2006 All rights reserved. Uniquely Yours is a division of Moving Pictures Productions, LLC
The following is a list of the most commonly asked questions. If you are unable to find the answer you are looking for please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Q. Wouldn't it be good enough if a friend videotapes my wedding?
A. Sure, if your family member or friend has years of experience and professional quality equipment. However, most consumer cameras are not capable of reproducing colors and images well in low-light conditions common to churches and reception halls.
What about sound? Can they capture what is being said without microphones? Can they effectively capture your vows, the readings, or your music? Audio is 50% of the quality of your finished video. Bad audio can ruin good video!
What about editing? Can they put your images to music in a creative and artistic way? Are they prepared to spend 40 to 60 hours editing your raw footage into a completed, well-organized project?
You must also keep-in-mind that your friend/family member is there to enjoy your wedding and to spend time visiting with you and other friends/family members. This may lead to him or her missing footage that is important to you.
Typically, most amateur wedding videos also end up with a considerable amount of unwanted camera movement and shake (you have probably seen this on many home movies). Most amateur videographers just don't have the necessary equipment to avoid this unwanted "Blair Witch" element.
Finally, think about how badly both you and your friend will feel, if your finished video lacks the quality that you were expecting. Having a friend/family member videotape your wedding is like asking them to bake your wedding cake, sew your dress, or to provide catering services. Most people don't have the necessary skills or equipment to accomplish these tasks.
Q. Why should I have my wedding professionally videotaped?
A. We all know that there is a TON of preparation that goes into the planning of your wedding day. There seems to be an endless number of items that consume both your time and budget (cake, catering, food, beverages, flowers, decorations, limo,venue selection, music, and on and on....). However, have you stopped to realize that all of these items are gone once your day is over?
Having your wedding professionally videotaped is one of the very few lasting "investments" that you can make to actually preserve your memories. A professional DVD of your wedding will capture the sights, sounds, and emotions of that special day forever. It will be something that you, your children, and (gasp) grandchildren will cherish for years to come. How much would it mean to you if you could watch the wedding of your grandparents or parents? How much would it mean to you if you could see this event presented in High-Definition video? A DVD of your wedding will become a timeless, family heirloom. It is something that you won't realize the true value of until your day is over.
Q. I already have a still photographer. Do I really need a Videographer?
A. A still photographer is a must. However, most couples say their wedding day went by so fast that they could not begin to remember all that happened. The still pictures in your formal wedding album capture a moment-in- time. They cannot begin to convey the depth of the sights, sounds and emotions of your entire wedding day. Video captures moments-in-motion or time-in-motion. No other medium tells a story more powerfully than film or video.
Remember: A Picture may be worth a thousand words, but a video tells the whole story.
Q. If we hire you what can we expect?
A. We feel that it is important to blend-in and not be overly apparent when videotaping your wedding. Your wedding day is all about you. You don't want a film crew staging your day. We may ask for 10 to 15 minutes with you for interviews and to gather some unique footage for your highlight reel.
Our cameras are small and unobtrusive, and we only use added (on camera) lighting when absolutely necessary.
Q. When do I have to pay for my wedding video?
A. A Five-Hundred-Dollar ($500.00 non-refundible) reservation fee is required to reserve your wedding day. This fee is applied to your total balance. Approximately 70% of the remaining balance is due two (2) weeks before your wedding. The remaining balance is due (in-full) upon the delivery of your finished DVDs. We accept cash, check and all major credit cards (via Paypal).
Q. How many cameras do you use to record my ceremony?
A. We use two (2) broadcast-quality digital video cameras to record your ceremony. Two camera angles are necessary to effectively capture the processional, recessional, vows, and all other ceremony events. Two cameras make the difference between an amateur recording and a professionally produced "heirloom" DVD.
Q. When does Uniquely Yours Productions need my photos and music?
A. We ask that you provide your photos and music at least two-to-three weeks before your wedding date. All photos must be in the exact order you want them to play in your photo montage (number them on the back or on post-it notes). We will need you to complete our music production form (included in video contract) telling us which songs go where (bride/groom dance, father/bride dance, music for highlight video, etc.). No editing can be started until all photos and music have been provided to Uniquely Yours Productions.
Q. Can we just have Uniquely Yours Productions choose the music for us?
A. Copyright laws require that we use your music (music that you have purchased for your personal use) on your wedding video. However, we are happy to offer suggestions regarding music selection to help you find the perfect song that reflects your unique love story.
Q. Does your company use visual effects in the editing of my video?
A. Yes. Uniquely Yours has access to all of the modern, computer-based effects. However, we feel that the use of visual effects is much like using seasoning on your favorite food—“a little bit goes a long way.”
We typically use some black and white, slow-motion, and some old- time “film” effects to make your video more visually entertaining. We prefer to use effects only as a way to enhance your story.
Q. Will my wedding/event video look like a feature film?
A. Yes and No. Feature films have mult-million-dollar budgets, have sound crews, audio engineers, lighting crews, directors, producers, and cameras that cost hundreds-of-thousands of dollars.
Your DVD will more closely represent the professional qualities of a well- produced, documentary or independent film.
Q. How long will it take to get my finished DVD?
A. Please allow ten to twelve (10 to 12) weeks after your wedding date to receive your completed and elegantly packaged DVDs. All music and photos must be provided before we can begin editing your video.
Q. Will you be videotaping my wedding?
A. Yes. Unlike many of the larger "do-it-all" production companies, Uniquely Yours does not use freelance videographers. This assures that you know who will be videotaping your event and should provide you with a more professional overall experience, as well as a higher-quality and more consistent finished product.
I will personally meet with you at contract signing. I want to make sure that you feel comfortable with me and my staff. Working together insures that we are able to create a unique, high-quality finished product for you.
Q. Are you willing to travel to videotape my wedding/special event?
A. Yes. We welcome out-of-town (State) work and are happy to accommodate wedding parties outside the Denver metropolitan area. Fuel and overnight lodging expenses will be added to the price of any production package regarding a wedding/event taking place outside of this area.
Q. Why do I have to wait to receive my High Definition DVD?
A. Right now, there are two competing HD formats on the market: BluRay and HD DVD.
At this time, no one knows which of these formats will survive to become the primary and quite possibly, the only remaining format. As a result, we save your HD footage and will deliver it to you at a later date (to be determined by the production company).
Consumers are taking a financial risk if they purchase either of these formats right now. Likewise, most videographers are holding off on acquiring High-Def DVD burners and authoring software until a clear winner has been established in this war of formats.