HOW TO MAKE MONEY VIDEOTAPING WEDDINGS
There is a huge potential market for wedding videos. Just
look in your local paper any summer week and see how many
weddings there were. Since almost every household in the
country has a DVD player, you can bet that almost every wedding
has a video. Keep in mind, though, that there is also big
competition in this field. If you want to make it, you'll have be
sure of two things: you have the skills necessary, and that
you can offer more in your area.
There's more to taping a wedding than just setting up a
camera and turning it on. If you're married and had a video
taken at your wedding, I'm sure you'll agree. You, the
photographer, can expect to be dropped into an environment
of potential conflict. Last minute spats between the bride and
groom, conflicts between family members, still
photographers, all can be a source of headaches for you.
The best way to prevent problems is to set up a meeting with
the bride, groom, close family members, and, if possible, any
other photographers that will be at the service/reception.
This way, you can find out exactly what the family wants, any
special shots they will want, any unusual parts to the
ceremony that they may want on DVD, how many people will
be involved, and other issues. Keep in mind, the family will be
paying you, so they will probably want to TELL you what you
can or can't do. If what they want is reasonable, don't fight it.
That makes your job easier. But, if what they want is
unreasonable, be honest with them, but, by all means, be
tactful.
If you can meet with the other photographer(s), discuss
where they need to be to get their best shots, so you and
your camera won't be in the way. Also, this will help you with
your planning so they won't be in your video, and you won't
show up in the photos. This brings up the subject of
planning.
Planning is all important when it comes to wedding videos.
You will be producing something that the couple will want to
view over and over, that their family and friends will be seeing.
It's your best advertisement. So, you will want it to be the
best it can be.
If you know what the ceremony will be like ahead of time, and
what special shots the couple and family will want, you've got
the ball in your court.Be sure to attend the rehearsal, so you
can set your equipment up and plan your camera angles.
Since you've planned your work, all you have to do is work
your plan.
Here's an idea of the equipment a well-stocked wedding
videographer should have or have access to:
- At least two VHS camcorders with high-quality low-light
functions
- At least one VHS DVD player for editing and dubbing
- At least one free-standing light for each camera
- A tripod for each camera, preferably ones with a large
range of heights
- At least two twelve hours of batteries for the camera
- The best quality wireless microphone you can afford
(one for each camera)
- All necessary cables, with spares
- Extra DVDs, the best quality available.
Don't let this list scare you off. If you don't own all this, you
don't have to rush out and empty your bank account. You
can either rent what you need, or barter your services with
someone who has the equipment. Then, pick up the stuff you
need piece by piece. Also, keep your eyes open for good
quality used equipment.
Other equipment you may want to consider would include a
good video editor deck, for putting your finished product
together; a film-to-DVD camera attachment (can be used to
create a montage of scenes from old home movies of the
couple when they were kids - a great service to offer and a
unique marketing point to offer!); and a graphics/title
generator.
So, you may have wondered, why would you need more than
one camera? If you have two cameras set up, you can have
different angles of the action, instead of the standard
wedding video, which has a half-hour of a still camera; and
you're covered if one of the cameras messes up or lighting
is bad.
Make sure your videos are special, different from the
run-of-the-mill wedding videos. Try to get a camera aimed
toward the faces of the couple, so you can capture them
during the vows, and at other points. This will also provide
close-up footage to edit in at slow points. Try to have a
camera at the end of the aisle, so you can catch the exit of
the bride and groom. This camera could also be used to
show the bride from the back, entering the ceremony, an
angle that you rarely see in a wedding video.If possible, get
or draw up a floor plan of the location of the ceremony. It will
help you plan your camera placement and shots.
Position your microphones where they'll do the most good. If
possible, get either the bride or the groom to wear one, and
get the minister or celebrant to wear one. This way, you'll
have crisp, clear sound. Just remember to warn the bride
and groom not to whisper anything they wouldn't want the
microphone to pick up! (You can always edit out any
unwanted sound.)
