Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I have my wedding day created into a cinematic movie?

Your wedding day is a day of action. Photographs can never recall the emotion of your spoken vows, your special music, or the thrill of you walking down the aisle for the first time as husband and wife! There is nothing like taking your day’s major events and weaving them into a professionally made emotional, cinematic movie. Let us tell your wedding day story with our uniquely captivating cinematic style...a style that is rich in details and texture and personal in feel. Going beyond the mere documentary style shooting, we capture your excitement and emotion of the day. With our careful attention to details, a discrete presence, creative camera work, and intensive editing, your cinematic movie will be a one-of-a-kind treasure the moment you see it. What better opportunity to capture all of your family and friends and create a classic heirloom to be cherished for years to come. A photographer’s portraits are beautiful keepsakes, but you can’t hear or feel the words the way you can in a professionally produced movie. The smart bride is one who chooses both professional wedding cinematographers and a still photographer.

Could a friend or family member videotape my wedding?

Certainly, but don’t expect professional results. Cinematic Video has been capturing weddings professionally since 1999, and we know the “ins and outs” of covering such an important event. We use Sony professional, High Definition, 3 chip digital video cameras, a multiple wireless micing system, a widescreen video projector and 100” screen, and numerous non-linear digital video editing systems to create a true cinematic production. We have no problem with your guests videotaping as long as they don’t interfere with our efforts to capture your special day.

Are your prices negotiable?

Our prices are not negotiable. They are based on our many hours of professional cinematography experience, not to mention the fact that we use superior quality digital video and audio equipment.

However, if you are shopping for the cheapest price around, remember it has been said, “The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of a low price is forgotten”.

Is a contract important?

A contract protects both you and our production company. Our contract is comprehensive, clear, concise, and easy to understand. It also reserves your special date with us. Never hire any professional with merely a handshake or verbal agreement.

How should I select my videographer?

It’s a fact of life that price does play a key role in determining the selection of professionals, and there is a videographer and photographer for every budget. Once you determine your spending limit, then you can begin to evaluate your professionals for quality and compatibility.

We strongly encourage you to view the work of other videographers. The picture and sound should be crystal clear. There should not be any rough footage inserted. Titling should look professional and be easy to see and read. Ultimately, the video should be tastefully edited and pleasing to watch for any age.

Listed below are questions we recommend you ask other videographers before making your final decision:

• Do they use 3-chip digital video cameras for vivid color and superior quality?
• Do they have a minimum of 2 manned cameras for proper coverage?
• Do they use a multiple wireless micing system for the officiant, the groom, the readers, the singers, and music?
• Do they capture your wedding themselves or hire other individuals, such as college students, who are not professional wedding videographers?
• How many weddings do they video a day? Do they specialize in one event or are they a “wedding factory”?
• Who edits the wedding? Do the videographers who recorded the wedding edit your video or is it someone who did not attend the event at all?
• Do they offer DVD standard on EVERY package?

What if my church has restrictions for videographers?

It is the client’s responsibility to find out if there are any restrictions for camera placement at the church and then to inform our company about the restrictions well in advance of the reserved date. Many churches have guidelines and policies, such as no flash photography and no movement once the ceremony has started.

Ultimately, we try to place our cameras in locations which capture clear views of your procession and your faces during the ceremony and vows. However, this may not be possible if restrictions are in place. Always make sure and find out what is permitted before contracting your videographer or photographer.

Cinematic Video asks for access to your wedding ceremony site two hours prior to the scheduled starting time in order to set up and test the cameras and microphones properly, then to begin pre-shots. Be sure to find out exactly how much access time to the church will be permitted before and after the ceremony.

When will you begin taping?

We usually begin taping two hours before the ceremony begins, starting with the bride and groom pre-shots. We also obtain interior and exterior shots of the ceremony site. Plus, we capture extensive emotional and sentimental clips of the bride and groom, their bridal party and family preparing for their grand entrance. Details are our specialty. We usually DO NOT travel to another location such as your home, a relative’s home, or a hotel to capture pre-wedding coverage, however, exceptions are occasionally made if that location is within a couple miles of the ceremony location and transportation is provided.

Will you use wireless microphones?

Cinematic Video uses a minimum of 4 wireless microphones and mini-discs at the ceremony to insure CD quality audio for your movie. They are worn by the officiant, the groom, and any other pertinent ceremony participants including vocalists, musicians, and readers.

Should I provide meals for the videographers?

We often spend our entire day with the bridal party from the time we arrive at the ceremony site for preshots until the end of our contracted time at the reception. It is a welcomed courtesy if you provide meals to your videographers inside the same reception location as the bride and groom. If meals are not provided, an additional fee of $50 per hour will be charged so we may leave to eat. This generally takes at least one hour and important coverage will not be captured during that time.

How long is my completed movie be and what do I receive on my final DVD?

The actual length of the completed, cinematic movie is typically 30 to 45 minutes. Your DVD Pack, consisting of that movie, plus the unedited back camera of the complete ceremony, selected raw pre-shot clips from both cameras, and optional photo montage, may run two to three hours in total length. The add-on “Thank you” mini DVD, which is a highlight of your key events of your wedding day, is the length of your first dance song and is also included again on your final DVD. Optional VHS copies will include the cinematic movie and optional photo montage only.

When will I receive my finished movie?

The average production time is 12 to 16 weeks, with summer and fall weddings taking longer, and winter and spring weddings taking a shorter period of time, as this is generally our slow season. We do not do "rush jobs" on any cinematic edit.

Can I make copies of my completed video?

We ask that you do not make copies of your videotapes or DVD‘s, as that is illegal and violates copyright laws that you will sign in your contract. Also, any copies that you may try to make from VHS tapes will degrade and lose picture and sound quality with each transfer. A digital master of your entire wedding video is kept in our library forever and will always be available to you at a very low cost.

Why do I need a DVD?

A DVD will preserve your wedding memories longer than any videotape. It’s interactive, with menu selections and chapter choices that will allow you to skip precisely to a certain event. There is no fast forwarding or rewinding. A videotape begins to degrade in quality every time it is viewed and has a typical life expectancy of 8-10 years. A DVD, on the other hand, properly stored, can be viewed hundreds of times with no loss in quality.

How do I book Cinematic Video for my wedding?

Although we mail out Video DVD samples of our work, we still require a personal consultation at a local restaurant, our studio, or your home, to discuss the specifics of your wedding day. This allows you to get to know us and for us to know you. Normal consultations last 45 minutes to one hour.

If you decide to book our services, a $400 non-refundable retainer fee is required to reserve your wedding date. We accept cash, check, and all major credit cards through PayPal. The remaining balance must be paid in full 5 business days prior to your wedding. Never wait until the last minute when booking anything involving in your special day! As with most professionals in the wedding business, we typically book 9 to 12 months in advance.

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