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Inclusively HD – We Survived the Move!

Posted on February 25, 2010

We Survived the Move from Standard Definition (SD) to High Definition (HD)

Midway through our 2008 wedding season I decided to make the move from SD to HD.  I’ll have to be honest, it wasn’t the easiest or cheapest move I’ve ever made, but it was by far the smartest!  I basically had to purchase all new equipment.  Everything from new HD cameras to computers and software that was able to handle editing ProRes 422 High-Quality HD.

Nothing is free, there’s always a cost!

Shooting, editing, and mastering everything in HD and then delivering the content to both SD DVDs and HD Blu-ray disc not only involved additional finances, but an additional investment in time.  Initially there was a steep learning curve required perfect the best workflow. Additionally,  it takes twice as much time to transcode HD video footage for delivery to both SD DVDs and HD Blu-ray disc. However, the resulting quality is breathtaking and now that the transition is over, it was well worth the move.

SD Delivery of your HD mastered video

I understand that everyone doesn’t yet have a Blu-ray disc player.  Therefore,  once mastered to HD, the footage must be transcoded down, or down-converted to the standard definition (SD) widescreen format which will enable our clients to watch their videos on their standard DVD player. It’s important to note that even though your video will be in the widescreen format, it will still look just fine on a standard 4:3 television set. However, it will be displayed in a letterbox format which means you will see some black space at the top and bottom of the screen just as you do when watching a widescreen Hollywood movie on a standard TV set.

Viewing SD on an HDTV:

If you’ll be viewing your standard definition (SD) DVD’s on a widescreen HDTV, you’ll see a noticeable benefit in picture quality if playing your videos on an up-scale (or up-converter) DVD player or a Blu-ray disk player since it will up-convert your SD DVD’s for a more enjoyable viewing experience on a large widescreen TV. Now don’t misunderstand me, an up-convert DVD player will not make your SD DVD’s play back in HD, that’s not possible, but it will enhance the SD playback to give you a sharper picture on a widescreen LCD TV screen.

How does all of this benefit the client that doesn’t want HD?

You may be wondering; What are the benefit’s of shooting, editing and mastering in HD if the client is not asking for final delivery in HD?  First of all, your video will be of a much higher quality when shot and mastered in HD versus SD. In other words, SD originating from footage of a higher resolution source (HD camera) is better than SD from a SD source (SD camera) because it doesn’t loose any quality in postproduction.  Another benefit to shooting your wedding in HD is the fact that it allows us to re-author your wedding video at a later date to HD Blu-ray disc when your ready.   In other words, If it’s not shot in HD now, it CAN’T be delivered in HD later, so there’s no turning back.

HD delivery on Blu-ray disc and in the Apple TV format.

Since all of our weddings are now shot, edited and mastered in HD, you can now have your cake and eat it too!  In other words, we can deliver your video in full HD on Blu-ray disc and you’ll also receive your wedding videos in SD delivered on standard DVDs to watch using a standard DVD player, so no worries there!  If you purchase a Silver or better package, HD Delivery on Blu-ray disc is included in the package at no additional cost.  Also, it makes no difference if your getting the Blu-ray disc upgrade or not, you still receive digital copy files which can be played back on your Apple TV via itunes, or you can sync the files to playback on your iPhone or iPod touch, all of which is free no matter which package you purchase!   Oh and just one more program note: You’ll receive digital copy files for all of the same videos contained on your DVD’s.

Wedding Day Video Tips

Posted on February 24, 2010

Congratulations! The big day is drawing near.  You have invested so much in your wedding video; we want it to be perfect for you – after all, you will have it forever.  The following tips and suggestions are designed to help you maximize the benefits of your investment.  Ultimately, your cooperation will lend to the success of your wedding video.  We hope you find these suggestions helpful.

1.  Don’t chew gum. Chewing gum on camera, especially in slow motion looks very, very bad.

2.  Bride’s Prep: If you opt for coverage of bridal preparations, you may wish to ask your attendants to dress first so they are comfortable and look their best on camera and in photos while they help you, the bride and/or groom, prepare.  Prepare the environment by removing any clutter and turning down any noise, such as TV or radio – we want to capture all those oohs and ahhs!

3.  The Processional: Don’t rush.  Advise your attendants to walk slowly down the aisle.  Processions are one of the most difficult parts of the day to shoot, usually because this is the first time guests see the bride and in their enthusiasm for a snapshot, they block your professional photographers.

