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June 24, 2010

Video profile of bespoke caterers Feed Me Dining

Filed under: General,Video — Tags:  — Jim @ 4:02 pm

This company profile video for Essex caterers Feed Me Dining was produced by Aardvark Corporate Films (that’s me!)

 

 

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June 24, 2010

A Guide to Wedding Video Styles

Filed under: General — Jim @ 12:52 am 

As you look at wedding videographers’ websites trying to decide which one is right for you, you’ll notice that many use shorthand terms to describe the style or styles they offer.  But what do these terms actually mean?

 

Journalistic

 

Sometimes known as ‘documentary’ or ‘reportage’, this style involves the videographer capturing the events of the day as they happen.  It is usually edited in a linear fashion, so you end up with a video that documents your wedding from morning preparations through to evening reception.

 

Some wedding videos in the Journalistic style feature interviews with the bride and groom or with their guests, commenting on the day or offering congratulations.  Occasionally the sound bites from these interviews will be used throughout the video to help tell the story of the day although this variation is more common in the Cinematic style wedding video.

 

Aside from these interviews videographers who shoot in the journalistic style typically stay unobtrusively in the background during the day and do not interact greatly with a couple or their guests.

 

Cinematic

 

The Cinematic style of wedding video is filmed and edited more like a movie with a view to emphasizing the emotion and drama of the day.  It may rely more on montages, music or special effects such as slow motion.

 

The camerawork of a Cinematic wedding video may feature more movement – sometimes using camera stabilisation systems like a Steadicam – and colours and contrast may be enhanced during editing to give it a more film-like feel.

 

Videographers who shoot in the Cinematic style may interact significantly more on the day, sometimes setting up shots and directing the couple or guests in much the same way as the wedding photographer.  Like the Journalistic style, Cinematic videos tend to last in the region of 60 to 90 minutes.

 

Wedding videographer herts

 

The truth is that there is a certain amount of overlap between Cinematic and Journalistic styles, and most videographers will use elements of each in one video.  By all means talk to several companies to discuss their individual style and approach, but in the end there is no substitute for watching demo videos and picking the ones you like best.  Meanwhile, here are a few more terms you might come across:

 

Short Form

 

An increasingly popular style of wedding video, this is a highly edited version of your wedding video which lasts between 15 and 50 minutes.  The filming style can be similar to either the Journalistic or Cinematic videos, although this format tends to lend itself better to Cinematic videos as there usually isn’t time to include the ceremony or speeches in full as would usually be the case in a Journalistic video.

 

Some videographers who offer the Short Form wedding video may also provide a full length version of the ceremony as a separate feature on the DVD.

 

Traditional

 

The antithesis of the Short Form, this is the old style of wedding video of the kind you might expect if you asked a friend to video your wedding (although hopefully with better camerawork if you’re hiring a professional!)  Filmed from start to finish, and with minimal editing if any at all, the Traditional wedding video often lasts 2 to 3 hours.

 

These videos are less and less popular, and few videographers offer this service anymore.  If you want a more modern approach but really can’t stand to miss a moment of video, then choose one of the other styles and ask your videographer if they would be happy to provide you with the raw footage.  Some will, some will not, but you should expect to pay extra for it, because it takes time to produce.

 

Marryoke

 

Finally, we come to the music video style, which has come to be known by many as ‘Marryoke’.  This is where the couple, the wedding party or even everyone attending the wedding mime to a favourite or appropriate song (Lou Reed’s A Perfect Day is a popular choice) at various points throughout the day and this is then edited into a music video.

 

Marryoke videos can be absolutely hilarious to film and to watch, but due to the amount of filming required they can seem to take over some sections of the day, and this style involves by far the most interaction and direction by the videographer.  There are companies who offer this alongside a regular wedding video, while others produce only the Marryoke video.  If you’re looking to remember your day as it happened, this probably isn’t the option to choose!

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June 19, 2010

Interview with Wedding Planner Aegean Thompson

Filed under: GeneralInterviews — Tags:  — Jim @ 12:55 am

In the third of my monthly series of interviews with members of The Wedding Partners – (a local group of fantastic wedding suppliers that includes Aardvark Wedding Films), I have asked Cambridge Wedding PlannerAegean Thompson of Event Wishes to answer a few questions.

