Tommy and Heather Mid-Wedding

www.empire-videos.com

So you know that you want a wedding video.  Choosing someone that’s up to it is another matter. Here are 10 things to consider when choosing the right team for you.

1. THE TEAM: You should be able to meet with the team who will be filming your event. This will give you a good idea if they are right for you. Don’t forget you will be seeing plenty of them during your big day so if you have a connection it can make all the difference. Also check the attire of the team. Many videographers dress to impress as they will blend in nicely, but a scruffy team will stand out and may be an unwanted distraction. Videographers should be as unobtrusive as possible. They are there to capture the special moments in a discreet manner.

2.  STYLE: Find out what style each company offers. Are they documentary or movie style? Will they give you 2 hours or 20 minutes? Choose a company that suits your requirements.

3. VIDEO: If you visit a company that don’t offer high definition video or only offer a wedding on vhs then it may be worth shopping around a little more. Companies who are serious about their business will offer Blu-ray or DVD as the format for delivery. Find out if they film in high definition widescreen with surround sound.  If so you’re on the right track.

4. CAMERA POSITIONING: Speaks for itself really. Ask how many cameras are used and where they will be positioned. Adding an extra camera gives your wedding more interest for the viewer and can also capture reactions from the audience during the ceremony and speeches.

5. AUDIO: We all love movies and we’d all love them a lot less if Hollywood didn’t put any effort into sound production. Wedding videos should be no different. a wireless microphone is a must for capturing the vows of bride and groom. The on-camera microphone cannot capture those special moments by itself. Spielberg doesn’t do it. The speeches also need to be captured with clear crisp audio. There are various methods to do this so make sure you check with a potential videographer on how they are covering it and indeed if they have a backup.

6. WORK EXAMPLES: Wedding Videographers should have work they can show you. For many a viewing of a company demo gives the insight needed to confirm the recommendation from a friend or family member. Others like to view all the chapters of a DVD so they know how their wedding will look. For a brief glimpse, a trip to a companies website is all that is needed (Any website related to video production must surely have some video content on their site) If a more detailed look at the content of a finished article is needed then an appointment with the team will usually be booked in.

7. WEBSITE: The website is normally the first point of contact so the quality and content of any company may give you an idea about how serious they are and as to whether they are right for you. As previously mentioned there is no reason a wedding video company shouldn’t have examples for you to view on-line. The website should have a list of packages and a simple contact form so more information can be requested.

8. THE PHOTOGRAPHER: Ask about how the videographer retains a good working relationship with the photographer. These are two companies who will be there to get the best view of proceedings and it is important they have a good relationship throughout the day. Strong fiery characters fighting for position and the attention of the couple may clash so do your homework.

9. PACKAGES: Many companies offer different packages to suit your budget. Remember you get what you pay for so if you want to find the guy/girl with the lowest price you may not get award winning video production but if you find someone who tick all the boxes and will provide you with a quality product then it’s worth the investment for a lifetime of memories.

10. DELIVERY: Find out how the DVD/Blu-Ray will be delivered. Will it be a box in the post of a hand delivered gift basket? After all the time you spend with your videographer during the wedding process it can be a great touch to have them personally deliver you wedding to you.

Videography has always been a love of mine. Ever since I got my first video camera and tried to create my own stop-motion animation film. (pressing record and counting to 3 before stopping) 4 years at summer camp in Pennsylvania followed which featured a lad who probably annoyed everyone by wanting to document each little event because he was worried that “if you miss it….it’s gone forever” One of the thoughts that led me to combining this passion with an event so special that surely it surely cannot be lost forever. Filming weddings solo for a long time was rewarding but a job that has been made a delight by the fact that I now have a Heather as part of the team. Having a second person has been a gift in so many ways. Another camera person as opposed to running back and forth to check the second camera. A female touch through the big day, pointing out things that may have escaped me during preperations and critiquing the edit are just a few of the ways in which our business has benifited from the “Mom and Pop shop” treatment. As a result Empire Video Productions is a better business and a richer expeience for those happy couples.

