How do you politely tell customers 'no preview copy'
 

Despite stressing at meetings with my couples that I don't provide previews (plus it's covered in my terms and conditions) I have yet again had an email asking for a sample for them to approve!!!!!

How often does this happen to you folks and how do you respond? - I don't want to appear mean or arrogant but I need to say 'I know how to edit films and you don't' in a nice way ;)

Pete

Re: How do you politely tell customers 'no preview copy'
 

I have had one client asking for a preview so they could see it and maybe ask for re-edits, because that's what a preview usually leads to and I said that I don't do this at my office but would supply them with a online file and a timecode so they could tell me where to make changes. I told them this was not for free and then gave them a high price for placing the file online and a equal high re-edit hour rate.
They told me then it was ok to just leave it. :)

Re: How do you politely tell customers 'no preview copy'
 

I have rarely been asked, but on the odd occasion that I have, I have explained that they have chosen me presumably because they like my work, which is based on years of experience in crafting the finished product. I also explain that it is not a matter of picking shots that they like, but knowing how long to make a shot and how to create a visual flow to the work, which is the reason they employed me.

If they push me further, I relate it to choosing an artist to paint their portrait, then expecting to decide what colours and brushes he should use. I would even go as far as to suggest that I would feel insulted, but that has never happened.

They always back off once they fully understand what I do and I have never had a problem in over 30 years.

Roger

Re: How do you politely tell customers 'no preview copy'
 

Hi Pete

Noa is getting close to the correct method of doing it. I have had one request for a "proof disk so we can see what we need to change" I simply tell them that all I supply is the final disks so if they really want to look at a preview with a mind to re-editing then you have satisfied the terms of the contract by delivering the end product. They will undoubtably come back to you wanting a dozen changes or more and you can then charge them a decent re-edit fee for any changes. Hopefully they have paid you in full already so deliver the final disks and see what happens.

Chris

Re: How do you politely tell customers 'no preview copy'
 

I'm not sure what the polite way to approach this is. but think of it from another perspective: If you're at an ice-cream store and they don't offer samples, you probably won't return. Sure, the sample costs a bit, but it almost always leads to a sale and you're giving the customer what they want. If you're not providing a preview, how do you know that the final won't have something that you missed, or objectionable content (to the viewer, not to you).
My solution is to create a low-resolution preview (SD, low bitrate), put it up on Vimeo with a password and give the client 1 week to review it. Sure, there have been changes, but most are minor, and it's much better than delivering a final product and having to redo it for something silly. The customer will look at this project for years, you only have to see it a few times. Why not make it a part of your marketing? I tell the client that this is their movie, not mine...so it doesn't go out until they approve. If you're worried about endless revisions, specify in your contract that edit revisions are limited to 'x' hours for free and then 'y' dollars per hour afterwards. I promise that will keep the nitpicking to a minimum.

Re: How do you politely tell customers 'no preview copy'
 

Your ice cream analogy doesn't quite match up Oren, because the free sample is of course your body of prior works that the client is looking at to decide if they want your skills to create their video.

Re-edits i simply feel are an extra charge, along with a max number of hours labor.

All my invoices include a max hours of labor for both shooting and editing.

To map out a hypothetical:
You can specify that edit requests are not part of the package, but if they would like re-edits, they can purchase additional editing, set a minimum starting point for any re-edits, let's say an arbitrary $100, which is the fee for preparing a timecode stamped video low resolution copy on youtube/vimeo/etc... They can view it, make out a list of changes they would like, and you would then provide them the quote to make those changes. If you want to be extra nice, let them know which changes will be the most costly/etc...

Re: How do you politely tell customers 'no preview copy'
 

My feelings here are if you give the bride a preview copy she almost feels obliged to at least request some changes otherwise she feels she hasn't done her job. These of course, can spiral wildly out of control and become a nightmare very quickly. I might get one bride at most who wants stuff changed once she has seen the supplied final copy and yes, that is chargeable ..end of story! If you say " Just tell me what you want to change and I'll do it, no charge" then you are in for a really hard life!!

The bride should have taken the trouble to view your samples and see your style so in theory she shouldn't have any reason to request multiple changes ... I do ask if she needs anything special covered and to let me know during the day if she needs any special coverage.

If they ask for a preview copy I tell them the final DVD is what you watch. In rare cases where they do state up front that they want a preview and expect you to edit changes for free then the solution is really simple ..don't book them ..there are plenty more fish out there!! Your terms and conditions should stand..no exceptions.

