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Home: Video University Forums: Wedding & Event Videography:
got a call from a crying bride

X-Mark_Newman
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Nov 14, 2002, 3:16 PM

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got a call from a crying bride	Can't Post

I just spent 20 minutes on the phone with a newly wed who was crying over her video she got. (not from me) She paid a company $3500 for photography and video letting them know that the video was most important.
well, 2 months later she gets back an unedited single VHS cassette that is her terms "the most horrible thing she has ever seen"
He used 1 camera, and old full size VHS. and stood at the back door of the church the whole time. never zoomed. no external mic, and when they walked away from the alter to put flowers down at Mary's feet, the camera never moved with them. He may have been outside taking a smoke break.
He even turned the camera on late.
And at the reception, its just sitting on a tripod the whole time until he figured out that he should video other things and then cut special songs in half, catching the last half or the beginning. Missing dedications, the whole thing.
She wants me to see if I can salvage anything from that and what her mom happened to shoot with her camera.
This is the stuff that Pi$$e$ me off so much. Talk about giving videographers a bad name.
But you know what, he was probably a professional (of course he was, he got paid for it. and alot) but probably had the attitude, ya, I missed that but oh well. no big deal.
And then on top of that. they are being real jerks to her about it.
So she got a lawyer and I told her to make sure she calls the BBB.
No big deal!? ya, I could tell its no big deal by the way she kept crying on the phone.
Some (professionals)should be sho.... never mind, cant say that, could be used against me later...
Mark

X-Kiwi_Sheep
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Nov 14, 2002, 3:45 PM

Post #2 of 12 (797 views)
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Re: got a call from a crying bride	Can't Post

Based on what you have described, how can you salvage this video if there is nothing to salvage? Even if you tighten it down but still you have limited footage of what happened that day. If I were you, I wouldn't even consider editing this job for her. The reason? Well, I don't want to associate my name on a crappy work that you have just described. Even if I edited to the best I can - it would still be crappy because the footages are crappy. Stay away from it!
: I just spent 20 minutes on the phone with a newly wed who was crying over her video she got. (not from me) She paid a company $3500 for photography and video letting them know that the video was most important.
: well, 2 months later she gets back an unedited single VHS cassette that is her terms "the most horrible thing she has ever seen"
: He used 1 camera, and old full size VHS. and stood at the back door of the church the whole time. never zoomed. no external mic, and when they walked away from the alter to put flowers down at Mary's feet, the camera never moved with them. He may have been outside taking a smoke break.
: He even turned the camera on late.
: And at the reception, its just sitting on a tripod the whole time until he figured out that he should video other things and then cut special songs in half, catching the last half or the beginning. Missing dedications, the whole thing.
: She wants me to see if I can salvage anything from that and what her mom happened to shoot with her camera.
: This is the stuff that Pi$$e$ me off so much. Talk about giving videographers a bad name.
: But you know what, he was probably a professional (of course he was, he got paid for it. and alot) but probably had the attitude, ya, I missed that but oh well. no big deal.
: And then on top of that. they are being real jerks to her about it.
: So she got a lawyer and I told her to make sure she calls the BBB.
: No big deal!? ya, I could tell its no big deal by the way she kept crying on the phone.
: Some (professionals)should be sho.... never mind, cant say that, could be used against me later...
: Mark

X-Brian_Peterson
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Nov 14, 2002, 4:20 PM

Post #3 of 12 (797 views)
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A lot you can do [In reply to]	Can't Post

As someone who has "fixed" $700 videos in the past from other companies, there is a lot you can do to make it at least tolerable. Incorporation of photos, music, voiceovers can go a long way to making crap footage look "decent". Unfortunately it will never be great and memories have been lost, but I'd take a shot at it if it was me. Just leave your name off of it!
Brian Peterson
www.creativevideographers.com

