Closing credits on a wedding video

[Don Bloom]

Originally Posted by Kelly Langerak

First off, I don't put the couples name or date at the beginning of the video. It's cheesy and my opinion it's already outdated, even on a highlight film. I also think that script text is a huge no no. Don't do it. Use a simple Ariel text if need be.

Now for ending credits, I agree with most that it can be a big pain, but I do offer it for my Feature Film option because it's fitting. If the client goes with my Documentary Edit then no.

I suppose it's all in the customers minds eye or maybe the person shooting and or editing it but trust me when I say, opening names and dates and closing credits of the bridal party aren't cheesy around here. Now flying or spinning hearts ( from the old Amiga days) those could definately fall in the cheese catagory.
I don't do a single wedding edit without the names and date. It just depends on how you do it.
Cheese is in the eye of the beholder.

[Dave Partington]

We do put closing credits on 90% of our videos, but the client needs to supply the credits electronically so we can copy/paste. Too many hours spent double and triple checking 250 names was a lesson learned the hard way!

[Waldemar Winkler]

Originally Posted by Ben Creighton

I am curious as to how you all handle closing credits, or if you even use them. ...

I always place a credits roll at the end of the video. Many clients are pleasantly surprised when I inform them the credits roll is a feature of the entire video.

I am accustomed to seeing a credits roll at the end of a feature film (even a short), and while I don't feel my wedding videos should be compared to film work, a credits roll is a place for the names of all of the people who participated. I have yet to have a client who doesn't appreciate a credits roll.

All of my clients must fill out a questionnaire designed to tell me everything I need to know about the wedding event. It is the basis of my shot lists. In it is a page reserved for the credits roll. Anyone or any thing the B&G wants in a credits roll has to be placed on this page, and spelled correctly or purposefully spelled incorrectly (as in an inside joke). If a client were to call me for a change the content of the credits roll page determines whether or not the correction is billable. In almost 12 years I've only had two change requests: the deletion of the name of a horse, and the deletion of every member of the groom's family. Don't ask why. I don't know why, and I don't want to know why. It is already too weird.

Both requests, based upon questionnaire information, paid for re-edits without question.