 

Hi Aegean.  How did you get into wedding planning?

Aegean Thompson

It all started way back in the late 80s when I was planning my own wedding (yes I really do remember the 80’s!) and I couldn’t believe how difficult it was to pull the whole thing together. No-one seemed to take responsibility for stage managing the whole event and each vendor was only interested in their service, so I ended up project managing the whole event, which was incredibly time consuming and stressful.

 

Given my own experience, I could see that there had to be a better way of doing this; after all, this was supposed to be the best day of my life and one that I’d always dreamt of. So the concept of providing a service for other brides to ensure they didn’t go through the same experience was cemented in my mind.

 

As I pursued my career within project management at one of the top Investment Banks, I developed my planning skills which I now apply to my event management business. I’ve spent 11 years planning events and weddings in my “spare time” and took the bold step last summer to move into this as my full time role – and I love it!

What is the main advantage of hiring a wedding planner?

There are several advantages of using a wedding planner; most of which become more obvious as you move through the planning process. Engaging with a wedding planner will . . . •  Save you money by negotiating with suppliers on your behalf, allowing your budget to go further
•  Save you valuable time: using our “little white book” full of elite professionals who we work with regularly
•  Work on your behalf, representing 
you rather than a venue or supplier
•  Give you a single point of contact for everything
•  Allow you to relax and enjoy your wedding day as the bride and groom with nothing else to worry about
•  Co-ordinate all aspects of your wedding day and not just those at the venue, eg. invitation management and guest transportation

Are wedding planners only for big-budget weddings?

event wishes2It’s not just celebrities and the rich and famous who use a professional planner – more than half of all brides use the services of a wedding planner.
It’s not about appointing a wedding planner and they do everything, unless of course that’s what you want them to do . . .
But in fact a wedding planner has a range of services tailored to your requirements, so if all you need is a getting started meeting to get you on your way, planning your budget, brainstorming ideas, colours and themes, then that’s all you need to engage a planner for.

 

Most brides use a planner for venue or supplier sourcing, to save them time searching for hours through the internet – they can shortcut their search by discussing their requirements with a planner and tap into recommended suppliers who are tried and trusted to give the client peace of mind. Depending on how much time the bride has, there’s always the partial or full wedding co-ordination option – so it’s up to the client how much they’d like a planner to get involved.

At what point in the process do you usually get involved?

It really depends on the couple . . . Some are keen to have profevent wishes3essional guidance from the start, whilst others start organising themselves then realise that it can be a full time job which causes stress and anxiety whilst juggling a job and family commitments – so look to engage a planner further on in the process.

 

What I normally find is at first couples are filled with the excitement of planning their big day – bubbling with enthusiasm and great ideas they started to work through the big ticket items – ie booking a venue, photographer, florist, dress etc. Those are all the obvious things and it all seems really easy and straight forward, but it’s not often you get to spend thousands on a one day event – this is where you need professional help and some advice and guidance. Often the bride then gets overwhelmed by the amount of things to consider – the finer details in pulling the whole day together. With tensions rising, she seeks help from family and friends, forgetting that they want to be guests on the day and not orchestrating the wedding itself.

 

Negotiating with suppliers, ensuring contracts with venues and caterers are exactly what you’ve asked for and how you imagined requires attention to detail and creativity to ensure your budget goes further. Having the experience to know what’s possible, the flair to think on your feet to create something special and the sharpness to get it for the best possible price so that both parties are happy with the outcome requires a range of skills and a confident attitude.

Which is your favourite part of the job and why?

Personally I love the creativity of designing a theme which flows all the way through the wedding day – from the invitations which are your guests’ first impression of your day through to the finer details at the wedding itself such as etiquette, wedding favours and a special present for the bride or groom. I love seeing the bigger picture, letting my imagination flow to create a real wow factor for such a special day! It takes experience to know what works and what doesn’t, and providing this advice to couples is what it’s all about for me!

What advice do you have for couples who are determined to plan everything themselves?

event wishes4The biggest piece of advice I could give would be to plan out your budget (make it realistic!) and stick to it! The first thing to do is agree amongst the family or couple how much each party is contributing, and whether there are specific items each party would like to pay for eg. the bride’s family may wish to buy the wedding dress. Keep a spreadsheet of forecast vs actual costs throughout the planning process and don’t get carried away with lots of extras as you get closer to the day!

