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Business Profile

Videographers

DaCosta Films LLC

This business is NOT BBB Accredited.

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Complaints

This profile includes complaints for DaCosta Films LLC's headquarters and its corporate-owned locations. To view all corporate locations, see

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    Customer Complaints Summary

    • 1 complaint in the last 3 years.
    • 1 complaint closed in the last 12 months.

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    Submit a Complaint

    The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

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    • Initial Complaint

      Date:04/10/2025

      Type:Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      AnsweredMore info

      Complaint statuses

      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
       
      Complaint: 23168733

      I am rejecting this response because:

      Mr. **********************s response omits critical facts and misrepresents the actual scope and understanding we had regarding my wedding event.

      From the beginning, Mr. ********************** knew my event was intentionally non-traditional. Our planning conversations reflected this openly. I told him that there would not be a typical reception with formal dances or toasts. Instead, I described a beautiful, heartfelt evening focused on family, laughter, and celebration featuring five full hours of important moments we wanted documented, including:

      *Our formal ceremony
      *Professional photography (including portraits with our children and grandchildren)
      *A dry cocktail/appetizer hour
      *A lively dinner with laughter and games played by our guests
      *Cake cutting and feeding each other
      *A grand exit

      This timeline was communicated to him well before the event day. I specifically instructed Mr. ********************** that, given the absence of traditional reception events, he should fill the time with candid interviews and moments shared between our family and friends. If he was uncomfortable capturing that style of footage or believed he could not fill the contracted 56 hours with meaningful content it was his responsibility to raise that concern before or during the event. I was present and accessible throughout the entire day to facilitate anything he needed including clarification as to what to film.

      Furthermore, the official quote he provided promised a documentary-style wedding film approximately 12 hours in length, based on the coverage of THAT day. MY day!

      It was never suggested, implied, or warned that if traditional elements were missing, I would receive only 16 minutes of final footage. Had Mr. ********************** explained that he would dramatically shorten the film because of the event structure, we could have adjusted our expectations accordingly or found a different videographer. He said nothing.

      Importantly, Mr. ********************** and his second shooter (the technician he refers to) were present and filming for most of the five-hour timeline. There was no shortage of content for the video available. His claim there just wasnt enough content leads me to believe that the recordings were damaged, deleted or simply not captured.

      Given the circumstances, there is a simple and reasonable solution that would satisfy me.

      I respectfully request that Mr. ********************** release the complete raw footage from both videographers who attended the event.

      Additionally, Christians contract promised a 12 hour documentary-style wedding film. Using the midpoint of 90 minutes as a reasonable expectation, and comparing it to the 16 minutes delivered, only *****% of the contracted service was fulfilled. Based on the $3,500 fee, this represents $622.30 worth of service received meaning a fair refund would be approximately $2,877.70 and I am formally requesting that refund amount. Any honorable business owner who values their clients and their reputation would recognize that refunding the undelivered portion of a contract is not only fair, but the right thing to do. Alternatively, Mr. ********************** could re-edit the video to better fulfill the contracted service which would only cost his time, no extra money.

      Most important of all are the memories themselves. I am asking for the preservation of the many irreplaceable moments that were entrusted to him. Our wedding day was deeply meaningful to me and my family in ways that cannot be fully expressed here. We trusted Mr. ********************** to preserve those memories for us.

      I am not seeking conflict, but I do expect a fair resolution. I am willing to negotiate a path forward that honors the trust we placed in Mr. **********************.
      Above all, my first and most important request is for the complete raw footage, if it still exists, so that these memories can be preserved. I believe it is also reasonable and fair to request a refund of $2,877.70.  If these options are not available, I am also open to a re-edit of the film so it reflects the promise made by *** **********************.

      Sincerely,

      ***** ****** detailed timeline, documentation, emails, and contract information is attached for reference.

      Business Response

      Date: 04/18/2025

      Thank you for the opportunity to respond.

      On October 26, 2024, I was hired by ***** ****** to provide two separate video services for her wedding:
      1. The Classic Collection wedding film package ($3,500)
      2. A multi-camera live stream service ($2,250)

      These were clearly itemized in the quote and contract she signed, totaling $5,750. I have delivered both services in full, per the agreement.

      1. Live Stream Service ($2,250)

      This was executed professionally on the wedding day without any issues. A second ********** was brought in specifically for live switching and managing the multi-camera stream. This ********** was not hired or expected to film additional footage beyond the live broadcast. This scope of service was fulfilled 100%.

      2. Wedding Film Classic Collection ($3,500)

      This package included:
       Up to 6 hours of coverage
       One videographer
       A documentary-style wedding film (approx. 12 hours depending on available content and structure of the day)
       Digital delivery

      While the wedding day was non-traditional, the amount of footage captured was consistent with what occurred during the allotted coverage window. The event did not include many of the traditional wedding moments that typically contribute to the length and substance of a longer film such as:
       Getting ready footage
       Bridal party or family portraits
       Toasts or speeches
       First dances or open dancing
       Reception programming beyond dinner

      What did occur the ceremony, couples portraits, and formal exit was captured in full and carefully edited into a professionally produced 16-minute documentary-style feature, which was delivered digitally to the client.

