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What to look for
in a wedding videographer
Your wedding day should be the happiest day of your life, and
there’s no better way to remember it than commissioning a
professionally produced DVD. You will be so involved with the
atmosphere and proceedings that it will not be possible for you to
enjoy every moment as it happens, which is why most of those who
choose not to have a DVD produced regret their decision very soon
after the event – and even more so in the years and with the
generations that follow.
This guide has been published to help you choose the right
videographer to produce your wedding video. With so many companies
now offering wedding videography it is not easy for the Bride and
Bride Groom to distinguish between those offering a professional
service and those who are just trying their hand at this very
specialized craft.
In a creative industry such as videography, it can be easy not to
look beyond a supplier’s creative abilities or showreel and to
understand what other qualities you should be looking for. We hope
this brief guide helps you to identify these further qualities and
enable you to make a better choice in your videographer.
Style
Each Videographer will have his or her own particular style and no
two wedding videos will be the same. There are videographers
specializing in all types of event coverage now – from simple
fly-on-the-wall type productions, to documentary-style creations,
through to highly stylized and orchestrated films. You really do
have the opportunity to have the wedding video or wedding day film
of your choice.
This individual style is what many couples base their decision on –
so your first step in choosing a Videographer is to see a range of
examples of work. Some will provide you with a showreel of various
weddings that have been edited whilst others will supply complete
wedding videos. However, you should always check that the video was
produced by the videographer who is going to cover your event.
Problems can occur when the videographer sub-contracts the work to
another who has a completely different style.
Unless there are great distances between you, we would recommend
that you ask your videographer to personally present the
demonstration video. This gives you the opportunity to ask important
questions about their service and the way in which they operate
their business.
Ask the right questions
Because each wedding video is different you must be sure that the
Videographer knows exactly what you want included. There are
standard contracts in use in the industry which protect all parties
– one of which is supplied by the IOV. Any contract should state
times and locations for the wedding along with details on the terms
of engagement. A clearly defined contract will lessen the chance of
disappointment in the finished product.
Insurance
Anyone operating a professional wedding video service should have
Public Liability Insurance, even though they are not legally bound
to do so. Ask the Videographer if they are covered and, if possible,
ask to see their policy. In addition, the IOV’s Code of Practice
demands that their members have Professional Indemnity cover for
situations that might occur which are beyond their control.
Copyright & Moral Rights
Your videographer should also be fully conversant with the copyright
laws which relate to wedding videography. They should also have the
appropriate copyright licenses to record the wedding service and
music. They will also have access to copyright licenses that will
enable them to dub your favorite music on to your DVD. A good
videographer will understand that breach of copyright is theft – and
will no doubt expect their own work to be treated with the same
respect.
It is worth noting here that, unless agreed otherwise, the copyright
in your wedding DVD will remain with the videographer. However, your
videographer should also understand their obligations of maintaining
your moral rights and rights of privacy. Hopefully, your wedding DVD
will be so good that your videographer will want to use it as a
demonstration to other couples. However, they need to make this
clear to you from the outset – and you need to air any concerns you
might have about restricting its use.
Health & Safety
Though relatively low risk, your videographer still has obligations
to ensure the health and safety of you and your guests, those
working around them – and obviously their own health and safety.
Trailing cables, tripods and lighting stands - as well as the
videographer being preoccupied in creating a fantastic video for you
- could all pose problems in maintaining health and safety.
Employing a videographer who understands and assesses these risks
will undoubtedly help avoid any accidents on your special day.
How much should you spend on a wedding video?
The cost of your wedding DVD is dependent on a number of factors.
The sky really is the limit if you want a complete Hollywood
blockbuster.
Some videographers offer a range of services which vary in the
extent of coverage, e.g. from the Bride’s house to the first dance,
or the wedding service only. Some videographers use domestic or
semi-professional equipment whereas others use professional or
broadcast quality equipment. Others may offer fully edited and/or
multiple camera productions. The cost, therefore, is directly linked
to the level of service and the expertise of the Videographer.
Cutting costs may mean compromising on both, so never base your
decision on price alone. If the videographer charges more for their
work there is usually a good reason.
It is advisable to watch several videos covering a wide price range
before making your decision. As wedding videography is a seasonal
business most successful videographers will become booked months if
not years in advance. The videographer should be booked at the same
time as other services such as photographers and caterers.
About the IOV
The IOV (Institute of Videography) was established in 1985 as a
trade association for companies and independent producers who offer
video production services to both the general public and the
commercial sector alike. With over 1,000 members the IOV is the
leading trade association representing videography in Europe.
Among its membership the IOV has some of the earliest pioneers in
wedding video production. On joining the IOV, all members agree to
act in accordance with our Code of Practice. This document has been
continually developed since the IOV was founded in 1985 – and
includes all the key areas of conduct which we believe a
professional videographer should work to.
One of the main benefits to you is that our members have made a
commitment to a trade association with a common cause, and that's to
promote professionalism within video production. Their membership
provides them with certain benefits that should enable them to work
more efficiently, fairly and in line with common practices
throughout the industry. Members keep abreast of video technology,
techniques and practices through our online forums and website
facilities and features in our monthly magazine. By networking at
IOV events and local meetings, they can ensure they are adopting the
best possible practices and delivering a service common to other
likeminded professionals.
As a further reassurance to you, all IOV members must accept the
right of their clients to refer any contractual disputes to the IOV
Arbitration Office - and to agree to any findings they decide upon
in such cases. This in itself differentiates our members from those
who choose to work outside of any such framework.
All members undertaking commercial activity will carry adequate
Public Liability and Professional Indemnity insurance. They will
understand their requirements with regard to copyright, moral rights
and any legislative or local restrictions that might be imposed on
them in their work - and the impact these may have on the services
they provide. They will understand their obligations of client
confidentiality and the confidentiality of any information entrusted
to them. And, of growing importance these days, they will at all
times observe current Health & Safety regulations and have due
consideration for the safety and welfare of staff, clients and the
general public.
ENDS
© 2006 Institute of Videography
More details on the IOV can be found on their website –
www.iov.com
More details on copyright licenses can be found on
www.iov.com/copyrightguide |
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