Let’s Talk Cinematographers

Let’s Talk Cinematographers

January 25th, 2011 @ 6:59 pm by Mrs. Pancakes
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When I got engaged back in March, I knew right away that I had to have the best photographer (my very limited) money could buy. On the other hand, I had never thought about getting a cinematographer. The reality is that I hadn’t seen that many wedding videos. When I thought about it, I just figured that our wedding video was just going to be that video that my husband would accidentally tape over in 10 years, leading to a huge fight that would quite conveniently be resolved in 22 minutes…Yes, I watch a LOT of sitcoms and, yes, I recognize that we do not have (and will never again have) a VCR.

Moving on…I don’t really have a TV so I miss out on a lot, but eventually I did stumble across this Subaru Outback honeymoon commercial:

It was really game over. I’ve been stalking wedding videos ever since…

Here are two videos that really touched my heart, gave me chills, and just flat out brought tears to my eyes.

April + Adam’s Xcaret Wedding Highlights Film from Joe Simon Films on Vimeo.

Literally every one of the videos on this website really takes my breath away. I love the combination of music and actual words from the ceremony.

When I spoke to my photographer to see if she had worked with any fabulous cinematographers, she told me that she hadn’t made any real connections in Costa Rica but that she loved SharkPig. I mean, who wouldn’t love a company called SharkPig!!?

Then I saw this video on Once Wed and knew I had to post it! Doesn’t this video remind you of The Wonder Years or that video of Vada’s mom in My Girl 2?

James & Tiffany Super 8 from Shark Pig on Vimeo.

Turns out, I love the feel of Super 8 film. It also turns out that it’s super expensive…sigh. Champagne taste on a tap-water budget.

I couldn’t figure out how to post the rest of the videos, so here are a list of other cinematographers that I love:

* Paper Tape Films

* Hello Super 8

* Lola Video

So here’s the question: Obviously a GREAT cinematographer is SOOO worth it, but if you can’t afford a really great (Super 8 film, in my case) cinematographer, should you just put the money toward something else? Maybe more hours with your photographer? Or is any video better than no video???

Tags: costa-rica, videography |

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15 Responses to “Let’s Talk Cinematographers”

Member

Kemi82JP (message) 749 posts, Busy bee

i say take the money away from something else to put towards the video! super 8 film definitely has that lovely nostalgic feel, but i think it’s so expensive only because it’s so trendy right now. In the end, don’t you think you’ll want to not only SEE your wedding in action but HEAR it too? Hear your vows, the speeches, chit chat among your friends and family… If a film maker like Joe Simon is better priced, go with them! Our decision to hire a cinematographer came pretty late in the game, and luckily we found one available on our date! their style matches very closely with Joe Simon. Our highlights video ALONE was worth the expense, and we still have the feature film due back to us any day now. GO FOR IT! you will never ever regret it

1/25/11 @ 7:28 pm (reply)

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Twitter Trackbacks for Let’s Talk Cinematographers | Weddingbee [weddingbee.com] on Topsy.com

[...] Let’s Talk Cinematographers | Weddingbee weddingbee.com/2011/01/25/videography-3/ – view page – cached When I got engaged back in March, I knew right away that I had to have the best photographer (my very limited) money could buy. On the other hand, I had never [...]

1/25/11 @ 7:49 pm (reply)

Member

HoneyBear (message) 3,486 posts, Sugar bee

UGH!! Joe simon is my *dream* cinematographer! Sadly, he charged $10,000 to start on DW…

We picked a great one though and I am so excited to work with him

1/25/11 @ 8:32 pm (reply)

Member

bRooklynRocks (message) 3,767 posts, Honey bee

Hmmm…, okay, I will want a cinematographer BUT I won’t want to pay too much for them. Keep searching. I’m sure you will find someone you can use. Good luck.

1/25/11 @ 9:04 pm (reply)

Member

jwolffe (message) 21 posts, Newbee

I am in love with Marrone Video!! They are also a little on the pricey side but I feel having a great video is better then having a lot of decent photos. And also I like how they aren’t hours long. They are typically under 5 minutes but there is so much emotion in them. Here is a link to one of my favorites. http://vimeo.com/12393352

1/25/11 @ 9:17 pm (reply)

Member

lolo7835 (message) 558 posts, Busy bee

Since we are the last couple in either family to get married, we budgeted for video and cut from other places. (flowers, chair rentals, transport) We figured it’s the last time in a long time we’re going to have all of our relatives together, and it might be the last time we get all of my 80 year old great aunts together. Having video of them laughing and dancing was super important to me, aside from all of the ceremony stuff as well.

