Deciding what to film at a Deepavali celebration

Decide first what you want recorded, and let your committee or temple leaders confirm it. A Deepavali celebration can include stage performances, community gatherings and ritual moments, and these do not all need the same answer.

Which moments may be recorded?

There is no single Deepavali programme in Malaysia. A temple event, a residents’ open house, a school or a company celebration will look very different. Write down your real programme, then sort each item into one of three groups.

Your community decides which items fall in which group. The must-capture moments checklist helps your committee make that list together.

Who should explain the programme?

Name one person who knows the programme, the people and the customs. Ask them to join the first conversation with us, and to be the crew’s contact on the day. This avoids a crew guessing which moment matters, or filming something that should have been left alone.

If your celebration is in a temple, ask the temple committee about footwear, dress and any areas where cameras are not welcome. For temple festivals, see also our guide on video for Vesak and temple community events.

How do we handle performers and guests?

Performers often include children and young people. Before the day:

1. Ask performers, or their parents, whether they are happy to be filmed.
2. Say where the video may be shared: the community only, or online.
3. Give the crew a short list of people who prefer not to appear.

Guests at an open house are there to celebrate, not to be in a video. A small sign at the entrance, or a word from the host, lets them know filming is happening. Our guide to permissions and responsible publication covers this in more detail, and the private and public video version planner helps you plan separate versions.

What about languages and sound?

Deepavali events may use Tamil, Malay, English or a mix, sometimes in the same programme. Tell us the languages so we can plan microphones, and decide whether you want captions or translated subtitles. Ask your venue about the sound system, because live music and drums can overpower speakers. The event audio brief builder lists the questions to ask.

What to put in your brief

Keep it to one page. For example: venue and date, running order, items to record fully, items with limits, items not to record, performers who prefer not to appear, languages, and the one person who speaks to the crew on the day. This is an illustration, not a required format.

What if several groups take part?

A community celebration sometimes involves several groups, such as an association, a temple, a Tamil school or a dance troupe. Ask each group for its performance time and whether its members are happy to be filmed. One shared timetable stops the crew missing a turn.

What we confirm for your celebration

• Camera positions for dance and music that do not block the audience.
• How the crew handles a ritual that is not to be filmed: your named contact tells us on the day.
• Whether full performances are kept complete, apart from the highlight film.
• Who approves the final video before it is shared.

If your programme is mostly stage items, our page on performing arts event videography is also relevant. For how we work with community groups in general, see community event videography.