SELECTING THE BEST VIDEOGRPAHER ON YOUR WEDDING DAY

Video taping a wedding ceremony is becoming as traditional as photographing a ceremony. About 80% of couples today are choosing to have their wedding and reception videotaped. Capturing your wedding on video can preserve the memories of your special day for years to come.

Your personal wishes and your budget will determine the type of video that is right for you. Be sure to check with your ceremony location to determine if there are any restrictions regarding videos.

Sources to finding a good videographer:

·                   Family and friends: View tapes of family and friends to get recommendations and then if you like the tapes, get the name and phone number of the videographers.

·                   Wedding Photographers: Since photographers and videographers work close together at times, your photographer may be able to recommend a good videographer. Always meet with a videographer to review his/her work. Never just accept someone else’s opinion.

·                   Ceremony and reception site coordinators: These coordinators may be able to recommend a videographer based on their past workings.

·                   Bridal Shows: Videographers sometimes have booths along with samples of their work at Bridal Shows. Get a business card from the ones you are impressed with and follow-up with an interview.

·                   Bridal Magazines: Sometimes larger established companies will run ads in the National or local bridal magazines. Also, check the top wedding Internet sites for listings of videographers in your area. You will still want to contact them personally and view their tapes.

Take along spreadsheet “Videography Estimates” and “Questions To Ask The Videographer” found at the end of this section when interviewing videographers to compare the costs and options of each.

Things to look for when you’re interviewing a sample tape of a videographer:

·                   Quality of equipment

The equipment must be up-to-date and of high quality. The best cameras to use are professional-grade camcorders, which cost up to $40,000, with video formats of Hi 8 and DVC Pro tapes.

Videographers who do videotaping as a serious business commonly use them. The camera uses 2 computer chips instead of one to process and separate colors. Hence the picture is much brighter and clearer. These types of cameras have gotten smaller and are easier to maneuver. Compact disc technology is the latest advancement that will be coming soon.

A cheaper camera that is sometimes used is a domestic or consumer camcorder that cost up to $2000 to $7,000. These cameras use Super VHS or Pro S formats. The cameras are most often used by the general public and the quality is not as professional as other cameras.

A third type of camera that you may see is a commercial camera. The quality of the camera is the best of the 3 types but it’s not a practical choice for weddings due to its large size. Also, they require the use of ¾ inch tapes instead of ½ used in home recorders. In order for a tape to be viewed in your  home recorder, the ¾ inch tape would have to be dubbed down to a ½ tape.

·                   Picture Quality:

The picture quality should be clear and sharp, not too dark or too light. The color should be accurate. Look for good, steady use of the camera.

·                   Sound Quality:

You should be able to hear the sound clearly. It should not be muffled, distant, or distorted.

·                   Lighting:

With today’s technology, the lighting only needs to be kept to minimum and areas should be illuminated without harsh lights. Check for people squinting or bright spots of light.

·                   Cameraman’s ability and experience:

He/she should capture the emotions of the day and all events of the day segmented to tell a story. Notice how the shots are framed and certain things aren’t cut out like the bride’s headpiece. In addition, notice if the editing techniques used are seamless or does the video look smooth as it moved from one scene to the next.

Video Types:

·                   Straight-shot Footage:

Shot with only one camera. It starts at the beginning of your ceremony and records through to the end of the reception. This is a less expensive option. There is no editing. Most videographers may add your names and your wedding date as well as music to the video. Be sure to ask if there is an additional fee for this.

·                   Nostalgic Format:

Generally a more expensive option. It needs to be post-edited and requires more editing time. It normally starts by showing photographs of the couple as children, and then processes to photos of fun times they have shared together, followed by scenes from the ceremony and reception. It sometimes includes shots from the honeymoon.

·                   Wedding Documentary Format:

The most popular and most commonly used format. This documents the day by telling a story of how the events occurred that day. It may start with the bride and groom getting ready, then the ceremony, the reception, followed with interviews with family and friends, ending with the bride and groom departing from the reception. The cost for this type of format varies depending on the quality of the equipment and the editing done.

Use spreadsheet “Videographer Information” found at the end of this section to record all pertinent information regarding the videographer you have selected. Then photocopy the it and give a copy to the videographer to ensure all details have been confirmed.

Ensure these items are found in the Videographer’s Contract:

Q Day, date, time, and location of shoot

Q Number of hours the videographer will be shooting that day

Q The editing process to be used

Q The availability of the master tape for purchase and the cost

Q The specifications of the final product: story line (if any), length of the edited tape (in hours/minutes), number of copies, how the tapes will be presented (special engraved leather cases)

Q Any additional costs

Q The date the tape will be ready for preliminary viewing

Q Delivery date of the final tape

Q The videographer’s attire on the wedding day

Q The payment schedule: amount and due date of the deposit, due date of the balance of payment

Q All guarantees and liabilities

Fees:

Editing, special effect, extra music and the number of cameras affect the pricing used. The cost for videotaping starts at about $1000 and goes up to $6000.

Things to include in your wedding video:

·                   Baby photos and current photos of you and the groom.

·                   Footage of your parents’ weddings (if available).

·                   Your love story (a re-enactment showing how and where you met, your first date, and your engagement proposal).

·                   Dressing preparations for both you and the groom along with your attendants.

·                   Your arrival at the ceremony.

·                   The wedding ceremony.

·                   Informal and group shots outside the church. The bride and groom’s departure.

·                   The couple’s arrival at the reception.

·                   Speeches, cake cutting, the first dance, and interviews with guests at the reception.

·                   The couple saying goodbyes and their departure.

Ideas:

·                   Have a friend help you create or have a pre-wedding tape professionally made. The tape would include the engagement party, shopping trips, any showers or the rehearsal dinner. If your budget allows, you could have some of these activities along with your honeymoon edited to be included in your wedding day tape.

Q What type of equipment and recording tapes do you use?

Q How many cameras do you use to shoot the wedding?

Q Do you use a wireless microphone in capturing the audio?

Q Do you do post-editing or in-camera editing?

Q Do you need any special lighting or electrical outlets?

Q Do you have back-up equipment in the event of a problem?

Q May I review an actual video done by the person shooting that may shoot my wedding?

Q What is your fee?

Q How many hours of coverage are included?

Q Are editing, titles, and music included in the quoted price?

Q What is the cost of additional tapes?

Q Are there any additional charges that might be extra (mileage between the wedding and reception)?

Q Are you familiar with my wedding and reception locations?

Q Have you shot a wedding there before?

Q Will you meet me at the ceremony site ahead of time to go over the best shooting angles?

Q When will I receive my final tape?

Q Will I receive a contract detailing out all of the specifics including: the type of video coverage to be used, number of cameras, amount and type of editing, titles, and music to be included in the price, name of camera persons, the date, time, location and appropriate dress to be worn?

Bride’s Name:                                                     

Phone:                                                 

Wedding Date:                                                     

Time:                                                    

Wedding Location:                                                                                                                     

Reception Date:                                                   

Time:                                                    

Reception Location:                                                                                                                     

Videographer:                                                         

Phone:                                                 

Assistant:                                                                 

Phone:                                                 

Arrival Time:                                                                                                                                

Location:                                                                                                                                     

Ceremony and Reception Site restrictions and guidelines:                                                         

Appropriate Dress: