Services / Home Video : Hiring a Pro to Get the Shakes Out of Your Video Memories

In the post-video revolution world of the ‘90s, most families that have a television have a VCR, and many have video cameras that allow them to record the special events and high points of their lives as they occur, and then instantly pop the images onto their TV sets.

More often than not, however, these video-age “home movies” come out looking a lot like their predecessors on film, with odd camera angles, a rather shaky point of view and random, out-of-focus shots of the ground and the sky--like the credits at the beginning of “The Wonder Years.”

So when it comes to preserving the really special occasions in their lives, more and more people are turning to professionals and hiring small video production companies to record some of their most memorable moments on videotape, whether it be a wedding, a family reunion, a 50th anniversary or a junior high school graduation.

These “videographers,” as they are often called, use creative editing, sound mixing, computer graphics and wireless remote microphones to give their videos a professional sheen.

“Usually, when someone takes out their home movies or slides, everyone thinks, ‘Oh no,’ ” said Bruce Martin, owner of Instant Replay Video Production Co. in Vista. “With one of our videos, it’s a lot different. You can watch a wedding of someone you don’t even know” and it will still be interesting, he said. “We change the camera angles and use sound editing to make it smoother and more interesting. It doesn’t feel disjointed.”

In the phone book, there are about 100 listings under the heading of Video Production Services.

Most videographers are happy to show a demo of their work to prospective clients, and many offer up to half an hour of free consultation.

Each videographer uses his or her discretion as far as what type of assignments to accept.

“I don’t do any risque kind of stuff, but I’ve had a lot of weird calls,” said Mike Sullivan, owner of “Document It” on Video of Oceanside. “There’s a lot of funny people out there.”

Along with the weddings and family reunions Sullivan has taped, he has also been asked to record some much less festive gatherings. “I’ve done quite a few funerals,” he said. “Once when I was taping, the casket slipped off from where it was sitting and started to slide downhill. My natural tendency was to turn away--so I didn’t record it. Now, I kind of wish I had gotten the shot.”

Bob Mohr, owner of Video Event Productions in La Costa says he prefers to avoid shooting funerals altogether. “No baby births and no funerals,” Mohr said. “We don’t do the beginning or the end. But I’ve heard the words I do about a thousand times.”

Here are some of the video taping services available in the area.

WEDDINGS

When it comes to preserving the special moments of life on video, the event most often recorded is the wedding.

“We do a lot of weddings,” Sullivan said. “Weddings are still the No. 1 thing.”

Various packages for videotaping a wedding are available from local videographers, with most in the $400 to $800 range. Some companies will attend the rehearsal and then tape the arrival of the guests, the preparation of the bride and groom, and the ceremony and reception.

A more extensive and expensive package may include a photo montage of the bride and groom as they were growing up, made from baby and childhood pictures from family albums. A deluxe package might have freeze-frame highlights of the day’s events, music and on-screen credits.

The videographers use computer graphics, sound mixing, wireless remote microphones and often two state-of-the-art, Super VHS cameras.

“We shoot everything at a wedding,” said Mohr. “We’ll even follow the bride and groom in another car and shoot them as they drive from the wedding to the reception.”

SPECIAL EVENTS

Although weddings are the lifeblood of videographers, there are plenty of other events that people want to treasure on tape. There are annual favorites such as anniversaries and reunions, but also piano and dance recitals, gymnastic competitions, 100th birthday parties and bar mitzvahs.

Most companies offer flexible hours and charge by the hour, with usually a two-hour minimum. Most charge between $40 and $80 an hour to shoot, and usually about $25 to $40 for editing time.

VIDEO FAMILY HISTORIES

A favorite of Sullivan, these video family albums, or “living albums,” as he calls them, draw a tremendous emotional response.

“We’ve had the whole family crying,” he said. “The first time I watched one with one of the families, half the people in the room were crying.”

The family histories can include a montage of old pictures or film clips, with the photos dissolving in and out and favorite music playing.

“They make a great Christmas gift,” Sullivan said. “It’s unique and personal.”

OTHER SERVICES

Many companies offer services such as taping living wills or trusts, or recording video property inventories or video resumes.

Most offer complete editing services as well as duplication of video and transferal of prints, slides and home movies to video.