Need advice for a friend about Wedding filming

p@mast3rs wrote on 6/9/2004, 12:21 PM
I have a friend who wants to run his own full time wedding videography service. He had some questions for me that I was unsure how to answer as far as setting up his business, pricing, etc...

1. Does he need a business license if he is going to do this full time or can he get by without one if he starts out as a hobbyist?

2. Pricing. Whats the average price range for basic packages?

3. Do you all require clients to book well in advance and do you ask for part payment upfront (i.e half)?

3a. Resonable amount to charge for cancellation within 6 months, 1 month, week before wedding?

4. Contracts. Where to find some example contracts to use as a template/inspiration for clients?

5. Number of cameras. I suggested he use two cameras at the very least along with a nice high res digital still camera so he can film two different angles (i.e the bride coming down the aisle with a camera placed behind the altar and then one from the side, above, or even higher from behind.

6. How could he sync the cameras for use inside Vegas?

7. Should he wear a tux or a suit with tie?

8. Reception footage. Does he go to people and get them to say things or does someone else in the wedding party arrange it for the people that want to say something and he just films it?

9. Ligthing. Does he provide additional lighting or do you all just use the normal lighting that the church provides? How could he compensate for an under lit church without disrupting the ceremony or guests?

10. How long should he prepare the customer on turn around time once the video is shot and the delivered to DVD.

10a. If he getshalf of his payment upfront, should he collect the remainder of the payment at the wedding, or should he collect it when the final DVD has been edited and finished?

I recommended for a two camera setup, with an hour of footage before the wedding with the bride and groom getting ready and then a message from them to each other, the ceremony, and then maybe an hour of the reception footage, edited and delivered on DVD, with some stills as extras for $2-$3K.

If he can pull in 1-2 gigs a month like that, I think he should be ok.

I appreciate all the advice anyone can offer.


EDIT: I forgot to add the use of copyrighted songs (i.e like wedding songs or songs that have meaning to the couple. Is there any way he can license the rights to use that song for them on their DVD or do some just do it and hope to not get caught?

Comments

DavidMcKnight wrote on 6/9/2004, 1:25 PM
First, last, and best reference - weva.com

As to your last comment about commercial music - if in the US, there's no way to legally do it but most do and hope to not get caught. Actually there is a way to do it - but you probably will never get permission from the record company to use the material. At least, I haven't.
jetdv wrote on 6/9/2004, 1:29 PM
Have him take a look here:

http://www.videouniversity.com/wwwboard/wedding/
http://www.weva.com
http://vf.forumexperts.com/bforum.mv?forum=200&module=mainindex&action=update

but, basically:

1. No - probably DO need to get a DBA from the courthouse
2. Depends on area and ability
3. Yes
3a. varies from company to company
4. You can ask other wedding videographers IF they are willing to share but please do not use someone else's contract verbatim.
5. 2 or more preferred. Don't have a need for a still camera - I'm shooting video, not stills.
6. Excalibur!!!!
7. Depends. Search the site above.
8. I don't like "well wishes" and only shoot them specifically upon request. Location varies - may be either of your choices.
9. Church - don't add any lights!!! Reception - a LITTLE lighting as needed.
10. Varies. I'm usuallly 1 to 2 months. Some people go as long as 6 - 9 months. Others turn around in 1 - 2 weeks.
10a. YES (that's totally up to him. We don't collect final payment until delivery.)

Don't overprice the first couple of weddings. He'll need them simply for learning purposes. Many advocate shooting the first couple for free. Others prefer a small fee to cover costs. It's not as easy as it looks.


ps. Copyrighted songs are illegal to use UNLESS you get all of the proper permissions. Most wedding videographers don't get the proper permissions but use them anyway. Personally, I use royalty free music instead. Do a search at the above site for more info.
kameronj wrote on 6/9/2004, 2:03 PM
Jetdv...

Let me run on the coat tails of one of the things you replied to:

1. Depending on the area you live in - the answer is most likely going to be a no. But definately check with the local county clerk's office on that one.

However....this is across the board...if the name being used for the company is something other than just the person's name....that is when a DBA needs to be gotten from the courthouse.

But if it's just "For Wedding Video Services...call Tim"....nope don't need a DBA.

Randy Brown wrote on 6/9/2004, 4:55 PM
>>"But if it's just "For Wedding Video Services...call Tim"....nope don't need a DBA."<<

I think by DBA they were referring to a business license. For tax purposes I think you definitely want to register at your local courthouse and set up a federal and state tax ID if you're planning on accepting money for your services. The business license here is only $35/year and of course the tax registration is free. I would also advise getting a business checking account and using it only for business. I'm lucky in that my wife does all of our accounting with Quickbooks (and I don't have to deal with it) but if you check into it you may find there's all kinds of deductions you haven't been able to take (ie a percentage of your mortgage/rent for the square footage of your editing bay, depreciation of equipment, mileage to and fro a job etc.) that would lower your taxes even if you only do this part-time.

Randy
craftech wrote on 6/9/2004, 5:08 PM
First and foremost he needs another person.
I hope he isn't going to try this alone. When you said two cameras I hope you were talkng about two camera operators. Even the logistics of trying to beat the wedding party to the ceremony and the reception and catch everyting is practically impossible by yourself unless you cut corners dramatically. If you look at event videographers who get called back the following year, even for a dance recital they will almosdt invariably be the ones with multiple cameras and camera operators.

John
RalphM wrote on 6/9/2004, 7:26 PM
Your friend may want to try offering his services to another videographer as a second camera person. Good way to learn a lot without the stress of dealing with the mother of the bride. That's the only way I "do weddings".

I second the advice that two cameras are not as good as two camera persons on two cameras.

IMHO, a static camera is only good for emergency coverage, such as when both camera persons are changing position at the same time - that implies a three camera shoot.

Another piece fo advide - shoot some B-roll fo filling in the gaps.
kameronj wrote on 6/10/2004, 4:56 AM
Oh yeah.....it's always fun to see if you can get invited to the bride shower or the bachelor party...and BRING THE CAMERA.

But don't make it one of those cameras that people can see...make it one of those little hidden things - and record everything. The stripper...the donkey....the passed out spouse to be on top of the "entertainment for hire".

And then splice it in to the final production .... unknowingly - of course!!

Oh what fun!!