The Blog
Page 1 of 14 : NEXT3 Days, 3 Weddings, 3 Stories
January 02, 2012
Doing weddings every weekend can be monotonous, right? Not quite. Every wedding is different. Having been a part of three weddings, back to back to back, it’s clear that everyone has their story and every day is unique. I’d like to share a little bit of what I saw at each one; a peek from behind the lens, if you will. Here are some nice tid-bits that stood out for me, someone who has been a part of over a hundred weddings so far.
Karrie + Tim
What an awesome couple to experience a Same Day Film with. Having a child in their lives years before marriage, Carrie and Tim certainly understood what family was all about, and that really came through during the day. It was a milestone for the CC team as well, as it was the first Same Day Edit to be done without Dave, something we were all a bit nervous about, but we pulled it off without a hitch. And, whoooooooa, there were plenty of opportunities for things to go wrong.
We had about four locations to cover (one location = easy to get to editor, many locations = nightmare), which we tackled early on by having Jordan edit in the car. “Who’s that guy in the car with you? Is he a shooter?” We were ready for that question, but we were so stealthy that it never came up. The secrecy was only to fulfill Carrie’s request that the SDE be a surprise to everyone, which it was—even Tim didn’t know about it. Everything came together in the end, and Carrie’s big smile as she watched her film was the only validation we needed.
Selena + Andre
Energy, pure energy. Their vibe was apparent right away, and it helped as the city is big and unforgiving. Working in Philly is one thing (I do that every weekend), but to hike up to NYC and have to chase around newlyweds from Times Square to Chinatown is a horse of a different color. And in this case, that color was red, the color of boxing gloves and quick jabs. Who jumps in the ring with their mate, dons gloves and starts fighting? This couple. Selena and Andre made it insanely fun to shoot because they were VERY much into the photos and film. Obviously.
This date also stands out for me as a great collaboration with CinemaCake and our New York friends, Jonathan Armendariz and Shar Adrias. They don’t shoot for us regularly, but when they do, they’re always solid. And in NYC, their knowledge of the city was beyond helpful.
Janine + Justin
So you’ve seen Goodfellas, right? Imagine a guy just like Ray Liotta, and then take away the ruthless killer part. This guy was a class act, and he wanted to make sure that came through in the single take walkthrough intro that mimicked a scene from Goodfellas. There weren’t boardwalk scenes like in the couple’s trailer where Ray Liotta gave Lorraine Bracco lollipops, but it works for Janine and Justin. It was the kind nature that the couple had and showed for one another that really came through that day.
One Atlantic, sitting on the edge of Atlantic City, provided a beautiful backdrop for a gorgeous day and a sincere couple. I’m not Scorsese, but if he shot wedding films, he’d work for us—all I’m saying.
Ultimate Editor Showdown Winners Announced!
November 24, 2011
Over 150 people asked for a link to the raw footage. 103 people downloaded the footage. 50 people turned in an edit before the deadline. We spent hours going through all of the entries, looking at several categories, including Story Telling, Technical, Look and Feel, and CinemaCake-Like Styling. Our crack team of judges picked the winners!
Here is what the winners had to say:
First Place: Matthew Peck, Reading, PA (Control #021)
“I had a blast being a part of the Ultimate Editor showdown. I never heard of or entered a contest like this before, and thought the idea was unique and interesting. Working on the cut was a challenge, especially because I’m not used to editing weddings. But overall, the contest was an excellent learning experience and a fun time. I am now honored to be a part of the growing Cinemacake family, and hope to see this competition happen again in the future.”
Second Place: Guillaume Colomb, Philadelphia, PA (Control #010)
“I had a great time working on this editor contest. I just moved to Philly, got married and actualy looking for a job, so it was perfect! It was a long time I didn’t edit, so it was a little bit scary at first to use my old PC to edit HD. But everything went well, I had a lot of fun. Very interesting also to see how, with the same material, everyone use things differently!”
