Wedding
albums are soooo the last decade, those couples in the know are
switching their attentions to full on, blockbusting, special effects
wielding wedding films that capture every spellbinding moment on the
small screen.
Gone
are the days when a member of the family with the latest JVC
camcorder pitched up and shoved their lights in your face. The shaky
and unclear result was so shockingly bad that we all convinced
ourselves that it was good.
Nowadays,
bride to be is are a lot more tech savvy now and its not just the
expectations that have grown so have the standards in wedding
videography. Companies such as Studio Max Ltd employ cutting edge
techniques that wouldn't look out of place next to your DVD
collection. They send out a whole camera crew, with a myriad of
equipment, which sweeps, pans and closes in on all the beautiful
details of your Big Day. If you think that it sounds a little over
the top then consider how much time, effort and money you've spent
planning the minutiae of your nuptials, wouldn't you want to
capture it all on film?
The
tricky part as always is separating the wannabe's that promise you
Hollywood standards but barely scrape the a school project barrel.
Established videographers such as Studio Max Ltd are in great demand
as they have a portfolio that backs up their reputation. So we
decided to pick their brains for what you need to look for when
casting for your big production.
Check
out the references! You only have one take with your memories so
speak to friends or family whom have wedding videos that you liked.
Similarly check the references of the companies themselves, by
enquiring about customer comments and speaking to your other wedding
suppliers. Often reputable photographers are linked to
videogrpahers, for example Studio Max Ltd work closely with Harpal
Photography.
Visit
their offices and check out their facilities, editing suites and
such. You don't need to know what the latest software is but
common sense will tell you if the set up looks professional or
amateur
View
a range of their portfolio. Don't just view one clip, as it's
likely to be the best they have! Instead review a few, as it will
give you a better idea of what their directing and editing style is.
The main things to look out for are;
Lighting
- is it too harsh or too dark?
Sound
- is it clear or is the music drowning it all out?
Editing
style - is it smooth or does the storyline resemble an episode of
Lost?
Ask
about all the costs of extra's, such as additional copies, sleeve
design, music, and additional event filming. The last thing you want
is to make assumptions that it's all included only to find that
you got a massive bill or worse no footage.
If
you have an idea of what you would like, make sure you discuss it
with them at the interview. Some couples have a choice of music,
style and essential people they want featured.
If
you want special effects in the film (we're not talking explosions
here) or different tints of film then enquire upfront as to what it
costs and what's available.
Enquire
about the number of camera's present. The more camera's
available the better angles and options you will have of the day.
Normally 2-3 cameramen is standard, however there maybe an
additional charge for extra crew.
Ask
how they conduct themselves during the wedding? Obvious we know, but
we've all been to weddings where the guests can't see anything
because the crew have stationed themselves directly in front of the
couple, essentially blocking everything. Similarly who wants to deal
with a bossy cameraman who keeps telling your guests to get out of
the way? So it's important you know beforehand how they tend to
operate. Do they require any special space, area, or allocated time
for specific shots?
If
you want to shoot incidental shots such as the details of the
reception layout, ask if they can do it before your guests arrive?
If so, it's also worth checking with the venue if they can have
access.
And
most importantly budgets! You could end up paying a small fortune
for your wedding video, so ensure that you and your videographer are
on the same page. Have all the costs written out in black and white,
so there are no discrepancies later on. If you add anything to the
mix that requires more money then make sure that you update this
paperwork. It's easy to get carried away and forget about things
that you have talked about. This way there will be no confusion. In
regards to payment, many will take an upfront deposit ranging from
20% to 50%, with the remainder paid on completion of the final edit.
This could take months so be aware of how know how busy the
videographer is and when they plan to deliver the finished product
to you.
The
final word goes to Studio Max Ltd who believe that the other
essential factor to bear in mind is chemistry. Its really important
that you like their vibe and vice versa. That might sound like new
age rubbish, but it's important that you like them and they make
you feel comfortable. This will later translate into a joint vision
and understanding of your needs. Bear in mind you've given them the
responsibility of capturing your wedding day in all its glory, so
later on in life you can show your grandchildren that's how we did
it in beginning of the 21st
Century.
CREDITS:
Studio
Max Ltd provides a wide range of services for your wedding. With a
background in film production, they pride themselves on their unique
style of high quality and concept production.
For
further information or bookings please call 07979963358 or email
info@studiomaxltd.com
