"Effects are often used to hide poor technique."

You're right.

*Ideal Wedding Video (IMO) = doco style + cinematic style

I think there may be some truth to effects being used to hide problems. It seems that many wedding videographers put up web demos with slow motion over a music track. Is that what we're selling to our clients? Slow motion with no audio track? I know if I was a shopping client, I'd want to see and hear some of the actual movie clips without all of the dreamy stuff. Just my humble opinion.

<<<-- Originally posted by Bob Harotunian : I think there may be some truth to effects being used to hide problems. It seems that many wedding videographers put up web demos with slow motion over a music track. Is that what we're selling to our clients? Slow motion with no audio track? I know if I was a shopping client, I'd want to see and hear some of the actual movie clips without all of the dreamy stuff. Just my humble opinion. -->>>

Seems like slow-mo with music is what works to attract most clients, and then some of them will ask to see a more complete sample of your work once they contact you. When I show people straight video without any fancy effects, they tend to look a little bored...although they might not have the same reaction to their own documentary-style footage.

Interesting comments Kevin - and I do agree with you about the idea that even the best wedding video can be a little boring if you don't know or care about the people. I think the same logic applied 20 years ago when people resorted to star wipes and fairy dust, my point really is that camera burn transitions are the star wipes of the new millenium. Star wipes (believe it or not) were once seen as creative techniques. If the choice is between boring and tacky, I'll take boring, because IMHO tacky is boring and embarrassing to boot.