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A LITTLE SECRET

Thursday, November 17, 2011

I’m going to let you in on a little secret … creating wedding films can be a challenge. Granted, a beautiful challenge, but a challenge nonetheless. Sometimes you have technical issues that no geek squad can handle. Sometimes it’s a 10-hour quest for the perfect song. Other times it’s the pressure of emails calling your name that keeps you from your appointed rounds – yes, you got it … the wedding film edit. And with all these distractions, it’s no surprise that event filmmakers’ editing days dwindle down to single-digit hours versus double. :-/

Yes, I’ll admit this was my Wednesday. At the end of my day, I take a small break to go down to my mailbox to check mail. Desperately in need of some fresh air, I delay my trip back upstairs to my studio. I open my mail on the sidewalk and this is what I find … a thank you card. And inside it reads,

“Izzy,
Thank you so much for making this one of the best days of our lives.
There isn’t anyone else we would entrust capturing our special moments
than you. You are so talented and gifted and the fact that we could have
makes us feel honored. Thanks again for everything!
[hearts] always,
S+P”

I tear up. Gosh, how could I not. I believe in what I do. Unfortunately, sometimes life … and technical glitches, and bookkeeping, and smog checks, and life get in the way. But it’s notes like these that are a reminder that what I do matters. So, now I’m off. With newfound inspiration and a healthy dose of fresh air, I’m off to create a family archive!

Posted in other, personal

Why a videographer?

Thursday, July 9, 2009

I remember my mom showing me old Super 8 films on a clunky old projector off of our living room wall as a child. I remember staring at the little figures that were being projected on the wall. I could make out my mother as a young person … my grandfather – with hair! Wow. How special to see what they were like back in the day. How I wanted to jump into the picture to experience even more of what it might have been like for them, what they must have felt.

I also remember that the projector had to be handled just right otherwise the film might melt due to a too-hot bulb or snap in half due to a weakness or small tear in the film. I knew then how important that film was. It was my glimpse into my family’s life. I glimpse I could have seen no other way.

Fast-forward several years.

I stand in a church as a bride and groom say their vows as I watch them thru the viewfinder of my camera. This time I’m the one creating the images that will be experienced by this couple’s family, future children, grandchildren, etc. Maybe no longer projected on a wall, maybe now on a 42-inch flatscreen. Old switches now replaced by remotes.

What draws us in has less to do with the technology used but everything to do with the story. The medium has changed, the emotions haven’t.

Not everyone considers video a necessity for his or her wedding. Whether it is because they remember cheesy star-wiped videos from the 80’s or because the budget just doesn’t allow for it. All valid. People may have a dozen reasons why they shouldn’t have a video but sometimes they fail to remember why they should…

… to hear the emotion in your spouse’s voice as he or she utters their vows to you

… a grandparent smiling at you and your new spouse as you begin your new life together

… your parents’ heartfelt toast telling you how they’ve never been prouder

All these moments plus many, many others come together to create a story that is uniquely, sublimely yours. Your story is not a solitary point in time but many weaved together to include the sights, sounds and emotions of the day.

An experienced videographer knows how to capture these moments, knows how to piece them all together to evoke an emotion. Aside from the obvious benefits of hiring an expert – professional equipment, experienced eye, dedicated shooter, editing skills – a wedding video has the magical ability to make those ethereal moments tangible all over again and what was once tangible is now ethereal.

As I watched those old Super 8’s, I poked fun at my mom’s high-teased hair, all the time thinking how beautiful she was. I don’t know if your children will tease you about anything but I can guarantee they will see their parent’s beauty and the love they share in the video that captured it all.

Today’s videographer goes by many titles … filmmaker, storyteller, visual artist. Whatever you want to call them, they all have their own unique way of telling a story. Matching the talents of the artist with the vision and story of the bride and groom will be covered in an upcoming blog on finding the right videographer.

oxox,

Posted in other

Channeling Gaga

Thursday, June 18, 2009

“A naked woman with blond, frizzy hair stands covered in clear, plastic bubbles with soapsuds at her feet and curtains surrounding her. She has got her lips pursed coquettishly. Her legs bent and her wrists locked in large clear cuffs. She is my most recent fixation.”

That’s how Ryan’s valedictorian speech began at last week’s commencement ceremony for Campbell Hall’s 2009 graduating class. You see, while about 90% of my shooting is weddings, on occasion, other celebratory events sneak their way onto my roster. In this case a high school graduation. But it’s not like any graduation most of us are used to. Forget the cramped gym or auditorium. This graduation took place at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. (If you’ve never been, I highly suggest it.) And the students who spoke … so articulate, so funny. Hey, I don’t remember anyone like that when I was in high school. What ever happened to geeky and awkward?

You’d think that the beginning of Ryan’s speech had started off on the wrong foot and there’d be no place to go but, well, down the fast-track to S&M-ville. Eek and delish – all at the same time!

“And those who know me, well, know that I’ve traveled twice across the country in attempts to see her live and in person. Born Stephani Germanotta – better known as Lady Gaga. She is a true success story.” Who’d a thunk that a 17-year old man with a GPA of over 4.5 would think of Lady Gaga as a success story … hmmm … ok, never mind.

After all the laughter in the concert hall died down, he proceeded to quote the pop queen, which he affectionately referred to only as Gaga. “I operate from a place of delusion … I used to walk down the street like I was a star. I want people to walk around delusional about how great they can be – and then to fight for it so hard every day that the lie becomes the truth.” Ok, so maybe I’ve got Lady Gaga all wrong. Maybe it’s not just about a poker face p-p-poker face.

Ryan ended his speech by saying “Gaga’s words, on the one hand, seem ludicrous but, on the other, are all altogether fantastic. It’s about finding the confidence within yourself to embrace and project whoever it is you want yourself to be… I am handsome. I am intelligent and I am compassionate and I am successful and as I stand here looking into all of your eyes, I see in you all the same qualities … you are beautiful, you are intelligent, you are compassionate and you are successful. Thank you.”

Wow, I felt uplifted after that. Not only am I a sucker for a good wedding, I guess I’m also a sucker for a good commencement ceremony.

As I watched this coy, genuine young man thru my camera’s viewfinder conclude his valedictorian speech, I felt a little buzz.* And to think he was channeling the wisdom of the one and only Lady Gaga, excuse me – Gaga. I guess I’ll never listen to her music the same way again.

*No adult beverages involved.