INTRODUCTION - WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE BUSINESS

• Setting up your business
  • Steps required to set up your business from recording the name to getting a license.
  • Choosing a name for your business.
  • Items you will need for your office.

• Choosing Equipment
  • Different types of video cameras on the market and which may be the best for your needs.
  • Editing systems available.
  • We’ll explain the different types of microphones and the pros & cons of each.
  • Other equipment you may need to purchase.

• Setting up your Equipment
  • How to set up the equipment.
  • Different types of connectors you’ll need to be familiar with.
  • How to hook up your microphones to your camera.

• How to use the Equipment
  • How to use the camera from adjusting settings to composing shots.
  • When to use a tripod.
  • How and when to use lighting.
  • How to edit.

• Getting Experience
  • How to get some “hands-on” experience to be better prepared for videotaping weddings.
  • How to find other videographers to learn from.
  • Where to find actual events you can practice on.

• Marketing and Advertising – Getting clients
  • Researching your market to find out what your competitors are doing.
  • Determining what services to offer.
  • How to price your services.
  • Different methods of advertising and the pros and cons of each.
  • Secrets to a creating a demo video that will bring you clients.

• Appointments
  • How & where to schedule them.
  • How to “break the ice” and build rapport with potential clients.
  • Important questions to ask and questions to avoid.
  • Determining what your customers want.
  • Writing up the contract: what clauses to include to protect yourself.

• Pre-production planning
  • What you need to know for videotaping the wedding day and how to prepare for it.
  • Should you attend the rehearsal?
  • How to locate additional camera operators when you need them.
  • Using questionnaires to help you plan the shoot.
  • Meeting the wedding coordinator and questions to ask.
  • Figuring out where to set up your equipment.

• Day of the Wedding - Pre-ceremony
  • What time to arrive.
  • How to set up your equipment and making any necessary adjustments to your camera position/s.
  • What should be videotaped prior to the ceremony.
  • Setting up and recording audio.

• The Ceremony
  • How to videotape the ceremony.
  • How to capture all of the different events.
  • How to decide what sounds to record and how to do it.
  • Additional cultural or religious activities to be aware of.
  • Which camera is responsible for capturing each activity and why.

• After the Ceremony
  • What to tape after the ceremony.
  • Should you pose the couple and when.

• The Reception
  • Preparations for videotaping the reception.
  • Key activities to capture.
  • Absolute “must have” shots.
  • How to capture the best sound possible.
  • How to record interviews or messages from guests.
  • How to videotape dancing to keep it interesting.

• Editing the video
  • What you should leave in, what to take out, how to put everything together smoothly.
  • What kind of music to use. Laws concerning the use of music.
  • Pacing and how to incorporate interviews, when applicable.
  • Editing tips and shortcuts.
  • Editing long form vs. short form videos & pros/cons of each.
  • Should you give your client the raw footage or not.
  • How to edit a recap.

• Packaging and delivering the video
  • How to make the packaging for the video look professional.
  • How to design your own covers.
  • Which DVD format to use.
  • Should you use labels on your DVDs.
  • Authored vs. unauthored DVDs.
  • What about VHS copies?

• We'll also cover
  • What other types of events you can videotape; how to book them and how to shoot them.
  • Types of possible add-on sales and how to sell them and why are they important?
  • Generating referral business.
  • How to handle difficult customers.
  • How to talk to your customers when a problem arises.
  • How to keep customers from taking advantage of you.

• You'll also receive
  • Camera Command Training DVD.
  • Advanced Broadcast Camera Techniques Volumes 1 & 2 DVDs.
  • Wedding Training Manual.