I have a friend that does weddings, in fact he will be using my HD100 to shoot my wedding in a few months. Something he does which I thought was great is in addition to recording audio to the camera(s) he takes a feed from the house system and just lets it record to a HiFi VHS machine. At the reception he takes a feed from the DJ and/or Band and records it to the VHS deck. At least this way there is an uninterrupted version (Well two hours anyway) of the entire evenings audio events.
Weddings
- Thread starter hatsoff2halford
- Start date
Yes this is good use of gear. But consider that its and extra step of real time capture. consider 4 hours of audio and then syncing video to it and then shortening it.
For me my audiotechnica Pro88 super cheap for what it is acts as both wireless lav mic and line source.
Always mic your groom our minister in the ceremony church PA systems vary and nobody ever knows how to use it and will blame you if something goes wrong which more often than not it does with church audio. As well as grooms are almost always suddenly soft spoken and usually he is not going through the PA system.
The lav mic is one of the biggest selling features when you can hear those vows without machine noise and audio coughing just clean audio.
When it comes time for the reception IF there is a professional DJ who allows you to connect to his system remove the miv and plug it in to the line output of the mixer and you have clean line signal.
But more often than not the DJ equipment is not connected to the podium mic. the podium mic usually goes through the crappy hotel PA system.
So most of the time to keep the video in my world of control simply clip the wireless lav mic to the podium microphone and neatly wrap the cable. My lav mic batteries has never quite on me yet and I just leave it on through out the whole night.
Really you shouldn't have audio without video anyway... what are you going to do with it? play it with a black screen?
Again here is where the emergency cam comes into play. Leave it setup facing the action with your remote in you hand and press record from a distance if anything happens.
For me I don't eat ate the same time as my assistant. someone is ready behind a cam at all times then switch. I am looking forward to the hard drives because they allow for 6- 12 seconds of Pre record where the cam is always buffering video before you press the record button.
Really one cam shoots is not an option your asking for trouble.
I also use a cheap radio ac switch on the podium. The mc knows that he is not to speak unless I turn on the 60-100watt light on the podium remotely. This is good even without the video because it draws people attention to the speaker without having to turn on the house lights.
on this note buy cheap CB walky talkies give one to the MC and tell him to radio you when somethings about to happen. MC loves this it makes them feel important and you look cool.
If you really want to record audio for long periods of time there are products like this http://www.edirol.net/products/en/R-4/index.html that will record audio at crazy resolution direct to hard drive so there is no capture time.
For me my audiotechnica Pro88 super cheap for what it is acts as both wireless lav mic and line source.
Always mic your groom our minister in the ceremony church PA systems vary and nobody ever knows how to use it and will blame you if something goes wrong which more often than not it does with church audio. As well as grooms are almost always suddenly soft spoken and usually he is not going through the PA system.
The lav mic is one of the biggest selling features when you can hear those vows without machine noise and audio coughing just clean audio.
When it comes time for the reception IF there is a professional DJ who allows you to connect to his system remove the miv and plug it in to the line output of the mixer and you have clean line signal.
But more often than not the DJ equipment is not connected to the podium mic. the podium mic usually goes through the crappy hotel PA system.
So most of the time to keep the video in my world of control simply clip the wireless lav mic to the podium microphone and neatly wrap the cable. My lav mic batteries has never quite on me yet and I just leave it on through out the whole night.
Really you shouldn't have audio without video anyway... what are you going to do with it? play it with a black screen?
Again here is where the emergency cam comes into play. Leave it setup facing the action with your remote in you hand and press record from a distance if anything happens.
For me I don't eat ate the same time as my assistant. someone is ready behind a cam at all times then switch. I am looking forward to the hard drives because they allow for 6- 12 seconds of Pre record where the cam is always buffering video before you press the record button.
Really one cam shoots is not an option your asking for trouble.
I also use a cheap radio ac switch on the podium. The mc knows that he is not to speak unless I turn on the 60-100watt light on the podium remotely. This is good even without the video because it draws people attention to the speaker without having to turn on the house lights.
on this note buy cheap CB walky talkies give one to the MC and tell him to radio you when somethings about to happen. MC loves this it makes them feel important and you look cool.
If you really want to record audio for long periods of time there are products like this http://www.edirol.net/products/en/R-4/index.html that will record audio at crazy resolution direct to hard drive so there is no capture time.
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hatsoff2halford
Well-known member
Thanks everyone for the advice! Especially sonisfear for the extensive posts.
sonisfear- What I plan on doing is having either two Sony HDR-FX1's or one Sony HDR and a HD100. My partner already owns the Sony. The sony would probably record the entire ceremony for background audio and so I can have a camera ready at all times to capture any moment.
For audio, I am going to have two wireless LAV mics, one on the preist and one on the groom. I am going to have a Sony MZ-RH910 - Hi-MD MP3 Minidisc Player/Recorder on the podium recording readings etc. If I am allowed I will be using one of those to record the house PA. I am also thinking about using my laptop connected into the house PA as well. Either way I should have an extra MD recorder that I can use for the band/strings.
For the reception I am going to have a wireless handheld mic for guests to say congratulations etc. I will be using a Sennheiser E604 Bass drum microphone to record the DJ's speakers. I would tap into the DJ's PA but I don't want to have to worry about his mistakes etc.
Thanks again
-Logan
sonisfear- What I plan on doing is having either two Sony HDR-FX1's or one Sony HDR and a HD100. My partner already owns the Sony. The sony would probably record the entire ceremony for background audio and so I can have a camera ready at all times to capture any moment.
For audio, I am going to have two wireless LAV mics, one on the preist and one on the groom. I am going to have a Sony MZ-RH910 - Hi-MD MP3 Minidisc Player/Recorder on the podium recording readings etc. If I am allowed I will be using one of those to record the house PA. I am also thinking about using my laptop connected into the house PA as well. Either way I should have an extra MD recorder that I can use for the band/strings.
For the reception I am going to have a wireless handheld mic for guests to say congratulations etc. I will be using a Sennheiser E604 Bass drum microphone to record the DJ's speakers. I would tap into the DJ's PA but I don't want to have to worry about his mistakes etc.
Thanks again
-Logan
Hmmm...
Its sounds like a little over kill on the audio department in my humble opinion. The more things running the more things to keep track of the more distraction from the main job shooting as well as the more to pack up and scary thought the more chance of something going missing...Oh yeah and the more to edit.
You Will be pleasantly surprised in the audio quality on the on cam mics especially the HD100.
If you are going to run all that you must assign some else to be in charge of it.
You sound like an audio guy transitioning into video.
