RICHARD BLAKE WEDDING FILMS
  • Home
  • Films
  • Investment
  • About
  • Let's talk!

The most frequently asked questions to ask your wedding videographer

27/3/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
I'm here to help your wedding be relaxed and stress free, so I have put together a selection of my most frequently asked questions. If you can't find the answer that you are looking for, please let me know. I am more than happy to have a chat with you and answer your questions. ​
Picture
​​How long will you be filming our wedding for?
I will stay at the event until I get the footage I need to finish your video/capture the proceedings. If there is an event that will take place later in the evening, please let me know ahead of time so that I can make arrangements in our schedules.

How long does it take to finish editing our video? 
It really depends on how busy I am. I try to aim to finish editing your video within 8 weeks from the wedding date.

How do you edit our video?
The way I shoot and edit the video is by using candid camera film shooting and editing techniques. This means that your entire day will be condensed into a short film between 5-8 minutes, or 15-20 minutes depending on the wedding package you have chosen. I edit your film using professional editing software.

Can we buy the raw footage?
Yes you can. I offer the chance to purchase all of the original, raw, unedited clips from the wedding day.

How do we get our wedding videos when you are finished?
All films will be delivered in full HD via a digital download, You will get your very own online video streaming showcase page to download the files or share with friends / family as well as casting to smart devices and smart TV’s.

Why do you say that the Highlight Film is 5-8 minutes or 15-20 minutes long?
I ask that you trust me with the length of your highlight film. The story and content of your day will dictate the length. I would never want to cut a great story short due to time constraints, and, equally, I would never want to dilute a story just to reach a mini- mum length. In my experience, a film will always need to be longer than 5 minutes, but never longer than 8 minutes, and somewhere between that is the sweet spot that will allow me to tell your story in the most beautiful way.

Where is our money going?
Because I know how important your wedding day is, I only take on a select number of weddings each year to ensure that I give each one my full and undivided care and attention. I realise that videos don’t come cheap, and it can often be difficult to figure out if hiring a videographer is worth it. I’d like you to think of your wedding film as an investment. Have you ever felt so happy that you never wanted the moment to end? Well that’s what I aim to do with your wedding film – I capture the day using state of the art equipment so that you can relive those happy moments again and again for the rest of your life. But that state of the art equipment doesn’t come cheap, and my prices include the cost of maintaining and upgrading my equipment to make sure I’m always as prepared as possible to capture your special memories. Once the day is done, I pour my heart and soul into editing your video, which can often require several weeks of non-stop work to perfect a stunning film that is sure to evoke some emotion in both you and your friends and family.

How do I know you won’t lose our video?
After every wedding, I immediately back up everything I recorded that day onto an ex- ternal hard drive. Then, when I get back to my editing studio, I back this up again onto another hard drive; for good measure, I also back it up to a third hard drive, which is kept on a secure cloud. That way, if anything happens to my local physical copies, there’s always another backup to make sure your footage is ALWAYS safe.

I really like Beyonce and Ed Sheeran, can you put their music in my Wedding film?
Unfortunately not, no – unless you’re willing to pay the records companies lots of money for it! Music licensing laws in the UK are fairly complicated. While there are many companies who will continue to use commercial music in their films illegally, there’s always a risk that the label who produce the song will take action through civil or criminal courts for making unauthorised copies of their songs and for loss of rev- enue. For that reason, I do not use commercial music in my films, and instead use a database of independent music producers who I pay to licence their music (don’t worry though, the cost of licensing their music is included in my packages).

What sort of things do you film on the day?
I like to film candid moments, and get natural shots. I usually leave the formal arrange- ments and posing to the photographer and strive to be discreet and unobtrusive.

Is it possible to video and/or photograph everyone at the wedding ceremony and reception?
No. It is impossible to guarantee that everyone will be filmed. As a general rule with my videos, I focus on the bride and groom. If you want to make sure that a specific family member is filmed, you must contact me before the wedding.

