Tagas Says...Top 10 Questions When Interviewing Videographers

Top 10 questions to ask before you hire your videographer.

10) Can we see an actual recent wedding video, not just a demo reel?
The answer to this should be YES. If they can’t show you their skills from actual recent weddings, you can’t show them the money and I don’t care how much Tom Cruise tells you to do so…

9) What experience and background do you have?
The more the better. Duh.

8) Is your video High Definition?
If you haven’t been to that big wall of HD TV’s in Wal-Mart or Best Buy you’re seriously behind the times. There’s a CLEAR difference between the two and you won’t regret splurging for a company that offers HD. And the difference is, and I quote, “like watching an old 80’s movie versus the brand new Star Wars.” Please try to ignore the nerdiness that spews out of that last statement.

7) How large is your crew and will they interfere?
An ideal crew will practically blend in with the drapes.

6) How many cameras will they use?
Three or even Two is best. One is ok. If they show up empty handed, I give you permission to punch them in the face.

5) How long will it take to receive my DVDs?
Any longer than eight weeks is too long.

4) Do you offer any special features?
The best companies will offer cool stuff like 3D montages or Love Stories. Even if you don’t necessarily want it, the fact that they even offer it says something. Personally I would rather have an action flick for my wedding… but that’s just me.

3) What kind of equipment do you use?
Sony, Canon and Panasonic or better. End of story.

2) Will you do what I want?
The answer is yes, but don’t expect them to get you coffee or watch your dog. Not ok.

1) How much do you cost?
Work out a budget, but don’t be afraid to invest in this. Stayed tuned for an upcoming blog dedicated SOLELY to pricing.

Tagas Says...Videography… how to separate the pros from the average Joes

There was once a great episode of Everybody Loves Raymond where Raymond’s wife finds outs that he has accidentally recorded a sports game over their wedding video. While the premise of the storyline was used for Ray Ramano to crack middle-aged humor jokes with his hallow, irritating voice, it’s a clear example of someone who obviously didn’t hire a professional videographer. So what if it’s fictional…

Had Ray and his wife gone to Tagas, they wouldn’t have this issue because we offer multiple copies in the highest of quality… But alas, the show was cancelled and here we are today.

So how do you decipher between a professional and amateur videographer? Here’s where to start…

1) Equipment—a good videographer will have professional grade camera equipment. (Versus consumer grade). To decipher between what is consumer/professional, look for labels like 3 CCD. This stands for three chips and allows for better low light picture. Also keep an eye out for professional brands like Sony, Canon and Panasonic. We use the canon XL2, GL2, and, for HD, the Canon XH A1. Rad.

2) The # of cameras—A professional videographer isn’t going to set up their digital camera behind the alter and push record. A.K.A don’t hire Ashton Kutcher and his Powershot…he just takes a bunch of pictures of himself anyway. Most professionals will insist on having at least TWO cameras. Three should be used for larger events that call for more detail.

3) Attire—A professional will come clothed appropriately without extensive help from Tim Gunn. He or she should know to wear all black (black button-downs, slacks, shoes etc.). Yes, perhaps a little gothic, but the point of wearing black is to blend in with the surroundings and not get in the way. Sounds a little Bridezilla, but it’s YOUR day.

4) Packages—a professional is going to offer much better packages than some college kid looking for a couple bucks on the weekend. Everyone can shoot a ceremony, reception and give you a highlight video. A professional would offer you cutting edge features like a Love Story documentary (think E true Hollywood story… but for you) or a 3-D photo montage or maybe, if you’re feeling extra high tech, even video invitations.

5) How well they play with others—It’s sad we have to mention this, but a big deal breaker among amateurs is that they won’t meet your needs. A professional is going to negotiate with you on price to give you as much as possible for an amount you can afford. If someone isn’t willing to work with your needs or they have “creative differences”… run… and run fast.

Tagas Says...Weekend Update (a little delayed)

Ok, so we are a little delayed on this, but trust me you want to read this one...

Weekend update.

This past weekend was certainly not a dull one. Friday we DJ’d and lit a wedding in Lake Mary for a really fun, great young couple, but Saturday we ventured into the land of our finest local celebutantes.
Little did we know it right off the bat, but we were doing video, lighting, and DJ for American League Cy Young Award Winner and Kansas City Royals Pitcher Zack Greinke, who was marrying Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader and “Miss Daytona Beach” Emily Kuchar.
Granted the crowd was full of baseball players, Cowboy cheerleaders and even a Magic player (who totally let me down the other night against the Miami Heat BTW), but the real magic was the fact these two lovebirds were high school sweethearts. Now that’s not something you see every day. Let’s face it, most of us ditch the high school puppy love about six months into the college scene, or in this case, past the minor leagues. Kudos Mr. and Mrs. Greinke. Kudos.

Mission Inn Resort 11.21.09 Zack and Emily Greinke reception
photo: Bryan Taylor, Tagas Event and Production Services

Tagas Says...Weekend

Saturday was our day of fiesta, only to be followed by Sunday our day of siesta. Saturday was jam packed starting with the Lake Mary High School Homecoming. It was a Vegas-type theme with red lighting everywhere. We had glow cocktail tables and uplighting throughout the lounge area. It was, in the words of the youngins,’ and I quote “sick.” But not sick in a swine flu kind of way. Heaven only knows how much of that was going around.

