Professional Video - Yes or No?
Should My Wedding be Videotaped?
What would it be like to view a videotape of your parent's - or even your grandparent's wedding? One of the biggest regrets couples experience after their wedding is the decision not to have professional video. Conversely, I have found that couples having professional video are more extremely eager to see their video when they return from the wedding trip.
Despite the wide availability and acceptance of inexpensive, compact high-quality consumer camcorders, the demand for professional wedding video has increased over the years and good videographers are finding themselves in increasing demand. Contemporary informed brides place high value on wedding video. After-wedding surveys reveal that those who had their weddings taped consider it an excellent investment.
So, your decision should be based strictly on your personal desires, since the basis of objections to early videos has been eliminated.
Why should I hire a professional when my uncle can tape it for free?
Consumer (and even low-end inexpensive "pro") videos fail due to poor audio, inadequate planning and coordination to blend with the flow of the event, use of only one camera, shaky images, and insufficient battery capacity. Like photography, simple videos done by the guests are a nice adjunct to, but no substitute for, the professional video.
There is no substitute for a professional who comes prepared with the right knowledge and equipment, respects the rules of your ceremony, and is focused on creating your video and is not there to "party."
Some believe that asking a guest to make the official video is bad manners, and if the video fails, the relationship is tarnished. Clergy have admitted that most problems with intrusive video occur with guests, not professional videographers.
What about all those lights, cables, and equipment? Will it overpower my wedding?
Today's techniques and technology have given us small light-sensitive cameras that will render the videographer almost invisible! If you look objectively, you will see that photography has much more impact than video on the nature and flow of the wedding day . Video has no flash, no shutter or winder noise, no posing, and no commands to smile.
I use the latest small professional digital cameras which have excellent low light capabilities and long-run batteries. I never use stands lights and cables because the room lights are usually adequate. For ceremony recording, I use wireless audio systems.
But if your videographer's advertising says "unobtrusive," get clarification. Many believe incorrectly that an on-camera light is less intrusive than a powerful light on a stand. You may find that a 50-watt light at eye level is more disturbing than a 1000-watt light bounced from the ceiling. Work with your videographer to make the tradeoffs that are right for your wedding. Still, you need to decide on a tradeoff between low intrusion and accurate color and imaging. If you want a live camera broadcast look, you have to accept some lighting.
How can we get something that isn't trite or boring?
The best way is to commission a videographer based on his talent and capability to produce a unique video and devote the time necessary with your event.
Our Packages creatively encapsulate the day in a crisp and creatively edited production. The biggest factors in creation an interesting, content-rich wedding video are planning, videographer talent, and level of editing. A content-rich video captures the decisive moments of interest, and crisp editing brings them out.
How much will our video cost?
Let your overall wedding budget and the amount set aside for photos be a guide. Worthwhile, professional video deserves an investment equal to or greater than photography.
How should we select our videographer?
If you're Internet savvy, chances are that you've read numerous tip sheets on how to select a photographer or videographer. Three critical issues are: (1) Do you like the style and technical quality of the videographer's work? (2) Do you like the videographer as a person and will you be comfortable with him or her meeting all of your guests? (3) Can you do business with the videographer?
If you are at all tempted to choose based on the lowest bid or the best deal financially, ask yourself this: If the video turned out poorly, would you write a letter of recommendation saying "The video was poor but your price was great"?
I'm gratified when a couple selects me based on the quality of my work, preference for my particular style, comfort with me as their personal videographer, and appreciation for the value of the video.
Understanding Video - Business and Technology
What distinguishes those "high end" videos costing thousands of dollars?
Higher-end videos require no excuses and capture the essential wedding elements. They look and sound professional and have no distracting flaws. There is a creative touch which embodies the feeling of the wedding.
They involve talented, skilled individuals using equipment that is appropriate to the production needs. If you get absorbed in the wedding, feel you know the couple, and forget you're watching a video -- that's a good one!
Technical quality and level of customer service are the same for all my wedding videos at all levels. All have professional equipment and editing. The more elaborate offerings are distinguished by more intense coverage as necessitated by larger events, or additional creative segments, such as the sloW motion review segment and video credits of the wedding entourage.
What should I look for in example videos?
Clear, understandable sound and crisp clear images with good accurate color and smooth camerawork. NO EXCUSES. A burned out white dress indicates use of a poor camera or improper lighting.
Due to the severe restrictions imposed by some churches, there will be instances where even the best videographer will not get the best results. However, a candidate who shows this should also be able to present some good-looking work.
