What is acceptable standards for a videographer?

[Reena_jaguarxk8]

Hello,

I had my indian wedding in March 2007. It is partly my fault for the delay however the videographer recieved all the music that i wanted last June and it has taken him over 8 months to complete my wedding DVD.

We finally recieved a final version last week and my husband and I watched all 3 DVD's over the weekend which had 3 different events on there. We have been given 7 days to review and request changes. The overall editing was average and there are a few changes we are going to request e.g. music and colours

However, we did find on around 50% of the footage that the lens of the camera was dirty and also there is about an hour of footage when the priest is speaking but it is inaudible. We are extremely disappointed with this as it is not like we can go back and film it all again. I would have thought this is unacceptable as it is the responsibility of the videographer to check that the lens is always clean and that the sound can be heard properly? Just so you know the weather was clear on the day.

Please can I have some advice on what is acceptable standards for wedding videography and whether I should take this to court? I would appreciate any advice asap as I need to get back to the videographer.

Thanks in Advance

[Cus_de_Sparta65]

Completely unacceptable IMO! I do not know what you can do about it though as I take it he has been paid? Is he a professional (supposedly)? Maybe just get him to re-edit it more to your liking, cutting out the parts you do not like for the one you are going to have copies made to give to family. Keep the bits you don't like just for yourselves as it is your big day and no matter the quality, it is great to have those memories.

[Dareos]

Did you have a particular reason for posting this as your first post, on more than one forum?

Are you asking the public in general in the hope of generating an opinion poll, or perhaps you really wanted your first post on Hexus to be meaningful..

I think the reply on simplydv.co.uk was more than eloquent and adequate to be fair, and other than reiterating the points made there, then there is little to say.

I have noted that you posted here before you posted there, so in the case that this is genuine (sometimes a question has to be asked to be answered) I will say that perhaps you should have been a little more demanding of your videographer before paying the full amount without any guarantee of quality, and therefore should warn any other prospective clients that you may be aware of, that 7 months is far too long a wait and that the quality may well be poor.

Edit : I really do not want to sound callous, as obviously a wedding is a big day and there is lots to consider, one thing did bug me tho, was it an indian wedding ( as in style and nationality) or was it a wedding in India? (in which case was the videographer from the UK, or an indian national).