Category Archives: wedding video

09.02.09
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Why Weddings are like Movie Sets: (formerly: Fostering Wedding Planner – Wedding Videographer Communication)

Wedding ceremonies and receptions are a lot like movie sets. While they may certainly differ in size, location, and budget, there are some very clear parallels.

ArchWayAxtellsBefore the main event (ceremony or film shoot), multiple teams of people scurry about, setting up furniture, props, decorative elements, makeup and hair, wardrobe, lighting, sound, and other audio/visual gear. Then there’s the cast of characters- the bride and groom, the officiant, flower designers, catering staff, and the list goes on. If they’re not already working at the event, they are getting ready, even rehearsing their lines for the big moment.

If a wedding was a movie set, the wedding planner would be The Producer. It’s their job to carefully set up a framework for executing a perfect event, holding the “big picture” in mind while being on top of every last detail, keeping it all on or under budget.

PadillaExitA good producer clearly communicates what they want to all of the vendors that are contributing to the success of their production. This includes the videographer. Having done more weddings than usual in recent months, we’ve noticed a few things that *must* be considered by both wedding planners and wedding videographers before arrival to the location on the big day.

5 Tips after the jump…

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08.10.09
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Redefining the Wedding Video: A Love Story

Its the most special day of many people’s lives: their Wedding Day. All around the world, an average of 115,000 couples “tie the knot”, every single day.

After spending weeks, months, even years planning and daydreaming about the moment they marry their true love, brides and grooms (and even family members) who have been swept up in the preparations and anticipation always report that the main event went by in the blink of an eye. While using a still photographer to capture special moments helps bring back memories, nothing quite does it like video.

Bryan & Aiyana Emily, May 10, 2009, the Haiku Mill, Maui

Bryan & Aiyana Emily, May 10, 2009, the Haiku Mill, Maui

But there’s a challenge that comes along with that marriages-per-day statistic: it means there are a lot of weddings to be shot, edited, and distributed. It definitely takes more people and more time and effort to complete a good wedding video – and it should. There is no sign that those wedding statistics will decrease, but there is often the possibility that a videographer is already focusing on the next wedding before the first one is edited. That is why it is important for both the couple and the videographer to take special care in the making of a wedding video.

Here are a few things wedding videographers do to raise the bar:

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08.03.09
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5 Helpful Tips for the Working Filmmaker

Having worked a lot on our production business lately, we have identified five important steps that filmmakers should consider that will help you grow!

1. Start a blog and/or create an engaging presence on the “interwebs”.

We can’t stress this one enough. Nowadays, with the internet community buzzing at our fingertips, it’s silly not to engage in the conversation. As filmmakers, we have available media to share – and it’s probably more readily available than we think. Sharing a short clip of raw footage that you find to be interesting is more “instant” than waiting for your final product to be complete and “worthy” of being shared. And what’s more? Instant, free “peanut galleres” (aka “test groups”) are willing to comment on and offer suggestions and reactions to your work. There are also multiple web-based fundraising tools out there for film projects (more on that in another post).

Using your website/blog and social media tools (like Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube), put something out there that is entertaining, thought-provoking, or serves as a converstaion piece, and guess what? You’ll find a built-in audience, right here on your own piece of freely available internet property. And if you’re consistent and they like you, they’ll stick around.

Some filmmaker websites we like include: Continue reading →