Happy New Year from Tom and Heather

So to the ceremony. Clive had got over his hangover and was now as nervous as a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. But nobody present that day could forget Samantha walking down the isle led by her 3-year-old godson Michael, her sister Annabel and maid of honour Jessica. Brian the best man did his duty by picking up Clives jaw from the floor and returning it to somewhere near his mouth. During the ceremony Samantha and Clive’s gaze into the eyes of the other never faltered and the single tear that ran down Clive’s face during Sam’s vows lasted years in the memory of the front row who were close enough to witness it.

 2010.  64 year old Clive and 62-year-old Samantha Reed are siting at home reminiscing fondly about that special occasion 37 years ago. Most of the memories from that day are distant and will eventually fade away. Many present that day have moved on or are no longer with them. Their three children love hearing the stories of that special May day but wish they could have somehow been there.

“Oh Clive it was such a wonderful day. If only there was a way we could go back in time and live through it again”

Wedding Videography Facts

 • 98% of ALL newlyweds recommend future brides have their wedding professionally videotaped.

 • Before their wedding, only 50% of brides-to-be consider video one of their top 10 “must haves.” After the wedding, that number rises to 75%.

 • 45% of brides that have their weddings videotaped by an amateur would have preferred a professional videographer after viewing the results.

 • 38% of couples have their wedding videotaped (amateur and professional), compared to 98% that have their wedding professionally photographed. Of those that do not have their wedding videotaped, 68% regret their decision.

 Source: Breakthrough Marketing Survey, 2006

Thanks for reading

Tom Phillips

www.empire-videos.com 

Well that is SO not the case here in Adleiade. (Well not for us anyway) some of the most considerate and thoughtful people we have worked with have been the photographers we have had the pleasure of working with. There isn’t any sense that we’re getting in their way and most are blessed with the spacial awareness (of which Heather thinks I go on about too much) to make sure they don’t get in our shots. Great stuff… But wait it gets better. We now always ask all photographers if they don’t mind emailing us a few of the best photos from the wedding for the DVD cover. Not one has said “no, it’s our work not yours.” As a result the DVD covers always look that much better as video stills don’t quite do the trick. We do of course give the photographer credit on the cover. Everyone’s a winner.

I wanted to point out our fantastic experiences with the good photographers of Adelaide and look forward to many adslr chat over saturday dinner.

If anyone’s interested, last night I had a dream that I had Adam Sandlers voice

Happy days

Thanks to Nova photo graphics for the photo (0415 184 363) 

So Saturday saw the wedding of Chris and Tabitha in sunny Lobethal. Trouble was that it was wet and rainy Lobethal for the most part. But as soon as we saw Tabitha’s face in the late morning, we know that the weather was the only thing that was miserable about this day.

The hills were the host to a fantastic occasion and Heather and I are looking forward to getting stuck into editing this one. Not least for the crazy shapes being thrown around on the dance floor by our tablemates. Now I say tablemates as this brings me onto the moment that was defiantly in the top 5 of the day. We heard our names as the guests were checking their table places and there we were…. seated with the grooms hockey mates and partners…wow!! Thanks guys!!!     

Big thanks to the D.J Trent too for giving us a heads up on the events. (djtrentslater@gmail.com) It makes our job 53.65% easier when we know 10 minutes in advance when the speeches/waltz/cake cutting etc are on the way.  

Look forward to posting he video soon

Heather and I had a wonderful time yesterday. The weather was perfect, the families were so warm and welcoming and made us feel right at home with coffie and turkey wraps.  The bridal parties were entertaining (I won’t post what we walked in on at the grooms house) and everyone had a brilliant day.

I would like to give a mention to some wonderful suppliers we met yesterday. The photographer Jules from Pear Walk Studios (pearwalkstudios.com) was so professional and so helpful to Heather and I.  Steve McNally (stevemcnally.com) the Mc and Dj was great, letting us know all the reception movemets and letting fly with some top tunes including some Greek flava’s that got the dancefloor pretty lively. My new dream is to get rich and get Silver Crest Limousines (silvercrestlimousines.com) to drive me around in one of their strech Chryslers.  I stuck my head in the door of the limo and was greeted with an indoor VIP lounge. 

Service – St Laurence Church, North Adelaide

Reception – Grange Golf Club

I’ll post highlights soon!!!!

Happy Days……..

Come and visit us for a chat. You can see how we can help capture your big day and provide you with an unforgettable experience.