Re: How do you politely tell customers 'no preview copy'
 

In my contract that I send to brides, I include the following statement which has worked out very well:

"Client shall be given the option to review the First Cut and request changes within 21 days of delivery. SSM will spend up to (1) hour on additional changes. If changes require additional editing beyond (1) hour Client will be charged an overtime fee of $50 per hour."

I've found that the brides are often very appreciative that they have the option of requesting revisions but many of them don't request any at all. I've only had two brides request more than one hour of revisions but that extra time is subject to the $50 per hour rate. I make sure to give them a heads up if I'm nearing the end of the free revision editing time so that they have to give me approval to go past the free hour. I've found that most of them don't want to pay for any extra editing so they'll have me stop at one hour and seem very pleased that they were able to request a few minor changes.

While this may seem time consuming, I would rather spend some extra time adding in a shot of their brother walking down the aisle than have them email me after getting the final DVDs and ask why he wasn't in the video. I definitely don't think that it's unwise to not offer revisions, but I've had lots of success with this policy so I think it's a good option to consider. This way they don't get the chance to request 10 hours of revisions unless they want to pay for it, but they still feel like they were able to have a little input into the final edit.

Re: How do you politely tell customers 'no preview copy'
 

I would be careful placing a low quality file online for reviewing purposes, there is a very high chance they will share the link and password with family and closest friends during the review period just because they are so exited and if your film looks bad, because it's sd and low bitrate, you might be judged by other, maybe potential clients, by that sample.

Re: How do you politely tell customers 'no preview copy'
 

I agree that the first time your client views their film it should be hopefully a Blu-ray copy on a decent full HD TV. The first time they see it is when their emotional response to it will be at its highest. You want to blow them away and enjoy it in all its detailed glory.

On meeting clients I explain (and put it on the contract as well) that after delivery they have 7 days to report any technical faults which I will resolve quickly and of course free. If they want editorial changes they also have 7 days to request them and I will send them a quote to make the changes.

Now and again I have clients come back and try to argue the toss of what counts as a 'technical' error or not.

Re: How do you politely tell customers 'no preview copy'
 

Thanks for your input guys, always a hot topic this one! What I really wanted though was a way of reminding them politely- i was going to go with something like this...

"Please rest assured that the style and content of the edit will be comparable to samples shown at our original meeting and samples made available on my websites"

I think that will do the job.

Regrading you folks that do provide an option for them to request changes - how can they do that without the benefit of viewing all your raw footage? Do you provide a sample edit and let them ask for changes to that? Not sure how that would work unless they are going from memory as in "Can we include a shot when the magician performed that trick for all the kids" but then most of us surely pride ourselves on capturing the moments the B&G miss!

Pete

Re: How do you politely tell customers 'no preview copy'
 

Hey Pete

For me providing a preview disk is the same as bending down and sticking a "kick me" sign on your backside ... Been there and done that and have sleepless nights trying to re-edit tiny little items that the bride, in her wisdom has decided to ask to change.

Seriously I would simply clamp down hard to any request and tell any bride requesting a preview copy .."Attached are my terms and conditions you read and signed against and you can clearly see that we do not provide preview copies of the wedding for scrutiny and all edit decisions are made by our team" "I will be sending you the final DVD set in a few days however, hope you enjoy the content"

I stopped offering previews back in 2007 or 2008 and I think I have had just one bride in all that time who actually asked me to change her wedding content and supplied a list of changes. I have sent her a hefty quotation and hopefully she will have second thoughts!!

Chris

Re: How do you politely tell customers 'no preview copy'
 

I'm with you on that Chris and have not provided preview copies since the early days for reason's we all agree on - It's just sometimes people forget what's been discussed and not read my terms/conditions so I just need a polite way to remind them ;)

Re: How do you politely tell customers 'no preview copy'
 

There are a couple of things I have picked up from comments here that suggest that some requests for previews and re-edits are down to style of selling and type of end product.

The ice cream analogy was interesting, as my ice cream preview is showing them my previous work in a comprehensive visit, so that they know exactly what they will be getting. My booking contract also includes a line similar to that which Peter suggested, that any video supplied by me will be consistent in quality and content with examples shown previously to the client, within the limits of location, lighting and access on the day of filming.

