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15 Saint Mary's Avenue Gosport Hants PO12 2HU 023 92 583077 info@videoserve.org.uk |
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15 Saint Mary's Avenue Gosport Hants PO12 2HU 023 92 583077 info@videoserve.org.uk |
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Wedding Video DVD
Photography by Malcolm and Chris Dent, John Mainwaring and
Jason Dicks
of
VideoServe
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Churches currently not allowing video: Saint Thomas's Cathedral Portsmouth 02392 823300 Saint Mary's Portchester Saint John Fareham |
| We are planning to add to this database a we gain more information. If your Church does not allow video, please email us on info@videoserve.org.uk so we can add it to the list |
| Since video began and
before that photography, there has been a running battle between some
members of the Clergy and the people who wish to get Married in their
Churches. Certainly, since I started filming 18 years ago I have met the
complete spectrum of warm generous ministers, whose only consideration is
the satisfaction of their clients, to pontificating stuff shirts, who
really show no interest in pleasing their clients at all. The problem we as video recordists have, is not whether we can film a particular Ceremony, but the wide disparity between Churches, both in terms of the money charged for filming, and in the complete autonomy of an individual to make decisions for other people, so that we could have permission to film one week, a new Vicar takes over, and the next week we are banned, and it is this inconsistency that has to be addressed. Some Clergy have tried to make capital out of the fact that my living is earned making videos, so my viewpoint would be slanted, but I find this argument has no logic, as I am paid to film a day-long event, and my clients have to pay the same whether I actually set foot in the Church or not, so I can honestly say that my own viewpoint is solely on trying to produce the best possible video record for the couple and their family, something apparently not on the agenda of some Clergy. The interesting fact is that even among those Churches allowing video, people are finding that the overall charges for a 30 minute service, which can be in the order of £500 are putting them off of traditional services, and on to more current civil Ceremonies at private venues, where the family and guests are in one place from start to finish. Personally I think that it would be a shame for this downward trend to continue, as there is no substitute for a Church Wedding. The realty, however, that I think the clergy in general will have to take note of, is that to most people, the Church is no more than a venue, albeit rather pretty, for a part of their Wedding Day, and that they have no interest whatsoever in the Religious aspect. Based on that premise, an astute Vicar can look on his temporary congregation either as a group who have hired a rather expensive hall, or can take the opportunity to interest even a small proportion of them to join the regular parishioners, and it is on this attitude that I think the Church will either stand or fall. Malcolm Dent |
