At Snowbird Films, we believe that training our wedding cinematographers to capture footage that is not only impressive in style and quality, but truly epic, is the key to creating films that are truly memorable and special for our clients. That's why we have developed a unique training program that breaks down the word "EPIC" into four key areas of focus.
Everything: as a wedding cinematographer, it is essential to be aware of everything happening throughout the day and in the correct order of events. This means chatting with the venue's event organiser or toastmaster to gather as much information as possible, and approaching each wedding with fresh eyes. It's also important to listen closely to the bride, groom and organisers for clues about what they consider the most important moments to capture.
Perspective: as the storyteller, it's important to consider the perspective of the people who will watch the final film and craft a story that immerses them in the day's events. We suggest starting the day by capturing "behind the scenes" footage of an empty venue and the setup, followed by bridal details and preparations, and then the arrival of the groom — giving the viewer a VIP front row seat to all the big moments, while allowing natural reactions from friends and family to be captured during the drinks reception and quieter times.
Initiative: it's important to be prepared and in the perfect position for all the big moments, but sometimes things don't go as planned, and it's crucial to have the confidence to adapt and make things work — thinking on your feet, moving to a new location, or improvising when something unexpected happens.
Cinematic: using the art of storytelling to complement the events of the day. We encourage our cinematographers to use a variety of shooting styles and only use movement when it adds to the story, letting the action unfold naturally and using slow, cinematic shots and drone footage sparingly.
Overall, our training in the concept of "EPIC" helps our cinematographers approach each wedding with a focus on capturing everything, using perspective to tell the story, taking initiative when necessary, and using a true cinematic style to complement the events of the day.