Showing posts with label wedding videos. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wedding videos. Show all posts
Sunday, April 13, 2014
WHY J&J VIDEO PRODUCTION-CLEVELAND OHIO LEFT NOVA ( Northern Ohio Videographers Association)
When I first came to Cleveland Ohio. I found out about NOVA when I was looking for a wedding videographer for my daughters wedding. The prospective videographer told me he was a member of NOVA. I do not quite remember who gave me the number but I got it somewhere. I talked to one of the executive committee members (LOL). This idea sounded like it was a DREAM COME TRUE.
Myself, having worked the wedding video market for over 25 yrs at that time understood the benefits of joining this group. I joined as soon as I possible could. The dues are a paultry $75.00 a year, way less than most Professional Organizations. I went to the meetings when they had them. I enjoyed the fellowship. There are some really nice people in this group but this group also has plenty of idiots as well.
I made 1 good contact which I still use. The rest of the presenters were paid sales people. Those meetings to me were a waste of time. The one really impressive benefit of this group was that in case you had an emergency, you could get a hold of a qualified video professional as a back up. Along with that occasionally jobs were posted. This was to good to be true...well you know what they say about to good to be true! Oh, I forgot they threw a picnic for their mrmbers as well. That is where it ends.
The first year we had a few presenters, myself being one of them. It seemed to me these people we totally obsessed with what equipment you use. Who cares!!! I use some proprietary equipment that I do not want any of my competitiors to know about. I gave it serious consideration if I wanted to waste $75.00 for this. I even put together a fully fuctioning website for them free of charge but I couldnt get the 2 chief honchos to get me the information. All I could do was post the meeting dates. I also knew I was going to be unable to attend the meetings for several months. The second year I dod not pay the dues, yet when I could go I went anyway.
In the first year and the second year there were indeed several jobs posted which I immediately jumped on. I know for a fact that certain few members got the jobs. Obviously I was not a part of the clique within NOVA. There were posts for needed rentals. I offered to the members to rent the non proprietary equipment, nothing.
I also noted that there was a ton of second shooter requests. My question was why so many video companies needed second shooters. This could only mean the members were selling 2 camera shoots and not having the personell to do the job. To me this is a very dangerous practice of over booking. A lot of these members are so cluless that say they are filming weddings, or filming is in their coimpany names. I mean really, filming a wedding.
These guys do not even have the terminology down or they are trying to impress brides. Let me clear this up. Nobody uses film for shooting a wedding, evertything is shot in a digital format these days. There are some commercial companies that actually do film TV Commercials. Those budgets are not even in the ballpark for a wedding. If you see the word film in a wedding videographer ad or name, you know it is time to look elsewhere. Maybe these companies are so lost in the 80's when 8mm and Super 8 were the norm. There are several of them in NOVA.
I am not one of these people who stand for lying or bragging or boasting. J&J Video Productions won the Cleveland Hot List competition from 2011-2014 as the Best Wedding Videographer in Cleveland Ohio. One of the so called leaders of NOVA made some smart assed remark about it. I took him to task and told him that one of the reasons I won was because of our pricing. I told him in front of all of the members I did not believe in ripping brides off. Our rates are half of most wedding videogrpahers. That set off a firestorm on the facebook page. Even this washed up vidoegrapher remarked that our heated but professional conversations really brought attention to NOVA's facebook page.
This guy started bragging about his switching jobs. Really switching or switcher jobs, ROTFLMAO, he must have never heard of multi-camera productions. I got tired of listening to this guys bu****it so I wanted to see how smart these guys really are. So I posted pics of some of "our equipment" from the Philadelphia office. That was a total ruse!
Part 2 comming!
professional video productions, shooting a wedding video, wedding videos, wedding videos-Cleveland Ohio, wedding videos-Cuyahoga County Ohio, wedding videos-Parma Ohio
!
Friday, October 25, 2013
Weddings Come in All Shapes and Sizes
As someone who has been shooting wedding videos for 30 years, I think I can say I've probably seen it all. I have also learned a lot over the years. I've learned about different customs, and cultures. I have also learned that the biggest, most elaborate and expensive wedding and reception isn't always the best. There is no one way to put on a wedding. Even the term "traditional" has many meanings when it comes to weddings. As a professional wedding videographer, you have to be ready for anything. I make a point to always attend if there is a wedding rehearsal.
