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How to find the right videographer
for your needs
So you have decided to hire a professional
videographer for your event or project.
Excellent decision!!! First, word of mouth is a
great way to begin. You should also do some
research by going on line and taking a walk
through the yellow pages to see what is
available. When you have found a potential
videographer, make sure they are a member of
a professional association (such as WEVA,
North Jersey Videographers Association,
NAPP etc). This is the difference between the
serious professional and the amatuer. Next,
movement of the dance. Nothing is worse
than a wedding videographer who tries to
track a ballarina and misses every leap
because the are doing a close-up or wide shot
of the whole stage.
How to book a Videographer
Make sure that there are no restrictions
regarding video where you intend to shoot.
Some places won’t even allow your
photographer or videography because they
want you to use their vendor. Some locations
have space restrictions or may want a fee to
shoot in their location. Once that is resolved,
contact your videographer and check for
availability. If you are doing a dress rehearsal,
see if they are also available to attend so they
can see the show in advance and know what
to expect.
When you have confirmed the dates, expect to
pay a non-refundable deposit to hold or
reserve their services, paid in advance. When
negotiating fees, don't forget about gas and
video tape costs which are usually extra, and
hotel/overnight accomodations for your
videographer for multiple day events. Also
remember that extra cameras mean extra
camera people, thus additional cost. If you
are doing a stage production, decided whether
you are going to take orders at the event, or
pre-sale videos through the dancers, or directly
through the studio. Many videographers will
request you to place a minimum order of
copies when selling through a studio if they are
handling the duplication.
Editing the Video
Shooting the video is important, but just as
important is the editing. Editors are like artists
and they each have their own technique, style,
and rhythm. Four to six months seems like a
long time but it is the average time it takes a
videographer to edit and finalize a wedding
video. For other types of events, a good video
editor can take 3-6 hours of footage and
condense it down to an hour by eliminating
bad or redundant footage, dead space, then
clean up the important and special parts. The
final editing is the addition of transitions from
scene to scene, special effects, music overlay,
and scene menus. Let your editor know if
you want your final project to play
automatically or if you want a menu with
scene buttons to play chapter-by-chapter. If
there are complicated graphic design elements,
credits, or advertisements it can be very time
consuming. For a two hour event, the final
video may take a little as a week to as much
as three months depending on the number of
cameras, the extra features, titles and menus.
Also remember that most DVDs will only hold
a total of 2 hours of footage and extras. Either
way, let your videographer know how long the
event will be, what extras will need to be
filmed and they will give you an better idea of
the estimated length and cost of your final
product.
Equipment
Most professional videographers will have
professional cameras from Panasonic,
Cannon, or Sony. They typically record in
multiple DVD quality formats. Expect to pay
a lot more for an HD video because the
equipment is more expensive, the footage will
take longer to edit, and the final video will be
on BluRay discs which are still very costly. A
good videographer will have a camera on a
tripod to capture the event and often use a
handheld or shoulder mounted camera for
dynamic shots. Be sure to discuss sound and
lighting with the videographer as well. Most
videographers can bring in extra lights if
needed and wireless microphones for speakers
that need to be heard clearly. Video loves
light and most venues have horrible lighting...
so whether it is an on-board camera light or
stage lighting, make sure you have enough
light.
Working with the same videographer over
time improves the quality of your dance
company's video. Developing long-standing
relationships makes it possible to have your
performance recorded by someone who
knows both you and your work.
for your needs
So you have decided to hire a professional
videographer for your event or project.
Excellent decision!!! First, word of mouth is a
great way to begin. You should also do some
research by going on line and taking a walk
through the yellow pages to see what is
available. When you have found a potential
videographer, make sure they are a member of
a professional association (such as WEVA,
North Jersey Videographers Association,
NAPP etc). This is the difference between the
serious professional and the amatuer. Next,
movement of the dance. Nothing is worse
than a wedding videographer who tries to
track a ballarina and misses every leap
because the are doing a close-up or wide shot
of the whole stage.
How to book a Videographer
Make sure that there are no restrictions
regarding video where you intend to shoot.
Some places won’t even allow your
photographer or videography because they
want you to use their vendor. Some locations
have space restrictions or may want a fee to
shoot in their location. Once that is resolved,
contact your videographer and check for
availability. If you are doing a dress rehearsal,
see if they are also available to attend so they
can see the show in advance and know what
to expect.
