HINTS AND TIPS FOR THE BEST VIDEO AND PITFALLS TO AVOID

(Hints and tips for getting the best video are below here)

My Uncle Ted says he will do my video for free ?
• He probably bought his camcorder from the local discount store and you will more than likely end up with jumpy, shaky shots that will hardly justify your special day. He will also have more interest in filming the guests and his mates rather than concentrating on the people that matter...the newly weds. If you REALLY have no budget for video then getting a relative to do it is better than nothing but don't try and save money this way and expect professional results!! However it's also essential to have an APRA licence to avoid a HUGE piracy fine if Uncle Ted happens to use commercial music in the video!!!
How much should I expect to pay for my wedding video?
• You should be looking at no more than $1500 to cover a normal budget standard traditional wedding from getting ready thru to you leaving the reception unless you are planning a Hollywood style block buster with a full camera crew which will obviously cost you more. Your best value for money will be a business owner where he or she does both the wedding shoot and the editing on their own. This way you are getting the best value for money and only have one person to deal with from booking to delivering your final DVD.  A wedding planner/co-ordinator CAN arrange the video coverage but is sure to also charge extra for their time and effort!!  Any reputable videographer will also visit you at home to discuss details and sign agreements, attend rehearsals and personally deliver your DVD without any extra charge!!
How long before I get my wedding DVD?
• You should be very careful about delivery times unless you are a very patient person!! Without a doubt the most discussed topic by angry married brides is the fact that 10 months have gone by and they STILL haven't received their DVD's!!!  Make sure that the video contract actually lists a delivery time that suits you. Don't be bullied by creative artists who refuse to give you a delivery date!! You pay a lot of money for your wedding video and you should receive it in a reasonable amount of time. We, being a full time operation, deliver within 7 days but anything up to 3 or 4 weeks is reasonable.
I can find a wedding videographer that will do my entire wedding day for less that $500
• You need to be a little careful about videographers who offer to do your wedding for very low prices (typically half the normal rate). Even if they are genuine, they are probably doing it as a "paying hobby" so they don't have an awful amount of time to dedicate to your wedding after working a full time job and fitting in a normal family and social life. More than likely you will wait ages for your video to be completed as they just don't have the time!! They might be just starting out and don't have the experience to complete such an important task correctly and you will end up disappointed. It's a LOT better to trust your wedding video to a business that does it full time and relies on the income as their living. That way you will get a professional product in a reasonable time frame.  It's probably better to get Uncle Ted to do your video for free rather than pay a part-timer quite a few hundred dollars to mess it up!!!
The Sample DVD from my Videographer looks strange on my computer
• It's critical that sample DVD's are played on a DVD player and fed to a TV as the movies contain interlacing data which is essential for TV sets to display the movies correctly. If you try and watch the same DVD on your computer monitor without using the correct software then the video will appear to have lots of horizontal lines on the image during motion. If you have to play the DVD on a computer then make sure you have appropriate software made for watching DVD's like "PowerDVD" that will de-interlace the video before displaying it on your monitor.
Do I need High Definition Widescreen Video ?
• It's a decidedly good idea to have your whole event FILMED in High Definition to "future proof yourself. However before you commit yourself to having your wedding finalised onto a BluRay High Definition Disc, bear in mind that firstly just to be able to watch it you will need an HD TV AND a Bluray HD DVD Player...pretty pricey at the moment. Remember that you cannot play a Bluray HD disk in a normal DVD player! Then there is the problem of all the family, who more than likely don't have all this fancy gear too!! Rather go for a standard DVD that you can confidently send anywhere and be assured it will play. Normal DVD's will also play on HD TV's and their equipment but not the other way around. Your videographer will keep your HD footage for you or be able to allow you to have it on convenient media at a small cost so you can always have a full HD version made at a later date.
Can I use our favorite song in my Wedding Video ?
• Commercial Music is strictly controlled in Australia and un-authorized use of any commercial music can carry a fine of $250,000 !!! However the good news is that you CAN use any music in a domestic production such as a wedding video provided you purchase a licence for the event from APRA (Australian Performing Rights Association) A single event licence fee is $51 but also check with your videographer as he or she may already be covered with APRA's videographers annual licence. However if a friend or relative is doing the video then it's absolutely essential that you buy a licence for your event.  You can find details here  Also remember that you need to legally own a CD/Media of the track you are using as the licence only allows permission to use the music in the video. It's also worth noting that if you want the world to see your wedding, online videos are considered "broadcasting" and even with a local licence it's illegal!!!! Rather use royalty free music for both your DVD and any online content.
The Video Company says I need a multi-camera shoot ?
• Absolutely correct!! There are no 2nd chances at a wedding so the cameraman should have at least 2 cameras so if one fails there is at least a backup!! . However, don't be suckered into paying extra for a second camera operator!!! It's a favorite trick to give two people work instead of one. Normally one cameraman can easily handle both cameras as one is static and one roving. Just make sure that you are not paying a second freelance operator a fat fee because the main cameraman is too lazy to do a little work!!
The Wedding Videographer's website does not have any prices!
• Beware of "email us for a quote" Any videographer should at least be able to give you an indication of what your wedding will cost you before you go any further. Websites should at least give you a price for a set package showing coverage or time so you know whether their services will fit your budget!! All should also be able to trim or expand what they offer to suit your needs exactly.
One Wedding Company promises a DVD with at least 3 hours of my wedding ?
• Do you seriously think that anyone is going to sit through 3 hours of wedding video? A watchable wedding video for the couple should comprise the arrivals, ceremony, speeches,cake cutting and garter/bouquet toss and be a maximum of 60 - 80minutes . For friends and relatives you need a simple 15 minute Highlights DVD or online video. THEN they will enjoy it!! If you really want footage of Aunt Julia doing the conga for 15 minutes then Uncle Ted and his camcorder is an ideal choice!
Can I copy my Wedding DVD for my friends and relatives?
• Make sure that you are not locked into an agreement where the copyright of the video resides with the videographer! It's your wedding and you should be entitled to make as many copies of the DVD as you need.
Will my DVD just play from start to finish..I want to watch certain bits only ?
• Make sure that the DVD that is offered has an interactive menu with chapters so you can watch either the entire wedding or you have the ability to pick and choose parts of the video you want to show your friends later..maybe just the cutting of the cake?? This should always be provided
What happens if the Video Company closes down a year later ?
• DVD's have an undetermined shelf life so INSIST that the company give you a backup on DVD or solid state media. If you provide your own USB drive there will probably be no charge! It's a good idea to make a copy of your main DVD anyway!!
Should I get a sample video from the Videographer first ?
• It's usually a good idea to take a look at the videographer's style of production but you don't really have to get it on DVD nowdays! If the website has on-line video that will usually give you a fair idea of the style. The web quality will be a little lower than if you watched a DVD but their final package will be good quality as they had to create the web video from an actual wedding video anyway. If you DO request a DVD to watch at home, make sure that you get a selection of recent weddings that the videographer has done so you can get an idea how various aspects of your wedding will be handled.
I'm supposed to pay for everything in advance???
• The normal and fair practice is to pay a 3rd on booking, a 3rd a fortnight before the event and the balance when you get your DVD's. If you permanently cancel your wedding, pre-payments are usually forfeited but any reasonable company should simply hold them in trust if you have to pospone your date due to illness, weather or even jitters!! Don't pay more than 1/3 of the cost on booking, some might ask for "1/2 down"  It also makes great budget sense to pay for your wedding in at least 3 individual payments so you are not burdened with a huge bill when you return (usually broke) from your honeymoon.
I'm having a wedding rehearsal. Should the cameraman attend ?
• Insist on it!!! If you have a dummy run then the cameraman MUST be there to liase with the oganisers and yourselves. There shouldn't be a charge for this either as it should be part of the complete price you have been quoted. The videographer should also have at least one consultation visit at your home (at a time to suit yourselves) before the event so you can both ask questions and go over any special requirements. This too should be a free service.
I want to do my Photoshoot at UWA and King's Park ?
• Venues like Kings Park and The University of WA are awesome locations but just remember they are NOT free!! The most expensive is UWA who charge $100 an hour to shoot either photos/video or both and you must book and pay at least 4 weeks before your wedding!! Also bear in mind that UWA is not accessable during some months of the year due to exams being in progress so check first!! Just remember that it's your responsibility to book and pay for these venues not the photographer or videographer's (unless they include it in their price) Kings Park is more economical being a flat rate of $60 for a shoot but also remember that you are not allowed to do bridal photos on the Skywalk as it's too risky and also shoots at the War Memorial need special permission!!!. The best value is to choose a wedding venue for your ceremony that has nice areas for the photoshoot and then your photoshoot rights are included at no cost!!!  A lot of Perth Parks will often allow photoshoots only at no charge BUT you still have to let them know!!!

