The Blu Mars Advantage

Tips From a Professional

Another Dimension

Having your wedding day documented on video will add a dimension to your wedding memories like nothing else can. A well produced wedding video can become a keepsake for years to come. It does so by uniquely capturing, in great detail, the personalities of your family and friends on that important day. Being able to see and hear that day clearly helps the memories to remain vivid.

To ensure the vividness of those memories you must seek out a video company that is up to the task. Deciding which video company you will entrust to document your wedding day is an important decision. After all, a lot of time goes into making sure your wedding day is a day to remember. Give it the time it deserves. Here are some insider tips designed to aid in the decision making process.

As a couple, you should first agree on a price range that you will not exceed. Within that range make a list of different videographers that suit your style. Since most wedding services are purchased through referrals, your most valuable resources for compiling a list are friends and family members. Also consider wedding planners and bridal shows as quality resources.

Request to see a demo tape from all of the companies you have compiled on your list. Some companies will send you complete weddings and others, shorter versions. Before the decision is made, be sure to see samples of complete wedding ceremonies and receptions as they were presented to the bride and groom. This helps to give you an idea of the overall ßow of the coverage.

Video production cannot be based, unlike some products, on price alone. It's not the same as buying a car. For instance, identical cars at two different dealers may be priced differently. In this case you go with the lower price. Choosing a creative service is very different. A wise man once said : "The bitterness of poor quality is remembered long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten."

Video production is a creative service. Furthermore, creativity is not a company talent. It's an individual talent. When you view work from video companies, make sure it's the work of the individual(s) that will be recording your wedding and responsible for editing your video. Also, meeting this person will give you an opportunity to see exactly who you're inviting to your wedding.

This is a concern for a lot of people. People assume that full-time is good and part-time is bad. This isn't always true. If full-time is important to you be careful. Companies that do wedding videos full-time often use part-time people. Get to know your videographer. Remember the bottom line. The work has to be good and worth what you are paying.

Packages can range from a single camera, unedited video that does not include the reception, to a multiple-camera video with a lot of special effects. Options can include everything from personal interviews to a montage of childhood photos set to music. Costs can be kept to a minimum if you know all your options and prioritize your needs. Ask friends what they paid for similar packages recently. If unsure, shop around. Expensive doesn't always mean good and beware of extremely low prices.

Videographers can book anywhere from 6 to 18 months in advance, so give yourself as much time as possible to visit as many videographers as you can before you place your deposit. Like anything else, the best services are likely to book early. Also, do some homework. Shopping around not only gets you the best deal, but the process is also very educational and can teach you a lot about the video business.

If there is something special you would like that you haven't seen in demos, share those ideas with your videographer. Cooperation is the key to a good relationship with any company that you do business with. If they require you to stay within their guidelines you may want to consider someone more flexible.

Here is a short list of technical things to look for if quality is important to you. Look for 3 chip cameras as opposed to single chip cameras. If there is to be more than one camera, make sure that all of the cameras used are 3 chip cameras. The color from 3 chip cameras is more accurate. Also, UHF wireless microphones are a plus. VHF is a popular frequency band and is very susceptible to interference from DJ’s and church systems. The overall quality of the video depends greatly on the format of the cameras. For instance, DV (digital video), SVHS, and Hi 8 are good formats if the cameras are 3 chip. As far as editing systems go, non-linear and A/B roll editing systems allow for more creativity. If it's digital you're looking for, make sure the whole system is digital. Not just the cameras but the editing also.

Sometimes recording a lot of weddings per week can get a company behind in the editing process. It only takes one day to shoot your wedding day, but usually more than a week to edit it. The following week a high volume company may need several more weddings recorded, putting them even further behind in the editing process. This could make you wait for some time to see your wedding day video.

High pressure sales tactics are popular in this business. Be aware of phrases like: "If you like what you see will you buy?", "May I sign you up now?" or "If my presentation meets all your needs, may I have a deposit from you to hold your date, as my dates are booking quickly." and finally, “This discount only applies to your first visit... I can't offer you these saving tomorrow.” Stay in control by holding your ground. Simply say that you would like to shop around and honor other appointments you've made before making any commitments. However, keep in mind it's the videographers duty to make you aware of all the options and additions available to you. You may discover new ideas by being patient and listening.

It will be to your advantage to try and find a company that allows you to make your final payment when your video is complete. This may be motivation to get your video finished in a timely fashion. A deposit typically runs between 1/3 to 1/2 of the total cost of your package. Sometimes other more convenient options are available without a finance charge but in most cases you should not expect to pick up your video until full payment has been made.

If you know exactly what you want, it should not be hard to find something of good quality within your price range. There are many companies to choose from. The key is to shop around and educate yourself to the options. Remember that above all else, the bottom line is quality and value. If taken seriously, you should be very happy with the results of your wedding video. Good luck.

