FAQS
(Frequently Asked Questions)

Should I videotape my wedding/special event?
Only video will allow you to relive the actual living and breathing moments of your special day as it actually happened. Not surprisingly, one of the biggest regrets that couples experience after their wedding is the decision not to have professional video. A wedding is full of once-in-a-lifetime moments that should be documented and relived with future generations. Just imagine seeing yourself walking down the aisle, to hear your voices as you exchange vows and rings, to hear and see the toasts, the music, your first dance, and your grandmother dancing at the reception. It's all on video and you have the chance to preserve the complete story! This wasn't possible in the past. Imagine what it would be like to watch a videotape 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.

While photography is able to capture singular moments, there is simply no substitute for a living, moving account of one of the most defining events of your life!

Why shouldn't I just have my Uncle Charlie do it for free?
Unless your Uncle Charlie is Steven Spielberg, we can't 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's unlikely they have the equipment (professional cameras, wireless microphones, editing gear...) that a professional has. It's also unlikely they have the expertise or experience to produce a great video. Also, do they have the stamina or readiness to be on top of all the especially important moments? To make great video, you must be meticulously aware of 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 feel confident we're among the best in Southern California. However, we understand that people make decisions for different reasons and we want our clients to feel 100% certain that we're right for the job. Aside from the quality of our work, what we most want to establish with our clients is trust. We listen to your ideas, we address your concerns, and we use our expertise to design a wedding video that's uniquely yours.

The people you hire to shoot your video can have a tremendous effect on your wedding day. We understand that great sensitivity and a keen instinct is necessary for knowing when to shoot and what to shoot (and what not to shoot) all day long.

If you're looking for a huge Hollywood production, we're probably not the people to do it. If you're looking for basement bargain video, we're not that either. But if you want someone who's going to listen, understand, and inspire creativity, then we are the right match for you!

No matter who 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. We love to exceed your expectations!

What separates Bella Video Productions from the rest?
Among many other things, our creativity, client trust and rapport, and our unquestionable passion for what we do are probably the most important differences that cut us above the rest. We tell your story and LOVE what we do! 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.

How do you prepare for our special/wedding day?
At our initial meeting, we gather gobs of information about who you are and what your wedding or special event will be like. About one week prior to your wedding day, we "finalize" with you over a phone appointment. We start by confirming all of the details and information that we have already gathered. We go over the events of your wedding day with a fine-toothed comb and ask you questions about, special speakers, special formalities, announcements, sensitive family issues, the name of your officiant, coordinator, etc. That helps us sometimes find "the story within the story". Our goal is to have a thorough understanding of what to expect on your wedding day from beginning to end.

Do you do guest interviews?
Interviews are becoming less popular as the years have gone by. Our experience is that it's somewhat intrusive and guests often feel uneasy speaking in front of a camera. However, if you want us to do interviews, we'll do them by request only, all we ask is that you provide to us a minimal guest list (such as your immediate family) beforehand.

Will bright lights and long cables overpower our special event/wedding?
We use a very discrete setup, involving no cables or overpowering lights. Image quality is excellent thanks to its DV format recording. Bigger CCD size enables larger image dynamic range and a quality lens further enhances the overall picture. Our cameras do an excellent job of picking up quality images in very low-light situations and we use a low wattage light only.

What are lavaliers?
"Lavs" - as they are often called - are the most advanced and discreet way of gathering audio at a ceremony. We have all seen them on talk shows, show contestants or on news anchors. A lavalier consists of a wireless small transmitter that is attached discreetly to your clothing with a tiny microphone to gather your sound. A receiver on the camera receives your sound, using wireless technology. The lavalier is attached to the groom's lapel and will clearly pick up every word of both the bride and groom during the ceremony. We also record audio from the mounted shotgun on the camera. Therefore, at least two audio channels are always being utilized while recording from each camera. If possible, we also plug into the location's audio system. It is then carefully blended and isolated at proper times in the editing process. A wireless microphone is also used to record the music at your reception to gather the clearest sound. A handheld wireless microphone is also used during interviews.

How do you work with photographers?
Our goal in working with your photographer(s) is to cooperate closely with them and other wedding vendors to smoothly capture all the events on your special day. We do our best to stay out of the way during the ceremony and reception. Each of us are working in YOUR best interest and we make it a point to know what we expect from one another and how we can support your photographer throughout the day.

How many hours of footage do you shoot?
On a typical full day shoot, we'll wind up with anywhere from 1 ½ to 3 ½ hours of raw footage. Each event is unique however, and this could widely vary depending on the schedule of events within any given day.

How long are our finished videos?
Generally, our finished videos will last anywhere between 45-95 minutes. A longer video generally means a lot more fast-forwarding through the less interesting parts. How many times do you want to relive a reading or watch hours of dancing again and again? 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 a designated length. We edit according to the way we've been trained to 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. Note, although we edit for brevity, we still make sure to understand what YOU want included or omitted from the final edit. Ask us about the new 30-40 minute highlight edit tape that comes with your raw footage!

Do I choose the music for our video?
Yes. Music sets the mood for your entire video and we leave the selection of music up to you first. Most clients have a favorite song or musical genre that they would like for us to use and so we edit music according to your style. However, we also know what sounds good and spend many hours taking special care as to exactly when we fade down and up, down to the exact frame. We usually ask that you choose at least three songs that we can make choices from and edit to. One of our editors has a strong music background and this is especially helpful in the creative "scoring" of your video. It's important that the music fits the mood of your occasion, reflecting your personality and enhancing the fluid moments. If you can't decide what type of music you want, we will help you. We can provide a list of songs to inspire ideas if needed.

How long will you take to finish our video?
Typically, videos will take between 8-12 weeks to complete depending on the season. It is not uncommon for us to spend upwards of 50 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 videotapes 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 ten years old could be in serious jeopardy from wear, disintegration, and magnetic fields. A normal VHS tape only offers 200-300 vertical lines of resolutions. A DVD, on the other hand, should last 100 years if properly cared for and allows a full 480 lines of resolution… your picture is sharper, more detailed and very vivid. This means the image will be as good on the 100th year as it is the first time you watch it. DVD is also capable of sound quality that is on par with CD quality sound.

How soon before our wedding should we book with you?
Popular summer and fall dates fill up quickly. We recommend booking as soon as possible as it is not uncommon to book six months to one year in advance. However, if your wedding date is just around the corner please contact us since it's always possible a cancellation may have occurred.

Why should I book with Bella Video Productions?
We are seasoned videographers! We are passionate about what we do!! We are unobtrusive! We are creative and meticulous editors! You will absolutely love your video for years and years to come! We're hip and we understand this generation!

Please contact us to discuss your special event.
(818) 981-7166
info@bellavideo.com