A mention was made of an example of adding the bride's brother walking down the aisle. That would suggest that a comparatively short form of video was offered that meant deciding what footage to include. My doc style uses all the footage that I take apart from backup cams/angle of the same shot, so I basically only shoot on the main cam what I intend to use.There wouldn't be shots that I have missed out of the edit.

As I said previously, a wedding video is put together using creative, artistic and technical skills and if you have sold it properly, they would have chosen you for your professional and creative abilities. To allow the client to then reshape your creation, is to devalue your own abilities and interpretation. You cannot possibly capture every aspect and every expression of every person at a wedding and they need to be aware of that before contracts are signed.

Roger

Re: How do you politely tell customers 'no preview copy'
 

I must say this, you do get a broad and conflicting message on this forum when it comes to delivering a video. Mention shortform, depth of field, sliders and the like and it's a message of how important it is to give the bride what she wants and not let our status as creative individuals get in the way, Mention on the other hand re-edits and suddenly it less what the bride wants and more 'we're being hired as creative individuals, so she gets what's given to her'. Am I missing something here?

Confession, I'm guilty of shooting more than I need. Gives me more scope in the edit, but yes it does add to the time. So there's always some leeway in what I'm delivering. I allow the couple one free request for change. It never hurts to have another pair of eyes over the video. I could ask a friend or family member, but the couple's opinion carries more weight.

Not all ask for change, and the requests vary from a minor nitpick to extending or removing an entire scene, or even a change of song if they feel their previous choice was wrong. Yes I'm a creative individual and they're not, but if World famous Directors can be humble enough to get critique via test screenings, then so can I. We all can get too close to what we're doing, and there's another thread running here on Titles that shows how we can get locked down into one way of editing.

Most couples don't fully appreciate what a video can offer until they've seen their own. I'd like to think my clients chose me in a thorough consideration of different options and styles, but mostly it's recommendation, price and a quick browse of my samples. It's only after the Wedding they take Video seriously. Before it's dresses, cars, cakes, venue and choosing a good Photographer.
If I met all my clients before the day, maybe that would change things.... However we all work differently and re-edits don't take up too much time; never spent more than an hour on any of them and it makes the Bride feel her opinion counts for something. It's always important to give women the final word on anything, they'll have it anyway, so might as well make it part of the plan. Mind you, if they go over the top, the charges come into play. I'm not that bleeding generous.

Re: How do you politely tell customers 'no preview copy'
 

Hi Roger and Pete

I'm sure you guys were well aware of the issues that poor Tariq used to have here with brides that wanted almost impossible changes and that should have also served as a reminder to everyone about offering "Take a look at my basic edit and tell me what you want changed" policy!

Yeah, sometimes I think that Steve has the right idea about weddings and stick to commercial work ... some brides can be more hassle than the job is worth!!

Chris

Re: How do you politely tell customers 'no preview copy'
 

And that is exactly why the review notes (posted just below the video) read "low-resolution for review only". As for the brides family not booking based on the review sample, I'm not worried. If the bride is happy, so will her siblings and friends when recommendations are needed.

Re: How do you politely tell customers 'no preview copy'
 

You can also watermark the video to read something like: "low resolution review copy" or even give HD and watermark with your company/name + For review only. just like the academy does it ;)

Re: How do you politely tell customers 'no preview copy'
 

It seems like this topic is more of a personal preference as there's no clear cut right or wrong way to go. With something like "Is it a better idea to shoot on VHS or SDHC cards these days?" I think you'll get the same answer from pretty much everyone. But this topic seems like more of a grey area :)

Re: How do you politely tell customers 'no preview copy'
 

Just saying, I placed a full wedding online a while ago that was a re-edit from another videographer footage (with his approval). I only placed it on my vimeo account with a password so the couple could download the original, I specifically told the couple not to share the link and inform me when they had downloaded the file so I could remove it.

As it was not shot by me so I didn't want to be associated with the film, even if I did the edit.

After 5 days I didn't hear from the couple and went to check the video stats and saw it had been downloaded several times and had been viewed even more times meaning they did share the link further. I immediately deleted the video but can imagine other people might think I made that film.

That fine print you refer to, nobody reads that, they just watch the film. Your client is happy, that's normal but anyone else they might share the video with could be influenced in their choice of hiring you by the low quality, only that's something you never will know.

Re: How do you politely tell customers 'no preview copy'
 

I really cannot get my head around those who offer preview copies and adjustments after delivery.
It seems absolutely bizarre imho!

