Frequently Asked Questions

  • Us On Film is founded and run entirely by us (Aimee and Calum) out of our studio in Mount Maunganui and home office in Papamoa.

    Because we’re a dedicated team of two (with a more crew joining us soon!) you can take comfort in knowing your film gets our full, undivided attention. We handle every part of the process ourselves, from packing your gear to the final edit.

    As a couple currently navigating our own wedding planning, we’ve been exactly where you are. We know how much these memories matter, and we treat your big day with the same care and excitement as if it were our own.

    You can learn more about our story and our background onoureverything you need to knowpage.

  • Think of a camcorder (sometimes called a "handycam") as the original handheld video camera. Unlike a bulky professional setup or a tiny smartphone, a camcorder is designed specifically for easy, one handed filming.

    It’s the ultimate device for capturing candid, "in the moment" footage without the distractions of a phone. Whether you choose our 2000s, 2010s, or Modern models, they are all lightweight, user friendly, and perfect for passing around among friends and family to document your day from their perspective.

  • It’s a simple.. Book, Film, Receive! We send you the gear, you record the moments and send it back for us to professionally edit.

    For a step by step breakdown of the entire process, please visit our Everything you need to know” section.

    Still have questions? Drop us an email anytime at hello@usonfilm.co.nz we’d love to chat!

  • To keep things nice and easy, our base wedding and elopement package is $750 regardless of the date or which camcorder you pick.

    That covers the gear hire, delivery both ways, the film itself + more! You can check out the full breakdown of what’s included over on our Wedding & Elopementpage.

    We’ve also got optional add ons like 35mm Camera or an extra camcorder if you’re after a bit more coverage.

  • Absolutely! While weddings and elopements are our bread and butter, our cams can help you capture any kind of event. We’ve had people hire our camcorders and film cameras for all sorts.

    We’re more than happy to put together a custom package for things like:

    • Hens & Stag Dos

    • Engagement Parties & Proposals

    • Pre wedding or Rehearsals

    Just fill out our contact form or flick us an email directly and we’ll get you sorted!

  • We like to give you the best of both worlds something fancy to show off, and a solid backup for the archives.

    The Big Screen Experience (Vimeo): You’ll get a private, high def link to your main film. This is the one you want to watch on the couch it’s super easy to Chromecast or AirPlay straight to your TV. You can also send the link to any overseas or download a copy for yourself.

    Your Digital Archive (Dropbox): We don’t just do a "data dump." We go through every second of the raw footage to clear out the accidental shots (no one needs to see 4 minutes of the grass!) so every clip you get is a keeper.

    Everything is tucked into tidy folders like Getting Ready, Ceremony, Speeches, Guest Messages and the Dancefloor so you can find your favourite footage without the headache. You’ve got 30 days to jump in and download these to your own hard drive for safekeeping!

  • You can choose between a 2–5 minute Highlight Video (your best moments) or a Signature Home Movie (a longer, documentary style edit). The final length of the home movie depends on how much footage you capture!

  • You can choose the edit style that best suits your story:

    • Highlight Video (2–5 mins): A curated, cinematic edit of your absolute best moments. Perfect for sharing on socials and quick re watches.

    • Signature Home Movie (15–30 mins): A longer, documentary-style film that features your footage from start to finish. We edit this with a nostalgic, classic VHS style feel to keep it authentic.

    • Note: Home Movie length depends on how much footage you capture!

  • We offer two ways to kick off your film.

    🎞️ The VHS Tape Intro (Our Signature) Designed to feel exactly like you’ve just popped an old tape into the VCR and hit play. You’ll get the classic blue screen flicker, a bit of that analog "fuzz," and those iconic glitchy title.

    The Modern Minimalist Intro If you want something a bit more "now," this is the one. It’s a much cleaner, editorial look that stays out of the way of your footage. No fuzz or glitches just a simple, elegant typography title sitting over your first shot.

  • Once we receive the camcorder back, our editors get to work. You can typically expect your finished film in your inbox within 1–2 weeks, depending on the season.

  • Yes! All our camcorders capture audio.

    Camcorder audio captures the background noise and up close moments, for clear vows/speeches and far away recordings we recommend a celebrant/DJ mic setup.

  • To keep your video safe for sharing online without copyright issues, we select licensed tracks that match the mood of your footage. If you have a specific "vibe" in mind, select it or let us know by choosing it in our creative brief and we’ll do our best to find the perfect fit!

  • We aim to have your camcorder and it’s gear arrive 2-4 days before your event date so you have plenty of time to get familiar with it.

  • Every hire includes a pre-paid return shipping label. Just pack everything back into the box, stick the label on top, and drop it off at your nearest NZPost office or book a pickup with your label here the next business day after your wedding

  • We know things can happen! We offer an optional Gear Protection Cover which is a equipment damage waiver at checkout for peace of mind. Without the waiver, you would be responsible for the full cost of repair or replacement (from $750 per cam and $250 per accessories).

