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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,
look at some samples of the videographer's
work. Make sure they have filmed your type
of project, especailly if you are a dancer.
They must understand the rhythm of the
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,
look at some samples of the videographer's
work. Make sure they have filmed your type
of project, especailly if you are a dancer.
They must understand the rhythm of the
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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Videographer
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Videographer
Best Video
Formats
Lighting &
Sound for Video
and Film
Copyright Issues
Media Contracts
Performer
Releases
Marketing Your
Event Videos
Instructional
Video Basics
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