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Cinematic Studios Turns Five

May marks the fifth anniversary of the start of our production company. This is such an exciting milestone for us. They say that most small businesses fail within the first five years. So I feel like we've gotten past a significant time period. I can now let out an enthusiastic "Whew!" Of course, we've more than just "not failed." From international awards, to podcast production, to book publishing, our little media company has come a long way in a short time. I'm proud of what we've accomplished in the past five years, and I'm looking forward to what we have in store for the future. Thanks to all of you who have helped get us where we are today.

This month also marks the fifth anniversary of the weekend I proposed to Tasra (August will be our fifth anniversary). On Memorial Day weekend, 2002, I got down on one knee and said those four, magical words. So, it is only fitting that on this momentous occasion, I display for your viewing pleasure, the very first wedding-related video produced by Cinematic Studios. It was my very own love story, which we showed on our wedding day Aug 3, 2002. It's fitting to show now because part of the video has a re-enactment of the proposal. You'll notice that the opening titles say "Don Ron Entertainment Presents"  "A Cinematic Video Production." Don Ron Entertainment was the company's original name, based on my swing dancing nick name (long story for another post). We later changed the name to Cinematic Video Productions. The moniker "Cinematic Studios" actually wasn't created until about March of 2003.

Enjoy the video! (Click image to play).

technorati tags: Anniversary, Proposal, Wedding_Video, Cinematic_Studios, Love_Story, Tasra_Dawson, Ron_Dawson

Love is a Choice

I was visiting Me Ra Koh's blog the other day and came across a post she made about a new website called "Love is a Choice." It will be a compilation of real stories from couples who've been married for a gajillion years and can offer encouraging advice for long-lasting marriages. One thing we try to do here with WeddingFlix is offer not only cool videos, but great tips and resources for engaged couples. This seems like a winner. Check it out.

From Trauma to Triumph

A couple of weeks ago while filming the Pictage PartnerCon Conference, I had the incredible honor of meeting and interviewing Me Ra Koh. She's an amazing wedding a portrait photographer from Seattle who speaks nationwide. After only four years in the photography business, with no formal training in the art, she and her husband Brian have become world renown photographers averageing $15,000 for their services. What's even more incredible about her success story is her personal story of pain and hope.

A victim of date rape while a freshman in college, for years she dealt with that pain.  She wrote a book about the experience called Beauty Restored, and while on the book tour for it, she lost her second child while pregnant. Yet, from those very painful experiences comes a story of hope and triumph.  She now has two beautiful children and is currently producing a DVD series for mothers teaching them about how to use their cameras to capture the memoreis of their children's live.

She was gracious enough to do an interview for the video podcast Cinematic Studios produces, Real Women Scrap TV. The episode is below and it speaks for itself. I hope you find it encouraging and inspiratioal.

Click image below to play.

technorati tags: Me_Ra_Koh, Photography, Date_Rape, Miscarriage, Beauty_Restored

NYC Fashion Photo and Video Shoot

At the end of April, you may recall we posted a same day edit from the wedding we shot in New York. The next day, their uber-cool photographer (the one and only Gene Higa) took them around trendy and popular spots in the Big Apple. Gene was looking to expand his repertoire with some fashion shots. Tony and I tagged along to film behind the scenes. Actually, I was filming behind the scenes and Tony was primarily filming the couple so as to make a kick-butt bridal fashion video. Stay tuned to this blog to be updated when it premieres. In the meantime, here are some of the photos by Gene. Behind the scenes photos by Ann Hamilton.

To see the rest of the photos, check out Gene's blog.

technorati tags: Gene_Higa, Ann_Hamilton, New_York, Fashion_shoot

Jules Bianchi Promo Video

We get to work with such a talented array of artists in our industry. One of the most creative and stylish is Jules Bianchi. She's a Los Angeles based wedding photographer we've had the pleasure to work with a few times. She's not only a great photographer, she's loads of fun on the wedding day. So much about whom you hire for your photography or video is based on how much you like the person. Cinematic Studios created this movie trailer style promo video for Jules to show how much fun it is working with her. We even created trailer website where you can see different sizes and formats (including an iPod version).

Click image below to play. (3:30)

technorati tags: Jules_Bianchi, Photography, Weddings, Videography, Promo_Video, Cinematic_Studios

Ron in Chicago

Today I'm in Chicago, IL filming the Pictage PartnerConference. Many of you may already be familiar with this photography powerhouse. In just seven years, they have become the industry leader of online image hosting, printing and sales solutions, and services to professional photographers. They simplify and streamline the process for photographers to upload, color correct, create albums, and print photos for their respective clients. This is one of two conferences they hold each year (the other is in L.A.) to educate professional wedding and event photographers. Cinematic Studios will be producing a very cool, kick-butt promo video of the conference.

Speaking at the conference will be such photography luminaries as Denis Reggie, Mike Colon, David Jay, Me Ra Koh, Sara France, and more. It's an honor to be the official videographer of the event. I'll be sure to post the video once it's done.

technorati tags: Pictage, PartnerCon, Denis_Reggie, David_Jay, Mike_Colon, Me_Ra_Koh, Sara_France, Cinematic_Studios, Photography

Video in Honor of Cinco de Mayo

Felíz Cinco de Mayo everyone! Contrary to popular belief, today is NOT Mexican independence day. This is actually a day that celebrates the victory the tiny village of Pueblo, Mexico had over the French army in the mid 19th century. Ironically, even though this battle was won (against overwhelming odds), ultimately, they were still conquered. Go figure. True Mexican independence day (from the Spanish) is September 15.

Anyway, in honor of today, I thought I'd post one of my favorite Latin-themed wedding clips from Cinematic Studios. This is the opening sequence from a wedding featured on our portfolio page. It's a romantic comedy style wedding movie. I think you'll get a kick out of watching it.

Click image below to play.(4:14)

New York Wedding - Part Deux

As promised, below is a short reception highlights video from Sylvia and Osomo's wedding this past weekend in New York. The funny back story on this piece is that Osomo absolutely LOVES this song. I think it's his favorite song in the whole, wide world. His dream his whole life was to walk into his reception to this song. (Well, maybe not his whole life. :-) So, this clip is especially for you Osomo. Enjoy!

Click image below to play.

technorati tags: Steiner_Studios, Stage_6, Cinematic_Studios, Robin_Thicke