by Greg James of Solstice Video Productions
Shooting the video is only half of the equation. While it's important to find someone who's experienced with proper camera angles, lighting and sound, you need to find someone who is a creative editor as well. This is where the magic happens. That is why even though I have a number of amazingly experienced videographers on my team that I have personally trained, I still edit every wedding movie (until, of course, I can truly trust someone to edit as well as myself). Creative and skilled digital editing can greatly increase the value of your wedding video, giving you memories you'll cherish forever.
Some videographers shoot weddings using a method known as "live switching,” meaning they edit as they shoot. This saves the videographer time and money as they do no editing later. It also involves running cables all over the place, creating a hazard and an eyesore for your guests. Unless your budget will absolutely not allow for it, I highly recommend choosing someone who uses a multiple camera setup on the ceremony and crafts the piece together later. You’ll notice a considerable difference in the end-product.
Speaking of a tight budget, if this is an issue for you, instead I recommend attempting to hire a skilled videographer to shoot raw footage of your day for a nominal fee and then have them provide you an option to perform an edit on a later date when you have more funding to do so. At least this way, at the minimum, you will have the assurance of knowing your once-in-a-lifetime day was captured by a professional (as opposed to say, Uncle Harry, with his new camera he just bought at Costco).
- Greg James, www.solsticevideo.com
Showing posts with label videography. Show all posts
Showing posts with label videography. Show all posts
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Size Matters (know your videographer’s equipment)
by Greg James of Solstice Video Productions
While skill and talent are the most important aspects for creating a quality wedding video (machines don’t run themselves), professional equipment and the use of multiple cameras can go a long way to producing a higher quality product. Short of using Hollywood 35mm cameras (which would be way out of anyone's price range unless you're Eva Longoria and Tony Parker), the best equipment today is the use of digital 3 CCD (3-chip) high-definition cameras and non-linear editing capabilities (all digital work done on a computer). Other formats that may still be in use include Hi8, S-VHS and VHS. However, if you're talking to a videographer that still uses these methods, my advice to you is to kindly thank them and walk away. The amateur quality of these archaic tools will disappoint you and it isn't worth any price savings. In addition, make sure the videographer is prepared to utilize backup equipment in case of malfunction.
Why High-Definition?
You may ask why use high-definition (HD) equipment as opposed to a standard 3-chip (SD) camera? Although you may not have a DVD player or TV that can play HD yet, shooting in HD is still the most preferred method as you are assured your memories are being captured in the highest quality possible. In fact, I still deliver standard DVDs to many of my clients, but all footage is in HD so that the client always has the option. It is the technology we now live in after all. If your videographer is not shooting currently with HD equipment, that is indicative they may be many steps behind in the industry. Which leads you to wonder: if they can’t keep up with present technology, how are they going to be able to keep up with you?
Did You Hear That?
If you want your day captured in true documentary fashion, a professional shotgun microphone on the operator’s camera is mandatory to capture sound. If you are being recorded with only an inferior built-in camera microphone, then be prepared to flinch when hearing yourself and your guests later in the final movie.
As for capturing the sound during the ceremony, the best choice is digital sound recorders which can be placed at specific locations like the podium or in the groom's pocket. While this has to be masterfully synchronized later at the editing stage, the difference in quality over built-in or wireless microphones (due to interference and sharing air time) is unmistakable. Make sure when viewing samples of the videographer's work that you pay close attention to the sound quality, especially at moments when the vows are being said.
As we say in the real-time documentary business, “there are no do-overs.” Make sure your videographer has the equipment to get it right the first time.
- Greg James, www.solsticevideo.com
While skill and talent are the most important aspects for creating a quality wedding video (machines don’t run themselves), professional equipment and the use of multiple cameras can go a long way to producing a higher quality product. Short of using Hollywood 35mm cameras (which would be way out of anyone's price range unless you're Eva Longoria and Tony Parker), the best equipment today is the use of digital 3 CCD (3-chip) high-definition cameras and non-linear editing capabilities (all digital work done on a computer). Other formats that may still be in use include Hi8, S-VHS and VHS. However, if you're talking to a videographer that still uses these methods, my advice to you is to kindly thank them and walk away. The amateur quality of these archaic tools will disappoint you and it isn't worth any price savings. In addition, make sure the videographer is prepared to utilize backup equipment in case of malfunction.