: Based on what you have described, how can you salvage this video if there is nothing to salvage? Even if you tighten it down but still you have limited footage of what happened that day. If I were you, I wouldn't even consider editing this job for her. The reason? Well, I don't want to associate my name on a crappy work that you have just described. Even if I edited to the best I can - it would still be crappy because the footages are crappy. Stay away from it!
: : I just spent 20 minutes on the phone with a newly wed who was crying over her video she got. (not from me) She paid a company $3500 for photography and video letting them know that the video was most important.
: : well, 2 months later she gets back an unedited single VHS cassette that is her terms "the most horrible thing she has ever seen"
: : He used 1 camera, and old full size VHS. and stood at the back door of the church the whole time. never zoomed. no external mic, and when they walked away from the alter to put flowers down at Mary's feet, the camera never moved with them. He may have been outside taking a smoke break.
: : He even turned the camera on late.
: : And at the reception, its just sitting on a tripod the whole time until he figured out that he should video other things and then cut special songs in half, catching the last half or the beginning. Missing dedications, the whole thing.
: : She wants me to see if I can salvage anything from that and what her mom happened to shoot with her camera.
: : This is the stuff that Pi$$e$ me off so much. Talk about giving videographers a bad name.
: : But you know what, he was probably a professional (of course he was, he got paid for it. and alot) but probably had the attitude, ya, I missed that but oh well. no big deal.
: : And then on top of that. they are being real jerks to her about it.
: : So she got a lawyer and I told her to make sure she calls the BBB.
: : No big deal!? ya, I could tell its no big deal by the way she kept crying on the phone.
: : Some (professionals)should be sho.... never mind, cant say that, could be used against me later...
: : Mark

X-Scott
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Nov 14, 2002, 5:11 PM

Post #4 of 12 (797 views)
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$700 dollar videos [In reply to]	Can't Post

I shoot videos in that range, unfortunately because that is what my market will bear (bastard photographers). I have been doing this 5 years (part time, got a full time gig with insurance) and I produce a hell of a product. I wouldn't touch someone else's messed up work. Not gonna be worth your time to even try to fix it. Garbage in, Garbage out.

X-Coleman
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Nov 14, 2002, 5:21 PM

Post #5 of 12 (797 views)
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Re: $700 dollar videos [In reply to]	Can't Post

I fixed a video for a MOB a year after the wedding as an aniversary present for her daughter. It wasn't professionally shot but she did have three different camera angles at the reception. I turned out ok but not great. I didn't have the amount of work that I do now so I was happy to do it. I don't advertise this service and didn't put my normal title at the end of the video with the company name.
Coleman

X-Scott_Brooks
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Nov 14, 2002, 5:38 PM

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Re: got a call from a crying bride [In reply to]	Can't Post

Mark,
This sounds like a classic example of a photographer adding video so they can control the day. What the heck ... for $3500 ... yeah we can give you a video!
My first question to the bride was did you look at any previous weddings they had shot? Did you feel it was quality work? If she didn't look at his previous work ... why not?
In other words if she didn't take the time to shop for a videographer I have absolutely no sympathy for her.

X-Jack_Hudkins
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Nov 14, 2002, 6:31 PM

Post #7 of 12 (797 views)
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Re: got a call from a crying bride [In reply to]	Can't Post

yup, got a call last week, the bride had 3 different people (friends) shooting her ceremony and reception....even with different formats....asked if i would edit it for her...sorry...you got what you got.
jack hudkins
radiantvideoproductions.com

