Wedding Films – An Absolute Essential
Most couples have a professional photograph their wedding, but not nearly as many have a professional film their special day. Why? In this article I will address why it is important to have a strong visual reminder and also what you should look for in a wedding film business. Even though we are referred to as videographers, we shoot films. If the videographer takes pride in his/her craft then they should be referred to as films, not videos. Its sole purpose is to express the romantic story of your special day like no other medium. Here are the reasons many couples should consider getting a film created for them on DVD. 1. Quality Having a professional well-established wedding videographer film your wedding is paramount if you expect quality. Professional videographers use quality equipment, which captures excellent picture, sound and action. I am finding more and more that many couples come to me to ‘fix’ their wedding video because they chose to try and save money by getting a family member to shoot it. As it turns out they end up spending almost as much or never seeing the end product. The person shooting it may not get around to editing it in time. The picture quality will never be as good as having a professional film your wedding, as the equipment they use is consumer grade. Next to picture, sound is also most important, in some regards even more so. If you can’t hear your vows, no matter how important the picture is it won’t make compelling viewing. Ensure your videographer has wireless radio microphones and insists on the groom and even the priest or celebrant in some cases, wearing one as well. Editing is absolutely the most overlooked aspect of any wedding shoot. Take the following points as a rough guide, which usually extends longer in many cases. · Dump tapes to disk: 5-6 60 minute tapes = 7-8 hours · Create titles in CG program, 6 titles @ 15 min = 1.5 hr · Capture baby pictures, 40-60 @ 1 min = 1 hr · Manipulate/crop/filter pictures in Photoshop, 40-60 @ 10 min = 10 hr · Select and capture background music, 5 selections @ 4 min = 1 hr (more music more time spent) · Edit video, 6 hr source footage = 18 hr (takes me, on average, 3X real time to select, arrange, sync, and edit material) · Create DVD label graphics in Photoshop = 2 hrs · Compress footage for DVD = 6 hrs · Create copies, print labels and prepare for shipment = 2 hrs Total = 49.5 hours. That's not counting interruptions, goofs, and technical difficulties, and ignores any time spent with fancy extras like animation or special effects. So you can see that your professional videographer really takes the time to produce your wedding film with the utmost of care and precision that affords them. 2. Memories They say that a picture says a thousand words. If that is the case then video must say a million. Without a video, you may miss key elements of your wedding that you just cannot possibly remember. You see and hear yourself for the first time as being removed from the situation. Most couples I speak to after filming a wedding, forget about the events of the day as it was non-stop from start to finish and they go on a honeymoon or back to work feeling as though it passed by all so quickly. That is until they see the video, where all the memories come flooding back. Then they realise it was a wise choice to have a professional film their wedding. 3. Events not witnessed For a lot of the time at your wedding, you are oblivious to what everyone is doing, so having those memories captured on film is an excellent reason alone for you to have your wedding filmed. Quite often and especially with two camera people, one can cover a certain time or area, such as bridal preparations and groom preparations. Often this is a time for each of the videographers to ask similar questions to each couple, so when they see it later, they have no idea what the other has said or done in preparation for the big day. This is a nice big surprise and another reason to get your wedding filmed. It is impossible to be in two places at once, but a film can encapsulate the entire experience, such as when the guests arrive, the expressions on people’s faces across the room and other poignant or funny events on the night. 4. Testimonials Most couples love to hear from guests on the day, and this is often a highlight of a wedding film. A good videographer will engage the guests and ask them a few questions about the couple and try to draw some information from them. Sometimes this is a funny, poignant and most often sincere reminder, so it is an excellent addition to a wedding film. 5. Speeches Speeches go without saying. Quite often family members and friends are compelled to say things they wouldn’t otherwise and unless this is caught on tape, you will almost always forget what has been said. The DVD serves as a constant reminder as time passes from those often-poignant speeches and heartfelt words. You get to see what everyone has said in detail with excellent clean vision and sound. No other medium can give you this. What to look for in a wedding video business. 1. Medium of Delivery - DVD The medium is everywhere now and DVD players are cheap to buy. Some companies are throwing them in with phones, so unless Grandma wants a copy on video, typically video tape (VHS) is a thing of the past. That is not to say a good videographer shouldn’t provide the option, it is just that quality and viewing pleasure is enhanced ten fold through the DVD medium. The longevity of DVD cannot be understated either, as it should last for approximately 80 to 90 years if taken care of. Video is lucky if it lasts for 10 years in any kind of condition. Being able to look back on yourself when you were first married is something I am sure we all would like to see, regardless of the medium. Chances are in 30 years, DVDs will probably be replaced entirely, but as long as optical disc technology is available, you should still be able to play your wedding DVD. High definition players such as Blu-Ray and HD-DVD are able to play DVDS and should be for some time to come. DVDs provide richer sound quality, better picture, support chapters, interactive menus, photo slideshows and other items such as computer DVD-ROM portions of the disc so you can have your photographs stored on DVD as well and print whenever you need a copy of a photograph. The covers are important also. A good videographer will spend the extra dollars and get you nice leather grain covers with perhaps even a video still or photographers photograph placed into the cover. This way it is set aside from the rest of your DVD collection and should be cherished and last as long as any hardcover book. 2. Professionalism You want to choose a videographer who takes pride in his/her work by showing you a great show reel of work backed up by distinct experience. Styles differ, but it should always cater to the client, not to the individual tastes of the videographer. The videographer should invite you for a screening, be interested in every little detail of your wedding because it is important for them to capture the right moments throughout the day. Having all the details before the big day, assists the videographer to know where they need to be at what time, what choices of music the couple like and the style of filming which is carried out. A good videographer will give you a list of items to go through in order to help them do the very best job they can for you. Equipment is also very important. A lot of backyard videographers will use substandard equipment and/or rent some of their gear just so they don’t have to pay the high prices required to purchase or lease equipment of their own. This is a warning signal: if they just rent average equipment, they are probably not going to be around very long and go out of business quickly. Ask to see the videographer’s equipment. Personally, I think if the videographer is putting themselves out there to appear professional, they should also wear a uniform. Not only to distinguish themselves from the guests, but to be seen as providing a service for the couple. Good dress sense always applies. 3. Price Price is something I get asked almost every time someone makes an enquiry and sometimes this is the first question a couple asks. Price is important, we all have a budget, but remember, if it is cheap, it will probably turn out looking cheap as the videographer didn’t have the time to spend on ‘getting it right’. Also look out for businesses whose prices appear escalated. Why is it that they are so much more expensive than other companies? Have a look at the DVDs and judge for yourself. Two camera jobs should be incorporated in any DVD package, at least for the ceremony. The medium of film is much different to photography. Two cameras allows for a much richer and more interesting viewing experience. Keep in mind you shouldn’t pay double the price for this luxury either. It should be a part of any professional videographer’s outlook on capturing your wedding. It is and should be one of the most pivotal and important days of your life. 4. Friendliness and good old-fashioned service People feel more comfortable when they receive good service and friendly manners. As a videographer they need to be very friendly with guests and be able to move around people without being too obtrusive. The videographer needs to be dependable, reliable and professional without standing in the way of you or the guests at your wedding. Our job is to be a fly on the wall and capture all the moments with clarity and precision. Often a couple wonder how I shot what I did, but that is the art of the videographer. Can’t give all the trade secrets away! Conclusion I hope this gives you a solid idea of why you might consider a videographer and also what to look out for when choosing a videographer. Remember, it should only be one day in your life, so you want to make the most of every moment. Written by Jamie Kehoe of KeyDesignz Wedding Films. |