 

The other thing I just have to mention is to confirm all bookings in writing (email) with suppliers, check the details and recheck everything as you get closer to the actual date. I know of one wedding where the groom had agreed to buy all the wine and champagne for the marquee wedding – he’d chosen the various wines etc, but on the day before the wedding realised that he hadn’t actually placed the order. Thankfully a planner will have contacts able to deliver at short notice saving all the stress and hassle of a major faux pas!

How far in advance do couples need to book you?

It’s great if couples can initiate a free consultation as early as possible within their planning process especially if they are looking for partial or full planning co-ordination. However, if a couple are just looking for supplier sourcing, I can help them at whatever stage suits them. Couples will appreciate that elite professionals within the wedding industry will be booked up in advance, so the sooner a choice can be made, the better to ensure they are free for a specific date etc.

 

For On The Day Management – a stand alone service where the couple hand over the co-ordination of their wedding day to allow them to be the bride and groom on the day, with nothing to worry about usually happens 6-8 weeks before the date. On The Day Management appointments are only confirmed three months before the wedding.

What do you wish couples already knew before they came to you?

I wish they knew how much preparation was involved and how much planning there was to do. A wedding only runs smoothly because there’s been hours and hours worth of planning and structured preparation – a bit like the swan gliding across the lake, looking effortless, but actually behind the scenes (or under the water) there’s a whole lot of paddling going on!

And finally, what makes Event Wishes special?

event wishes5

Event Wishes is me – there’s no sales team with a hand over to someone else and the possibility of miscommunication or Chinese whispers – you’re dealing with me!


As an experienced professional working full time within the wedding industry, I combine fun and enthusiasm with creativity and flair. I’m passionate about what I do and have great attention to detail. A recent client commented that my organisational skills were outstanding, which meant that his event ran perfectly, impressing his guests so that the event was memorable for all the right reasons!

 

I care about every single wedding I’m involved with – I work exclusively with a couple to ensure they receive the attention they deserve and I think about everything so that nothing is missed. Ensuring a couple’s special day runs smoothly without a hitch is what it’s all about for me!

 

For a free consultation, please call 0845 0568 471 to discuss your wedding plans and how we can help you.

www.eventwishes.com • enquiries@eventwishes.com

 

 

May 20, 2010

Interview with Wedding Photographer Andy Fountain

Filed under: GeneralInterviews — Tags:  — Jim @ 2:29 am

As you know, Aardvark Wedding Films recently joined The Wedding Partners – a local group of fantastic wedding suppliers.  Here is the second in a continuing series of interviews with other members of the group – this month my victim is Andy Fountain of Andy Fountain Photography

 

Hi Andy. What first got you interested in photography?

Wedding photographer Andy Fountain

I first got interested in photography when I was at school. I used to cycle to the local RAF station with my friends and photograph all the lightning fighter planes taking off, it was at this early age that I knew the only thing I wanted to be was a photographer.

 

I took a photography A level in sixth form and then applied to join the RAF as a photographer, the two interests seemed to go together nicely. By 18 I had passed the gruelling eight month military photographers course and was heading off to RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire to take up my first of many posts. The world was my oyster.

How does your wedding work differ from the other parts of your job?

My wedding work is far more emotional than the lifestyle or commercial side of the business. Lifestyle portraiture is pure fun, capturing families and children’s personalities after only knowing them for a few minutes. Commercial and fashion work is a lot more sterile and cold, there’s a brief to follow and it’s a systematic process to get to the end result. Whereas weddings are all about the love and connection between a couple and being able to preserve their wedding day memories.

 

I get deeply involved from the first time we meet, I want to find out what makes the couple tick to enable me to capture their wedding day perfectly. Their wedding is the biggest day of their lives and when I wake up on the wedding morning, it’s the biggest day of my life too. I get far more emotionally attached to weddings than any other type of photography, shooting a wedding is a passion for me, not a job and I absolutely love it.

How would you describe your style?

Wedding Photography CambridgeI have been shooting weddings for nearly twenty years and my style has changed so much over that time. Clients ask me this question so much and think they know the style they are looking for, but after I have gone through how their wedding day will flow, they understand that you need a photographer that uses several styles, not just one.

