Like buying an automobile, the answer depends on what you want. If price was all that mattered, we'd all be driving Yugos. We specialize in High Quality, elegant wedding videography. Each wedding package is a high quality product, however the cost varies depending on length of coverage, degree of personalization desired, and the inclusion of additional coverage such as: Love Story introduction, Retrospective Interview, Romantic Interlude, MiniVideo, type of highlights desired, number of animations, special effects, number of "growing up" pictures, coverage of individual guests at the tables, etc. Our wedding video productions contain no extra hidden costs. We urge brides-to-be and/or their parents to study our complete brochure in detail, especially the packages comparison. We have four wedding video packages you can choose from.
2. How is the payment for the video made?
For your convenience, payment for the video is done in three installments: 1). 1/3 Initial deposit at time of booking, to lock in the date. 2). 1/3 thirty days prior to the wedding, when pre-production starts (Graphics, Titles, and Growing-Up pictures). 3). 1/3 When the tapes are ready to be picked up.
3. How many video sets do you give with the package?
It varies with the package. It's all in the brochure.
4. Do you come to the house to videotape bride getting ready?
Not usually. The videographers need to be at the Church at least one hour before the start of the Ceremony.
5. How many hours of video coverage do I get?
It varies with the package you choose, or the length of extra time you wish to purchase. We arrive at the Church, or other place where the Ceremony is held, at least one hour before the Ceremony starts. Contracted time starts 1 hour before the scheduled starting time of the Ceremony.
6. How far do you travel?
We serve the Greater Boston area, as well as limited areas outside of Massachusetts. It depends on many factors: location, length of video coverage time, accessibility, time of the year, other commitments, etc. Please talk to us about your needs.
Beyond 25 miles from our studio, there may be a modest charge. There may be an additional charge if the Ceremony and/or the Reception are held in downtown Boston.
8. Do you supply photography service too?-Do you work with specific photographers?
We don't provide photographic service. We prefer to concentrate on Videography. We can suggest some independent photographers you may wish to visit, however we can't recommend a specific individual- you need to see their work, and make the final decision, based on the quality of their work.
9. You say you attend the wedding rehearsal. What happens if the rehearsal takes place in Cape Cod or anywhere outside the greater Boston metropolitan area?
Our attendance at the rehearsal depends on time, distance, weather, prior commitments, etc. If we can't be at the Rehearsal, it's the client's responsibility to provide us with specific details.
10. How about your video lights? Are they too bright? Do you use extension cords?
Although we have actually seen some videographers use extension cords, we never use them. Our video-cameras are among the most sensitive on the commercial market. Be aware that light always enhances, enriches the color and the vibrancy of the image. Our cameras are equipped with dimmable small, battery operated, low wattage lights (50 Watt).
We can use a wireless microphone or a super-directional, on-camera mounted, microphone.
12. If we select you as our videographers, are you the people who show up at the wedding? Or do you send someone else?
The PRESTIGE VIDEO packages are videotaped by the owners exclusively, unless illness or an "Act of God" makes it necessary to substitute.
13. What happens if one of you is sick on the Wedding day?
Should one of us be ill, or absent because of an "Act of God", we will select another videographer to take the place. The one of us that attends the wedding, will guide, instruct and direct the substitute videographer, so as to achieve the same results.
14. Can we purchase the unedited master tapes? If not, why not?
In most cases, no. Because of several reasons: 1) The master tapes are shot on a format which require special VCRs for viewing. 2) The event is videotaped by a minimum of two cameras, and then, during editing, the scenes from both cameras are both used, as determined during post-production. Viewing of the tapes individually would not be representative of the final product. 3) The master tapes contain scenes which may be interpreted as mistakes, when in fact they are similar to what we call "poetic license." We keep the cameras on, most of the time, for instant readiness. This means that often our cameras are running, as we walk back to the work table or any part of the function facility. The unwanted scenes are removed during our editing process. Untrained individuals looking at the masters may not understand these apparent nonsensical scenes. Under certain limited conditions, unedited VHS copies of the master tapes can be purchased. You need to discuss that with us.
15. Do you have, and do you take with you, back-up equipment?
Yes. We have, and bring with us, a back-up camera, batteries, videotape, on-camera lights, tripod, battery chargers, etc. Depending on the video package you select, we also may bring a trained videographer/assistant to guarantee and/or enhance video coverage.
16. Do you have a studio?
Unlike photographers, whose part of the work is taking portraits at their studio, videographers don't need a similar studio. But yes, we have a studio dedicated to pre- and post-production editing, as well as to provide a place where the clients can preview our work and our equipment.
17. With so many videographers advertising that they use professional or industrial or broadcast quality cameras, it's difficult to know what is what. What do I NEED to know?
We know what you mean. Some videographers do stretch the truth about their work and their cameras. Some camera manufacturers are partially responsible for this, because it's really the manufacturers that make very unrealistic claims about their products. For example: a majority of videographers use prosumer camcorders, not much better that any camcorders you can buy from a department store. The manufacturers coined the phrase "prosumer grade" because it sounds better than "consumer grade". These camcorders tend to burn (i.e. details of wedding gown are washed out) the image, when they get close to the subject, most of them are operated in auto-focus mode, causing a defocusing effect whenever someone crosses their path, or when operated in dim lighting. Essentially the typical camcorder, which some call professional equipment, is really a disguised consumer camcorder, made to look different, and distributed primarily by mail order companies. Their cost is approximately $2,500.00
18. What kind of cameras do you use?
Prestige Video, is one of the few wedding video production companies which truly uses the very latest, state of the art, broadcast grade, 3-chip cameras, similar to those frequently used by TV stations for Electronic News Gathering. The cost of each camera/recorder is six times higher than the "prosumer" camcorders, in fact it's $15,000.00. At this point it would be very lengthy to describe the attributes of the cameras. A simple preview of our work will speak for itself.
