Wedding Videographers

[Nexus]

Do we have any on here?
I know there are a good few Photographers.

Anyways, the point in this thread was that I was wondering how many people saw Dragon's Den last night?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b015gtrc/Dragons_Den_Series_9_Episode_9/ (Right at the end of the show)

There were two women who were pitching their business which is a Wedding Video company, but rather than shoot it, they give you the camera and you shoot it yourself, they then edit it, with a final turnaround of 6-8 weeks! Although it apparently only takes them 3 days of actual edit time. They actually got investment from Hilary surprisingly, but luckily the other Dragons saw it as stupid.

They claim their main selling point is that they are cheaper than professional videographers, but their package starts at £749, which is just for the one camera, when you start adding the extras you need, it goes up even more. Further to that, given that you are giving one or two people at the wedding the responsibility of filming the big day, it might be easier just to hire or buy a camera if they have any skill at editing.

They also argue that their other benefit over Professional Videographers is that wedding videos are boring and has no banter from the guests.

Here's their website:
http://www.shoot-it-yourself.co.uk/

I think it's at ridiculous idea and while they claim they have never had anyone come back with bad footage, they are also only showcasing their best ones on the website. But even then, if you watch some of the videos they promote, they are full of iMovie style transitions and graphics, music which is choppy and drops in and out of levels.

I just can't see why anyone do this. Even a cheap Videographer would do a better job.

 

[Nexus]

It's the whole chance aspect of it though that I think is wrong. Much like we've had threads on here before from people saying "I've been asked to Photography/Video my mates wedding, should I do it?"

It's that ultimately somebody, or two people have to become unpaid videographers for the day. It rests entirely in their hands if they mess something up or get bored and decide to just go and party, like you would do at a wedding anyway.

You have to take the ones on the website with a pinch of salt I believe.

 

[Nexus]

I don't know why but video just doesn't grab me. All the hours of video I've shot rarely gets watched more than the initial first viewing, yet photographs are regularly returned to. Actually the most watched videos I have are actually photo slideshows

It's because Photos are timeless and everyone will want a fantastic photo of the wedding couple, taken by a professional on their mantelpiece. It can be seen everyday and by visitors to the home, where as a Video only gets watched when you want to watch it.

So while it certainly makes sense to get a proper Photographer, I can see how the Videographer can be an after thought. While it's not something I do, I'm sure there are plenty of pro wedding Videographers out there who will argue that their videos aren't boring. It's just about it being in the right hands and ultimately what you want out of it.

 

[Nexus]

Fully supported them when I saw them on DD, good on them for getting up and doing something different.

Not everyone wants a perfectly shot, cinematic wedding. Some people want to record actual fun and antics ^^.

Maybe I'm just looking at it wrong then.

The way I'm seeing it is that I know a lot of people have video cameras, even HD ones. Further to that, most people have cameras that will record video, even some top quality phones do to. Infact, compared to their setup, in the hands of amateurs all they are really missing is a decent onboard mic.

PCs and Macs come with software to edit videos to the same standard as the videos you are paying for here and as one of the Dragons pointed out, requiring a professional Videographer to make a video is no longer a requirement, because anybody can edit quite easily.


So this is how I'm looking at it.
But perhaps not everybody is tech savvy enough or has, or knows a friend with a camcorder?

 

[Nexus]

Now there will be some many copy cats now !!

Well yeah that's the other thing about this.
I was surprised a Dragon invested because it's not like it's a product they are selling which they can patent. It's something that anybody can offer, you could even argue that people could do a better editing job.

 

[Nexus]

anybody can edit badly, doing it well requires real skill. I'm not saying they're particularly good, I haven't looked at their videos but good video editing is far from easy.

I see, I thought you had viewed some.

The standard of their videos isn't what I'd call professional. They all feature the same iMovie style book opening and then freeze frames on key people at the wedding.

Just look at 16.35 on this video, the audio drops out for no reason during a transition, that's extremely weak for a 'professional' edit.
http://vimeo.com/26916015

To be fair though, I'm sure they have to edit with a whole lot of nothing and unlike a Videographer at the actual event, they have no 'outside' knowledge of what is happening in a scene or who everybody is.

You don't even get to see the video before they send it out, unless you pay for a first look. Which I'd also say is quite important given that their choice of music is questionable in places.... Gangster Rap for a skinny white guy getting out a limo... is that really how you want people to see your wedding day forever?

I agree with you Rexhuk that a Dragon endorsement means they will do well, it perhaps means they can actually hire some professional Editors.


On disposable film cameras... I was under the impression that it was still a pretty popular practise, especially given you can have them developed right onto DVD. We did it for my Father's 60th a few months ago and I've seen the same elsewhere.