What is Super 8?

Super 8mm film was used frequently for home movies in the Sixties and Seventies. It is one quarter the size of the 35mm film that is used in most major motion pictures. Because of its smaller size, Super 8 has a characteristically grainy and slightly fuzzy look. It’s this look that gives it its charm and contributes to a beautifully nostalgic feeling and texture that enhances the timelessness of your finished documentary.

Can I have my entire wedding day shot on Super 8?

Now you can. In the Fall of 2007, we began offering our Vintage 8 Wedding Film featuring two Super 8mm film cameras. Please view the Services page for more information, or call us at 917.922.7017.

How many cameras do you shoot with?

For our Documentary Wedding Films, we generally shoot with one Super8 film camera and two digital video cameras. Kristen and Jeff both operate each. Frequently, however, we have shot with a third video camera, operated by one of our talented associates.
On our Vintage 8 Wedding Films, we use two Super8 film cameras and one digital video camera. The video camera is only used as a locked down shot to record your ceremony and reception toasts.

What’s the benefit of having more cameras and operators?

Because of the complexity of the edited documentaries we create, it’s usually necessary to shoot a lot of footage from many different angles. But since a wedding day moves so quickly, the general lack of time in the day often makes it impossible for us to shoot every detail. Adding an additional camera and operator means that we can have one cameraperson focusing more attention on capturing the ambience of the locations and all the little design details that you’ve spent so much of your time and energy to get just right.

Additionally, in documentaries in which we are shooting Preparations, most of our time is spent with the Bride and sometimes we are unable to shoot any footage of the Groom’s prep. The additional camera operator guarantees that we can capture both the Bride’s and Groom’s Preparations.

I noticed that you offer Interviews with the Bride and Groom, but I hate being on camera. Are they really worthwhile?

You are only this age once; and your thoughts and memories of your wedding day are going to change over time. Including the interviews provides you with a recorded history of your sentiments captured shortly after the wedding, We conduct our interviews very casually, and since they are done following your honeymoon, you’ve already grown to know us and our personalities throughout the lead up to and during your wedding, making for a very relaxed conversation. Additionally, we always do the interview where you feel most comfortable, usually in your own house, or back yard.

How do you record sound?

Depending on the venue, we have several methods for recording sound. In out door weddings we can generally get a feed from the venue’s sound board that’s operated by a professional audio engineer. If that’s not possible, or in most indoor weddings, we place three small wireless microphones: one on the officiant, another on the groom’s lapel, and a third on the podium for readings and songs. And of course, we always have microphones mounted on the camera to record all the natural sounds and conversations of the day.

Do I get to choose the music for my documentary?

You get to inspire the musical selections for your documentary, but it is necessary that we choose the actual songs that are used. We take an enormous amount of care in learning your musical tastes to ensure that you will enjoy the music you hear. But finding the right music for your documentary involves a complex chemistry of your musical Tastes, combined with the Rythms, Moods, and changing Atmospheres of your wedding day, as well as the right song to tell each of the little stories that unfold in your film. It is not uncommon for us to use ten to fifteen songs in the average documentary, sometimes in their entirety, but frequently as little musical interludes. In the end, you will love the music we choose, but most likely the songs will be so interwoven with the visuals and the story that you will scarcely be aware of them.

How long does it take to edit my documentary?

Generally, four to six months following your wedding day. However, because we are a boutique company specializing in such tightly edited films, we do all the editing ourselves and can never farm out our editing tasks to other editors. For that reason, we only accept a limited number of weddings each year, and our editing schedule will vary. One thing is certain: we always guarantee delivery before your first anniversary.

That seems like a long time to wait; can I at least see the raw footage while I’m waiting?

Unfortunately not. We include DVDs of all the raw footage when we deliver your finished film, but to view that footage beforehand would elicit pre-conceived notions of what your final film will look like, and will only rob you of the experience of seeing it for the first time.

Another videographer offered me a two-hour video. At 25 to 60 minutes long, why are yours so short?

Our philosophy is that most people, including yourselves, will not watch a two hour video in its entirety more than once. The tendancy is to fast-forward through segments to get to the next “good part.” Our goal is to create a documentary that is so seamless, so moving, and so intricately – and intimately -- constructed that the whole thing constitutes the “good part.” This degree of craftsmanship is time-consuming, requiring so much attention to detail that we believe that the final product, though shorter, delivers a fuller and more fulfilling experience than an epic rendition.

Do you include special effects – slow-motion, black and white, etc -- or is that extra?

We use whatever is appropriate to tell your story and never charge more for it. Company’s that tout their use of “special effects” are doing so mostly as hype. In reality, adding slow-motion, black and white, or sepia tone to your footage is merely the computer equivalent of flipping a switch. And doing any of that arbitrarily does little to enhance the experience of your film. But using those techniques for a reason – to highlight a particular moment, or accentuate a scene’s atmosphere – and in a manner that doesn’t draw attention to themselves, those are artistic decisions, and we consider that our responsibility, not a marketing tool.

What is your payment policy?

Our basic policy is a $500 deposit to book your wedding. 50% is then due ninety days before your wedding date, and the remaining balance is due on or before your wedding day. Any overages such as parking and overtime are billed later and due prior to receiving your finished documentary.

Are there any extra fees?

Extra fees may include Overtime, should you request that we work longer than the agreed upon length of day (such as if your reception is running behind schedule but you really would love for us to shoot your departure in a classic Rolls Royce limo); Parking that we must pay for out of pocket on the day of your wedding; Travel expenses, if your wedding location is further than twenty miles from New York City; and taxes, if you live in the state of New Jersey.