Do you retain master copies?
Yes, I keep master copies of your films for up to 3 years from the date of our wedding day. After this, you will be advised that the footage is about to be deleted forever, so it will give you a last opportunity to get a copy of the films in case they are lost or if you want a further edit creating.

Can you travel for Weddings?
Yes I certainly can. I can travel all over the country and around the world to film your wedding.

Do you use lights?
In most instances, no. I generally don't need to. The high quality of my equipment allows me to go all day utilising natural light. 

Do you require a meal at reception?
I will never say no and it would be lovely to be provided with a meal. However, this is never expected from you, so it is entirely up to you. I won’t be offended if I am not provided a meal, but it is appreciated.

What happens if you are ill on the day on our wedding?
I have a small network of trusted videographers that can be on hand in the worst case scenario. All trusted videographers, are close friends of mine, and have worked with me previously in other instances. In the very unlikely case where I am ill, I will ask them to film the wedding on the day, and I will still do your editing, so you will still receive a Richard Blake Wedding Film.

Do you have public liability insurance?
Yes, I have cover up to £1,000,000.00

Do we get to preview our film before we get the final package?
I currently include a 1-2 minute teaser trailer video in my packages, which is delivered within 7 days from your wedding date. So you can have a small taste of what is to come.

Do we have to pay a deposit?
Yes. I can’t ‘hold’ dates or ‘pencil them in’ unfortunately. The deposit covers the cost of the day of filming to ensure that I do not have any lost work on the day in the event of a cancellation as well as covering the work carried out from the date for the booking. The deposit is non-refundable after a period of 14 days from the date of payment.

How much is the deposit?
In order to secure your booking, I require a deposit representing 25% of your chosen wedding package along with the signed Terms of Engagement. Payment is accepted in the form of a BACS transfer.

When is the final payment due?
The final payment is due exactly 4 weeks prior to your wedding date.
​

How do we make a booking?
You can complete the enquiry form, or alternatively telephone, e-mail, FaceTime/ Zoom me to discuss your wedding film.       
      

WAIT! You've made it this far, and you still have questions that haven't been addressed... well I have good news for you, I am super friendly, and more than happy to help you. Get in touch with me and I will be able to assist.

Picture
KIND WORDS
CONTACT ME
Richard Blake Wedding Films // Lancashire, Merseyside and Cheshire Wedding Videographer.
I am a Wedding Videographer, based in Southport, covering the Northwest and U.K. I make fun, natural films in a discreet, unobtrusive style. I make wedding films that are story driven, fun, cinematic, and FILLED WITH LOVE.

With a combination of storytelling, music and audio, I aim to create a beautiful piece of film that really captures those magical moments of your wedding day. It will be your most treasured possession after your wedding! Wedding Videography Southport Wedding Video By Richard Blake Wedding Films covering Southport, Formby, Liverpool, Manchester, Lancashire, Cheshire and the whole of the UK.

Wedding videographer Merseyside
I am based in Southport and also cover the north west including Merseyside, Cheshire, Lancashire and UK. I make fun, natural wedding videos in a discreet, unobtrusive style. I want to capture the real stuff, the laughter and the stories.

Wedding videography in Lancashire and Merseyside. Wedding videographer Liverpool wedding videographer. Richard Blake wedding films creating storytelling, captivating, timeless, contemporary wedding films.
Based in Southport, Lancashire wedding videographer, southport video content producer, offering wedding videography in Liverpool, the northwest and beyond.
0 Comments

5 WAYS YOU CAN HELP YOUR WEDDING VIDEOGRAPHER

12/3/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
This blog post is for the soon-to-be brides and grooms aimed at giving tips and advise on how to make your wedding day run smoother by helping your Videographer. I know you are busy planning your big day, and probably don't have time to read another Blog about weddings, but this post should help you with a few tips that you may not have even thought about. So here are my 5 tips!
1. TELL ME EVERYTHING!
I personally hate surprises, and like to be organised and know exactly what is going to happen and when. For the best possible experience, your videographer will need to know everything that is going to happen. Even the small details.

