Studio MSV

Cinematic, Short Form, Storytelling

8mm Movie Film, Ceremony, DVD of Raw Footage, Edited Video, High Definition Video, Invitation DVD, Montage - Music Dubbed Over, Montage - Wedding Highlights, Multiple Cameras, Multiple Videographers, Online Highlight Films, Pre-Ceremony, Reception, Rehearsal Dinner, Same Day Edit Video

Blu-Ray, DVD

Yes

I am a home-based commercial studio. How's that for dodging the question? :-)

We offer any and all of the 'types' of videography. We just don't offer cheese.

Of course! I wouldn't have it any other way! In fact, before you come, tell me what your favorite drink is and I'll try to get some chilled and ready for our meeting. :-)

Except in the case where I puncture a lung in a car wreck on my way to your wedding, I will be there.

I never double book days. (See above answer.)

My raw footage is available for ordering. However, I suggest to all my brides that they really ought to watch the final cut before paying extra for the raw footage. 9 times out of 10, they are more than happy with what I deliver and raw footage never becomes a topic of conversation again.

Eight Tips for a Better Wedding Movie


1) Don't chew gum. Sure, fresh breath and a minty mouth are a must for folks who need to feel at the top of their game. But rinsing with mouthwash or using mints will help you avoid that never-trendy bratty teenager look. Other good fresh breath alternatives include mint strips and mint sprays from Listerine® and other companies.

2) Turn down the music. I know that during bridal prep it's fun to have some hip music enhancing your mood and brightening the ambiance, but it makes it hard for us video guys to record and edit the memorable and funny quips you and your girlfriends might say to each other during that time. Background noise (or music!) are the enemy of clean audio recordings. The same principles apply to vows, speeches, toasts, and other verbal presentations.

3) Act normal! It's easy to be distracted by the ever-present paparazzi tandem of your photographer and your videographer, but try to act normal. Ducking under the camera as you suddenly realize you've walked in the path of a shot makes the shot LESS useable than if you've just walked right through. Also, don't look into the camera lens because it often breaks the illusion we're trying to create; that there is no camera in the room. Once you make eye-contact with the camera the scene becomes very 'self-aware'. That's an OK thing to do if there is a specific shot that we're going for, but generally speaking, just pretend the cameraman isn't there.

4) Consider the cameraman when you're at your rehearsal. The Church Lady or the site coordinator has a good idea of where she wants you guys to stand. Go ahead and listen to them. Just keep in mind that if your entire bridal party is also standing up on the chancel area, there's a good chance that they're blocking the camera's view of YOU! Bring it up politely and see what the coordinator says. If they give a thoughtful answer, they probably know what they're talking about. If they blow you off, then that might be a yellow flag.

5) Have your guests remain seated. It's an age-old tradition to have all the guests stand when the bride enters the church. I'm all for it. Although I have shot events where the bride specifically asked all her guests remain seated throughout the ceremony for the specific purpose of giving the camera operaters a clear view of the bride and her escort when she enters and exits the church or ceremony site, it's not required. If you're open to this, though, so am I! But if not, at least remind your guests to stay seated at all other portions of the ceremony. Having to avoid people's heads and cameras popping up like Whac-A-Mole® is comical, but not conducive for a good wedding video!

6) Walk slowly. When entering the church or ceremony site, it's best to walk slow. The slower the better. The more time you give your camera vendors to frame and record the shot and to change their angle and continue to record, the better. Plus, this is a once-in-a-lifetime thing you're doing! Soak it in! Walk slow.

7) Allow your camera people to hunt around the church. I use the word 'hunt' to describe the way we would move around the church because, not only are we looking for the perfect 'shot', but we move in a way that no one will notice; stealithly and discreetly. Certainly it's of utmost importance that we don't disrupt the ceremony in all its solemnity, but it's also important to have the freedom to find the shot that will make your heart skip a beat when you watch it again for the 100th time!

8) Remember that your photographer and videographer are compatriots not competitors. Sometimes ego will get in the way of vendors working well with others. Just remind your vendors that they're all working together to document YOUR day - not to prove their self-worth or pad their portfolio. I know of several very talented photographers that have built a great rapport with us throughout the years and will be more than happy to make recommendations to you!

There are many more tips that we can share with each other. If you have questions or comments about these or any other points of discussion, please contact us for a consultation! Happy wedding planning!