WPCNR THE REAL DEAL By The Wedding Jeannie, Jeannie Ulynik. October 26, 2007: Whenever I am interviewed for an article having to do with brides and grooms and their top regrets after the wedding, there are two primary things that couples always wish they could re-do. We will go into the number one regret in next week’s column, and jump right into the second – not having video. It always surprises me, even after eight years, how many couples sit down and sometime in the first half and hour of meeting with us, strongly suggest that there is no way that they want or would consider having a videographer. There is such a vehement distaste at even the idea of someone videotaping the wedding, let alone hiring or paying a professional to do it.
There are good reasons why. Back in the days of sweet sixteen’s and Bar/Bat Mitzvah’s, the videographers that most couples in their 20’s and 30’s were seeing would leave anyone with lingering nightmares. Large cameras, bright obnoxious lights and people operating the cameras who thought footage meant asking every guest what they thought of you, the party and life in general. Clearly not a promising combination when flashing forward 20 years and wondering if you want to be subjected to a freak show.
Generally, when we ask most couples why they are so opposed to video, they can’t really articulate the reasons, they just are sure that they don’t want it. The irony, and the saddest part is that video is an amazing thing to have after a large event is over, not only for you but for your guests (who of course love to come over and see themselves in action) and for future generations.
A Different World
Video is a very different species than it was back in the 80’s and 90’s. Technology has gotten much smaller and better, affording videographers the ability to be lighter on their feet, completely inconspicuous and move quickly through an event with out leaving large lights and miserable guests in their wake. HD recording now allows clear crisp images to truly capture every color, each detail and all the moments of the night without it looking like a cheap horror thrill. HD technology can be expensive though and some firms or independent videographers don’t have the equipment readily available for each event (but renting is always an option).
But even if you choose a videographer who shoots with standard cameras, the equipment is so much better than it used to be and the size of the equipment plays a huge role in not advertising that anyone is there taping your every move. Additionally, the role of the videographer has changed; gone are the days where every person with a camera wants to ask guests how they are doing (although that does still exist as an option but in a very different/documentary style manner). Videographers are extremely talented these days; most of the people with whom we work are award winning directors (two are Sundance directors and Cannes Festival winners). They are artists, committed not only to capturing the emotion of the event, but also to producing a real story.
Options Offered
Some videography firms give you the option to choose your own music to set the tone, others offer to select it for you and see if you like their combinations – either way, the tunes behind the motion set a huge backdrop for good video, so it’s important to understand how that process works in post-production. Much like with photographer, you need to find a videographer or firm who understands your needs, who is clear about the editing process (does the videographer do it or does someone else) and informs you of exactly what you will be getting (i.e. raw data, 20 minute edited documentary, 45 minute edited film, etc). The options and packages abound. You can hire one shooter, or you can opt for a two-camera shoot – a more expensive alternative of course, but one that captures the day at a variety of angles and produces a very different type of final video.
It’s important to point out that if possible, hiring a photography/videography team is optimal, simply because it’s important that these two vendors work together seamlessly. This is not often possible, nor advisable (particularly if you love a photographer’s work and he/she does not work with a videographer under the same package). However, finding someone who understands the subtleties of working with someone else who is trying to capture all the same shots is essential. You don’t want your videographer stepping on the photographers toes (literally or figuratively) and vice versa. If your photographer (who is usually hired before the videographer) works with someone regularly, investigate their recommendation, but don’t just hire them just because it’s someone that was recommended.
If you are still hesitant about the idea of video, keep a few things in mind:
1) There is no other way to get moving images of your day; to hear your vows, the toasts or any other ceremonial/religious aspects of an event. This is the best way to have your day forever captured.
2) In this technological age, you can control the elements of the videography, from the cameras, lights and sound that are used, to the person holding the camera.
3) The relative cost of videography in comparison to what you are spending on the entire event is generally minimal – and while it’s hard to find a really great team for less than $2000 (of course there are exceptions to the rule) if you are spending 10 times that for an event, isn’t worth it to put money towards capturing it forever?
One final note, in rare cases, if we really knew the couple well, we have pushed them to consider videographer and even forced them to hire one. 100% of the time, they come to us after the wedding and thank us – not for all our work, not for making their day a raging success, but for forcing them to reconsider the issue of videography. Were I not so certain that anyone would end up feeling the same, it would not be the number 2 item on my list of regrets for the majority of couples! Next week, we will reveal what the number one regret is across the board…..
