video
Understanding Our Equipment: The Glidecam 4000 Pro pt.2
Good morning to everyone. I would like to follow up on a previous post about the Glidecam 4000 Pro. I had Igor make a very brief video about the difference between a camera on the Glidecam and one hand held. The subject was our son, Benjamin, who was very uncooperative for this project. Instead of running for the camera, he was running away from it, so please bear with the constant scene changes. What else would you expect from a 2 year old? 
I hope you were able to see a difference, dispite all else. Feel free to comment or ask questions.
Anna
Motivational Monday For The Bride
Hello folks. Today’s world is moving so fast, it puts a lot of pressure on brides that are planning their own wedding. Schedules, time-lines, deadlines…it can amount to incredible stress. But here is a quote by Abraham Lincoln that is sure to help you relax about the pressure of time:
“The best thing about the future is that it only comes one day at a time.”
And boy, how true that is. So ladies (and gentlemen), relax and take the planning one day at a time!
Igor
Preserving The Toast From Your Wedding Reception
There are parts of your wedding that can ONLY be captured by video. For example, the toasts at your reception.
Usually the best man and the maid of honor write their toasts and practice them ahead of time. They are meaningful. They are memorable. These memories are seldom preserved in any form and are usually lost with fading memories. But imagine hearing these endearing messages many years after the wedding reception. And not just hearing them, but hearing them with quality unavailable with home videos.
Sometimes toasts are serious and emotional, but other times they are just plain funny. Here is what one best man said:
“Apparently, it’s my duty to offer a small piece of advice to the groom and Kevin will be pleased to know that a successful marriage can be compared to football: be fully committed every week and make sure you score every Saturday. However, Jenna assures me that playing away from home could result in a serious groin injury and is definitely the quickest way onto the transfer list!”
Another aspect of your wedding that can ONLY be captured by video are your wedding vows. Without video, those vows will only survive through the power of your memory (and a few pictures, frozen in time).
Those are just two more reasons to seriously consider videography a top priority for your wedding.
Again, thanks for reading,
Anna
Valentin & Angela Wedding Photo Shoot// Atlanta, GA
Hello everybody! I hope you all enjoyed your weekend. I know I did…we had family come down from Washington state.
This was a wedding we filmed in Atlanta, Georgia. This video is only a small excerpt from the whole wedding- it’s the photo shoot. While the photographers were doing their work we were behind the scenes, capturing all the beautiful smiles. We couldn’t have asked for a nicer couple to work with.
You can see their official music video and more at the TouchDream blog.
Hope you liked it. Comments are welcome, as always.
Anna
Exchanging Rings On Your Wedding Day
Ah..First day of school. My six year old just went to the first day of first grade (sigh). It’s much quieter at home now. All you mom’s and dad’s know what I’m talking about.
OK, tip for today..
Most likely zero percent of couples practice exchanging rings prior to their ceremony, but it’s actually not a bad idea. Sometimes we see the bride and groom struggle at the altar trying to wiggle the ring on the others’ finger. Once (and I’m totally serious) we had a bride who after much effort still could not fit the ring on her grooms finger and so he took the ring and squeezed it on his own hand! The congregation sure had a good laugh. 
Rarely does this happen completely effortlessly, but if you practice before your ceremony (there is no unspoken rule against this, right?) you have more chance of it going smoothly….hence, a better flowing wedding video.
Hope this helps,
Anna
First Birthday Party//Same Day Edit
Sometimes we get to do something completely out of the ordinary. In this case, we filmed a birthday party for returning clients. Their son, Timmy, was turning one and they wanted it professionally captured. I really had fun with this same day edit.
In any case, we love seeing old faces again 
Igor
10 Tips for Looking Great on Camera on your Wedding Day
Happy Saturday to you.
OK, Let’s say your your wedding day is around the corner. You want to make sure you do everything you can to look stunning on camera, right? Here are some easy to follow tips from the pros. Since it’s not really our place to advise you during your wedding, we still want you to be well prepared for the camera.
- DO Look At Each Other. Many brides and grooms can go the whole ceremony with eyes glued on the officiant. While it is courteous to look at the person who is speaking to you, don’t forget- you are marrying each other. If possible, turn your bodies to face each other. That way you can respectfully listen to your officiant, but spend most of the ceremony gazing at your soon-to-be-spouse. Trust me, you’ll be much happier with a video that shows you exchanging meaningful looks with your partner rather than your officiant.
- DON’T Chew Gum. Nothing ruins an otherwise beautiful video faster than a bridal party full of gum chewers. Picture this: A row of impeccably dressed bridesmaids or groomsmen, softy and earnestly chomping through your wedding ceremony. Or worse yet, a beautiful bride and dashing groom gnashing through their vows. While a skilled videographer will edit unflattering moments out of your video, a pack of gum just means less footage to choose from. If you have to- use mints or breath strips. Just make sure your wedding is a gum free zone!
