3. We shoot with production tools atypical for event video. Advantage: real Hollywood type shots can only be achieved with production techniques and equipment such as dollies and cranes, which take time to set up and use; we take that extra step.
Living in Los Angeles has its ups and living in Los Angeles has its downs. Up for some is the fact that Los Angeles is the entertainment hub of the world. Down for some is the fact that Los Angeles is the entertainment hub of the world. Los Angeles has more gorgeous residential areas than most cities, an "up" for those that can afford to live in them, but the traffic in Los Angeles stinks and getting to and from those million dollar homes is a big down. Even the great Los Angeles freeway system, originally built for drivers to travel the fringes of one side of Los Angeles to the other in 20 minutes or less, has become the bane of every Los Angeles driver, a plainly true "downer" for anyone keeping tabs on the merits of Los Angeles. Los Angeles is prone to earthquakes, but they come infrequently unlike the annual hurricanes and twisters that plague the eastern and midwestern states. The weather in Los Angeles is an "up" however the late summer fires borne out of months of high Los Angeles temperatures and the water shortages caused by this rain-free living are down marks. Los Angeles has a very eclectic and diverse population, with restaurants, markets and stores of varying flavors and contrasts, which is probably an "up" for the city of Los Angeles especially for those appetites yearning for something new. Los Angeles is a beach, desert, and mountain city, an "up" to some. But the smog in Los Angeles, although responsible for some spectacular orange and blue and pink late evening skies, is a choker and disgrace to both secular and religious worshippers of Gaia. Los Angeles is a city for liberals, a down for conservatives. Los Angeles has more than its fair share of beautiful people (not necessarily true) which is an up for those that care and a down for those that do not. It's been said that Angelinos, the affectionate term for the residents of Los Angeles, are shallow, that their depth only extends to their reflection in the mirror, which is likely to crack anyway given its overuse. This is a sad indictment for the people of Los Angeles especially for those who are trying to find meaningful relationships. And of relationships, finding true love in Los Angeles is elusive, claim many. Though Los Angeles weddings are plentiful indeed, Los Angeles divorces are as common a breed. Should such a notion be a factor for a bride to make a decision of marrying in Los Angeles? Come now, Los Angeles is where fairytales do come true. After all, Disney started here In Los Angeles. Akin to its name, Los Angeles is the home of many angels in the likes of humanitarians, philanthropists, neighborhood saints, and more, but in contrast darker forces are afoot, an ocean of violence coming from Los Angeles based gangs, street thugs and hardened criminals who are drawn to Los Angeles by the notion of easy pickings. Los Angeles, arguably, is not a pretty city but rather a sprawling mess. Los Angeles is the city I dreamed of, Los Angeles is the city I migrated to, and Los Angeles, paradoxically, is the city I cannot wait to leave. I love Los Angeles. I hate Los Angeles. Los Angeles is the city of promise. Los Angeles is the city of cracked hearts. Where else can one live if not in Los Angeles? Would the same of all said here be true of New York or Philadelphia or any other city? Smog aside, weather aside, population density aside, Los Angeles has its ups and Los Angeles has its downs. But in truth we do not live in Los Angeles, we live in our hearts.
Can a $300 wedding video look as good as one costing $3000? In other words, how often does the frog get to kiss the princess? Not everyday, right? As a rule, like everything in life, you get what you pay for. A $300 to $500 wedding video will more than likely be lacking in several areas even if it is produced by a gifted, award winning film maker, even if he uses top-notch equipment because cheap suffers from a prodigious diminishment of buck/time/effort.
If you spend way less than the nation average on your wedding videography the videographer/filmmaker is unlikely to spend much time in preparation, like arriving early to scout the filming location, and he/she is unlikely to spend much effort seeking out special filming angles that might, for example, be photogenically better for the bride or the location. He/she is unlikely to take the time or effort to bring along extra gear, like soft lights that can make all the difference in dimly lit areas, or back-up sound just in case the primary sound system fails. Then, after the wedding, he/she will have to squeeze time in the editing suite because it simply does not make dollar sense for her to do a time consuming creative edit.
For the easy to please bride, a cheap wedding video serves a purpose; it is, after all, an indelible recording of the wedding day, but to expect a well tailored film that family and friends would marvel over is wishful thinking. As stated, it can happen, but it's a rare.
If you spend a sum that is close to the national average for wedding videography, It is reasonable to expect a good looking film. However, be mindful, the national average of $1700 applies to one wedding videographer with one camera filming for 4 hours. Needless to say, some couples get great looking wedding videos for less even with 8 hours of videography, 2 or 3 cameras and a Blu-ray upgrade for free. Competition in the wedding vendor business is fierce, and some excellent videographers are willing to slash their prices to earn the business. Bottom line is: do your homework and ask the videographer questions, especially about the editing. This is worth repeating. Ask about the editing. Editing means more than making shorter. It is the process of selecting shots, cutting them up and carefully placing them into a creative order. Without editing, your film is sort of like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle laid out in a neat linear display, one piece after another, but you can hardly discern the finished picture by looking at the jigsaw puzzle this way.
If you really want a phenomenal looking wedding video, one that will not only swell your heart but the hearts of others too, get involved in the process. Discuss your wedding film with the videographer. If you want an animated photo montage rather than a simple picture slide show showing you and your other half during childhood, make sure that the video stylist is proficient in that area. If you want dolly shots and crane shots in your wedding video (shots that have a big film look) discuss it. Discuss your music preferences. Discuss the film's length. Its color tones, sound track. Work on the design of your wedding video before the wedding. What does a wedding film like this cost? I can't speak for others but the Beverly Hills Videographer produces exquisite wedding films doing all of the above for $3500, and they too make deals.
Contact David Marsh at www.beverlyhillsvideographer.com
