Helpful Bar Mitzvah Preparation Information - Videography

• Should you videotape your simcha?

• Why shouldn't you have a friend or relative do it for free?

• Will I be able to watch my DVD in America or Europe?

• What distinguishes a "high end" video from a "low end" video?

• How should your videographer prepare for your simcha?

• What is the standard videography pricing in Israel?

• How soon before your simcha should you book a videographer?

• Should you videotape your simcha?

Imagine what it would be like to watch your father’s, or even your grandfather’s Bar Mitzvah. Five years down the line, how many Bar-Mitzvah boys can recall their important day?  While professional photographs successfully capture isolated moments, there is no substitute for a Bar-Mitzvah DVD – a sight and sound duplication of one of the most defining Jewish milestones in your son’s life.

• Why shouldn't you have a friend or relative do it for free?

Unless you're related to Steven Spielberg, a home video is just that; something to have fun and mess around with and to maybe watch half-way through once because the shaky camera and poor sounds are too mind-numbing. Your friend or relative may have great intentions, but they probably don’t have the equipment (professional cameras, wireless microphones, editing gear) to back it up. Plus, how could they even be expected to have the know-how or experience to produce a great video? It’s like asking a lawyer to be a surgeon for the day.  It is unlikely your friend who shoots for fun has either the stamina or artistic eye to be in the right place at the right time for both the crucial and candid moments. It takes a trained professional to suck reality in through the camera lens. The one filming this crucial event should be experienced in meticulously seeking out the best angles while anticipating the best moments, always being one step ahead.

All Israel television and film use the European PAL format.  America uses the NTSC format.  So film shot in Israel cannot be viewed on American televisions.  However, most videographers in Israel can produce NTSC videos.  Just make sure this conversion is included in your price quote.

• What distinguishes a "high end" video from a "low end" video?

High-end videos capture the day's essential moments as well as the candid shots the celebratory party is often too busy to even notice but will really enjoy watching later. The sound is clear and crisp; the images have a sharp color; and the camerawork is smooth. The pace is quick and captivating, never dragging on longer than necessary. Special effects are content-driven, not just shoved in randomly to shock or startle.

• How should your videographer prepare for your simcha?

The videographer should gather information about your family, getting a clear picture of what and who is important to the Bar Mitzvah party. They should go over the events of your simcha with a fine-toothed comb and familiarize themselves with the key people. The videographer should arrive well in advance of the function to determine the best way to set up the equipment.

• What should your videographer’s presence be like at your simcha?

Unfortunately, the long-established attitude of videographers and photographers in Israel is to put themselves in the center of the action.  In some absurd way, they consider themselves the most important part of the simcha.  While this may be acceptable behavior in Israel, a properly skilled videographer does not need to have his presence felt to get the perfect shot.  You should not notice him at all.  There is nothing more troubling to a guest than an aggressive, pushy videographer or photographer.  A quality videographer uses a discreet setup, involving no cables or overpowering lights.  Modern 3-chip digital cameras expertly pick up quality images in low-light situations, without requiring offensive strobe lighting.

• What is the standard videography pricing in Israel?

The general style of Israeli videographer pricing is to haggle, offer what initially seems to be a low quote, only to pile on “hidden extras” (i.e. overtime, travel charges, extras and other misc. expenses) after the event.  Some will even come up to the family in the middle of the event, requesting extra payment to stay for overtime. Then there are the videographers who charge extra for a Music Video (in Israel they call it the “Clip”).  Look for a video package that is end-to-end.

Another way videographers seek to lower their rates is by doing “in-camera” editing. This naturally produces a low-end video, as the videographer will be editing while filming (hence not concentrating 100% while filming). This saves the videographer time in the editing process, but also results in a sub-par production.   Understand that 90% of the work for a quality videographer occurs AFTER the event (in the editing).

Another way a videographer is able to reduce the price is to use a boilerplate system of editing.  To avoid this, ask to see many different samples of your videographer’s work before hiring.  If you see one theme running through them all, you know your video will be the same as your neighbor’s, even though your smachot were probably nothing alike.
 
A quality videographer will take the time (upwards of 60+ hours) to produce a unique American/European-style video, with subtle, sharp, personalized effects during which the simcha tells the story on its own, creating a unique video.
 
• How soon before your simcha should you book a videographer?

Popular seasonal dates fill up quickly. It is not uncommon to book 6 months to 1 year in advance.