More Posts Coming Soon
April 30, 2009 | Filed Under Vanessa McKellar Productions | Leave a Comment
Just wanted to post a quick apology for being so lax with my posting lately. Brent and I attended a wedding filmmaking workshop in Austin so we've been out of town and quite busy too! Will post more soon...
Sneak Peek - What’s Hot in Wedding Flowers for Fall 2009
April 30, 2009 | Filed Under Edit 1 Media | Leave a Comment
Last week, several of Seattle’s hottest wedding florists designed some completely unique floral arrangements and bridal bouquets for the Fall 2009 issue of Seattle Bride Magazine. Edit 1 Media was there to capture some Behind The Scenes video during the photography shoot so you can get a sneak peek! Romantic yet urban and rustic describe both the flowers and the super cool SoDo location! A beautiful model, gorgeous natural light and some decadent floral artistry equals a recipe for a great video!
So make sure you get your copy of the Seattle Bride Magazine Fall issue to see all the amazing arrangements close up!
Floral Studios
Aria Style
Bella Rugosa
Bella Signature Design
Flora Nova
email readers: view video by visiting the blog!
USA #5 - Venice Beach
April 30, 2009 | Filed Under Shadowplay Photography & Video | Leave a Comment
For my 2nd visit to LA on this trip I stayed at a hotel near Venice Beach. I took a bunch of photos and couldn’t pick only a few to show so I’m blogging a whole lot of them.
The Venice Beach freakshow was definitely out in force but my favourite shots are from the skateboarding and all the dogs, so many dogs out for a walk.
At the moment I’m in the Austin airport on my way to Nashville. I’ll post some Austin photos soon. I was in Austin for Re:Frame, a wedding film-makers conference.
I’m still having a great time on my trip, still missing Katie lots - if someone offered me a flight home to Australia right now I’d probably take it :)
Catch you soon!
Statue
Flag
Change #1
Change #2
No Free Photos!
Venice Dogs #1
Venice Dogs #2
Venice Dogs #3
Venice Skate #1
Venice Skate #2
Venice Skate #3
Venice Skate #4
Venice Skate #5
Birds
Venice Shops
Sidewalk
Bike
Lifeguard
Basketball
CHIPS
Venice People
Venice Sunset #1
Venice Sunset #2
A few shots from Meredith and Mark’s ‘Love Story’ interview
April 29, 2009 | Filed Under Vivid Wedding Films | Leave a Comment
We just finished up shooting the Love Story portion of Meredith and Mark’s Same Day Edit. They’re getting married June 19, here in Eugene. It was great shoot and we had lots of fun interviewing both of them.
They did a great job sharing their story and it’s going to come across great as we weave it into the video that will play – along with footage from their wedding day – at the reception. Here’s a couple of stills from the video we shot.
Kelly‘s Big Birthday Party
April 29, 2009 | Filed Under BigTime Video Services | Leave a Comment
The beautiful still photos you'll see throughout this video are provided by Kim Lemaire of Ensemble Productions.
Video and editing by Peri Basseri BigTime Video Services
This is a large file so please pause the movie and let it load.
PACIFIC PICTURES IN CHICAGO FOR MIDWEST EXPO
April 29, 2009 | Filed Under Pacific Pictures | Leave a Comment
The Art & Business Of Concept Productions | The Illinois Videographers Association is hosting its third annual Midwest Expo on May 20, 2009 at the William Tell Holiday Inn in Countryside, Illinois. This year’s event features a blockbuster lineup of nationally recognized speakers covering popular topics, including Pacific Pictures’ first ever workshop entitled “The Art & Business of Concept Productions.” Whether or not concept productions are a fit for your studio, the production techniques, storytelling conventions and producing skillsets required to create an eye-catching, original concept piece apply to all facets of high-end, cinematic event filmmaking. With screenings of exclusive clips from two upcoming Pacific Pictures concept releases. The IVA’s all-star speaker line-up includes:
-Patrick Moreau & Michael Wong | StillMotion | Mississuagua, Ontario, Canada | “The Art of Wedding Cinema”
-Lance Gray | Pixel Pops Design | Richardson, TX | “Corporate Video Productions”
-Keith Kelly | Innovative Communications | Naperville, IL | “How to book your top package every time”
-Chris Chibucos | Furla Vision | Chicago, IL | “High Def in the Real World”
Register at www.ivavideo.com.
