AV Artisan Productions | London, Ontario | Cinematic Wedding Films | Wedding Videography

Why do I need a video?
What makes AV Artisan unique?
I've seen other videos that have bad sound and are shaky. Are yours?
What cameras do you shoot with?
A video is just not in our budget.
I'm not interested in videography.
What's the difference between videography and cinematography?
We're already getting photos done and don't need video.
Actually, we didn't even consider videography.
Do you work alone or do you have an assistant?
How long will it take to produce our film?
How do I secure my wedding date with you?
Do you offer photography as well?
Who chooses the music for the soundtrack?
Do you need a ride during the day?
Do we need to feed you at the reception?
Do you film out of town?

Why do I need a video?

Reason 1:

You know how we often hold touching memorials for people only AFTER they die and we share moving and/or funny stories about them when they were still alive? A wedding is quite likely the best and only time we do that for people while they're still alive! It's a perfect chance to beautifully document the stories told about you and all the emotions that go with that. It's like a touching life review up to that point in time. And as emotional as it will be during that day, with the power of good filmmaking, the emotions are ultra amplified and preserved! While you're still alive!

Reason 2:

As you'll discover, or ask any wedded couple, the wedding day goes by in a big, fast blur! While you're so busy in your head, there's so much that happens all around you that you miss at the time! A film allows you to catch all the details AND discover things about the day that you didn't even know about! Things that happened in the next room, something somebody else said about you, others reactions during the ceremony or reception, and so on. Plus, you get to see how things went not just through your own eyes but through various creative vantage points.

Reason 3:

You'll have a permanent souvenir not just for yourself but to share with family and friends around the world and with your future children and grandchildren. Priceless. Have you seen your grandparents wedding video? What about your parents wedding video? Exactly! Can you imagine what it would be like to watch your parents or grandparents wedding today? Hear their voices and see how much younger everybody else was? That's the gift your children and their children will have with your decision to have it filmed now.

Reason 4:

Why do you need a video? Put this way, multiple surveys and polls show that the number one regret of a wedded couple is not having had it filmed or not having hired a good videographer (friends/family do mean well but can't possibly compare to professional craftsmanship). Learn from the mistakes of others that went ahead of you.

What makes AV Artisan unique?

The emotional impact of these films! The way they're constructed consistently leaves couples crying and laughing! At least that's what they tell us. These aren't just dry photos or even a video montage. These are captivating, custom tailored stories; professional looking yet it's actually YOU in it on your wedding day! And not just videography but cinematography. Your story told in an artistic style, packed with emotion.

Various high production values, like sophisticated shooting gear are used to elevate these films into a class of their own. And most of the time clients don't even notice we're there.

Point is, after all the wedding dust has settled you're left with your very own priceless film. Your cake or bouquet sure won't last that long!

And the head artist behind the magic? Greg lives his passion putting so much of his heart into everything he does. Friendly, fun, and easy going. That's not replaceable.

I've seen other videos that have bad sound and are shaky. Are yours?

First off all, sorry about your experience. Our work speaks for itself. And NOT just the nice demos online but please ask to see our actual finished works as well.

Technically, instead of just using the microphone on the camera, we actually take the time to mic the speakers and music properly. We know that half of video is audio and poor sound ruins the video.

Also, we are very picky about maintaining stable, smooth, and steady shots. Every shot needs to be solid. We can't have poor, sloppy, careless camera work distract away from the viewing experience.

Plus we don't just use camcorders, we actually use revolutionary, powerful new cinema cameras which offers you that stunning, clear, colourful image with the power of depth of field - that cinematic effect where the background is often blurred out, making the subject stand out beautifully.

What cameras do you shoot with?

The new and powerful Panasonic AF100, the revolutionary Canon 5Dmk2, 7D and others as needed.

A video is just not in our budget.

Of course, sometimes tight budgets are just a reality. However, the painful regret of having missed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity really hurts too. And finances can be remedied. Lost memories can't.

I'm not interested in videography.

This idea is usually based on what people have seen in the past - traditional, straight forward, often really long and drawn out or contrived and cheesy. The camera operator simply presses record from a tripod and documents what happens, sometimes even applying cliche effects or directing couples in outdated poses. AV Artisan takes a completely new and fresh approach that goes so much deeper, designed to capture and elicit the most excitement and emotions possible using modern and creative techniques and then slaving away during the post-production stages to craft a beautiful wedding story.

