Video professionals getting into wedding productions is a dangerous mix, because most approach weddings like its the super bowl, no over-coverage is too much. I have filmed and photographed many weddings back in the day (I am in to other types of productions these days) and with my broadcast background I first approached it like a huge event (so..lets get the brides maids set up with the wireless lavs...) and it was amazingly exhausting.
Then it dawned on me...I was focused on the backlight clamped to the rafter and not on the people. I then started investigating different types of how weddings were shot and started to look at many that were covered "journalistically", more like an embedded reporter, covering the people and emotions (not a stretch...I've had a few weddings that were like a war zone..)
Suddenly I was not looking at a printed-out flow chart and orchestrating with the bride, but was more like a guest who happened to be capturing moments in real time. Instead of cheesy smiley poses, I captured the energy and fun and people. I realized the way I used to do it, not wanting to miss a thing, was about 10x more work. And 20x more editing.
Now of course you do have to capture some of the standard items, but when you look back, and also when you look back with the couple, instead of a generic record of the mechanics of an event, you capture the spirit and the "aura" of the big day. Think more indie handheld than block buster epic.
A good benchmark is receptions. Many shoot the ENTIRE thing. First hour you get 90%, 2nd hour you pick up extra stuff. 3rd hour you are repeating yourself, 4th hour you are spinning your wheels. Adding "2 hours of reception coverage" may be the best thing you can add to your contract. I did this and at the end of two hours got great hugs, thank you's and goodbyes from the clients...instead of hour 4 wondering to myself "is it OK to leave now?..."
And I can tell you from experience, my clients were 100 times happier with this indie style. Seriously, the brides especially loved the style. And it really set me apart from all the generic wedding videographers. You wondered how much you should charge, first though, ponder how you will do it.
My advice is to capture "the day" rather than "the event". Trying to control an uncontrollable event will leave you exhausted and disappointed, and whatever rate you charge will not be enough. Don't try to lead the event like most videographers do, follow the event in real-time and capture what is happening.
Frank
http://www.fmstudio.com/Wedding/Wedding.html
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