4.  Grooms lead your bride: The tendency is to allow ladies first, but grooms walk ahead of your bride so you do not step or trip on the train (don’t want any torn trains or veils!).  You may want to practice this at your rehearsal so it comes naturally the next day.

5.  Cameras during the ceremony: We strongly recommend making an announcement prior to the start of the ceremony, or printing a request in your program, for guests to stay seated during the ceremony and refrain from taking pictures.  (They will snap pictures, anyway, but it may discourage them from getting up and roaming around, creating obstacles for your paid professional services.)  Far too often we lose valuable moments that you paid us to capture due to an overeager guest with a camera.  They mean well, but chances are you will never see that photo or video so why risk compromising your paid services.  Some churches will make this announcement prior to the processional and often those are the best ceremonies we capture.  Again, this is completely up to you, but we strongly recommend that you protect your investment.

6.  Readings: Have all readings/speeches/performances delivered near a standing microphone, such as a podium or mic stand.  If not possibly, have the officiant step aside and have the reader stand in the same spot as the officiant, between the bride and groom, facing the guests, so their voices will pick up on the groom’s lapel mic.  Otherwise, the audio is compromised.  Remind readers to speak slowly and clearly.  TIP: Give them a copy of the reading beforehand so they can practice.  Too often the wedding day is the first time readers have an opportunity to look at the reading and if nervous, they end up stammering through it.

7.  Outdoor ceremonies: While they are often very beautiful settings, they can pose some of the biggest lighting challenges.  The most ideal situation for an outdoor ceremony is to have the officiant, bride and groom all in even lighting conditions – either everyone in the shade or everyone in the sun.  Mixed-lighting is our greatest challenge and will sacrifice the beauty of your video.  For more information on how to improve this situation, please contact us.

8.  Unity Candle: Whenever possible, face your guests, standing behind the unity candle, looking out at your guests.  TIP: You may wish to pre-light your unity candle prior to the ceremony so it lights easily on the day of the wedding.

9. Vows/Rings: The most important part of the ceremony!  Bride and groom face one another, standing toe to toe so everyone, including the camera, can see your faces! The most frequent obstacles for us during the vows & rings are bridal attendants, guests, and photographers.  Please inform us if you know of any possible obstacles so we may plan accordingly.  Also, if the video is important to you, please emphasize this to your photographer and ask them NOT to block the vows and rings.  You cannot hear the vows in a picture – typically, this is an important moment for your video.  We strive to work with your photographer and we ask only for the same consideration, for your benefit.  And the request always means more when it comes from you.

Ideally, guests should remain seated during the vows.  Some officiants ask guests to stand during the vows.  This greatly limits our ability to get decent coverage due to the added obstacles.  If you have the choice, please ask your officiant to keep guests seated during the vows and rings, if it is important to you.

10.  Receiving line: We suggest the bride and groom stand last on the end rather than parents or bridal party.  This helps the line move faster, as well as allowing for a clear shot of you interacting with your guests.

11.  Toasts: Advise your best man, maid of honor, parent, or anyone giving a toast or speech, TO STAND DIRECTLY BEHIND YOU, THE BRIDE AND GROOM, BETWEEN YOU, FACING THE GUESTS so we may capture them, as well as you and your reactions.  We will mic this area, as well as the DJ/band amps.  We will ask the DJ/band to NOT MOVE OR TURN THE AMP away from our mic during the toasts.  If seated at a round or family-style table (with bridal party on both sides), we will ask the bridal party to remain seated to avoid obstacles.  Please understand that we cannot control the environment or people’s actions; therefore, we may be limited in our ability to adequately capture every word if these conditions are not met.

12.  Visiting guest tables: During dinner is an ideal time to visit your guests so you are free to enjoy the celebration to follow!  You may wish to start with older guests, as they often have a tendency to leave earlier and are less likely to be on the dance floor later.  The bridal party usually eats first and is finished before the guests, so dinner is usually the least hectic opportunity to visit.  (We wish we had done this at our own wedding!)

11. Vendor meals: Ask your reception hall or caterer to feed your professionals at the same time as the head table so we are finished and ready to go when you are.  If possible, please have us seated in the room, so we can see if anything is happening that we need to get up and shoot at a moment’s notice, such as you visiting with your guests.  We don’t need anything fancy, just the basics.

12. Have fun! By taking care of the important details beforehand you will be able to relax and enjoy your fabulous wedding day!