: I just spent 20 minutes on the phone with a newly wed who was crying over her video she got. (not from me) She paid a company $3500 for photography and video letting them know that the video was most important.
: well, 2 months later she gets back an unedited single VHS cassette that is her terms "the most horrible thing she has ever seen"
: He used 1 camera, and old full size VHS. and stood at the back door of the church the whole time. never zoomed. no external mic, and when they walked away from the alter to put flowers down at Mary's feet, the camera never moved with them. He may have been outside taking a smoke break.
: He even turned the camera on late.
: And at the reception, its just sitting on a tripod the whole time until he figured out that he should video other things and then cut special songs in half, catching the last half or the beginning. Missing dedications, the whole thing.
: She wants me to see if I can salvage anything from that and what her mom happened to shoot with her camera.
: This is the stuff that Pi$$e$ me off so much. Talk about giving videographers a bad name.
: But you know what, he was probably a professional (of course he was, he got paid for it. and alot) but probably had the attitude, ya, I missed that but oh well. no big deal.
: And then on top of that. they are being real jerks to her about it.
: So she got a lawyer and I told her to make sure she calls the BBB.
: No big deal!? ya, I could tell its no big deal by the way she kept crying on the phone.
: Some (professionals)should be sho.... never mind, cant say that, could be used against me later...
: Mark

X-George_Loch
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Nov 14, 2002, 9:45 PM

Post #8 of 12 (797 views)
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Re: got a call from a crying bride [In reply to]	Can't Post

If the photographer was taking pics during the ceremony then, you may be able to combine the two mediums and get something nicer than what they have. Also, try to see if anyone else, like Uncle Henry <cringe>, had a camcorder pointed at them.
It's a tough spot because you want to help her out but, there is not a lot you can do.
GL
: I just spent 20 minutes on the phone with a newly wed who was crying over her video she got. (not from me) She paid a company $3500 for photography and video letting them know that the video was most important.
: well, 2 months later she gets back an unedited single VHS cassette that is her terms "the most horrible thing she has ever seen"
: He used 1 camera, and old full size VHS. and stood at the back door of the church the whole time. never zoomed. no external mic, and when they walked away from the alter to put flowers down at Mary's feet, the camera never moved with them. He may have been outside taking a smoke break.
: He even turned the camera on late.
: And at the reception, its just sitting on a tripod the whole time until he figured out that he should video other things and then cut special songs in half, catching the last half or the beginning. Missing dedications, the whole thing.
: She wants me to see if I can salvage anything from that and what her mom happened to shoot with her camera.
: This is the stuff that Pi$$e$ me off so much. Talk about giving videographers a bad name.
: But you know what, he was probably a professional (of course he was, he got paid for it. and alot) but probably had the attitude, ya, I missed that but oh well. no big deal.
: And then on top of that. they are being real jerks to her about it.
: So she got a lawyer and I told her to make sure she calls the BBB.
: No big deal!? ya, I could tell its no big deal by the way she kept crying on the phone.
: Some (professionals)should be sho.... never mind, cant say that, could be used against me later...
: Mark

X-robert
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Nov 15, 2002, 2:14 AM

Post #9 of 12 (797 views)
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Re: but you could make gold out of the garbage... [In reply to]	Can't Post

I'm sorry but I would take this challenge on because of the predicament that the bride is in. I'm a bit of a softy (sp?) I know no one believe that ;-)) And because I like to be challenged. Other people have posted this but I would incorporate stills, have them ADR their vows for clean audio, see if anyone else got footage of the weddings, etc. Anything that I could get my hands on.
If you can make this bride cry tears of joys then that is the best feeling in the world. This would make me feel great. Best form of advertising is word of mouth and I bet she would shoot her mouth off.
And I know not many want to hear this but I would also do it for free. It's nice to give back once in a while.
Give her a good video (anything would be great/gold compared to what she got) and she will become your postergirl for your studio. Just think of the referrals/reference letters she would give you.
I don't know but that just me...
BTW no one has to agree with me and I am fine with that...I will not need any therapy just may be the lengthening of my sleeves on my new white jacket...because they're going to take me away haha hehe...;-)))
sorry but I am in a mood...but what I say above I would most certainly do.
rob

X-sal
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Nov 15, 2002, 1:57 PM

Post #10 of 12 (797 views)
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Re: but you could make gold out of the garbage... [In reply to]	Can't Post

