"Why Don't All Wedding Videographers Cost the Same?"

Professional wedding videographers can range in price from $500 to over $5,000. What gives? As long as they’re professionally trained, properly equipped and experienced, why the drastic difference in price?

First of all, it’s important to understand that videographers (this goes for photographers and other artists too), assign a value to their work based on their time, effort, equipment, expertise, and a whole lot of factors that can vary from artist to artist, depending on their approach and demand for their product.

That said here are a couple of factors for you, the engaged couple, to consider when picking a wedding videographer. Rather than making a decision based solely on price, this information will hopefully help you compare “apples to apples” and cut costs only where you really want to cut costs, and spend where your money is being put to good use, according to your priorities.

Filmic versus Documentary

The terms, “filmic” and “documentary” get thrown around a lot, and can mean different things to different people. Often times, a videographer won’t strictly belong to one category or the other. If you’re not sure where a certain videographer fits in, just ask to see a sample of a complete wedding they have shot and edited… then decide if you like it. Then, who cares what it’s called? If you like it, you like it.

Usually, a “filmic” look implies that a video has been shot widescreen or 16:9 (with the growing popularity of widescreen TVs, most videographers shoot widescreen these days anyway), with saturated colours, and some dramatic slow motion effects. It can also mean very stable moving shots created with the help of cranes or jib arms, steadicam apparatus, etc.

The advantages to going with a filmic videographer, is that you literally get a chance to star in your own professionally shot movie. You will be beautifully lit, and captured from the right angles, and only the best, most glamorous shots will make the final cut. You may never look better!

The drawback, of course, is the cost. It takes a lot of people to put a production like this together, not to mention a lot of high end equipment. And finally, there is editing time: for a truly filmic experience, several hours in an editing suite is required to synch up footage from multiple cameras, mix sound and music, create transition effects and titles, etc.

Another drawback, depending on your point of view, is it is not an ideal setup for the camera-shy. You will be surrounded by a crew, lights, and equipment. You will likely be aware of the cameras. You may occasionally have to wait for the cameras to get in place or re-enact for the cameras if necessary.

A “documentary” approach implies that your video is shot with less bulky equipment, and you might only get one or two cameramen with this approach.

The drawback of a documentary approach is it’s going to have a grittier look than the filmic approach. How gritty? Again, this is going to vary from shooter to shooter, so ask to see a sample DVD to come to your own conclusion.

The major advantage of a documentary approach is that because the equipment is lighter, the shooters have more flexibility, so they can move and capture spontaneous moments as they happen naturally. The approach is less obtrusive, and when done correctly, you shouldn’t feel the cameras around you a whole lot. The cost for a documentary approach should be less: the equipment isn’t as high end or cumbersome and you can get away with less people on set. How smooth the final DVD looks depends on the amount of time allocated to editing, and this can vary from production house to production house.

Editing versus Raw

When it comes to videography, don’t make the common mistake of thinking you are paying for just one day of service. A lot of prep time goes into any production, and after the shoot, as much as 50 or 60 hours might go into editing and refining your footage. Or not. It depends on the production company. So ask what your videographer puts into their editing process, and expect to pay accordingly for their time and efforts.

Your videographer might simply offer the raw (unedited) footage; in which case, a tape or hard drive to DVD transfer and some packaging is all that is required after the shoot. This is by far the cheapest option when scouting for video packages, but it is important that your expectations for this option are realistic.

There is a lot of software out there that can enable anyone to edit their own footage, but even if an amateur has the time, patience, and creativity to finish their own video, a professional editor is likely going to see more potential in the same batch of raw footage. If you don’t plan on editing your own footage and just want to leave it unedited, understand that everything is going to be left in, audio levels may be inconsistent, and without the benefit of chapters you won’t be able to skip to precise points of interest.

Your videographer might offer light editing; a “clean-up,” if you will, where some of the rougher, darker, uneventful footage is taken out, and dissolves are put into to soften the transitions between scenes. DVD chapters might be added. Some music might be added. A light edit will cost more than no edit (obviously), but it will give you a nicer finished product that is more entertaining to watch.

Of course, if you really want to dazzle your friends and family, you might opt for a full-on edit: which includes effects, titling, colour-correction, evening out of audio levels, montages where video is edited to music, etc. This edit takes the most time and so it will cost more.

Other factors to take into consideration: are you able to screen the first cut and have input on the final product (will your editor re-cut?). Does the editor upload your video to a website so you can proof your edit and share it with friends and family? How many copies of the finished product do you get? All these perks take more time and resources, so they will add to the cost of your wedding video.

Single Camera versus Multi Camera

Most wedding video companies will offer either one or two cameras with their packages. Some higher end companies offer more than 2 cameras.

The more cameras you have, the more angles (close-ups, etc.) and coverage you’ll have, and the more dynamic an edited finished product you’ll end up with. Obviously, more cameras mean more people and more equipment, so higher costs.

The fewer cameras you have, the less coverage you’ll get, the less angles you’ll have to edit between, but it will definitely be less costly and also less obtrusive.

Another thing to consider: adding a camera means adding several more hours of footage, which means even more hours in the edit suite. See how it all quickly adds up?

Ready for your close-up?

Hopefully, this article has shed some light on the costs and time and expertise involved with putting together a wedding production, so as to demystify the various packages and price points out there.

Bottom line, there is no “right” or “wrong” way to produce a wedding video, because we all – vendors and clients alike – have our different sets of priorities. Decide what is important to you, and budget accordingly. A wedding video is a tremendous keepsake of your special day; so choose wisely.