Other places you may want a camera would be (with the
couple in the 12 o'clock position): 10:00 or 2:00. Use the
camera to get views of the crowd, the parents of the couple
(edit a shot of them in during the vows - catch the emotion of
the ceremony), and the entrance of the attendants.
If the ceremony is a specialized ethnic ceremony (becoming
more popular, especially with Black Americans) or unusual,
you should look for points of interest to capture on DVD
which will show the special meanings and emotions of the
ceremony. If the couple and family can watch your DVD and
feel the same emotions they had during the actual ceremony,
your DVD is a winner!
Technical skills are important, but they can be learned. Before
you ever do your first PAID wedding, practice with another
event - for free. Practice makes for fluency.
The worst wedding video is the most common: one stationary
camera, no zooms,,never moving. People look around when
they're at a wedding, and so should the camera, within
reason. Practice a slow, smooth pan that keep the subject in
the frame of the camera. Practice smooth zooms that aren't
jerky, and aren't too close or too far from the subject.
You've probably figured that you'll need a helper for the
actual taping. Unless the only camera that will pan and zoom
is the one you're operating, and the others are stationary,
you'll need someone. Be sure your helper is well-trained, with
skills up to par with yourself. Ideas: a friend who also has a
videocamera (here's a way to save on equipment costs); a
college or high-school kid with video experience (they're
becoming more common, as more and more schools add
video classes to their curriculum); or a free-lancer (possibly a
crew member from the public access channel at your cable
station).
At the reception, it's important to get the "traditional" events:
the garter/ bouquet toss, cutting the cake, toasts, etc. Use
the same guidelines as before: keep in mind what's important
to have in the frame, and try to DVD it smoothly. A good idea
may be to talk to the relatives of the couple and see if some
of them would want to say a few words about the couple on
DVD (try to do this early in the reception, before a lot of
drinks have been served!).
If your videos are special and well-produced, you should be
able to charge fees that are toward the top range in your
area. Premium wedding videographers in large areas should
be able to get $800 to $1000 for a wedding. Discretely call
other videographers in your area to get an idea of what the
range is. Marketing ideas:
(1) Scan your newspaper for engagement announcements.
Then, use your computer's word processor to print out
personalized letters detailing your services. Use your
library's city directory to find the addresses you need.
Send the letters and a brochure to the lucky couples.
(2) Set up a referral network with florists, formalwear shops,
printers, and other wedding-related retailers in your area.
You could offer them a set commission fee each time a
referral leads to a taping job.
(3) Find a wedding photographer in your area who doesn't
currently offer video. Set up a deal where your photo and
video services could be offered as a package.
(4) Participate in local bridal shows. These are attended by
people who will be marrying soon, qualified prospects for
your services. Have plenty of your brochures and marketing
materials handy, so you don't run out. A good idea is to have
one of your best videos playing on a monitor at the show (get
permission from the couple on DVD first, maybe offer them a
discount in exchange for letting you use their DVD for
marketing purposes).
(5) Advertise in your newspaper's wedding supplement.
Most newspapers publish at least one a year.
If your taping was simple, with only one camera, you may be
able to deliver the DVD to the couple at the end of the
wedding. If more extensive editing needs to be done, make
sure you give the couple a realistic date when they can expect
the DVD. Don't give them a time that will leave you rushed. If
you don't have your own editing equipment, check ahead with
your local cable station. Many times, they have facilities for
their public access station which can be rented. Many also
offer short courses in video editing which are worth checking
into.
HOW TO MAKE MONEY PRODUCING SPECIAL EVENT VIDEOS.
Special event videos are much simpler and a lot less worry
than videotaping a wedding ceremony. In many cases, you'll
only need one camera, one microphone, and little or no
editing. You'll charge less, of course, but your profit margin
will be higher.
You can provide this service to any professional person or
group - attorneys, salespeople, financial advisors,
professional speakers - anyone who must give a talk,
presentation or lecture before a group of people.
Workshops, meetings, conferences, reunions, all are
potential jobs for you.
