Videographer Help Please

You could try your local video/film club, they may be able/interested in helping. The other possibility is local adult education, if they run a video or film course. You could also try your local university, see if any students would be interested.

Pete

www.pkphotovideo.co.uk

I would highly recommend paying for an experienced videographer.

Our wedding was done on a very tight budget, think the whole thing was around £3'500. The 2 things I was adamant I wanted and was willing to pay for was my pink glittery limo and a videographer.

We went with Alan from www.afilmforever.com and I am so pleased we did. The results were amazing and I still watch our video now, I love it so much

Mel

Thanks for your suggestions, I have researched on the internet and the closest college that does a film course is over an hour's drive away and there didn't seem to be a way of contacting students online. Also I live in quite a small city so am not sure if they have any film clubs etc. but I shall definetly look into it. Has anyone else done this before? I'm beginning to think that paying the extra might be worth it as it does seem like a lot of effort. Ir are their people reading this HIB'S etc who could help. i am in Swansea.

I know what you mean Jewel Factory - everyone has different priorities when it comes to budgeting. My OH's family have to travel a long way to come to the wedding and his mother owns a shop so will be losing business for the weekend too, so I am using our budget to pay for their accommodation for the weekend and also his sister's BM dresses. So for that reason I am looking to cut back on other expenses. Whilst a professional video would be great, it wouldn't be if they couldn't film all our family together on the whole day IYKWIM

You can see our short clip here; http://www.afilmforever.com/MEL___SIMON.html

Unfortunately I am at work and they block me from opening attachments. I have seen a lot of lovely demos though and I know they look great. However, if I spend on a videographer I lose out on other things, like as I said H2B's family being there. She is a single mum of 5 with only a struggling small business for funds so they are going to struggle with things from buying outfits to paying for the petrol to come down from Lincoln to Swansea for the weekend, especially as I said she will lose business money from closing the shop by coming down too.

My mother is paying for most of it and she would love it if I spent out on a videographer out of the pot of money she has, and I think she resents her money being spent on H2B family, understandable but WWYD???

? If you are anywhere near Glasgow I can help (although if your username is a guide I'm guessing not ?) ... I started out two years ago but then had a baby so I'm just getting up and running again and have a big discount for hitchers ?. if not, have you looked on gumtree? sometimes you get new starts advertising on there ?

My website isn't up and running yet, but my contact details are on there if I can help www.emacvideos.com

You'd be perfect if it wan't for location. Someone like you in Swansea is exactly what I'm looking for.....Ah well. I've just done some more research and have found a professional (small business) videographer website fairly locally who does packages from £300 - so I may go for that. But I shall check Gumtree 1st, thanks ebee and keep the suggestions coming.....I'm aiming to get this task ticked off by the end of the month!!

That's how I started out - I did a few weddings just for expenses.

Why don't you try posting a message on some internet forums that videographers go to rather than here? For example DV Doctor. Someone might be interested.

With regard to the cost of hiring a professional though, I do think that it is worth it in the end (well, I would say that wouldn't I?) Doing the video is miles trickier than it looks, making sure that you're always in the right place to capture the crucial bits, capturing the vows and speeches so that are actually audible and having professional equipment so that the picture looks good even when played on one of the large tvs that everyone has these days. I know that sometimes a professional seems expensive but I'd guess that most people like me cost their video out by working out how long it takes to make it. I base my costs on a fairly low day rate but I spend several days editing each video. Wedding videos might look expensive, but a huge amount of work goes into them. Well, it goes into mine anyway!

DV Doctor, thanks for that I'll give it a try. Yes I understand that a professional Video is worth the money and if I had a larger budget I would definetly go for one. Do you know if videographers are usually prepared to negotiaite on price? For example ceremony, reception and evening party all in one loacation, therefore less time and expense?? Also 1 copy of DVD instead of 3?? etc etc. I would be willing to pay £350-400 max for professional dvd. Do you think this is possible??

Definitely try and negotiate - it can't hurt ? I'm filming a wedding in a few weeks for a cheaper price because they don't want the reception filmed so I am leaving after the photos...

You may be fortunate and find a new starter to cover your day. Most part time producers will be flexible as they need to build their portfolio.

This coverage should be infinitely better than a friend covering the day, as usually, friend's footage will consist mostly of 'their' friends and the boredom factor will kick in after a few beers.

Anyone being paid to cover your day will normally be unbiased and looking for the attractive shots as well as the key scenes of the day.

DV doctor isn't the best place to recruit a volunteer, this is a forum for technical questions. Though it may catch a newbies eye.

I'd suggest telephoning members of the APV or IOV an ask if they know of any cheap trainees who need some experience.

http://www.apv.org.uk/videographer_find_area.asp

http://www.find-a-videographer.com/wedding