Ottawa Wedding Bride

The wedding day that you took so much time and care to prepare will come and go, all too quickly. As you plan your wedding day, keep in mind that you will forget 90% of your wedding day... by the time you return from your honeymoon!

Your parents captured their wedding images with static photographs that did not preserve the living sounds and flowing movement of their special day. Today, however, you can preserve those living memories with Professionally recorded video.

You only get one chance so it is important to get it right the first time.

The best time to start looking for a Videographer is about twelve months in advance. There are several excellent Videographers in the Ottawa Area, a dozen or so good companies and a host of weekend warriors. If you want a specific Videographer or one of the more inclusive packages, start even earlier. Begin with recommendations from family and friends, looking through tapes for quality, style and formats that you like. As you view a demo tape with the Videographer, look for excessive pans and zooms. Does the Videographer seem to be in love with special effects? Cute effects get tiring very quickly.

Here are some questions to ask when interviewing a professional Videographer. If they refuse to answer your questions, go elsewhere. This is your wedding, not theirs. You have the right to be demanding.

1. How long has this been your Full time business?
   • In the industry there are many 'Weekend Warriors' who do great work for birthday parties.
2. What kind of equipment do you use?
   • The latest equipment are 3-chip digital cameras (500 lines of resolution) for higher acquisition quality
   • Even the much touted BetaCam only has 400 lines of resolution although great quality.
   • Although professional cameras are extremely dependable, your Videographer must bring a backup camera. Why risk your wedding to an accident?
   • Wireless microphones give clear/clean sound in difficult conditions
     • Some Audio Technicians will tie-in to the sound system for even better sound
     • If they indicate that their cameras do not need wireless microphones, you need a different Videographer, run away .....
   • Nonlinear editing based studios permit superior editing of your wedding video
   • Tripod Dollies give a much smoother flow to the action, particularly for the recessional and during the first dances
3. Who will actually be filming my wedding?
   • The clerk who books your wedding and firms out details so diligently is, far-too-often, not your Videographer. Your real camera-operator is forced to rely on notes to do the job.
   • Some large companies will even subcontract the work after taking their cut.
   • Others will give it to one of their employees who have never met you or even checked out your personal wedding-day conditions.
     • Professionals check out the lighting and sound conditions and even shoot test-footage at the various coverage sites, with the client, 2-3 weeks in advance of the wedding.
     • Professionals attend the rehearsal to keep up to date with changes and to become familiar with your wedding party.
     • This is basic preparatory work. Every wedding is different. You are prepared; they should be. Often Videographers will point to their years of experience. They feel all weddings are the same and they are prepared to wing it with your wedding hanging in the balance. Again, this preparation is basic. It should not cost extra
4. What does the video package include and do some items cost extra?
• Titling, close-up shots, background music, two-camera coverage, montage of stills set to music, interviews with family, wedding party, and guests, and rehearsal attendance are some examples of what a basic wedding-video package should include. Obtain an itemized agreement that lists everything included in the package and the total cost. Work out a clear payment schedule. Nickel-and-dime additions add-up. When the Videographer starts counting the names of the Groomsmen and the Bridesmaids to calculate the extra costs, you will wish you had gotten it in writing.
• Most Videographers only offer one-camera-coverage. A second camera is often highly priced to discourage couples from asking for it. If you do want a second camera, expect to pay more for it and expect delays in receiving your tape. There is much more work involved in coordinating the second camera and merging it during the edit. But the results are far superior. One-camera-Videographers who simply add a second camera to the mix will not do as good a job. The work will be duplicative or badly coordinated. Never allow an unmanned camera as your second camera coverage.
  
5. Do they have enough confidence in their work to give you a written money-back guarantee?
   • · If you are dissatisfied with the results, for any reason, you should have the right to refuse the video. You should not have to argue or go to court to get your money back. Get it in writing! The standard reply is, 'We have never needed one.' If they are so confident of their work, they should not mind putting that, 'Satisfaction Guaranteed or Your Money Cheerfully Refunded', in writing.
     
6. Can they provide a ceremony highlights tape to show at your reception, given adequate time between the wedding and the reception?
7. Do they only cover the wedding day activities or does their packaging cover other important events such as an Engagement party, a Bridal shower, a Stag and/or the Rehearsal/Dinner?
8. Can they provide a projector and screen to show that 'Highlights', 'Love Story', or 'Growing-up montage' footage? This would be unusual but nice.
   
9. Do they offer a low-cost option for a straight recording of the ceremony? (Justice of the Peace) This often does not include editing.
   
10. How many tapes come with the package? What is the cost for extra tapes? Can you substitute S-VHS or DVD?
    
11. Is the tape packaged professionally? Does it have a case, album, and printed labels?
    
12. Is a deposit required? If so, how much?
    
13. Can the Videographer arrive early to capture the bridal/groom preparations, moments with family members and unexpected situations?
14. How is overtime handled?
    
15. How long does the Videographer maintain the master (digital) tape?
16. Some couples want a shorter version (highlights) of the wedding tape to give to their parents, bridal party and a few friends. How much more is that (VHS, CD,DVD) going to cost or is it included in the package?
    
17. How far in advance must reservations be made?
    
18. What is the cancellation policy?
    
19. Can you select the background music? Is there a large selection from which to choose?
20. Can interviews be interspersed throughout the tape?
21. Can we get an S-VHS or digitally edited (MiniDV) master? Does this cost extra?
22. Does the Videographer maintain the tape? If so, how long?
23. What will the Videographer's attire be?
    • Sadly some Photographers/Videographers see themselves as 'Artists' and actually come in regular street clothes while everyone else is dressed up.
24. Do your have a backup camera in case of problems? Most of today's equipment is fairly reliable but they can fail and they can be knocked to the floor. A videographer should carry a backup camera and even some extra wireless microphones. There is no second chance if anything should happen.
25. Getting your video will take time. In the heart of the wedding season it will take more time. A rushed video will not receive the same attention. In this case, a quick turn-around usually indicates cookie-cutter wedding videos or a very large editing staff.

CineReal Pro-Video Productions

CineReal was established in 1990 by Wayne Schaler and Faye Powell. With only a single camcorder and their vision, they built the companies' foundation with wedding videography and events.

We use Canon GL2 3-chip digital cameras.

Wireless microphones or direct hookup to the sound system assures clear audio recordings.

We edit on the Matrox RTX100 Extreme Nonlinear editing system.

One Last Note

Both of you must feel confident that this Videographer will perform professionally and inconspicuously, and deliver a great video. If not, politely excuse yourself and find another Videographer.ding video, Nepean, Hull, Orleans, Kanata, Aylmer, videos, video,

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