We are filming a live event, not a staged production. We have to make 1000's of editing decisions on each wedding edit. I cannot see any reason other than a technical glitch to offer changes for free.

Here is an example.

You have created a documentary edit which lasts 1h40min. You have graded the footage, rendered it out and authored it to 10 discs on printed DVD's...sent it to the couple and they say I don't like my hair in that shot, can you remove it.

So it takes a few seconds to remove that shot and then you have to start the whole render process again, authoring, another ten discs etc,etc, etc.

Please do not tell me this is an hours labour! even for a second.....

I would happily make changes of personal choice at a substantial fee unless again it was a technical error.

Did I say I find those who offer this option absolutely bizarre.....
Help me understand!

Cheers.

Re: How do you politely tell customers 'no preview copy'
 

It's OK John, we'll get through this together.... ;)

Look at it this way instead:

Treat the whole thing as two different works. I gather from your statements that your work is final to the client, ok cool. If they ask about re-edits, you can say that you do offer additional editing services, and that if they would like, you can make edits for them under a new invoice/contract. in that sense.... why wouldn't you offer this paying service?

Re: How do you politely tell customers 'no preview copy'
 

John, in my contract I have written "No changes will be made after the master has been cleared for final copies." So I make sure that the client knows that once they give final approval then that's it, no more changes can be made. If a client were to come back and ask for a revision after watching the final DVDs then I would be under no obligation to do them for free and I would give them a quote that would reflect the time and materials involved in making the revisions.

This is part of the reason why I give them a "Rough Cut" or "First Cut" because if there are a few small changes that they would like me to make then all I need to do is open up Premiere Pro and make the edits. In my contract I list that if the editing goes past 60 minutes then they will need to pay my full editing rate. It's very rare that they ask for more than an hour of changes, but if they do then I get paid for it.

The reason I offer this is that I feel better knowing that they've had a chance to look over the videos (especially the 5-7 minute highlight video) before making final copies. This way if I make the final DVDs and mail them them out, I don't have to worry about the client coming back and saying that I forgot something or made a mistake since they've already affirmed that everything is good to go.

With that being said, I can certainly see how this approach sounds like more work than it's worth and I don't think that everyone needs to do this. It's just something that has worked well for me and my clients have seemed to appreciate having the option of requesting minor changes.

Re: How do you politely tell customers 'no preview copy'
 

You took the works out of my mouth.

Re: How do you politely tell customers 'no preview copy'
 

Hi John

A big +1 from me too. Sure, with a commercial shoot it's different but an event? Not a chance... Brides seem to think you can simply click your mouse and the change is complete so why should it cost her hundreds of dollars ... They simply don't realise the amount of work involved to change one tiny thing.

You guys that openly offer previews and changes obviously haven't sat at the edit desk for 3 straight days with a picky bride going thru footage from a 8 page list of typed out changes. Yes, it did happen about 10 years ago and that convinced me NEVER to offer brides an option to make edit changes!

Chris

Re: How do you politely tell customers 'no preview copy'
 

Wow, the idea of a preview copy has touched a nerve. My service regarding Previews is very similar to Michael's. One request for change, work lasting no more than an hour. Beyond that there's a hefty charge, so they're fully aware the price of my work and time. So no 3 days of editing unless I'm paid a good sum. Oddly enough no one pushes for that. It's just a case of setting a boundary beforehand. No more or less different than limiting the number of hours you film in a day's Wedding in case the party goes on till the following morning.

Now yes the work is a little more than an hour; there's the time taken to prepare the Preview copy to factor too. Which basically means encoding overnight whilst I'm asleep and spending 15 minutes preparing a basic DVD; generic menu and disk cover. Hardly a great hardship. Once I've made the changes, I'm preparing the final DVD as normal, so that time would have been required anyway. It's only the Preview preparation that counts as extra.

Basically I'm offering an extra service that many of you are not. That's up to you. Some Videographers make a point of visiting every couple, I do not. I lost one Wedding to another Videographer who offered free RAW footage, which I do not. Couple's appreciate they can request a small number of changes and I get the satisfaction that their video is exactly tailored to their requirements. Just because it's documentary doesn't mean there isn't room for change, at least not in the way I film and edit it. Since everyone is always banging on about giving the Bride what she wants, frankly I don't see the objection.

