I recall the first time I visited Walt Disney World (WDW) with my handy camcorder (hereafter referred to as camcorders) I envisioned myself as the next Steven Spielberg because, after all, I had one entire year of experience videotaping. This experience included such things as soccer games, dance recitals and Christmas.
I soon learned however that a WDW vacation offers a different approach to videotaping and learned some hard lessons regarding what does and doesn’t work.
Over the years I have compiled more than 200 hours of footage from family vacations and have found that experience is truly the best teacher.
In this session I will share with everyone what this experience has brought me and provide ideas to make your taping experience rewarding and memorable.
A World of Videographers
This is true. Since the late ’70s and early ’80s there have been a gazillion camcorders sold and we have become a planet of videographers. I’m assuming that all eyes reading here have at one time or another have looked through a viewfinder or at an LED screen. I’m not here to tell you how to videotape. I’m here to offer suggestions in how to videotape your time at WDW.
Be a Scout: Be Prepared
In our last session we talked about preparation. It’s worth a quick review. Before leaving your hotel room for the day make sure you have two fully charged batteries and two tapes to capture whatever you have planned for that day. You do not want to be caught short on power or media at any time.
You should also have a plan in place. This plan is a general idea of what you will be doing for that day and an idea of what you want to tape and how you will do it.
Make this a habit. Try to always look ahead as to what you envision your day will be so you are prepared to deal with all taping opportunities. It doesn’t hurt to plan.
Also, take your camera with you at all times.
On one of my earlier trips I decided one morning to leave my camera at the room thinking, “There’s nothing special to tape today.” Unfortunately that day in The Magic Kingdom my children ran into almost every character imaginable. That was a very long and frustrating morning but it taught me a lesson: Regardless of how well you plan your day there will always be unplanned video opportunities that you would never expect. Hence it’s good to have your camera with you and ready at all times.
Having the camera ready means that tape is in, battery is in and the lens cap is off. At the minimum once you’ve passed a theme park’s security check you should have your camera lens cap off.
Why Directors Yell “Action!”
I can honestly say this is a mistake, probably the only one that I never made. How many times have you witnessed someone videotaping family or friends and saying, “Smile and wave at the camera?” Arrrrgh. What results is footage of some very stiff subjects “forcing” movement or smiles … very unnatural. I’ve seen more natural behavior in the Carousel of Progress.
One of the most important things to remember is to always try to capture natural and, if possible, candid footage of your subjects. The last time I looked my family were not in the Actor’s Guild so I don’t have to, nor want to, yell “Scopa family vacation, Scene 1, Act 1 — Action!”
When videotaping your family at WDW, let them do their thing and videotape every moment you want, just don’t impair their enjoyment and natural actions. Sometimes when you say, “Look here and wave,” you will get an animatronics movement out of your children. Is that natural?”
Try to be a fly on the wall… what a difference.
Here’s an example. The first time I brought my children to WDW we stayed a few days at the Contemporary Resort. On the day we arrived we parked in the Contemporary parking lot and I told my wife and children to go on ahead as I had to get our reservations out. I would catch up to them.
I trailed them by some 100 feet and without their knowledge had the camera on them. I captured my wife holding hands with my children as they walked toward the Contemporary; a noticeable skip in their step and some excitement as each one, as if almost on cue, would from time to time point to something with an air of excitement in their movement.
Would I be able to capture that emotion if I was ahead of them and told them to look at the building and smile?
The point here is to avoid the pitfall of making your family either sit still for videos or direct them while you are taping. Do not take still videos. That’s what digital cameras are for. Do not be a director. The best footage you can capture is natural and candid footage… if you direct you will flush personalities… and don’t you want to capture your family’s personalities as well?
Parades and Nighttime Spectaculars
I’m guessing that next to character meetings the most obvious time most camcorders are churning are during parades. So what’s the best way to tape a parade?
Here are some guidelines for parade taping:
- Know the parade route. Where does it start? Where does it end? Knowing the direction of the parade will also help you decide where you want to stand to tape the parade.
- Take note of the sun. After knowing the parade route, the next important condition to consider for daytime parades is where the sun will be during the parade. Always try to have the sun behind you so that you will not be looking into it when taping. Don’t laugh. I see many people taping from across the street from me and they are looking into the sun. They soon realize that their video subjects look fairly dark because of the contrast. We want the sun shining directly on the floats.
- Be a good citizen. I try not to be in anyone’s way when I tape a parade. I do this by sitting on a curb with my back to a trashcan or leaning up against a pole or something so that the people behind me can watch the parade without having to look through me.
- It goes without saying that the early bird catches the worm and, in this case, my advice is to be at your spot at least 45 minutes before daytime parades and about 90 minutes before nighttime parades (depending of course on the time of year and the crowd levels).
When it comes to nighttime spectaculars such as Wishes or Illuminations the following guidelines should be kept in mind:
- Understand what you’ll be seeing. If you have seen neither Wishes nor Illuminations and you expect to see them more than once during your stay do not tape the show the first time you see it. Enjoy the show and think about what you are seeing and hearing.