 HINTS ON GETTING THE BEST WEDDING VIDEO POSSIBLE

Before you choose where everyone stands!
• You will normally choose an outdoor or indoor venue and then decide where the bride and groom will be placed and, of course the rest of the bridal party. If you want really good video then bear these facts in mind BEFORE you decide where everyone will be placed. Tthe most critical problem us videographers have to contend with is where the light is. If it's an outdoor venue PLEASE make sure that the sun or sky area that is the brightest is NOT behind the bridal party. If it is then it's going to be shining directly into the camera lens. Remember that the videographer will be positioned in front of you and for the best image possible he DOES need bright light either behind him or on his side. Position yourselves so the brightest part of the sky, or the direct sun, is either to the  left or right of the camera. It doesn't need to be directly behind the camera otherwise it will shine in your eyes so up to 45 degrees on either side is great. That way you are shown in the most flattering light and your video will be crisp and clear!! Remember too that audio is an essential part of your movie so try to avoid areas where there is traffic. Even a fountain, although romantic, can easily drown out your vows so keep water noise too as far away as practical.  It is REALLY a good idea to have a rehearsal!!! That way the whole bridal party knows what's going on and the cameraman can also point out anything that might spoil your big day!!! However bear in mind that we are normally booked out on weekends so plan your rehearsal for a week day or evening so the videographer can attend!!!