- DO Stay Sober. Yes, you’re nervous. Yes, you’re celebrating. And yes, you are likely to say or do something less than elegant on camera. If you insist on taking a few sips- keep the indulgence to a minimum. You’ve hired a videographer to capture every spontaneous moment, make sure they see you at your best.
- DON’T Chat With Bridemaids/Groomsmen On Stage. This may seem common sense, but you may be surprised at how much of this we see. It looks childish- take our word for it.
- DON”T Slouch. Don’t even think about slouching. If you think this may be a problem for you, work out some sort of silent code with your maid of honor so she can help you stay slouch-free.
- DON’T Be Left In The Dark. Here is how it looks in your imagination: You and your groom holding hands as you say your vows in the twilight, the sun a small speck on the horizon. Here is how it looks on video: A white dress floats alone in a sea of darkness. I know it’s harsh, but a camera needs light- so if you want to capture an outdoor ceremony on video, make sure it takes place while the sun is still shining or else illuminated by plenty of extra lighting. As you finalize details with your videographer, be candid about what the wedding environment will be like and listen to their lighting recommendations.
- DO Remember That You’re On Camera At All Times. Another one that seems common sense, but sometimes a bride forgets about the camera and the videographer captures a very unhappy, angry or inappropriate scene. Keep it in the back of your mind at all times. This is not to say that you need be some sort of a doll- always smiling, but so you don’t get embarrassed watching yourself later on camera. Again, trust us- it’s for the best.
- DON’T Get Too Lazy And Tired For Pics/Video. Being beautiful is hard work. Hard work is tiring, we know this. But no matter how tired you are- you already paid your photographer and videographer, so don’t get lazy for the camera! If you get careless, you will seriously regret doing so.
- DO Make Sure Your Dress Dosen’t Offer Sneak Peaks. I might of mentioned this one before, but it’s pretty important. Why would you want to watch (not to mention show others) an embarrassing wedding video of yourself? Just avoid it altogether and make sure your dress is well fit. Practice sitting, walking, dancing, bending over and hugging in it.
- DO Mic Your Soloists And Readers. Your BFF is thrilled to be singing at your wedding and your brother has been practicing your favorite poem for weeks. They both have strong, clear voices, so there is no need for a microphone, right? Wrong. By using a mic, not only will your guests better enjoy the poems and songs, but your video will clearly record it. Without one, everything seems extremely distant or are lost completely- especially outdoors.
I hope these have helped you see things from our point of view and maybe even helped you see things a little differently about your video.
Maybe you have something to add to the list for other brides reading this. Go ahead and leave a comment with your tip for others.
Thanks for stopping by, Anna
Not All Videographers Are Created Equal
I hope that everyone had a great holiday weekend! We had a great BBQ at our house. Now it’s back to work fun…
I recently heard people talk about “Why don’t all videographers cost the same?” And I said to myself, are they kidding? Let’s open up the subject for all those that don’t understand why all videographers don’t cost the same.
Professional wedding videographers can range in price from $500 to over $5,000. Why? As long as they’re professionally trained, properly equipped and experienced, why the drastic difference?
First of all, it’s important to understand that we as videographers assign a value to our work based on time, effort, equipment, expertise and a whole lot of other factors that can vary from artist to artist, depending on their approach and demand for their product. Rather than making your decision based solely on price, this information will help you compare “apples to apples” and cut cost only where you really want to cut costs. Spend where your money will be put to good use.
Filmic vs. Documentary
The terms, “filmic” and “documentary” get thrown around a lot, and can mean different things to different people. Often times, a videographer won’t strictly belong to one category or the other. If you’re not sure where a certain videographer fits in, just ask to see a sample of a complete wedding they have shot and edited… then decide if you like it. Then, who cares what it’s called? If you like it, you like it.
Usually, a “filmic” look implies that a video has been shot widescreen or 16:9 (with the growing popularity of widescreen TVs, most videographers shoot widescreen these days anyway), with saturated colours, and some dramatic slow motion effects. It can also mean very stable moving shots created with the help of cranes or jib arms, steadicam apparatus, etc.
The advantages to going with a filmic videographer, is that you literally get a chance to star in your own professionally shot movie. You will be beautifully lit, and captured from the right angles, and only the best, most glamorous shots will make the final cut. You may never look better!
The drawback, of course, is the cost. It takes a lot of people to put a production like this together, not to mention a lot of high end equipment. And finally, there is editing time: for a truly filmic experience, several hours in an editing suite is required to synch up footage from multiple cameras, mix sound and music, create transition effects and titles, etc.
