Wedding Videography question

J_Barnes

J_Barnes

Veteran
Okay, I know there's some of you blokes out there doing this professionally, so I've got a question of opinion for you guys.

I'm tight on the finances, I've got editing equipment a'plenty, time to cut my own stuff, and I have a general dislike for the results of almost ALL wedding videos, yet I'm getting hitched.

How receptive would you be (as a professional wedding videographer) to negotiating with someone who would just want to hire you for the production and not post?

What I'm thinking is whether or not it's realistic to contract someone to shoot the wedding and then release the tapes to me. If a person is receptive to this idea, I'll be able to spend more on the actual production as I'll be doing the post work myself at no cost.

Whatta yah think?
 
I'd do it for someone who I know wouldn't screw my footage. But then again, I am not a wedding videographer.

OTOH, I've had an experience where someone (a client of mine) completely destroyed my work by scaling pics down to an impossibly low resolution and putting the pics on their website. Needless to say, I fired the client - boy that feels good just to say it!

The above shows it's a fine line. For you, I'd do it.
 
..you want someone to shoot your wedding and then just hand you the tapes.. id do it in an instant. im not a wedding videographer, but i do hire myself out as second camera for wedding videographers and simply shoot what they want me to and then hand them the tape.. hey, its quick and easy money. why would i or anyone else care what you do with it once we get paid? id say that any event videographer would be out of their mind not to take a quick and easy job like that as long as it paid what it was worth. anyway .. just IMHO.
 
I think that would be pretty fine--for you. I have only done one shoot as described for a non-industry person ( non industry being-persons that do not have skills as an editor nor a shooter). Honestly, it did bother me, like--what will happen to my footage? but it wasn't really a big deal. what bothers me is if the couple edited it and it sucked and then told someone I shot it --that would bother be because it would not be great for my name and reputation.

if someone knows they will be editing their own foootage, they have A LOT more incentive to do a good job ( unless they want to sit for hours correcting their own blunders )

just be sure you discuss with your shooters HOW you want it shot, based on how you plan to edit it. what kinds of shots do you like to edit with? how much time will you be able to spend on it---or how much is your desire to edit it and it what manner? just get it done. impress the families, what not? if you want a very basic, easy, fast edit, you should specify to keep the footage clean..

--one last note. raw video shooting sounds like an easy way to make money, but it is a dead end. i would be very reluctant to do this in the future because it is a waste of time for me. referral possibilities after this are very low becuase people haven't seen much of what you can do. in other words, your video really has not other life to help you in the future because you gave it back. you have nothing to show future clients, nothing to show other vendors, nothing to show the venue. good editing showcases good shooting. if you produce a great end product, that will pay you back. Just ONE good, finished wedding DVD can bring you SEVERAL more weddings, if you work it. A raw video shoot will also committ you to a date where you could have potentially booked a bigger job, or a big job that will get you other bigger jobs.

generalizing here..

not to mention the FACT that the couple may never even look a the tapes..and then become people that tell their friends, "yah, we hired a videographer, but we NEVER even look at the video." when that happens, you are killing the demand for video in the first place.

((ADD))
you might ask for the tapes IMMEDIATELY..........
 
oh, and congrats on your wedding!

((ADD))

and PM for a referral for someone in your area, who might do this for you and is good.

but I don't think he shoots with DVX
 
as far as only shooting raw video..it certainley is somewhat rough road if thats all you plan on doing. but if your already established... well then its just easy extra money. cause your either going to work the job for some extra bucks in a couple hours, or not work at all. it really wouldnt affect the rest of your business which would be built on services which you actually have a client list and demo reel for. its entirely seperate from my production company, and just sort of done on the side. but your right, i wouldnt excpect to make a living from it unless you just have free reign on alot of freelance camerawork opportunities in the area.
 
TC said:
Why not use some of that cash from your avatar?
Click to expand...

because that cash is only $3,400...and weddings are more expensive then that.

not to mention that I burned all that cash lighting cigars...

damn high-rolling attitude and low paying jobs!
 
