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The Season of Thanks will be upon us in a few days, so let me start now…

by | Oct 29, 2013 | 0 comments

Okay, it has been a VERY busy and hectic past month.  I have traveled all over California, as well as to Baltimore, Maryland to film weddings (not to mention Las Vegas)… and after a busy summer and Fall, I haven’t blogged much, or properly said thank you in a while- maybe NEVER, on here anyway obviously.  I just said thank you a minute ago in real life, for the record…

Okay, time to be thankful.
First.  Last night.  Thanks to Waveform Events for a great Halloween kickoff party at their brand new office in Huntington Beach, CA.  Had a great time meeting fellow professionals, mostly in the wedding industry.  A quick list of some great folks I met.  (I never say “folks” in real life btw, unless I’m making fun of Porky Pig of course).

Waveform Events – Thanks Martin & Michele (Michele Lacson Photography) for a great night!
Paper Crew – Thanks for the card advice Chanda, and I look forward to working with you on correcting it!
At Your Door Events – Sara, see above!
Silver Gecko Photography – Great hanging again Adam, and see you Sunday!
SoCal Shutterbooth – Great job last night- and great meeting the mother-daughter combo running the photo booth, Cheryl and Summer!
Ceremonies by Carolyn – Birthday night and still wedding mixing with a bullet in the head.  If you need a great wedding officiant, look no further!
Makeup by Melissa-Ann – From wedding day makeup, to special effects- she can do it all.

Those are just the few that come right to mind right now- but there were many more from last night alone.   Going back a few weeks, I worked with an incredible DJ as well, Jonah Lavitt, a cool, multi talented dude, and a great DJ who keeps the night flowing with ease.  Thanks man.

Also a quick thanks to former Client and current friends, Marvin and Michelle Velasquez, for the great time this past Saturday night at their Halloween party- and congrats on yet another publication in a national magazine about your wildly successful Wedding Proposal Planning business.  Amazing job guys- so happy for you!

Last weekend, while in Baltimore for a downtown wedding, which was amazing by the way, (so thanks Megan and Chris), after a long weekend, I forgot to check in for my flight on Southwest early enough to get decent boarding.  In line though, I met Kenneth ng and his wife, and asked them if they would mind saving me an aisle seat on the plane if they were able, noting that they had early B boarding.  The “I’ll try” didn’t sound too promising, despite my 8am puppy dog eyes (guess when you are 6’4″, 250 lbs, and barely awake that doesn’t work)- but there was I was- nearly the last one on the plane- happy to see his wife waving me back- as they had saved me an aisle seat.  Enough overhead space as well for my 2 jam packed bags.  I’ve never been more ecstatic walking on a plane- and it was literally one of the easiest flights I’ve ever had.  Kenneth was a nice guy and happens to own a company specializing in modern lighting.  If you find yourself in need, check him out.  His site is full of amazing designs.  Thanks again Ken!

Thanks to all of my wonderful brides and grooms who have had me represent the video camera for their Big Day.  I’m a bit backed up, but I promise to be working overtime to get you all of your videos before the New Year.

The day is quickly getting away, so I will leave it at that for now.  Time to get back to Jenna and Ross’s wedding, so I can soon get to Angie and Mike’s… and so on.

Final thanks.  If you are reading this, THANK YOU!!  Still don’t consider myself a blogger, hence the empty October, but any time I get feedback I realize there is always a purpose in any words of thanks you can write- or better yet, speak in person.  So never hesitate to voice thanks, and be thankful.

It’s an honor to do what I do, and I appreciate the fact that I can do it for a living.  I’m most thankful for that.  (I’ll thank my family in 4 weeks!)  😉

Have a great week!

A Love Story and a beautiful phone call

by | Sep 4, 2013 | 0 comments

This is a Love Story I produced for Robyn and Sean. Sean was one of the first people I met upon moving to California back in April of 1999, as we both were somewhat new to the area, and working at the Olive Garden in good old Glendale.
We kept in touch over the years, him even acting in one of my films over the past decade. We lost touch for a while as our careers took different paths, until he got in touch with me last Spring about his recent engagement. He wanted me to film his wedding, which happens to be in Maryland, a nice bonus as that is my home state, and he was hoping for a cool video to show at his reception. The following is what I created for them, after a 3 hour film shoot the day before they moved back to Maryland from Los Angeles.

The phone call. I sent Sean the link to this video last night, and the call I got this morning was about as much reward as any filmmaker could EVER ask for. I heard tears of joy over the phone, and this from a guy’s guy- a guy not used to shedding tears. He let me know just how much the video put everything in perspective, and what he was getting into- and how excited, and yet calm it made him. He and Robyn have been experiencing last minute wedding planning issues, which can stress anyone out- and him telling me that watching that video put his mind at complete ease, and made everything he’s going thru now, WORTH IT, just was the best start to a day anyone could ask for. We talked for literally over 45 minutes, and if I had been recording that phone call, I probably could have used it as the best infomercial ever.

Just an example of how much satisfaction, and how gratifying it is when my work can really touch people, and remind them of what’s important in life.

It’s very easy to get caught up in the day to day trivial things that bother us, and linger with us. And while there are many reminders to us each day as to what’s important (if we are paying attention), it’s nice to know that a simple video can be the best remedy around.  Today, and until the end of days.

