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Grace Ormonde. A Class Act.

A few days ago I posted about my frustration at a comment a prominent wedding cinematographer (Paul Korver of Fifty Foot Films) made in YWD magazine. He claimed that all you had to do to get a good shot with a video camera is press "play" (I think he meant "record") and point the camera.  I e-mailed him and the magazine to state how I felt about the comment.  Since there is also a prominent editorial about him in the highly regarded Wedding Style Magazine by Grace Ormonde (in which we are a Platinum List vendor), I also contacted their editing staff to question their coverage of someone who consistently bad-mouths video, especially since there are so many more video advertisers in the magazine.

Well, Grace has always been considered a class act, and she proved it again yesterday. She called me personally on my cell phone in response to my letter. We had a nice conversation about things we can do to help educate her readers about the beauty and artistry of video cinematography today. She and her team have already made strides to that affect, and she is committed to creating a unique editorial piece that will give wedding videography the attention it so rightly deserves.

My hats off to Grace for her continued class, commitment, and vision. As there are already a number of magazines trying to emulate the huge success of Wedding Style, perhaps she will also start a new trend in the accurate and detailed exposure of a beautiful art form. You go Grace! 

Top 5 Excuses Brides Don't Get Video—4 and 5

#4. Too Obtrusive

A common excuse I hear why brides don't get a professional videographer is because they're afraid the videographer will be too obtrusive. This is meant to be an intimate and personal time. The last thing they want is a big camera and bright lights. Or some guy in an ugly Hawaiian shirt going around asking the guests corny questions.

Well, there may have been a time when this stereotype existed (and heck, sadly there are still some videographers out there that fit this description), but this is no longer a fear that need stop you from getting a pro videographer. First, today's professional digital camcorders are small and compact, yet still deliver stunning images. And cameras like the ones we use (the Sony PD150 and 170) take amazing images in the lowest of lit conditions. This isn't to say we never use an on-camera light, but when we do, it's done from a distance to illuminate a large area.

Here's a photo of me getting a shot of a bride and groom (photo by Ann Hamilton). Now, does this look obtrusive to you?

Second, we're trained to be aware of our presence and respect the personal space of the guests. With our telephoto lenses and wireless mics, we can get the action even when shooting from far away. This is another reason why you need to use a PROFESSIONAL. Uncle Charlie is not going to have the equipment or the training necessary to capture the memories from this special day in a way that is not unobtrusive.

#5. No Budget

Sadly, this is one excuse I hear all too often. There just isn't any more room in the budget for a professional videographer. What I actually see more often is that it's a matter or priorities, not buget. I recently read an article in a popular wedding mag that listed a real couple's wedding here in the Bay Area. The grand total was over $60,000, but there was no video.  However, this couple did find enough money in their budget to spend $3,000 on the open bar. So, getting their loved ones drunk and tipsy was more important than a professional video recording of the most important day of their life. Interesting.

The rate for videography runs the gammit. There are some packages as litte as $1,000. For the more artistic and "cinematic," rates may go as high as $10,000 or more. You will get what you pay for, but at least you should get something. It's just too important not to prioritize it.

Ask yourself this: if you had the opportunity to see either an album of your great grandparents wedding, or a video, but you could only choose one, which would it be? Something to think about. Don't cheat your children and grandchildren out of not only seeing what you looked like, but seeing what you were like.

Top 5 Excuses Brides Don't Get Video #3

Photos Are Enough

I'll be the first person to tell you that your investment in your photographs is one of the most important you'll make on your wedding day. Just as important is your investment in your wedding  video. As beautiful and amazing as your photos can be, there are two vital elements missing: motion and sound.

Without a well crafted, professional wedding video, you'll miss so much that just can't be captured by photos:

• The tears and sobs of joy from your groom as he sees you for the first time coming down the aisle (I've seen the manliest of grooms break down in passionate sobs at the site of their wife to be).
• Your groom whispering "I love you" and "You look amazing" as you reach the top of the aisle.
• YOUR VOWS! (I can't tell you how many times I've gone back to watch my own wedding movie to hear my vows again and remind myself what I promised my wife.)
• The flower girl dancing in circles like a little ballerina on the dance floor.
• Uncle Charlie dancing like a wild man right next to her.
• The song your best friends sings for you during the ceremony.
• The hilarious conversation between your groom and his best man in the restroom when he forgets his mic is still on (makes for a great blooper reel on your DVD's special features).
• The sounds of that expensive band you hired.
• The sounds of your bridesmaids' laughter...and tears.
• The way the snow falls gently from the sky on your fairy tale winter wonderland wedding.
• The toast from your beloved family member who passes away shortly after your wedding day. (It happens sometimes, and it's a shame if you had the opportunity to record those precious words but didn't because you didn't think you needed to spend the money).