When you have confirmed the dates, expect to
pay a non-refundable deposit to hold or
reserve their services, paid in advance. When
negotiating fees, don't forget about gas and
video tape costs which are usually extra, and
hotel/overnight accomodations for your
videographer for multiple day events. Also
remember that extra cameras mean extra
camera people, thus additional cost. If you
are doing a stage production, decided whether
you are going to take orders at the event, or
pre-sale videos through the dancers, or directly
through the studio. Many videographers will
request you to place a minimum order of
copies when selling through a studio if they are
handling the duplication.
Editing the Video
Shooting the video is important, but just as
important is the editing. Editors are like artists
and they each have their own technique, style,
and rhythm. Four to six months seems like a
long time but it is the average time it takes a
videographer to edit and finalize a wedding
video. For other types of events, a good video
editor can take 3-6 hours of footage and
condense it down to an hour by eliminating
bad or redundant footage, dead space, then
clean up the important and special parts. The
final editing is the addition of transitions from
scene to scene, special effects, music overlay,
and scene menus. Let your editor know if
you want your final project to play
automatically or if you want a menu with
scene buttons to play chapter-by-chapter. If
there are complicated graphic design elements,
credits, or advertisements it can be very time
consuming. For a two hour event, the final
video may take a little as a week to as much
as three months depending on the number of
cameras, the extra features, titles and menus.
Also remember that most DVDs will only hold
a total of 2 hours of footage and extras. Either
way, let your videographer know how long the
event will be, what extras will need to be
filmed and they will give you an better idea of
the estimated length and cost of your final
product.
Equipment
Most professional videographers will have
professional cameras from Panasonic,
Cannon, or Sony. They typically record in
multiple DVD quality formats. Expect to pay
a lot more for an HD video because the
equipment is more expensive, the footage will
take longer to edit, and the final video will be
on BluRay discs which are still very costly. A
good videographer will have a camera on a
tripod to capture the event and often use a
handheld or shoulder mounted camera for
dynamic shots. Be sure to discuss sound and
lighting with the videographer as well. Most
videographers can bring in extra lights if
needed and wireless microphones for speakers
that need to be heard clearly. Video loves
light and most venues have horrible lighting...
so whether it is an on-board camera light or
stage lighting, make sure you have enough
light.
Working with the same videographer over
time improves the quality of your dance
company's video. Developing long-standing
relationships makes it possible to have your
performance recorded by someone who
knows both you and your work.
- Documentary style is often
used for demos and
commercials, often including
voice overs and interviews.
You usually use one camera
for documentary films/video
and can include photos and
archival or supplemental
footage shot by others
(permission for use is
required). These designed to
tell a story and express a
point of view about the
subject matter, ie... " A brief
History of Tribal Style Dance
in America".
- For cinematic style you
would often use 2 or more
cameras with multiple camera
angles. The editing takes
twice as long so the cost is
more but the results are
worth it. Most people like
the cinematic style because it
looks more like a movie and
cuts from one angle or shot to
another smoothly. This is
perfect for dance shows and
theatrical productions!
Video Extras
- You may want to include out
takes and bloopers in the
finished version either as an
additional chapter.
- Credits are a great way to say
thanks after the fact to all the
people in the production from
your costume designer, to
your buddy who printed
posters...give everyone credit
and you will have happy
people who will be there next
time around!
- Many promoters also may
want to include snippets of
workshop footage, close-ups
of important people, footage
of the musicians/live band,
interviews with guests,
vendors and shopping, along
with any behind the scences
footage.
- Most dancers/promoters also
like to include a high
resolution graphic of their
business card or
advertisement for an
upcoming event, ie..."Don't
miss next years' hafla with
what's her face"...or..."Visit
our new website"...
Music Selection
- Music is wonderful in any
producton but dancers should
treat musicians with the same
respect they demand.
Always ask permission to use
a piece of music before you
do your choreography and
make sure you have secured
usage rights for video.
Always give full credit for the
musician, include the song
title, along with the name of
the choreographer (if
applicable).
Articles
Article for Videographers on Video
for Dance from the Article 19
Shooting Straight by Martin French
Video for Dancers
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