General Video Production FAQs
Q. How do I choose a video production company?
Q. What is the average cost for a video produced with your company?
Q. How long does it take to make a video?
Q. I have a camcorder, why should I hire someone else to do it?
Q. What are the benefits of a two-camera shoot over a one-camera shoot?
Q. What if I have an idea of what I want in mind? Will you work with me?
Q. How far do you travel for a video shoot?
Q. What ensures a good audio recording?
Q. Will shooting on a Digital Camera make my video better?
Q. What is the difference between editing on Digital and Analog formats?
Q. Are DVD Recordable Discs compatible in all DVD players?
Q. What if I have a question not listed here?
General Web Service FAQs
Q. Do I really need a website?
Q. Why would I want to advertise on the Internet if I'm a local business?
Q. Are your websites affordable?
Q. How can streaming video improve my website?
Q. Is streaming video just a "fad"?
Q. When I play a video clip, the size of the picture is small and distorted?
Q. How long are the Web hosting terms with your company?
Q. Can I sublease my hosting account with your company?
Q. Why does Web hosting for Streaming Video cost more?
Q. How do I choose a video production company?
A. Always make sure you feel comfortable with the production company you are interested in hiring. Check out some of the work they have done and see if their quality and expertise are satisfactory for you. Check out testimonials from clients. See what type of equipment they shoot on. Can they produce a video and work within means of your budget? Overall, you need to make sure the staff is friendly and able to help you produce a video you will be proud of.
Q. What is the average cost for a video produced with your company?
A. When this question comes up it is always given the same answer, "it depends." A lot of factors must be identified and analyzed before a proper video production budget can be created and given to a client. We are always willing to meet with our clients and discuss the best options that will work within their budget. We pride ourselves on the ability to work fairly and cost-effectively.
Q. How long does it take to make a video?
A. This question usually goes hand in hand with the type of video you wish to produce. Some videos, such as weddings, are shot in a day and the edited product is usually given to the client within 4-6 weeks. Other videos, such as industrial videos or documentaries, take from several weeks to several months, depending upon the complexity of the shoot. We are usually able to accurately portray a timeline once we know more about the project.
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Q. I have a camcorder, why should I hire someone else to do it?
A. Everybody wants his or her video to look as professional as possible. Your video will often be the first impression people get of your company, and everyone knows first impressions last! Most home videos are very poor in quality, resulting in a less than desired picture quality. In addition the sound quality is usually extremely poor due to a lack of professional audio equipment. A video like could give the illusion that your company consists of unprofessional amateurs. A poor video can do as much to harm your company's image as a good quality video can do to enhance it. We have spent years in the video production and Internet world and know all the mistakes one should avoid. Let us help you.
Q. What are the benefits of a two-camera shoot over a one-camera shoot?
A. In many situations, such as TV commercials and Documentaries, a one-camera shoot is more than adequate. However, event videography is typically not the case. This includes video productions such as weddings, conferences, presentations, and the like. A two-camera mix allows us to cover your event from two different angles, giving us a greater flexibility when shooting. We highly recommend two cameras in wedding shoots. We would have the flexibility to capture different angles and ensure a nicely edited video as a finished product. With a once in a lifetime opportunity, it's best to get what you want.
Q. What if I have an idea of what I want in mind? Will you work with me?
A. Absolutely! We often have inspired producer's contact us with an idea of what they want the video to look like when it's edited. We work with them in the pre-production phase and spend a considerable amount of time storyboarding ideas and conversing about different ways to shoot. This helps keep our creative juices going and we always look forward to it!
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Q. How far do you travel for a video shoot?
A. We are proud to say, "anywhere and everywhere," although we do charge for all travel fees incurred. For example, our videographers have been flown to Mexico for video shoots in the past. Simply put, we pride ourselves in being flexible and getting the job done right.
Q. What ensures a good audio recording?
A. No matter how good your video might be, if you have a hard time hearing what someone is saying, then you will most likely be displeased with the final product. After all, audio is half of video. With Napa Valley Media Productions, we actually take the time to ensure the best quality and care is given to the audio, as well as the video. We have a full line of professional audio gear and do not sacrifice the audio quality in your video production.
Q. Will shooting on a Digital Camera make my video better?
A. This is a question that you must compare "apples to apples" with. People often say, "digital is better," which is usually true. However, a professional, high-end Analog (meaning "non-digital) camera will definitely have a better picture quality than a consumer grade digital camera someone can find at a Best Buy. Typically shooting on digital is preferable, but not always better. Always be sure to compare apples to apples when you are comparing equipment. All of our cameras, analog and digital are 3-CCD, Broadcast Quality, Professional cameras. We do not shoot on consumer gear. If you are interested in viewing a list of our equipment, please click here.