Re: How do you politely tell customers 'no preview copy'
 

Just wanted to add $0.02.

I do give my clients one round of changes for my shorter videos. One reason is simply that I want them to be happy. If they're going to have to live with the video for the next 70 years and show their grandkids, I don't want them to think, every time they watch it, "I look ugly in that shot. I hate it." I want them to love the video.

Another reason is that they do sometimes pick up on omissions that are important to them, and not merely subjective. For instance: "There's no shot of guest x, who's my brother. Could you put him in somewhere?" So, the changes are sometimes about things that you wouldn't necessarily know.

And sometimes, to be honest, the complaints are legitimate. I don't edit all the videos myself, and on one occasion my editors left out a particular couple being introduced at the reception. I don't know why they left this couple out, but they did. The bride picked it up on viewing the preview, and that did make me glad I'd shown her -- I would've hated for this to be discovered after the disks had been produced, partly because production of the disks is quite costly in itself for me, and I would have regarded that as a serious enough mistake to reprint.

That's just how I do things anyway. I don't think it's good advice for anyone to follow...

Re: How do you politely tell customers 'no preview copy'
 

I don't want to give my couples the choice for a re-edit, I don't even mention it when we first meet because if I would I"m sure several would try to make use of it.

It's not that I refuse to do this, but from experience I know that as soon you say the words "extra costs" the discussion can start.

I have done a few re-edits in the past from couples who requested to see a preview and I only can conclude it takes up a lot of my time, first I need to prepare the film with a timecode and put the entire film online which takes hours because upload speeds are generally low here. Then I have to wait until the couple gives me feedback which in some occasions toke a few weeks, then I have had couples that demanded to see the changes I made and that again could lead into a change request. Re-editing was often also not a matter of just cutting but I always edit my music so that it has a beginning and clear end, meaning you can't hear where I made the cut when I make a song shorter and that takes more time.

You could include those edit changes in your package price but when do you decide if a client takes advantage of it and you need to charge extra for it? That again can result in timeconsuming discussions and with a wedding every weekend I cannot afford that as I work alone.

Only those that ask upfront or after delivery for a re-edit I will serve but at a price and if they are not willing to pay and end up being unhappy, so be it, I"m not a charity organisation.

Re: How do you politely tell customers 'no preview copy'
 

What about offering a preview copy with a running time code (drop boxed or via USB stick in the post) and ask for feedback, title spellings, missing guests, unwanted guests and so on, but say that changes are limited to ten time code events. Once they list timecode event no. 11 you make a charge of say £25 per change.

That gives the couple some control over the content of the final film, without letting a bridezilla have open season on changing the whole thing.

Re: How do you politely tell customers 'no preview copy'
 

Seems like a sensible suggestion, Paul. I also like the general direction of your thinking -- option to make edits, but put limits on it. But even here there are potentially grey areas.

Firstly, I don't think you should charge for mistakes that are genuinely your fault, like misspellings or sound cutting out or menu links not working or whatever.

But secondly, changes aren't always neatly timecoded. For instance, a requested change could be, "Can you make this part of the video more exciting?" Or something like, "Could you replace the music here?", which could throw all your cuts out if you're cutting to the beat. Or, "Could you go through the video, and remove any shot in which person X appears?"

And then what happens if you make the change, and she's not happy with it, or prefers the way you had it before?

So, giving them ability to request changes can potentially open Pandora's Box -- though I still do it (!!!), and though, in the real world, I've found that people usually aren't unreasonable.

Another way of limiting changes that's worked for one company around here: give a deadline. If the client doesn't request changes by date X, too bad, it's going to print. And what usually happens is they don't request changes, because people lead busy lives, and normal people don't have the patience to scroll through and comment frame by frame.

Re: How do you politely tell customers 'no preview copy'
 

It's funny to read this as I happen to have a bride who already booked me 1,5 year ago and she is getting married this year in May who wrote me a mail a while back telling me she had to invite a person to her wedding who's girlfiend she couldn't stand, she asked if I could assure that this person would not appear in her video.

I absolutely hate this kind of requests, I did tell her she had to point to me who this person was so I could consider this during the edit.

Re: How do you politely tell customers 'no preview copy'
 

(Before reading this post, please note that I'm not trying to convince anyone that they should offer revisions or a preview copy. I'm merely sharing my own experience in case someone can learn from my early mistakes).

