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Frequently asked questions |
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Q. How long have you been filming weddings?
A. I started off filming weddings in 2006. Previous to that I freelanced as a cameraman filming live events, sales training videos, corporate videos and conferences. I'm a designer by trade and have been self employed since 1998 working for midlands design agencies and direct clients alike. Some of my clients are the likes of Network Rail, United Biscuits, Mercia Housing and KP Nuts who I have filmed for.
Q. What equipment do you use?
A. I use a broadcast quality camera which can film in standard digital or HD quality. Professional microphones are used for recording sound during the wedding ceremony and speeches. All footage is filmed using a tripod apart from the evening party where I can mingle and be less obtrusive to guests. No one wants a camera pushed in their face. The reason some cameramen get up close is to avoid camera shake. As I use a tripod I can film from a very comfortable distance away and use the 20x zoom to get great closeup shots. I also keep a backup camera in the car just incase of any problems with the main camera. I recently started using a mobile recording deck aswell for making a backup recording of the ceremony and speeches as they happen. So even if the tape in the camera fails to record properly the VTR deck will have captured the footage. This is just another example of the lengths I go to to capture a wedding day.
Q. How long will my DVD be in time?
A. On average a silver package would be about 1 and a half hours. This depends very much on the length of the speeches and ceremony. I usually extend the length of the musical sections by cleverly editing the music so it lasts longer than the original track. This allows me to include far more footage by not being limited the the length of the musical track.
From experience a Gold package lasts around 2 hours.
Q. Do I need permission from my church to have my wedding filmed?
A. Most definately. Some churches require you to pay a fee for a licence for the recording of hymns and some would ask me to sign a declaration that the footage wouldn't be broadcast or mass produced. Some even ask for a fee if friends and family want to film on their own consumer camcorders. Others are very relaxed about cameras – it all depends on the vicar and his attitude to filming.
Q. How do you film a ceremony?
A. I much prefer to film a ceremony from the Grooms side and be set back behind the vicar slightly. But alot depends on the size and layout of the church as to what is the best position. Some vicars are very strict on where they allow cameramen to stand and may insist that I stand at the back of the church. They all have their own rules regarding this so therefore it's best to have that conversation with the vicar. If you want the best recording of the wedding I recommend you request placing the camera in front of yourselves.
I use a radio microphone and a mobile recording device placed strategically and out of sight so no trailing wires on the floor. This also allows me, once the signing of the register is complete, to move to the back of the church to film you walking down the aisle but still able to record the last of the ceremony audio well.
Civil ceremonies are a lot easier usually than a church. The only restriction being that I cannot by law film the actual signing of the register. But there is plenty of opportunity to film the witnesses and yourselves as well as some of the guests in the room. Your photographer will stage a signing of the register when all the legal matters are finalised and will film this.
Q. What time do you start and finish filming my wedding day?
A. On a gold package I would turn up when you wanted me there. This is usually when the beautician or hairdresser gets there. On a silver package I get to the venue an hour before the ceremony to liaise with the church, film the grounds and start capturing the arrivals of all involved. Silver finishes after the 1st dance.
On a gold package I would usually stop filming at about 10.30pm. This is ample time to record all guests enjoying themselves. If you were to require me to stay longer I would ask for £50 for every half hour after 10.30pm. Gold packages are long days with little rest.
Q. Could we keep the master tapes containing the raw footage of my wedding day?
A. I charge an extra £100 for handing over the master tapes. I do this because of costs involved in replacing the tapes.
Q. How quickly can I have the finished DVD of my wedding day?
A. I don't start editing until I have a list of music from yourselves that you want on the DVD. This can dictate how I pace the flow and feel of the movies. Most people let me have the music within the first month after the wedding. Some take longer! So if you're eager and want it turned around quickly I recommend you choose your music before the wedding day. That way I can have a preview DVD ready and waiting for you when you return from honeymoon.
Q. Do you do special effects?
A. Depends on what people perceive as special effects. I can convert footage to sepia or black and white. Adding various transitions between shots is possible but this can look cheesy. So I tend to stick to classic faded transitions and hard cuts between clips. Also my charges for production are based on an average time scale to edit a film. Anything that takes longer than standard would have to be charged at a higher rate.
Soft focus and cinematic dark blurs are easy. But this isn't Hollywood so don't ask me to superimpose someone's head onto another body! (Or film King Kong carrying off the Bride!)
Q. Would we need to feed you?
A. Some sandwiches and a drink are all I'd need. I don't expect to be treated as a guest but it is a long day and you don't want your cameraman feinting into granny's lap!
Q. Do you film weddings in HD?
A. At the moment I tend to film in standard digital as most people will not be HD equipped for a good many years to come. If you require HD footage I can film weddings in HD but there would be an extra charge for producing a HD movie in Blu-ray format as it takes longer to edit in HD. Alternatively I can film and edit in HD and supply HD Quicktime movie files for play back on a PC.
Q. Is there a fee for the music?
A. The films are produced for viewing in the privacy of you own home so there is no fee for the music. If anyone tells you there is - walk away, unless you are prepared to pay. I've researched this with the PRS and this is what they have told me.
Q. How far do you travel to film a wedding?
A. I've been as far north as Rotherham and down south to Oxford to film but try to restrict any filming to within a comfortable driving distance. There is a mileage fee for outside of the Midlands and there could be extra costs such as hotel accomodation if necessary.
Q. Do you have Public Liability Insurance.
A. Yes – I have to have it because of my work as a freelance cameraman.
Q. What happens if it rains on my day – will it stop you filming?
A. I have a very big umbrella! And as I control the camera with what is called a Lanc Remote once the tripod is set up I only need one hand to use the camera. For light rain I have a shower cover for the camera. If it is raining too much though your photographer will decide on where your main photos will be taken inside your reception venue. I did film a wedding in 2007 where it was pouring down outside so we did the group pictures inside the church.
Q. Will the wedding DVD play on my old DVD player?
A. I thorougly test the DVD to check it will play on both old and new players. Some companies can only produce DVD-R formats. These tend to be the ones that won't play on an older dvd player. I record onto DVD+R which is far more compatible with consumer DVD players. Of course if for any reason the DVD won't play on your DVD player I will investigate. If you can play my demo disc however then you will have no problem playing an actual wedding DVD.
Q. Why are you so competitively priced? Are you not as good as other companies?
A. I'm very commercial when it comes to rates. As the wedding filming is only part of what my business does I can be very keen on price. I have positioned myself in the market place so as to be attractive to the customer who wants a professional and very good quality product at the right price. Some companies charge several hundreds of pounds more for a very similar product. I have a day rate that I work to and my charges reflect this. I filmed 21 weddings in 2007 and 23 weddings in 2008. Three of these weddings were from referrals from the previous year – I think that speaks for itself.
Q. Do you work from home?
A. No. I have a studio just outside of Birmingham City Centre. I used to have an office at home but as my business has grown along with my family I had to expand. I'm perfectly situated to service my corporate clients in Birmingham.
Q. What happens to our footage once you've created the DVDs?
A. The finished DVD data is stored onto an external computer hard drive and then stored safely away. So if you lost or damaged your DVD it would be easy to replace – however many years down the line. The master tapes are wiped and reused. It is possible for you to purchase the master tapes though for £100. I also offload the footage onto dvd for you so you don't have to worry about the tapes.