Now WHAT?!?! at DVinfo.net

Kelsey Emuss · February 6th, 2008, 05:15 PM

OK, I'm new to this whole wedding videography business!! lol! I have three client interviews this week!! The clients already know my pricing and want to hire me. Other than collecting my deposit and getting a timeline of the event from them what else do I NEED to remember/ask/make note of ???

Any help or advice is appreciated!

Thanks
Kelsey

Andre Tira · February 6th, 2008, 05:42 PM

CONTRACT!

also don't call it a deposit, use retainer fee.

Kelsey Emuss · February 6th, 2008, 05:54 PM

Note to self: retainer fee!

OK...contract...UGH! Is there any where I can be directed to find out what needs to be included or covered in one of those?!

Thanks for the help!

Peter Manojlovic · February 6th, 2008, 06:00 PM

Hey neighbour.....

The Burlington/Hamilton area is pretty small, so i usually like asking who the photographer is..
This gets my "personal space" set up ahead of time..

I don't know your style of shooting/editing, but for the most part, it seems that event details, contract and deposit are the three majors...
Give yourself some setup time, charge your batteries, and make sure that you've scouted the locations ahead of time....

Just roll with the punches, expect rainy days, and know where all the wall plugs are ahead of time >_<..

Good luck!!!

Kelsey Emuss · February 6th, 2008, 06:09 PM

Small World Peter! Thanks for the input!

There is so much to learn! Do you find there is a lot of work in your area? I'm surprised how many calls I'm getting which makes me wonder if there is a demand for videographers in our area?

Peter Manojlovic · February 6th, 2008, 07:30 PM

As far as work in the area is concerned......
Where there's a wedding, there's usually a videographer, and ALWAYS a photographer...

The question is, what TYPE of work is available.
There's been many local pop ups that charge cut throat rates, just to get their foot in the door, and undercut his neighbour...

They get the work, in two seasons, they find out that they can't keep up for long at those rate, and shut down or move on. In the meanwhile, the bar has been dropped both in quality AND price for the next guy..
Before you know it, B&G's are trying to get $500 weddings.

There's more than enough weddings in this area to keep all the businesses happy, without having to resort to cut throat prices...

Personally speaking, i don't advertise, and it's all word of mouth..
After seeing what kind of a business this can be, i've cooled down considerably..
People like Patrick Moreau get me worked up, propped up, and thinking positive again.

As far as videography demands go, your busy phonelines won't lie. More importantly, connections and referrals will take you beyond the advertising.

My editing suite is my passion, but unfortunately, due to logistics, money and demand..... it can't replace my full time job..

John Moon · February 7th, 2008, 02:16 PM

Kelsey:
I would introduce to them the way that you will shoot the wedding and if you are using any lights explain to them how and when you will use them. Try and prepare them a bit. You might also ask them if there are any special things that she would like footage of or if she will be wearing any heirloom jewelry.

John

Michael Liebergot · February 7th, 2008, 03:13 PM

All good advice so far.

For me the most important thing about the face to face meeting (besides the contract and retainer) is giving me the opportunity to get to know the couple as well as give them a chance to know me and see if it's a good fit.

Find out wedding details (vendors, locations and such).
What kind of music do they like?
How did they meet?
How long have they been together? etc.

I take along an audio recorder (or take notes) and record these answers if possible. Sometimes I wind up using these in the actual video if they are worthy of such. This is not an interview or love story session. That's latter if decided upon.

All of this kind of information can be very helpful in crafting their wedding video.
The more you get to know about them, the easier it will be for you to film in such a way that they will truly love their video.

BTW don't talk too much. If you ask a question, let them do all of the talking, and listen.

John Bennett · February 8th, 2008, 11:42 AM

Ask if you may attend the rehearsal. You'll be able to scope out camera locations and to meet the officiate.

Don't offer to video the rehearsal. You might want to shoot a little video to check out light levels, although a night rehearsal will be of little help for a day wedding. If the wedding is at the same time of day as the rehearsal, you could shoot some exteriors.

Kelsey Emuss · February 10th, 2008, 09:19 PM

Thanks Everyone! This is such a helpful board!

I've now armed myself with a contract! lol so that's a good start!

I love the tip about the heirloom jewlery! Whodda thunk?

Thanks for all the advice!

Kelsey

Jason Magbanua · February 13th, 2008, 07:19 PM

Andre.

Kindly explain the semantics of favoring RETAINER over deposit.

Thanks!

Allen Plowman · February 13th, 2008, 07:32 PM

I believe a retainer is non-refundable.