Third Place: James Hartey, Warminster, PA (Control #022)
“That’s awesome that I came in Third and thank you for the opportunity to enter such a contest. I have never entered an editing contest, so I thought it was a pretty cool idea and it was a challenge. Even with my history of editing weddings over the past three years with Kenneth Stillman Video, this was a different approach to wedding films than I usually take. I’m used to more of a documentary style of editing and filming, compared to what CinemaCake does as a more film style. Making a film is difficult in it’s own right, but it’s even tougher when you have no influence in the actual production or pre-production of the film. The only time I have done a similar type of project is at Temple University in the Editing for the Media Class. I also enjoyed entering the contest, because it put my editing skills to the test and got to see where my skills are at currently. I always say a good editor is an editor who constantly puts their skills to the test.”
Thanks to all of the editors who submitted films!
Tags: Video Production Training - Wedding and Event Production News - Wedding Highlights and Recaps | Permalink
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Fernando Colaço: (11.22.11-12:21pm) Great films. Why the grooms in America cries so much?
here in Portugal they d´ont. Congrats. very good work.
William Hoffman: (11.22.11-1:32pm) Absolutely amazing videos, wedding, and couple!
John: (11.22.11-7:47pm) Looks like the following were optional: Color Correction, Length, Clear Audio from H4 and Sequence of Events?
I'm sorry but it doesn't look like these videos represent CinemaCake very well.
Frank: (11.22.11-8:40pm) Agreed with John, and you can add use of copyrighted music to the list too.
Dave W: (11.22.11-9:13pm) Im actually a different Dave w, haha - sorry for the confusion
stacy h: (11.22.11-9:33pm) i have only one word Beautiful!!!!
Heather: (11.23.11-12:03am) #10, no question! Really a beautiful, emotional narrative!
Diana: (11.23.11-12:40am) Maybe I'm biased, but I thought they all rocked!
Jim S: (11.23.11-1:43am) All of these videos are beautiful to me. Some I liked more than others, but the memories they leave behind will last forever. They bring me to tears every time I watch them. It brings me back to that beautiful night. Yes I'm biased, I was there, and if the experience regenerates each time I watch them, then they have done a great job. Thank you for the memories.
John M.: (11.23.11-3:46am) Not one of you gave us a list of Wawas in my general vicinity. Shame.
dave: (11.23.11-3:53am) Hello guys, this is the REAL Dave Williams. Thanks for the comments. The contest generated so many great edits, it was hard to choose. John, it's not a bad thing that the videos don't represent CinemaCake right out of the box. This is because we are looking for that raw talent which is still moldable. These edits entertained us the most out of the bunch and it's a great start. Now we begin the interview process and find our next 2 or 3 editors. We already have appointments with some of the winners.
BTW, non-finalists may still be interviewed. We look at the entire package.
dave: (11.23.11-4:11am) Frank - We asked ourselves one question every time someone made mistakes; "Is it coachable?" I am very excited over a couple of these editors and if they fit into our culture and can deliver the goods, they could soon join the team.
Dad S: (11.23.11-4:12am) While the original trailer of Jimmy Shelton just blew us away, and we are anxiously waiting for the unveiling of Jimmy's grand finale, we welcome the work of these 6 fine artists. All were enjoyable and we we've watched them a heck of a lot (yes, Mike, you were right. We just couldn't stop replaying them all). We have a favorite but darn, we're just not tellin'! We figure Cinema Cake is just so good - they know the winner and they don't need us to say it too. Although our winner wasn't there to film he knew the emotions of the day were exceptional and he captured it well - look closer and you'll know who was the favorite. However, the others were truly exceptional too - Thanks to you all for a wonderful effort.
dave: (11.23.11-4:14am) Craig. I know you are eager, but be patient. I plan to post them all. I have to wait until my Vimeo upload limit resets on Sunday. Did you have a horse in this race, Craig?
David Wa.: (11.23.11-4:18am) Sorry for that confusion before, haha - I am NOT Dave Williams haha.