So am I
Is this wedding out side? If not you would be surprised how well the cames mics can pick up the audio of the mini orch. The mini orch is not the focus and you will probably use 2 minuets max of their audio in the end product.
This is where your prep and study from the rehearsal dinner is key. Make you gear decisions at that point. Maximize the gear you have less is more. You need to be able to pack up on a dime and setup on dime. Remember it is not your show. Brides are always late and when they show up they want to go now. Yo can't tell them "oh please wait while I boot up my laptop to record audio from the church PA".
I would not bother to mic the orch.
The grooms omni mic is good enough to capture the priest, bride and groom. The other lav could clip to the podium. If you use to lavs. place one on the lead cam and one on the aux/secondary cam for diversity. Meaning that if you must change a tape on the lead cam you don't loose both Lavs.
lead cam mono shot gun feed + mono lav feed groom
second cam mono mic feed + mono lav feed podium
if you have an assist with you he can move the lav mic from the mini orch to the podium and vice versa.
Remember the audience must hear the reading and the priest too.
If the church Pa system is good enough for the audience to hear then its good enough for the shot guns mics to pick up.
Unless you are outside without a PA system.
In most cases other than the readings the minister does the ceremony in front of the bride and groom and it is very well picked up by the grooms Lav.
As for the reception either pick up the DJ line and/or use the on cam shot gun mics.
The mics on these cams especially the HD100 is great you won't need to mic speakers. If you must ...use the second lav mic and do no tape it in direct fire of any one speaker. the dancing scene are usually 3 to 5 minuets on my videos people don't want to see every detail of people dancing they just want to know their guest had fun. So I make a montage of the highlights. Conga line, wild action, some drunk people, hugs in which case you want to hear them laughing and making comments to the couple.
As far as the hand held... if they are making comments to the bride and groom the mc is going to use his hand held through the PA or the guest is going to shout loud enough that your shot gun with surprisingly decent range will pick it up so don't go to close in anyones face. you won't need hand held for this. I use a basic SM58 with a xlr cable for this if necessary.
Quick tip-- IF you forget or stuck without your handheld the HD100 shot guns removed makes for a great in-case hand held mic. Leave and XLR cable in the HD100 case.
The only time the hand held comes in handy is guest want to say something while they are sitting down in most cases this is after dinner. Do not bother people when they are eating. You can shoot a general swipe which you put to music in post to generally show people enjoying their food.
After the actions starts people are active and walking around and sometimes bored. Setup second cam on a tripod with a sm58 and xlr cable in the lobby close to high traffic so people know your there as a video kiosk where it is quiet and well lite for guest to make their DVD comments. Remember to rotate scene back grounds. Request that the DJ announce your services in the lobby. Don't forget to get the Bride and grooms closing comments at the end of the night in the same kiosk.
This kiosk ends up being a part of the entertainment and you will be surprised the amount of people who line up for their 2 minutes of fame.
Man I am just giving away all my trade secrets I hop the DVXuser community appreciates it.
Its sounds like a little over kill on the audio department in my humble opinion. The more things running the more things to keep track of the more distraction from the main job shooting as well as the more to pack up and scary thought the more chance of something going missing...Oh yeah and the more to edit.
You Will be pleasantly surprised in the audio quality on the on cam mics especially the HD100.
If you are going to run all that you must assign some else to be in charge of it.
You sound like an audio guy transitioning into video.
So am I
Is this wedding out side? If not you would be surprised how well the cames mics can pick up the audio of the mini orch. The mini orch is not the focus and you will probably use 2 minuets max of their audio in the end product.
This is where your prep and study from the rehearsal dinner is key. Make you gear decisions at that point. Maximize the gear you have less is more. You need to be able to pack up on a dime and setup on dime. Remember it is not your show. Brides are always late and when they show up they want to go now. Yo can't tell them "oh please wait while I boot up my laptop to record audio from the church PA".
I would not bother to mic the orch.
The grooms omni mic is good enough to capture the priest, bride and groom. The other lav could clip to the podium. If you use to lavs. place one on the lead cam and one on the aux/secondary cam for diversity. Meaning that if you must change a tape on the lead cam you don't loose both Lavs.
lead cam mono shot gun feed + mono lav feed groom
second cam mono mic feed + mono lav feed podium
if you have an assist with you he can move the lav mic from the mini orch to the podium and vice versa.
Remember the audience must hear the reading and the priest too.
If the church Pa system is good enough for the audience to hear then its good enough for the shot guns mics to pick up.
Unless you are outside without a PA system.
In most cases other than the readings the minister does the ceremony in front of the bride and groom and it is very well picked up by the grooms Lav.
As for the reception either pick up the DJ line and/or use the on cam shot gun mics.
The mics on these cams especially the HD100 is great you won't need to mic speakers. If you must ...use the second lav mic and do no tape it in direct fire of any one speaker. the dancing scene are usually 3 to 5 minuets on my videos people don't want to see every detail of people dancing they just want to know their guest had fun. So I make a montage of the highlights. Conga line, wild action, some drunk people, hugs in which case you want to hear them laughing and making comments to the couple.
As far as the hand held... if they are making comments to the bride and groom the mc is going to use his hand held through the PA or the guest is going to shout loud enough that your shot gun with surprisingly decent range will pick it up so don't go to close in anyones face. you won't need hand held for this. I use a basic SM58 with a xlr cable for this if necessary.
Quick tip-- IF you forget or stuck without your handheld the HD100 shot guns removed makes for a great in-case hand held mic. Leave and XLR cable in the HD100 case.
The only time the hand held comes in handy is guest want to say something while they are sitting down in most cases this is after dinner. Do not bother people when they are eating. You can shoot a general swipe which you put to music in post to generally show people enjoying their food.
After the actions starts people are active and walking around and sometimes bored. Setup second cam on a tripod with a sm58 and xlr cable in the lobby close to high traffic so people know your there as a video kiosk where it is quiet and well lite for guest to make their DVD comments. Remember to rotate scene back grounds. Request that the DJ announce your services in the lobby. Don't forget to get the Bride and grooms closing comments at the end of the night in the same kiosk.
This kiosk ends up being a part of the entertainment and you will be surprised the amount of people who line up for their 2 minutes of fame.
Man I am just giving away all my trade secrets I hop the DVXuser community appreciates it.
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hatsoff2halford
Well-known member
heh, i'm actually new to the whole audio thing. I guess I am just trying to make sure I get as much as I can.
The only reason I like have two LAV mics is incase one dies out or something happens to one, I have backup aduio. I suppose I could use a MD recorder for backup near by.
