Villanovisions - Any experience? Other suggestions for HD cinematography?

Pharo47 · April 2011

I looked at Rob's website from Villanovisions and it looks like he has a nice, highly edited video (like a movie trailer) for a reasonable price. 2 cameras all-day starting at $1200. Anyone have experience with them or recommend a videographer that can produce high quality video for around $1200? We already booked our photographer so package deals are out. I looked at Tom Brant's page and I didn't like the sample videos he had. They seemed a little plain. Does he show something a little fancier in person? I know a lot of people say he does a great job at a reasonable price. I'd hate to rule out a quality videographer from just the sample video on their website but hey...that's all I got right now. Thanks!!

Babycakes SE · April 2011

I booked Rob! Let me just tell you - you NEED to meet with him. I wasn't super impressed with his site. But when I went to see his videos in person- I was so impressed, we knew we found our guy. We worked with us on price and gave us so many ideas. The way he puts his videos together is very modern... not by book, like the very boring traditional videos (that put me to sleep ha).

Anyway- Definitely take the time to go meet him, you won't be sorry!

*ETA* we also compared him to GT Modern, and while they were good and so sweet when we talked with them- I felt the artistic quality wasn't comparable.

Pharo47 · April 2011

Thanks Baby Cakes. I get a little nervous when things say "starting" at $1200. That's usually code for 2 grand

Is the website pretty true to his pricing?

Pharo47 · April 2011

Ah, I see where the added cost comes from. I got a little excited there because I actually thought I'd be on budget for something.....dream, dream, dream

agu101 · April 2011

I'm sending you a PM now

USER876 · April 2011

Tom is in the process of revamping his website. He is a cameraman and editor for a main sports franchise and has produced ESPN shows. He is not into crazy effects and focuses on clean, natural, edits. The samples on his site are dated, mostly budget weddings for friends. He has done a few knotties and is in the process of revamping his business with renewed samples. He hasn't been too serious about getting into the industry until now so didn't put much marketing effort into it, was pretty much whoever needed service word of mouth.

He doesn't shoot in HD, so that may be a dealbreaker for you. He is upgrading his equipment to HD by around the fall time / winter time frame.

Also, it doesn't matter if it's shot in HD unless you actually get a blue ray disk with high res footage. I've seen people advertise HD but them give a regular DVD which is kind of a catch 22.

Villanovavisions has really nice stuff and can offer more than tom can at the moment (HD), but the advantage of going with Tom is price. It all depends what you are looking for. I also agree that the starting at 1200 prob won't be what you want. Tom's top package is around 1000ish.

Pharo47 · April 2011

Hey USER - Good call on the HD thing with the blue ray. I'm more concerned with something that provides a nice cinematic look to it. If you think Tom can deliver it, than I will give him a buzz. You also recommended touch of class for video in past discussions. Would Tom's video rival there's except for the HD?

Thanks

sarahw311 · April 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_villanovisions-experience-other-suggestions-hd-cinematography?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:90Discussion:5eabd7aa-aec9-41f2-8d94-255c8aa68ab4Post:60246186-4c29-4e5d-9ab7-2f76f0c00f43">Re: Villanovisions - Any experience? Other suggestions for HD cinematography?</a>:
[QUOTE]Also, it doesn't matter if it's shot in HD unless you actually get a blue ray disk with high res footage. I've seen people advertise HD but them give a regular DVD which is kind of a catch 22. Posted by USER876[/QUOTE]

My videographer told me my video will be shot in HD, but he's giving us regular DVDs. Does that just mean that the DVDs will be better quality? Not sure why we're not getting them in blu-ray..

USER876 · April 2011

My advice is find what you want online and email tom and show him. He will let you know if he can supply that look and for how much.

Tom won an emmy for one of his espn editing productions, he is capable of doing anything. It comes down to time = cost. He doesn't offer the high end editing yet because that would come with a higher price tag and until he can market himself better it doesn't make sense go to into that higher market. So he just offers something basic now that is very clean. He is capable of doing all those fancy filters and looks and graphic opens so again my advice is to contact him and show him what you are looking for.

TOC did a great job on our video. Their work is a bit cookie cutterif you watch enough of them, but in the end you are only watching your video so who cares if someone elses is cut the same way. They use a lot of filters and effects, not everyone likes that, but ours turned out well. We also paid 2500 for it.......

USER876 · April 2011

An HD camera is one thing, but the ability to edit in HD and burn in HD is something else. So I said, yes it's a gimmick and very expensive to go the whole route for video producers.

In theory an HD camera should perform better in low light so your video should be cleaner, but in the end a standard definition disk is 480 lines of resolution whether it was shot SD (480) or in HD (1080p). You are not really getting an HD video unless it's on a bluray disk in 720 or 1080P resolution.

JadziaDax · April 2011

Pharo I'm sending you a PM.

TripleJTobe · April 2011

Just wanted to suggest someone that we may be using )
JCastillofilms.com
They have been fabulous to talk with and have great quality work! I love cinematic vidiography, which they do quite well and are running a 30% off special right now. Definately worth looking into and seeing if they can be a little flexible with their pricing to best meet your needs. We havent booked them yet, but probably will be doing so this weekend.
Best of luck!!!

VivianM27 · April 2011

I Looked at both villanovisions and GT Modern Creations. Villanovisions is only affordable if you have a 4 hr wedding, if you want full coverage forget it. GT modern Creations offers 2 videographers w/ all day coverage for a low price, and their style is fresh, clean and modern. I found villanovision's work to be somewhat tacky (especially the smoke thing he always does).

sfennell1 · April 2011

I also went with GT Modern Creations. If your looking to stay in budget but also have a quality video GT is definitely the way to go. Plus they don't nickle and dime you on hours like some of the rest.

USER876 · April 2011

I just heard Tom Brant got an HD camera / new video platform, so will be offering that shortly after it's tested.

peaches178 · April 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_villanovisions-experience-other-suggestions-hd-cinematography?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:90Discussion:5eabd7aa-aec9-41f2-8d94-255c8aa68ab4Post:ce812bb7-f83b-45c6-9a9a-f0b18ccd0ebb">Re: Villanovisions - Any experience? Other suggestions for HD cinematography?</a>:
[QUOTE]I just heard Tom Brant got an HD camera / new video platform, so will be offering that shortly after it's tested.
Posted by USER876[/QUOTE]
Ohhh User - Do you think it'll be up and running by my July wedding?

Villanovisions - Any experience? Other suggestions for HD cinematography?

Re: Villanovisions - Any experience? Other suggestions for HD cinematography?

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