Are you having fireworks, or sparklers? Are you going to wear your grandmothers earrings, or some other sentimental items? Is there a surprise that the guests don't know about but perhaps the videographer should? Is someone making an impromptu speech? If they are, the chances are, if your Videographer didn't know this, they won't have had the opportunity to give them a clip on microphone to record the audio. We need to know these things to be able to capture these moments on film. The more we know, the more personal, and special your film will be and likewise, the better prepared we can be, and the better your film will be. The best rule to follow is: if in doubt, tell the videographer!
In addition, make sure you keep the videographer informed throughout the day. I know there is going to be a lot going on, you are busy enjoying your day. – you won’t notice us capturing those intimate moments, and that’s the way it should be! But please don’t forget about us. When you’re going to cut your cake, just give us a heads up so that we can get cameras set up. It’s likely we’ll want to have more than one camera rolling for these important moments, so that we can cut between different angles in your film, so tell the DJ to wait for our nod before cuing your Ed-Sheeran-first-dance-medley.

​Additionally, if you’re going off with the photographer for some shots, it would be great to let us know, too. Sometimes the photographer forgets because they’re so focussed on getting some beautiful photos of you, which is absolutely fine by us. But chances are, you’ll want some beautiful shots in your film too, so just give us a heads up. Maybe the photographer wants 15 minutes alone with you – that’s fine! All we ask is that we get some time alone with you, too.
2. GET READY NEAR A WINDOW
​
First of all, before you get ready, turn off all the lights! - Yes that's what I said! turn them off! A lot of indoor lighting has a yellow tint to it, which is unnatural. On video and photographs, the yellow light can look horrible. Everything will look weird and unappealing, and it will make your skin tones look unflattering.  Natural light however, is both flattering and will show true to life colours. 
Ladies, when your make-up artist arrives, chances are they’ll sit you by a window (after all, it makes sense for them to have loads of light too in order to work their magic). But if they don’t, maybe try and suggest moving. 
Picture

​Some make-up artists will bring their own lights, and will prefer to work in front of them than in front of a window, and that’s okay!
Any worthwhile videographer will be able to work in artificially lit conditions – all we’re talking about here is how to foster the ideal conditions for the best Wedding Film your videographer can produce.
Picture
Gents, chances are your videographer will spend less time with you when getting ready, simply because it doesn’t take as long for you to get ready, and there are only really a few shots we want to get.

​For example, a shot of you (or your father/best man) doing up your tie is always great, as is a shot of you putting on cuff links and throwing on your jacket.
Dan Wooton Photography
© Dan Wooton Photography 
3. Make sure you turn and face each other in the Aisle.
At some point in the ceremony, the officiant will ask you to turn and face each other, usually for the vows/exchange of rings. Now, whilst this is a fairly straight forward thing to do, all I ask is that you PLEASE fully turn. Don't just turn your neck towards each other, or twist to face each other, please, please turn a full 90 degrees, where your feet and toes are pointing at each other. A lot of videographers, and photographers, will be filming from the back, and this is probably the most important part of the ceremony itself! If you just twist to face each other, chances are we will mostly have the back of your head still in the shot for this moment, so make sure you turn to face each other head on, look into each others eyes and it will make a world of a difference!
Picture
4. Have an unplugged Ceremony
​
Okay so you have planned everything to perfection, done the rehearsals, and everything is going to plan. However, just because you have the day all planned out perfectly, it doesn't mean your guests won't get in the way still!
Whether it’s Uncle Pete and his new flashy Canon camera, or Olivia, the Serial Instagrammer there will always be somebody watching your ceremony through a screen. And while that’s a shame for you because you invited them there to be present in the moment and enjoy your day, it’s an even bigger shame for us, the videographers, who have to try to shoot around the camera's and the iPhone's leaning into the aisle. There have been times when guests completely get in the videographers way, to get that all important iPhone shot. Please be advised, if a guest for example, decides to go into the centre of the aisle or lean into the way, I will firmly advise them to move!!! 
It’s for that reason that I always recommend an ‘unplugged’ ceremony. In essence, this is a ceremony where you ban people from taking photos or videos. It might sound a bit extreme, but it is becoming more and more popular. When sending our your invitations, request that the guests leave their phones turned off in the bag, or car. - Leave the capturing to the professionals!! Seriously, this is what the professionals have invested thousands of pounds on their equipment for!

