Wedding Q&A:

Why Should I videotape my wedding?

Imagine what it be like to watch the story of your parent’s, or even your grandparent’s wedding. Most couples say their wedding day went by so fast that they could hardly remember everything that happened. Not surprisingly, one of the biggest regrets couples experience after their wedding is their decision not to have professional video. A wedding is full of once-in-a-lifetime moments. Skylight Video will capture every moment, so then relived with future generations. While photography is able to capture singular moments, there is simply no substitute for a living, breathing account of one of the most defining events of your life.

Why should I not just have my Uncle Charlie do it free?

Unless your Uncle Charlie is Steven Spielberg, we cannot emphasize enough what a huge difference there is between home video and a professionally produced video. Your friend or relative may have great intentions, but it is very unlikely they have the equipment (professional cameras, wireless microphones, editing gear...) that a professional has. It is also very unlikely they have the-know-how or experience to produce a great video. Moreover, do they have the stamina or readiness to be on top of all the especially important moments? The truth is, to make a great video; you must be meticulous in searching out the best angles and experienced enough to anticipate the best moments. Your wedding story is simply too important to leave to chance.

How do I know which Videographer is right for me?

Finding the right Videographer is no easy task. We encourage you to do your homework, shop around, and find the Videographer that best suits your needs. We feel confident we are among the best of the best, not only in our area, but also throughout the industry. However, we understand that people make decisions for different reasons and we want our clients to feel 100% certain that we are the right company for the job.

Aside from the quality of our work, what we most often sell to our clients is TRUST. We listen to YOUR ideas, we address YOUR concerns, and we use OUR expertise to design a wedding video that is UNIQUELY YOURS.

The people you hire to shoot your video can have a tremendous effect on your wedding day. We understand that shooting a dynamite wedding video requires great sensitivity, a keen instinct for knowing when to ACT, when to REACT, and when to SIMPLY STAY PUT.

No matter what company you hire, make sure you understand their style and what they intend to do. Make sure your Videographer understands WHAT YOU WANT and is professional enough to deliver what you expect. If you are looking for a huge Hollywood production, we are not the people to do it. If you are looking for basement bargain video, we are not that either. If you want someone who is going to LISTEN, inspire CREATIVITY, and give your wedding story the attention it deserves, then definitely give us a call.

What makes Skylight Video so different?

We could probably answer this question in a million different ways, be it our creative abilities, our customer service, or our unquestionable passion for what we do. One thing that probably makes us so different is that we TELL A STORY rather than just push a record button. Being a great Videographer requires a lot more than just knowing how to operate equipment. It requires attention to miniscule details, an ability to get along with just about anyone, the physical ability to get demanding shots, and the LISTENING SKILLS to be able to capture the story. Most often, we simply let our work speak for itself.

Should I have two (2) cameras at my affair?

We offer both single camera productions and multiple cameras. Imagine watching your favorite television show or a sporting event from only one camera angle. That might become a bit tedious. By having two (2) cameras present, it gives us the creative ability for twice the action and twice the fun captured at your event! It is like having a second set of eyes present. If you have one camera or two, we guarantee you a high quality and creative wedding video.

What distinguishes a "high-end" video from a "low-end" video?

High-end videos require no excuses and capture the day’s essential moments. The sound is clear and crisp, the images have accurate color and the camerawork is smooth. The pace is quick and captivating, never dragging on longer than necessary. Special effects are content driven, not just used because they "look neat". Mostly, the difference between a well produced, professional video and a low-end job should be obvious by your reaction to it; you either hate, it or you love it.

How do you prepare for our wedding day?

We start by gathering lots of information so we may understand your personalities and what is important to you. We go over the events of your wedding day with a fine-toothed comb and ask you the questions that will help us figure out "the story within the story". We can attend your rehearsal to familiarize ourselves with the key people involved in your wedding, to meet with your officiate, and to determine the best way to set up our equipment. Our goal is to have a thorough understanding of what to expect on your wedding day from beginning to end.

What will your presence be like at my wedding?

Much of this is up to you. Whether you need us on the alter, or hidden in the balcony, it is your call. We work with you to figure out the approach that best suits your style. In general, we are very sensitive to what is going on around us. We have a keen sense for when to move and when to stay put. Always, our primary concern is making you and guests feel comfortable.

Will bright lights and long cables overpower your wedding?

The last thing we want to do is turn your wedding into a Hollywood production. We use a discrete setup, involving no cables or overpowering lights. Our cameras do an excellent job of picking up quality images in low-light situations and we use a small light only when necessary. We record our audio with small wireless microphones no bigger than the palm of your hand.