SUGGESTED BRIDAL PREP SHOT LIST

You may wish to ask your attendants to dress first so they are comfortable and look their best on camera and in photos while they help you, the bride and/or groom, prepare.  Prepare the environment by removing any clutter and turning down noise, such as TV or radio – we want to capture all the oohs and ahhs!

1. Zipping up the bridal gown. Coverage depends mainly on your comfort level.  Stepping into the dress or pulling the dress down over your raised arms is always a great shot, just  let us know what you want to shoot. We are very discrete.

2. Putting on your jewelry. Especially if it is a special piece handed down, an heirloom or a gift from someone special.  Every detail counts!

3. Your veil. Sometimes this is done at the salon; however, we can film a parent or bridesmaid adjusting it for you.

4. Your garter. Have your maid or matron of honor or a bridesmaid put it on for you.

5. Pinning parents’ corsages & boutonnieres. The bride may want to pin her mother’s corsages and/or her father’s boutonniere.

6. Freshening up. Applying lipstick, powder, make-up, etc.

7. Slipping into your shoes.

Bride’s presentation to her family. The first time your friends and family see you all dressed and ready to walk down the aisle.

Formal poses with family, parents, bridesmaids, flowers girls, etc. This is where your photographer takes over.  We film as the photographer shoots  mainly to document the day.  Around this time is when we start getting ready to head to the ceremony location.

Questions?  Concerns?  Contact Ron at  (270) 312-9760

Angela and Adam’s Wedding

Posted on February 15, 2010

 

 

See More Videos in our Video Gallery

To see more of Angela and Adam’s videos, go to their video gallery on our  website which also contains an enormous amount of our work presented in individual galleries designed specifically for our couples.

Viewing Videos on your computer, Android, iPhone, and iPad

If you’re viewing this blog on your computer, an Android, iPhone or other mobile device just click or tap on the video. If you’re viewing on an iPad you man need to click on the Vimeo text link below the image to view it on Vimeo.

 

Angela’s Salon Prep Video from Ron Priest on Vimeo.

Angela and Adam’s Wedding Day Highlight from Ron Priest on Vimeo.

Cristina and Erik’s Wedding

Posted on February 15, 2010

Cristina’s Salon Prep from Ron Priest on  Vimeo

Erik and Cristina’s Pre-ceremony from Ron Priest on Vimeo.

Cristina’s Bridal Prep & Photo Shoot was at the Olmsted while the guys had their Photo Shoot at the Cathedral of the Assumption.  When the Bridal Prep is at a 3rd location other than the ceremony or reception venue, it is considered to be an add-on option. This add-on option is actually referred to as the Pre-Ceremony Multiple Locations option.

Erik and Cristina’s Highlight from Ron Priest on Vimeo.

Cristina & Erik’s highlight clip uses an editing style known as the “Time-Shift” edit. It tells the story from a brides perspective. Think about it, when she reminisces of her wedding day, it’s not natural for her to remember everything in chronological order.  Her mind is constantly racing back and forth recalling the most emotional parts of her day. When done right, the time-shift makes for an interesting video.

Erik and Cristina’s First Dance from Ron Priest on  Vimeo

Cristina and Erik’s First Dance Montage video includes some flashbacks of the cake cutting and garter & bouquet toss.The First Dance Montage is standard with all packages.

Wedding Movie Posters Now Offered!

Posted on February 10, 2010

NEW! We’re proud to now be offering our exclusive Wedding Movie Posters free with any Silver or better wedding package booked before the end of March.  These are standard 24″x 36″ poster size (frame not included).  This is a special promotion which will be discontinued  on April Fools Day and will then only be available as an add on option for $250.00.

Previous clients can purchase their Wedding Movie Poster for $150 if ordered before April Fools Day, after that past clients can purchase a poster at regular price.  Non clients can also purchase a Wedding Movie Poster for $300.  Give me a call at 270.312.9760 to book your wedding or order your poster.  You’ll have a chance to approve a proof of your poster design via our website before we go final with printing.

Prospective couples: You can easily customize your wedding package to fit your budget simply by clicking on the “Customize It” link HERE or on any of our wedding packages found on our website.  Once you’ve customized your package, click the submit button and we’ll email you a written proposal which you can then easily and quickly accept by providing an online electronic signature, and submitting the required retainer payment using any bank or charge card. This can all be accomplished in a mater of just a few minutes. No hassle, no appointments necessary, reserve your date today while it may still be available!

iDo on your iPhone

Posted on February 7, 2010