It will be a much better experience for everyone, to see the day through their own eyes, rather than through their phone.

With an unplugged ceremony the effect can be fascinating: people actually sit and watch your ceremony with their own eyes! And I can get a clean shot of your ring exchange without having to have a word with Uncle Pete!– win-win!
5.  Be true to yourself
This one applies to men more than women; because of the whole ‘man up’ narrative. I don't subscribe to the idea that all men, need to act tough all the time. Men are generally reluctant to let their emotions show. and I have found this is no different on your Wedding Day.  When they see their significant other gliding down the aisle, radiating beauty, a lot of men do want to cry, but only a courageous few let that happen. The rest of you try to bottle it up, which results in some of the strangest faces you will ever pull (which isn’t ideal on what is potentially the only day you’ll ever have a professional camera pointing at your face). So don’t bottle it up… let it all out and cry like there’s nobody watching – it will make your Wedding Film ten times better. Plus, it’s a fact that the sight of a man crying is more likely to set somebody else off than the sight of a woman crying; so chances are that, once you start, someone else in that room will join in before long (and, if they’re anything like me, it may well be your videographer).

Picture
So there you have it – 5 ways you can help your Wedding Videographer to make your film the best that it can be. Again, these aren’t essential, and they won’t ruin your film if you neglect to follow them, but they will help to foster the ideal conditions for your videographer to work their magic and make you a fantastic Wedding Film that you’ll be proud to show family and friends for the rest of your lives.
Picture
MESSAGE ME FOR A BESPOKE QUOTE
WATCH SOME RECENT WEDDING FILMS

Highlights Film
  • A Wedding Highlights Film, 5-8 minutes in length  - This short film allows you to relive all of the best bits of your wedding day in a format that you can sit down and watch whenever you like. 
  • Multi camera coverage of the wedding ceremony, speeches, and first dance.
  • A 1-2 minute teaser trailer (which is delivered within 7 days of your wedding day). 
​Enhancement option
A slightly longer version is also available which includes all of the above plus a 15-20 minute edit.

ALL COMMISSIONS INCLUDE:
  • A friendly and professional, filmmaker shooting your wedding day from bridal prep through to the late night dancing as well as professionally editing your films in my own distinct style.
  • Unlimited Pre-Wedding Meetings - We meet up before your wedding to discuss and confirm your perfect wedding film.
  • Online delivery of your Wedding Films​ ​
I would love to hear from you. Let’s discuss your perfect Wedding Film and make it together.
Richard Blake Wedding Films.
I am a Wedding Videographer, based in Southport, covering the Northwest and U.K. I make fun, natural films in a discreet, unobtrusive style. I want to capture the real stuff, the laughter and stories, that you will take you right back to your wedding day over and over again. 
​

WEDDING FILMS FILLED WITH LOVE
My films are story driven, fun, and filled with love. With a combination of storytelling, music and audio, I aim to create a beautiful piece of film that really captures those magical moments of your wedding day. It will be your most treasured possession after your wedding! Wedding Videography Southport Wedding Video By Richard Blake Wedding Films, Southport, Liverpool, Manchester, Lancashire, Cheshire and the whole of the UK.

Southport wedding videographer
I am based in Southport and also cover the north west including Merseyside, Cheshire, Lancashire and UK. I make fun, natural wedding videos in a discreet, unobtrusive style. I want to capture the real stuff, the laughter and the stories.

Wedding videography southport, wedding videographer, liverpool wedding videographer, wedding videographer, Richard Blake wedding films, storytelling, captivating, timeless, contemporary wedding films. Based in Southport, Lancashire wedding videographer, southport video content producer, 
0 Comments

    Author

    Write something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview.

    Archives

    March 2021

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

  • Home
  • Films
  • Investment
  • About
  • Let's talk!