  • A 50% deposit payment is required at the time of booking to secure your date and chosen camcorder. Full Payment is due one month prior to your date.

  • Sorry no at this stage we do not offer either.

  • If your new date or preferred camera is available, we are happy to swap things around! Just email us as soon as possible.

    If the date has changed and we are fully booked for your new one, our standard cancellation policy applies.

  • You can find that and our other policies in our Terms of Service here

  • We ship nationwide across New Zealand and Australia! Unfortunately, we do not offer international shipping to beyond at this stage.

  • We provide enough battery power and storage space to last the entire day if used how they are intended. We recommend turning the cam off between moments and filming in short snippets to make sure you don’t miss a thing!

  • Our $99 gear cover protects you against accidental damage during your hire (you can learn more about what’s included and what’s not in our terms of service). If you opt out and the gear is damaged or lost, you will be responsible for the full repair or replacement costs.

  • We do everything humanly possible to get your gear to you on time, and we ship well in advance to avoid any hiccups. We personally track and keep a close eye on every shipment to ensure it’s moving as it should.

    In the rare event of a courier delay, which is unfortunately outside of our control once it leaves our hands, we’ll always do our absolute best to monitor the situation and make it right for you.

  • To keep our pricing affordable and our turnaround fast, we don’t offer revisions. However we put a lot of heart into making sure the edit reflects the your footage and your day in the best way!

  • Currently, we only edit footage captured on our hired devices to ensure the quality and style remain consistent with our brand/services.

    To maintain our signature "candid look" and consistent quality, we only edit footage captured on our own camcorders. We do not incorporate external footage (phones, drones, or other cameras) into our edits.

  • We believe full films are personal, so we keep those private for our couples to enjoy. However, you can see our style in a few places:

    • Under Our Cams: Each cam page 2000s 2010s modern features short footage examples so you can see the specific "look" of that camcorder.

    • Social Media: We share highlights and snippets on our instagram or tiktok @usonfilm.studio.

    Every film is one of a kind. Because we edit based on the footage and energy of your day, no two videos are ever the same your edit will be completely unique and tailored to your story and preferences.

    Note: If you see a video on our Instagram that you absolutely love, let us know! We can tell you exactly which cam was used so you can book the same one.

  • Yes! If your new date is available, we are happy to move your booking. However, because our cameras are reserved specifically for your dates, we cannot offer a refund or your exact cam if the new date is unavailable.

  • Often yes! If a camcorder is available, we can sometimes ship it just a few days before or if you’re local, you can pick it up. However, weekends and summer dates book out months in advance, so we recommend locking it in as soon as possible.

  • Once confirmed, that specific cam is locked in for you. Because of this, we’re unable to swap models later on. If you’re stuck between the cams before booking, flick us an email we’re happy to help you choose!

  • You can cancel at any time, but please note that all payments and deposits are non refundable as the gear was reserved exclusively for you. If you cancel after the gear has been shipped, the full booking amount is required.

  • Yes! Every camcorder is fully wiped and reset before it’s sent.

    • Vintage Cams: These don't use memory cards, so we recommend filming in short, 10–30 second snippets to capture the whole day without running out of space.

    • 2010s & Modern Cams: These use SD cards and hold significantly more footage.

      Note: You can always hire a second camcorder (+$300) if you want to capture multiple angles or extra footage!

  • We provide two fully charged batteries with every hire. Each battery lasts 1–3 hours of continuous filming. Since most people film in short snippets, two batteries are more than enough to last a full day of normal use.

  • No. Please only use a charger if provided by Us On Film. Using external or third-party chargers can damage the camcorders internal memory and electronics.

  • We strongly recommend against this. Each 35mm film camera is pre-loaded and set up specifically for the film provided. Opening the camera or swapping rolls risks damaging the film and ruining your photos.

  • For a non refundable $99, our Gear Cover provides peace of mind against minor accidental damage. Please note it does not cover full water submersion, fire damage, or the complete loss/theft of the gear.

  • If anything happens, email us right away! If you notice an issue at the very end, just fill out the End of Hire Form included on your “moments as they happen” pamphlet before shipping it back. This ensures you aren't held responsible for damage that might happen in transit. Depending on the situation, we may offer a replacement, alternative or refund.

  • Currently, our 35mm film cameras are only available as an "add on" to our camcorder packages.

  • Some of our older models have lived a full life! Because our vintage gear is authentic, minor cosmetic wear like scuffs or scratches is normal and just adds to that retro character.

    Rest assured, this never affects the footage quality. We take great care of our gear, making sure all internal functions are working perfectly and giving every camcorder a deep clean before it leaves us for your wedding.