Dave - thanks for all of the insight on the judging, it was a pleasure taking part in this showdown.
Joanna Sellers: (11.23.11-4:39am) All are so beautiful and each contestant clearly put so much detailed work into these finished products. I'd have to say that my number one favorite is video number 5, control number 034. The music is so perfect and delicately beautiful and it all ties in so nicely in an emotional way. The variety of clips are well chosen, with the music tied in just right. My second runner up would be video number two, control numbern 010. The music is deeply emotional and dramatic and the clips are well spread out with variety and also tied nicely with the music. Thank you all so much for all of your efforts, every one of these videos truly are memories both our families will hold onto.
dave: (11.23.11-4:57am) Thanks Joanna (and Dad S). Editors: there you have it, straight from the parents!
Jaime: (11.23.11-5:11am) As somebody who works in video, I agree with Joanna. Video 5/control number 34 definitely tells the best story. I connected with it on an emotional level even after watching the previous four and already being familiar with the footage.
Joanna Sellers: (11.23.11-5:33am) additional comment: The more I watch both video #2 and #5 (control numbers 010 and 034), I have to say I want to tie them. Both are so amazing!!
Mike V: (11.23.11-12:47pm) Watching these for entertainment value was so enjoyable. But, having to choose favorites among these, I'd have to say 21 was my/our favorite with 10, 22, and 34 very close runners up. The thing that stood out most to us with these were their pace. They took their time in each scene to let it develop. We liked how 21 was the only one of these to have the priest announcing us as husband and wife, which we liked seeing. We liked how 10 had a great flow to it (the music may have helped) and he/she was the only one to use any of the dedicated voiceover material of my mom (and happened to use it while her and I were dancing). 22 was really good, but the beginning with me crying on the alter didn't really fit with the rest of the video. Yes, it was entertaining, but the rest just had a different feel to it. The standout part of 34 was how he/she cut together the outdoor and indoor parts of our choreographed dance. He/she got it just right. In 02, we thought the audio started off in an odd spot. And near the end, he/she did some fast cuts of us walking outside that didn't seem to flow with the rest of the video. I that's what we found most different with 40 was the pace. Each scene seemed to cut quickly before you could absorb it. Even with all that, I still plan on watching all of these over and over again. Great great job!
Mike V: (11.23.11-12:49pm) And to John M - there was a Dunkin Donuts directly across the street from the church. I would have suspected that would have been an acceptable alternative 
John S.: (11.23.11-5:26pm) I would like to first thank Cinemacake for giving the opportunity to enter the contest. I realize now I did not tell the story of their wedding. What I did was make a music video of how they found happiness over the rainbow, after having difficulty finding their soul mate. I would like to congratulate all the finalists for their exceptional work. However, there is one video which is what a refer to as Cinemacake like, and that is Video #34.
Aaron: (11.23.11-7:36pm) What a cool idea for finding new employees! And congrats to the finalists! I like all the videos, but I think 034 is the best.
Kenneth: (11.30.11-10:47pm) Maybe I'm just partial because he worked with me for 5 years, but I preferred Jimmy Hartey's more than any of them by far. Whenever I have learned something new from ReFrame or InFocus I have always shared that with Jimmy so he would improve, and it's clear that he has become an extremely talented editor. As Jimmy gets ready to move to Hollywood and pursuit a career in motion pictures I feel like a proud papa who always encouraged and nurtured his son's talents. Jimmy was extremely talented when he came to me and now he's found his own style and voice as an editor.
What he did different and better than the others is obvious in so many places. The first example is the cold opening, which I didn't see anybody else use. Sometimes there are great moments that require their own space in the video, or are too long to fit into the context of a song. Maybe the groom doesn't appreciate a cold opening because it was slightly embarrassing, but when he gets older and shows his wedding to his children, this will be the edit that will stand out. Setting aside that one special moment is what makes it all real, and not just people in a music video.