As a wedding videographer, I have done weddings in a courthouse, on a lake, in homes and in the most beautiful venues in the city. In one wedding, the bride was Vietnamese and the groom was Chinese. There was a ceremony at the bride's parents home followed by a backyard luncheon. Then we all went to the home of the groom's parents for another ceremony. In the evening, there was a big formal reception at a beautiful venue. The bride wore 4 different dresses throughout and even the bridal party changed clothes. It was extremely challenging shooting a wedding video in someone's living room with the bride and groom and 50 guests and family members.
I have done several Hindu weddings, and Orthodox weddings as well as typical church weddings... all very different. I had to be flexible and think on the run to get a professional video but all my bridal couples were very happy.
Another aspect of weddings that varies greatly is budget, which is partially based on the number of guests. I've noticed that the younger brides often have their parents paying for much of the wedding. Some parents will spare no expense to give their daughter her dream day. Some are more restrained in their spending. It is possible to have a lovely wedding with all the trimmings and not spend a fortune. The type of wedding also depends a lot on the personality of the couple, especially the bride. Some love the fanfare and being the star of the day, and some are more low key and easy going.
In my experience, the best, or most enjoyable weddings are the one's where everyone is dancing and partying and the DJ is keeping everything jumping. Guests will remember how much fun they had more than what they ate for dinner or what kind of flowers were on the tables.
As a professional videographer, my job is to produce the best wedding video possible, regardless of where or when or how big or small. One thing I love about my job is, not knowing from week to week, what I'm going to get.
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 over 30yrs experience in the video industry. Please visit us at http://jandjvideoproductions.com for more information.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joe_Sabol
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8075386
Monday, October 21, 2013
Wedding Videographers and Other Vendors Are Excluded From Dinner - What's Up With That?
Wedding vendors, including videographers, photographers, disc jockeys and photo booth workers, are paid for their services, however, they truly appreciate being included in the reception dinner. This is especially true for wedding videographers and wedding photographers because they start early in the day with the bridal party, and are working straight through until 11:00 or even midnight. That is a long day, too long to go on just a sandwich.
Most brides are reasonable enough or thoughtful enough to include us in the count for dinner, but it is about more than just a meal. For the wedding videographer and photographer, it is extremely important to be seated in the main dining room with the guests. We need to be able to see and hear what's going on during the entire reception. If we are seated in a separate room or outside or in a broom closet or whatever, we are likely to miss something important that goes on, especially something unplanned. These are often the most memorable or the funniest moments. It's our job to record everything that happens from beginning to end. It is a disservice to the couple to exclude us from the room.
Sometimes it's the bride and/or groom that doesn't consider the wedding professionals when planning their reception. We have found that more often, the bride and groom or the bride's mother include us in the dinner and provide us with a table, but it's the venue that doesn't follow through. When they set up tables, they don't include one for the wedding videographer, wedding photographer or other wedding professionals.
To address the issue, we have included an addendum to our contract to specify that we are to be provided dinner at a table in the main dining room. There are still times that we arrive at the reception (early so we can set up) and find no place for us to sit. Many times we have had to go to the head of the reception venue and ask for seating. Believe it or not, we have been told, "we can get you a chair to sit along the wall of the room. We have also been told more than once that after all the guests are served, we can eat if there's anything left. We explain that our contract with the bride and groom includes a table and a meal but we are obviously not their priority. They don't seem to realize that our meal has been paid for along with all the guests. We don't like to do it, but we have had to go to the bride's parents to inform them we have been excluded. It really is a hassle for everyone and it didn't need to be.
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 29yrs experience in the video industry. Please visit us at http://jandjvideoproductions.com for more information.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joe_Sabol
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8061532
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Wedding Video Pricing
When a bride starts looking for a wedding videographer, there are many things for her to consider. In today’s economy, price is often the deciding factor. Every videographer has his or her own pricing plans so it can be confusing for perspective brides to know what they’re getting for the price they’re paying. Many wedding videographers have very complicated plans with very descriptive names that try to convey how elaborate, therefore how expensive they are. In some cases, videographers charge extra for using more than one camera, although in most cases there is no need for more than 2. An experienced videographer can handle 2 cameras himself so there’s no need to pay for an extra camera operator. Some videographers charge for every individual thing they do, including travel time and the time for setting up and tearing down. It’s very common for wedding videographers to charge per hour. If a bride pays for the package that covers 5 hours, and something exciting or memorable happens after that.... too bad. I have also seen videographers charge extra after midnight. In my opinion, this kind of pricing is taking advantage of a bride who has a million other things to think about and pay for. It’s basically a way to pad the bill and is a rip off to the bride. I feel keeping it simple and easy to understand is the way to go. You will have a happy bride who will be happy to refer you to her friends. The higher the price DOES NOT mean better qualIty.
