WPPI : Wedding & Portrait Photographers International
March 13, 2010 | Filed Under Star Fruit Productions | Leave a Comment
WPPI was quite a whirlwind of learning, networking and good ole fun! Being my first conference, I had no clue what to expect. The only thing I did know was that over 10,000 photogs and a select group of wedding filmmakers would be converging at the MGM Grand in Vegas. This had to be good right?
It was my first trip back to Vegas since my sister graduated from UNLV several years ago, I used to go quite frequently when I lived in LA. I never was huge a gambler but, I do like shiny things, so Vegas is right up my alley!
I arrived Sunday night and went straight to my room, I wanted to get some sleep so I could soak up as much knowledge as possible at the workshop the next morning. Aces in Vegas was great. Joe Simon and Bruce Patterson are very generous with their knowledge and it was great to get some hands-on time with all the fun tools.
After the workshop, I helped Kara McGinn Jensen shoot her quilting documentary. Andrew Hsu, James Burkart, and Isabel Gonzalez were all in the house! The quilter/surfer guy, www.robappell.com, was really amazing. The way he spoke about bringing different elements into the quilt and telling a story made me realize how close it is to what I do. There are so many ways to tell a story!
I also got to spend some time with David Robin, John Goolsby, Kristen *, Julie and Alex Hill, Travis Cossel and Kevin Shahinian. These guys are incredible event filmmakers and it was really cool getting to hang out with them in person.
But I must admit one of the highlights of my trip was seeing Jason Magbanua. He has been an inspiration to me me since I started my biz 3 years ago. His talent accompanied by his incredible personality is just good stuff! And.... he said he's proud of my work! That is moment I will hold onto for a long time! Thanks Sir Jason!!!
Vegas was incredible, and it really does feel like mirage in the desert. I can't believe how lucky I was to have gotten to spend so much time with the the people in my industry that I respect so much.
I'm taking many lessons from Wppi. Some expected and some not, but I am grateful for all.
Viva Las Vegas! Conference for WPPI: Wedding & Portrait Photographers International
March 1, 2010 | Filed Under Star Fruit Productions | Leave a Comment
Heading to Las Vegas to learn some new skills! I've heard so many things about this awesome convention called WPPI - Wedding & Portrait Photographers International, so I figured it was time to check it out. Plus it's in Vegas!WPPI is mainly geared towards still photographers, but with emergence of the DSLR video fusion wave, this is a great place to learn how to better use my equipment and see what other talented pros are doing.
Two of my favorite filmmakers Joe Simon and Bruce Patterson will also be conducting a workshop called Aces in Vegas. I'm totally stoked to get to learn more about the wisdom they will be imparting!
I have not been to Vegas since my sister graduated from UNLV so this is going to be fun!
Fringe Theatre! @ Home Resource
March 1, 2010 | Filed Under Star Fruit Productions | Leave a Comment
Hello all!
I don't know if you have ever been to "fringe" theatre, but it's huge in England. It is normally a little edgier than your mainstream stuff and often done in unconventional locations!
Michael and Cathy Bush have graciously opened up their awesome modern furniture store,Home Resource in downtown Sarasota! Pam Wiley, Jesse Kozel and I will performing there on Feb 11th and 12th. The plays that will be showcased are written by the fabulously talented Jenny Beres. Her dark wit and snappy dialogue will keep you on your toes!
Our artistic director, Louise, described the plays as "Light pieces with a lot of hostility." And I think that about sums then up!
Dr. Louise Stinespring directs Draft, a world premiere.
David and Kelly deal with their mother's death. Kelly wants to publish mom's writing, David does not. To David's dismay, Kelly has invited a psychic to help them sort it out.
Pam Wiley directs Lost and Found
A swanky hotel lost and found is run by Karen. Max has lost his wedding ring and attempts to retrieve it. Will he get it back?
Tickets are $12 and there is an open wine bar!
Doors open at 6:30, showtime is 7.
Hope to see you there!
Coolest rings ever!!! Kinekt Design’s Gear Ring
February 28, 2010 | Filed Under Star Fruit Productions | Leave a Comment
Ok, maybe not ever, Nothing beats a good solid diamond, but, a ring with moving parts? Come on, it's pretty cool!
Check these out!