Jimmy was one of the few that told mini-stories though the video. Some of the others, including the first place winner tried to do time shifting and weren't very successful, in my opinion. Going from the toast to the bridesmaids flowers to the photo shoot to her first look at dad? I don't see a cohesive story at all. It's just random shots placed in a random order.
I especially like the way he used the couple practicing their first dance with the actual event. Very creative and genius. I thought his music selection was great. The beginning of the song was low and gave lots of room for natural audio and then it built up to a climactic ending.
And he definitely did the best color correcting of the top 3 entries. If you stop all 3 at the outdoor dancing scene it is clear that number 2 didn't color correct at all and number 1 had the blacks crushed too much, the skin tones were off a bit and it was under saturated.
Great Job, Jimmy!
And I hope the couple loves seeing their wedding thru the eyes of so many talented artists.
joe: (12.05.11-3:29am) kenneth - audio is, most of the time, more important than video...use the h4n field recorder audio for the best mans speech before you even begin to talk about color correction. i think the audio editing in 'jimmys' film was sub par he told a good story which was the top thing in judging is my guess only reason why he was a finalist. these are the finalists by telling the best stories not necessarily the audio editing and color correction. so i think color correction would be at the bottom.
dave: (12.05.11-4:23am) We had a mix of judges - some in the business, and some not. We took all scoring into consideration, even those who gave a high score on technical, even though there were obvious technical flaws in most entries. For example, I was surprised how many people never used the audio from the recorders and used camera audio instead. Also many who did use the correct audio used it only in one channel (usually the left channel). Regarding color correction and grading, some did it well but most either ignored it or really messed it up. The non-professionals did not penalize for these technical mistakes because it was all about the story-telling for them. We looked at some of the technical issues as 'teachable' so it did not disuade us from looking at those candidates.
By the way, almost all of the interviewing is complete and our new editors will be offered positions this week. The contest was an amazing success! Thanks to all who participated!
Kevin: (12.06.11-6:21pm) Joe:
Isn't learning how audio should be set up equally, if not more easily, as coachable as color-correction?
Also, I would have liked to have seen a suggestion in the post saying something to the effect of, "make your video like ours." I know my video would have been completely different as I would not have intended to show them something different than what everyone else might be showing. To be penalized for not following rules that were never posted I think is a little unfair. I also wrongly assumed that this was an editing competition to be judged by editors. This assumption also determines the type of video you cut.
As for narrative, I agree that it is important. This makes me question, then, how on earth could one of the finalists be allowed for putting the shot of the kid playing with the iPad in his video? To me, that says, "Here's how boring your wedding was. This kid was playing with an iPad." That's not a very good narrative in my opinion. But then, a non-professional judge might not pick that up.
Bill: (12.06.11-11:29pm) Hi!
How can we watch Jimmy Hartey's video ?
What is his number ?
Anyway, a contest is always subjective...
thx
joe: (12.08.11-9:10pm) Kevin - I never said anything about being coachable I said audio is as important if not more important than video basically when it comes to any type of video...That being said I was just very surprised that people who used the camera audio with the image stabilization buzzing the entire time was allowed to even be top ten! Also that being said I agree that the rules and directions were quite fuzzy but maybe they were supposed to be?? But there was a distinct length that was enforced and one of the finalists I remember didn't even follow that rule with having a very short video. It is what it is..
perry: (01.20.12-4:07am) That is funny about the grooms crying. I notice that as well. Hey great work.
ALI AND EVAN’S WEDDING FEATURED ON STYLE ME PRETTY
October 05, 2011
We can’t say thank you enough to Style Me Pretty (and our good friend Mallory!) for featuring Ali and Evan’s Coming Soon Movie Trailer. Thanks to Susan Stripling for submitting her photos as well. CLICK HERE to see the Style Me Pretty blog.
Tags: Wedding and Event Production News - Wedding Movie Trailers | Permalink
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Video-Production: (10.07.11-8:39pm) This video is SO classy! Wedding videos can be really cheesy but this is truly beautiful. Congrats on a successful shoot!
perry: (01.20.12-4:09am) I have to agree, this is a first class video. Thanks for sharing.