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Q. What is the difference between editing on Digital and Analog formats?
A. Editing on a digital (non-linear) edit suite is one of the best ways to go about editing any type of video. With precise, accurate edits, digital video effects/transitions, and the capability to add slow motion to your video, digital editing suites give editors more control in creating a finished product. Although analog (tape-to-tape) editing suites still have their place, they are usually limited in what they can do. Typically these are good for simple, cuts-only editing with very few graphics. In addition, for those working on a budget and need something simple, an analog-editing suite may be the most cost-effective way to go.
Q. Are DVD Recordable Discs compatible in all DVD players?
A. Not every disc is compatible with every disc player on the market. Most duplication companies, including us, will duplicate DVDs using recordable discs known as DVD+R or DVD-R. All new players on the market are compatible with this type of format, however some early model DVD players did not support the recordable DVD format. To find out if your DVD player is compatible, please consult your owners' manual.
Q. What if I have a question not listed here?
A. We try to keep our FAQ section limited to the most basic questions we are asked. Everyone's project is different and they may have several questions to ask in relation to their production. We understand that and welcome any and all questions. Feel free to contact us today.
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Q. Do I really need a website?
A. Absolutely! If you are trying to promote a product or service, it is essential to establish your presence on the World Wide Web. The Internet has become the largest Yellow Pages in the world. With a website, the world gains access to your product or service. No marketing tool can beat that!
Q. Why would I want to advertise on the Internet if I'm a local business?
A. Your website never closes. Your "virtual" store remains online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and provides information you can constantly refer customers to. This also establishes your business as being a part of new technology and many consumers view businesses without websites as "unprofessional." Don't let yourself or your company fall behind in this technology-driven world.
Q. Are your websites affordable?
A. We have developed several packages that are pre-designed to fit the needs of most businesses. Prices for our website packages range from several hundred dollars for simple website to several thousand dollars for websites with E-commerce, database programming, etc. As with any service, we prefer to talk with you about your needs and provide a proposal for your review.
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Q. How can streaming video improve my website?
A. Video can be a powerful communication and training tool if used properly. Whether LIVE or on-demand, video via the Internet, when combined with graphics and supporting text, presents an unparalleled opportunity for an organization wishing to reach a limitless market, locally and globally.
Q. Is streaming video just a "fad"?
A. Streaming video is definitely a step into the next generation. It will not be going away any time soon, only getting better. Right now, streaming video is still a relatively new concept. We are waiting to see who the main supplier's of streaming video will be, what company will create the best compression algorithm, or whether or not it will replace TV all-together! In the next 5-7 years, we will definitely see some great improvements and further integration for streaming video.
Q. When I play a video clip, the size of the picture is small and distorted?
A. The odds are that if you are asking yourself this question, you are viewing a video clip with a modem speed connection. Unfortunately, many homes still use modems to dial up to the internet because DSL or Cable lines are still not available in their areas. The result is a small, pixelated video. Video takes a large amount of data to transfer from one place to another. When you watch a streaming video file using a modem, you are faced with the limitation of a small video screen. Full screen, full motion video is available in perfect quality, but you would have to have a T-3 line to experience that quality!
Q. How long are the Web hosting terms with your company?
A. We currently provide quarterly terms with all of our clients who have a web hosting account with us. Monthly billing becomes too much of a hassle for many of our clients. We do, however, provide refunds for the remainder of the quarterly term if a client decides to move their hosting elsewhere. We simply ask for a 30-day notice.
Q. Can I sublease my hosting account with your company?
A. We currently do not provide subleasing as an option for our web hosting rates. We do have Resellers Accounts available where you would be allowed to own up to a certain number of names and will provide a dedicated IP address for each of those domains.
E-mail us if you would like more information on how to set up a resellers account.
Q. Why does Web hosting for Streaming Video cost more?
A. Hosting and streaming go hand-in-hand. It is a necessity to have web hosting servers that are able to handle the capacity and "stress" that streaming technology can bring on a server. Our clients' files are preserved and maintained only by the Napa Valley Media Productions crew. Each client can rest assured that their video streaming needs will reliably reach their customers, without downtime due to heavy traffic on the Internet or other restrictions commonly occurring with smaller hosting companies.
For this reason, we charge more for our streaming video packages, but we also give you increased support for streaming video needs.
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