Why High-Definition?
You may ask why use high-definition (HD) equipment as opposed to a standard 3-chip (SD) camera? Although you may not have a DVD player or TV that can play HD yet, shooting in HD is still the most preferred method as you are assured your memories are being captured in the highest quality possible. In fact, I still deliver standard DVDs to many of my clients, but all footage is in HD so that the client always has the option. It is the technology we now live in after all. If your videographer is not shooting currently with HD equipment, that is indicative they may be many steps behind in the industry. Which leads you to wonder: if they can’t keep up with present technology, how are they going to be able to keep up with you?
Did You Hear That?
If you want your day captured in true documentary fashion, a professional shotgun microphone on the operator’s camera is mandatory to capture sound. If you are being recorded with only an inferior built-in camera microphone, then be prepared to flinch when hearing yourself and your guests later in the final movie.
As for capturing the sound during the ceremony, the best choice is digital sound recorders which can be placed at specific locations like the podium or in the groom's pocket. While this has to be masterfully synchronized later at the editing stage, the difference in quality over built-in or wireless microphones (due to interference and sharing air time) is unmistakable. Make sure when viewing samples of the videographer's work that you pay close attention to the sound quality, especially at moments when the vows are being said.
As we say in the real-time documentary business, “there are no do-overs.” Make sure your videographer has the equipment to get it right the first time.
- Greg James, www.solsticevideo.com
Choosing a Videographer: Look At Real Samples!
by Greg James of Solstice Video Productions
In my experience, I have had a number of brides approach me after they had their video made who were upset to find out that their wedding video did not turn out the way the company presented themselves in their demos. While the more reputable video production companies should be creating demos that best represent their work as a whole, this unfortunately is not always the case. You can get a great jumpstart with your search by looking at demos, but understand that these are carefully picked highlights of the production company's work and does not always tell the full story. To decide on the perfect videographer for your wedding day, first and foremost you'll need to see complete samples of their work. Better yet, visit them at their studio and ask to see complete weddings, so you get a good idea firsthand on how the artisan will craft a story out of your amazing day. You don't need to watch them in their entirety; skip around a bit to get a good cross-section of the type of work they do. A professionally crafted DVD should be arranged in chapters, so this should be easy to do.
In meeting the artisan at their studio, you will also get a good idea of their personality and whether you will feel comfortable having him or her following you throughout your day. I can't express how important this is. In addition to being an incredible videographer and creative editor, your perfect videographer must also have an adaptive and comforting personality. If you don't feel comfortable with your videographer in meeting them, chances are you will not feel comfortable when they are around you on your wedding day.
Also, contracts can vary, so read the fine print carefully and be aware of the payment terms. Have them read the contract over with you thoroughly before booking. Most companies will require a deposit when you book their services, so this should not come as a surprise. But other surprises may abound later if the contract is not fully examined.
- Greg James, www.solsticevideo.com
In my experience, I have had a number of brides approach me after they had their video made who were upset to find out that their wedding video did not turn out the way the company presented themselves in their demos. While the more reputable video production companies should be creating demos that best represent their work as a whole, this unfortunately is not always the case. You can get a great jumpstart with your search by looking at demos, but understand that these are carefully picked highlights of the production company's work and does not always tell the full story. To decide on the perfect videographer for your wedding day, first and foremost you'll need to see complete samples of their work. Better yet, visit them at their studio and ask to see complete weddings, so you get a good idea firsthand on how the artisan will craft a story out of your amazing day. You don't need to watch them in their entirety; skip around a bit to get a good cross-section of the type of work they do. A professionally crafted DVD should be arranged in chapters, so this should be easy to do.
In meeting the artisan at their studio, you will also get a good idea of their personality and whether you will feel comfortable having him or her following you throughout your day. I can't express how important this is. In addition to being an incredible videographer and creative editor, your perfect videographer must also have an adaptive and comforting personality. If you don't feel comfortable with your videographer in meeting them, chances are you will not feel comfortable when they are around you on your wedding day.
Also, contracts can vary, so read the fine print carefully and be aware of the payment terms. Have them read the contract over with you thoroughly before booking. Most companies will require a deposit when you book their services, so this should not come as a surprise. But other surprises may abound later if the contract is not fully examined.
- Greg James, www.solsticevideo.com
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