Unfortunately, we've had clients lose loved ones within a year of the wedding. I can confidently tell you that the wedding video we made for them is perhaps one of their most values possessions. Photos are definitely important, and you shouldn't skimp on them. But don't make the tragic mistake of thinking you don't need a wedding video because your photos will tell the whole story. It's not the same.

See what I mean

This video beautifully illusrates the use of motion and audio in enhancing the memories from a wedding day. And since the bride and groom are avid ballroom dancers, capturing the motion from their dance was critical.

Click image to play

Vendor highlights:

• Location: Ralston Hall Mansion
• Photographer: Lisa Leigh Photography
• Cinematography: Cinematic Studios
• Event Design: Ha Lé Events

technorati tags: Wedding_Videography, Wedding_Photography, Cinematic_Studios, Ha_Le_Events, Lisa_Leigh, Ralston_Hall_Mansion, Ballroom_Dancing

Top 5 Excuses Brides Don't Get Video #2

I'll Never Watch It

This is part 2 in my series on the top excuses I hear why some brides don't get professional videography for their wedding day. Excus #1 was "too cheesy." We firmly established that you can have a wedding video that is beautiful, artistic, and emotional, without the infamous cheesy elements (e.g. stock animation, etc.) But I also hear some brides say that they'll never watch it, so why spend the money. Well, here are just a few comments we've received from  clients within days of getting their wedding movie:

“Thank you so much for the beautiful video! James and I watched it over and over again. James could not stop watching it. No really, he watched it like 15 times by himself!"
~ Helen Papas, married at the Westin St. Francis, bride from “Breathless”

“The Video is fantastic!! We must have watched it close to 20 times now…."
~ Scott Cornwell (groom), Elliston Vineyards

“WOW!!!!! You did such a spectacular job that we've watched it about 10 times within a couple days. "It's the best movie we've seen this year"
~ Lydia Koo, married at Palmdale Estates, bride from “Love and Honor”

“I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!! I have watched the video 3 times in a row and I can’t stop crying with joy! The video is fabulous and I can’t thank you enough for all the time and effort you have put into making our wedding memories everything that I hoped for and more."
~ Kelly Haidlen, married at Plump Jack at Tahoe, bride from “Wedding Wonderland”

Rosa and I watched the video last night. UNBELIEVABLE! That is exactly what we were looking for. We watched it through 2 times last night.
~ Todd, married Married March 2004, Omni Hotel, San Francisco, CA

And it goes on and on. A well crafted wedding movie will be engaging, entertaining, emotional, and help you relive your day better than you remember it. If you can watch your favorite movies and TV shows over and over again, how much more will you enjoy watching your wedding day multiple times?!

technorati tags: Wedding_Videos, Brides, Wedding_Planning, Cinematic_Weddings

Top 5 Excuses Brides Don't Get Video - #1

I want to address an issue that is near and dear to my heart. The importance of a professional wedding video. Chances are, if you're reading this blog, you already recognize the importance of wedding video. But, perhaps you can take this info and share it with your friends and loved ones.

In today's video age, it still amazes me whenever I hear about a bride not getting a professional wedding video of ostensibly the most important day of her life. So, over the next few posts I want to share the top 5 excuses I hear from brides as to why they don't get a professional video, then show a corresponding video from our library that counters that excuse. To get us started, I'll list the five excuses:

1. Too cheesy
2. I'll never watch it
3. Photos are enough
4. Too obtrusive
5. Don't have the budget to afford it

For this post, I'll address excuse #1: wedding video is too cheesy.

Say Cheese...NOT!
I agree. There's a lot of bad video out there. But, there's also a lot of amazing work that will blow your mind. Below is a very short piece that is the intro to one of our recently completed wedding movies. I hope you'll agree that there's not a whiff of American, provolone, or limberger in sight.

Click image below to play. (1:37)

Featured vendors:

• Clos la Chance Winery
• New Perspective Photography
• Cinematic Studios

technorati tags: Wedding_Video, Wedding_Cinematography, Clos_la_Chance

Event Designer Spotlight—Ha Lé Events

Taylor Made

If you want an absolutely fabulously designed wedding that would make Martha Stewart drool with envy, you need look no further than Taylor Nguyen of Ha Lé Events. Ha Lé Events is one of the San Francisco Bay Area's premiere wedding and event design firms. Taylor is a consummate professional whose skill and expertise is not only sought after by the most discriminating of brides, but also industry and media professionals alike. Grace Ormonde Wedding Style, Fine Living Network, and Today's Bride have all tapped Taylor for her talent. I've had the pleasure to work with Taylor on a number of projects and weddings, and all her events run like a well oiled machine.

