Video Taping Your Wedding
Some Technical Questions and AnswersMany bridal couples and their families have questions and concerns about how the Wedding will be videotaped. Below are some of the questions that are often asked, together with this information it will be helpful to you when considering video services for your wedding.
Will the video equipment be distracting during the ceremony?
We want to be sure that our vows can be heard on the video. Will this be possible if the camera is placed away from the altar?How important is is for the videographer to attend the rehearsal?
You provide an edited tape why should we need editing. Since we want to see all the scenes that were recorded?
Will the video images fade over time?
What other technical factors should we be a ware of when choosing a wedding video service?
Will the video equipment be distracting during the ceremony?
Because portable video equipment is compact and silent, the most important consideration here is whether or not the videographer has the skill to avoid intruding on the ceremony. We feel strongly that both the ceremony and the reception should be taped in as unobtrusive a manner a possible. For example, the videographer should not move about during the ceremony - the camera should remain stationary on the tripod.
Most people are concerned about the use of flood lamps during the wedding service, and we agree that use of such lighting is not appropriate during the ceremony. I use low-light professional cameras which can produce images in dimly-lit interiors without video lamps.
We want to be sure that our vows can be heard on the tape. Will this be possible if the camera is placed away from the altar?
If the ceremony were to be recorded using only the camera's built in microphone, your vows would be most likely inaudible: the microphone lose clarity at a distance beyond 7-10 feet. We utilize a broadcast-quality wireless microphone worn by the groom; this microphone is turned on during the vows and ring exchange and provides excellent clarity.
We are being married in an evening ceremony and the church lights aren't very bright. How will the video look?
Although video cameras produce their best images when there is simple light, our professional low-light cameras do remarkably well in most churches. However, you can expect that the colors on your video will not be as vivid as those you see on broadcast TV; there may be some loss of picture sharpness.
How important is is for the videographer to attend the rehearsal?
We feel it is very important to attend the rehearsal. However, if for some reason we cannot attend the rehearsal, we arrive at the ceremony early to review with either the officiate and/or coordinator what will take place during the ceremony. This enables us to avoid such unpleasant surprises as having an attendant, flowers or candles block our view of the couple during the ceremony.
Editing does not mean the removal of usable scenes from the video. Rather, editing a wedding videotape involves the following:
* The addition of titles, music, still photos, etc.
* The elimination of "Glitches" which would detract from the video. For example, when the camera is raised to capture shots from overhead, that footage is edited out.
* Editing can be used creatively to make a video more enjoyable. For example, special effects (strobe, paint, ghost fades,
freeze frames) can be added to make the videotape more interesting.A well-edited video looks far more polished and thus will be more enjoyable to watch; unedited videos always have an amateurish quality.
Will the video images fade over time?
Because both video and audio information are recorded magnetically, a VHS tape will last many years with no loss of quality if it is properly stored and a add DVD provides better quality and is more durable.
What other technical factors should we be a ware of when choosing a wedding video service?
First, a professional video company will use "industrial" (also called "commercial") equipment, as opposed to consumer-level equipment. This includes camera, recorders, tripods, and editing/duplicating systems.
The ceremony should always be recorded using a fluid head tripod, which allows the camera to move smoothly and eliminates the distracting jitters and jumps seen on amateur tapes.
The videographer should have a camera-mounted video light for use at the reception. (This can make a significant difference in video quality.) We use a 30 watt light; a brighter light will irritate guests.
You should be aware that many people in the business of videotaping weddings are amateurs using nonprofessional equipment. Such individuals often do not have the technical background and experience required to do the job well. A wedding can't be re-staged for the camera if the sound on the video is inaudible, the colors are distorted, a battery runs out of power, or the videographer hasn't planned his camera placement and misses key parts of the ceremony and reception. The individual you hire should also be skilled in working with people: you, your family, the presiding official, and your still photographer.
When looking for a professional wedding video service, we strongly suggest that you view sample videos. If your ceremony will be held in a low-light situation, ask to see a sample of the company's work made under similar conditions. Also, don't hesitate to ask for two or three references.