"It features six micro-precision gears that turn in unison when the outer rims are spun (as can be seen in the video)."
http://kinektdesign.com/
The Epic - Star Wars & Princess Themed Wedding Video
February 28, 2010 | Filed Under Star Fruit Productions | Leave a Comment
When YouaPa and Brian talked to me about their Star Wars/Princess theme wedding I was totally excited! I knew it was going to be fun, but I had no idea how spectacular it would be!
Here is YouaPa and Brian's short film.
I Want Candy!
February 28, 2010 | Filed Under Star Fruit Productions | Leave a Comment
StarFruit is so excited to be producing our first narrative, Candy! And here is some great news, you can be a producer for as little as $15!
Here's a synopsis of the plot.
It is Halloween night and a few friends plan on staying in to avoid the normal ditching act of their friend Mark.
They think they’ll have it easy this year. Beverages, Horror Movies & good friends for company, but they had no idea that Mark’s over bearing mother would be there.
She is the essence of perfection. Smiles, kindness and she knows her way around the kitchen. But there is something that’s not quite right with her happy demeanor.
Can the group deal with her for an entire night? What happens when she does not get her way? Could this be the beginning of the end for the group of friends?
please visit: http://www.indiegogo.com/Candy or http://www.JesseKozel.com to learn more about the production.
HDR Photography Workshop w/ Trey Ratcliff and Scott Bourne
February 28, 2010 | Filed Under Star Fruit Productions | Leave a Comment
Shot by Blue Tree PhotoI was invited by the AWESOME photographer and media guru, Scott Bourne, to attend an HDR photography workshop. Trey Ratcliff and Scott Bourne led the workshop. I think we will be seeing more of this type of work and I'm so glad I got to learn about it!
What is HDR photography you ask? Here is wikipedia's definition;
high dynamic range imaging (HDRI or just HDR) is a set of techniques that allow a greater dynamic range of luminances between the lightest and darkest areas of an image than standard digital imaging techniques or photographic methods. This wider dynamic range allows HDR images to more accurately represent the wide range of intensity levels found in real scenes, ranging from direct sunlight to faint starlight.
Basically it allows us to see in photos what our eyes see in life!
The software we used in the workshop was called photomatix, you can download a free trial on their site. We also used photoshop to do some additional tweaking. You can buy Trey's book which I found fun and informative here.
Shooting birds - Wildlife Photography and Canon Lenses
February 28, 2010 | Filed Under Star Fruit Productions | Leave a Comment
When I went to Re:Frame last year, I met so many wonderful people! One of them was Scott Bourne, premiere wildlife photographer and media guru. When he asked me to edit some of his video footage, I was very excited. He shot with the new Canon 1D MK IV, a Canon 400 F/5.6 “L” lens, a Canon 600 F/4 “IS” “L” lens and a Canon 800 F/5.6 “IS”" “L” lens.
Anna Maria Island 3rd annual Wedding Festival
January 30, 2010 | Filed Under Star Fruit Productions | Leave a Comment
We are participating in the the 3rd annual Anna Maria Island Wedding Festival Feb 28, 2010, 11AM - 6PM. This is thrown by our AMI wedding group and Chamber.This festival is slightly different from the norm. We are actually set up at different venues around the island. Everyone rides the free trolleys and limos around to the different spots! It's a lot of fun and great way to really see the potential different wedding and reception sites!
We will be at The Tortuga Inn, which is an awesome location that we have shot at several times before. I highly recommend it if you are looking for a spot to stay on the island.
Here are some of the many goodies we are offering!
Attendants will enjoy...
* Complimentary waterfront breakfast
* Complimentary festival tote bag, map and vendor information guide
* Bridal/Wedding Fashion Show
* Complimentary trolley or limousine to each of the vendor sites
* "Sunset Celebration" on the beach
* Mock waterfront wedding
* Mingle with other brides-to-be
* Enter to win one of the fabulous prize baskets totaling over $10,000 in prizes
So Come on down and hang out with us! We will be showing our movies, drinking Champagne and eating chocolate covered strawberries!! YUM!
Here are some movies we shot at The Tortuga Inn and The BeachHouse.
Reviews!
January 30, 2010 | Filed Under Star Fruit Productions | Leave a Comment
Here is a review I found on OneWed.com and it made me so happy. I feel that we have been the most successful, when we capture the personality of the couple. Thanks Heather!