ReFrame Austin: Day 1
April 29, 2009 | Filed Under Meg Simone | Leave a Comment
When I get home I will be posting more info and a synopsis of my experience at ReFrame Austin. For now, a few funny videos put together by some of the presenters.
Jenny and Jorge Photo Shoot
April 29, 2009 | Filed Under Ever Clear Productions | Leave a Comment
We followed Jenny and Jorge while they had their photo-shoot in Coconut Grove. Have a look at their video.
Jenny and Jorge Photo Shoot from Ever Clear Productions on Vimeo.
What’s Possible?
April 29, 2009 | Filed Under Blade Ronner: The Blog Of Ron Dawson | Leave a Comment
So. We’ve talked alot about homogenization, being unique, yadda, yadda, yadda. We determined that we no longer want to do what everybody else is doing. But where do I start? How about 80 years from now. Take yourself there, see what is possible at that point. Work backwards, then start making it happen…today.
Share in the comments where you see photography and/or videography 80 years from today? I’d love to hear what you think? Will there be a complete convergence of the two? Will we take 100 megapixel pictures on cameras the size of a ring? Will the next big motion video media be holography? Think big! Let’s hear it.
Gina and Ricky Getting Ready
April 28, 2009 | Filed Under Ever Clear Productions | Leave a Comment
We got to film Gina getting ready for her big day. Usually brides are nervous in anticipation, but not Gina. She was having the time of her life. Here is a little taste of her getting ready.
Gina and Ricky Getting Ready from Ever Clear Productions on Vimeo.
Gabi and Rudi Whole Day Recap
April 28, 2009 | Filed Under Ever Clear Productions | Leave a Comment
Gabi and Rudi got married at the Coral Gables Congregational and had their reception at the Marriot in Brickell. These are the highlights of their wedding.
Gabi and Rudi Recap from Ever Clear Productions on Vimeo.
Maylin and Agustin Love Story
April 28, 2009 | Filed Under Ever Clear Productions | Leave a Comment
We filmed Maylin and Agustin in Matheson Hammocks park at Sunrise and what we got was amazing. Enjoy their Love Story.
Maylin and Agustin’s Love Story from Ever Clear Productions on Vimeo.
Lauren & Billy’s Wedding Trailer
April 28, 2009 | Filed Under Wallace Tiller Productions | Leave a Comment
Lauren and Billy,I had a great time shooting your wedding day. It was a pleasure working with all your family and friends.
Please invite everyone to see your wedding trailer and leave a comment.
Thanks,
Wallace Tiller
Jen + Joe Highlights
April 28, 2009 | Filed Under MediaInnovations Cinematography | Leave a Comment
Saturday we had the pleasure of filming for Jen and Joe’s wedding. It was a blast! Luckily the rain held off and allowed for some great photo time and a lot of fun locations. The photographer was Rick Jennisch and their photos can be seen on his blog. Sometimes we can get a little crazy to get the shots and thankfully I didn’t get run over on the bridge or streets that we were shooting on…..not this week at least :-)
Jen and Joe incorporated a lot of their ethnic backgrounds into the wedding. Joe’s Italian background led them to chose a canolli flavored cake while Jen followed Japanese tradition by having 1000 origami cranes at the reception for a long and prosperous marriage. The cranes were behind the cake, on each table and placed above the dance floor. These can be seen throughout the highlights and were a very neat addition that we had not seen before.
Jen and Joe’s wedding is also going to be featured on a brand new blog of ’Featured Weddings in the Quad Cities’. This blog will be part of qcweddings.com and will give a lot more insight into what all went into the planning and making their wedding day so special. QC Weddings Blog
Here are some highlights from their day!
Noa + Lea - B’nai Mitzvah Photo Montage
April 28, 2009 | Filed Under Epic Motion | Leave a Comment
This isn’t your typical photo montage… Noa and Lea’s b’nai mitzvah was this past weekend at the Royal Oak Music Theatre - right in our very own backyard! This video played during the evening for the guests and was a riot to watch in a room full of people on the HUGE screen at the theatre.
