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Frequently Asked Questions
It's your special day and you've got questions...

Do you offer High Definition Blu-ray?
Yes. Your wedding is filmed in full 1080i Hi-Def resoliution using professional grade HDV camcorders. As such, your DVDs are actually down-converted to 16:9 Standard Definition. For an additional $50 you may add a full Hi-Def Blu-ray copy to any available package.

Do you have any problems working with a photographer?
I have no problem in working with a photographer and have never had any difficulty in working with one in the past. I will set up one stationary camera where I can get a clean shot of you during the ceremony. This is typically at the front of the church, off to either side as to not stand out too much during the ceremony, or further back with a clear shot at the alter. I then float around, similar to the photographer, with my second camera. I've never had a problem with myself and a photographer getting in each other's way as it is easier for me to yield to him or her.

Would it be possible to have you visit the church and reception site in advance, possibly with my photographer, to figure out the best way of handling the set up and any possible problems? If so, would that be an additional cost?
I will make one such trip under the flat rate.

Do we need to know which package we would like at the time of putting down a deposit?
No, but I will need to know at least three months prior to the wedding. I'd prefer as soon as possible. If a picture montage is requested, I need time to get the pictures from you and to edit, plus make sure my schedule is completely open if the rehearsal/dinner is to be filmed the evening before.

In each package the ceremony is only offered as edited. Does that just mean that it's a combination of what has been filmed by both cameras? Is there anything that you exclude from the ceremony?
It does mean that I edit from both cameras to provide the best possible coverage of your ceremony. I do not exclude anything. I typically start the ceremony at the time parents and grandparents are seated. I do, however, edit to compress time and keep the flow of the video moving where appropriate.

How do you do audio?
I equip both of my cameras with professional uni-directional shotgun microphones. This concentrates the audio pickup on the subject being filmed and reduces excess noise from elsewhere. I edit the two audio tracks for the best possible mix from your ceremony, the result is that your wedding audio will sound the same on the DVD as it did to a guest at your ceremony. I keep the shotgun microphone equipped for the reception as well.

When do you arrive at the church?
I arrive about an hour prior to the start of the ceremony to set up and to troubleshoot any possible problems.

Would you film any of the preparations such as the bridal party getting ready? Do you do any interviewing of the couple prior to the ceremony or of the guests or bridal party afterward?
Currently, I do not offer a package that would include me traveling to anywhere other than the church prior to the ceremony. I certainly can do interviews and such at the church prior to the start of the ceremony if requested as a part of a Platinum Package.

What do you wear to film weddings?
I typically wear a polo shirt and slacks; I do not wear a tux or full suit. I am constantly moving around and kneeling/stretching to get shots that often need maintained for a significant amount of time; wearing a tux or suit would be restrictive and could jeopardize the best shots.

Do you have objections to filming a same sex wedding?
Absolutely not. Love is love.

Do you film the entire reception?
Pretty much, I use one camera at the reception and I am constantly moving. I will get your entrance, any speeches, the cake, your dance, wedding party dance, parent dance, garter and bouquet toss, bridal/dollar dance, any other specific event you request, as well as a good bit of people dancing. I will stay until the last official event of the reception, typically the dollar dance. I will not stay until the end of the reception.

Do you contract on an hourly basis?
No. I do not charge any different for a ceremony that is an hour long as opposed to one that is twenty minutes long. Likewise, as stated above, if you choose a package that includes a reception I will stay until all of the major events have taken place and provided approximately ninety minutes of total reception footage.

Where are you willing to travel to film a wedding?
A general rule is within a few hours of Ebensburg, PA. This includes the Pittsburgh area and parts of central Pennsylvania. If you're in doubt, just drop me a line. I do not travel anywhere that would require me to get a hotel room.

What are the technical specs on how you do a wedding?
I shoot using two professional grade HD cameras that utilize the HDV format. I shoot in a native 16:9 aspect ratio and deliver on DVD-R media that is also presented in 16:9, enhanced for Widescreen televisions. Currently, I am using Adobe Creative Suite 5.5 to edit and produce the DVDs; specifically Premiere Pro 5.5 and Encore 5.5. Blu-rays are BD-R media.

What happens when somebody else wants you for my date?
Once you've paid the deposit your date is reserved. If you have not paid the deposit, I will notify you that somebody else is interested in your date and give you the first chance to reserve it.

How is it that your prices are so low for the product that you deliver?
This is not my primary source of income. After years of working as a Multimedia Coordinator I became a Senior High School English & Video Production teacher who does independent film and video on the side and during the summers. My sole purpose in doing weddings is as a hobby to enable me in those projects.

Where's the hidden fee? What's the catch?
As stated above, my sole purpose in doing weddings is to enable me in independent film and video projects. My personal contribution to that end is to absorb all marginal costs.

How long have you been doing this?
I did my first wedding for a friend in the summer of 2001. For several years after that I would do an occasional wedding to help get me through film school or as a favor to a friend. Since then, I decided to pursue weddings as a hobby to help with equipment upgrades and independent film and video projects.

What's your philosophy about doing weddings?
My philosophy is simple; if I do my job right you should barely remember that I was even there. It is your day; I am there simply to document it.

How long after the wedding does it take you to get our DVD copies to us?
Editing is a process that takes time; please allow about 6 weeks.

Can we purchase additional DVD copies of our wedding?
Additional copies can be purchased for $25/copy

Can I see more of your work?
Contact me at dswanson@sprucefilms.com to request a copy of my wedding demo reel. It includes examples of picture montages, an outside ceremony and inside ceremony, and wedding day highlight reel; and is authored in the fashion of your finished product.

Who do we make our checks payable to?
Make all checks payable to Don Swanson.

Still have a question? Drop me a line at dswanson@sprucefilms.com

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