Here is comprehensive list of the questions most often asked of inFocus Video Productions. We hope that we have anticipated yours. If not, please don't hesitate to call on us via phone or email and we'll do our best to help. An informed bride is a calm bride. And part of our job at inFocus Video is to make this as easy on you as possible. You'll find these same questions in PDF form on our downloads page
Will shooting the wedding video be intrusive or interfere with my wedding?
This is probably one of the most common concerns. Our style is actually your best insurance that we will never be "in the way”. Our goal is to capture the moment, not the attention. We'll never interfere with the flow of events or become center stage. This day is all about you, and so are we. In fact, if we do our job right, you might forget we're there.
Will my inFocus Video produced DVD play on my home player?
In all likelihood it will play just fine. However, you should be aware that DVD is a technology in flux: at least as it applies to the DVD-5 standard which includes all computer produced DVD's. All the DVD's we produce use the single most compatible standard: DVD-R. If your DVD player is less than three years old, we doubt you will have any problems at all. As a general rule, the newer your equipment, the less likely you are to have any problems. We always recommend you use a name brand player: JVC, Toshiba or Sony as examples. Not to be caught with our pants down, we test every DVD we produce on at least three different makes of DVD players before we deliver them to you. Our tests include two major name brand players and even one thirty-five dollar machine that is our ultimate test of compatibility. However, because problems are possible; should your player refuse to read the DVD properly, we reserve the right to output your final edit to SVHS as the fulfillment of our contract.
Will your videographers need a lot of bright lights?
Pictures of Hollywood sets conjure up all kinds of images of hot steamy lights with actors wilting beneath the glare. But not to worry, we use only the latest professional digital video cameras. These new cameras are very light sensitive, so much so that they practically eliminate the need for lights in all but the darkest rooms. With these new cameras we are able to manipulate ambient and natural light to our advantage and the results will amaze you. However, the reality is that most receptions tend to take place in very dark halls. So we may need to use some additional on-camera lighting for optimum video quality, but it will be minimal and you’ll be very happy we did.
Who will the videographer be for my event?
After your initial meeting with us you'll know that you can trust our integrity and professionalism. All our videographers are highly experienced and talented at what they do. Each operator has a passion for what he is doing and will work hard to see that your video is everything you are expecting it to be. After all, our reputation is built around our personal service as well as our finished product. In addition to that, one of your videographers will contact you to do the final interview during which all of the event details will be discussed. In this way you won’t be dealing with total strangers and as you’ll see, they are really great guys.
If we contracted inFoucs Video Productions for six hours, why is my final movie less than two?
Basically there are two important factors that determine the length of each movie we produce. Fist of all, believe us when we say you may think that you want to see every minute of tape, but we may film the church exterior shots three or four times from five or six different angles looking for just the right shot. We may have 20 min of people just milling around, looking for some great casual shots. And sitting watching Aunt Edna dancing to “YMCA” or “Staying Alive” may be fun for the first few minutes, but it’s really not the primary service you have retained us to perform; your Uncle Bob can do that. We like to think of what we do as Video Journalism, and our craft is in the telling of your story. We do that by capturing the true emotion and uniqueness of your event, and then we weave those events together to form a wonderful capsule of your day. We promise, you won’t miss a thing.
Secondly, there are limitations on the amount of data a DVD-5 disc will hold. Your typical Hollywood movie is burned in a dual layer format that allows for twice the amount of information as a DVD-5. The more data – your story – the higher the compression. The more compression, the poorer the quality. We could jam each DVD full of every detail, but the overall story and quality will be the victim. Trust us, you’ll love it. In 6 years of editing our editor has yet to have a single couple come back asking or complaining for more.
What kind of cameras does inFocus Video Productions use?
When a Client asks us this question it’s usually a sure sign they have heard some opinions from other Los Angeles area videographers or maybe even from good ole’ Uncle Bob who loves to shoot video. It seems everyone has a strong opinion about what camera is the very best. We use Professional 3CCD cameras which capture in the DV Format. These same cameras are used by industry professionals to shoot everything from corporate training videos to television commercials. These are really great cameras. They’re not the smallest cameras on the planet, but neither do we look like we are carrying washing machines on our shoulders. We use the right camera for the right moment and you’ll love the results inFocus Video Productions will provide.
How long will I have to wait to see my edit?
That’s a question that kind of depends on you. Do you need to provide us with your own music choices? We’re also going to need a list of names you would like have mentioned in the credits at the end of the movie – typed please – and any special instructions you may have in regards to a particular style wedding video edit style or music you may like to see included as part of the final edit. Once we have all the media and/or information needed to get started, a typical wedding edit takes from 6-10 weeks. However, at times we can get a little bogged down with edits. Anything longer than 16 weeks from the date we have all the information and media to begin, and we’ll refund 10% of your package price. And that’s also in our contract.
Can I choose the music for my wedding video?
Sure, but we don't recommend that you do, and once again, we need to know your desire to do so up front. Failure to deliver suggested music in a timely manner is the number one reason for time overruns. And if your edit falls out of place, you may have to wait for other edits to be completed before yours can be put into the queue. Our wedding video editing staff has years of experience at hitting the music just right. Still, if you have any strong likes or dislikes, say for example you can’t stand Enya, be sure to mention that in the interview that will take place prior to the event and we’ll note it and do our best to please your palate.
Can I obtain extra copies of my wedding video?
You bet. We retain the master for up to 1 year from the completion of the edit. So feel free to call or email an order. You’ll find the very latest DVD pricing in our online wedding video pricing guide at www.ifvproductions.com/downloads.html. By the way, VHS is also available if you need it.
Can I copy my wedding DVD?
Hey, you paid good money for that DVD. We place no copy protection on our DVD’s and therefore copying is at your discretion. Of course you’re going to miss those wonderful professionally designed graphics that are such an essential part of all our projects.
What if my wedding video DVD becomes unplayable due to scratches or mishandling?
We all do it. You know, we absentmindedly leave a DVD sitting on the counter and someone uses it as a coaster or a Frisbee. Worse yet, it bakes in the afternoon sun and warps. Scenarios like this are why we will supply you with a “safety DVD”. Along with your regular package of DVD’s we’ll send along one copy meant to be put away in a safe place so that, in case of emergency, you don’t have to break glass. Just call us, send us back the “safety DVD” and we’ll make you new copies at our normal DVD prices. Or, as we’ve already mentioned, feel free to burn your own. But then, there’s that pesky graphics issue again.
How much can I be involved in the final look of my video?
Our contract states it like this:
“By your signature you are engaging IFVP for its skill and expertise, which authorizes IFVP to exercise creative discretion and professional judgment in performance of those services. Unless specific written instructions, signed by both parties, are provided as to content and/or style of your finished movie, your signature on this document gives IFVP full creative rights and control over the finished product”
In plain English: you’re paying us a lot of money for our skill. We have edited countless numbers of weddings. Weddings full of emotion and beauty. When we deliver your edit it will be produced using the same skill and care we have poured into all our edits. Typically our editor will spend thirty to forty hours editing and re-editing, cutting seconds off of one clip so that it fits perfectly into a scene. That said, the re-editing of your movie is only available at the current per hour charge. As we mentioned earlier, if you have input as to the style or content of your movie, please make it known prior to the beginning of the edit process. Once the edit has begun, we consider the video and audio tracks as “locked”, which in our business means, no further changes can be made.
Did we do it? Did we anticipate all your questions? Well if not, it's not for lack of trying. Call us if you need anything at all cleared up!