 |
Things You
Should Know Before Hiring a Videographer |
Printable Version
Videotaping has become as important as
still photographs for capturing those precious wedding
memories. Finding the right videographer requires as
much time and thought as choosing a photographer, if not
more. But, when you watch the final tape of your
wedding day, it will be worth every penny you invested
and more. When you begin shopping for your
videographer, you will hear some unfamiliar terms; words
like “montage”, “highlights”, “three-chip”, “one-chip”,
and “potato chips.” Well, maybe not potato chips. Here
are some tips to help you sort it all out and make an
informed decision.
The Camera
Let’s begin with the camera.
Professional cameras are capable of producing a picture
that is brighter and sharper than most consumer
camcorders sold in electronics stores. These
cameras tend to record in Digital, Digital 8 and Hi-8mm.
The three most common types used by
wedding videographers are referred to as one-chip,
three-chip and digital cameras. Three-chip cameras
typically produce a higher quality picture than one with
only one chip.
Digital cameras offer a picture quality similar to that
of three-chip cameras and they are often smaller and
easier to carry. They are quickly replacing current
cameras much like compact discs replaced records.
The type of camera a videographer uses is
not as important as how it is used.
Many videos made with one-chip cameras have won awards
over videos made with three-chip or digital
cameras. You should view the work of any professionals
you are considering to see if you like their style and
quality of work. If you don’t
like the work, it doesn’t matter how good the
camera is.
The Sound
The next item you want to look for is how
the sound is being handled. You don’t want to hire
someone who uses the built-in microphone in the camera
to capture all of the sound. Most professionals use a
wireless microphone (usually attached to the groom) to
record the wedding vows clearly and not have to worry
about anyone tripping over wires. Often, more than one
microphone will be used to obtain a better recording of
soloists, musicians, etc. Sound will be as important
to your enjoyment of the finished product as the visual
quality of the recording. If
the sound is of poor quality, it will be more difficult
to watch the finished product.
The Editing
After the ceremony and reception have
been videotaped, the video is then edited. There are
two main forms of editing. The first is referred to as
“in-camera” editing which means whatever the
videographer records goes on the finished tape as is.
While it is less expensive, it can also be less
interesting to watch. The second type of editing is
performed at the videographer’s studio using special
equipment. This is where all those special moments are
blended smoothly together to give your video that
professional look like you might see on TV. Whether
they use linear, non-linear or digital makes no
difference. Viewing the finished product is the best
way to determine if their work is acceptable.
Titles and Credits
can be used to inform where the festivities took place
and who was involved. The number of locations covered
is irrelevant, as long as all events are covered that
you
want covered. Wedding highlights are great for showing
to loved ones who may not have the time or attention
span to enjoy the entire video. (Does watching
someone’s home movies ring a bell?).
Animation
is a unique option for wedding videos, but it is not for
everyone. If you have ever watched any episode of TV’s
“Bloopers” show with Dick Clark, then you might remember
the little cartoon characters that popped up every so
often. Animation for wedding videos is similar, but is
created by computer instead and may only show up between
segments of the wedding video (i.e., between the
ceremony and reception) to introduce the next scene.
Digital Editing
refers to the use of a computer to perform the editing
task. This only benefits us if the videographer uses a
digital camera (we’ll discuss this later) to record the
event. Videotape possesses a flaw that if we record from
Tape A to Tape B, then record again from Tape B to Tape
C, etc., we will notice the quality of the picture will
deteriorate each time. Simply stated, the content of a
story changes as it is told from the first person to the
second, from the second to the third, etc. If the event
is recorded and edited digitally, we will not see this
deterioration. As a result, the final copy of the
wedding you receive will look much like the original in
terms of picture quality (as if it was heard “straight
from the horse’s mouth”). Once again, we are most
interested in the results. If
the videographer has the best equipment, but his/her use
of it does not tell your story the way you want, then it
doesn’t matter.
Special Effects
are usually added during the editing stage. We are not
talking about blowing up cars and helicopters! Effects
like slow motion, freezing the video image to look like
a snapshot, and having one scene disappear into
another. Special effects add a desired, “polished”
touch, but are easily overused. When viewing a demo
tape, you can determine whether there is too much for your
taste.
Other Options
In addition to the “basics”, many
videographers will offer different options to be
included in the package. These options should enhance
the overall finished product and again,
when viewing a demo tape, you can
determine whether these options are right for you.
Montages
are often referred to as still photo, childhood,
courtship, engagement, and childhood through engagement
montages. Montages are simply a series of photographs
transferred onto videotape documenting the lives of you
and your fiancé, usually starting with baby pictures
through your childhood up to the present. Music is then
added to make it more interesting to watch.
A montage should keep your attention, and
not be a “typical” slideshow.
Vignettes
are specialized segments that combine still photos,
video and music. For example, you may want to show the
special bond of a bride and her father by taking photos
of them and blending them with video from the wedding
and reception of the two together while listening to a
special song they like or danced to. Vignettes
should be compelling and tell a story.
Love stories,
romance or engagement videos are when the videographer
meets with the couple in a designated (special or
favorite) place to capture some intimate moments. The
place can be anywhere from a park to a beach, but
preferably somewhere that is scenic and/or romantic.
The videographer then instructs the couple to perform
various poses and interactions. Some videographers will
then ask the bride and groom some questions about their
relationship (i.e., how did you meet, where did he/she
propose, etc.). After this process is complete, the
various scenes are fused together and blended with music
(and interviews, if recorded) to make a romantic music
video that captures the essence of the relationship.
Everyone loves a good love
story!
Video projection,
or reception projection, refers to having any
combination of these options shown at the reception for
the guests to enjoy. For an additional charge, the
videographer is responsible for providing the viewing
screen and operating the equipment.
So, how do you decide who to select? Keep
in mind, you spend thousands of dollars and
hundreds of hours planning this special event, and
the video is the best way to capture the occasion. With
that, and knowing that a better finished video will cost
more, you must determine how much you are willing to
spend. Then, look for video packages that offer
everything you are interested in. Many videographers
may offer similar packages with a wide variety of
prices. The price variance may be due to the type of
camera they use. If the price is not higher for the
better camera, then you need to look at what is being
offered. If the packages are still similar, then there
may be a difference in the quality of work or
creativity. Upon viewing the demo tapes, you will be
able to make that determination.
What if the videographer with the better
equipment is charging the same as someone with lesser
equipment? One reason may be that the latter is
charging too much. However, considering the high cost
of professional equipment, this is unlikely. Another
reason may be the former has been having difficulty
obtaining clients (is he/she flexible, unaccommodating,
hard to get along with, experienced?).
When selecting a videographer, the final
decision comes down to:
It doesn’t matter how many awards they
may have won. The task may seem cumbersome, but the
results are worth it! After all, years from now, after
the flowers have wilted, the tuxes have gone back to the
shop, the food has been eaten or become penicillin, the
gown has been hermetically sealed forever (or “trashed”
as a recent phenomenon), the decorations taken down, the
carriages and limos have disappeared off into the
distance, the music has faded, and the lights have
dimmed, you can still have your wedding video to treasure
for years to come. For those that couldn’t attend, or
children you don’t have yet.
We hope we’ve been able to help you look
for the right videographer for your needs to capture all
the precious memories of your special day. |
