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

August 14, 2011

For 30 years, human beings have been coming up with credible reasons to leave a friend’s home when they are asked, “Want to watch our wedding video?”.  “Oh it’s only an hour and a half long? That’s awesome - can we do it next time I’m here?  I have to go get a root canal.”

Some people equate ‘Longer’ with ‘Better’, but it’s simply not the case.  In fact, most of our best films have been 20 minutes or less.  Some clients order much longer films and still love them, but over the last couple of years, most of our clients have gravitated to the short film.

Short films are not constrained to telling a story chronologically or in real time.  Like most mainstream films today, our films are dense and layered - therefore more interesting to watch.  Our philosophy is that the viewer should never feel the need to “fast-forward through the boring parts”.  In our short films, every shot is carefully chosen and edited into a story that has real emotional impact.  We find that our clients cannot take their eyes off the screen when a short film is playing.  This is not a film that will be watched once a year on a wedding anniversary.  Instead, it will be watched over and over again, and shared through social media.

Another common myth is that short films don’t take as long to create and should cost less than a feature film.  In fact, more thought and effort goes into a film that time-shifts and tells a story in a non-chronological fashion.  The good news is that regardless of whether CinemaCake clients choose a short or feature film, the price remains the same.

Here are some related myths to watch for as you choose a filmmaker:

One Camera is Enough
The biggest problem with one camera coverage is that there is no way to capture two things happening at the same time.  Imagine all of the moments when the reaction is just as important as the action itself.  Take the Maid of Honor’s Speech at Holly and Bill’s Wedding as an example.  With one camera, the emotional impact of that short speech would not be there.

The Second Camera Does Not Have To Be Manned
An unmanned camera can be used as a wide shot from the balcony for example, or just a static shot down the aisle during the ceremony.  Either way, it’s unmanned so it cannot refocus, re-frame, or move if a shot is blocked.  It’s a static, security-camera looking shot that the videographer can’t count on in a pinch.  A static camera has it’s place, but it is no replacement for a human behind a camera.

See the Difference for Yourself
At CinemaCake, all of our clients get a choice of a Short Film, a Feature Film, or something in-between.  Our films are customized for each client and are always the RIGHT length.  For the clients who choose our short films, all unedited footage is delivered as well, so if one day you DO want to look through all of the footage, you can.

Please comment below with myths that you know about.

Tags: Video Production Training - Wedding and Event Production News | Permalink

July 28, 2011

Enjoy the blog at Style Me Pretty where you will see some images and a short film of Dana and Ed at Congress Hall in Cape May, NJ.  This is their Coming Soon Trailer.

Cinematographers: Jimmy Shelton, John M. White, Steve Rudick
Audio Engineer: Steve Rudick
Editor: Josh Gold
Planning: Styled Creative
Venue/Catering: Congress Hall
Event Design: Beautiful Blooms Events
Photography: Laura Novak Photography

Tags: HD Weddings - Philadelphia Wedding Video - Wedding and Event Production News - Wedding Movie Trailers | Permalink

July 11, 2011

CinemaCake has been voted #1 in Philadelphia for the past four years and has just been nominated again for 2011.  It’s up to our fans to keep us at the top.  Thank you in advance for voting!  Vote Now!

Tags: Wedding and Event Production News | Permalink

July 10, 2011

In our 2008 post, The 10 REAL questions you should ask your videographer, I not only offered advice to clients looking for a videographer, but I also offered the list up for any wedding and event filmmaker to repost the list to help educate their clients.  Looking back, we realize how important this list is.  I think it’s important enough to dissect and really delve into each question.  This week, I’ll discuss #7, “May I see other clients’ movies and read what they had to say about you?”.

One of the best parts of wedding and event filmmaking is the ability to show prospective clients what they will be getting.  Almost everyone has access to a high speed internet connection and a myriad of handheld devices.  However, you must be careful to look at the final deliverable production, not just samples, recaps, and short “coming soon” movie trailers.  If the company you are considering cannot or will not show you full productions, move on.  It’s pretty simple for anyone to put together a bunch of eye-candy shots, but without looking at several full films, how can you make a wise decision?  So don’t be afraid to ask for a full production as it was delivered to the client.

Of course, it would be great to know what clients thought of their productions, too.  If a company makes clients happy consistently, they should be receiving calls, notes, emails, or even video messages from their clients from time to time.  Ask to read these letters or ask for references you can call.  In the end, a film should make clients happy about their decision to have their events documented and their stories told in a fun, creative way.

Tags: CinemaCake Client Testimonials - Philadelphia Wedding Video - Wedding and Event Production News | Permalink