I will for sure be tapping into the house PA if they allow it, because that will give me good audio on readings and even things like the band. So really, I would have 2 LAV mics, two shotgun mics, a handeld mic, and two MD recorder (might not need both of them, but just incase).
-Logan
The only reason I like have two LAV mics is incase one dies out or something happens to one, I have backup aduio. I suppose I could use a MD recorder for backup near by.
I will for sure be tapping into the house PA if they allow it, because that will give me good audio on readings and even things like the band. So really, I would have 2 LAV mics, two shotgun mics, a handeld mic, and two MD recorder (might not need both of them, but just incase).
-Logan
If you don't want Audio without video than take my friends method and use a simple comsumer camera to record audio with video. The point of his method is to record a high quality audio feed straight from the source without having to tend to it. You simply hit record and forget about. Long receptions may require a change in tape but other than that it's record and forget.
Sure syncing it up can be a pain but the point it that it's there if you should ever need it. By all means don't make your life more difficult to implement this, but if you can record and forget it's always better to have more than you need.
Sure syncing it up can be a pain but the point it that it's there if you should ever need it. By all means don't make your life more difficult to implement this, but if you can record and forget it's always better to have more than you need.
athouguia
Well-known member
Sonisfear, great posts. I would ask you to shoot my wedding if we were nearby. You talk like a real pro and I will try to follow your method. Weddings are not my main occupation, I'm basically a documentary camera operator, I also do sports, events and broadcast studio. I don't have the time to organize my self to promote my job in the weddings field, your posts are really helpfull to me. Thanks
Thanks Athouguia. your doing what I aspire to do. I am thinking of slowing down the weddings and try to break into corporate video market. I believe in doing your best and I think I have learned what I needed from weddings. I am moving toward the next level.
For those of you who are interested in a video career and don't know were to start. Wedding is the ticket.
There are no shortage of wedding and family events that need recording. Weddings truly are videography boot camp. You can't re take a missed shot. you need plan a little bit, trouble shoot a little bit. Know you equipment inside out, setup it up an pack it down in a hurry. direct yourself, react to your environment, be fit enough to hold a camera still all day, watch you view finder while seeing you environment, be incognito, be personal able and most of all balance what you need to make a great product while not distracting anyone from the main event the bride and groom.
The dough is alright my average package is about $3000.00 about $1200.00 is expenses and taxes so 24 weddings (easy to get with a one or too large trade shows) is about $43,000.00 per year and you still have during the week to work a day gig as long as you make time to edit.
Wedding can keep you a float until your gear is paid off and you can afford to concentrate on you movie ideas or other projects. Every where you look everything is going video. Cell phones Ipods portable gaming machines web sites , search engines. Reality TV is taking over all you need is an interesting ideas.
With HD especially this RED product coming (I know I won't be able to afford it but may I could rent it). you really can produce a full fledge movie if you want at a fraction of the price it takes to record to film.
Great time to get you feet wet and pay for your gear with weddings.
Anyway...
I appreciate forums like this, DVXuser being my favorite. When your trying to make money and you don't have a lot to start with and you need to make the right buying decision with tools that are not cheap. Its nice to gather info and pass it on. I know I am going to need help moving to level two so Cheers fellas.
For those of you who are interested in a video career and don't know were to start. Wedding is the ticket.
There are no shortage of wedding and family events that need recording. Weddings truly are videography boot camp. You can't re take a missed shot. you need plan a little bit, trouble shoot a little bit. Know you equipment inside out, setup it up an pack it down in a hurry. direct yourself, react to your environment, be fit enough to hold a camera still all day, watch you view finder while seeing you environment, be incognito, be personal able and most of all balance what you need to make a great product while not distracting anyone from the main event the bride and groom.
The dough is alright my average package is about $3000.00 about $1200.00 is expenses and taxes so 24 weddings (easy to get with a one or too large trade shows) is about $43,000.00 per year and you still have during the week to work a day gig as long as you make time to edit.
Wedding can keep you a float until your gear is paid off and you can afford to concentrate on you movie ideas or other projects. Every where you look everything is going video. Cell phones Ipods portable gaming machines web sites , search engines. Reality TV is taking over all you need is an interesting ideas.
With HD especially this RED product coming (I know I won't be able to afford it but may I could rent it). you really can produce a full fledge movie if you want at a fraction of the price it takes to record to film.
Great time to get you feet wet and pay for your gear with weddings.
Anyway...
I appreciate forums like this, DVXuser being my favorite. When your trying to make money and you don't have a lot to start with and you need to make the right buying decision with tools that are not cheap. Its nice to gather info and pass it on. I know I am going to need help moving to level two so Cheers fellas.
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all the effort you made to post yout valueable experience is much much appreciated. keep up the good work.
athouguia
Well-known member
Sonisfear, I don't consider what I do as a next step from weddings. You have to be thechnicaly good to shoot sports or on a studio with those heavy cameras following the directors orders, but there is no creativity in that. What I like when I'm shooting weddings is that I can follow my instinct and my imagination, I have to be watching everything around to not to lose any important moment.
Here in Portugal there is this stupid preconceit about weddings, I sometimes have to hide it on my curriculum because some companies consider it as a non pro activity. I have colleagues who think shooting weddings is not a professional thing, they consider themselfs being to qualified to do it. But when they need an extra money and try to shoot a wedding the result is a crap because all they can do is operating under others orders.
What I mean is, if you are a good camera operator on weddings, you are able to shoot almost anything else.
Here in Portugal there is this stupid preconceit about weddings, I sometimes have to hide it on my curriculum because some companies consider it as a non pro activity. I have colleagues who think shooting weddings is not a professional thing, they consider themselfs being to qualified to do it. But when they need an extra money and try to shoot a wedding the result is a crap because all they can do is operating under others orders.
What I mean is, if you are a good camera operator on weddings, you are able to shoot almost anything else.
A tip of my hat to you for revealing the secret about wedding vidoegraphers: They take a lot of abuse, and I'm not sure why, but the good ones are exceptionally creative, hard working, physically fit, and are good at thinking on their feet. There are no rehearsals and no retakes, for the most part!
They are Jacks of all trades and masters of many. And they deserve respect from the industry.
They are Jacks of all trades and masters of many. And they deserve respect from the industry.
jlames
Well-known member
I remember when taking a job hawking a product in a commercial was frowned upon by "reals actors". Well as "Jack" says in his newest commercial, "How do ya like me now, Brad?!?!" Oscar winners are lining up around the block to hawk Verizon, Ford, you name it.