Posted by J&J Video Productions-Cleveland Ohio, 440-845-2122 http://jandjvideoproductions.com at 4:08 PM
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Why Attending Rehearsal Is So Important
When I book a wedding, I make sure to find out about the rehearsal, which is usually held the evening before the wedding. I have learned over the years that it is crucial to attend the rehearsal. There is nothing worse than being unprepared and flying by the seat of your pants.
One of the most important things to address at rehearsal is the rules or restrictions of the particular venue, especially if it’s a church. The first thing you should do is speak with the officiant to find out if he or she has specific places where you can set up or where you are not permitted to be. I have done weddings in churches that have been extremely unreasonable and would have the videographer stand outside if he could get away with it. I have been banished to the choir loft on more than one occasion. You better know this ahead of time so you can prepare the bride and groom for what to expect in their finished video.
Once you have an idea of where you can be positioned to shoot, you need to make sure that you can get a good view around the wedding party, large flower arrangements and guests with big hair or big hats. You may need to speak with bride and groom during rehearsal so they understand positioning in order to get the best shot of the vows and ring exchange. They are paying you to capture their day so speak up and ask questions or make suggestions. I’ve had family members complain about my position on the altar, well behind the priest and bride and groom. I was certainly happy to cooperate and work with them to make them happy, but ultimately, my job was to provide the best view of the ceremony for the couple getting married.
Another important issue to address at rehearsal is sound. Will the officiant have a mic? Do they allow wireless mics? Will there be background noise like traffic or electric fans? In a small venue there may not be any problem with sound, but in a big, cavernous church, you need to be prepared.
The bottom line is, attending the wedding rehearsal is absolutely necessary in order to do your job to the best of your ability and to provide the bride and groom with the best, most complete video memory of their day.
One of the most important things to address at rehearsal is the rules or restrictions of the particular venue, especially if it’s a church. The first thing you should do is speak with the officiant to find out if he or she has specific places where you can set up or where you are not permitted to be. I have done weddings in churches that have been extremely unreasonable and would have the videographer stand outside if he could get away with it. I have been banished to the choir loft on more than one occasion. You better know this ahead of time so you can prepare the bride and groom for what to expect in their finished video.
Once you have an idea of where you can be positioned to shoot, you need to make sure that you can get a good view around the wedding party, large flower arrangements and guests with big hair or big hats. You may need to speak with bride and groom during rehearsal so they understand positioning in order to get the best shot of the vows and ring exchange. They are paying you to capture their day so speak up and ask questions or make suggestions. I’ve had family members complain about my position on the altar, well behind the priest and bride and groom. I was certainly happy to cooperate and work with them to make them happy, but ultimately, my job was to provide the best view of the ceremony for the couple getting married.
Another important issue to address at rehearsal is sound. Will the officiant have a mic? Do they allow wireless mics? Will there be background noise like traffic or electric fans? In a small venue there may not be any problem with sound, but in a big, cavernous church, you need to be prepared.
The bottom line is, attending the wedding rehearsal is absolutely necessary in order to do your job to the best of your ability and to provide the bride and groom with the best, most complete video memory of their day.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Tips for Hiring a Wedding Videographer
If you're planning a wedding, you may be considering a wedding videographer. A video of your special day allows you to go back after all the excitement and the honeymoon to enjoy the day that flew by so fast. The question is, how do you go about hiring a wedding videographer?
Most videographers have websites that showcase some of their work, but even searching through local wedding videographers online can turn up a lot of results. It can be overwhelming to look through several websites and get all the information you need. Here are some tips to choosing the right wedding videographer.
The first thing you want to see is samples of the videographer's work. When you click on their online videos, keep in mind that if it looks more like a Hollywood production than a true, wedding with real people, it may be completely staged with professional models and special effects. These special effects may look amazing, but the cost is much higher than a typical wedding.
After you have found two or three websites that look promising, you'll have to call and schedule an appointment for more detailed information, including cost, as many wedding videographers do not post their price list online. It may seem time consuming, but it is definitely worth it.