What specific questions should I ask when initially interviewing candidates?
1. Are you available for our wedding date?
2. What is your level of experience in wedding videography?
3. What style of wedding video is your specialty?
4. Are you familiar with our locations, or have you covered similar locations before?
5. Do you use professional equipment and techniques?
6. Do you edit digitally, and can we get a DVD?
If you get an involved technical answer to a simple question, remember that you are the customer and there's nothing demeaning about asking for a simplified explanation. Candidates who cannot explain probably don't understand it either!
Just as prospective clients ask questions to see if a candidate videographer is right, good videographers judge in reverse as well by the type of questions asked. In fact a good candidate may ask more questions than you do.
What are some typical special features?
Typical add-ons or enhancements include more pictures in the photograph sequence at the beginning of the tape, highlight montage at the end or separate on its own media, pictures of wedding party members along wqith names in the credits, additional special effects used throughout the tape, and ten- to 30-minute abridged versions of the overall production.
What is important in contracting?
To be binding, a contract requires specification (products and services), consideration (money or something of value in exchange), and legality (illegal contracts are not binding). Simply, if you don't have a written contract with your videographer and have not given a deposit or reservation fee, neither of you has an obligation to the other.
The contract should address all the business issues related to the job: schedule of coverage, depth of coverage, features of the finished product, and possibly who the actual camera operators will be, payments, contingencies, and recourses. There is no such thing as a standard contract.
The only way I will reserve a date is with a written agreement and reservation fee.
Do I need multiple camera coverage?
I say yes. Many advocate two for the ceremony - one in front and one on back. One may suffice for small and medium sized receptions. It is a widely held misconception that more cameras implies more intrusion. Is the opposite because with more cameras, less operator movement is required. That second camera also provides backup in case the primary camera fails.
Should the videographer attend the rehearsal?
I attend the rehearsal for almost all of my events, unless we are contracted to be somewhere else. If not, we arrive early enough on the day of the event to map our positions. Such is essential to unobtrusive, professional coverage with no mess-ups.
The non-repeatable, action capturing nature demands that the videographer pre-plan his camera positions and moves to get a good recording while remaining unobtrusive.
How can we avoid problems with clergy restrictions?
Most videographers now have a stated policy that acknowledges "house rules" and that it is the client's responsibility to negotiate moderation of those rules.
Most churches and synagogues have attempted to moderate their restrictions to balance the interest in video with the need for decorum in the wedding service when competent professionals are involved.
Severe restrictions were adopted as a result of unprofessional and obtrusive behavior by videographers or photographers - usually amateurs. If the restrictions are too rigid and limiting, seek another wedding venue. If the videographer you are considering is not a team player, find another.
My policy is to promise only what I can deliver, based on the site policies of their clergy and wedding venue. I believe it is unethical for a videographer NOT to warn clients of trouble if posed by their particular site.
I believe that it is important for everyone, particularly the videographer to adhere to proper decorum and respect in houses of worship.
Should I provide a meal for the video crew?
Wedding video is physically demanding and the workday starts several hours before the ceremony. If possible, we may simply take a short break and eat a small portion at the reception, but usually we eat beforehand to be alert to the event we are shooting at all times.
What can I do to help my videographer do a good job for me?
Cooperate to the maximum practicable extent by providing all the details of the event, who is important, and anything to help him meet or exceed your expectations. Ask him this same question. Follow the Golden Rule. Furnish your pictures and payments on time. Return your videographer's phone calls! We will return yours!
What if my videographer has an emergency and can't do the job?
That is a universal risk with special events. Even brides and grooms or their families run that risk. Most contracts limit liability to money return in event of failure.
How can we avoid putting guests on the spot from that interviewing?
I'm against conducting interviews at tables because wedding guests don't like it. I am opposed to confrontation interviewing or anything that embarrasses the guests. We usually have an announcement made at some point for anyone desiring to wish the couple well on video come to a desinated area.
How long is a typical wedding video?
For an edited video of ceremony and reception, 90-120 minutes is typical.
My typical wedding video is 80-110 minutes. Running time has been decreasing due to the ability of NLE to offer creative techniques of making runtime more efficient through montages, multi-images, and the like. Clients are more realistic now about eliminating standard parts of religious services.
How much video is actually recorded?
Anywhere from 2 to 8 hours, depending on the package. Much is eliminated due to nothing happening at the moment, tapes represent alternate camera views of the same thing, or material is redundant.
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