Good wedding shooters are pros and there'll come a time when they're recognized as such. Until then, hang in there. Your time will come. It's all about anticipation and that comes with experience. Some of my best camera persons come from wedding shooters. They know how to pay attention, read their subjects and instantly set up for the next shot betting he or she is right. What's the difference between that and a good poker player? Nothing. Experience allows you to read the "tells" and bet on the right cards... or fold 'em So screw what people have to say. Just be the best and give your best. That's what counts. My mom wanted me to be a doctor. Well, that didn't work out at all but when I ask her, "How do you like me now, mom," she says, "You're happy and I love you." And that's what counts. She also mutters, "You could have been a doctor" under her breath but that's just moms! I know to the grocer she's saying proudly, "My son the producer!" and your mom's probably the same way.
Good wedding shooters are pros and there'll come a time when they're recognized as such. Until then, hang in there. Your time will come. It's all about anticipation and that comes with experience. Some of my best camera persons come from wedding shooters. They know how to pay attention, read their subjects and instantly set up for the next shot betting he or she is right. What's the difference between that and a good poker player? Nothing. Experience allows you to read the "tells" and bet on the right cards... or fold 'em So screw what people have to say. Just be the best and give your best. That's what counts. My mom wanted me to be a doctor. Well, that didn't work out at all but when I ask her, "How do you like me now, mom," she says, "You're happy and I love you." And that's what counts. She also mutters, "You could have been a doctor" under her breath but that's just moms! I know to the grocer she's saying proudly, "My son the producer!" and your mom's probably the same way.
Emanuel
Cross-Examiner
You are with all the reason. I don't know this field but I heard or I read Barry saying that a wedding fee in US was something around $3500. Other day I saw in a portuguese newspaper's classified one professional that was offering his services by €15 per hour. Amazing! That's our national (portuguese) problem. Maybe as security personnel you can get more productivity ratio...athouguia said:
Barry_Green
Moderator
A GOOD wedding shooter is an amazingly hard-working professional. And yes, $3500 is not uncommon; at a wedding a week that's a couple hundred thousand dollars a year.accelv said:
I think they don't get respect because so many people want to be filmmakers and they think weddings are the bottom rung of the ladder. Well, I still think wedding shooters are probably using the most common method of how people make money from video cameras. I know there are hacks out there who charge too much and deliver too little, but I'm not talking about those people. I'm talking about pros like Pooh, and guys like northbynorthwest.com, those who really are artists and craftsmen and who have the stamina, people skills, patience, and temerity to work with brides and mothers-of-brides in such a stressful situation.
I wouldn't do it if you paid me ten grand (well, okay, maybe ten grand) but I have great respect for those who do; they're hard-working professionals.
filmmaker1977
Carbonite Member
Sure! $3500? Is it so generally speaking? US wide? I'm moving right now!Barry_Green said:
athouguia
Well-known member
€15 per hour?? Almost as bad as these guys!!:kali:Emanuel said:You are with all the reason. I don't know this field but I heard or I read Barry saying that a wedding fee in US was something around $3500. Other day I saw in a portuguese newspaper's classified one professional that was offering his services by €15 per hour. Amazing! That's our national (portuguese) problem. Maybe as security personnel you can get more productivity ratio...
Thanks guys I made a post and removed it because I thought I was hogging the forum and I am still learning and don't consider myself a seasoned pro yet but I will repost that post I deleted
Quote from other dvxuser"
I read your post regarding weddings and the HD100, and you make some good points, especially with marketing to brides. I will upgrade my cases!
I have not yet bought an HDV, but it would either be the FX1 or HD100. You seem to prefer the FX1. Why did you get the HD100? Do you shoot 720/30p for weddings or 24P? How do you edit? How long does "conforming" back to HDV take, or do you skip that step? If so, how do you archive the master HDV tape? HBow do you shoot slo-mo with the HD100?
Will you consider the HVX200 for weddings with DVCPRD HD?"
Hope you don't mind me coping this private email, maybe others can benefit.
FX1 VS HD100. Well Barry Green did a rough comparison that I read and I agree with the results that all four cams are closer to pro HD Cams like F900 than they are to DV. They are all great! HDV posses challenges that mean slight modifications to your shooting style. Such as more stable shots (tripod) no fast motion or you will get a weird blur effect. This is not a problem for me because smoother video is what I strive for anyway.
So you win no matter which cam you get. As far as preference This will sound vain but I like the HD100 because it looks cooler (just being real). I have it on a tripod on display and it is the first thing a client sees when they come to my studio. I just looks pro (as if it cost me ten of thousands hehe) and as vain as it sounds it does help instill confidence that the cx is getting the quality for the price I am asking. But the FX1 doesn't look bad either but people may have seen it in a Sony store or electronics store and may know the price.
It commands respect when I walk around with it on my shoulder not in my hands.
I do like the imaging better on the JVC but I think a lot of that is the lense. I also like the depth of field that I can create with the lens and you know what. I feel more pro using it. Your confidence has a lot to do with your performace and the attitude you excude. Yes I am proud of it.
But The FX1 has a just as important role in my gear family. As I said it is much easier to use. Its imaging is great as well. BTW don't even think about mixing DV and HDV tried it sucks... The HD100 will require practice to get a stable image (no image will assistance with stock lens and no auto focus) I am still not as profitiant as I like to be with the HD100. Thank goodness that the rest of the cam functions like iris, shutter and white balance can be automated). With This cam I have new respect for broadcast cameraman who have been shooting like this for ages.
So my opinion is if you want to take the easy road get the FX1 if you aspire to be a better cameraman and hone your craft, look and feel more pro...be pro get the HD100. IF you can swing both get both.
No I don't bother with 24P, Believe it or not I am into quality but also balance its only a wedding HD is enough to blow customers away the rest I try to keep it simple.
I edit with Vegas with the cineform connect HD which is essential. Don't even try to edit HDV native with Vegas anyway. Vegas is not perfect but it for sure is the most bang for the ease of use. Vegas is so easy to use and so power I am trapped with it. I tried other programs, looking for features like multicam and GPU processing and higher color bit rates. Failed...Once you get into the Vegas way of editing (drag and drop) your hooked.
Connect HD coforms to HD avi type file as it captures so next to nothing conform time.
I master to WMVHD, Not the best resolution but the the most wide spread. Anyone who ahas a PC can play this disk. It cost me nothing to use it. 5.1 surround is included in it and it looks a lot better than DV. As far as archive I give the master tapes and a CD with all the vegas working files to the CX and tell them to keep it safe because if anychanges need to be done or they want a Blu ray or HD dvd master later when it becomes cheaper I will need the tapes back for a batch capture.