Our videographer is AWESOME, it’s humanstory films-the same person that did Mrs. Cloud’s wedding. Go check out their work, they rock!

1/25/11 @ 9:53 pm (reply)

Member

photographernico (message) 527 posts, Busy bee

I’m of the mindset any video is better than no video. If you get a HD mini-cam and pay for professional editing (perhaps with Super8 effects??) at a later date, would you do it?

1/25/11 @ 11:05 pm (reply)

Member

Duckienz (message) 45 posts, Newbee

I say pay for the best quality that you can afford with the rights to it. You can always save for the editing later. You can get the Super 8 film effects added I am sure but you can’t go the other way…

1/26/11 @ 12:17 am (reply)

Member

mrstobeeisme (message) 649 posts, Busy bee

I absolutely love the videos, I’ve never seen anything like these!! I’m with photographernico, I have a great, state of the art video camera. I will have someone take video, I’ll give list of must haves. Maybe I can get professional editing later, but there is no place to take from when you’re working with such a tiny budget.

1/26/11 @ 9:57 am (reply)

10.

Member

AprilBride10 (message) 528 posts, Busy bee

I love Super 8, and as a film major, the look and feel of real film was important to me. So, we budgeted for it. In my opinion, real film simply looks different and that can’t be “faked” in after- editing. Film is also expensive to buy, develop, and edit - hence why super 8 videographers are so expensive.
I went with Wes Jones of Film Jones who offered a mix of super 8 and hi-def video so we got the best of both worlds (and audio of our toasts/vows/etc.). Honestly, its a personal aesthetic choice, and I totally understand why that “look” isn’t important to everyone. Kind of like dresses - can you get a gorgeous wedding dress for $1,000? yes. But some people want to (and can afford to) pay more for lovely lace and a designer style.

1/26/11 @ 10:22 am (reply)

11.

Bee

Miss Bacon (message) 656 posts, Busy bee

I’m definitely of the mindset “some video is better than no video.” I think were doing FlipCams and getting them edited together later.

1/26/11 @ 12:42 pm (reply)

12.

Guest

Sarah

I got/bought a really good hd video camera for my birthday a couple weeks ago (my parents & brother gave me some $ & I paid the rest). It was less expensive than a videographer would have been, & I get to keep the camera (score!) I bought a tripod too & extra memory. I’m gonna have it set up for the ceremony & then just bring it to the reception & have people video various things. I know it wont be professional quality, but I think it will be ok. I’ll probably do some editing myself to make a cute wedding-summary-video.

1/27/11 @ 3:53 pm (reply)

13.

Guest

girlygirlqc

Hi ladies…when I was planning our wedding last year, I fell in love with cinematic same-day edited wedding videos. I asked around and it’s crazyy expensive! We knew we won’t be able to afford one. But I have a friend who has a friend who does wedding videos. He’s awesome and super talented. He has a special rate going right now so I want to share the love to all you California brides out there!!! His entire day wedding coverage AND same day edit is only $1000 (plus $200 for outside Southern CA). Check out the video he did for us…http://www.jonpaguio.com/. Click the video on the left. =)

2/1/11 @ 12:19 am (reply)

14.

Member

mrsbowieii (message) 692 posts, Busy bee

There is a place that sends you multiple video cameras and you give them to your guest to record your special day. After the wedding you send the camera’s back to them and they edit it for you. It may not be the route you wanted to go but I agree with photographernico some video is better than no video and they aren’t as expensive as a regular videographer.

This is the website in case you want to check it out: http://www.wedit.com/

2/1/11 @ 9:36 am (reply)

15.

Guest

We Have a Cinematographer! | Weddingbee

[...] was just a few weeks ago that I thought we wouldn’t be able to afford a cinematographer. Today I can officially announce [...]

2/14/11 @ 2:30 pm (reply)