TXPSV.COM

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Wedding FAQ from FrugalBride.com

We at Texas Pro Sound and Video are proud of our services and the quality of our productions.  That pride translates into confidence in our abilities and equipment, and our experience helps us to make your wedding video the best it can be.  In fact, we don’t even like to call it a wedding video… we prefer to call it your wedding feature!
There is a great internet resource from frugalbride.com about how to choose a videographer.  The article encourages you to review the sample footage of prospective videographers to find someone whose style clicks with your own.  At TXPSV, we have our own style, but we also make sure to talk at length with our clients about what they want their feature to “feel” like.  Do you want a romantic, dreamy feature using slow motion techniques and creative cinematography?  Do you want a “documentary-style” shoot that plays like a Bridezilla or MTV Real World episode?  Or do you want a fun, upbeat video that highlights the fun you had on your wedding day?  How about a combination of styles?
The article on frugalbride.com lists questions you should ask of your videographer.  We’ve saved you some time by answering those questions for you in advance!  Here’s our list of questions and answers:

What type of lighting will the videographer use?
With today’s video cameras, we don’t need nearly as much artificial light as we once demanded.  My grandfather’s first video camera scared the kids because he had to wear a backpack with huge spotlights on each side of his head!  He was like a scary alien robot! 
Our equipment is state of the art and can film in very low light situations, even in almost pitch black.  That being said, the video will look much better with adequate light.  Most churches have plenty of ambient light to make a good video.  However, most reception venues do not.  Also, brides tend to favor darker reception dance floors to provide a better ambiance. 
We DO NOT use artificial light in churches because we find it is unnecessary (and the ministers would kill us!). 
We DO use two elevated lights for most reception venues.  These lights are controlled by remote and are battery powered, so no cords to trip over.  Also, they sit high in the air, eleven feet off the ground, so as not to shine in anyone’s eyes.  We turn them on for important scenes, like the first dance, toasts, etc., and discreetly turn them off by remote when not in use.
Lighting is one of those things that people sometimes take issue with.  Some brides do not want any lights on the dance floor.  If it’s a concern, let’s look at some footage together of dance floors without lights and see if the quality is acceptable to you.  If it is, we can do without the lights.  If you can stand a little bit of light for those important parts, we feel it’s worth it.
Also, we generally do not use on-camera lighting. People tend to run away when they see a giant floating orb of light and camera coming their way. We like to get candid shots of people enjoying themselves at the wedding, and the bright light makes people too uncomfortable.

How will the videographer be dressed at the wedding?
We always dress appropriately for weddings.  Keep in mind that the videographer starts working before anyone else, works almost non-stop during the day, and stays later than the bride and groom do at the reception.  This makes for some long days!  We often work easily more than 12 hours straight for a ceremony and reception package.  This means our dress must be appropriate but also comfortable.
We normally wear black slacks and dress shirts with ties.  We’ve never had any complaints about our appearance and we’re a couple of pretty preppy guys to begin with, so dress has never been an issue at any of our weddings.  If anything, we’ve sometimes shown up a little overdressed!  Let us know what you expect your guests to be wearing, and if we need to dress down a little, we certainly can.  If you think we should be more dressed up, we’ll entertain that idea, too.

Do you have sample videos I can see?
Absolutely.  We encourage brides and grooms to check the sample videos on our wedding channel at vimeo.com/channels/texaswedding. If you’d like a sample of an actual DVD delivered to our clients, please ask and we’ll be happy to send you one.
I would personally never hire a videographer without seeing their work in advance.  The more samples the better!  I constantly review other videographers’ samples to compare their work with mine and to get ideas and fresh angles!

How long have you been in business?
Our company was officially founded in the spring of 2007, though we’ve been working with video for years before starting the firm.  After doing video and home movies as a hobby for years, a bride asked me to film her wedding.  I did some research and found that almost no one does professional videography in the hill country area.  We took our skills that we had acquired over years of amateur video work, took classes, rubbed elbows with professionals in the field, and honed our skills to become seasoned videographers!  Now, with lots of weddings and other event videography under our belts, we have the experience to show it.

What packages do you offer?
We offer a ceremony-only package and a full ceremony/reception/etcetera package.  The ceremony-only shoots start at $1,000 and the full packages start at $2,000.  We also offer lots of add-ons to make your wedding day even more special.
What we’ve found is that it takes a certain amount of labor, materials, administrative expense, and expertise to make a video that we’re proud to put our name on.  That’s why we have certain prices as minimums.  We feel the packages and services we offer are well worth this small investment.  Please browse the add-ons we offer below:

• Photo Slideshow for Reception - We can create a photo montage to play at your reception.  This type of display usually features pictures of the bride and groom growing up, dating, etc. Very fun for guests to watch during the reception, and sure to bring tears to their eyes.  Set to the music of your choice. Package Price - $150.
• Same Day Edit - If the timing is right between your ceremony and reception, we can provide a same-day-edited video of your wedding day up to and including the ceremony.  We will need full cooperation with everyone involved, but this makes memories that last a lifetime!  Very popular to play during the couple's first dance, gives the guests something to watch in addition to the dance.  Requires a lot of fast, stressful work for the videographers, but well worth it in the long run.  Package price - $500.
• Interviews/Love Story - This is shot long before your wedding day.  We interview both the bride and groom, first separately, then together.  Edited along with shots of the happy couple, family photos, and more.  Very fun addition to the wedding video, and something to share with your future children. Also includes interviews with the parents of bride and groom. Can be added to the same day edit package for an awesome reception video!  Package price - $600.
• Projection Services for any of the above packages - Projector and Screen to make it easily seen and heard at the reception - $250.