Because just about anyone can buy a video camera and put up a website claiming to be a professional videographer, there are some specific things you'll want to ask during your appointment.
For example, does the videographer work and charge for a set number of hours or is he there for the entire day? Some wedding videographers charge by the day and some may charge by the hour so this is important. They may also charge extra for recording at additional locations.
You'll want to ask your wedding videographer if he is equipped for recording in all kinds of lighting. At a wedding and reception, there are many different levels of light, from sunlight to candlelight. A true professional will be prepared to correctly shoot in any situation, in any kind of lighting.
Another thing to consider is sound. It is important to inquire about the videographer's ability to record sound at appropriate levels. Will there be addtional microphones available or will the microphone on the camera be adequate? You want to be able to hear not only the music, but the all important wedding vows too.
Another thing to consider is, who will actually show up on your wedding day. Is the wedding videographer you meet with going to be the one doing the work, or will it be an employee you haven't met with? If you like the work you saw on the website, you will want the person who shot that video to be the one shooting your video.
Finally, a professional wedding videographer should have a prepared contract to go over with you to specify date, time, locations and any other specifics. What you expect should be the same as what the videographer is contracted to provide.
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 29yrs experience in the video industry. Please visit us at http://jandjvideoproductions.com for more information.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joe_Sabol
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6296641
Most videographers have websites that showcase some of their work, but even searching through local wedding videographers online can turn up a lot of results. It can be overwhelming to look through several websites and get all the information you need. Here are some tips to choosing the right wedding videographer.
The first thing you want to see is samples of the videographer's work. When you click on their online videos, keep in mind that if it looks more like a Hollywood production than a true, wedding with real people, it may be completely staged with professional models and special effects. These special effects may look amazing, but the cost is much higher than a typical wedding.
After you have found two or three websites that look promising, you'll have to call and schedule an appointment for more detailed information, including cost, as many wedding videographers do not post their price list online. It may seem time consuming, but it is definitely worth it.
Because just about anyone can buy a video camera and put up a website claiming to be a professional videographer, there are some specific things you'll want to ask during your appointment.
For example, does the videographer work and charge for a set number of hours or is he there for the entire day? Some wedding videographers charge by the day and some may charge by the hour so this is important. They may also charge extra for recording at additional locations.
You'll want to ask your wedding videographer if he is equipped for recording in all kinds of lighting. At a wedding and reception, there are many different levels of light, from sunlight to candlelight. A true professional will be prepared to correctly shoot in any situation, in any kind of lighting.
Another thing to consider is sound. It is important to inquire about the videographer's ability to record sound at appropriate levels. Will there be addtional microphones available or will the microphone on the camera be adequate? You want to be able to hear not only the music, but the all important wedding vows too.
Another thing to consider is, who will actually show up on your wedding day. Is the wedding videographer you meet with going to be the one doing the work, or will it be an employee you haven't met with? If you like the work you saw on the website, you will want the person who shot that video to be the one shooting your video.
Finally, a professional wedding videographer should have a prepared contract to go over with you to specify date, time, locations and any other specifics. What you expect should be the same as what the videographer is contracted to provide.
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 29yrs experience in the video industry. Please visit us at http://jandjvideoproductions.com for more information.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joe_Sabol
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6296641
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
The MPV Award As It Relates to Wedding Videos and Events
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
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 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
Friday, September 17, 2010
Using Lighting to Shoot a Wedding Video
One dilemma that a wedding videographer often faces is dim lighting in a church or synagogue. In order to get the best quality wedding video, you need an adequate amount of light, and an experienced wedding videographer will know how to work with any lighting situation. Most churches and synagogues do not allow lighting and many do not even want camera flashes used during the ceremony.
Case in point, I was shooting the photography for a wedding in a big, beautiful old church outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The videographer came in and set up two 2000 watt quartz halogen flood lights. Needless to say, it looked like a movie set, wires everywhere, so it was no surprise to me when the priest came in and asked to speak to Cecil B.DeMille. He told the videographer that this was a church and not a movie set.
The videographer did not check with the church before the wedding, so he was not aware of the restrictions for wedding videos and photography. The priest made him take down the lights, so he was forced to shoot the video with just the available natural light. I have found that if the church or synagogue is large and dimly lit, you can ask the officiant to turn on all possible overhead lighting. This should be sufficient to shoot a wedding video. An experienced videographer will know that he can turn up the gain. Yes, this brings a bit of video noise into the wedding video but at the same time it can help bring up the lighting to an adequate level.