Don't get into the archive game a store stuff you will be soon swamped with so much tapes and data that it won't be funny, get ride of it. Also the cx has to work now to make changes which impedes them from bugging you in the future.
They're isnt a trick to slow mo with the HD100 again there are purist out there that like to split hairs on every little detail of the performance of the cam and NLE. 30P does make slo mo a bit choppier...for me do the best you can with what you got again HD is so far a head of DV CX don't notice the fine differences its all a balance. I put supersampling on (a Vegas thing) work with the best that I have. Which is still decent.
When you get into this you will see at some point its all about getting it done. If you stop to waste time on every insignificant detail you will soon have mother in-laws calling you like collection agencies asking for their video. lol this is so real I laughed out loud typing this.
The HVX2000...Hhmmmm.. well I was one of the first people Hyped on this product from ly love for the DVX100 and was one of the first who was deeply disappointed in it...sorry guys. It just doesn't fit in my world. I know that panny had great intention on being pure to the imaging trying to stay away from that much compression (HDV) but P2 card are not feasible for all day shoots of weddings. And with the recent spec analysis I think they should of put that attitude in the design of their CCD rather than the tape compression codec.
I don't expect to have the HD100 and fx1 in 2 years. I understand that these devices are bridges over the DV to HD transition. But in business you have to be in the game. If this red thing even remotely fits into my world of working I and selling both cams and getting that just to have the edge and growth. So no I am not attached to these cam as some might think. They are tools. Thank goodness they are afford enough for me to make that business gamble.
{Singing in my head "You gotta to know when to hold them...know when to fold em...know when to walk away...Know when to run :^)
I took a chance and I believe it paid off for me. I might take a risk on the RED who knows..
Anyways...
The only thing you hafto worry about jumping in the HD pool is render times and bad preview especially with multi cam plugs.
Render times kill me....Really kill me..Render times are the bain of my existence right now. I bought the best Pc I can afford quad amd 64bit Opterons it takes (due to the amount of slo mo and EFX) 20 hours to render one 5 minute bridal.
I need Vegas to through me a bone and add some GPU processing to Vegas. I will buy the best video card Nvida 7800GTX or even the black magic deck link I think.
I am way behind on weddings from last year, Scary because wedding seasons is starting again soon. Directly due to render times and not being able to see real time whats going on. Imagine guessing what you think a transition is oging to look like, waiting 20 hours to see it and then find out there is mistake and you must rerender it. This problem almost made me switch NLEs. But I couldn't do it. I don't have time to learn another workfellow and I am so comfortable with Vegas.
Quote from other dvxuser"
I read your post regarding weddings and the HD100, and you make some good points, especially with marketing to brides. I will upgrade my cases!
I have not yet bought an HDV, but it would either be the FX1 or HD100. You seem to prefer the FX1. Why did you get the HD100? Do you shoot 720/30p for weddings or 24P? How do you edit? How long does "conforming" back to HDV take, or do you skip that step? If so, how do you archive the master HDV tape? HBow do you shoot slo-mo with the HD100?
Will you consider the HVX200 for weddings with DVCPRD HD?"
Hope you don't mind me coping this private email, maybe others can benefit.
FX1 VS HD100. Well Barry Green did a rough comparison that I read and I agree with the results that all four cams are closer to pro HD Cams like F900 than they are to DV. They are all great! HDV posses challenges that mean slight modifications to your shooting style. Such as more stable shots (tripod) no fast motion or you will get a weird blur effect. This is not a problem for me because smoother video is what I strive for anyway.
So you win no matter which cam you get. As far as preference This will sound vain but I like the HD100 because it looks cooler (just being real). I have it on a tripod on display and it is the first thing a client sees when they come to my studio. I just looks pro (as if it cost me ten of thousands hehe) and as vain as it sounds it does help instill confidence that the cx is getting the quality for the price I am asking. But the FX1 doesn't look bad either but people may have seen it in a Sony store or electronics store and may know the price.
It commands respect when I walk around with it on my shoulder not in my hands.
I do like the imaging better on the JVC but I think a lot of that is the lense. I also like the depth of field that I can create with the lens and you know what. I feel more pro using it. Your confidence has a lot to do with your performace and the attitude you excude. Yes I am proud of it.
But The FX1 has a just as important role in my gear family. As I said it is much easier to use. Its imaging is great as well. BTW don't even think about mixing DV and HDV tried it sucks... The HD100 will require practice to get a stable image (no image will assistance with stock lens and no auto focus) I am still not as profitiant as I like to be with the HD100. Thank goodness that the rest of the cam functions like iris, shutter and white balance can be automated). With This cam I have new respect for broadcast cameraman who have been shooting like this for ages.
So my opinion is if you want to take the easy road get the FX1 if you aspire to be a better cameraman and hone your craft, look and feel more pro...be pro get the HD100. IF you can swing both get both.
No I don't bother with 24P, Believe it or not I am into quality but also balance its only a wedding HD is enough to blow customers away the rest I try to keep it simple.
I edit with Vegas with the cineform connect HD which is essential. Don't even try to edit HDV native with Vegas anyway. Vegas is not perfect but it for sure is the most bang for the ease of use. Vegas is so easy to use and so power I am trapped with it. I tried other programs, looking for features like multicam and GPU processing and higher color bit rates. Failed...Once you get into the Vegas way of editing (drag and drop) your hooked.
Connect HD coforms to HD avi type file as it captures so next to nothing conform time.
I master to WMVHD, Not the best resolution but the the most wide spread. Anyone who ahas a PC can play this disk. It cost me nothing to use it. 5.1 surround is included in it and it looks a lot better than DV. As far as archive I give the master tapes and a CD with all the vegas working files to the CX and tell them to keep it safe because if anychanges need to be done or they want a Blu ray or HD dvd master later when it becomes cheaper I will need the tapes back for a batch capture.
Don't get into the archive game a store stuff you will be soon swamped with so much tapes and data that it won't be funny, get ride of it. Also the cx has to work now to make changes which impedes them from bugging you in the future.
They're isnt a trick to slow mo with the HD100 again there are purist out there that like to split hairs on every little detail of the performance of the cam and NLE. 30P does make slo mo a bit choppier...for me do the best you can with what you got again HD is so far a head of DV CX don't notice the fine differences its all a balance. I put supersampling on (a Vegas thing) work with the best that I have. Which is still decent.
When you get into this you will see at some point its all about getting it done. If you stop to waste time on every insignificant detail you will soon have mother in-laws calling you like collection agencies asking for their video. lol this is so real I laughed out loud typing this.
