Who to use for Video????

[ChocolateMouse]

I called A Magic Moment and talked to a lady there. I think she's a hired receptionist. I can confirm ForKeeps was right that one DVD is included in the package. Their web site says DVDs start at $200, but the lady explained that an a la carte pricing. Extra DVDs cost $50, but if your computer has a DVD-writer, you can make your own copies for the cost of a blank DVD (under $1). The lady said that was allowed.

Raw footage is available for $100/hr. If you might be unhappy with the final edit (such as what was included, excluded and music choices) and wish to redo it again in the future, you need the raw footage. You also need it if you ever want to edit additional versions of your wedding. For my reception back home, I can't imagine showing a one hour video to my guests after dinner. They will do a short version (like STVS' sneak preview) for $250.

Lastly, camera coverage is one cameraman with one camera except for the state of the art packages. I noticed Kyla Feeley at A Cut Above has two cameras. She's the only camera person, but puts a second camera on a tripod somewhere for a second angle.

 

[JackieSparrow]

I called A Magic Moment and talked to a lady there. I think she's a hired receptionist. I can confirm ForKeeps was right that one DVD is included in the package. Their web site says DVDs start at $200, but the lady explained that an a la carte pricing. Extra DVDs cost $50, but if your computer has a DVD-writer, you can make your own copies for the cost of a blank DVD (under $1). The lady said that was allowed.

Raw footage is available for $100/hr. If you might be unhappy with the final edit (such as what was included, excluded and music choices) and wish to redo it again in the future, you need the raw footage. You also need it if you ever want to edit additional versions of your wedding. For my reception back home, I can't imagine showing a one hour video to my guests after dinner. They will do a short version (like STVS' sneak preview) for $250.

Lastly, camera coverage is one cameraman with one camera except for the state of the art packages. I noticed Kyla Feeley at A Cut Above has two cameras. She's the only camera person, but puts a second camera on a tripod somewhere for a second angle.

ChocolateMouse-- thanks for the info.. did she say anything about a deposit?

 

[happylalagirl]

I checked out the website & I made my fiance sit & watch them with me this evening.
You both had such beautiful weddings! I loved the fact that the videos weren't the same. I was so afraid of that, but your personnal styles really came through. Becky your bouquet was gorgeous it actually made me rethink my colors (DF thanks you for that!...lol) So after watching these we have decided to go ahead and use STVS.
Thank you sooo much , you just made our decision a whole lot easier.
I hope that our wedding will be just a lovely as yours!
Congratulations to you both!!! and Thanks again!




P.S After being engaged for 5yrs I thought this moment would never come,I can't imagine 13!! I am so happy for you & Andrew being able to have that perfect day. It really was a beautiful wedding & the reception looked like so much fun! The song that was playing when you had your first dance made me cry! What an amazing song!

I am sooooooooooooooo happy you decided to go with Stan. You definitely won't be disappointed. Yes, 13 years was a long time, but it was worth it. We've stood the test of time and are so in love now, it's like we are in high school again.
We wanted to choose a song that was different. That song just said what we had each felt and it made sense to use it. I hear that song all the time now on the Christian radio station I listen to.

Congratulations on choosing Stan!! I know your wedding will be everything you hope it will be. Disney does an amazing job and Randy and Stan are the best at what they do!!

 

[hisprincess]

just subscribing, I'll need this info pretty soon

 

[dee slack]

ForKeeps - any news on your video yet?

 

[ChocolateMouse]

ChocolateMouse-- thanks for the info.. did she say anything about a deposit?

Oops, I forgot to ask that question to A Magic Moment. Sorry! Maybe ForKeeps has the answer.

I'm still trying to find time to call those other two videographers mentioned in this thread.

 

[ForKeeps]

Oops, I forgot to ask that question to A Magic Moment. Sorry! Maybe ForKeeps has the answer.

I'm still trying to find time to call those other two videographers mentioned in this thread.

