Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions that we have discussed with many of our Brides and Grooms.
Won't the camera operators be obtrusive and disruptive?
No. The kindest compliment anyone ever gave us was, "I never even saw you all day". Outback Studios makes every effort to record your wedding unobtrusively and tastefully, using no lights at the ceremony, remaining stationary and silent throughout, and using a documentary style in all of our recording.
How should I choose a videographer?
It's a fact of life that price plays a key role in determining your selection of professionals, and there is a photographer and videographer for every budget. Once you determine your spending limit you can begin to evaluate your professionals for quality, experience and compatibility. A professional camera is a must if you are to get true quality. Also, a minimum of 2 cameras for proper coverage should be used, as well as professional microphones. Ask your prospective videographer what equipment he or she will use at your wedding, and specifically who will be operating that equipment. Ask to see a sample of that person's work. Don't merely watch promotional videos - ask to see actual weddings with actual sound, preferably taped in the same locations as your upcoming event.
Will my photographer and a videographer work together?
Yes. Wedding videography is relatively new, only coming into its own in the past few years. Wedding photography, on the other hand, has been around for almost 1½ centuries! Generally, photographers and videographers get along just fine. In our own experience, we have even become close friends with our colleagues.
Should I sign a contract?
A contract protects both you and the videographer, and should be comprehensive and clear. Don't hire any professional with merely a verbal agreement.
Will you use wireless microphones?
At Outback Studios, we have wireless lapel microphones if needed, however, we prefer to use wired microphones, which will give greater clarity, and no interference with the sound. Wireless microphones offer a quicker setup. It is usually the groom who is chosen to wear the black lavaliere clip on microphone. Other microphones are placed around the venue to pick up the people that speak or sing during the ceremony. There is also a stereo microphone on each camera to ensure all the audio is recorded. Be sure to check with your church or synagogue to see if there are any restrictions on the use of wireless equipment or microphone placement.
What if my church has restrictions on video?
It is the client's responsibility to find out if there are any restrictions on photography and videography wherever the event takes place and to notify the studio(s) well in advance. Many churches and synagogues have guidelines, such as no flash photography and no moving around during the ceremony, and understandably so-the place of worship is not a television studio.
We strive to place a camera in a position that affords us a clear view of your faces during the ceremony. This is not always possible because some churches restrict all videotaping, for example, to the balcony only, or we are sometimes ordered to video from a certain position, which sometimes is not where we would prefer to be. Be sure to find out what is allowed before you contract with a videographer or a photographer. Outback Studios asks for access to the site of the ceremony at least 1 hour prior to the scheduled starting time in order to set up our cameras and microphones and to make a proper test of all the equipment. It is our experience that churches sometimes fail to schedule enough time between events, so be sure to find out exactly how much time you will have access to the site before and after the ceremony. Photographers, videographers, florists and other vendors need sufficient time to do their best work.
When do you begin taping?
We optionally begin a wedding day with a visit to the bride's home or other location where preparations are being made. Some of our most emotional and special shots have been made as the bride and her attendants are getting ready. We spend anywhere from 5 to 12 hours covering one wedding, but 8 hours is usually sufficient to get complete coverage.
Do you charge for mileage?
We almost never charge for mileage. If your event is outside a 50-mile radius from Annitsford, North Tyneside, then we may have to charge for mileage and other expenses.
Are your prices negotiable?
Our prices are based upon our years of experience videotaping weddings, as well as the high quality of the professional equipment that we use, and therefore are not negotiable. We encourage you to shop around and compare-but please look at the actual work-don't just shop by phone or internet.
Will you attend the rehearsal?
We can attend the rehearsal if you wish, but from our point of view as your video contractor, it is not really necessary. As long as we can gain access to the venue one hour prior to the beginning of the ceremony, everything should be fine.
What should I look for in a professional wedding video?
The picture and sound should be crystal clear. Any titles should look professional and be easily read. The production should be tightly and tastefully edited, making the DVD more enjoyable to watch than real-time, raw footage. Special effects should be enhancements to the production and not appear "gimmicky". The most important element to shop for is the actual videographer, whose experience and talents are what you really want.
How long will the finished tape be?
Outback Studios edits a complete production down to between 45 minutes and 1 hour. That may include an opening of the childhood montage, still photo montage, pre-ceremony coverage, ceremony, general shots at the venue, then over to the reception, receiving line, reception speeches, evening reception, speeches, first dance, video wishes, and then Grand Finale outplay. We may shoot up to 12 hours of raw, unedited tape with 2 or 3 cameras. It can take us up to 40 hours to put the edited version together and another 5 hours to produce the authored DVD with chapters and scene selection menus.
Do I have a choice of music?
We encourage you to provide your own music. When you supply your own music on CD or mp3 format we know that it is music that you like and it also helps to solve the music copyright issues.
What is "in-camera" editing?
Something we do not recommend. In-camera editing is merely pausing and starting the videotape in the camera as events warrant and then handing the tape over to the customer at the end of the day. We shoot a lot of footage with many cameras to ensure that we capture all the special moments and then use our post-production editing suite to complete the DVD, adding background music, and possibly titles and limited special effects and removing our taping mistakes - yes, we can make mistakes.
Can I make copies of my wedding video?
Yes, but any copies that you make may suffer serious quality degradation and won't be labeled. All of our DVDs are produced from our digital computer editing system and additional copies are available at a nominal fee. We would rather provide you the amount of DVDs that you need that are correctly produced and labeled.
Should I provide a meal for the videographers?
We are on the job for sometimes up to 10 hours between the time we arrive at the bride's home and the time we leave the reception. It is a welcome courtesy if you provide a meal for your photographers and videographers, and to provide it quickly so that we are ready to work again at a moment's notice. Please don't feed your vendors last because you will probably want shots of the newly married couple as they greet their guests at the tables. If you cannot provide a meal, we will need to take an off-site meal break sometime during the reception.
What about those obtrusive interviews?
We do not go around from table to table putting people on the spot to "say something for the bride and groom". Rather, optionally, we set up a microphone somewhere in the back of the reception area or in a lobby and invite people to come up and say a few words voluntarily. Usually we get the DJ or band leader to make an announcement so that everyone gets the opportunity. Be sure to let us know if you want interviews or not. We will also send you a "proof" copy of just the interviews to let you decide which interviews are to be included in the edited video.
When will I get my finished DVD?
Normal production time is 3-5 days after the event. We encourage everyone to gather all musical selections and, optionally, all photos for the Childhood Montage and send them to us before the big day, so we can actually begin production even before the event.
Can you send me a sample DVD?
We prefer meeting our prospective clients in person and to show several samples of our tapes; however, if time or distance precludes our meeting we will be happy to send a DVD of a wedding that we recorded that is similar to yours.
What is included in the finished product?
We create a master DVD with chapters and scene selection menus. It is labeled with a still image from your wedding and delivered in an Amaray style DVD case with a glossy sleeve printed with a still image of your wedding. We will provide up to 3 copies of the packaged DVD at no extra charge. We can also provide a copy of the wedding video on VHS tape if requested.
Anything else you can think of?
Whatever studio you choose to videotape your special day, take the time to shop and look at the actual work, and hire someone you feel comfortable with. Don't shop price - an expensive video may be awful and an inexpensive video may be very good.