The HVX2000...Hhmmmm.. well I was one of the first people Hyped on this product from ly love for the DVX100 and was one of the first who was deeply disappointed in it...sorry guys. It just doesn't fit in my world. I know that panny had great intention on being pure to the imaging trying to stay away from that much compression (HDV) but P2 card are not feasible for all day shoots of weddings. And with the recent spec analysis I think they should of put that attitude in the design of their CCD rather than the tape compression codec.
I don't expect to have the HD100 and fx1 in 2 years. I understand that these devices are bridges over the DV to HD transition. But in business you have to be in the game. If this red thing even remotely fits into my world of working I and selling both cams and getting that just to have the edge and growth. So no I am not attached to these cam as some might think. They are tools. Thank goodness they are afford enough for me to make that business gamble.
{Singing in my head "You gotta to know when to hold them...know when to fold em...know when to walk away...Know when to run :^)
I took a chance and I believe it paid off for me. I might take a risk on the RED who knows..
Anyways...
The only thing you hafto worry about jumping in the HD pool is render times and bad preview especially with multi cam plugs.
Render times kill me....Really kill me..Render times are the bain of my existence right now. I bought the best Pc I can afford quad amd 64bit Opterons it takes (due to the amount of slo mo and EFX) 20 hours to render one 5 minute bridal.
I need Vegas to through me a bone and add some GPU processing to Vegas. I will buy the best video card Nvida 7800GTX or even the black magic deck link I think.
I am way behind on weddings from last year, Scary because wedding seasons is starting again soon. Directly due to render times and not being able to see real time whats going on. Imagine guessing what you think a transition is oging to look like, waiting 20 hours to see it and then find out there is mistake and you must rerender it. This problem almost made me switch NLEs. But I couldn't do it. I don't have time to learn another workfellow and I am so comfortable with Vegas.
Here is the post that I deleted it might not be useful for most people.
Most of the bad videography is generated from photographers who add video to their services. They do this for one of two reasons.
1) They get asked so much that they don't want to give away the money so they buy a video camera give it to their wife and say yeah we do video too.
2) They can't find a videographer who does it right without compromising the photos so they give their wife a camera and buy lead video studio and slap it together.
In my sales meeting I warn the customer about photographers that attempt to do video. Using the Mc Donald’s VS KFC analogy. Mc D's tries to offer everything but really only does a couples things right, burgers and fries. KFC only does chicken but they do chicken DAMN good.
I am like KFC. Even at recent HD rates you could print a decent picture I am not a photographer and I always tell customer who see my HD still print outs that hey you still need a photographer. In the same sense a photographer is a photographer with a video camera unless he contracts out a company like me.
Of the 70% of video that athouguia was saying before I would guess about 40% is photographer added video. This is bad for the real guys because Photographers tend to have an ego over their craft and they project that none intentionally to the customer. The problem is the customer has usually booked the photographer first. Video is usually the last item chosen which mean most of the time the budget has been used already by the time they get to me.
The best customers are the ones that have scene your good work through a friend. These ones are the ones that call you before they have booked the hall.
Let’s talk about editing.
Their is a fine balance in a good wedding production between Cheesy/bad one (look what I can do with my computer)
The main focus is always the bride and groom in that order. There are two mind sets/modes while editing a wedding. Documentary and artistic in that order. Your primary function is to capture the meat of events of the day and secondary to be creative.
Creative parts are the bridal video the groom video the park pictures, summary. In my taste what are cheesy are people running/jumping backwards and weird split screen effects. You know it’s cheesy/immature when the customer says that’s and "interesting effect". It may seem cool at the time but if you audience looses focus on the bride and groom then you've lost focus then the video loses longevity.
The correct response from the customer is "look how good I look".
I stick to the classic effects black and white, sepia, slow mo, maybe with a blur border that's it. The practical reason you don't want to go crazy with you editing is if you set the precedent with one customer you are forced to keep that up or surpass for all of them after that.
The real magic is in the shooting. Think like a photographer and try to find interesting vectors and angles.
Use whatever props you can find like mirrors, flowers poses and create 3D composition switch from foreground to back with you focus (dvx100 auto focus adjust does this great simply touch the focus ring and dvx brings the next object in focus). Don’t make and sudden movements video and editing (long cross fades) should flow like water.
Be tasteful in you zoom'pan motion speeds, I usually only have to slow mo down to -30% because my cam motions are smooth and slow. Do a rehearsal shot/motion then hold your breathe press record and make it as smooth as you can.
Don't stand there like a lamp and watch what’s going on. Direct/create a story. Believe it or not the bride is expecting you to do this. Setup up the bed with the wedding dress, flowers, rings, garter gifts and thing that looks nice and make a presentation of all the brides stuff so the grand kids can see the shoes grandma was wearing. Then make the bride wave her hands over it to tell the story look at my stuff. When you shoot it nice you need only to put it together to create a great video. Shoot the photographer doing his job with the back of his head out of focus and the bride in focus in the distance.
If you know that your subject is shy try to maintain a distance. It is natural to creep up on the subject in an attempt to stabilize your cam when free handed. But if your subject is uncomfortable then the shot won’t look natural anyway.
Survey your clips and decided what song fits best and edit to the song. Do not edit the video and slap any song underneath it. Time visual hits to the music make scenes that match the lyrics. This is where good editing comes from not with all the EFX in your NLE. When the customer can feel it not notice it. I slow down video like a DJ this is why audio editors/musicians usually make good editors. Less EFX is more EFFECT.
The ceremony and reception (mostly speeches) should be clean stable cut and dry documentary style. Try not to be noticed. Don’t park your tripod 3 feet from the podium. When shooting don't get bored and move the cam all over the place Just leave the damn thing. If you do zoom do it slow wait for the beats in the action. This means medium frame {event- talking paragraph, talking paragraph "amen" new two shot frame [ paragraph-bla bla bla].
To train cameramen I like to make them edit first so the cameraman understands how they're work is going to be edited.
Get crowd shots yes but only when nothing else is happening with the bride and groom. These Patches I call it help to fix problems where both cams are not usable. Any creative shots you need should be done before the bride gets there.
You need at least two cams to do a wedding right can't say that enough it’s like a dJ mixing with one turntable trying to edit a single cam wedding properly.
Back to creative shooting. Photographers have egos the last thing you need is ego banging on some ones wedding day.
