FAQs

Index of frequently asked questions

Answers to frequently asked questions.

If you have further questions please contact us. We will do our best to help in whatever way we can.

Wedding FAQs - Your questions about our wedding services answered.

Corporate FAQs - Our corporate pages cover many aspects of video production for corporate needs, but some additional questions are answered here.

Training FAQs- Check out our corporate pages for many topics relevant to training videos.

Special occasion FAQs - Answers to questions about our special occasions video services.

Why not just get Uncle Jim to film our wedding?

Is there really much difference between consumer and professional cameras these days?

Are extra microphones really needed?

Do I really need my video footage to be edited?

What determines the cost of live footage?

Can we record our own voiceovers

How can corporate videos cost so little?

Wedding frequently asked questions

Why not just get Uncle Jim to film our wedding?

An accomplished wedding video needs much more than just a few good shots and distant sound from a single hand held consumer camera.

To produce a video that really reflects your day and that you want to watch many times needs planning, attention to detail and high quality cameras. This is particularly true when lighting conditions are less than ideal and where the use of consumer quality cameras can give truly disappointing results.

But there is little worse than having a cameraman or two moving around and getting in close, just at the most sensitive times during your ceremony. Similarly, obtrusive microphones and lights are not to be welcomed.

To avoid this, but still be able to produce really engaging video, we use two strategically placed high quality cameras to capture the action from differing perspectives. This allows atmosphere to be added when needed.

Capturing video is however only one component of a good video. Clear sound, quality editing and a choice of distribution media are also important (see below). <top>

Is there really much difference between consumer and professional cameras these days?

Consumer cameras vary widely in their quality, but modern Digital Video (DV) cameras can give good quality results in most viewing conditions.

The real difference between consumer cameras and the more professional cameras we use is in the quality of the lens and their ability to accurately record colour, particularly in poor lighting conditions.

In many cases weddings and the celebrations afterwards take place where light levels are low, and this is where the difference between consumer and professional cameras can really be seen most clearly.

We use Sony Cameras for all our work, with most shots being recorded on Sony VX2000's as shown in the picture below.

These are quite small but offer exceptional performance without being too intrusive!  <top>

See the difference.

The two shots below were recorded at the same time.

You can clearly see how the VX2000 camera gives a much better picture than even the 'high end' consumer camera.

High end consumer camera

Sony VX2000

Are extra microphones really needed?

The best video images can be spoilt by a poor quality sound track!

Most digital cameras today have built in microphones that are able to produce good quality audio but many buildings, used for weddings are large. Often in these circumstance there is a certain amount of echo and other noise that prevents ‘in camera’ microphones from delivering really high quality.

To avoid this we use several sound recording points, and if permitted will equip both the Officiant and the Groom with tie-clip microphones.

These various sound sources are combined during the video editing process to ensure that all important parts of the service are reproduced with optimum clarity. <top>

Listen to examples.

Listen to these two recordings of the same ceremony to hear the difference microphone sources.

In camera recording

Microphone recoding

Do I really need my video footage to be edited?

Capturing the raw video is only the first step to producing a video that you can treasure in future years.

Inevitably there will be clips that do not show everybody in the best light, the Groom yawing or perhaps Aunty Mary blowing her nose. There will also be parts of the day that are less interesting and only serve to bore those whom would otherwise love to remember the event.

To avoid these problems we blend only the best clips from the various sound and visual sources recorded to create a captivating story of your wedding day.

Some editors will use fancy fades and cuts to liven up their creations, often resulting in a ‘tacky’ final production. Our editing policy is use only the simplest fades, together with creative use of picture in picture techniques, to create a really professional looking video that you will want to watch time and again. <top>

Adobe Premier editing suite

Corporate FAQ's

What determines the cost of live footage?

The cost of including live footage into your video is influenced by three main factors:

• The number of separate of locations needed.

• Whether the scenes are inside or outside.

• The number of different shots per scene.

Locations. Typically it is possible to film in four locations a day, as long as they are close to one another, for example in the same factory or group of offices. If locations are further apart less shooting can be accomplished as time is lost in travelling as well as equipment rigging and de-rigging.

Inside or outside. If scenes are set indoors it is likely that additional lighting will be needed to obtain the best results. This often reduces the number of scenes that can be filmed in a day as well as increasing the cost of equipment used.

Shots per scene. Where the video is fast moving with many different shots for each scene, the time required to shoot the material for each running minute of your video increases significantly.

Our simple estimator assumes that each minutes video can be shot within one day (i.e. four or less close locations) with your final video needing no more than 10-15 separate shots per    minute.  <top>

Can we record our own voiceovers?

Creating a voice over yourself can be a significant challenge.

If you have experienced personnel who can talk naturally to the camera and microphone it is possible to use them to record your voice over. This can help reduce the costs of your video production although it does take up shooting time.

However producing a really professional sounding voice over requires more skill than is first apparent and a poor voiceover can spoil a otherwise good production.

If you chose a professional they will bring experience and the natural ability to tailor their delivery to suit the mood of your video. In most cases you will also benefit from the skills of a studio manager who can bring the best out of your voiceover artist. <top>

How can corporate videos cost so little?

Bluebell Video Productions is a venture pursued alongside a full time marketing career.

Only a small number of productions are undertaken and the focus is on delivering a high quality product, rather than worrying about the budget or time spent. Where professional voiceovers are needed, we use local studios and staff, but all other work is undertaken in house where overheads and costs are low.

We also rely on your active involvement in the creation of your production. We like you to be closely involved in script and visualisation activities, and where ever possible in the filming of custom footage for your production. This ensures you have close editorial control of the final material as well as often being able to act in a 'directors' role.

Through this very hands on approach and our low production cost base you benefit from a receiving a professional production at a very attractive price!

Of course being marketing based we realise how important production deadlines can be and because we only undertake a small number of productions a year we can always focus on ensuring that your deadlines will be met. <top>