the bride walking in
- Shoot through the gaps between guests — a guest's POV
- Hold your ground until the father passes the bride to the groom and they're in position
- Then move to the altar to manage the locked-off cams
CriticalMake sure the wide cam is running before the bride walks in on the altar.
Altar locked-off cams · left side facing the altar
Two locked cams on tripods. 2nd shooter manages these once in position — shoot for the long-form doco edit.
WideBridal party
24mm · or 20mm
- Mount just above waist height so photographers can shoot over it
- Frame the bridal party lined up during the ceremony
- On key moments — when they circle the altar — turn the camera to follow
Long lensPriest action
70-200mm · or 24-70mm
- Stay on the priest's action; reposition within the altar for the angle
- Zoom into priests or chanters as the moment calls — keep observing
- 3rd cam (if available): hold it for altar B-roll. Priority stays on the two tripod cams.
1st Shooter · B-roll & creative
Roam and capture the essence of the ceremony.
- Guest POV
- Wide shots from the back of the church
- Through the candles
- Tight close-up of the crowning and the wine from the altar — almost front-on
- Move to middle position as they prepare to circle the altar 3 times
- Hold the middle aisle through to the final kiss
- Both shooters: capture the family greetings on the altar — especially immediate family
Audio · Greek ceremony
Lapel on the groom
Audio on the chanters' lectern
Priest if possible
Set up firstRecorder on a height light stand, pointed at a working wall speaker. This is the go-to audio for the edit — it covers everything. Confirm the speaker is working before anything else.
06 Camera setups · ceremony coverage
Catholic
Church camera coverage
Processional · bride walking in
11st Shooter
Handheld
24-70mm · or 50mm
- Capture the bridesmaids and the bride walking down the aisle
22nd Shooter
Among the guests
- Groom reaction, plus a second POV of the bride walking in
- Shoot through the gaps between guests — a guest's POV
- Hold your ground until the father passes the bride to the groom and they're in position
Ceremony cams
WideMiddle aisle
- Not too high, not too close to the altar
- Pull back and keep the tripod slightly left of the aisle — leave room to walk past, and for photographers to shoot the wide from the middle aisle
ResolutionThis is the cam to set at 4K.
Long lens ×2Left + right
- Document the priest, readers and vows
- Set both back from the altar at similar distances
- Communicate — agree who stays on the readers
WideBalcony
- Add a wide from the balcony if possible
Total rig
2× long lens
1× wide cam
1× mobile B-roll · 1st shooter
+ try to capture the musician
Audio · Catholic ceremony
Lapel on the lectern for readers
Lapel on the groom
Lapel on the priest
Audio on the musicians
Line-out from the in-house audio system if possible
Set up firstRecorder on a height light stand, pointed at a working wall speaker. Go-to audio for the edit — it covers everything. Confirm the speaker is working before anything else.