We all know that weddings can be held in any number of venues, from the beach, to a field, to a stadium. Weddings have even been held in restaurants and haunted houses. Lighting for wedding videography for this type of service is naturally going to be based on the place and time of day. There will likely to be less restrictions and you will be able to get creative with your lighting. You can indulge your inner film maker. Some newer churches are designed like a theater and will have the necessary lighting in place.
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
Case in point, I was shooting the photography for a wedding in a big, beautiful old church outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The videographer came in and set up two 2000 watt quartz halogen flood lights. Needless to say, it looked like a movie set, wires everywhere, so it was no surprise to me when the priest came in and asked to speak to Cecil B.DeMille. He told the videographer that this was a church and not a movie set.
The videographer did not check with the church before the wedding, so he was not aware of the restrictions for wedding videos and photography. The priest made him take down the lights, so he was forced to shoot the video with just the available natural light. I have found that if the church or synagogue is large and dimly lit, you can ask the officiant to turn on all possible overhead lighting. This should be sufficient to shoot a wedding video. An experienced videographer will know that he can turn up the gain. Yes, this brings a bit of video noise into the wedding video but at the same time it can help bring up the lighting to an adequate level.
We all know that weddings can be held in any number of venues, from the beach, to a field, to a stadium. Weddings have even been held in restaurants and haunted houses. Lighting for wedding videography for this type of service is naturally going to be based on the place and time of day. There will likely to be less restrictions and you will be able to get creative with your lighting. You can indulge your inner film maker. Some newer churches are designed like a theater and will have the necessary lighting in place.
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
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
What Not To Shoot At A Wedding
As a wedding videographer, you know the standard shots that are expected to cover a wedding video. Common sense and tradition dictate the formal and family shots, at the reception as well as any specific requests from the bride and groom.
What may not be so obvious are shots that should not be on the wedding video.
All bridal parties are unique and their requests will be based on individual preference, so you may get some unusual ideas. Your job as the wedding videographer is to give the bride and groom what they want and make sure they are happy, however, there are certain things that should never end up on a wedding video.
Anything can happen at a wedding, especially if there is alcohol being served, so avoid arguments and fights and other noticeably intoxicated behavior. Uncle Vic may have the best of intentions when he starts on a long, slurred, mumbling speech, but it's best to turn off the record button on your camera and let him think he's being recorded..
Another thing to avoid shooting for a wedding video is the "ham" or camera hog. This person will keep showing up in front of the camera to wave or say something clever. This is especially true for kids who want to perform and make faces for the camera. On the other hand, there may be people who want to avoid the camera, so respect their wishes as well.
There may be a guest or even member of the wedding party who request you to shoot something specific for them. Keep in mind that the bride and groom are your clients and you're only obligated to fulfill their requests.
I'm sure all professional wedding videographers know to turn off the camera for a medical problem or any police activity. I would also advise against recording the wedding cake crashing to the floor. Last but not least, as tempting as it may be, you should not shoot inappropriate behavior, such as, random couples making out, Aunt Peg's strip tease or the flower girl's temper tantrum.
Remember, the wedding video you shoot will be the bride and grooms permanent memory of their day and it should be all positive, happy and beautiful.
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
What may not be so obvious are shots that should not be on the wedding video.
All bridal parties are unique and their requests will be based on individual preference, so you may get some unusual ideas. Your job as the wedding videographer is to give the bride and groom what they want and make sure they are happy, however, there are certain things that should never end up on a wedding video.
Anything can happen at a wedding, especially if there is alcohol being served, so avoid arguments and fights and other noticeably intoxicated behavior. Uncle Vic may have the best of intentions when he starts on a long, slurred, mumbling speech, but it's best to turn off the record button on your camera and let him think he's being recorded..
Another thing to avoid shooting for a wedding video is the "ham" or camera hog. This person will keep showing up in front of the camera to wave or say something clever. This is especially true for kids who want to perform and make faces for the camera. On the other hand, there may be people who want to avoid the camera, so respect their wishes as well.
There may be a guest or even member of the wedding party who request you to shoot something specific for them. Keep in mind that the bride and groom are your clients and you're only obligated to fulfill their requests.