 

The shots of the bride and groom getting ready needs a very relaxed and fun style which will put them at ease and get some stunning images. This part of the day is bordering on reportage but I control where they are getting ready to make sure we have the perfect light. It’s pointless getting a beautiful shot of a bride putting on her dress if she is stuck in a poorly lit corner of the room. I’ll direct them to make sure that the shots look perfect. Once we are at the church or civil ceremony, the style become traditional as this is a very serious part of the day. I’ll always be looking for something new and out of the ordinary but I can’t get involved too much during a service.

 

The reception is again more of a reportage style, capturing natural shots of the bride and groom enjoying themselves and meeting their guests. We have already gone through some basic do’s and don’ts at the pre-wedding shoot and the couple know they should stick together and keep the sun on their backs, again this is just me looking for that perfect lighting, they would hate shots of themselves squinting.  As the day unfolds, I’ll introduce a traditional style with a bit of a twist for the group shots, we want these shots to look fun and not just a group of people smiling at the camera.

 

Then I encourage the bride and groom to go for a walk around their venue, get away from everything for ten minutes. For this I take on a sports photography style!!!  Well I end up running around a lot with a big lens capturing the love between the couple as they enjoy some intimate time together. As they walk around, I will direct them to a few areas I have already chosen around the venue for some bride and groom portraits. For these shots I use my own personal style which will capture the love and emotion between them, I call this style ‘flow’ and need the couple fully relaxed and just in to each other to get these sequences of shots. It’s this style that most clients book me for and Cambridge Wedding PhotographyI pride myself in being able to capture a couples personalities and the love between them.

 

I go back to reportage for the speeches then revert to a more traditional style for the cake cutting and a funky style for the first dance, I also use a fashion style for an evening photo shoot with the couple as the sun’s setting. As you can see, I need to use several style to capture a wedding day perfectly, photographers that just use one style will fail to capture the true essence of the day and leave the bride and groom without the true memories.

You mentioned the pre-wedding shoot that you offer on all your packages.  What does that involve?

At the pre-wedding shoot, we go through how the couple should stand to make sure that when I am shooting a reportage style they look perfect together; no-one ever shows a couple how to stand but it’s these tips that make the basics of a great photograph.

 

The shoot gets the couple used to me and what to expect, it puts them at ease and they leave knowing how easy it will be on the wedding day. It also shows me what type of couple they are, loving, embarrassed or outright models that love their photo taking. I need to know how they react in front of my lens to determine what style I introduce at various parts of their wedding day. I would never take on a wedding without the couple agreeing to a pre wedding shoot, it’s a vital part of the day and lot’s of fun.

Which is your favourite part of the wedding day to photograph and why?

I don’t really have a favourite part of the day, I love every minute of it, it’s such a special occasion and an honour to be a part of. Though if you were to press me for an answer, I do look forward to the time I have with the couple one on one. This is where I have to get the love flowing between them and we can get some stunning images.

Do you have any advice for people who don’t like having their photo taken?

Wedding PhotosDon’t worry about it and let the pre-wedding shoot show you what fun it can be and what style is needed to capture you and your personality.

 

I find that clients that say they hate having their photograph taking usually are the ones that enjoy it the most and become real posers for the camera. They’ve normally had a bad experience and just need a professional photographer to show them the light.

 

How far in advance do couples need to book you?

Well, 2010 was more or less booked up in 2009, I think I only have a few dates remaining this year. 2011 is half booked and will be fully booked by the end of the year, so I would say you need to book a year in advance to guarantee getting a good photographer. I offer my clients a bonus for booking early and guarantee my prices at the time of booking avoiding any 2011 price increases.

What do you wish couples already knew before they come to you?

Nothing. Come to me with an empty palette and I’ll help turn your wedding day dreams in to reality.

And finally, what makes Andy Fountain Photography special?

Well my mum says it’s my eyes!! No seriously, I think I’m unique in the way I shoot weddings utilising several styles to produce the perfect album and I really get involved with the bride and groom to make sure their wedding is a day to remember. One couple that booked me recently said I had been the only photographer they had talked to that made them feel it was all about them, made them feel special, as if they were the only couple in the world I was working with.