Two. Love.
April 27, 2009 | Filed Under MIND|Castle Studios | Leave a Comment
About a month ago Casey and I headed down to California to shoot my Grandparent's vow renewal ceremony. Every year the temple chooses one couple to renew their vows as a way to teach the young children about the marriage ceremony. My Grandma & Grandpa were really excited and happy to get to have their vows renewed and be able to share that with the congregation.
It was a blast to be with my family and to capture their long lasting love. Can you believe they have been together for 51 years??? ----- I thought I would post a few photos for her birthday. I hope I didn't make you wait too long!!
~Danielle K.
Resistance is Futile
April 27, 2009 | Filed Under Blade Ronner: The Blog Of Ron Dawson | Leave a Comment
I was originally going to name this post “Adapt or Die,” but with the pending Star Trek film by my boy JJ Abrams (and I pray a rebirth of what was once a brilliant sci-fi franchise), I had to go with those three, bone chilling words used by the Borg Collective to herald in the complete annihilation and/or absorption of a civilization.
In my last post, “Should You Invest a Lot in a Logo,” I made the bold (and apparently controversial) claim that with respect to a wedding related businesses, a logo mark is the least important part of the branding elements of a company. Many people agreed with my overall argument. But there were a few strong objections to my claim (primarily, no surprise, from those in or closely related to the graphic design business). The impetus for my post was that a couple of colleagues of mine who specialize in wedding cinematography turned to some online logo competition sites to get logos that cost about $200 and $350 respectively. Another colleague of mine suggested that this was a cheapening of their brand. You can read the post if you need to get caught up.
CHANGE…IT’S A COMIN’
Throughout the history of business, change has come, and it has been a scary thing. Whether it’s change of government, the economy, technology, business philosophy, one thing is for certain. Change (like death and taxes) is always certain. How you deal with that change will mean the difference between succeeding in business, or not. Here are just a few of the changes in this past generation that have had significant impacts on our businesses: the Internet; Beta to VHS; VHS to digital; SD digital to HD digital; large and medium format film to 35 mm film; film to digital; etc…etc…etc. Whenever these massive changes occur, there is always a vocal minority that screams foul, no fair, we need to go back, or whatever else they can think of. But, no matter how loud they scream, change still happens.
And change affects companies of all sizes. Don’t believe me? Ask Blockbuster. Crown Books. Sears. Hollywood. The music industry is actually an excellent case study. The onset of high speed internet helped sites like Napster herald in the age of digital downloads of music. The music industry, with billions of dollars behind them, kicked and screamed, and even stooped so low as to take 14 year-old teens to court. What happened? A computer software company became one of the largest (if not these largest) retailer of music. Hollywood is heading down the same path.
ADAPT, OR DIE
So, what is a small graphic designer to do when he sees his multi-thousand dollar fees for logos and web design dry up with the birth of logo competition sites or template web design sites? What’s a 25 year veteran of the photo industry (who doesn’t know Facebook from a facelift and has no idea what a blog is) to do when some young whipper snapper with a keener marketing sense and just two years in the business skyrockets to stardom and takes much of her business? What is a small town studio to do when a large national behemoth enters its town? The answer to all these questions is one word: adapt.
Here are three ideas to consider when the storm of change comes beating down your door:
- Be unique: if you haven’t already figured it out, this is a soap box of mine. Be unique. Set yourself apart from the pack. Offer something (a service, an experience, whatever) that the harbinger of change can’t, or won’t offer. There’s a coffee shop in Campbell, CA called Orchard Valley that is just one block down from a Starbucks. Often times they are more crowded than Starbucks. Why? Because they offer a very different experience (more like 60s beatnik to Starbucks’ yuppie conclave) and have learned to market and cater to customers who crave that experience.
