FAQ's
Tips for Selecting a Videographer
Look for a videographer who is experienced, creative and artistic.
When viewing examples of work, look at the clarity and quality of the video, the composition, as well as the details of shooting and editing.
Questions To Ask Your Videographer
- What type of lighting will the videographer use?
- How will the videographer be dressed at the wedding?
- Do you have sample videos I can see?
- How long have you been in business?
- What packages do you offer?
- Do you use Professional Quality equipment, accessories and supplies?
- How many cameras do you use?
- Do you have back-up equipment that is comparable in quality to the original?
- Do you use wireless microphones?
- Do you offer Non-Linear Digital Editing?
- Do you copy-protect or scramble the videotape?
- What are your guarantees and liabilities?
- Do you have a written contract?
- Are you unobtrusive?
- Will the shoot interfere with the proceedings in any way?
- How much do you charge for additional hours beyond the agreed contract?
- Do you work with the photographer to ensure mutual cooperation?
- Are you there throughout the entire reception?
- Will you go to a location (like the beach or a park) without additional charge?
- How much are additional copies of the wedding tapes?
- Do you have references that I can call?
A Professional Wedding or Event Video isn't expensive, it's Priceless!
Q: Why do I want to transfer my Film and Videos to DVD?
A1) There are several great reasons to transfer both your film and videos to DVD. If you care at all about your memories, then you should know that Film and Video Tape degrade very quickly. Even stuff just sitting around will start to fade, lose color, lose the audio-video sync, etc. With our services we can not only preserve your memories on a medium that lasts longer (DVDs have a shelf life of 50 to 100 years versus VHS tapes that have a life of 10-12 years!), we can also correct and enhance your existing video and bring new life and new enjoyment to your treasured memories.
Q: "Why should I hire a professional Wedding or Event Videographer? A friend offered to do it."
Your friend may mean well, but do they possess all of the skills, (camera angles, lighting knowledge, editing experience) equipment (professional grade cameras, lights, mics, batteries) and time needed (appx. 1 hour for 1 minute of video) to do a job that you won't regret for years to come?
If you have a camcorder, then you know that it is easy to create home video. You simply point and shoot. However, if you have ever played back what you shot and looked at it, then you know how hard it is to create good home video with nothing but a camera. Even if you are extremely careful when shooting, you usually end up with a lot of "junk" on the tape. When you play it back, it looks like a "home movie" -- amateurish, disjointed, confusing, lousy sound...
Because most of us watch so much television and see so many movies, we tend to have fairly high standards when we watch anything on video. We now expect the following features in almost everything we watch:
- A title at the beginning
- A set of "shots" cut together in a nice way to tell a story
A shot is a specific subject filmed from a specific angle. For example, if you are telling the story of your son's birthday party, different shots from the event might include:
- a shot of the cake
- a shot of the presents before they are opened
- a shot of the kids at the party sitting at the table
- a shot of your son blowing out the candles
- a shot of your son unwrapping a present
- A fairly high number of shots
If you watch any regular TV show, you will see that it is rare for the camera angle to stay the same for more that 10 or 15 seconds. The director will cut between different angles to keep things interesting or to make different points. For example, the screen might show a man's face while he's talking for five seconds, and then switch to a shot of his hands holding a tissue (while the sound track continues uninterrupted with him talking) to show the emotion.
- Interesting transitions between the shots
For example, some shots might fade into others, some might spin into others, and some cut very simply from one to another in a quick chain.
- A decent soundtrack, often involving narration and/or background music
- Perhaps static shots (like a chart or graph) mixed in with the normal video
- Titles or legends on some of the shots to identify people, places and things
- Slow motion or fast motion to change the tempo
Let your family and friends enjoy the event while we unobtrusively capture all the sights, sounds and emotions of your special day. In digital clarity we will capture with creative artistry a keepsake that you and your family will enjoy for generations. More than just a "video" it will be a movie that will be pulled from the shelf many times over for years to come.
Q: HOW IMPORTANT IS IT TO HIRE A PROFESSIONAL INSTEAD OF USING A FRIEND TO VIDEOTAPE MY WEDDING?
VITALLY IMPORTANT! An amateur-produced wedding video won't be watched very often because it is boring. The problem starts with the equipment. The typical camcorder does not have the features needed to produce superior image quality. Problems get worse when you listen to the sound you get from a typical video camera: it's hollow and very difficult to hear...especially in large open areas like a church or reception hall where sound reverberates off the walls and ceiling. Next, the typical amateur doesn't have the means to edit the video into a tightly-knit production that tells your love story with emotion and impact.
Q: Why Choose Video?
How important is a professionally-produced video? Suppose a friend told you they had in one hand a book of professional photos of the day your grandparents were married, and in their other hand a professionally-produced video of that same day, in full color, with stereo sound, but that you could only choose one to view and keep as a family heirloom. Which would you choose? Today, thanks to new developments in digital technology and the advanced skills of professional videographers, your choices in professional wedding videography are unlimited!
Only video (and now DVD) will allow everyone to relive your wedding day as it actually happened‹to see you walk down the aisle, to hear your voices as you exchange vows and rings, to hear and see the toasts, the music, your first dance at the reception...and the chance to preserve the complete story of your wedding. This wasn't possible in the past.
Q: Do I need multi-camera coverage?
If your budget allows, adding additional cameras will enhance your special event video by showing varying perspectives and ensuring that nothing is missed. Using radio communications, two or more cameras allows us to be much more creative. It is your day and there are no retakes, you have one chance to capture the moment.
Q: How much time goes into creating an Artistic Wedding Production?
We typically spend 45 to 55 hours shooting and editing each and every wedding video. Everything that makes your wedding day the single most important day of your life will be professionally and creatively captured and edited by My Movie Productions.
MyMovie Productions proudly recommends the following Videography Resources:
Wedding & Event and Videographers Association International.
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