I paid $300 as a retainer for services that in total cost $870 US + tax (Intimate "State of the Art" package + an additional hour of coverage)

I'm not sure if it's based on a percentage or if it's a flat retainer. But I hope this is somewhat helpful!

 

[ChocolateMouse]

ForKeeps:
Did A Magic Moment plant a wireless microphone anywhere to capture your voices? I ask that because I just watched their full length sample video (haas.wmv) and the sound during the ceremony was horrible. Well, not horrible but amateur. I couldn't believe it, especially on a sample video they use to make sales! It's the same difference you hear between film studios using boom mikes to capture sound versus amateurs filming clips for America's Funniest Home Videos.

I decided to do some more "homework" and watch their samples because the lady called me back today. So far my experience has been different than yours, but we're at different stages. Maybe they're very easy to reach during the sales process and then the service level drops after they have your money?

I noticed A Cut Above and Broadway Foto both say they use wireless microphones. STVS doesn't say that on their web site, but their sound is so clear on their posted videos that it isn't an issue. Pretty much the reason to want a video to supplement your photos is for movement and sound. Sometimes you can get a similar effect panning around photos in a slideshow, so it's really the sound that's precious.

 

[ChocolateMouse]

An update for those interested.

I haven't gotten a call back or response from Broadway Foto. I thought the videographer's biography was a bit 'unique", so maybe he's at a WWE wrestling event and not responding. This is the company that has links to sample videos that don't work.

I called A Magic Moment back. Usually they remember you if you've talked to them at length just a few days ago, but the receptionist lady didn't remember me. She called me a couple days ago to invite me to their shop to view their work, but I declined since I'm not local (I thought my phone number would've tipped her off). Anyway, I was passed to a videographer for details she couldn't answer. He says they do wire up the groom with a microphone and their sample video is an anomaly.

Their State of the Art package includes the raw footage, but the other packages you pay for it per hour of footage. The coverage is the same for all their packages. The difference in price is the amount of editing. They start their videos with Disney theme park footage. I think it's pre-shot and not from your wedding day, so you might get a different weather system and time of year than your ceremony day.

I didn't ask about the deposit because ForKeeps answered that question already.

I called Dream Wedding DVD and no one was available to answer the phone. I'll wait for them to call me back. Their smallest package listed includes 5 hours of coverage, which is too much for most intimate weddings.

The only videographer left on my list is Stoner Video. I haven't contacted him yet.

 

[IrishCinderella]

Did you try Kennedy Video (www.kennedyvideoproductions.com)? I've seen a few of their videos and they are amazing.

Also, I'm not sure this one was mentioned: A Cut Above (www.acutaboveprod.com). Kyla, the owner, is beyond sweet and we almost went with her. She does amazing work, and I believe she has an intimate package.

 

[ChocolateMouse]

Thanks for the suggestions! I already checked Kennedy and A Cut Above. Kennedy's web site says they only offer "one and only package" for $1900. That's overkill for most weddings, let alone an intimate one so I didn't proceed to contact them. Their final DVDs are up to 2.5 hours long.
http://www.kennedyvideoproductions.com/page3.html

I like A Cut Above, but I talked to Kyla and she's not available on my date and didn't offer any additional information to me like packages and prices.

There is at least one digital camcorder among my guests. When/if I have time, I'm going to see if a couple samples can be shot around here and how well we can edit it. Then if we have a way of planting a microphone to capture the voices, we might just shoot our own videography and feel it'll be as good as what's currently available to us that our budget can afford.

 

[IrishCinderella]

Eh, well, I tried! A video is really invaluable, so good luck!

 

[dee slack]

I called Dream Wedding DVD and no one was available to answer the phone. I'll wait for them to call me back. Their smallest package listed includes 5 hours of coverage, which is too much for most intimate weddings.