      3. Delivery Timeline

      The contract notes an estimated delivery window of 1218 weeks after receiving all post-production materials. While the delivery did extend beyond that by several weeks due to unexpected project volume at the time, I acknowledged that delay, apologized, and voluntarily issued a $500 goodwill refund, which was accepted by the client.

      4. Editorial Control & Raw Footage

      Per the signed contract, DaCosta Films was granted full production and editorial control over the final film. This is a standard practice in the industry to ensure quality control and brand consistency. The contract also specifies that raw footage is not part of the deliverables and is owned by the studio. This was also clearly communicated to the client.

      5. Resolution Efforts

      I have been responsive throughout this process and took the initiative to offer a partial refund, even though the services were fulfilled. I am sympathetic to the clients dissatisfaction with the length of the final film; however, that runtime is a direct reflection of the wedding days schedule and available events to capture.

      I stand by the work delivered. The contract was fulfilled in good faith, and both services the live stream and the wedding film were executed professionally and delivered. At this point, I do not believe any further refund, re-edit, or raw footage delivery is warranted.

      Sincerely,
      Christian DaCosta
      DaCosta Films LLC

      Business Response

      Date: 04/26/2025

      Dear BBB and ***** ******,

      Thank you for the additional comments. I appreciate the opportunity to clarify further.

      First, I sympathize with the importance of wedding memories and understand the emotions tied to them. However, I must stand firmly by the facts of the agreement and services rendered.

      1. Contract and Scope of Work
       The Classic Collection included one videographer, up to 6 hours of coverage, and a documentary-style wedding film approximately 12 hours in length dependent on the events that occurred and the footage captured.
       The contract specifically grants DaCosta Films exclusive production and editorial control regarding the creation of the final film.
       Raw footage ownership remains with the studio, per the contract terms. No provision for the release of raw footage was included in the service agreement.

      2. Delivery and Good Faith
       The livestream service was delivered successfully.
       The final wedding film was delivered in a cohesive, professional edit featuring the actual events that occurred the ceremony, portraits, dinner, and exit.
       The films runtime reflects the wedding days limited number of traditional and structured events. I documented and edited all available meaningful moments professionally and in line with my standards.
       As a goodwill gesture for a slight delivery delay, a $500 refund was already issued and accepted.

      3. On Claims of Content Volume
       The presence of a second ********** was solely to assist with the live switching and technical execution of the livestream broadcast not to create additional recorded footage for the wedding film. This was clearly explained and reflected in the separate livestream service agreement.
       No evidence has been presented that footage was lost, damaged, or deleted. All usable footage was incorporated into the final film.

      4. On Refund Demands Based on Runtime
       No credible industry standard bases refunds on final video length percentages.
       Runtime is dependent on the flow of the day, the events presented, and the editorial discretion outlined in the signed agreement.
       Unmet personal expectations do not constitute a breach of contract.

      5. Final Position
       I have fulfilled the contracted services in good faith, with professionalism and care.
       I will not be offering further refunds.
       I am open to offering access to raw footage only under a separate licensing agreement that acknowledges studio ownership rights and a standard administrative fee. I would be happy to discuss terms if desired.

      Otherwise, I respectfully consider this matter closed on my end.

      Thank you for the opportunity to provide clarification.

      Sincerely,
      Christian DaCosta
      DaCosta Films LLC

      Customer Answer

      Date: 04/26/2025

       
      Complaint: 23168733

      I am rejecting this response because:

      Mr. ********************** is warping the terms of the contract to suit his needs. He fails to recognize his error. No where did I dispute the $500 refund for a 5 week delay. No where did I dispute that the second ************ was only supposed to be there for the live stream. However, the 2nd ************ DID take video for the full 5 hours and Mr. ********************** did tell me & my husband - in front of my photographers as witness - that he would be using the second ************s footage in our video. I am left to wonder if either actually filmed for 5 hours or if they forgot to hit the record button. Or, perhaps it was a terrible mistake of deleting most of the footage. Even after all of this... After misrepresenting the contract (You can see attached agreement below) which actually says:

      "The Wedding Film is your classic documentary style video approximately 1-2 hours in length which includes all the main events in their entirety such as the ceremony, toasts, and dances. Additionally, it will include footage from getting ready, to portraits, and contextual ***** of the event location. This is the perfect option for those who are on a budget but want their wedding day well documented.

      -one ************
      -up to 6 hours of wedding day coverage
      -1-2 hour documentary wedding film
      -digital download
       "
      (emphasis added)

      After ALL of this Mr. ********************** thinks to charge me MORE money to obtain the memories he claims he has? How do I know he didn't erase all but 16 minutes of video? Why would I pay more for a service that was overpromised and under delievered. 

      No where does it say I MUST have a toast in order to gain the full amount of footage. No where does it say I MUST have a dance or footage of getting ready or dances. As this reads, these are suggestions, not MUST HAVES. And, again, the non-traditional event was ALL explained to Mr.********************** ahead of time. 

      In spite of the successful livestream, I am left wondering about Mr. **********************'s competence. If he is/was capable of creating a proper video. I hate that Mr. ********************** reinforced the image that Millennials are entitled, delusional and unreliable. 

      Unfortunately, I am afraid this will have to go to arbitration just so I can get MY cherished memories in my possession. 


      Sincerely,
      ***** ******

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