I hate being called 'The video man'

[Chris Harding]

Hi Dave

EXACTLY!! Why would they put them anywhere except right next to a major focal point on their body.

Bless those managers who decided where badges will be worn!

Chris

[Colin Rowe]

Originally Posted by Jo Ouwejan

A forum is supposed to ask for solutions for problems.
Now I do not have this problem as my first name is Jo, pronounced as "Yo". So if the call me VideJo Guy, I think I am addressed properly.
But for all of you, who are not so lucky, I have been thinking of solutions for this severe problem.

1) Call your company "The Video Guy",
2) Adopt yourself a second first name, "Guy",
3) Start filming at funerals. At a grave everyone should remain silent.
4) Get yourself a LARGE bagde with your first name on it.
5) Do not get upset, every time they call you "The Video Guy".

:-))

Love it, best post for ages

[Colin Rowe]

Sorry, somehow double posted

[Jo Ouwejan]

Originally Posted by Colin Rowe

Love it, best post for ages

Thanks.
But do not call me "The Comedy Guy"! Jo-ker will do
But seriously, language is such a nice tool. You can do such much more with it than saying "Yes we can" on every occasion.

[Chris Harding]

I must admit that I do admire brides for their memory. Quite often I have booked them over a year ago yet they turn up at the rehearsal and instantly recognise me and remember my name while I'm struggling to remember what they look like (I have my spec sheet so I still get the name right) It's easy at the wedding cos she's the one in white but at the rehearsal she looks like everyone else. I usually carry just one camera with me and wait outside the venue so at least she will know I was the video guy she booked! (Don't actually need the camera as it's more often than not a venue I have already done, but it does make sure he knows I'm the video guy)

I'm sure one of our regular posters here actually takes a quick still of the couple once they book so he can remember what they look like.

Yep, excellent post Jo! but no thanks, I have been asked to do funerals but always decline ...I don't think I could handle such sad events.. I do weddings cos they are happy events.

Chris

[Dmitri Zigany]

There's a market for funeral videography? I'm in! Can't think of a more depressing thing than western weddings. I'm calling my new company "The Video Man In Black".

[Tim Lewis]

Yeah Chris, I asked about this at my Church and the minister said the funeral companies organise it, gimme a lead!

I am not "The Video Man in Black" (patent pending Dmitri Zigany), I am "The Film Noir Maker" (patent pending).

[Robert Benda]

Some folks want the funeral (or wedding) streaming online so out-of-towners can "attend."

I used UStream to stream our last wedding - I taped (!) my smart phone to the front of my tripod so it saw what I saw.

[Chris Harding]

When I was doing a rehearsal a while ago (Catholic) some funeral ladies were waiting at the back of the Church with the coffin so the priest could do a blessing on the deceased (prior to the funeral)

Chatting to the ladies they said plenty of funerals have a video guy!! There is obviously a market but I must admit it's not my cuppa tea at all.

I would suspect it's very much like a wedding in content ?? Film the hearse arriving and then film the "ceremony" (whatever it's called) and then almost like wedding speeches one would capture various family members saying their bit.

There is probably a bigger market if you rather called it a "Celebration of Life" rather than a "Funeral" .. I would suspect that one would also refrain from closeups of the window weeping and rather make the whole thing about what a good life the deceased had and enjoyed.

One would assume not to turn up in a floral shirt, jeans and sneakers but respectfully dressed in black ..I wonder if a suit is necessary?? It gets might warm in this part of the world and a lot of funerals here are done by marriage celebrants. Might be worth looking at in a positive light to fill in the barren week days??

Chris

[Don Bloom]

I've done 2 funerals. Both military. Never again. As former military (Vietnam-US Army Infantry) I thought I could handle it. Nope.
I'd rather do weddings, seminars, talking heads, gouge my eyes out. No funerals for me.

[Steven Davis]

I had an onsite wedding coordinator use 'video guy' in front of a client and I corrected her right in front of the client and told her I didn't like the tag, and she could call me Steve. Video guy makes you sound like a cheap 100 dollar Walmart camera.

[Chris Harding]

I'm not sure if anyone saw the documentary of the guy called "Ugly George" who used to comb the streets and persuade women to flash their assets?? Not sure where in the USA but his efforts were shown on cable.

He was a video guy so I'm sure we don't want to be labelled in the same category as soft porn camera people. Our weddings are high class and respectful so there is no problem using our name.

My black dress shirts are indeed embroided with the Company Name ..when I replace them next maybe a name underneath the company name just might be a good idea.

Chris

[Jo Ouwejan]

On a cemetary close to the place I live, there is a grave, that shows a videoscreen, with a video of the life of the deceased is running constantly. Wonder however, who switches the batteries every now and then.
So there is another market for you guys.
I will stick to filming on journeys I make.

[Chris Harding]

I dunno it looks like easy money from the ones I saw on a couple of sites ... $550 for around 1.5 hours work and all they do is film the guests arriving ..then the service (usually civil here with a few people coming up to say their piece) and then the guests leaving .... That's about it!! If you can accept the morbidness of the occasion then it looks simple.

My wife loves the idea!! I guess one could work in with funeral homes but they probably would want a cut!! My thoughts?? I'm still not sold on filming morbid events ... what's your feeling on this Tim??

However I always have an open mind and I could be busier during the week ..not quite yet at Don's stage where I am ready to gouge my eyes out. I would of thought that footage of a military funeral would look quite stunning actually but if the guys are close to your heart then I understand the comment from Don.

Chris

[Tim Lewis]

Hey Chris, I reckon it could be a relatively straight forward gig, even with a multi camera edit, but I think you would want a wide shot back at the congregation for some of the parts, like the singing. You would also want to get a good amount of b roll to go with it.

You don't get as much notice as with weddings though Chris, would that suit?

But I really think it is a business opportunity worth considering. You can have SOR Chris and I'll do NOR. Film Noir now taking bookings.