The MPV designation known as Merited Professional Videographer, is a designation that you receive through an organization know as WEVA, also known as the Wedding and Event Videographers Association International. What captured our attention was this MPV award, so I had my staff investigate what this MPV is all about.
Does the MPV awarded videographer ensure that you, as a bride, will enjoy your wedding video? The answer is a resounding No! I am certain at this point you as a bride and groom are wondering why I would make an assertion like this. The reason is, at one point as a wedding video production company, we were actually considering having our entire staff attain this award. When we looked into the details of what is required to attain this coveted MPV status, we were astounded by what we found out. We also noted that there are only a handful of video production companies worldwide that have this designation. This made me wonder why, out of all the thousands of top rated video production companies so few have received this award.
This peaked our curiosity. Do not misunderstand what we are saying here. We, as a wedding video production company are all in favor of furthering our education, training and knowledge. WEVA is known as the Wedding Event Videographers Association International. This is an organization of professional and even some amateur videographers that have joined together to promote, educate and inform the videography production community.
In order to obtain the MPV award, since it is a WEVA creation, you must be a member of the organization to be eligible. The requirement to obtain the MPV designation, taken right from the WEVA website are as follows:
Any person making application for the WEVA International MPV program must be a current active member of WEVA International at the time of filing this application.
The applicant must be employed in the business of videography, or related fields, for the two years immediately preceding application.
To earn WEVA International MPV status, each applicant must successfully complete two phases of the testing process:
Pass the written examination on technical and practical knowledge.
Event Video submissions must pass the Image Review Panel. Videos may be submitted only after the written exam has been passed.
NOTE: WEVA International MPV status will be awarded once ALL PHASES of the application process have been successfully completed.
The Image Review Panel requirements are and again taken right from the WEVA website are as follows:
Two video submissions of a social event (i.e. wedding, bar or bat mitzvah, sweet 16) in its entirety, as was given to the client, will be required. No submission that has been made under the supervision of an instructor or as a class assignment with the assistance of another videographer will be eligible. The submission must be on DVD-R.
All video submissions sent to the Continuing Education office must have no author/ creator identification on the tape, except for the assigned applicant ID number, which is the last 4 digits of the applicants SS#. If these rules are not met in any one of the submitted pieces, ALL the applicants submissions will be rejected.
As you can see, this is a lot of work. We added up the costs involved in obtaining the MPV designation. The cost comes out to appoximately $800.00, which includes WEVA membership, self study guides, work book, lab costs and the application fee to take the written exam. Again, let me stress that we have no problem with people trying to better themselves through education. We actually encourage it. Once we figured everything involved, including the 20-30 hours for the study guide and the 35 credits of continuing education, we felt as an organization that this time and money could be used in a much more productive and efficient way. In my personal opinion, the reason there are only a handful of these MPV designations awarded, is because it is extremely time consuming and expensive to get an award that means nothing to anyone other than the person or company that receives it. I think the number of MPV awards out there speaks of itself. I would be willing to bet that 90% of the WEVA membership could attain this award if they chose to.
I have never yet seen a bride and groom's eyes welled up with tears while watching their wedding video, because you are an MPV award holder. As far as the video review panel, this opens up a whole new can of worms. It brings up one of the dirtiest words in the English language, and that is politics. Even though, the image review panel has the videos numbered based on the last digits of your Social Security number, there is no mistaking style. Over the years, I have viewed thousands of wedding video productions of many companies. It is funny how after a period of time you see certain things by the same production companies put in different fashions. Eventually, you can determine almost immediately who the producer is.
For example, if a producer uses the music of the band KORN, in one video and the next they use Marilyn Manson, and the following video they use another head banging band, I guarantee you will know by the style who the video production artist is.
Another thing I became aware of, is that two video producers that I know personally were judges on the image review panel. I am not questioning the integrity of these people, but it does open the door for politics to sneak in the door as it does in almost everything we encounter in life. I do bring into question their qualifications since I know them and have seen their work. My Company, nor are any of my employees members of WEVA or has any one filed an application for the MPV designation.