- Sell shovels: during the “gold rush” of the 1840s and 50s, the people selling shovels to those looking for their next big fortune in the ground more often than not made the most money. Change always brings with it new opportunities. Look for those opportunities. Examples of some great “shovel” sellers: wedding photographer Kevin Kubota building an empire with Kubota Image Tools; wedding photographers Jessica Claire and Jim Garner helping photogs carry their gear; videographer wunderkind Joshua Smith doing just about everything (video compression software, DVD cases, education).
- Hang 10: when the wave of change comes barreling in, instead of fighting the wave, grab a surf board and ride it. When media formats change, start learning and offering the new format. In fact, anticipate the wave, and stay ahead of it. Become a leader in the new “whatever” before anyone else does. While your competitors are kicking and screaming, you can be the one racking up the dollars.
THE KIRK FACTOR
Since I started this post with a Star Trek analogy, it’s only fitting I end with one. I like to talk about something I call “the Kirk Factor.” In Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (heretofore the BEST Star Trek movie, bar none), we learn that James Kirk is a man who has an uncanny ability to cheat death. As he says, “he doesn’t like to lose.” Whether it’s re-programming the computers at Star Fleet so he could pass the infamous Kobayashi Maru test (a scene I pray they show or at least allude to in the new Trek film); or tricking Khan by speaking in code over monitored radio waves; or even going so far as to destroy his beloved starship in order to buy his crew more time while dealing with renegade Klingons (Star Trek III). James Kirk always had a way out.
So my question to you is this: do you have the “Kirk Factor?” Are you willing to do what it takes to survive and thrive in a changing business environment? Even if it means doing the unthinkable, like destroying your “Enterprise” in favor of a new one?
Live long, and prosper.
End transmission.
ReFrame: Austin - (about) 30 seconds Demo
April 27, 2009 | Filed Under Epic Motion | Leave a Comment
We are attending ReFrame in Austin for 2 1/2 intensive days of training, networking, and having fun with other film and video professionals. Each attendant was asked to put together a 15-30 second clip to give people a glimpse into each studio represented. I had a little fun with ours… you may also recognize the amazing dancer in this footage - it took many hours of choreography to get all of these moves down - trust me!
USA #4 - Leaving Las Vegas - The Sequel
April 26, 2009 | Filed Under Shadowplay Photography & Video | Leave a Comment
The last time I wrote I was sitting in the Vegas airport because my flight to LA was delayed. Turns out the flight was cancelled and the only next flight I could get was at 9:30pm that night - a 7 hour wait.
So I decided to stay another night in Vegas and try to catch the Beatles “Love” show that I missed. I scored a cheap room at The Venetian at the last minute thanks to priceline.com. It’s possibly the fanciest place I’ve ever stayed.
This day was the day I officially became a bad husband. I felt so guilty that Katie wasn’t traveling with me. A night at The Venetian and the Beatles “Love” show! Are you kidding me!?! The show was right across the street at The Mirage so everything worked out pretty well indeed. As a huge Beatles fan it was a dream come true to catch the “Love” show. I really never thought I would ever get the chance. The show itself was absolutely amazing! Koo-koo-ka-choo!
Here are some photos from my final day in Vegas. I’m currently sitting in LAX waiting for my flight to Austin, Texas. Stay tuned for some cool photos from my time at Venice Beach.
Matt [Shadowplay]
The Venetian - Outside #1
The Venetian - Outside #2
The Venetian - Inside #1
The Venetian - Inside #2
Suite 4-133
The Room
The Bathroom
Me!
The Mirage #1
The Mirage #2
The Beatles “Love” #1
The Beatles “Love” #2
?? Marriage Convenant
April 26, 2009 | Filed Under Givefunla | Leave a Comment
We’ve been ask to use this song in same day edit for many times since the wedding of Veron & Kin. The song “?? Marriage Convenant” by ??? is from the album “??? God’s Magnificent Love” (Please check A.G.W.M.M. ????????, please buy one to give support if you like the song). The groom is the friend of Veron & Kin, he would also like this song to be used in the same day edit again.
The groom is a music teacher. He play the Chinese music and we’re so lucky to listen his huqin skill in the door opening game. His students were very helpful on that day! Many tasks like the music performance in church and banquet, get the sound from the church, also the photo shooting were done by his students!
Here is the same day edit.
[See post to watch Flash video]