19. How long, after the wedding, does it take to get the finished video?
Delivery time varies because it is dependent on many factors (i.e. time of the year/work load, complexity of editing work on previously scheduled videos, package chosen and added options.) Since we videotape weddings with a minimum of two active cameras, the resulting editing time is longer than that of other videographers who provide you with only one active camera or one active camera and one stationary, which they call the second camera (however no second videographer.)
20. How long, after a client previews your work, will you hold a date for?
Seven days. However, after seven days, should you ask us to do so, we can contact you, to let you know if someone else is interested in booking us for the same date.
21. Do you consider videotaping a wedding "just another job" ?
Absolutely not. We take each wedding as a personal concern, we want to feel as guests at your wedding, free to roam and mix so we can capture the most candid scenes possible. Do we worry? We do worry, because we are perfectionists, and because we care. See us at work, at someone else's wedding. If interested, we can arrange it.
22. Do you videotape more than one wedding in one day?
No. We do not subcontract our work. Often we only videotape one wedding per weekend, if we anticipate that the task is very laborious. This prevents mediocre results caused by fatigue.
23. Do you belong to any organizations which deals with Video?
Yes. Unlike the small local associations, where "you just join", we are members of the prestigious "Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers" (SMPTE). We are electronic engineers. Because of our advanced engineering work we were sponsored, and made members of SMPTE. We are also members of WEVA, the Wedding and Event Videographers Association International. WEVA puts us in touch with thousands of the world's foremost wedding videographers via Association publications, members' technical exchanges via internet, and international seminars/expositions.
24. Have you written any articles on Bridal Videography?
Yes. We have written a considerable number of articles on Bridal Videography which were previously published in "New England Bride" magazine and in "Wedding Day" magazine.
25. What types of weddings do you videotape?
We videotape all types of weddings. While it's true that we specialize in distinctive or high elegance weddings, we have and continue to videotape all types and sizes of weddings where quality and content are important. Our wedding videos are very complete, each set consists of two separate tapes: Ceremony tape and Reception tape. The total finished video, contained in two separate videocassettes can be as long as 3 hours, if desired. We feel that an event that lasts almost a whole day deserves more than the 90 minutes other videographers provide. Naturally, we can, if requested, make your video as short as you desire. Our position, if not instructed otherwise, is to leave in, while editing, all that is good and interesting. Remember, you can always use the Fast Forward button on your vcr's remote control!
26. Do you videotape interfaith, no faith, and/or ethnic weddings?
Yes. In addition to conventional weddings, we also videotape interfaith, no faith, and ethnic weddings, irrespective of the complexity. Whenever the wedding appears to be very unusual, or very different, we simply have more meetings with the bride, ask a lot of questions, and go over each detail, until we feel fully informed, and the bride feels very comfortable in knowing that our approach and coverage will be exactly as she desires it.
27. Do you specialize in videotaping only weddings of a certain size?
No. We have videotaped weddings of less than 90 guests, as well a weddings with over 400 guests. The number of guests at the wedding should not be the deciding factor in choosing a two camera/two videographers team, such as PRESTIGE VIDEO. Two cameras/two videographers are used not because of the size of the event. Generally the focal point at a wedding is mainly the head table(s), wedding party, family members, and the dance floor. Guests' tables, when desired, are videotaped, in an interactive way, individually. The deciding factors in selecting a video service should be dictated by the desired quality and content of the finished video, as well as by the videographers' flexibility of approach, skill, professionalism, ability to mix, pride in their work, pleasant personality, friendliness, and trust. We like to think we meet all of these tests.
28. Do you dress in formal attire?
Yes. Black suit and low key dress shirt or if you so desire, black tuxedo, white shirt and tie.
29. How can one determine the worth of a wedding video?
Cost is relative, and is a function of the priority you choose to assign to having a professionally produced wedding video. Your Wedding video is the only medium which remains after the wedding. The only thing which will provide you with actual detailed replay of the most important day of your life. The only thing which will provide the dynamic images and happenings of that day: The sounds, the voices, the smiles or tears, the faces and the expressions of those you love, admire or respect, the images of those that may not be around when the children grow up and view your wedding video. The video will be the only medium that can bring back the real happenings and images to you, to your future children, and to other family members and friends.
30. Why should I hire YOU to be my videographers?
Because we are confident that we can produce for you one of the best Wedding Video documentaries. We are skilled, friendly, have confidence in what we do, we have an extra touch for romanticism, we love to produce wedding videos that keep our reputation high.
Although initially, your wedding video may represent less than 10% of your total wedding budget, when the wedding is over, the sentimental value of your wedding video is priceless. Your wedding video is the only medium which allows you to relive your wedding day in all its splendor. Memories and photographs will only be small reminders without the details... Only video can provide the sound, motion, emotion, laughter, tears of joy, etc.; everything else, including your memory, fades with time.
32. What if I have additional questions?
If you have any additional questions, please fill out the Inquiry Form HERE.
Enter your questions in the "notes/comments" section.
