Alright, so I got this idea to try and capture some behind-the-scenes stuff at a local UFC event. I’ve always been a huge fan, and I figured, why not try my hand at being a “UFC videographer” for a day? No official access or anything, just me, my camera, and a whole lot of hope.
First thing I did was charge everything. Camera batteries, spare batteries, phone – everything needed juice. I also cleared out my memory cards. Nothing worse than running out of space mid-fight, right?
Next, I packed my gear. I kept it pretty simple: my trusty DSLR, a couple of lenses (a wide-angle and a zoom), and my phone for some quick social media updates. I also threw in a small notebook and pen, just in case I needed to jot down any ideas or shot lists.
The Event Day
I got to the venue early. Like, really early. I wanted to scope out the place, see where the fighters might be entering, where the media was congregating, and just generally get a feel for the atmosphere. It was buzzing, even hours before the first fight.
I started by filming some b-roll. You know, shots of the venue, the crowd arriving, the posters, the merchandise stands – anything that helped set the scene. I even snagged a few interviews with pumped-up fans. Most people were happy to chat and share their excitement.
Then, I try to follow the fighters around the venue. When the fighters and their families walked around, I took the chance to walk behind them and catch some moments with my camera.
As the fights started, things got tricky. Obviously, I couldn’t get right up to the Octagon, so I had to be creative with my angles. I tried shooting through gaps in the crowd, over people’s shoulders (sorry, tall people!), and even from the upper levels of the arena to get a wider perspective.
The biggest challenge was dealing with the crowds. People were constantly moving, cheering, blocking my view… it was chaotic! But hey, that’s part of the experience, right? I just had to be patient, anticipate the action, and keep my camera steady.
Throughout the night, I kept switching between my DSLR and my phone. The DSLR was for the “quality” shots, while my phone was for quick snaps and clips that I could post online. It was all about trying to capture the energy and excitement of the event in different ways.
Post-Event
Once it was all over, I backed up all my footage. Multiple times. Seriously, can’t stress that enough. Then, the real work began – editing!
I spent hours going through the footage, picking out the best moments, and putting it all together into a short video. I added some music, a few transitions, and boom – my “UFC videographer” experience was immortalized.
It wasn’t perfect, of course. I learned a ton about shooting in a crowded, fast-paced environment. But honestly, it was an amazing experience. I got to combine my love for UFC with my passion for filmmaking, and I even got a pretty cool video out of it. Would I do it again? Absolutely!
