Videotaping Your Wedding: Some Technical Questions And Answers Many bridal couples and their families have questions and concerns about how the wedding will be taped. Below are some of the questions we're most asked, together with information we hope will be helpful to you when considering video services for your wedding.
Will the Video Equipment be Distracting During the Ceremony?
Because portable video equipment is compact and silent, the most important consideration here is whether or not the videographer has the skill to avoid intruding on the ceremony. We feel strongly that both the ceremony and reception should be taped in as unobtrusive a manner as possible. For example, the videographer should not move about during the ceremony the camera should remain stationary on the tripod. Most people are concerned about the use of the flood lamps during the wedding service, and we agree that use of such lighting is not appropriate during the ceremony. We use low-light professional cameras, which can produce images in all but the most dimly lit interiors without video lamps.
We Want To Be Sure That Our Vows Can Be Heard On The Tape. Will this be Possible if the Camera is Placed Away From The Altar?
If the ceremony were to be recorded using the camera's built-in microphone, your vows would most likely be inaudible. These microphones loose clarity at distances beyond 7-10 feet. We utilize two broadcast-quality wireless microphones, generally worn by the officiate and the groom; these provide excellent clarity.
We are Being Married in an Evening Ceremony and the Church Lights aren't very bright. How will the Video look?
Although video cameras produce their best images when there is ample light, our professional low-light cameras do remarkably well in most churches and synagogues. However, you can expect that the colors on your tape will not be as vivid as those you see on broadcast TV; there is also some loss of picture sharpness.
How Important is it for the Videographer to Attend the Rehearsal?
Unless we've taped a ceremony at your wedding site before, we feel it is very important to attend the rehearsal. This enables us to avoid such unpleasant surprises as having an attendant block our view of the couple during vows.
Why Would We Need Editing,
Since We Want to See All of the
Scenes That Were Recorded?
As we use the term, editing does not mean the removal of usable scenes from the tape. Rather, editing wedding videotape involves the following: · The addition of titles, music, still photos, etc. · The elimination of "glitches" which would detract from the tape. For example, we must sometimes leave the tape running while rushing to capture a spontaneous scene at the reception; this footage is edited out. · Editing can be used creatively to give a tape better pacing. For example, a lengthy scene of guests dancing can be "broken-up" and made more interesting by editing in interviews with guests every few minutes. A well-edited tape looks far more polished and thus will be more enjoyable to watch; unedited tapes always have an amateurish quality.
Will the Video Image Fade Over Time?
Because both video and audio information are recorded magnetically, videotape will last indefinitely with no loss of quality if it is properly stored.