 

I chat to photographers at wedding fairs and know it is just a job to them, to me, shooting weddings is a passion, my life, I absolutely love it and I’m told it shows in my work. Potential clients are more than welcome to drop by the studio for a complimentary wedding consultation, though they need to be warned that 99% book once they have met me and see the desire I have for wedding photography and their big day.

Andy Fountain Photography

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May 7, 2010

New Aardvark Wedding Films Poster

Filed under: General — Jim @ 11:57 am

You wait three weeks for a blog post, and then two come along at once!  Well, I just had to show off my new advertising poster designed and hand crafted by an up and coming young designer – my six year old son Zachary.

 

Aardvark Wedding Films Poster

 

What do you think?

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May 6, 2010

I’ve been busy!

Filed under: General — Tags:  — Jim @ 3:48 pm

Yes, I know – it’s been a while since I’ve blogged (blug?).  Here’s the reason why:

 

 

No, I haven’t spent the entire time making that video (although it did take a few takes to get it right), I’ve been spending my time building the website which this video advertises - Aardvark Corporate Films

 

Is this relevant to a wedding video blog?  Well, brides and grooms run businesses too, and have friends who run businesses, so why not?  Oh yes, there’s also the fact that the very first video up on the site as an example of what I do, is this one, featuring Essex wedding planner Kim Taylor of Wedding Design by Kim, who would be an asset to any engaged couple.

 

 

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April 16, 2010

Interview with a Wedding Stationery Designer

Filed under: GeneralInterviews — Tags:  — Jim @ 2:18 am

Just last week, Aardvark Wedding Films joined The Wedding Partners – a local group of fantastic wedding suppliers.  In the coming months, I will be interviewing various members of the group about what they do and how they do it.  First up is wedding stationery designer Emma Muir of A Bespoke Design Ltd

 

Hi Emma.  Firstly, tell us a bit about The Wedding Partners

The Wedding Partners are a group of elite wedding professionals based in the East of England. All of our members are carefully handpicked for excellence within their field of the Industry and are fully vetted before membership is offered to them. We meet on aEmma Muir monthly basis to network, assist one another in developing their businesses and build relationships which allow us to make recommendations to our own clients… I have complete faith in all of my Wedding Partners colleagues and would have no hesitation in recommending any of them!

Now onto you – how did you get into wedding stationery?

It’s something I’d been doing for years… helping friends and relations out with designs for Weddings, Parties & Corporate Functions. After the arrival of my daughter I put together a complete suite of stationery for a 30th birthday party which was hosted at a venue close to home. The venue were holding a Wedding Fayre a few months later and asked me if I would like to exhibit as they had been so impressed by my work. I gave it a go, got 4 jobs straight off the back of it, and never looked back! I often wonder if I would have fallen into the industry a lot earlier if I had been able to study Graphic Design from a younger age…

How would you describe your style?

I’m not sure I really have a defined style… everything I design is created for each individual event so my style is constantly changing to fit in with that of my clients. Broadly speaking my work covers all styles… Sophisticated, Quirky, Dramatic, Innovative, Elegant, the list goes on…

Place cardWhere do you start when you’re creating a design for a couple?

The initial consultation is possibly the most important meeting with any clients, during that meeting I not only need to collate information on their requirements, but I also need to tap into their style and the overall look they want to achieve for their day.

What are the current trends in wedding stationery?

In terms of colours… there are a few that appear to be extremely popular for 2010: Midnight Blue; Cadbury’s Purple for the more contemporary style weddings then a lovely mixture of dusky toned pallets for the vintage and more traditionally styled weddings.

How far in advance do couples need to order from you?

Our turn-around time from the point of ordering to completion of an order is approximately 2 to 3-weeks. BUT, it’s important to remember that we have a design process that needs to take place first… usually a 4-week period. So, for couples that enquire about using our services we suggest that they make initial contact around 6-months prior to the date they wish to send invitations out, this ensures timescales can be met and the diary can be booked for production. There are the odd occasions that we have taken on work at shorter notice when we have been available to do so.

What do you wish couples already knew before they come to you?

