Flow of a Film
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There’s only one Goal: HOOK the Audience
Make me want to watch their film within the first 6 seconds.
Meaning this is not the time for a drone shot or flat lay detail. Throw us right into a moment.
I like when there is a strong opening line or special moment.
I also really like a “cold open” meaning starting right in the middle of an emotionally charged moment.
The goal is to get people feeling something before they actually see it. Then we build the rest of the story around that emotional center.
I try to match the energy in the beginning to the couple. So fun couple gets a fun intro. Sentimental couple gets a sentimental intro.
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Have a Clear Theme or Story Arc
I don’t want my films to all feel the exact same or basically be in the same order and just recap the day. So the fix for this is to have a clear theme, start the film with that as an emotional center, and then basically layer in the narrative and different parts of the day in an order that builds on that core theme.
What did the day reveal about this couple that’s unique?
Ex. they didn’t kiss for 3 years, they’ve been together for 10. They’ve overcome adversity, they’re adventurous, they’ve made the friend group stronger, went through long distance, are opposites or the same, etc.
The best films ask specific questions, explore why it matters, and then pay off that curiosity near the end. This is how you can piece together the story of the day and the couple.
It’s also the key for finding music that fits with the feeling of the couple. You want music that matches their theme.
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Who they are, how they met, what makes their story special.
Try to be balanced in talking about both of them.
I typically show them getting ready or going through the day while we talk about them.
Do your best to build anticipation by showing what they’ve gone through to get here today.
You can use story session footage to enhance this.
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I try to build anticipation to the ceremony through music, showing guests arriving, officiant narration, etc.
When the bride walks down the aisle and he sees her, I want it to be a big moment in the music.
I don’t edit this purely chronologically. I usually use their words to each other to build the anticipation for them walking down the aisle.
I usually let the officiant narrate this section, but add their vows or words from others to supplement.
Vows
If they say personal vows, I definitely want to hear the best parts of those.
For the repeat after me vows, I typically cut them together so it’s like they are talking to each other.
I usually do not include what they say with rings, but show that as b-roll.
If it’s possible to weave in affirmation from a friend / family member around this time, I find that often helps.
Usually switch to a new song that’s fun once they kiss. Immediately enter celebration.
I like to use fun exciting b-roll post-ceremony. Not reception detail shots.
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I love when near the end of the film, we come back to the theme that we introduced in the very beginning.
Perhaps even the same speaker from the intro now giving us the conclusion answering the big question of the film.
Bring us back to the same energy/feeling that we had in the beginning.
Adding some little impromptu funny or sentimental moments helps it feel real.
This video kinda walks through the process I try to follow when editing wedding films. Most importantly, we just want it to feel like it’s personalized and reflects the couple’s story (not just following a template).
I try to have key moments for the day such as the first look or bride walking down the aisle hit at climax points in the music as well. That way you maximize the effect.
The Intro
I would like to start the film in 1 of these 2 ways.
Powerful Opening Line
Wayward North does this in a lot of his films and I love it.
The film on the right is a great example of a more sentimental moment, but it can also be a fun one like “let’s party!!”
Cold Open
A super fun moment in their reception or getting ready.
Something emotional like their first look or a powerful/poetic line from their ceremony
Super beautiful shot of them with someone introducing the theme of their story.
Don’t just dip your toes into the story, jump right to the deep end. Show us where we’re going. Stop the scroll.
You can also mix these two and have a powerful line somewhat as voice over while a moment is playing out. Like some powerful quote as they’re walking down the aisle after first kiss in slow mo.
Finding Music
I typically use this framework when choosing songs.
The Basics
I use Musicbed for all of my songs.
I try to keep all of the songs in the same key.
I really don’t like when it feels like “wedding music.” Use music that complements the story, listen to the words that are being said, find a song that complements that.
I love when some of the words in the song relate to what the couple has been saying.
I typically have an intro “tone-setting” song, a ceremony song, and then a celebration song. So 3 total.
B-Roll + A-Roll
Premise: B-Roll should complement the A-Roll
Ex. When you hear heartfelt vows from the couple, don’t want to pair that with detail shots of the reception. Instead, you want to actually see the couple.
In exciting moments like post-ceremony, you don’t want to immediately see cocktail hour shots, you want to see celebration and excitement and hugs.
I would rather see an authentic moment play out than cut it short because of 5 kinda random b-roll shots.
For first looks, first dances, parent dances, walking down the aisle, etc. Allow the moments to breathe. Slow down the pacing a little bit, let us feel the actual moment. For moments like the party, feel free to speed up the pacing and show it more montage style sometimes.
Be really selective on like random shots of flowers or flatlays and stuff. I very rarely like using those shots.
Use slow motion sparingly, if at all. Especially during genuine moments like a first look or something, don’t slow it down and effectively turn it into b-roll. I like for genuine moments to play out and feel genuine.
When you do use slow motion, use it intentionally for moments like the grand entrance or ceremony recessional. Moments that you want to “slow down + relive forever”
Color Grading
I am sending proxy clips, so no need for detailed color grading.
I recommend using this to get a base grade for editing, and then I will tweak it after you send it to me.
Sound Design
This is typically the final step in editing for me, but it definitely adds a lot to the film when there is at least some basic sound design.
I would love if you guys could add at least some ambient sounds + foley or in-camera audio when needed. For example, when people are laughing or there’s a champagne pop, etc. I like to actually hear it.