What's the difference between videography and cinematography?

Videography is much more conventional. Often a camcorder on a tripod or shoulder mounted. Footage is placed in order how it was shot. Sometimes all in slow motion or with added special effects (which always get outdated). The music is added in after, almost as an afterthought, with no connection to what's actually happening in the video. More like background music that's usually not related to the images. This is a typical montage approach.

Cinematography is all of the elements that go into filmmaking: how effectively we compose a shot in order to tell the story, how we most effectively use lighting, the more powerful and creative cameras and tools we use, the big and little moments we look for, the tiny details most people don't notice - all for the united purpose of constructing a beautiful and effective film to tell your story. Even the music has a very direct and proactive relationship with the images.

We're already getting photos done and don't need video.

Perfect, you do need them. The major limitation with pictures is you can't hear what was said! Or relive the emotion of how it was said. You'll never get to see the first dance, re-experience seeing each other for the first time, your first kiss, see everyone's reactions, feel the ambiance of the event, hear the laughter and voices of everyone there, laugh at the bloopers, or relive those vows. And all those touching or hilarious toasts and speeches? Would be gone forever. A well-crafted video is simply charged with energy and life! We've even had feedback where the couples afterwards would have actually gone with just the video over photo! (which we definitely don't recommend either).

Actually, we didn't even consider videography.

People just don't know the incredible quality that's become available in the last several years. These are not traditional videos like you've seen in the past. It's a time of re-education for the masses in the field of wedding cinema. Many areas aren't yet conscious of the power of modern cinematography to treasure your experience.

Do you work alone or do you have an assistant?

We use two cinematographers to most effectively capture everything and to take advantage of the creative cinematic techniques and gear. Greg is always your principal cinematographer and creative director. Other team members help with the productions as needed.

How long will it take to produce our film?

Depending on when in the season your wedding takes place, anywhere from two up to six months. Each wedding film is custom hand crafted and precision works of art do take time. There are numerous stages to producing a high-quality wedding film.

We wade through hours of your footage, searching for themes and threads, figuring out how to match specific images to the words of the song or to what somebody just said. If you watch carefully, you'll also notice how all images are painstakingly synchronized to the music. Did you also know we custom colour process every single clip you see? Most clips are just 2-3 seconds long. This means there are hundreds of clips that make up a film. Each one is individually precision coloured and tweaked to look perfect! Who else does that?? (Besides Hollywood) In sum, this is not standard videography. Why do we do this? To truly make it look like a movie. And why do we do that? To really sell the story and make a powerful impact on the viewer, you!

In the meantime, as a solution to offset all the anticipation of waiting for your film, the Movie Trailer is offered as a super well-crafted preview provided for viewing online just days after your wedding!

How do I secure my wedding date with you?

After a meeting (in person or on the phone), we set up an agreement to be signed accompanied with a 50% non-refundable reservation fee to hold your wedding date. The balance is due one week before the wedding.

Do you offer photography as well?

No, in order to provide the highest quality cinematic productions, we focus only on the massive film component which is a complex specialty by itself. This includes audio recording, setting up lighting, orchestrating synchronized multi-cam shoots, extensive production in the editing room using pro editing suites, selecting and timing to soundtracks, DVD authoring and packaging, etc. Good filmmaking is a specialty service and usually doesn't compare to a photo/video bundle.

Who chooses the music for the soundtrack?

Music selection is critical in the filmmaking process. We need to be able to craft the perfect story using a soundtrack that we feel compliments it best. We'll still be asking for your suggestions in songs.

Do you need a ride during the day?

It's very thoughtful of people to ask but we usually do require our own vehicle to transport our portable studio and gear wherever we go. Hint - It's a whole lot more than just a camera. Sometimes getting some shots in a limo isn't a bad idea though if it fits the schedule.

Do we need to feed you at the reception?

Let's just say that a hungry videographer doesn't make for an effective videographer. Yes, please.

Do you film out of town?

Yes, we're quite willing to travel just about anywhere people really want an awesome wedding souvenir. We simply ask to cover travel and accommodation expenses. Specific details in the Film Selection Guide.