 

Do you use professional quality equipment, accessories and supplies?
Absolutely!  We’re very proud of our equipment.  We use two Canon XH-A1 high definition camcorders; one JVC GR-HD1 high definition camcorder; a Canon 7D DSLR high definition camera; two sets of wireless audio microphones from Samson and Seinheiser; a camera stabilization device called the Steadicam Merlin; a 12 foot tall crane/jib from Kessler Crane; audio mixers from Yamaha and Behringer; audio recorders from Edirol; wired microphones from Shure; industry standard editing and mastering from Adobe; and quality media from JVC, Sony, Panasonic, and others.  Everything we own is name brand, high quality equipment.  We would be happy to give you more information about any of our equipment, and we’re keen to brag about it if you give us a chance!

How many cameras do you use?
For the ceremony, we use two or three cameras.  The number of cameras depends on the layout of the ceremony and how many operators we can employ for the price of your package.  Normally we use two manned cameras for the ceremony.
At the reception, we use two cameras and camera operators.  Two cameras get lots of coverage at a reception and we’ve never seen a need for more than two. 
Of course, if we think we’ll need three cameras, you can bet that we’ll use three… or four… or five!!  Our goal is to use whatever is necessary to make your feature the best it can possibly be.

Do you have back-up equipment that is comparable in quality to the original?
Yes and no.  We have a replacement for everything we own except for cameras.  Our cameras are very expensive pieces of equipment and their cost does not allow us to have two extra cameras exactly alike just laying around not in use!  But, our equipment is tested constantly and maintained to a very high standard.  Everything is tested before your wedding and we have access to lots of other equipment for rent or to be borrowed.

Do you use wireless microphones?
Yes we do, and they are wonderful devices.  People often forget that audio makes up half of the film quality.  Imagine a wedding without sound!  We put a wireless microphone on the officiant and one on the groom to make sure we hear those vows loud and clear.  We don’t put one on the bride because we find it’s pretty much impossible to hide a black microphone on a white dress.  Normally the other two mics are in close proximity to the bride when she says her vows and they work just fine.  Sometimes we can talk the minister into holding his mic out in front of the bride to get better sound if we need it.
We also use wireless mics if there is a podium at the reception for speeches.  If there’s not, we will decide whether we need to mic the speakers or not.  The way receptions go, there’s usually not a closely followed script for what’s going to happen, so we generally don’t mic anyone at the reception.  When we can, and when necessary, we do put mics on the best man, maid of honor, etc. for their speeches.

Do you offer non-linear digital editing?
Yes we do.  All of our editing is done with the industry standard Adobe Creative Master Suite.  Non-linear editing means the system can perform random access on the source material.  In the old days of film editing, you would splice part one, fast forward to the end, splice part two… etc.  Those days are thankfully gone.  We can now edit extremely fast thanks to modern technology.  So fast, in fact, that we can edit your pre-ceremony and ceremony in time to play at your reception (with the purchase of the Same Day Edit add-on)!
Even with increases in speed, to really make your video shine, it takes hours upon hours of work in the editing room.  Each wedding we edit takes between 15 and 25 hours of work in post production.  This is a long time, but the end product reflects the care and effort we put in along the way.  Post-production is really what makes wedding video look great, but it is also the number one contributing factor to its cost.

Do you copy-protect or scramble the videotape?
No.  And p.s., we deliver mainly in DVD, not videotape.  You buy our service and you buy the right to copy the product for your own personal use.  We don’t scramble or use any copy protection techniques.  As Hollywood knows, Digital Rights Management has failed, and we don’t use it.

What are your guarantees and liabilities?
Our written contract outlines all of our guarantees and liabilities and limitations thereof.  Without getting into legal mumbo jumbo, we guarantee we’ll perform the service we’ve promised, on time, and in a professional manner.  We are liable to the client if we do not.  Other limitations of liability and disclaimers appear in the contract mainly to protect ourselves and our company.  If you need more details, just ask!

Do you have a written contract?
Yes we do.  We use a written contract for all of our clients so that we all know what is expected of one another.  We’ve rarely have problems with any of our clients, but a written contract puts everyone at ease and ensures we all do what we need to do.

