I cannot believe what I read, wilful physical damage to someones equipment, I know we can have difficulties, but resorting to that sort of behaviour is less then professional.

I have filmed for over 20 years and never had to resort to such things ( or had it cross my mind), and apart from the few difficult jobs, I get my head down and get on with it. If I believe there will be a compromise of my work that the client is expecting then I will communicate it to the client and let them decide what to do.

I photographed my first wedding in 1976 and, in those days, there were no videographers and the photographer was very much in charge. It was also the case that you spent a couple of years as an assistant, then did a few weddings with the photographer watching over your shoulder, then you might be let out with your own assistant.
Those days are unfortunately, in most areas, long gone when organisations (in the UK) like National Weddings hired anyone with a camera and a desire to earn a bit of money.

Z Cheema is obviously a conscientous and "correct" wedding videographer but, it seems, that not everyone is so professional. I suspect Z C. has enough experience to avoid the pitfalls when he sees them coming. After 20 years you obviously know your area and I'm glad that you've had so few negative experiences, it means that there is hope yet. You said "apart from the few difficult jobs".. you shouldn't underestimate how 20 years experience can help you deal with those "difficulties". A newcomer doesn't have that experience and, in my opinion, it's better to sort things out before the "difficulties" arise. Maybe it is a "city" thing but on the big-money weddings I've operated on in the last few years, the stills guys have been far from friendly. Having said that, when I was a guest at a mate's wedding this summer, the videographer was a complete pratt and I'm surprised that the stills photographer didn't deck him.

Apart from doing the occasional jobs for mates who still earn their crust in that battlefield, I have left that combat zone far behind as a major source of work, partly because I found it too cut-throat for my liking, partly because it wasn't "my thing" and I didn't enjoy it. The money was (and still is) very good and that encourages all sorts of people. Unfortunately, damaging equipment isn't the worst thing which seems to happen at weddings. Not at every wedding, of course, but when I meet people from the IOV (Institute of Videographers) and hear what goes on, I'm glad that my career went on a different tack. The tricks and sabotage which happen in churches and registry offices are quite shocking and far worse than anything I've experienced in the broadcast sector.
I think that it's fair to warn people about what goes on, so that they don't wander into that area all bright eyed and bushy tailed and end up getting hurt (financially or emotionally).
I'm not, for one moment, suggesting that this war in the aisles is commonplace but it is going on and if you can reach a friendly agreement before it starts, then surely forwarned is forarmed? I can remember having my tripod "accidentally" knocked over by a part-timer from "Hares of Belmont" thirty years ago and I don't think that people or the business has changed a great deal since then.

Roy, calm down old fruit. I fail to see what stopping a bit of ordinance has to do with videomaking. I have spent all my life avoiding bullets, both during my military service and as a cameraman in Bosnia, Kosovo, Rwanda, Afghanistan, Iraq (etc. etc.) so let's not get into a measuring contest eh?

Understand your position and comments now, thanks

By the why no one has done a real wedding until they have done one in Nam, that's right Dagenham, what a place,,,, sorry, old best mans joke.

I got shot with an airgun once, it really stung.

I did my sisters wedding a few months back - cocked it up in several ways. I found it hard work - I mean look, it aint right, I couldnt shout at the actors and get them to do everything 5 times - too stressy.

What i want to know is does anyone ever watch thier wedding video - except for when they get divorced???

As for stills - save the hassle - get a vid man to shoot in hdv and grab the sills from the tape (heads for hills)

__________________
I have two prejudices - I am anti HDV for consumer camcorders, and I eat mooks who claim to be pro wedding vidders and ask dumb questions.

www.zaskarfilms.com You tube channel 'zaskarfilms'
JVC DV5001e (big cam), Sony PC6E (tiny cam), Vinten pro5, PAG light, SM58, Sony ECM50, Sony C-76, 0.5x convertors for sony, Rode video mic, Vegas 7.

I had the opportunity to ask some previous clients I met at some weddings this year, and was pleasantly surprised that they did watch their DVD on a regular basis, some at least once a month of not more. Said it was the best money spend on the day and would not be without it.

Am hoping to do some interviews with them to make some promos using them.

Then i retract my cynical and miserable comment Mr. Z - it's only sour grapes cos no one has married me yet....

__________________
I have two prejudices - I am anti HDV for consumer camcorders, and I eat mooks who claim to be pro wedding vidders and ask dumb questions.

www.zaskarfilms.com You tube channel 'zaskarfilms'
JVC DV5001e (big cam), Sony PC6E (tiny cam), Vinten pro5, PAG light, SM58, Sony ECM50, Sony C-76, 0.5x convertors for sony, Rode video mic, Vegas 7.