• Church or Celebrant?
• Unless you need to get married in a Church for religious reasons, a celebrant at a nice venue will often add a lot more flexibility and flair to your wedding video. Most ministers dislike both photographers and videographers and would rather not have them there at all!! However if your heart is set on a Church wedding then it's worthwhile to tell the Minister that you will have a video and to please make some concessions so you get a decent result. Most Churches disregard our next hint below and often refuse to compromise but the tactful intervention by the bride-to-be can often make things easier and you get a better result. Remember that we normally "mic" the groom only so if you are having readings by special guests, tell the videographer if you want these included as they are often out of camera view and also need extra microphones to capture the sound!! With Catholic Ceremonies which usually last an hour it's a good idea to tell the cameraman NOT to film the Homily or the actual Mass itself (which is considered quite sacred too!!) That way your actual ceremony will be a very watchable 20 - 30 minutes!!!

• Editing your Footage
• The raw footage taken at your wedding is edited in most cases by the videographer and what is included and excluded is at his or her discretion. Your edited DVD will always include the events of the day and the only thing that's left out is the odd "wobbly" bits or unusable footage (remember we may move from one shot to another without turning the camera off so that bit is always un-usable) All wedding packages should include the editing and final DVD but you have to leave the edit decisions to the videographer. If you are fussy about your actual footage and want to make sure that everything is absolutely perfect then most videographers will agree to doing a re-edit for you BUT it will cost you an hourly fee. It's best to first watch your final DVD and THEN after making notes of what you want changed, actually sit down with the videographer and supervise the changes as he does them. More often than not you will find that re-edits are totally un-necessary and the final DVD is just what you wanted!!!

• Provide Camera Space at the Venue
• Be aware that we usually need to position ourselves so the main camera has a un-interrupted view or the couples faces from abot 3 to 5 metres away. Celebrants usually line up the wedding party shoulder to shoulder so we can normally use a position in front of the line either on the left or right. During your vows the celebrant or minister will ask you to face each other. When you do this don't face each other "square on" but turn just a fraction towards the camera. That way your faces are much more visible!!! During the ring ceremony, a great tip is to tilt your hands slightly towards the camera as well so the camera can "see" your hands clearly! Keeping them absolutely horizontal means that the view angle will be poor!!!
• Leaving the house in the Limo
• You need to book your Limo and driver so that they arrive at the house at least 30 - 45 mins before the ceremony. Remember we have to film you getting into the Limo then get to the ceremony venue, set up the main camera, connect the groom to radio microphones AND still get out to the entrance BEFORE the Limo arrives!!! Most brides will book the Limo early and then allow themselves to be filmed inside BUT only leave 15 minutes later. Otherwise, instruct the Limo driver to take his time to give the cameraman time to be ready and waiting at the entrance!!  Once you have made your graceful exit from the limo, remember to give the videographer enough time to get to the front of the venue so your aisle is clear for you to walk down.
• Filming the Speeches
• The most important part of the speeches is the audio!! Rather than let various guests in the bridal party just stand up and talk, it's a way better idea to ask the reception venue to provide a lectern from which each speaker can walk up to and praise the new couple. This way we can also have a fixed point for our radio microphone on the lectern and you will get speeches that are crisp and clear!!!
• The Master of Ceremonies
• The MC is the one person at the wedding that knows exactly what will happen and when! Make sure that you inform the MC to keep the videographer and photographer updated. Ideally we like the MC to quietly come up to us and say "they will be cutting the cake in about 5 minutes" With constant information like this you are ensured that all you events are filmed correctly and on time!!
• Feed the Camera Crew
• The majority of wedding plans forget that the camera crew work from maybe 1pm thru to midnight and it's unfair to expect them not to have a basic meal. Most weddings are "buffet" style so it will not cost you anything to allow the operator to have a meal after the guests have dished up for themselves. Yes, the crew can go out and find a meal but then events could be missed. It's a great hint to tell the videographer that yes, you will be fed and then they will be more than happy to remain at the reception for maybe even longer than they have to. Also don't offer the videographer or photographer any alcohol!! Keep them filled up with soft drinks only otherwise results may be disasterous!!!