- Once you have seen the show you will have a good idea as to what you’ll be taping and more importantly where you want to be when you tape it.
- When choosing a spot to tape fireworks keep in mind that music is a big part of the show. Get a sense as to where the speakers are and try to get the best of both worlds. That is you want to achieve the best visual and best audio placement of the camera for capturing the event.
- A note about Illuminations. You may need to make some decisions regarding how you tape this event. That is, your positioning around the World Showcase Lagoon may determine which portion of World Showcase will be captured and which portion (pavilions) will not be captured. Here’s a tip: If you are interested primarily in capturing the video globe you may want to position yourself about 100 yards to the left of the American Gardens pavilion. Shhh. Don’t give this tip to anyone else.
- I guess a note about Wishes should follow that. Without spoiling the surprise ending to Wishes let me suggest that taping this event should be done between the Partners statue (Walt and Mickey) and the Magic Kingdom Train Station… although I suggest you try and be at least halfway down on Main Street. Remember the speakers.
Again it’s really an advantage if you can see these events more than once. If this is the case don’t worry about taping it the first time. Instead enjoy the show and “scout” it for your taping session.
Taping Shows
There are no real secrets to successful taping of WDW theme park shows. However, here are some things that have worked for me over the years and could also help you:
- I’m an early bird and if I can possibly position myself well in advance before the show begins then I’ve accomplished half the battle. I look for seats where I can ensure that I can capture the entire performance.
- Being up close is not always the best location when taping a show. If you are looking at a stage like the one for Beauty & The Beast at Disney-MGM Studios or Tarzan Rocks in Disney’s Animal Kingdom then you should think about being at least one-third back from the stage. Remember, the farther back you are the less need there will be for you to turn from side to side to capture both the left and right portions of the stage.
- Learn to zoom. Sure you know where the zoom button is on your camera but do you use it right? I have found that the best time to use the zoom during a show is when one or two or maybe three performers are singing and they are not moving around. It’s best to—pay attention—zoom in slowly until you have them all in sight.
- As you sense the end of their song slowly zoom out. Practice the slow zoom.
- Here’s a tip for Fantasmic! If you’ve never attended Fantasmic! take advantage of the dinner package so that you do not have to wait some 90 minutes for the show. Also, if you sit toward the center of the theater you will be in a good position to videotape the live action but not the water screen videos. If you want a better angle on one of the water screens, I suggest sitting on the right side of the theater.
- Again, don’t worry about trying to get a seat in the first few rows… try to grab something halfway up.
- Space Mountain (Magic Kingdom)
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (Magic Kingdom)
- Test Track (Epcot)
- Mission: Space (Epcot)
- Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (Disney-MGM Studios)
- Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster (Disney-MGM Studios)
- Kali River Rapids (Disney’s Animal Kingdom)
- Dinosaur (Disney’s Animal Kingdom)
-
Attractions
Remember my point about fireworks displays and the notion of experiencing them first before taping them? The same rule holds true here. If you are visiting WDW for the first time enjoy your initial experience with the attractions. You most likely will revisit those you enjoy or would like to tape.
Get a sense as to where the sights and sounds are for these attractions so you will be ready to tape when you return to the attraction.
The most important thing to remember before you “load” into an attraction is whether you will sit on the left or right side of the attraction vehicle.
I’d like to point out some attractions I do not recommend taping for safety reasons:
These attractions should be on everyone’s list as the one’s you do not tape because it’s next to impossible to hold the camera securely for some or all parts of the attraction. It isn’t said much but even today there are guests who still try to videotape their Space Mountain experience. I’m sure sometime during the year the bottom of Space Mountain will include a smashed camcorder among the other objects that find their way out of the ride vehicles.
Characters, Streetmosphere, Etc.
You will find that some of the best footage you will get during your stay will be the interaction between your family and the characters, Streetmosphere or performers (Dapper Dans, etc.).
When it comes to camcorders and guests these cast members know what they are doing. Let them perform for you. When dealing with your family and characters just keep the camera rolling and do not direct the action.
Play along with the Streetmosphere. Don’t be a wise guy. You will find that if you play up to their character that they will in turn perform for you.
Extra Precautions
If possible always check your day’s taping that evening. Bring the necessary cables to hook up your camera to your hotel room television. It’s exciting for the family to relive their day and also gives you an opportunity to see how you did and if there is room for improvement or even if you need to video something again.
Once you have completed a tape, break or flip the tab on it to prevent taping over your footage. Label the tape as soon as possible to indicate what is on the tape.
Hopefully this session has given everyone some thoughts as to how to go about videotaping their next family vacation at WDW. Will you make some mistakes? Probably. Don’t worry. You will most likely be satisfied with your total body of work because you will find some very special moments to capture forever.
Next time
In our final look at capturing memories at WDW we will discuss the fine art of still photography and how to make the most out those shots.
Class dismissed.
