Live Event Videography

About the Videotaping How do you record sound? Can parents/audience bring their own cameras? How do you edit the final tape? How do you handle the tape orders? How active do I need to be in promoting your tape orders? Do you do DVDs as well? What if there is a problem with my tape/DVD?

There are a lot of organizations who are currently planning significant cultural/community events that they would love captured on video for years to cherish, but do not do so because they do not have that expense in their budget. As a result, they get a student, or a friend, relative or parent, to do the recording. The recording is then very unprofessional. The sound is bad, the colors are off, the camera is shaky, etc.

If you are looking for somebody who does quality videotaping and editing at a very affordable rate, look no further!

About the Videotaping...

I use quality high quality, professional cameras that are extremely portable and moveable.  I also  use two cameras: one capturing wide shots, and another going in for specific close ups.

In addition to the camera quality, I have years of videography experience, so you do not have to worry about camera positioning, color composition, low lighting, shaky cameras, out of focus, etc. I know how to solve all of these problems.

We also will make a point to go to rehearsal and/or an early performance to make sure we have the proper placement for the cameras so that will not be intrusive to the audience, or the actual event, while still getting good angles of all the action.

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Do you record good sound?

I make it a point to capture good audio.  Whether the facility has a sound system that I can plug into or not, I always make sure you can hear the audio clearly and comfortably with the use of several strategically placed wireless and telephoto microphones, which are then mixed down in the editing process to give you the best possible sound.

Can parents still bring thier own cameras?

Parents are welcome to videotape the show, but they do not need to. A parent records a show because they want to make sure they get close ups of their specific child. But if every parent wants a copy of the entire production, they would all have to bring their own camera.
Be assured that I will capture all the action, with good close ups when appropriate. Everybody has their significant moments on the stage and we make it a point to do justice to those moments on camera. In addition, if someone is there professionally recording the event, then all parents can be free to just sit and enjoy the show, undistracted.

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How do you edit the tapes?

When a director produces a play, they know they need to move the actors around and change the lighting in order to keep the play from ever feeling monotonous. They move around, utilizing different scenes and sections of the stage at different times. The audience's eyes wander; focusing on different things; noticing the action on stage and ignoring the sections of the stage where nothing is going on. I do the same when I film, as well as when I edit. I cut from wide shots to close-ups only at the appropriate times, and I use dissolves and other effects only at times when it would be appropriate.

In addition, I add opening credits, closing credits (using scans from the program brochure, and add a custom case and label to each tape as well.

I have a friend who is not only a father of three daughters himself, but is very active in community drama and theater. After watching one of my productions, he told me that that was the first time he felt he was actually able to sit through the entire videotape of a school play and enjoy it like he could a movie, from stop to finish.

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What about the tape orders?
Your organization receives one master copy.  In addition, I retain the original edited master on digital videotape. Additional individual copies can always be ordered any time in the future.

We also give the buyer an option when they order the tapes to either pick up their tape at the school/church/office when finished, or to have them mailed for an extra $2.00. About three weeks after the final edit, the tapes that need to get mailed, get mailed, and those that need to be dropped off at your location, get dropped off the same day they are produced. Those who have ordered are notified my email or phone that their tapes are ready for pickup.

How active do I have to be in promoting your tape sales, collecting orders, etc, among the prospective buyers?
All I ask for is some form of announcement at the actual event that it is being professionally videotaped and that you can order from us directly at the table during breaks. Beyond that, it is up to you. Many times I will give you an order form that you can send out ahead of time with an announcement about the event. Other forms of simple promotion could include a thank you in the program, an announcement after the event is over to order tapes through a contact, order forms left in the office, etc.

Keep in mind that the more tapes are ordered, the smaller your final bill becomes.

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Do you produce DVD copies as well as Videotapes?
Individual copies can now be ordered as DVDs as well as VHS.  There may be additional production fees required for developing the DVDs, but this fee is also factored into the profit generated from tape sales.

What if there is a problem with my tape/DVD?
I replace any defective videos, of course, and you can call me personally to resolve any technical difficulties you may encounter with your DVD.  Additional tapes/DVDs are always available if something should happen to yours (machine eats tape, cassette was crushed, DVD gets eaten by dog, etc.

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