I'm sure all professional wedding videographers know to turn off the camera for a medical problem or any police activity. I would also advise against recording the wedding cake crashing to the floor. Last but not least, as tempting as it may be, you should not shoot inappropriate behavior, such as, random couples making out, Aunt Peg's strip tease or the flower girl's temper tantrum.
Remember, the wedding video you shoot will be the bride and grooms permanent memory of their day and it should be all positive, happy and beautiful.
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
Sunday, July 4, 2010
You Want Me to Shoot This Wedding From Where? Is This a Joke, Ok Who Put You Up to This?
As a wedding photographer, you encounter all kinds of situations. Sometimes everything is straightforward and smooth as silk, this is rare. There is so much involved in a wedding and reception and that means there is so much that can go wrong.
One of the most frustrating things a wedding photographer or wedding videographer can encounter is a church with strict "rules". I am sure all professional photographers and videographers understand the need for some guidelines and boundaries to respect the church and what if represents. Most of us know better than to be a distraction to the officiant, the wedding party and the family and friends. Apparently, the churches with the really inflexible rules have had some bad experiences that have reflected poorly on all wedding photographers and wedding videographers.
This is truly unfortunate because ultimately, the bride and groom and their families will miss out on recording the many memories and special moments of their wedding day.
How many times have you shown up at a wedding rehearsal to find out that you must stay put in one spot for the entire ceremony? The people who come up with these rules obviously have no idea of the problem this creates. You are hired by the bride or her family to photograph every moment of her day, and that is what she expects. How can you go to her after the wedding and say, "sorry, but I could not get your father handing you off to the groom" or, I could only get the back of you walking up the aisle?
This kind of situation makes you look very incompetent as a professional wedding photographer or wedding videographer. The bride and her family are not going to be happy and they are not going to want to pay you. It does not seem to matter that it was not your fault, and you could not do anything about it.
One thing you can do to avoid this disaster is to ask the bride when she calls to inquire about your services. If she schedules an appointment, ask her to check with her church officials regarding rules for wedding photography and wedding videography. If she is able to find out the specific rules, you can explain the potential problems and the possible consequences. You may decide to pass on the job to save yourself a lot of trouble or at the very least, the bride will know before her wedding what to expect.
Fortunately, for most brides, this is not the case. If you, as the photographer or videographer make a point to introduce yourself to the person in charge and ask them how you can do your job while respecting their wishes, they will most likely be willing to work with you for the benefit of the bride and groom. A little cooperation goes a long way in assuring the wedding is a happy occasion, and all the memories are good ones.
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
One of the most frustrating things a wedding photographer or wedding videographer can encounter is a church with strict "rules". I am sure all professional photographers and videographers understand the need for some guidelines and boundaries to respect the church and what if represents. Most of us know better than to be a distraction to the officiant, the wedding party and the family and friends. Apparently, the churches with the really inflexible rules have had some bad experiences that have reflected poorly on all wedding photographers and wedding videographers.
This is truly unfortunate because ultimately, the bride and groom and their families will miss out on recording the many memories and special moments of their wedding day.
How many times have you shown up at a wedding rehearsal to find out that you must stay put in one spot for the entire ceremony? The people who come up with these rules obviously have no idea of the problem this creates. You are hired by the bride or her family to photograph every moment of her day, and that is what she expects. How can you go to her after the wedding and say, "sorry, but I could not get your father handing you off to the groom" or, I could only get the back of you walking up the aisle?
This kind of situation makes you look very incompetent as a professional wedding photographer or wedding videographer. The bride and her family are not going to be happy and they are not going to want to pay you. It does not seem to matter that it was not your fault, and you could not do anything about it.
One thing you can do to avoid this disaster is to ask the bride when she calls to inquire about your services. If she schedules an appointment, ask her to check with her church officials regarding rules for wedding photography and wedding videography. If she is able to find out the specific rules, you can explain the potential problems and the possible consequences. You may decide to pass on the job to save yourself a lot of trouble or at the very least, the bride will know before her wedding what to expect.
Fortunately, for most brides, this is not the case. If you, as the photographer or videographer make a point to introduce yourself to the person in charge and ask them how you can do your job while respecting their wishes, they will most likely be willing to work with you for the benefit of the bride and groom. A little cooperation goes a long way in assuring the wedding is a happy occasion, and all the memories are good ones.
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
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Making a Corporate Video Successful
By: J&J Video Productions-Wedding Video Specialists-Cleveland, Ohio
Producing a video for your company can be an exciting and potentially stressful experience. There’s more to it than simply assigning a video production company to the task and crossing your fingers.