When I first began filming weddings I shot two of them in my first year for a very low rate. In my contract I listed that I would provide a rough cut to the bride, but I did NOT put a limit on the amount of free revisions (or free hours) that I would offer. I ended up spending at least 20 hours on each of the wedding videos as both couple had several pages of changes for me. This was not a pleasant experience and after this happened I decided to offer brides 4 free hours of revision editing where they would need to pay X dollars per hour after they used up the free hours. The next year I shot five weddings and I noticed that most of the brides requested changes up until around 4 hours and when they knew they were getting near the end of the free hours they stopped me between 3.5 - 4 hours and said "everything looks great, no more revisions are needed".

I now offer one free hour of revision editing which I clearly state in the contract and also clearly state again when I give them the rough cut. I filmed 27 weddings in 2014 and I only had 3 brides ask for more than one hour of revisions knowing they would have to pay for the extra revisions. The rest of them either said that everything was great and no revisions were needed or they just had some minor revisions that took under one hour. For the 3 brides that asked for more than 1 hour I was able to point back to the agreement that they would need to pay my editing rate I made a little extra money.

I'm by no means saying that this is the correct way to do things as I think everyone has their own way that works best for them and this may sound very unappealing to some. But I will say that I've found that putting a very clear cut limit on the free revision editing has worked very well for me since my first year when I had no limit in the contract.

So I would not recommend offering unlimited free revisions because that's when you can really hurt yourself when the bride decides she wants the entire video re-edited. But if the bride knows that she'll have to pay after the first few revisions then she will do her very best to limit the number of revisions that she asks for in order to save money.

I have found that many brides seem to appreciate having some input in the final product because they can add on a few final touches of their own. However, I totally understand that this not the best way or the right way, it's just worked pretty well for me and it's one option out of many good ones that have been listed in this thread.

Re: How do you politely tell customers 'no preview copy'
 

There seems to be a massive difference in what people offer in the way of previews, re-edits etc. It seems to be tied in with the way that your product is sold initially, the type of product you offer- long or short form, and how much of your original footage you use.

In my own case, the edit they receive includes all useable footage that I have taken, and consideration of any requests that I have had from them during contact before the wedding or immediately after before editing. Many on the forum seem to have little or no personal contact with the couple before the wedding, doing their communication by phone or email. I always have an in depth meeting with every client before contract signing, where we discuss how I work and if there are any particular requirements they have. If there is any mention of preview or editing changes, the answer is always no, with a clear explanation of my reasons. They are fully aware that they will get all of the footage and of what choices they can have before they sign the contract. Naturally, any mistakes on my part would be corrected free of charge.

It does mean that I have to spend a certain amount of time with every potential client initially, but in my view, that is preferable to having to work afterwards to re-edit because they have been given that option. I also understand that if your format is short form, then there may well be times when you have omitted someone that they may want included, so a re-edit option may be neccessary.

I would only agree not to include a particular guest in a video, if they were clearly pointed out to me on the day, and would only remove a guest from a finished edit if they were prepared to pay for a complet re-edit, which would be a large proportion of the total full charge. I did once foolishly agree to a re-edit for a slightly odd bride, who complained that she was unhappy with the video because I had filmed many guests who weren't smiling and she wanted her wedding video to be a happy event! I politely pointed out that most people at weddings are chatting and talking and it is quite difficult to smile and talk at the same time. Never the less she insisted, and then we had a discussion over what constituted a smile and what was a a laugh. I also had to get her to decide whether I should remove shots where some people were smiling and others were not in the same scene. She also wanted all shots of a guest who was pregnant removed, as she wasn't smiling very much 'Probably because she was pregnant and couldn't have a drink!' the trouble is that once you agree to a re-edit, you are open to every possible whim, so my answer now is always NO!

Roger

Re: How do you politely tell customers 'no preview copy'
 

Years back I had a bride almost having a attack because I did a few guest interviews at the end of the day and had a family member with me that I gave a wireless handmicrophone asking random questions, one of the brides uncles that we interviewed was totally drunk joking and shouting loud into the mike.
I thought he was quite funny but the bride did not, she almost was crying on the phone saying that particular interview ruined her entire film and that I had to take it out. I first said I was not responsible for her guests behavior and it was at her request I did those interviews. She replied I should have known that this part was not appropriate, I eventually redid the whole thing, toke that part out and had to remake all dvd's but charged extra for it which also was a long discussion as she first didn't want to pay for it so I had to give a her a discount on the re-edit, just to get this thing behind me.