I emailed dreamweddingdvd asking if they did a smaller package and they came back with a package for $449 "3.5 hours to film the occasion. 2 camera's. You receive a finished DVD movie of the event, with chapters; 5 copies of the finished DVD, with cases. It takes about 14 days till your DVD is completed and in your hands. The finished films run around 60 minutes. I can mail you a sample DVD from a recent wedding (2 weeks ago). I have their permission to use it. Yes that price includes tax."
I'm still waiting for the demo tho'

 

[DisneyDeeFL]

I'm also waiting on a demo DVD from dreamweddingdvd. I'll let you all know when I receive it! I hope I'm impressed by their demo, because they're definitely the most affordable vendor I've come across.

Most of the other videographers I contacted were either over our budget or unavailable for our date. Hopefully we'll find one soon!!

 

[ChocolateMouse]

I emailed dreamweddingdvd asking if they did a smaller package and they came back with a package for $449 "3.5 hours to film the occasion. 2 camera's. You receive a finished DVD movie of the event, with chapters; 5 copies of the finished DVD, with cases. It takes about 14 days till your DVD is completed and in your hands. The finished films run around 60 minutes. I can mail you a sample DVD from a recent wedding (2 weeks ago). I have their permission to use it. Yes that price includes tax."
I'm still waiting for the demo tho'

Dan from Dream Wedding DVD called me back and I have a different response from him. I had a conversation at length with him and I found out a few details.

The biggest difference is he did not offer the above package to me. I told him my intimate wedding would last an hour at most and there was no formal reception. He told me he could not offer anything cheaper than his $599 package because that's his cost of doing business. It includes up to 5 hours of coverage, which he says he'll be there for that many hours when set up time is taken into account.

For artistry, his editing starts with a recap of the day's events. Normally, I think videographers finish with the recap? When I talked to A Magic Moment, I learned they start with a Disney montage and finish with a recap. Turnaround time is 15 days, five copies are included and they give you the raw footage.

They use a minimum of two cameras and sometimes three cameras, depending on who is available. Dan has been doing this for nine years. He also offered to send me a sample DVD.

I asked whether they use a wireless microphone to capture clearer speech during the ceremony. Dan said yes, but admits it's hit and miss. If there's a lot of movement, the mic picks it up. That's why he recommends the officiant wears the mic, not the groom.

 

[StephSFL]

I've never seen a Disney Videographer's work - has anyone? I'd really like to, as we're considering using them.

We used Disney's video services and were dissapointed! After seeing a lot of other disbrides' videos from other sources we really felt let down. Besides just not being up to what I would expect from Disney, there was a lot of stock footage used and they even got the date of our weddign wrong on the intro and endings. When I compare it to Happylalagirl's the one by Disney looks like my 15 year old cousin would have done it!
Hope this helps!

 

[dee slack]

Dan from Dream Wedding DVD called me back and I have a different response from him. I had a conversation at length with him and I found out a few details.

The biggest difference is he did not offer the above package to me. I told him my intimate wedding would last an hour at most and there was no formal reception. He told me he could not offer anything cheaper than his $599 package because that's his cost of doing business. It includes up to 5 hours of coverage, which he says he'll be there for that many hours when set up time is taken into account.

For artistry, his editing starts with a recap of the day's events. Normally, I think videographers finish with the recap? When I talked to A Magic Moment, I learned they start with a Disney montage and finish with a recap. Turnaround time is 15 days, five copies are included and they give you the raw footage.

They use a minimum of two cameras and sometimes three cameras, depending on who is available. Dan has been doing this for nine years. He also offered to send me a sample DVD.

I asked whether they use a wireless microphone to capture clearer speech during the ceremony. Dan said yes, but admits it's hit and miss. If there's a lot of movement, the mic picks it up. That's why he recommends the officiant wears the mic, not the groom.

How strange! I wonder if day of the week makes a difference to the minimum package he offers, or time of year? I asked about a Tuesday, mid Dec.

 

[jmmastra]

Info on a Magic Moment...Talk to Leah. She is very helpful, she answered all my questions both on the phone and through email and she called a few times to follow up. I am only using their two hour $500 package and my deposit was $150. Leah can also email you updated info on all of their packages.