As a Professional Video Company, I would rather spend the money and time perfecting my work. Another thing that popped in to my mind is why would you spend this money on something like the MPV award when you could put that money towards a College Degree in Television & Communications. I guarantee you the College Degree carries a ton more weight that the MPV award does.
The proof is in the brides reaction to the video you produce, not some intangible designation. In our opinion the MPV is useless to us as a business.
This artticle has been was written by myeslf for my newsletter and since the autor is the same person, permission for use is granted.
Joe Sabol is an Internationally known videographer with almost 28yrs experience in the video industry. Please visit us at http://jandjvideoproductions.com for more information.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joe_Sabol
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
The Bride, The Groom and then there is the Dog!
You and your soul mate have finally tied the knot. You have found the perfect place to start your life together. Whether it's an apartment, condo, or your first house, you are ready to make it your home.
Starting a home together comes with decisions about combining furniture or buying new, finding a place for all your wedding gifts, and most importantly, figuring out how the dog is going to fit in. Whether it's the best furry friend of your spouse or your four-legged baby, you all have to live peacefully together.
You may not have given this much thought, but anyone who has a dog, knows that Sparky is more than just a pet. People have different ideas about what to feed their pooch. For example, if you keep your dog on a strictly dog food and dog treats diet, but your spouse happily shares his beer, pizza and donuts, there will be an issue. Your dog will learn to beg for treats, will probably gain weight and he will quickly learn who to suck up to.
Another potential difference of opinion involves where the furry baby sleeps at night. Many people have an issue with any dog in the bed, however, the severity of this problem could be directly related to the size of the pup. Its one thing to have a 20 pound lap dog sharing your bed. It's a completely different story when Sparky is a Lab or a German Shepherd or some other 90 pound pup. Of course as newlyweds, there is always the issue of privacy and even worse, jealousy. If your dog, is extremely attached to you, or your spouses dog to him, they may not be willing to share affection. This could be a real problem...think "Its Me or The Dog".
So in the middle of all the changes and adjustments of a new marriage and starting a new home, take the time to include your dog in your plans. Come to an understanding about how your loyal best friend will fit into the household. A little time and attention will go a long way to making it a smooth and peaceful transition.
This article has been was written by myself for my newsletter and since the author is the same person, permission for use is granted.
Joe Sabol is an Internationally known videographer with almost 28yrs experience in the video industry. Please visit us at http://jandjvideoproductions.com for more information.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joe_Sabol
Starting a home together comes with decisions about combining furniture or buying new, finding a place for all your wedding gifts, and most importantly, figuring out how the dog is going to fit in. Whether it's the best furry friend of your spouse or your four-legged baby, you all have to live peacefully together.
You may not have given this much thought, but anyone who has a dog, knows that Sparky is more than just a pet. People have different ideas about what to feed their pooch. For example, if you keep your dog on a strictly dog food and dog treats diet, but your spouse happily shares his beer, pizza and donuts, there will be an issue. Your dog will learn to beg for treats, will probably gain weight and he will quickly learn who to suck up to.
Another potential difference of opinion involves where the furry baby sleeps at night. Many people have an issue with any dog in the bed, however, the severity of this problem could be directly related to the size of the pup. Its one thing to have a 20 pound lap dog sharing your bed. It's a completely different story when Sparky is a Lab or a German Shepherd or some other 90 pound pup. Of course as newlyweds, there is always the issue of privacy and even worse, jealousy. If your dog, is extremely attached to you, or your spouses dog to him, they may not be willing to share affection. This could be a real problem...think "Its Me or The Dog".
So in the middle of all the changes and adjustments of a new marriage and starting a new home, take the time to include your dog in your plans. Come to an understanding about how your loyal best friend will fit into the household. A little time and attention will go a long way to making it a smooth and peaceful transition.
This article has been was written by myself for my newsletter and since the author is the same person, permission for use is granted.
Joe Sabol is an Internationally known videographer with almost 28yrs experience in the video industry. Please visit us at http://jandjvideoproductions.com for more information.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joe_Sabol
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