As with weddings, meet beforehand with the person or
persons you will be taping, both to get their permission to
DVD them, if necessary, and to get a feel for what they
specifically want on DVD. If all they want is a DVD of their
speech, then all you'll need is one camera (two if you want a
spare in case of problems), one microphone and a tripod.
Set your equipment up well ahead of time, to allow for testing.
Be sure to have the subject of the DVD do a test of part of
their speech, so you can be sure the microphone is set right.
It's important to have clear sound for event taping.
For panel discussions, meetings and other group events,
you'll want to have a camera pointed at every person, or
possibly at every two people, as well as one at the whole
group. Make sure every person can be picked up by your
microphones. When you edit the DVDs together, try to have
the speaking person on screen as they speak, unless that
would mean too many rapid changes, which can be
disorienting to the viewer. If taping an interview, the subject
of the interview is more important than the interviewer. While
it's good to cut in a reaction shot of the interviewer from time
to time, keep the focus of your DVD on the person being
interviewed.
Unless you need to use multiple cameras and heavy editing,
you should charge less for event taping than you would for
wedding taping. There are a few reasons for this. First, you
will spend far less time on an event DVD. Second, you have a
higher potential for return business. If you do a good job,
you have a good chance of being called in again for the next
meeting or conference. Finally, there is always the possibility
of selling copies of the DVD to targeted customers. This can
either be done for the subject of the DVD, with you getting a
cut, or the subject can pay you a license fee for each that he
or she sells.
An up-and-coming event to DVD is the high school or college
class reunion. Offer your services to DVD the reunion as a
keepsake for those who attended, or those who couldn't
attend. If you price your service right, you may be able to
work a deal where each attendee would get a copy of the
DVD as part of their registration fee, with a cut going to you.
You'll make less for each DVD, but you'll be make up on
quantity. You should be able to make $14.50 to $20 per DVD
just for copying the master onto a blank. Set up your DVD players,
start the copying, and grab a good book. Sounds like easy
money to me! If you DVD a reunion, try to get a class list so
you can send a personalized letter and brochure to those
who didn't attend. They are a good market for copies of the
DVD. You will need to work out details with the planning
committee of the reunion, as they will probably want a cut of
the profits, which is fair. But, you are entitled to the lion's
share, since you did the work.
When taping a reunion, make sure to get a good group shot
of the attendees, possibly panning across the group for clear
face shots. Be sure to DVD any and all speeches, important
class members like the valedictorian, class leaders, sports
figures, and any class member(s) who have become local or
national celebrities. Be sure to get plenty of candid material,
too, which can be edited in. You'll want to make sure your
skills are good when holding the camera for an event like this.
Other events you may want to consider would be family
events, like birthdays, bar/bat mitzvahs, holiday
get-togethers, as well as business and school parties, award
ceremonies, etc. You'll get these jobs primarily from
referrals, which means your marketing expenses for these
occasional events will be little or none.
Scan your newspaper periodically for local publicity events
like hot air balloon races, boat races or shows, trade shows,
scouting events, or other events that appeal to a specialized
crowd. Get permission to DVD these events, then work out
one of these deals:
- Sell the DVD to the sponsor of the event;
- Keep the rights to the DVD and give the sponsor a royalty
fee for each DVD sold.
Also, you could DVD a group of similar events and edit them
together into a compilation DVD that could be sold to
targeted customers. There are many potential profit areas in
event taping, if you keep your eyes open!
HOW TO MAKE MONEY PROVIDING "INVENTORY VIDEO TAPING" SERVICE
This is, in my opinion, THE business to get into with your
videocamera. You only need one camera, decent video skills,
little expenses and supplies, and, if done right, very low
marketing expenses. Besides your videocamera, you'll need
an instant camera and an engraving tool, which together
should be able to be found for under $140.
Here's the business in a nutshell: You videoDVD household
and business inventory and valuables for insurance purposes.
Then, if a robbery occurs,the owner has a video
documentation of the missing valuables for law
enforcement and insurance agents. Your primary prospects
for this service will be upper-income families and businesses
that specialize in high-ticket items or have a high investment in
equipment.