I totally agree with rob. This a project that I'd snatch up.
If you are concerned about the bad footage ruining your image, leave your name out. IF you do something really great with that video, like rob said, the bride would give you a lot of free advertising. Think of how greatful she would be. Nobody else would know you were a part of it, but she would. And it would be more than enough, to talk good things about you. Might even earn "hero" status. Hey, stranger things have happened, lol.
Check to see if anyone else had a camera at the event, maybe you can explain the situation and they'll let you borrow it. get a hold of the photographers pictures, for key events that were missed by the footage, or look crappy.
I really think this would be a great project to work on. Don't promise the bride big things, just tell her, I am going to see what I can do, then surprise the heck out of her. this way if you can't do what you wanted, she won't be disapointed(again).
well good luck, let us know what happens.

: I'm sorry but I would take this challenge on because of the predicament that the bride is in. I'm a bit of a softy (sp?) I know no one believe that ;-)) And because I like to be challenged. Other people have posted this but I would incorporate stills, have them ADR their vows for clean audio, see if anyone else got footage of the weddings, etc. Anything that I could get my hands on.
: If you can make this bride cry tears of joys then that is the best feeling in the world. This would make me feel great. Best form of advertising is word of mouth and I bet she would shoot her mouth off.
: And I know not many want to hear this but I would also do it for free. It's nice to give back once in a while.
: Give her a good video (anything would be great/gold compared to what she got) and she will become your postergirl for your studio. Just think of the referrals/reference letters she would give you.
: I don't know but that just me...
: BTW no one has to agree with me and I am fine with that...I will not need any therapy just may be the lengthening of my sleeves on my new white jacket...because they're going to take me away haha hehe...;-)))
: sorry but I am in a mood...but what I say above I would most certainly do.
: rob

X-Edward
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Nov 15, 2002, 2:12 PM

Post #11 of 12 (797 views)
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Re: but you could make gold out of the garbage... [In reply to]	Can't Post

rob,
I don't see ANY problems with what you are wanting to do. We have "repaired" a couple of weddings ourself. One was a "professionally" shot 3-camera wedding (I believe it was shot in 2000). At the end of the wedding, the bride was handed a VHS tape, VHS-C tape, and Hi-8 tape. The ONLY one she could play was the VHS tape which stopped at the end of the vows! Plus, the Hi-8 was simply mounted on a tripod on the stage and turned on. The groom was tall enough that the top of his head was cut off most of the time.
We took the three tapes, made an interesting introduction, turned it into a true 3-camera shoot for the wedding - switching between the various cameras, and then spiced up the reception coverage by cutting out the dead spots and moving similar types of pieces together. It looked like a completely different wedding as a result.
As for putting our name on it, we placed a small disclaimer in front of our logo that the footage had been "repaired" by us - NOT shot by us.

X-Scott_Brooks
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Nov 15, 2002, 4:03 PM

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Re: but you could make gold out of the garbage... [In reply to]	Can't Post

I obviously don't know all the particulars about this project, but I don't see why you couldn't do it if you wanted. However, I can tell you why I almost never do.
I have had clients come in that had three tapes of the ceremony shot by friends. Why??? Because they wanted to save money. Now the problem is that the friends didn't leave cameras rolling so they were never in sync, botched audio but probably could be helped with some tweaking, and horrible color because nothing was white balanaced.
Now ... could I have taken her video and made it better? Absolutely! First thing out of her mouth was ... "How much will it cost." Did anyone else hear the alarm go off??
To be honest it would have been cheaper to let me shoot and edit the ceremony and reception on my own because by the time I got into it and had to take the time to make repairs it was going to cost her a fair amount.
I will do these re-edits if they want to pay my full editing price, which is too low at $75 per hour. But how can you possibly tell them it's going to be XX number of hours until you get started. I don't feel sorry for them and reduce my rates. I have other work to do and I don't want to practice on their problem video.
If you can make money then I say go for it. If you're doing it out of pity then that's a personal decision.
Scott Brooks