- Favorite part of the wedding video? Anything beyond ceremony & reception?
Well, the whole video is my favorite but if I had to choose it would be the clips from my husband and I on the beach after the ceremony. Starfruit Productions caught all the emotions that my husband and I were felling that day and everytime I watch it, it makes me cry. I also really enjoyed the interviews of family and friends. I couldn't stop crying. this feature made the video that more special by seeing my family and friends on the video sharing their thoughts.I am so happy and fortunate to have Starftuit Productions at our wedding to capture moments and memories that I can cherish forever with my family and our future children. - How did the videographer avoid disrupting the day?
Absolutely, I didn't even notice them. - Did the videographer capture all important wedding moments? Candids? Interviews?
Starfruit Productions did an absolute wonderful job capturing every candid moment of family and friends. This was great becuase we also have a momento of all the people who shared this special day with us. - Tone of the wedding video?
I have been told that our video is sweet, and fun loving. The style of the video matched Jason and I's personality wonderfully. I couldn't have been happier with the results of the video. I would recommend Starfuit Productions ten times over!Special thanks to Sage! You're awesome!
Valentine’s Day Giveaway!!!
January 24, 2010 | Filed Under Star Fruit Productions | Leave a Comment
Hi guys! So here is my big surprise. In celebration of our recent Bride's Choice award from Wedding Wire.com and a fabulous start to 2010, I want to give back to my amazing brides.I will quote one of my favorite Photogs Jasmine Star on this one. "I love LOVE!"
So here's the deal, I will give a free engagement video to the couple with the best love story. It could be funny, sweet , amazing, whatever you think that will make you stand out! The only stipulation is that it has to be shot in the Sarasota area.
I will announce the winner on Valentine's day and then get ready to have some fun!!!
Send your submissions to sage@starfruitproductions.com and put Valentine's Day Giveaway in the subject line.
Everyone has story. What's yours?
Shannon and Mark; The Short Film
January 21, 2010 | Filed Under Star Fruit Productions | Leave a Comment
Shannon and Mark dated for over a year without Shannon's knowledge. But her friends and family were not fooled.This lovely couple were married on Anna Maria Island. They were so much fun! We even did a trash the dress shoot the next day.
You may remember their trailer, here is their short film.
Brides Choice Awards from WeddingWire
January 21, 2010 | Filed Under Star Fruit Productions | Leave a Comment
Just wanted to let you know our exciting news. StarFruit Productions just won the 2010 Bride's Choice Awards from WeddingWire.com ! This means we are in the top 5 percent of wedding vendors!!!2010 is shaping up to be a great year!
Below is our official press release.
Anna Maria lsand, Fl – 1.20.2010 - WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, just announced StarFruit Productions has been selected to receive the 2010 Bride’s Choice Awards™ for Videography
The annual Bride’s Choice Awards™ recognizes and celebrates excellence in quality and service within the wedding industry, as determined by recent reviews and extensive surveys from over 500,000 newlyweds.
StarFruit Productions is among the top five percent of all vendors in the WeddingWire community, which includes over 100,000 wedding professionals across the US and Canada. Awards were given to winners across 19 different service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers.
“We are excited to recognize and honor the success of the top wedding professionals within the WeddingWire Community” said Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “The annual Bride’s Choice Awards™ program has given us the unique opportunity to highlight the best wedding professionals in each region as reviewed by brides and grooms who have utilized their services in the past year.”
We are happy to announce that StarFruit Productions is among the very best Filmmakers within the WeddingWire Network, which includes WeddingWire and Martha Stewart Weddings. We would like to thank our past newlyweds for nominating us for the 2010 Bride’s Choice Awards™.
For more information, please click here and visit our WeddingWire Storefront today!
About WeddingWire, Inc.
WeddingWire is the only online wedding planning resource designed to empower both engaged couples and wedding vendors. WeddingWire enables engaged couples to search, compare and book over 100,000 reviewed wedding vendors nationwide, from wedding photographers to wedding cakes. WeddingWire also offers an online community and a suite of cutting-edge planning tools, including wedding websites and wedding checklists, all at no charge. For wedding vendors, WeddingWire provides free online management tools creating the only market opportunity that gives businesses control over their clients, reviews, leads and performance. In addition, WeddingWire has partnered with Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. (NYSE: MSO) to provide its network of local vendors and online wedding-planning tools in the Weddings section of www.MarthaStewartWeddings.com. For additional information, please visit www.WeddingWire.com.