..you have to get yourself a nice copier, and uh ..."increase your earnings"

obvioulsy just kidding, buuuuuut.. true story. about 5 or so years ago i used a little joke to convince someone on buying a particular copier/printer/scanner. i told them that i would give them 5 bucks if they could tell the difference between a copy and the original. then i pulled out a five dollar bill and gave it to them and said.. now let me demonstrate, and if your right, you can keep the five. they said "ok..sounds good to me ...even if they are identical ive got a 50/50 chance" so then i stopped and said .. give me the 5 back ..you lose. and they said "what" i said the bill i gave you is a copy. made on this machine. (it was.. just for the purpose of messing with people i had made it earlier when i checked out the machine) they looked at it and said "your kidding" .. i said nope. look at the one corner.. i had a little mark there to show it was a copy and not a normal bill. they said "omg" and bought the machine. i still have that bill to play jokes on people..

shhhh dont tell uncle sam.. its just a party gag.
 
iamloser said:
..you want someone to shoot your wedding and then just hand you the tapes.. id do it in an instant. im not a wedding videographer, but i do hire myself out as second camera for wedding videographers and simply shoot what they want me to and then hand them the tape.. hey, its quick and easy money. why would i or anyone else care what you do with it once we get paid? id say that any event videographer would be out of their mind not to take a quick and easy job like that as long as it paid what it was worth. anyway .. just IMHO.
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What Neil says...
 
I actually did the this for my wedding three years ago. Was totally unhappy with the work in my area- so I found a proffessional videographer to handle the shoot, he handed over the raw tapes with some notes and I handled the post.

Not everyone we approached at first was happy with the idea- you may sign a waiver that if the footage was ever used for demo work they would recieve credit for shooting etc. That protects them incase you hand it to a friend who is just starting out and needs footage.

I loved the experience and was happy I hired a pro and was fun to cut it myself my way. We went over a shot list prior to the day.

My only regret is the DVX was not around.
 
If you can swing it, hire two shooters (rent a camera if necessary). Not only will the extra footage/angles provide for a better movie, but you’ll increase the likelihood you’ll have material that suits your tastes. Not to mention you’ll decrease the likelihood that key moments are missed, etc.

If you play your cards right (check the local schools or try Craigslist.com) you’ll likely find 2 budding amateurs for the same or less cost than 1 pro (and often they’re equally talented in regards to shooting). If you’re providing the cameras, it will be even easier.

My 4 cents. Congrats....
 
Yes but two amateurs results in amateur work.

I am a firm believer in hiring the right person for the job- If this is an important project than hire a pro. I totally understand that the wedding industry is not the most creative and edgy but it will be you handling the post work. So most important is the shooting and getting a amateurscould lead to trouble.

Talented shooting does not mean you can shoot a wedding without experience just like I wouldnt hire an amateur to shoot a music video unless he had experience doing so.
Remember you are asking this person to run and gun film your day, handle audio, be steady, and understand the camera in a uncontrolled setting and understand the intricacies of a wedding- thats alot to put on a amateur.

Hey If I could have filmed my own wedding I would have but I felt confident in who I hired and was pleased with the results- be clear about style and shot lists. The rest is done in post.
Plus how much really would it cost to have it shot only, the bulk of the work for those guys is the editing.

my opinion....3 cents
 
Not that I disagree... but remember: The Titanic was built by professionals. The Arc was built by an amateur. :grin:

I am sure J_Barnes has enough knowledge that even if he hires an amateur, he checks him out first.
 
J_Barnes said:
How receptive would you be (as a professional wedding videographer) to negotiating with someone who would just want to hire you for the production and not post?

What I'm thinking is whether or not it's realistic to contract someone to shoot the wedding and then release the tapes to me. If a person is receptive to this idea, I'll be able to spend more on the actual production as I'll be doing the post work myself at no cost.

Whatta yah think?
Click to expand...

Just like the broadcast or movie industry many (most) of the wedding videographers are freelance and just shoot the event and turn the tapes over to the producer - in this case you. It happens all the time... :)
 
why not cut a deal with someone or some company that is high quality and has expertise, explain why you want only the tapes and then offer to be second camera for them on one of their shoots in the future ???
 
Problem is too many wedding “professionals” put out amateur results. Just look around. How many cheesy wedding videos can you see? If it’s anything like Boston, it’s an endless sight of superimposed clouds with bells and balloons. I’d much rather have a film student or two who are passionate about shooting 24p with a dvx than risk one of the countless “know-it-all” veterans shooting with a XL1 and 150w spotlight. Especially since the editing is out of their hands and in mine anyway.

Like xcheck said, in the end, check out whoever you use and you’ll be fine. Can’t hurt to checkout the local rising talent. You might be surprised what you find.
 
James--If I've got the day free I'd be happy to shoot for you. I'd work for a bargain price, leaving you enough to rent the 10K's, crane, and smoke machines I'll require. Seriously, PM me if you're interested or I can also recommend some sources for local shooters.
 
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