Will you do guest interviews?

Sure. If you would like to have certain guests interviewed, we work with you beforehand to figure out whom you would like to interview.

How do your Videographers work with photographers?

Our goal is to work with ALL photographers. This is a way we make professional clients. Did you know there are a number of photographers that recommend us or sub-contract us to do the work for their company? We negotiate where each of us will be standing and what to expect from one another. However, we base our approach on YOUR preferences.

How much footage do you shoot?

No matter what the assignment, the ratio between the amounts of footage we shoot and the amount of footage we use in your final edit is very high. On a typical (8 hour) shoot, we know that the more we shoot, the more choices we have in the edit room. It is not always obvious when the perfect shot is going to land right in front of our noses.

How long are your finished videos?

Typically, your finished video will last between 60-90 minutes. Do not be fooled into thinking that a longer video means a better video. Rather, a longer video generally means a lot more fast-forwarding through the boring parts. How many times do you want to relive a reading, how many hours of dancing can you stand to watch? We believe the length of a video should be determined by the value of your content and not, by an unwritten rule that says your video should be at least 2 hours long.

We edit according to the way you watch television. All of us know how to "fill in the blanks". We understand that TV and movies compress time for the sake of keeping the action moving and the story compelling. In reality, it is much more difficult to edit in this style than it is to simply "chunk together" long, boring footage. Note, although we edit for brevity, we still make sure to understand what YOU want included or omitted from the final edit.

Why is the right music so important to my wedding video?

Music sets the tone for your entire video. You have seen wedding videos that rely on the same music over, and over again, regardless of the emotional content of the scene. Oftentimes we wonder why so many videographers think that every client is a Kenny G fan. To us it is more important that the music fits the mood of the occasion, reflecting your personality and enhancing the moment.

We spend many hours "scoring" each video we produce, working and reworking songs until they fit just right. No matter what your musical taste, you can have a great deal of input as to what music goes into your video.

Do you allow clients to be involved in the editing process?

We feel that as artists, we are selling much more than a smorgasbord of different video clips. We take pride in our abilities to edit a captivating and visually pleasing story and we want our clients to appreciate and trust our creative instincts. For this reason, we generally do not allow anyone else to be involved in the editing process. Rest assured, we make every effort to gather detailed information beforehand so we know exactly what and what not to include in your finished production. Still, we realize the potential for error, and therefore offer our clients copies of the raw footage to see beforehand to make the ever so important EDL (edit decision list).

How long will it take to finish my video?

Typically, videos will take between 8-12 weeks to complete depending on the season. It is common for us to spend upwards of 20-40 hours editing a video. The only thing we guarantee is that it will be worth your wait!

What is DVD?

DVD is the next generation of video storage. With the capacity for high quality sound and video, DVD has surpassed VHS tape as the new industry standard in quality video storage. A DVD is similar to a CD (compact disc), but has 8 to 10 times the storage capacity. DVD is the first video format that will truly last a lifetime. All the major manufacturers in video media (Sony, Pioneer, Toshiba, Etc.) have embraced DVD, and together have reaped the benefits of DVD being the fastest selling consumer electronic in history.

Why is DVD worth investing in?

Durability: Tape is a great medium to shoot in but a poor one to store in. Tape heads wear on the tape during every viewing and chemical processes are at work destroying your tape even while it sits on a shelf. Tapes as little as 10 years old could be in serious jeopardy from wear, disintegration, and magnetic fields. A DVD, on the other hand, should last 100 years if properly cared for. The image is as good on the 100th year as it is the first time you watch it.

Picture and Sound Quality: While a normal VHS tape only offers 200-300 vertical lines of resolutions, a DVD allows a full 480 lines of resolution. This means that your picture is sharper and more detailed. Unlike VHS, DVD is also capable of sound quality that is on par with CD quality sound.

How soon before my wedding, should I contact you?

Popular summer dates fill up quickly. We recommend booking as soon as possible, as it is common to book 6 months to 1 year in advance.

What type of payment do you accept?

We accept cash, check, and Paypal. Paypal is an online service that allows customers to securely and conveniently send payments online. By using Paypal, you may pay us with your credit card. Click the link below to go to our registration page, where you may fill out our form and reserve your wedding date with a $500 deposit.

Why should I book with SKYLIGHT VIDEO PRODUCTIONS?

Would you like more information? Then please call Robert. He will be happy to answer all of your questions!