The Blu Mars Advantage:

Please call 630-4330 to see a demonstration video.

Toll free 1-888-BLU-MARS

www.blumars.com

e-mail: al@blumars.com

All weddings are recorded on the Digital Video format. DV is far superior to VHS, SVHS or Hi 8mm.In addition, your wedding day will be covered and your video edited by Al J. Marschke, a professional with more than a decade of broadcast video production experience. Blu Mars Media sets the pace for high standards in the wedding video industry. Call and see for yourself, first hand, the quality that goes into a Blu Mars Media production.

Experience and quality are the underlying advantages at Blu Mars Media. Blu Mars is not just another wedding video company. It's a design company with more than a decade of professional broadcast production experience.  Blu Mars was built on the premise that there is a market for people who demand a very high quality product created from a strong foundation of experience.

We are definitely not a video factory. We cover no more than one wedding a week, and usually no more than 3 a month. Every client is afforded very personal attention and prompt delivery of their final wedding video. At Blu Mars Media quality is not sacrificed for quantity.

Remember, you're buying a creative service and creativity is an individual talent, not a company talent. Make sure the work you see in demos is the work of the individual that will be at your wedding and editing your video. Marschke will always be one of the videographers and will edit every wedding video done at Blu Mars Media.

All the graphics and special effects used are original and personalized for your wedding video. Blu Mars does not use prepackaged or generic graphics. Everything is designed exclusively for your wedding video. All this is demonstrated on the Blu Mars Wedding Demo tape.

Your wedding day will be recorded on the DV (Digital Video) format. This is not VHS, SVHS, or even Hi 8mm. What does all this mean to you? It means no more grainy, dark, shaky or discolored video. It's not often that you see a wedding video that exceeds or even meets the standards of Blu Mars Media.

Once your wedding is recorded it will be composed with a non-linear video editing computer. That means it's all done digitally. No videotape is used. This adds a great deal of flexibility to the creative process while maintaining high picture quality throughout.

Video will add a dimension like nothing else can. A well produced wedding video can become a keepsake for years to come. As time goes on we all change. Everything from our clothes to our hair styles. But in most cases the change is so slow that we never notice. Your wedding video will capture, in great detail, the personalities of your family and friends on that important day for years to come.

Deciding which video company you will entrust to document your wedding day is an important decision. Give it the time it deserves. Thanks for considering Blu Mars Media as a candidate for this important job.

Our highest recommendations go to the following vendors.

Wedding Planner:

Cavanaugh's Wedding Planner
Phone: 412-563-8210

 Professional Entertainment - Entertainment For Any Event!

Photography:

Robert Henshaw - Suder
Specializing in the photo journalistic style of coverage.
Featuring black & white and color.
Phone 412-563-2727    www.rhsphoto.com


Music:

Gerra Gembarosky
    "I am a Vocalist & Keyboardist who specializes in music for Wedding Ceremonies.  I use two state-of-the-art Yamaha synthesizers to authentically reproduce trumpets, harps, violins and grand pianos.  (This is in addition to using the organ supplied by the church.)  I do it all.  All the singing.  All the accompaniment.  All the music.  If you are considering a Garden Wedding, I will coordinate all of your outdoor needs.  Whether it's at Phipps Conservatory or in your own backyard, my music will  tastefully enhance your wonderful day.

     In addition to Wedding Ceremonies, I can provide music (vocals and piano) for Cocktails and Dinner at your reception.  Live music creates a special ambience that your guests will truly remember. Call 724-337-8998"


Johnny Smooth
5 piece band for weddings and all formal events
Featuring Pittsburgh's own legendary saxophonists Johnny Smooth
Specializing in jazz and rock & roll.
Phone 412-431-8858

5 Guys Named Moe
Featuring Jimmy Sapienza
Phone 412-731-8858

Mindy Cropper
Flutist
Specializing in classical and traditional music for wedding ceremony, cocktail hour and dinner entertainment.
Phone 412-766-2973

Jerry Bruno Productions 
www.jerrybruno.com

Jerry Bruno's years as a society band leader and music director of the world-famous St. James Club in Los Angeles bring a world of experience and sophistication to your event. From contracting strings for Bon Jovi, to performing at events hosted by such celebrities as Sidney Sheldon, Aaron Spelling, and the late Princess Diana at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Jerry's good taste and knowledge of musical styles have earned him a very particular clientele.
-Now based in the Greater Cleveland area, Jerry Bruno Productions represents and produces the finest area bands, musicians, and singers…in all styles…all price ranges. We are the music office with a clear, concise, and honest presentation.
-No double-talk. No high-pressure sales…and the best bands in the market.

29601 Lorain Road
North Olmsted,Ohio 44070
(440) 734-6601
(877) 799-7959
sales@jerrybruno.com