© 2009 Night Day Productions

If you are an event planner or wedding vendor and wish to publish this article on your website, please give credit to Nishi Dias, Night Day Productions and link back to www.NightDay.ca and notify us at NightDayPro@aol.com

Night Day Productions Nominated "Readers Choice" (Etobicoke Guardian)

A very important awards ceremony is about to take place... no, not the Oscars; The Etobicoke Guardian Reader's Choice Awards! Night Day Productions has been nominated for "Reader's Choice" in Photography. Please vote for us! If you vote in enough categories you become eligible to win some prizes.

How to vote for us:

1) Register here and click Submit
2) On the pull-down menu at the top left (where it says "Best Shopping"), select "Best Business and Service" (it's the last one
3) Scroll down to "Photography" and select Night Day Productions

Many thanks to those who nominated us and to those who are voting for us!

See us at Staples!

If you happen to be browsing through the Staples Business Depot at St. Clair and Keele this month (hint: they have a ton of new DIY wedding stuff), stop over at our display at the store entrance; Night Day Productions is Staples' "recognized small business" of the month!

Thanks, Staples, for the shout-out and for helping small businesses.

Nishi

"How do you light a church?"

Question: What's the best way to light a church?

Our Answer: Don't! If you don't want lights set up in your church (they're often prohibited) we usually make do with natural light.

See results:



Keep in mind that video quality is even brighter and clearer on DVD, as clips here are compressed for easy viewing on the web.

Wedding: Jenny and Samuel's elegant church ceremony
Videographers: Kwoi and Alannah
Editor: Nishi

Raise School Funds With Professional Video Productions

Need to raise school funds? Instead of organizing another bake sale, consider having your next school play, church production, talent show, martial arts exhibition or dance recital professionally shot and edited. You can then sell professionally produced DVDs for profit, capturing your students' achievements in the process.

We are currently running a special INTRODUCTORY no-risk package for new clients interested in this service. All that is required is a minimum purchase of 25 completed DVDs at $20 each. Additional DVDs can be purchased at $20 a piece if desired.

If 75 or more DVDs are pre-ordered, we will add a second camera to the shoot, for a more dynamic and fluidly edited product. Using two cameras will enable us to cut between close-ups and wide angles without missing any action.

All video productions (1 camera and 2 camera) include:

- up to 2 hours of video coverage
- clean cutting/dissolving between shots/scenes
- titling
- even sound levels
- colour correction
- "library" case and full-colour wrap-around insert for each DVD
- full colour graphic printed directly on disc (no cheesy labels)

Contact Nishi at 416-821-8669 or NightDayPro@aol.com to book a shoot.

School Performance Video Rates:

1 camera, 25 DVDs..... $500 INTRODUCTORY OFFER
Additional DVDs are $20 a piece

Regular Offer:
1 camera, 50 DVDs..... $900
2 camera, 75 DVDs..... $1,350
2 camera, 100 DVDs..... $1,700

"It's too cold!"

"It's too cold to shop for a wedding videographer."

As a full-time video editor, I can work from home; and I appreciate not having to leave a nice warm house during the winter months. This time of year, I don't blame anyone who hesitates before battling through the slush, ice and traffic to go vendor shopping.

If you're considering hiring a wedding videographer, I highly recommend seeing an ENTIRE wedding video they shot and edited start to finish, not just highlights set to music.

If you're wondering what could make the hunt a little easier, I've got some advice: ask if you can see an entire wedding online, in the comfort of your own home in front of your computer. The video quality won't be as good as it will be on DVD, but at least you can get a good idea of the editing style, the coverage, the audio levels, the camera-work, etc. Then, if you're impressed, you can make the trek out to meet the vendor in person. At least then you'll know the trip is worth your while.

For anyone who is interested in seeing a complete wedding online, I can send you links by email: just send me a PM, email or call and let me know what type of wedding you're having (indoor, outdoor, church, banquet hall, what culture(s) etc.) so I can send you something that is relevant to you.

You'll see an entire wedding, as it appears on a client DVD:

- continuous documentary-style coverage of the ceremony, first dance, cake-cutting, speeches, etc. with natural audio, edited so it plays as it really happened
- montage sequences set to music of arrivals, cocktails, etc.
- "congratulations" from guests
- highlights trailer set to music, incorporating voiceovers of the vows and ring exchange, etc. for a "movie trailer" type piece to encapsulate the day

Here's to an easy 2009 and a pleasant vendor shopping experience!

Nishi

Videotaping Your Ceremony

There are MANY approaches to shooting a wedding ceremony, and of course it all comes down to personal preference. Here's how we tackle it:



1) Shoot with 2 cameras: to make sure we get a good angle of both the bride and groom, plus lots of close-ups of the ring exchange, etc. Use only 3CCD cameras (better for low-light situations)

2) Full edit without distracting cheesy effects: for seamless, timeless storytelling. Audio levels should be even (you shouldn't blow your ears out when the audience applauds, you shouldn't struggle to hear the vows). Colour balance (in-camera and/or in the editing process) for a nice, warm "film" feel.

3) Use little/no external lighting: it's not a film set, it's a wedding, right? We don't want the "deer caught in headlights" look from our bride/groom.

4) Use a wireless lavaliere microphone: a tiny mic concealed on the groom, picks up all the vows, the officiant, and any funny comments you might want to treasure.

5) Use a shotgun mic on the camera for ambient (room) sound: and mix this with the lav mic audio during the editing process.

6) Be unobtrusive: no cranes or distracting equipment and the camera (wo)men should dress neatly and discretely. You should barely know we're there!

7) Shoot, edt and output digitally to maintain picture quality. Yes, film is known to have a "warmer feel" but don't knock video before you've tried it. The credentials and talent of the shooter is more important than the format: cameras don't shoot people, people shoot people.