Are you unobtrusive?
If you want us to be, yes.  We explain to our clients that there are really two styles of wedding videography.  There is the documentary style, and there is the cinematic style.  The difference is quite striking, both in the results and in the process of filmmaking.  You must decide what you’re looking for and let us know which style suits you better.
With documentary-style video, we simply follow the action of the day and record what happens.  Our cameramen are simply “flies on the wall” as they follow you from the ceremony and into the reception.  This style works best for some people if their church or religious customs are very strict about video in the place of worship.  Also, if the bride and groom wish for the videographer to be completely unobtrusive, we are confined to this style of shooting.  The end result is a video that is pretty and of high quality, but somewhat less intriguing than the cinematic style shoot.
In the cinematic style, we shoot scenes similar to a Hollywood movie.  The angles are more dramatic, we show a lot more detail and emotion, and we sometimes will “direct” your movement to make the video great.  We do not intrude on the wedding ceremony, but one of us might be somewhat more mobile during the ceremony to get those really great shots.  We’ll interact with you and your wedding party.  We’ll have fun!  The finished product is an entertaining movie, not just a video.  Unless there is a specific reason not to, we recommend you let us be as creative as possible with the cinematic style shoot.

Will the shoot interfere with the proceedings in any way?
The shoot will not interfere with the wedding ceremony.  Even though the wedding day is a lot of fun for you and for us, we know that there is a time for celebration, but we know that many traditions call for the ceremony to be a sacrament – not to be changed or intruded upon by the photographer or videographer.  During the ceremony, we will be moving around a bit as the procession begins, but we become as unobtrusive as possible once the ceremony begins.  We stay out the guests’ line of sight, and we don’t distract the minister by constantly moving around.  We’ve had nothing but compliments on our behavior during the ceremony, so please rest assured we will keep your ceremony sacred.
Now for the rest of the day, it really depends on which style you have chosen: either cinema or documentary.  Please don’t think that we will be directing your every move, as this will not be the case.  When I say that we will occasionally direct you, I mean we’ll say things like, “Could I get a shot of you zipping up her dress?”  “Could you face the camera and do that again?”  “Sit here and I’ll come in from the other room and zoom in on your ring finger.”  Things like that.  Just as your photographer will also do occasionally.

How much do you charge for additional hours beyond the agreed contract?
We try not to put ourselves in the position of being asked to stay longer while we’re actually at the reception.  We will talk to you beforehand about how long everything is expected to last, and will quote you a price after determining the duration of the filming and editing.  We plan on arriving as the B&G are getting dressed for the ceremony and we plan on staying until the B&G leave the reception.  There’s really not much else to stay for!
If there are some unexpected events that just demand that we stay longer than the duration stated in the contract, we charge $150 per hour.  We don’t expect that this will be an issue for your wedding, but we’re always prepared.

Do you work with the photographer to ensure mutual cooperation?
Yes.  This is one of our highest priorities.  You see, we film weddings for a living, and therefore we must be able to work alongside other wedding vendors.  We work closely with photographers throughout your wedding day.  We are sometimes in each other’s way, and we help each other out when we can.  By establishing a good relationship with the photog, everyone’s job becomes a little easier.  We can work together to get the shots we both need while not getting in each other’s way too much, and we can help each other by staying on top of the events, anticipating each important moment.  We’ve gotten along very well with everyone we’ve worked with.  We always end the night by trading business cards with the photographers and inviting them to our website to watch the final product.

Are you there throughout the entire reception?
Yes.  As we’ve stated, we feel the videographers should be present at least until the B&G leave the party.
There have been a couple of receptions that we wish we could have been told in more detail what the schedule would be.  For example, we arrived at one reception at 2 PM only to be told the first events would start at 8 PM.  That’s a little too long to be sitting around!  In that case I would recommend the B&G consider the Same Day Edit add-on, and allow us to use our time to create an awesome visual to be shown at the reception!  Please just let us know to the best of your knowledge what the schedule will be, preferably before we write the contract.

Will you go to a location (like the beach or a park) without additional charge?
Absolutely, within reason.  We’d be glad to do a video/photo shoot at a local park or beach as part of the wedding day coverage.  Or, if it’s not local, let us know ahead of time and we can budget for travel expenses.  If the location is not too far away, we’ll be happy to go there without additional charge.  Also, our passports are current, so we’ll be glad to go with you to your destination wedding in Mexico or elsewhere!

How much are additional copies of the wedding tapes?
With our packages, you get 5 copies of the DVD in professionally printed packaging.  We ship out our finished DVD to a production house that makes beautiful packaging.  For more unprinted copies, they are $5 each.  For more professionally printed versions, they come in sets of 10 for about $100.

Do you have references that I can call?
Yes.  References are available upon request.  We keep our wedding client list confidential, but we have one or two that don’t mind being contacted to share their experiences.

I hope that we’ve answered most of your questions.  If not, drop us a line at aaron@txpsv.com or call us at 830-214-7635.  Thanks for reading and we hope to hear from you soon!

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