The first step you should take to run a property inventory
taping service is to meet with your area law enforcement
agencies to find out what regulations, if any, they have.
Remember, you will be going into other people's houses and
will have full knowledge of their valuables. If you have
endorsement from the law, your customers can feel
comfortable that you won't use this knowledge for the wrong
purposes. The person you want to meet with would be the
one in charge of neighborhood watches or community
services. Normally, police agencies are enthusiastic
supporters of services like this, as it makes their job easier.
Others to meet with include insurance agents, private
detectives, fire officials and attorneys. Not only will you gain
valuable information from them, you will be building up a
network for referrals. Be sure to keep a good record of who
you meet with so you can send them business cards,
brochures and periodic reminders of your services.
While meeting with insurance agents, take care of your
insurance requirements. You should carry liability insurance,
and you should also get bonded. The extra expense is worth
it, as it will both help to get business and will protect you and
your customer.
Your service will be ripe for publicity, so prepare a good
press release. You should be able to find a good book or
two on publicity releases at your library. Get these releases
to every daily and weekly newspaper in your area, as well as
local business magazines and television stations. When your
service gets written up in the papers, keep a clipping of each
article to use in your marketing materials. Send a copy to all
the insurance agents, attorneys, private detectives and law
enforcement agencies in your area. You WILL get referrals
from this!
Another idea for publicity is to set up a booth at local home
and garden shows, preferably in the home protection areas
(alarms, etc.). This will establish your name in the minds of
consumers. If you don't mind public speaking, offer to give a
short seminar on home inventory protection and how your
service can help prevent theft. You can prepare one
presentation that can be given numerous times at different
community-related functions and locations, such as country
clubs.
Now for the meat of the service. When you set up an
appointment with a customer, make sure they know you will
be charging by the hour, so it will be to their advantage to
have things such as jewelry, china or antiques laid out and
ready to be DVDd. Take your videocamera with extra DVD
and batteries, an instant camera with plenty of film, your
engraver, forms for listing valuables, and a three-ring binder
for the forms.
When taping valuables, be sure to get a clear picture of them,
including any distinguishing characteristics. Be sure to fill out
your forms completely, listing special features or
characteristics, such as type and weight of gems, etc.
Jewelry is probably best photographed with your instant
camera, as is any small valuables. Large antiques and other
primary household items are easily videoDVDd. Be sure to
get any brand names and model numbers clearly DVDd.
After taping the individual items, walk through the house. Be
sure to get any computer and video equipment, phones, TVs,
art and other items that would be tempting to thieves.
Engrave the client's social security or driver's
license number on the back or bottom of items that won't be
damaged by doing so. Record all this on the forms, including
the location of the engraving and all serial numbers. If the
home is burglarized and police recover the stolen goods, this
will help the client get his or her valuables back quickly and
easily.
Don't forget to DVD the outside of the house, including
patios, walkways and landscaping. This can help the client
establish value in case of vandalism.
In businesses, videoDVD the office equipment, as well as the
offices themselves, inside and out. In specialized
businesses, be sure to DVD any special equipment.
A good idea is to provide window stickers for your clients
that tell potential thieves that items in the house have been
marked and recorded. These stickers can be purchased or
printed. Your local law enforcement agencies may even be
able to provide these to you at a low cost.
When through taping, give the DVD a quick run-through to be
sure everything's OK, then give it to your client, along with the
binder.Encourage them to store these in a safe deposit box,
in case of fire.
How much should you charge? A typical mid-sized to large
home should take two hours, at most, to DVD, if the owner
has prepared everything ahead of time. You can charge
anywhere from $80 to $150 per hour, depending upon what
your local market will bear, with $80 per hour a good figure to
start with. You should be able to see how this business can
add up! In your marketing materials, stress the fact this your
charge is a small price to pay, considering it is a crime
deterrent and will result in far less stress and time on the
customer's part if a mishap does occur. You can feel good
that you are providing a service which will help people in bad
times. Remember to be professional while in the client's
home, don't make any comments which could be construed in
bad ways, and be assuring about the safety and reliability of
yourself and your service.