CinemaCake Featured by Style Me Pretty
August 26, 2011
A big, humble “Thanks” to Style Me Pretty for featuring Kate and Luke’s Coming Soon Movie Trailer. Thanks to Bernadette Uzcategui for submitting her photos as well. CLICK HERE to see the Style Me Pretty blog.
Tags: Wedding and Event Production News - Wedding Movie Trailers | Permalink
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doylestown wedding photographer: (08.28.11-7:08pm) wow what a sweet wedding. I don't think I have seen a philly wedding captured that nicely on camera. beautiful bride and cake! congrats!
Wedding Video Myth: One Camera is Enough
August 19, 2011
Sticking with my recent wedding video myth-busting theme, I was reminded of the importance of multiple cameras as I watched a recent film we just delivered. In this segment of the film, Marianna’s sister sings a song she wrote for the couple.
Watch their entire full length film HERE
As you can see, the reactions are just as important as the action itself. With one camera, the instant reactions would have been impossible to cover, making this a very different film.
The myths:
One Camera is Enough
Many wedding videographers shoot with only one camera. If they offer a second camera, it is often un-manned. As you can see in the example above, multiple manned cameras are necessary to get the action and the reaction, be it during the vows, a speech, or a toast. Recently, I watched a clip from a videographer who posted online. He was complaining about guests getting in the way with their point and shoot cameras. His unmanned second camera in the back of the church was blocked by a guest, so he missed the kiss and other important moments. With one camera, this is very likely to happen again and again. A human being must be in control over the camera because with so many snap-happy guests, it is almost guaranteed that a locked off, unmanned shot will be blocked. You can’t get that back.
More than One Camera is Obtrusive
Some videographers will tell you that fewer cameras are less obtrusive, but the fact is, the more cameras you have, the less those cameras have to move. Two or three cameras at a ceremony, for example, can get two or three angles at the same time, without having to move. One person with one camera has to run around to get all those angles, and can never shoot more than one angle at a time. This means that precious moments and emotional reactions are gone forever.
Speaking of ‘obtrusive’, I can’t gloss over the fact that being unobtrusive has a lot to do with how wedding cinematographers handle themselves. One video guy with a video light on top of his camera moving around the dance floor with a big tripod on wheels is ten times more obtrusive than three stealthy cinematographers dressed like guests and blending in. While the number of cameras is important, it is just as important to understand how your filmmaker operates.
Here are other examples of how important it is to have more than one camera:
Holly and Bill
Mallory and Will
Rini and Wayne
Tags: HD Weddings - Philadelphia Wedding Video - Wedding and Event Production News | Permalink
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Philip: (08.19.11-4:04pm) Dave,
I agree almost completely with what you said about multiple cameras and multiple shooters. I disagree a little with the concept that if all the cameras are manned you don't run the risk of a snap happy guest blocking a shot. I've shot a processional more than once where I was unobtrusively sitting inside a pew off the center aisle. Right when the bride enters and is in my sweet spot for the best footage aunt Betty hops out with her point and shoot to take a pic. I'm on a manned camera and she still ruined my shot. This has happened more than once. You can't dart into the aisle...you just have to roll with it. I think I saw the clip you referenced with the unmanned cam where a guests arm blocked the first kiss. Had that camera been manned would the operator have really been able to lean out and still get a usable the shot before the kiss was over. The kiss was quick and even if that camera was manned my guess is they would have still have it blocked by the guest. Of course if it was a manned camera then it is also entirely possible it may have been positioned in a little better location to not run the chance of being blocked by a guest so your point is valid in that situation.
Great post and I like you series about cinematographers. Other than that little quibble your write up is spot on in every way.
Keep up the education of the masses.
photographer pro: (08.25.11-4:26am) ha! if only my little sister read this before hiring her wedding videographer. he made sure to sell himself but when the time came to shoot he only brought himsel and no second shooter. the video was dull and one dimensional. videographers should tak lessons from you!