Another back to back

by | Aug 31, 2013 | 0 comments

I just got home from filming Juan and Natalie’s wedding. What a day. From Reseda, to El Segundo, to Santa Monica, and then back to the Valley, with the reception in Chatsworth. A long day and triple digit heat with humidity. I probably should have waited to write this until after a shower I guess. Sorry, TMI.
My initial thought in jumping on here was to post a Proposal Idea of the month, realizing that September is only a little over an hour away- but then I realized, since I’ve been slacking all around when it comes to proposal ideas AND general wedding tales, why not just ramble a bit about my day.

It started off at the Embassy Suites hotel in El Segundo, where I met Juan and Natalie, and got to film them each getting ready for the big day. Juan, much like myself, was all to happy to relax and wait until absolutely necessary to jump into wardrobe, making it a near first for me, where the Bride is actually ready before the groom. A hop, skip, two step, and long jump to the other side of the hotel took me from one to the other- so back and forth I went for an hour and a half. They both had nieces and nephews more than willing to help moving and holding dresses, and posing, or not posing when asked. 🙂 I could see the pride on each parent’s face. That’s what stuck with me most.
Off to Santa Monica, a bit later than I’d hoped. A bit of traffic on the 405 north (I so want to go on a Californians SNL sketch rant right now, but I don’t), had me a bit nervous, as I like to leave myself an hour of set up time at any church for set up of microphones and placement of cameras- especially for stricter churches. I ended up getting there with a half hour to go, which sounds like a lot, but by the time I’ve parked, gotten my equipment out and inside the church- I’m down to 23 minutes or so. I need to mic the groom, tap into the church’s sound for the officiant, and place a microphone for the Mariachi band. I’ve got to set up 3 cameras, one of which upstairs on the balcony. Yes, I conquered a 3 camera, solo shoot today. No problem. Done. Now the ceremony is about to start. Hit record on first two cameras and sound recorder, get in position, and I’m ready to for the procession.

I’m going to go on a side tiny rant here, just as a bit of an information brides and grooms may want to share with their friends. For the second time in two weeks, during the processional, there has been guests who literally put their entire bodies in the aisle, trying to get a great picture of the bride with their cell phone. Now I get it, it’s an exciting moment, and everyone has access to cameras via their phones and with social media it’s exciting to post a great shot…. BUT, it can make it VERY difficult for me as a Videographer, to capture one of the most emotional moments of the day for the bride and groom. Either on a tripod, or usually handheld, standing in a stiff position for steadiness, I have to completely readjust my body and re aim, then refocus, depending on the back light. Sometimes this repositioning forces me to block the view of the groom, which I HATE doing. (It’s either that or go low and shoot up, which is not usually a flattering angle to film a bride, especially at this moment). Sometimes it may not affect anything, as it could be a perfect moment for me to cut to the wide angle camera, or use a shot I have of the groom looking down the aisle, but sometimes there are only slight split seconds flashes of emotion that a bride or a Dad or someone else may let out as they walk down- and missing that moment crushes me as someone wanting to capture the key emotional moments of the day.
So to any future bride and grooms reading this, even just a brief mention of not getting in the aisle during the ceremony to take pictures to your friends, will make the money you invest in your video and photos completely optimized.

Okay, rant over. Sorry! Hope that wasn’t harsh. I just worry that after back to back weeks having it happen, it’s becoming a trend. I’m all for friends and family snapping as many pictures as they want- just RESPECT THE AISLE. 🙂

Okay- after the ceremony and pictures outside of the church (Santa Monica Church), it was back up to the Valley. Being so close to home, I was able to stop home, down a Gatorade and get a quick snack- some leftover Hamburger Helper I made last night.

I’m getting exhausted now and the shower is screaming my name- so I’m going to end this. BUt not before saying the reception was a blast. Although they did fall almost an hour and a half behind, and had to cram a lot in in a hurry, but they got everything in. I was definitely on my toes all night, as there was no MC, but rather a Mariachi Band, who spoke in Spanish. Now I can understand a tiny but of Spanish, and speak it at an extremely elementary level, but someone has to be talking to me like I’m in elementary school also. So long story short, I was constantly recording, worried I might miss something. Thanks goodness the toasts were in English- though Juan’s father did give a short speech in Spanish- but it was short enough I can comfortably use the whole thing without worrying about cutting it down for time. (for the movie trailer only- the full edit always gets every full speech).

Okay, all in all, a great day, and Juan and Natalie were a fantastic couple. I went from hearing Juan sing in the shower, to singing to his wife at his own reception. You can’t beat that.

Now, I get to do it again tomorrow. Though thankfully, Gabriela and Manuel’s wedding tomorrow is a 6 hour affair, and not 11 like today!
Happy Sunday! And September!

 

Oh, and I should also add that I had the pleasure of working with a fantastic Photography Team.Tepe Luz Photography

Molly & Patrick’s Wedding Trailer

by | Aug 29, 2013 | 0 comments

Molly and Pat got married at the Holy Family Catholic Church in Pasadena, California, on June 29, 2013. They had their awesomely classic style reception at the Cicada restaurant in downtown Los Angeles immediately afterwards. I had the pleasure of working with Jennifer Forth, who ran an extremely well organized event, making my job much easier!  Starting with the rehearsal dinner the night before, this entire two day event was just a pleasure to be a part of and witness to- and I only hope this short sampling of it does justice to just how awesome it truly was.