As a Toronto videographer, I’ve spent nearly 30 years in the industry bringing clients’ ideas to life through video production. Similarly, I’ve built a strong skill set in cinematography through television work, capturing fictional stories and bringing them to life. To me, the distinction between both mediums is clear, but it struck me that many do not understand the differences between videography and cinematography.

So it dawned on me: why not write a blog about it?

Knowing the difference between videography and cinematography is crucial for clients, both current and future. How can a client know which medium best suits their needs without knowing the critical differences between them? I’m here to provide vital answers to your questions, so that you can connect your project to the right professional with the right tools and feel good about it.

In this blog, I aim to un-blur the line between videography and cinematography and highlight each medium’s unique attributes.The similarities and differences will surprise you!

FIRST, SOME CONTEXT  

For as long as cameras have been recording moving pictures, they have existed primarily to capture one thing: life. Back in 1895, the Lumière Brothers captured workers leaving a factory at the end of the day. It sounds silly, but it was the world’s first “film”, and it was earth-shattering at the time. 

From that moment onward, film cameras were utilized to bring vivid imaginations to life through fiction. The artistic medium through which these fictional scenes were painted was called cinematography. But what the Lumière Brothers captured that day in 1895– actual employees stepping out after a hard day’s work– what was that? 

That, my friends, was videography. 

OK, maybe not by technical terms (there was no such thing as “video” back then), but their very first film, cleverly titled ‘Workers Leaving the Lumière Factory’, satisfies the exact definition of videography– which is what exactly?

VIDEOGRAPHY, DEFINED

The criteria that defines videography as succinctly as possible is this: videography is the art of using video to capture a person, place, or event. 

Ever heard of a wedding videographer? They use video to capture people (brides and grooms) at a place (a church, a field, city hall) celebrating an event (marriage!). What if the aim is to record a breakdancing competition? Just swap out the players and the board– it’s still people in a place, participating in an event– therefore, videography! It should be noted that recording sound and post-production such as editing are a part of videography as well.

But aren’t movies– fictional stories– filmed with actors (people), in a film studio (place) engaging in some sort of time-sensitive mission (event)? So why is that cinematography while the visual & audio recording of a wedding falls under videography? Let me explain.

CINEMATOGRAPHY, (BRIEFLY) EXPLAINED

Here is the key difference between videography and cinematography: the point at which the people, place or event become simulated… it becomes cinematography. Characters and pre-written dialogue belong to films and cinematography, while actual humans and our various activities are caught and presented honestly through videography. Simply put, cinematography ultimately brings the written magic of a script to life, but videography turns life itself into magic.

TOOLS & TRICKS OF THE TRADES

A straightforward way to envision the difference between videography and cinematography is to consider which tools and team members are required for each. Imagine, for simplicity’s sake, that the product that results from CINEMAtography will end up in the cinema. Think of the long list of credits that follows even a low budget film (let alone a blockbuster). It seems endless! 

Many roles on that list are under the command of the puppeteering cinematographer. These roles include one camera operator per camera and their teams of assistants (usually a 1st and 2nd assistant per camera), a gaffer (head of lighting department), a key grip (head of lighting support and camera support) and all of their subordinates who carry out the details of the cinematographer’s plan. 

This delegation sends dozens of crew members to work; clipping colored gels to lights and positioning them into place, rehearsing dolly movements, SFX (special effects) members simulating fog and other visual elements. The amount of equipment needed for this level of cinematography (dollies, dolly tracks, cranes, lights, etc.) can easily fill multiple 4-ton trucks, and this is just a fraction of what a cinematographer oversees. Needless to say, it’s a lot to juggle! But it can often be more cerebral and less hands-on.

What about the videographer?

The videographer is an army of one– sometimes accompanied by one or two video production assistants– but always a condensed package of skill, knowledge and experience wrapped up into one properly-equipped professional. That videographer chooses his tools thoughtfully, for no two shoots are the same. Shooting a corporate interview? Let’s look at two versions. 

In the first scenario, the videographer has access to his clients’ breathtaking highrise corner office. A veteran of the craft will set his subject (the speaker) against the lovely view, then use one or two small lights to illuminate the subject’s face. Perhaps a third light would be used as a backlight (or hairlight) to separate the subject from the background. The result is a clearly exposed subject with a properly exposed and eye-catching background.

In the second scenario, the videographer in question does not have access to an authentic highrise backdrop. How can the same result be achieved? A properly equipped videographer can utilize a green screen setup with one portable green screen and three slender lights. Later in the post-production process, the editor or VFX (visual effects) compositor will digitally insert that missing highrise view. 

Fewer tools and a smaller team may sound like a disadvantage, but videography thrives on the effectiveness of a focused vision. This focused vision is greatly benefited by the client’s ease of access to the videographer, so that notes are communicated clearly and executed to perfection. A good videographer will typically carry a slider along with his camera, a tripod, some lights, stands, AC cables, a green screen and other tools to get the job done.

The art of videography is in making it all flow smoothly so that the client’s vision is captured accurately.  

NOW YOU KNOW– BUT WHERE TO GO?

At this stage, I hope you feel confident in your understanding of the difference between cinematography and videography. More importantly, I trust you know whether or not your project  is best suited for a cinematographer or for a videographer. If you’ve got a movie on your mind, then you know there’s quite a long road ahead of you, and securing a cinematographer is one of many, many steps you will take on that journey. 

But if you know your project is cut out for videography– a live show, a wedding, a model boat race, an instructional video, an interview– look no further than this Toronto videographer. My experience working with cameras and clients has refined my process into clockwork over the past 30 years. 

If you have any video production needs in Toronto, or any questions regarding a potential project, reach me at info@torontocameramanservices.com.