Another drawback, depending on your point of view, is it is not an ideal setup for the camera-shy. You will be surrounded by a crew, and equipment. You will likely be aware of the cameras. You may occasionally have to wait for the cameras to get in place or re-enact for the cameras if necessary.
A “documentary” approach implies that your video is shot with less bulky equipment, and you might only get one or two cameramen with this approach.
The drawback of a documentary approach is it’s going to have a grittier look than the filmic approach. How gritty? Again, this is going to vary from shooter to shooter, so ask to see a sample DVD to come to your own conclusion.
Editing vs. Raw
When it comes to videography, don’t make the common mistake of thinking you are paying for just one day of service. A lot of prep time goes into any production, and after the shoot, as much as 50 or 60 hours might go into editing and refining your footage. Or not. It depends on the production company. So ask what your videographer puts into their editing process, and expect to pay accordingly for their time and efforts.
Raw (unedited) footage is by far the cheapest option when scouting for video packages, but it is important that your expectations for this option are realistic.
Some videographers might offer light editing; a “clean-up,” if you will, where some of the rougher, darker, uneventful footage is taken out, and dissolves are put into to soften the transitions between scenes. DVD chapters might be added. Some music might be added. A light edit will cost more than no edit (obviously), but it will give you a nicer finished product that is more entertaining to watch.
Of course, if you really want to dazzle your friends and family, you might opt for a full-on edit: which includes effects, titling, colour-correction, evening out of audio levels, montages where video is edited to music, etc. This edit takes the most time and so it will cost more.
Other factors to take into consideration: are you able to screen the first cut and have input on the final product (will your editor re-cut?). Does the editor upload your video to a website so you can proof your edit and share it with friends and family? How many copies of the finished product do you get? All these perks take more time and resources, so they will add to the cost of your wedding video.
Single Camera vs. Multi Camera
Most wedding video companies will offer either one or two cameras with their packages. Some offer more than two. The more cameras you have, the more angles (close-ups, etc.) and coverage you’ll have, and the more dynamic an edited finished product you’ll end up with. Obviously, more cameras mean more people and more equipment, so higher costs.
Another thing to consider: adding a camera means adding several more hours of footage, which means even more hours in the edit suite. See how it all quickly adds up?
Well…that is a lot of information I just gave you. The bottom line is that every company has different preferences and priorities. Decide what is important to you, and budget accordingly. A wedding video is a tremendous keepsake of your special day; so choose wisely.
And I hope you now understand why NOT all videographers are created equal.
Engagement Videos
Today I want to show you a different kind of video we do. An engagement video, otherwise known as a “love story”. Sometimes this is filmed during an engagement photo shoot, but most of the time it is filmed in order to make a “love story” video. For this one we traveled to Washington state to create a unique love story for this couple. They forgot that I was even there and had a blast.
This is a great way to capture the love and emotion before all the heavy wedding planning and chaos sets in. It’s their chance to completely focus on each other. Hope you enjoyed it.
Igor
Setting the Big Date- Take Advantage of the Holidays
Hello guys and gals. It’s a really wet day today here in North Port, FL. That cancels all of my beach plans for today. 
Alrighty, let’s say that you just got engaged. Now it’s time to set the big date. Maybe you’ve been engaged for a while already but you don’t have a date set yet. I’m going to share some ideas today that might help you decide.
One thing you can do is get in touch with your favorite wedding videographers and find out which days they still have available. Then set your date according to that. Ok, that was a good idea, but in all seriousness,what about the upcoming holidays? The holiday season may seem like a bad time to plan your wedding because of your ever-growing list of things to do around that time of year. But it might be quite the opposite.
1. First of all, more of your family is likely to attend. People have already asked for time off from work and chances are you were going to spend time with them anyway.
2. Another great reason is decorations. It’s a beautiful time of the year- festive lights (which you would pay alot more for during any other season), romantic colors, lovely music, etc. Your budget could be drastically reduced by using the decorations that are already in place.
3. Fancy gowns and cocktail dresses are plentiful, which makes it easier to find great bridesmaids dresses.
4. Speaking from a videographer’s viewpoint, the holidays always provide such breathtaking scenery-the Christmas lights really make a statement. People are always happy and smiling.
5. And of course, people are always looking for an excuse to meet up with friends they haven’t seen for a while and/or deviate from their diets.
There are of course other reasons but these stand out as most important. And don’t forget that alot of reception facilities offer discounts for off-nights. Saturdays are always most expensive. Consider Friday or Sunday.
I think it’s overall a great time of the year. Think about it; it may be right for you.