PHOTOGRAPHERS have priority always. First thing I do when I meet the photographer (in front to the bride) is to introduce Myself and say "just so you know I will wait to you finish you composition and hopefully there is time for mine at the end and because I will be using your composition in the video I need your card for a main credit in the video, signal me if I am ever in your shot". The reason is you can shoot around and use the photographer composition but he can't shoot around yours because video composition is usually moving. Because the line of respect has been drawn usually you get co-operation and a smooth working relationship. If there is no time to do you things then oh well work with what you got and the bride knows the program.
But always make use of resources this means if the photographer is shooting the bride and groom shoot the rest of the bridal party. If the photographer is shooting the girls shoot the guys. And if you have created a nice composition inform the photographer so he might share/benefit from your art so everyone is happy. This is what I call professional etiquette.
Speaking of etiquette....
Never ever be scene or heard or involved in a negative conversation of any kind with anybody even if your not saying anything. These type of conversations seem to always find themselves back to the customer and everyone gets lumped in.
Dress nice... Wear a shirt sometimes a tie and comfortable pressed dress pants it is a formal event. If you don't want to dress formal then create a uniform with your company name on it in small not to loud font.
Part of being prepared for me is always having spare clothes and deodorant in your trunk. I can't tell you how many times I have had to completely change due to sweat stepping on my pants hem or laying on the grass (yes laying on the grass, I will do anything for a great shot).
You don't want to be at the reception and everyone is dress nice and a comment gets to the bride you videographer is working hard but he smells.
I think if more of us do a professional job then maybe we can change the bad rep wedding videographers have and art videography will be as sceen as essential as photography currently is.
Let talk about Lovewalks
Love walks are engagement video that play at the reception. Lovewalk, Memorylane slide and Love stories are you ace in the hole.
I charge $500-$750 for these depending on the the package which includes hall presentation for free.
If you get a couple that wants to bargain with you never touch your main products price. Offer them the Ala cart type items instead. The reason is eve if you must sell this product for next to nothing its worth its wait in advertisement. In the highlight of the reception you get 10 to 15 minutes to show everyone their your work. You could not pay for that kind of advertisement at a trade show. Having said that make it good.
Sell it like this ask the couple if they thought of making a slide show presentation. If they have or haven't ask them how much the hall charges for use of the screen and projector (we know that it is $50-$100 for just the screen and $400-$500 for the projector) greedy bastards anyway pivot off this for a little more than that I will make you the slide show love walk and love story and bring one screen and projector (good enough for a least 300 people to see depending on seating configuration) and it will look like this play Love walk demo.
After you play this in the reception have your cards ready. If they want a discount make these items cheaper. Remember to shoot the couple while the presentations playing so you can add their expressions in a PIP for the DVD.
Now you can sell another product based on that DVD with these videos on them bon -bon erie instead of those cheezy clay bells for $5.00- $6.50 each times 1/2 (one per family) 300 people. $5.00 ($6.5 minus $1.5 expenses) time 150 is $750. good coin. Even better is that you are now giving every guest a DVD demo of your work to show and tell their friends at no extra cost to you. If you know you are going to do this is safer to use stock music for legal reasons.
One last note on the sales presentation... As I said before your sales presentation is the most imoportant part of your business. So make it the best you can.
In my studio I have setup a 9 foot tripod screen same I bring to receptions, soon I will replace with 10 foot manuall pull down. and pick up a decent projector (1024 reso and up). You need a projector and screen for reception presentations anyway. Then pickup SRDVD from JVC http://pro.jvc.com/prof/attributes/features.jsp?model_id=MDL101546 I am saving for this but I currently play WMVHD from a computer. With the full surround and make the wedding a theater experience. Just let the photographer try to compete with that level of presentation.
Sometimes for a joke when I am feeling cheezy and the couple have a sense of humor while the demo is playing have you wife bring in the popcorn.
If this system dosen't close the deal then you are doing something wrong.
If you edit the video nice you will get tears.
Edit for tears when you make your demo video no funny parts or if you do sandwhich them in the middle somewhere.
The brides picture themselves in the movie and cry. This puts the grooms in an awkward postion. Grooms are ussually against spending money on video talk gear to grooms and nice DVD cases with brides. If the bride or better yet the mother in-law cries its over the groom can say nothing about it. I have had grooms storm out after seeing the price and the brides winks and says I will be calling you tommorow.
Hmmm.. Okay I am typed out for now... again I hope this helps some guys make money.
Most of the bad videography is generated from photographers who add video to their services. They do this for one of two reasons.
1) They get asked so much that they don't want to give away the money so they buy a video camera give it to their wife and say yeah we do video too.
2) They can't find a videographer who does it right without compromising the photos so they give their wife a camera and buy lead video studio and slap it together.
In my sales meeting I warn the customer about photographers that attempt to do video. Using the Mc Donald’s VS KFC analogy. Mc D's tries to offer everything but really only does a couples things right, burgers and fries. KFC only does chicken but they do chicken DAMN good.
I am like KFC. Even at recent HD rates you could print a decent picture I am not a photographer and I always tell customer who see my HD still print outs that hey you still need a photographer. In the same sense a photographer is a photographer with a video camera unless he contracts out a company like me.
Of the 70% of video that athouguia was saying before I would guess about 40% is photographer added video. This is bad for the real guys because Photographers tend to have an ego over their craft and they project that none intentionally to the customer. The problem is the customer has usually booked the photographer first. Video is usually the last item chosen which mean most of the time the budget has been used already by the time they get to me.
The best customers are the ones that have scene your good work through a friend. These ones are the ones that call you before they have booked the hall.
Let’s talk about editing.
Their is a fine balance in a good wedding production between Cheesy/bad one (look what I can do with my computer)
The main focus is always the bride and groom in that order. There are two mind sets/modes while editing a wedding. Documentary and artistic in that order. Your primary function is to capture the meat of events of the day and secondary to be creative.
Creative parts are the bridal video the groom video the park pictures, summary. In my taste what are cheesy are people running/jumping backwards and weird split screen effects. You know it’s cheesy/immature when the customer says that’s and "interesting effect". It may seem cool at the time but if you audience looses focus on the bride and groom then you've lost focus then the video loses longevity.
The correct response from the customer is "look how good I look".
I stick to the classic effects black and white, sepia, slow mo, maybe with a blur border that's it. The practical reason you don't want to go crazy with you editing is if you set the precedent with one customer you are forced to keep that up or surpass for all of them after that.
The real magic is in the shooting. Think like a photographer and try to find interesting vectors and angles.
Use whatever props you can find like mirrors, flowers poses and create 3D composition switch from foreground to back with you focus (dvx100 auto focus adjust does this great simply touch the focus ring and dvx brings the next object in focus). Don’t make and sudden movements video and editing (long cross fades) should flow like water.