Additionally, Alisha shot video at the Radisson in Port Canaveral while Paul captured the nuptials of a great couple at the Maitland Art Center.

Lastly, we did lighting (GOBO and blue uplights) at the Royal Crest Room in St. Cloud while DJ Marco did his thang…

Only to be followed by Sunday, in which all of us did nada...except splash paint upon the staircase of the new office. (oh yeah, you heard right, more to come on that shortly) Amen.

Tagas says… keep the home made videos at well… home.

When it comes to the big day, there’s no better way to remember a joyous occasion than by videotaping it. However, when you look back on your wedding or fabulous event, do you want to watch something that’s high quality with excellent sound and camera shots, or would you rather watch something that belongs in the same class as reruns of funniest home videos? Except, fortunately for you, yours most likely won’t include Bob Saget. Be happy about that.

If you enjoy looking through the grain or getting nauseous from your sister’s inability to hold a camera still for more than 20 seconds, you might want to consider hiring a professional videographer for your wedding and/or fiesta and/or 80^th birthday party. Whatever.

If you’re not convinced yet, maybe a few little factoids will help you make the plunge to the classy side of things:

Did you know that 98 percent of all newlyweds surveyed in the 2006 Breakthrough Marketing Survey said they would recommend future brides to have their wedding professionally videotaped? I bet you didn’t know that. Don’t lie. You totally didn’t know.

Or did you know that only 50 percent of brides-to-be considered videography one of their top 10 “must-haves?” After the wedding, the number rose to 75 percent who changed their minds about that. DUH.

But more interestingly…

38 percent of couples have their weddings videotaped compared to 98 percent that had their wedding professionally photographed. Of those that did NOT have their wedding recorded, a whopping 68 percent totally regretted it.

Let's face it, would you rather see pictures of the last "So You Think You Can Dance" episode, or would you rather watch the actual show the way it happened?

You don’t want to regret anything, so come to Tagas and get your wedding videotaped the RIGHT way with the RIGHT equipment and the RIGHT professionals. Wow, that totally sounded like one of those attorney commercials.

And if you’re not so sure about what makes it “Right” never fear, because we have more posts coming up on how to narrow down your search for the right videographer. Stay tuned!

Tagas Says...Weekend Update

So it was another busy weekend homies.

Thursday: Boss man (Tagas) kept the heads ringin' at Banana Republic in the Millenia Mall.

Friday: Boss man was at it again, this time with the new guy Ryan (who will now forever be referred by me as New Guy Ryan and/or Newbie and/or Newbs). They DJ’d a Wedding at the Grand Bohemian downtown for another Pi Kappa Phi event full of shenanigans! Of course beyond the B.A. music, we lit up the room with a pinkish-white up-lighting while Alisha captured their Catholic Mass ceremony and reception on film.

Meanwhile….
DJ Tank worked a wedding at Holy Trinity with apple-green up-lighting, a glowing candy table, and a custom monogram…. Surely the green hue only capitalized on all the envious single ladies in the crowd…. Surely someone played some Beyonce shortly thereafter.

Saturday: Tagas DJ’d and lit a wedding at the Ballroom at Church Street while Marco headed up a wedding at the Lake Mary Marriott.
Alisha was found shooting the “I do’s” and party afterward at the Wyndham, last we saw her she was dodging between the circles of the grapevine exhibited at the reception. We seemed to have lost all communication with Matt...must have been one wild wedding he was shooting downtown at the University Club!

Holy cow… is it wedding season or what?

Last, but not least, we rocked out the West Orange High School Homecoming. It was held at the Buena Vista Palace (palace… fancy) and featured 2 video screens, 6 speakers, 2 subs and a full array of computerized DMX lighting. And, just when you thought it was safe to get out on the dance floor..."Party in the USA" was played...which caused the loudest scream in the history of cheerful screams to be heard across America!

And that’s all folks!

Tagas Says: DJ Hero checka checka checka it out.

So the buzz circulating around the Tagas staff these days is whether or not we should purchase the new DJ Hero for “stress relief.” My vote is yes, as I condone any video game that makes you forget to blink until your eyes begin to water with pain. But on a more serious note, we figured it would only be right of us to speculate on the new play thing that hopefully won’t take away any of our business…

With that being said, let me give you the details on what the heck we’re talking about. DJ Hero is the newest game released by the creators of, you guessed right—Guitar Hero.

Now, we all love and adore Guitar Hero, but what’s up with this DJ Hero stuff? Apparently, the game is designed so that each player has a turntable that allows them to mix music from popular artists like Black Eyed Peas, 50 Cent and the Beastie Boys with hip-hop, electronica, R&B, Motown, pop and rock genres.

Apparently, you can also hook up your guitar to it and play DJ VS. Guitar. Pretty rad, really.
So it might be a better option than karaoke at your next get together, but we had to ask—how close to reality do you get with this game?

According to King Tagas (aka Bryan, our leader/boss/big kahuna), it’s “not super realistic, but it’s close.”

We figure if you want to be cheap at your event, then yeah, get the game. But if you want to stick with quality you’re obviously going to hire the Tagas staff, no?

Either way, it looks like a fun game and certainly something to try out. Heck, maybe one day we’ll use it as a testing mechanism for when we look to hire new DJ’s.

Mix on America. Mix on.