Always Asks Gorgeous Films (Part 2)

In our last post we were talking to Jo from Gorgeous films, we rejoin her again to ask those important wedding planning questions such as how to choose a videographer …

What do you think couples should be looking for when hiring a videographer?

First and foremost they should see a comprehensive DVD show-reel, containing several full length films so they can be sure of the quality of the filming and editing. It is fairly straight forward to make a series of shots to music look good but much harder to deliver a beautiful feature length film, which both looks and sounds great.

After that it really depends on the individual couple and their personal tastes. Everyone has different ideas of how their film should be and it’s really just a case of hunting for the supplier who can deliver this expectation.

What advice would you give to couples when planning their wedding?

Do what makes you happy, you can never please everyone all the time so please yourself first and the rest will fall into place. You're the most important people involved in the day so don't let anyone tell you what you should do or who you should invite if you don't feel comfortable with it.

What do you wish couples knew already when working with you?

How difficult it is to make a fantastic film! It’s really hard work and the prices we charge are reflective of the time and effort we put into each project, as well as the high standard of the kit we use to get the shots and record the audio. Sometimes a client will think that you should charge the same as another videographer they have found because they’re offering the same service but there is a vast difference in the quality of suppliers and the work they produce - their prices reflect this.

Some couples feel uncomfortable at the thought of being filmed, how do you deal with this?

On the actual day we film extremely unobtrusively, capturing everything on a zoom lens. Included in our state of the art kit is the latest Canon stills camera, which also shoots video. This camera produces the most stunning cinematic film footage and it is no bigger than a normal stills camera so at times we look like any other guest taking a few photographs. The way our camera crew works on the day means that our clients and they’re party are generally unaware of being filmed, which puts everyone at ease and produces beautifully natural shots.

Also, we work closely with each couple before and after the event to ensure everything is perfect both on the day and in the resulting film.

What would you say to couples who don’t want a video because they are having a photographer?

Apparently, not having a film made of the wedding is the number one regret of couples after the event. A wedding planner told me that. Photographs are a must but I genuinely think a well made film is too. The day goes by in a blur, you will forget so much, miss bits of the day entirely and, yes, photos will bring back frozen moments in time but you can’t hear the ambient noise of your party on a photo, or the vows or amazing speeches.

Wouldn’t you like to re-live the day over and over again and really savour all those details which made your day incredibly special?

I can’t wait to show my children our wedding film, it’s so special, unrepeatable and not worth missing out on for the sake of a bit more money.

Where do you see the future of British wedding videography?

I think the production quality is going up in the industry and thankfully wedding films are losing some of their cheesy image, but it will be a while before couples have the same choice of good videographers as they do photographers.

Thanks Jo, for more information do visit the Gorgeous Films website

Film Stills courtesy of Gorgeous Films