To get the most from your video production dollars, we’ll take a look at seven top tips for making your corporate video a success.
1. Start with Results. The first step is to work out exactly what you want your video to achieve. Is it to train staff on a new procedure or is to increase interest at trade shows? Design your video concept around the desired result. Often clients get caught up with showing off their company that the main message gets lost.
2. Write a brief. Once you know what you want to achieve, work out what you want to show and explain in your video. Formulate a brief that specifies your objectives, target audience, the countries your video will be viewed in and any required languages. A list of all the shots that you need is also helpful. Will the bulk of the shots be at your premises and do you need your CEO to talk to camera? Video production companies will try to calculate how many days filming are required to work out the cost, so it’s important to know how much needs to be filmed at the outset.
3. Know your image. What sort of image do you want to present to your customers? While watching your corporate video, your customers will be left with an impression of what type of business you are and what to expect when doing business with you. If your television program happens to be radically down-market than your up-market product suggests, then you create cognitive dissonance in your prospects. This will mean that your viewers will be left with an uneasy feeling that something isn't quite right with your company and will automatically distrust your message. To avoid this, make sure the quality of production reflects the quality of your product/service. This can involve using a professional camera operator with broadcast quality gear to having a graphic artist design maps and titles.
4. Messages. One of the key areas to work out is what communication messages you need to get across. Work out the 4-6 key messages and develop the video around these. If you have too many messages people will tune out. Essentially, make sure you give information that your audience wants to know (not what you think they ought to know).
5. Script. The script provides the backbone to any video project. It’s always worthwhile spending extra time refining the script. As a rule of thumb, it needs to be completed before any filming begins. The best kind of script is short and sharp and revolves around your main messages. The quicker you can get your message across, the better the result. Avoid putting everything into the script, as wall to wall voiceover is quite tiring (and boring) to watch.
6. Assign a contact person. A designated person from your firm will need to be available to work with the video production company. The production house will need script information and approval, help in organizing shoots, copies of your logo and other relevant materials and someone to view a draft of the video and then finalize. This person will also need to make sure that the look and feel of the video best represents your company.
7. Get expert advice. A good production company will be able to advise you on the best format for your needs such as the music, the filming, editing style and how the schedule will run. They will also be able to take your brief and come back with a range of suitable suggestions. Don’t stress about the technical issues. That’s the job of your video production company.
J&J Video Productions is an independent Video Production Company located in Cleveland Ohio. J&J Video Productions specializes in Wedding Videos and covers Parma Ohio and Cuyahoga County Ohio as well as the Cleveland Metropolitan area. For further information please visit our website at http://jandjvideoproductions.com/
Producing a video for your company can be an exciting and potentially stressful experience. There’s more to it than simply assigning a video production company to the task and crossing your fingers.
To get the most from your video production dollars, we’ll take a look at seven top tips for making your corporate video a success.
1. Start with Results. The first step is to work out exactly what you want your video to achieve. Is it to train staff on a new procedure or is to increase interest at trade shows? Design your video concept around the desired result. Often clients get caught up with showing off their company that the main message gets lost.
2. Write a brief. Once you know what you want to achieve, work out what you want to show and explain in your video. Formulate a brief that specifies your objectives, target audience, the countries your video will be viewed in and any required languages. A list of all the shots that you need is also helpful. Will the bulk of the shots be at your premises and do you need your CEO to talk to camera? Video production companies will try to calculate how many days filming are required to work out the cost, so it’s important to know how much needs to be filmed at the outset.
3. Know your image. What sort of image do you want to present to your customers? While watching your corporate video, your customers will be left with an impression of what type of business you are and what to expect when doing business with you. If your television program happens to be radically down-market than your up-market product suggests, then you create cognitive dissonance in your prospects. This will mean that your viewers will be left with an uneasy feeling that something isn't quite right with your company and will automatically distrust your message. To avoid this, make sure the quality of production reflects the quality of your product/service. This can involve using a professional camera operator with broadcast quality gear to having a graphic artist design maps and titles.
4. Messages. One of the key areas to work out is what communication messages you need to get across. Work out the 4-6 key messages and develop the video around these. If you have too many messages people will tune out. Essentially, make sure you give information that your audience wants to know (not what you think they ought to know).