Be tasteful in you zoom'pan motion speeds, I usually only have to slow mo down to -30% because my cam motions are smooth and slow. Do a rehearsal shot/motion then hold your breathe press record and make it as smooth as you can.
Don't stand there like a lamp and watch what’s going on. Direct/create a story. Believe it or not the bride is expecting you to do this. Setup up the bed with the wedding dress, flowers, rings, garter gifts and thing that looks nice and make a presentation of all the brides stuff so the grand kids can see the shoes grandma was wearing. Then make the bride wave her hands over it to tell the story look at my stuff. When you shoot it nice you need only to put it together to create a great video. Shoot the photographer doing his job with the back of his head out of focus and the bride in focus in the distance.
If you know that your subject is shy try to maintain a distance. It is natural to creep up on the subject in an attempt to stabilize your cam when free handed. But if your subject is uncomfortable then the shot won’t look natural anyway.
Survey your clips and decided what song fits best and edit to the song. Do not edit the video and slap any song underneath it. Time visual hits to the music make scenes that match the lyrics. This is where good editing comes from not with all the EFX in your NLE. When the customer can feel it not notice it. I slow down video like a DJ this is why audio editors/musicians usually make good editors. Less EFX is more EFFECT.
The ceremony and reception (mostly speeches) should be clean stable cut and dry documentary style. Try not to be noticed. Don’t park your tripod 3 feet from the podium. When shooting don't get bored and move the cam all over the place Just leave the damn thing. If you do zoom do it slow wait for the beats in the action. This means medium frame {event- talking paragraph, talking paragraph "amen" new two shot frame [ paragraph-bla bla bla].
To train cameramen I like to make them edit first so the cameraman understands how they're work is going to be edited.
Get crowd shots yes but only when nothing else is happening with the bride and groom. These Patches I call it help to fix problems where both cams are not usable. Any creative shots you need should be done before the bride gets there.
You need at least two cams to do a wedding right can't say that enough it’s like a dJ mixing with one turntable trying to edit a single cam wedding properly.
Back to creative shooting. Photographers have egos the last thing you need is ego banging on some ones wedding day.
PHOTOGRAPHERS have priority always. First thing I do when I meet the photographer (in front to the bride) is to introduce Myself and say "just so you know I will wait to you finish you composition and hopefully there is time for mine at the end and because I will be using your composition in the video I need your card for a main credit in the video, signal me if I am ever in your shot". The reason is you can shoot around and use the photographer composition but he can't shoot around yours because video composition is usually moving. Because the line of respect has been drawn usually you get co-operation and a smooth working relationship. If there is no time to do you things then oh well work with what you got and the bride knows the program.
But always make use of resources this means if the photographer is shooting the bride and groom shoot the rest of the bridal party. If the photographer is shooting the girls shoot the guys. And if you have created a nice composition inform the photographer so he might share/benefit from your art so everyone is happy. This is what I call professional etiquette.
Speaking of etiquette....
Never ever be scene or heard or involved in a negative conversation of any kind with anybody even if your not saying anything. These type of conversations seem to always find themselves back to the customer and everyone gets lumped in.
Dress nice... Wear a shirt sometimes a tie and comfortable pressed dress pants it is a formal event. If you don't want to dress formal then create a uniform with your company name on it in small not to loud font.
Part of being prepared for me is always having spare clothes and deodorant in your trunk. I can't tell you how many times I have had to completely change due to sweat stepping on my pants hem or laying on the grass (yes laying on the grass, I will do anything for a great shot).
You don't want to be at the reception and everyone is dress nice and a comment gets to the bride you videographer is working hard but he smells.
I think if more of us do a professional job then maybe we can change the bad rep wedding videographers have and art videography will be as sceen as essential as photography currently is.
Let talk about Lovewalks
Love walks are engagement video that play at the reception. Lovewalk, Memorylane slide and Love stories are you ace in the hole.
I charge $500-$750 for these depending on the the package which includes hall presentation for free.
If you get a couple that wants to bargain with you never touch your main products price. Offer them the Ala cart type items instead. The reason is eve if you must sell this product for next to nothing its worth its wait in advertisement. In the highlight of the reception you get 10 to 15 minutes to show everyone their your work. You could not pay for that kind of advertisement at a trade show. Having said that make it good.
Sell it like this ask the couple if they thought of making a slide show presentation. If they have or haven't ask them how much the hall charges for use of the screen and projector (we know that it is $50-$100 for just the screen and $400-$500 for the projector) greedy bastards anyway pivot off this for a little more than that I will make you the slide show love walk and love story and bring one screen and projector (good enough for a least 300 people to see depending on seating configuration) and it will look like this play Love walk demo.
After you play this in the reception have your cards ready. If they want a discount make these items cheaper. Remember to shoot the couple while the presentations playing so you can add their expressions in a PIP for the DVD.
Now you can sell another product based on that DVD with these videos on them bon -bon erie instead of those cheezy clay bells for $5.00- $6.50 each times 1/2 (one per family) 300 people. $5.00 ($6.5 minus $1.5 expenses) time 150 is $750. good coin. Even better is that you are now giving every guest a DVD demo of your work to show and tell their friends at no extra cost to you. If you know you are going to do this is safer to use stock music for legal reasons.
One last note on the sales presentation... As I said before your sales presentation is the most imoportant part of your business. So make it the best you can.
In my studio I have setup a 9 foot tripod screen same I bring to receptions, soon I will replace with 10 foot manuall pull down. and pick up a decent projector (1024 reso and up). You need a projector and screen for reception presentations anyway. Then pickup SRDVD from JVC http://pro.jvc.com/prof/attributes/features.jsp?model_id=MDL101546 I am saving for this but I currently play WMVHD from a computer. With the full surround and make the wedding a theater experience. Just let the photographer try to compete with that level of presentation.
Sometimes for a joke when I am feeling cheezy and the couple have a sense of humor while the demo is playing have you wife bring in the popcorn.
If this system dosen't close the deal then you are doing something wrong.
If you edit the video nice you will get tears.
Edit for tears when you make your demo video no funny parts or if you do sandwhich them in the middle somewhere.
The brides picture themselves in the movie and cry. This puts the grooms in an awkward postion. Grooms are ussually against spending money on video talk gear to grooms and nice DVD cases with brides. If the bride or better yet the mother in-law cries its over the groom can say nothing about it. I have had grooms storm out after seeing the price and the brides winks and says I will be calling you tommorow.
Hmmm.. Okay I am typed out for now... again I hope this helps some guys make money.
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