The colour scheme! If they want their colours incorporated into a design, it’s obviously one of the most important factors. I have had an instance in the past where there was a choice of two very different colour schemes; each followed a different style… I created samples ofSilver wedding invitations stationery for each colour scheme… Typically they wanted the design of one set incorporating the colours of another… it simply didn’t work so we had to go back to the drawing board! The dress… this is also a major factor. The design and style of a dress can completely change the design & style of your day… so it’s preferable for the dress to be ordered (or at least chosen).

You clearly love what you do.  What’s the best part of your job?

There’s two favourite moments…. 1) The Sample meeting when my clients get to see what I’ve come up with – I watch their expressions as they open the envelopes or packaging. 2) Setting up on the day of a wedding – I get an enormous amount of satisfaction out of putting all of the little finishing touches together.

And finally, what makes A Bespoke Design special?

All of our designs are created for each individual client, hence the company name, so we start with a blank canvas on each and every job. To enable us to fulfil our clients requirements it is important that we can get to know the client, we therefore build a strong working relationship with them, especially when we work with them from the design of their Save-the-Date Cards through to the stationery they require on the day, which can be as much as a 2-year period. In the majority of cases, we see our clients as much as they would see their Wedding Planner!

 

We love the industry and take a great amount of pride in our work. The sense of satisfaction in seeing the response of happy clients is often overwhelming, and the kind words of thanks we receive always put a smile on my face and even a tear in my eye. I sincerely care about my clients and the relationship I have with them.

 

We believe that we offer a very personal and intimate service, without those standards we would not have built the reputation we currently hold over the past three years in business!


You can contact Emma at emma@abespokedesign.co.uk or on 01279 870422.  You can see more of her designs on her website, or you can follow her on twitter or facebook

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April 14, 2010

Choosing the music for your wedding video

Filed under: General — Jim @ 4:47 pm

Music is a hugely important part of a wedding video.  Just like in a feature film, it affects the mood, pace and atmosphere of the video.

 

The best part is that you can choose all the music yourself, so if you have a song that is special to you or significant in your relationship, it can help to make your wedding video really personal.

 

string quartet

When choosing your music it helps to look at when the music is going to be used in the video.  Obviously all wedding videos are different but many videographers will use montages for a few sections, as they are the best way to show all that went on without turning your video into a four hour epic!  The service and speeches are usually shown in full (or only slightly edited), while the following parts of your day are ripe for a montage:

 

  • The opening – the bride getting ready, or shots of the venue/cake/invitations etc.
  • Transition between the ceremony and reception – photos, guests chatting, champagne, the receiving line.
  • The ending – often a ‘highlights reel’ showing the best bits edited down to a few minutes.

 

There may be others – often an evening’s dancing will be shown in the course of a single song, and this may be recorded live.  If you have musicians playing earlier in the day, say a harpist or a string quartet, then their music may be perfect for the middle section.

 

For the rest, obviously you should choose music you both like, and ideally a song that means something to you, but listen to the lyrics too – some songs might not be as happy or romantic as they sound at first!  Bear in mind that you’ll be watching your video in years to come, so you might want to go for something timeless (What A Difference a Day Makes, Unforgettable or most of Sinatra’s songs are popular) so that the video doesn’t seem dated, or you might go for something really contemporary that will catapult you right back into 2010 whenever you watch it in the future.

 

The opening music will set the mood, so think about whether you want something slow and graceful which will probably be edited to lingering shots, maybe some soft focus or slow motion, or something peppy and upbeat, for a fast, energetic feel straight off.  She by Elvis Costello and She’s So Lovely by Scouting for Girls would make two totally different opening montages.  You don’t even have to choose a song with ’she’ in the title if you don’t want to!

 

wedding danceThe highlights montage is usually where you’ll use ‘your song’ – that is unless you had it for your first dance.  If you did, why not see if there are other versions you like – maybe a cover or an acoustic or live version by the same artist.

 

Speak to your videographer about your choices – he’ll let you know how many songs he needs, and he should have a few suggestions if you’re struggling to come up with the perfect music.  Do make sure he has the licence to use copyrighted music – these are available to wedding videographers thanks to an agreement with the MCPS and the PPL, who control music copyright in the UK, and if he doesn’t use one, he’s breaking the law.

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April 9, 2010

 

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-04-09

Filed under: General — Jim @ 6:59 pm

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