February 6th, 2008, 05:15 PM	#1
Kelsey Emuss Major Player Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Burlington, Ontario, Canada Posts: 259	Now WHAT?!?! OK, I'm new to this whole wedding videography business!! lol! I have three client interviews this week!! The clients already know my pricing and want to hire me. Other than collecting my deposit and getting a timeline of the event from them what else do I NEED to remember/ask/make note of ??? Any help or advice is appreciated! Thanks Kelsey

February 7th, 2008, 02:16 PM	#7
John Moon Major Player Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 446	Kelsey: I would introduce to them the way that you will shoot the wedding and if you are using any lights explain to them how and when you will use them. Try and prepare them a bit. You might also ask them if there are any special things that she would like footage of or if she will be wearing any heirloom jewelry. John __________________ John J. Moon www.northernlightfilmworks.com - Event DV Top 25 Recipient

February 7th, 2008, 03:13 PM	#8
Michael Liebergot Trustee Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,505	All good advice so far. For me the most important thing about the face to face meeting (besides the contract and retainer) is giving me the opportunity to get to know the couple as well as give them a chance to know me and see if it's a good fit. Find out wedding details (vendors, locations and such). What kind of music do they like? How did they meet? How long have they been together? etc. I take along an audio recorder (or take notes) and record these answers if possible. Sometimes I wind up using these in the actual video if they are worthy of such. This is not an interview or love story session. That's latter if decided upon. All of this kind of information can be very helpful in crafting their wedding video. The more you get to know about them, the easier it will be for you to film in such a way that they will truly love their video. BTW don't talk too much. If you ask a question, let them do all of the talking, and listen. __________________ Michael www.lvpvideo.com

February 13th, 2008, 07:32 PM	#12
Allen Plowman Major Player Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Paradise, california Posts: 353	I believe a retainer is non-refundable. __________________ "What I need is an exact list of specific unknown problems we might encounter."

February 6th, 2008, 05:42 PM	#2
Andre Tira Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 83	CONTRACT! also don't call it a deposit, use retainer fee.

February 6th, 2008, 05:54 PM	#3
Kelsey Emuss Major Player Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Burlington, Ontario, Canada Posts: 259	Note to self: retainer fee! OK...contract...UGH! Is there any where I can be directed to find out what needs to be included or covered in one of those?! Thanks for the help!

February 6th, 2008, 06:00 PM	#4
Peter Manojlovic Major Player Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Hamilton Ontario Posts: 769	Hey neighbour..... The Burlington/Hamilton area is pretty small, so i usually like asking who the photographer is.. This gets my "personal space" set up ahead of time.. I don't know your style of shooting/editing, but for the most part, it seems that event details, contract and deposit are the three majors... Give yourself some setup time, charge your batteries, and make sure that you've scouted the locations ahead of time.... Just roll with the punches, expect rainy days, and know where all the wall plugs are ahead of time >_<.. Good luck!!!

February 6th, 2008, 06:09 PM	#5
Kelsey Emuss Major Player Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Burlington, Ontario, Canada Posts: 259	Small World Peter! Thanks for the input! There is so much to learn! Do you find there is a lot of work in your area? I'm surprised how many calls I'm getting which makes me wonder if there is a demand for videographers in our area?

February 6th, 2008, 07:30 PM	#6
Peter Manojlovic Major Player Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Hamilton Ontario Posts: 769	As far as work in the area is concerned...... Where there's a wedding, there's usually a videographer, and ALWAYS a photographer... The question is, what TYPE of work is available. There's been many local pop ups that charge cut throat rates, just to get their foot in the door, and undercut his neighbour... They get the work, in two seasons, they find out that they can't keep up for long at those rate, and shut down or move on. In the meanwhile, the bar has been dropped both in quality AND price for the next guy.. Before you know it, B&G's are trying to get $500 weddings. There's more than enough weddings in this area to keep all the businesses happy, without having to resort to cut throat prices... Personally speaking, i don't advertise, and it's all word of mouth.. After seeing what kind of a business this can be, i've cooled down considerably.. People like Patrick Moreau get me worked up, propped up, and thinking positive again. As far as videography demands go, your busy phonelines won't lie. More importantly, connections and referrals will take you beyond the advertising. My editing suite is my passion, but unfortunately, due to logistics, money and demand..... it can't replace my full time job..

February 8th, 2008, 11:42 AM	#9
John Bennett Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 25	Ask if you may attend the rehearsal. You'll be able to scope out camera locations and to meet the officiate. Don't offer to video the rehearsal. You might want to shoot a little video to check out light levels, although a night rehearsal will be of little help for a day wedding. If the wedding is at the same time of day as the rehearsal, you could shoot some exteriors.

February 10th, 2008, 09:19 PM	#10
Kelsey Emuss Major Player Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Burlington, Ontario, Canada Posts: 259	Thanks Everyone! This is such a helpful board! I've now armed myself with a contract! lol so that's a good start! I love the tip about the heirloom jewlery! Whodda thunk? Thanks for all the advice! Kelsey

February 13th, 2008, 07:19 PM	#11
Jason Magbanua Major Player Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Manila Posts: 317	Andre. Kindly explain the semantics of favoring RETAINER over deposit. Thanks!