Giving help where help is needed
January 15, 2010 | Filed Under Star Fruit Productions | Leave a Comment
Hello all you fabulous people!As I'm sure you all know, the devastation in Haiti is enormous.
StarFruit Productions has decided to donate a portion of every booking from now to Jan 30th to the Red Cross for the International Response Fund.
Let's help our fellow man as much as we can.
Showing some love!
January 14, 2010 | Filed Under Star Fruit Productions | Leave a Comment
These are the e-mails that make my day! Thank you Rachel!!!!! XOHi Sage,
Married life is ridiculously wonderful, especially without the raging fever that I had on the wedding day! I don't think normal people are supposed to enjoy each other this much! But, to be honest it was like this before the wedding. I know, it is kinda sickening:).
I also wanted to thank you again for playing a part in our day. You, Corrine (sp?) and Jesse were a welcomed addition to our wedding and it felt like friends were following us around!
One more thing, Neal and I are so grateful that you thought to have us re-do our vows so that we had the right ones on record! I cannot tell you how much that means to us. I know that this is your job, and I can tell that you see the importance of what you are giving to your clients, but Sage, that was special. Yes- I am aware that I just got very corny! We would not have thought to ask you to do that, and we are so thankful! It was yet another mark of a caring, sincere and invested professional.
Thank you againl!
Rachel
Could Not Ask For More
December 14, 2009 | Filed Under Star Fruit Productions | Leave a Comment
From the majestic church to the tiny rhinestones on the bottom of Kiley's awesome red heels, this wedding was beautiful. Kiley had so many details that made her wedding unique. I loved how the bridesmaids dresses went from long during the ceremony to short and sassy at the reception.
Kiley and Matt got ready in downtown Sarasota at The Hyatt. Their ceremony was held at The Church of the Redeemer, and they had a fab photo shoot Around St. Armand's circle. The reception was held at the Van Wezel.
Enjoy their Short Film!
Shannon and Mark
December 13, 2009 | Filed Under Star Fruit Productions | Leave a Comment
Korryn and I had a fabulous time shooting this beach wedding on Anna Maria Island. We were at one of our favorite chill spots The Sandbar . Patti had everything running smoothly as always. We worked with Paul and Christie from Chi Photography and they were fantastic fun to shoot with. I loved the rich fall colors that Shannon chose for her wedding. Sylvia from Sylvia's Flower Corner did such a beautiful job with all the floral arrangements.But, I must admit, one of my favorite things we did was a Trash the Dress shoot! This couple is fun and fearless. When Mark dove into the ocean we all knew it was on! Check out their trailer and see for yourself!
Kelly and Rob
December 13, 2009 | Filed Under Star Fruit Productions | Leave a Comment
"When you whisper your fragile dreams to the starsI will be the one holding the ladder steady"
This is a beautiful quote from Kelly's vows.
Kelly and Rob are so in love! They wrote their own vows and when they said them, I don't think there was a dry eye in the house, including me while I was editing!The sky was also really cool that day, it always amazes me how different every sunset is. It was an absolute joy to to edit this wedding shot by Korryn and Wheat.
They held their ceremony and reception at The Sandbar on Anna Maria Island.
Please enjoy their short film.
Michelle and James
December 13, 2009 | Filed Under Star Fruit Productions | Leave a Comment
Michelle rocks, at the end of the ceremony she did cartwheels in the sand! What an excellent start for her and James.Dave and Wheat shot this beach wedding at The Ritz-Carlton Beach Club on Lido Beach. The way that James and Michelle looked into each other's eyes when they said their vows was simply stunning. Here is their highlight!
Fever 2.0: Alena and Gino in High Def
November 1, 2009 | Filed Under Star Fruit Productions | Leave a Comment
High definition rocks!As our company evolves, we are adding new technical tricks to our toolbox. It's very gratifying to take a great movie like Alena and Gino, re-master it in HD and share it with the world.
Alena and Gino's sexy, elegant wedding, shot at multiple Sarasota locations, has been one of our favorites. Watch it in HD!