If it's a obvious mistake I did in the editing, then it's always free but otherwise they have to pay for it.

Re: How do you politely tell customers 'no preview copy'
 

Trouble is meeting up with clients can be just as much abused as re-edits. Especially as my filming covers a rather wide area of locations. Last year I was asked to meet a couple in Crawley at 9am, being the only mutually convenient time. With rush hour traffic and no good road, it took me almost 3 hours to get there, plus 1.5 to get back. All for a 30 minute meeting, where the couple basically wanted me to be discreet, get plenty of shots of their kids and guests and just produce a lovely video for them. I had assumed that a longer meeting was required, that they were looking at my top package plus extras, but no, after 30 minutes they felt they'd said all that was needed, asked for basic Ceremony to 1st Dance filming and it was good to actually meet me before the day. Great I thought, and I lost a whole morning for that. No re-edit has ever frustrated me or felt like such a massive waste of my time. To be fair, most meetings aren't like that, which is why I was taken in by this one. Doesn't make it less annoying.

Now I can't knock people's wish to meet me, but to say it takes up less time than doing an hours worth of changes is alas far from accurate in my case when travel is factored in. So if I had a choice on what to cut out... Most alteration requests are minor and the vast majority of those requesting are very apologetic in asking for the change, emphasise that I don't have to do it if it takes up too much time and very appreciative when I do make the alterations. I can think of only 2 in all my Weddings who really abused it; hence the 1 hour limit.

Ultimately it's down to personal choice and experience and how you film and deliver the video. I'm certainly never going to abandon the idea of a Preview version of the Video. For me it's an important part of my service.

Re: How do you politely tell customers 'no preview copy'
 

You drive that far to meet your wedding clients? Why? I always let them come to me and several are coming from across the country which can be 1,5 to 2 hour drive. I lose max 30minutes to one hour when they visit and once they are out my door I can continue editing. I also propose to do a skype meeting if it's too far for the client to come or if they don't want to waste any time, then I give them a link of a password protected complete weddingfilm which I ask them to first watch and then we talk over skype.

Re: How do you politely tell customers 'no preview copy'
 

It depends to be honest. I do use Skype now more. In the case outlined above, this was a special case and hard enough to arrange a meeting time at all. Their circumstances made travelling to me very difficult. All I can say is, we can all be taken for a ride by a couple's sob story.

Re: How do you politely tell customers 'no preview copy'
 

I've never issued any kind of preview copy.

I'm curious as to what changes clients typically ask for?

Also, for those allowing up to one hour's worth of free revisions, do you just work through the client's list then stop after an hour, contact them and ask if you are to continue?

Ian

Re: How do you politely tell customers 'no preview copy'
 

It's wide ranging to be honest and can include anything like a cut down of the speeches a little, replacing the song, replacing natural audio with music, more of a certain guest, removal of a certain shot or scene. You get a feel for the length of time it'll take and unless you get pages worth, most can be achieved in an hour. I'm not so mercenary as to stop watch it. Some requests like asking for say a musical recital to be uncut can be handled by the fact I include such things on the Bonus disk, so are not amendments to the main video.

Re: How do you politely tell customers 'no preview copy'
 

Commonest requests I've had are:

-- music changes (not so frequent anymore; if I sense the couple might be choosy about music, I ask in advance what music they like)
-- guests out ("Don't like her"), guests in ("Do you have a shot of my dad and my sister in the morning?")
-- don't like this shot of me; please replace
-- do you have more of X? (Do you have more of the MC's introduction before the speeches? Do you have more footage from the photoshoot? Do you have more of guests arriving in the morning and greeting my mum? Do you have that moment where the little flower girl ran up and pulled on my dress?)

So they're all content-type requests. Pretty much never had any sort of technical request.

One quick thought: I'm often surprised, when I watch videos or parts of videos with clients, that they're looking at different things from me. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised, but I still am. I'm thinking about focus, exposure, composition. I'm don't think they're completely insensitive to these things, but they're looking at what's going on with friends and family. Eg: I shoot a slow-motion of bride spinning on the dance floor, with beautiful lens flares behind her; I play it back for her a few minutes afterwards (because I like to get clients enthusiastic about my work and reassure them I'm capturing good stuff); and she comments on her cousin in the corner of the frame and their expression.