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Real Emotion Happens in Real TimeI've seen a lot of wedding videos and I often notice that much, if not all, the footage is in slow motion. I agree, slow motion can be effective when used sparingly, but not when it's poured over everything. In general I feel that a special effect has failed when you notice that it's an effect. It's also difficult to use natural sound (because it's out of synch) with slow motion footage. Hearing is half the experience and I want to document the whole experience. I use lots of real time footage with natural sound to portray the real emotions of the day. I mix in music to blend with and complement the natural sound, and I make it all very easy to watch.Burn it RightWell shot footage looks great in real time, poorly shot footage needs lots of special effects. The term we used in the advertising industry is "Burn it Right." Make sure it's great when you burn it to tape and never rely on "fixing it in the mix." The only thing that can be done "in the mix" is to make great footage really great. You can't polish a turd.Ears Don't LieAudio is the part of the video that you don't notice, unless it sucks, then you can't ignore it. We use multiple sources to get the cleanest audio. For a typical ceremony we will use a wireless transmitter to send a clean line out signal from the sound system to get all the microphones and the music that goes through the PA. Additionally we use a lapel mic hidden in the shirt of the groom (at the option of the groom) to get clear vows from both the bride and groom. Another microphone is placed to get any live music or to serve as a backup. Rest assured, we've got the audio covered and we understand how to work with the wind.What does HD mean?JVC now makes an HD Camcorder for $350. HD means High Definition but it doesn't neccesarily mean high quality. It refers to the number of pixels on the screen, it says nothing about the quality of those pixels, which is determined by the quality of the lens, the camera components and the skill of the camera operator. Saying that your wedding is shot in HD also doesn't mean that it will be delivered in HD. Standard DVDs cannot play HD content. Blu-Ray is the emerging standard for HD content and it requires a new player. Editing HD content also requires the latest, fastest computer and upgrades to all the software components. It's a considerable investment, much more than $350. I shoot, edit and deliver High Definition video on Blu-Ray disc (also delivered in Standard Definition on regular DVD).Like a VirginEvery tape used is brand new, fresh from the wrapper. I use top-quality mini-DV tapes manufactured for HDV cameras. You get all of the original tapes for safe keeping, and so you can watch all the footage that ended up on the cutting room floor. |
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Punk Rock Son of a DancerI grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. When I was 13 years old my older brother brought home a Sex Pistols record and my entire musical universe changed. I was so inspired by the energy and the accessability of the music, I threw away my Kansas albums and started a band. My Father worked in advertising and I developed a fascination with media. My Mother is a dancer who studied and taught dance and movement. I see weddings as a dance that i choreagraph through camera movement and editing. All of this has shaped my style, the energy and enthusiasm of punk rock, the beauty and poetry of movement and the power and impact of modern media.Power and ImpactWhile in college, I saw the movie Koyaanisqatsi and it realigned my perception of art. I saw how music and media could be used in new ways to become the new language of art, and I wanted to be a part of it. I enrolled in film classes, did some experiemnting with the medium and got my degree in Mass Communications.The third AHA!After College I fell into advertising, working as a graphic designer and art director. In 1995 I saw a presentation on creating web pages with HTML. The ability to include images with test was the big innovation at the time. Here I had my third major "AHA!" (the first was the Sex Pistols, the second was Koyaanasqatsi). I saw past the limited content to the network underneath and it's potential. I knew the content would evolve and catch up and I wanted to be part of it. Boom and Bust I started creating websites and web media full time and founded Spiremedia in Denver. We went through the boom when the fish were jumping in our boat, and the bust, when we had to make hard decisions to keep afloat. We pulled through but my job was so far from the creative duties that I loved, I had to re-focus so I sold my half to my partner. The company is still going strong, a testament to the quality that we created there.The Fourth AHA!I took time off and went traveling. I carried a video camera with me and started to document the places and people that I saw. I would return from a trip and edit the footage into small vignettes. I had rediscovered my passion for film. This is one of fifteen short films that I produced.Tokyo Trains from pgeek and Vimeo. I was very proud to have this film screened at the South by Southwest Film Festival in Austin, Texas. This was a big AHA, rediscovering film making. But the 4th big AHA is when I realized that the world is a big place, full of wonder, and I did not have to live in the same country I was born in. In fact I knew I wanted to live abroad and experience more of the world. Documenting WeddingsMeanwhile, back in Denver, I started to film weddings. My first wedding I was a guest with a camera. I filmed my friends getting ready, I was with the groom and my friend Nancy had a camera with the bride. I put this together with music and my new career path was set. Here is my first wedding video.Playa del CarmenIn 2005 I arrived in Playa on New Year Day and it wasn't long before I decided to stay. I sold my house and packed my car and here I am. I love it here and I love my job. |
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