| If your wedding video consists only of raw | | | | However, if you're using VHS or another analog |
| footage shot by friends and relatives because | | | | format, before viewing the footage, be sure to |
| your budget had no room for professional | | | | reset the video player's counter to 00:00:00 for |
| videography services, don't despair. You can still | | | | each tape before you begin logging. You will also |
| have a beautifully edited video by doing it yourself | | | | rate or "comment" on each one of your log |
| or hiring a video editor. In either case you can | | | | entries according to its suitability (e.g., "don't use," |
| save substantial time and money by first | | | | "must use," "so-so," "really bad"), or any other |
| organizing the footage yourself with the help of a | | | | notes that you wish to remember about a |
| secret tool called "logging." Logging is a process | | | | particular shot. Once the logging is complete, and |
| whereby you review/playback the footage and | | | | you have selected all the shots you want to use, |
| write down or "log" the starting and stopping | | | | you will have a blueprint for editing the video. This |
| times, per the time code, of your preferred | | | | "blueprint" will have the added benefit of |
| shots. You can make your own log sheets simply | | | | substantially reducing the time you or an editor |
| by taking blank pieces of paper (8 1/2 x 11) and | | | | spends in the editing suite. Since most professional |
| drawing grids containing rows and columns. At the | | | | editors charge by the hour, this can result in |
| top of the page you can have rows and columns | | | | significant cost savings. Video editing is the |
| in which you insert basic information about the | | | | process of building a video program, shot by shot, |
| program you are editing. For example, you will | | | | by electronically cutting and splicing the raw |
| want rows for the name of the wedding, the | | | | footage, in order to tell a story in the most |
| date, the name of the cameraperson, and the | | | | seamless, compelling and entertaining way. Editing |
| videotape cassette number. This is important if | | | | allows you to keep the good and dump the bad, |
| the footage comes from more than one camera | | | | thereby creating a finished product that is more |
| that used more than one tape. This way you will | | | | than the sum of its parts. Picture the footage as |
| know who shot the footage and which videotape | | | | a very long chain. The footage, like a chain, is |
| cassette your are logging. Don't forget to have a | | | | made up of individual shots or "links". You select |
| place where you can number your log sheets (e.g. | | | | and assemble the shots or "links" together to tell |
| Page ___ of ___). This helps to keep you from | | | | your story. Video editing is a very creative and |
| getting lost when you have multiple log sheets | | | | exhilarating process. However, you might want to |
| pages. Now add about twenty-five rows, divided | | | | resist the temptation to channel Steven Spielberg, |
| into four columns. Head the columns as follows: | | | | by getting carried away with effects like too |
| "Action" "Start" "Stop" "Comments". As you play | | | | much slow motion, or using every wipe and |
| back the tapes, write down the specific action | | | | dissolve in you editing program's arsenal. |
| you are viewing (e.g., "entrance of first | | | | Remember... this is about the bride and groom and |
| bridesmaid," or "mother of bride being escorted to | | | | not about you and your burgeoning editing talents. |
| seat," etc.) Write down the time code when the | | | | Whether you decide to edit the footage yourself |
| action starts and then write down the time code | | | | or hire a professional editor, using the secret tool, |
| when the action stops. Most newer digital | | | | "logging" will put you well on your way toward |
| cameras place an automatic time code on your | | | | having a beautifully edited wedding video that you |
| footage. (The time code isn't really "on" your | | | | will treasure forever. |
| footage, but is a part of the playback display.) | | | | |