For those of you that had a Videographer..

[lurkyloo]

Tracy will have great answers to these questions, but I'd like to chime in too!

1. What would the differences be between standard or high def? Would standard be grainy looking?

Standard will be grainy-looking on a hi-def TV and at large sizes. Well, not so much grainy as blurry-pixel-y. I mean, it's not terrible, but once you get used to seeing everything in HD, regular looks a little lackluster. On the other hand, HD reveals everything, so if the videographer zooms in for a closeup, you're gonna see every line and blemish the makeup artist couldn't cover.

2. What would getting the raw footage mean, exactly? Getting a copy of everything that was shot, in addition to the edited video? Would the advantage of that be having the option to "redo" the final video later if I wasn't happy with it?

Exactly—plus, it means that you'll have every possible recorded moment instead of just an edited "story" version of the day. Your videographer will make judgments about what to cut out to enhance the flow of your final video (as s/he should), but that means you won't see every single moment of your day. Some people like to have the raw footage just so they can see it all.

I don't know what features I should be sure to get and what I could do without, I haven't a clue how many hours I would need to book in order to have a good representation of the day, and I have no idea what kind of price is reasonable for good quality.

Book as many hours as you need to capture all the main events. If you aren't having a big reception with some spectacular surprise at the end (like confetti cannons), you can probably send the videographer home after the cake-cutting. If you don't need lots of getting-ready footage or a "first look," you could probably start videography 30 minutes before the ceremony.

As for features, a lot of what's included in videographers' packages is needless bells and whistles: special title graphics, cheesy special effects, engraved DVD cases, credits sequences—that's all just window-dressing if all you want is a simple record of the day. We'll see what Tracy says, but I think most of the budget should go shooting hours, toward multiple camera operators and plenty of editing time.

 

[twiu]

Thanks Carrie! Well done...

Okay technical difference between standard def & high def:

Standard Def is 480p (that's pixels)... High Def is 1080p (or I, interlaced.. long explanation) or at least 720. So just that number shows you the difference in pixels. Think about it. It's like watching regular tv compared to hd tv. I think now, SD is not that big of a deal.. but ... it will be in 5 - 10 years. This being said... just becuase they're shooting in HD, doesnt mean the final product will be in HD. They can shoot in HD but then give you a DVD- which means, your final product is not true HD. It will be a much better picture than SD but still not true HD. The only way you will get true HD is if they give you a blu ray at the end.

So... this is where we get to the raw footage. A lot of people get raw footage in the form of DVD's. Yes, you're getting all the footage but this isn't raw footage. Once its on a playable DVD, the footage has been compressed (shrunk) and you lose quality. Raw would be getting it in the form it was shot in. So, if the company doesn't give you your final product in HD format (blu ray) but they give you the "real" raw footage (usually in form of a tape, a disk - a data dvd, not a playable one, or cards) then this means that later on, as technology advances, you can have someone else edit this and not lose any quality to your video.

I have to run to a dance class, but I'll help you with some recommendations.

I agree with Carrie. All the extras (the graphics, the photo montage, etc), personally I think it's a crock of crap that they charge you a handful more for these. These take no time to do (if you know what you're doing) and actually make for an easier edit. Get someone who will shoot (more than one camera is great, the more angles the better the edit) and will edit. Expect a longish editing time if you want a good product.

HTH.

I'll be back with even more boring information later

 

[figmentfan814]

We also used Stan from STVS video and loved the product. He worked with us to get it done for out at-home reception and then provided us with the complete raw footage because of the package we purchased. Just as twiu mentioned when you purchase HD you need to get a Blu-ray copy. Stan provided us with both DVDs and Blu-rays. He has been shooting Disney weddings for many years and is highly recommended by many past brides and works great with many of the photographers mentioned in this post especially Randy.

Today it is worth the cost to pay for the Hi-Def shooting. I work in nonprofit television and have minimal experience with the actual editing side, but it is important to make sure you have someone who understands the technical side of things when deciding what type of footage you want for your wedding. Also, find out how many Disney weddings they have shot before. You want someone who knows how to give you the best shots for your location.

 

[Wazzo]

We used Cinema Chic and I found her prices very reasonable for that style of videography. Our package had two videographers for 8 hours. Even though video wasn't something that was important to me at first, when I started looking into it I found I really wanted a cinematic style and two cameras to capture different angles.

I haven't seen my full video yet, but I loved the preview. Kat was truly great to work with, she was so funny and easy going. She really had some great ideas, some of our favorite pictures are things that she suggested but she was also very unobtrusive. When I mentioned that our reception was extended and I wasn't sure if I should have her come early for getting ready or stay late at the reception, she really went above and beyond to come up with a solution so that we wouldn't miss a thing. Kat arranged to have the second videographer leave earlier and she made up those hours and stayed until the end. And during that extended time she was working hard! Every time I looked over she was in a different spot catching all the action on the dance floor!

We also hired Kat from Cinema Chic and were so pleased with the results. Her prices are fantastic and the quality of her work is amazing. We had two videographers for the day, and then Kat came back by herself for our DP. She was extremely easy to work with, and very willing to please.

Everyone is amazed whenever we share our video. I very highly recommend Kat!!

 

[Skylarr29]

I would most certainly NOT, and I repeat NOT, recommend using Jeffrey Stoner video if you come across him in your search. That poor bride Tracy speaks of is me. My video is horrendous. We spent approx. 5K and out of a 6 hour package our raw footage is less than 2 hours long. Our final video is about 20 minutes. I can not even watch it, nor show it to family.

Read, read, and re read contracts. Make sure to have all questions answered prior to signing a contract and have addendum's made when necessary.