I first met Taylor for a promotional video we were producing for a popular floral designer. Taylor had agreed to give a testimonial, so we met up at the Hakone Gardens in Saratoga, CA for the filming. This was a simple one-man shoot so I was there with all my gear in tow.  Although she is known for designing some of the Bay Area's most stylish and high-end weddings, she wasn't a prima donna designer and offered to help with my bags. Also, I'm sure having once been a producer for NBC helped her empathize with me having to lug video and audio gear around in the hot sun.

Despite the fact that she can command a 5-digit fee for her exclusive designing services, she  also finds time to give back to the community.  For the past few years, for instance, she has given her time and energy, pro bono, to the San Francisco 49ers Academy fundraising dinner.  The academy serves the East Palo Alto area, a high crime and economically depressed "island" in the Silicon Valley  sea of fortune and finance. Taylor asked us if we'd give of our time to this worthy cause, and we were more than happy to do so.  When I showed up to the fundraising dinner event last Friday, Oct 13, by the looks of the event design as well as the flow of the event, it was obvious that she poured as much energy and creativity to this pro bono client as she does to any other event she commits to.

Below is a promo we had the honor to produce for Ha Lé Events. In it you get to meet Taylor as well as some of the clients and industry professionals who all adore her.

Click image to play.

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technorati tags: Wedding_Planner, Wedding_Coordinator, Event_Designer, HaLe_Events, Hakone_Gardens

The Benefits of a Wedding Video

Last week I started a series on hiring a pro videographer. Here's a video testimonial about why it's important to have a video at all. Click image below to play video.

Read the original post,"Confessions of a disgruntled groom."

Why Hire a Pro Videographer

"On that day, people shouldn't even think twice about the amount of money they're spending on the video."
~ Confessions of a disgruntled groom

Imagine if you, as the bride, couldn't see yourself at the altar during the ceremony part of your wedding video. Imagine if you couldn't hear the vows from your beloved.  Imagine if the lighting was so dark that half the time you couldn't see anyone's faces. Imagine if the heartfelt words of the best man speech were just barely audible. Well, John and Brenda don't have to imagine. That was their wedding video.

A couple of years ago, we were hired by John to "fix" his wedding video as a Valentine's gift for his wife, Brenda. You see, when they were married back in 1999, they got what we affectionately call in the wedding video business, "An Uncle Charlie Video." That is, a video shot by your Uncle Charlie, or some other friend or relative. John ad Brenda had a friend video tape their wedding instead of hiring a professional. Unfortunately, the video was beyond "fixing." So instead, we produced an "anniversary video that included interviews with them and their kids, and some artistic use of the egregious wedding video.

Studies and statistics have shown repeatedly that the #1 regret among brides is not getting a professional wedding videographer. In today's day and age, I can't see how anyone can't see the value and importance of getting a professional videographer to record such a milestone in a person's life. And as great as photography is, and something I fully support and believe bride should get, it's just not enough. You can't hear vows, or see people dancing, or hear toasts from your photographs. Imagine if you could see and hear your grandparents', or great grandparents' wedding.  That's the legacy you will pass to your children and grandchildren if you invest in a professional wedding video.

Below is a short testimonial from John expressing how he feels now that he has 20/20 hindsight regarding his wedding.

In the next installment, I'll share a clip from a recent ceremony we produced that clearly illustrates the power of a professionally produced wedding video.

technorati tags: Wedding_Video, Professional_Videography, Cinematic_Studios, Wedding_Planning

Wedding Planner vs. Event Designer

In this second installment of "The Coordinator's Corner" our top coordinators discuss about the difference between and wedding coordinator and event designer. Featured coordinators include:

• Alison Hotchkiss of Alison Events
• Alice Griséz of Griséz Event Design
• Taylor Nguyen of Ha Lé Events
• Monica Pallie of Stelle Events

technorati tags: Me2WeTV, Wedding_Coordinator, Wedding_Planning

Why Hire a Wedding Coordinator

Here was the first Me2WeTV segment. Featured coordinators include:

• Alison Hotchkiss of Alison Events
• Alice Griséz of Griséz Event Design
• Taylor Nguyen of Ha Lé Events
• Monica Pallie of Stelle Events

technorati tags: Me2WeTV, Wedding_Coordinator, Wedding_Planning