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Video Shopping Guide
This is a new short version of our Video Shopping Guide. Please email us if you'd like the full detailed version. |
| -Advice
from your closest friends is best...careful
with advice from strangers who promote the same groups
of services every time. |
| -Decide on
a budget...plan to spend $2,000. to
$4,000. for a well shot & edited video or approx.
$1,000. for a low end video or under $500. for a
home-made type video. Experience, workmanship, equipment
type and editing sophistication account for wide pricing
variations. |
| -Meet with the person who will do the
actual work...meeting only with a salesperson
will get you promises that will not be kept. |
| -The “flavour of the month” is rarely the
one to choose...scrutinize each
Videographer equally, don't fall for salesmanship &
fluff. |
| -The “team approach” is more of a “risky approach"... “Teams” tend to change often as employees leave due to low earnings. It is much more desirable to have the original cameraman edit his own work rather than leave editing to a “team”. |
| -Full size Sony HD video
cameras are best...Small video cameras do not
fully meet Hi-Def standards. DSLR still cameras with
limited video capabilities have various flaws & lack
of control that make them unsuitable for fast-paced
event video work. |
| -Recording on tape is now history...Some still record on risky tape, High Definition recorded on memory cards is now dominant. |
| -Check the condition of
the equipment for your event...old beaten up
cameras & equipment held together by duct tape is
common. |
| -Audio is important...camera mounted microphones pick up mostly background noise. Higher-end cordless microphones are a requirement |
| -A quality back-up
camera...Many event videographers do not have a
backup camera. You only have one chance to do things
right! |
| -Lighting is still important...some added lighting is still and always will be a requirement unless a home-made look is expected. |
|
-A
tripod is a tool of the trade...for speeches
& high level work nothing beats a solid tripod
with pneumatic vertical movement.
|
| -Demo videos do not tell the whole
story...look for: sharpness, good facial
colours, evenly lit scenes, flow, pleasing transitions,
steady zooming speed, lack of graininess, thought behind
the camera-work, pleasing effects, listen carefully to
the audio. |
| -Flashback (recap) at
the ending...this can make a pricing difference
but will become the most viewed portion. |
| -Styles vary, but traditional remains
strongest...careful with short videos with
impressive intros & endings, view the important
segments. |
| -Other important facts
to consider...Disc data should be available for
future additional copies, a contract is a must, the
cameraman's name needs to be on the contract, insurance
is a requirement, clear up rumours, check how botched
segments be handled. |
| -Be aware...Cash
deals can be risky. Last minute surprises are common.
Booking video through a photographer, caterer, DJ or any
"all in one service" is very risky. Photography &
video should not be booked from the same source. Rented
equipment is often unpredictable. Do some homework as very few event videographers have the qualifications, technology and commitment required to do a proper job. |
| -Speedy finishing...waiting
6-12 months for editing is ridiculous, one month should
be maximum. Some do go out of business unexpectedly! |
| -Not all DVD & Blu-ray blank discs are equal...Low end services use discs that are worth pennies. Careful with those who “throw in” multiple free discs; look at the content instead. Click here for DVD info page. Newer Hi-Definition discs are named Blu-ray. |
| -The High Definition
Video evolution...High Definition Video has
become dominant; in 2012 100% of our clients booked
HI-Def. Many in our trade will be promoting Hi-Def but
they will be using the wrong “home type” small hand held
cameras (HDV, DSLRs etc.) for very responsible work.
This is not the route to take. Sony’s latest XDCAM HD
High Definition solid state type equipment is the only
format to consider although it is more costly. Not all
Hi-Def is the same, variations exist, check our “High
Definition info” section for more details. |
| -Avoid thrown out money...book only HD, standard def is now history. Choosing by price is false economy, you'll only get what you pay for! |
|
"Choose the person before choosing the company" |