5. Script. The script provides the backbone to any video project. It’s always worthwhile spending extra time refining the script. As a rule of thumb, it needs to be completed before any filming begins. The best kind of script is short and sharp and revolves around your main messages. The quicker you can get your message across, the better the result. Avoid putting everything into the script, as wall to wall voiceover is quite tiring (and boring) to watch.
6. Assign a contact person. A designated person from your firm will need to be available to work with the video production company. The production house will need script information and approval, help in organizing shoots, copies of your logo and other relevant materials and someone to view a draft of the video and then finalize. This person will also need to make sure that the look and feel of the video best represents your company.
7. Get expert advice. A good production company will be able to advise you on the best format for your needs such as the music, the filming, editing style and how the schedule will run. They will also be able to take your brief and come back with a range of suitable suggestions. Don’t stress about the technical issues. That’s the job of your video production company.
J&J Video Productions is an independent Video Production Company located in Cleveland Ohio. J&J Video Productions specializes in Wedding Videos and covers Parma Ohio and Cuyahoga County Ohio as well as the Cleveland Metropolitan area. For further information please visit our website at http://jandjvideoproductions.com/
Saturday, January 9, 2010
I Want To Shoot Wedding Videos
By: J&J Video Productions-Wedding Video Specialists-Cleveland, Ohio
So you're one of the millions of people out of work and unable to find a job. You've sent out hundreds of resumes and received no response. What do you do now? It comes to mind that last week you were a guest at a wedding and you saw someone videotaping the event, and bingo! You now know what you can do. You're going to be a wedding videographer. It looks easy enough, just get a video camera and run around filming everything. You can probably make hundreds of dollars for one day's work.
Let's stop right there. It takes a lot more than just grabbing a video camera and shooting everyone to make a wedding video. There are a lot of things that need to be taken into consideration before you can expect to shoot a wedding video, or any video. One of the first things you need to decide on is what kind of a video camera you want to use. Even though video cameras look alike, they can be as different as night and day. Some cameras are well suited for work in low light situations, and others are not. Another big difference is, some cameras use videotape, and others use memory cards.
It is also important to know the horizontal and vertical resolutions. This can make the difference between a crystal clear, network type, broadcast quality video and a blurred out, fuzzy, low resolution video. We're just talking about the actual camera here. We haven't even considered the other aspects of producing a professionally done wedding video.
The cost of video cameras can range from $100.00 to well into 5 figures.
Once you have actually shot a wedding video, you will inevitably find many different kinds of problems, such as someone standing right in front of your camera, people bumping into your camera, kids showing their latest acrobatic stunts learned on the playground last week and drunk people embarrassing themselves. How are you going to fix all these problems? The bride and groom will not appreciate these images in their wedding video. It's up to you to fix them. This requires editing.
If you want to talk about opening a can of worms, editing systems are a good place to start. Are you aware that each camera may require a different editing system because of the way it recorded? There are many cameras that use the same editors, but there are just as many that don't. With the advent of high definition coming into play, this adds a whole new dimension to editing video. Are you purchasing an editing system that will be obsolete in 2 years? Or, are you purchasing one that requires multiple pieces of additional equipment to make it work? Will you have to purchase a computer with a hard drive and video card the size of Cleveland? Does your editor have a title generator and special effects.
The next thing you have to deal with is deciding what format the final product going to be. Is it going to be tape, a DVD, a standard DVD, a high definition DVD, or a Blu ray DVD? More importantly, is your editor equipped to burn the DVDs or run the tape? Do you have any idea how much an editor is going to cost? I have seen editing systems that can range from $5000.00 to almost a million dollars.
So now, do you still want to be a wedding videographer? And one more thing. We haven't even talked about the accessories, audio systems, lights, tripods, cords, microphones, and sound mixers. Had enough? Let the professionals do the wedding videos, since they have been trained, and schooled. Save yourself the headaches and the lawsuits from unhappy brides.
Today's brides and grooms are sophisticated consumers. Years ago, they really didn't understand what the difference was between a good video and a professional video. Today they are tech savvy and will definitely know whether or not they have an amateurs video or a professionally produced video.
J&J Video Productions is an independent Video Production Company located in Cleveland Ohio. J&J Video Productions specializes in Wedding Videos and covers Parma Ohio and Cuyahoga County Ohio as well as the Cleveland Metropolitan area. For further information please visit our website at http://jandjvideoproductions.com/
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