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Vendor Spotlight: Christina D’Asaro Design

“What I’m most amazed by is how you can change the entire dynamic of an event simply by the pieces of paper that you hand out to your guests.”

Those were my words to Christina of Christina D’Asaro Design the day we sat down to look at her portfolio. She specializes in custom paper-based products – everything from event invitations, to hand-held fans for an outdoor event, to coasters, to accordion-style programs for weddings. Her passion is to enable people to carry out the vision of their event from start to finish – from the second a guest receives their invitation to the moment they leave with party favors adorned with custom-printed labels.

Christina D'Asaro original coaster design

Christina D’Asaro original coaster design

Christina has a background in Fine and Visual Arts and a B.S. in Communications from Boston University. She spent ten years helping top-tier companies effectively market and brand themselves, and then, with her love of all things paper and her years of professionalism and experience, she left to create her own design company.

Christina D'Asaro Custom Favor Bags

Christina D’Asaro Custom Favor Bags

Christina provides personal consulting for her customers, and invests the time to get to know them well. She finds out what they care about, what they love, what they dislike, and if it’s a wedding, she gets to know the bride and groom’s story. She is then able to think outside the box, guided by the personality of her clients, to make their events come to life in ways they may not have otherwise known possible.

Christina D'Asaro Custom Save the Date

Christina D’Asaro Custom Save the Date

Christina D'Asaro Custom Save the Date

Christina D’Asaro Custom Save the Date

That’s what is so special about Christina – she pays attention to what her clients love and invents new ways to showcase it. She finds what’s special and makes sure it’s emphasized.

For a couple’s shower at a horse race track, she not only designed a beautiful invitation, but she also custom made bidding tickets that, instead of having horses to bid on, had trivia about the bride and groom. Far from being a formality, these unique pieces reinforced the summertime derby vibe that the couple wanted to bring to life.

Christina D'Asaro Custom Betting Slips

Christina D’Asaro Custom Betting Slips

Christina D'Asaro Custom Invitation

Christina D’Asaro Custom Invitation

Another great example of her creative concepts are “advice cards” for a wedding that depicted various scenarios. One said “When they have their first fight as a married couple.” Another said, “When they buy their first house,” and another, “When they have their first child,” etc. Guests could provide their piece of advice for the bride and groom, and place it in a box for the bride and groom to take with them to read and enjoy on their honeymoon. I told her how much that would change the reception – I could just see all of the guests going from table to table, trying to figure out how many different questions there were and what pieces of advice their friends and relatives gave. It’s these simple elements Christina creates that can add to the fun for guests and also serve as a great gift for the newlyweds.

If those examples aren’t custom enough for you, she can put her fine arts background to work. For one wedding that she did at the Bryant Park Grill, she hand-sketched the entrance and a side view of the venue. She then scaled down the one the client preferred and placed it on several pieces she created for the event. She did the same using watercolors to create safari animals for a custom photo album, given as a gift.

This attention to detail and willingness to go the extra mile are what set Christina D’Asaro and her designs apart. Her level of skill and level of attention to her clients are rare even on their own, but together they make her an asset to anyone who is looking for custom-designed paper goods that help tell their story.

Christina D'Asaro Custom RSVP, Envelope, and Stamp

Christina D’Asaro Custom RSVP, Envelope, and Stamp

Christina D'Asaro Custom Gift Bag Tags

Christina D’Asaro Custom Gift Bag Tags

 

Loft227: The Event Space We’ve Been Waiting For

“I wanted to build New York. I wanted to build something that would stand the test of time.” Robin Sokoloff – jack-of-all-trades events extraordinaire – gutted and renovated a space at 227 W 29th St, turning it into what we at BBoy believe to be one of the best new NYC venues we’ve ever come across.

Robin Sokoloff

Robin Sokoloff

Robin, prior to investing in this space, spent a significant amount of time doing – well, just about everything. She has choreographed for The Atlantic Theatre School, NYSSSA School of Contemporary Dance, The Hip-Hop Dance Conservatory of New York, Students Live! on Broadway, and more. Her show “Spotlight Live” was featured on several notable news shows including “The Today Show,” “Good Morning America,” and “The Whoopi Show.” She was  a producer with Multi Image Group, she graduated from NYU and NEW, and is a member of The United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America.

Why is all of this experience relevant to Loft227? It helped her see the need in NYC for a space like hers. “There are really big spaces and really small spaces. They’re all fantastic, but there’s no space for the middle ground – that place where you feel great and you can do what you want, but you still have intimacy. People want to meet each other and actually connect while having a great time. They can do that here.”

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Loft227-Dance-Crowd-w-logo-pxm

The year she spent as a carpenter  helped give her the skills she needed to do all of the renovations herself. “I don’t buy that people have to pick one craft and master it. I believe in mastering all aspects of what you’re a part of.” She also did all of the lighting herself, which was one of our favorite perks of the venue. Most venues charge more to use their specialty lighting, and charge even more for someone to be there to operate it. Robin said of this problem, “I know a lot of people who kept complaining that venues didn’t give them any power to change what they didn’t like about the space, so I thought to myself, ‘Why not offer a venue that does?’”

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Loft227-Purple-Movie-View-w-logo-pxm

Clients can do anything they wish with the lighting – you can dim, turn off, or (our favorite) change the colors on each fixture to any color you wish with the simple use of a small remote. Robin joked about the simplicity: “Sometimes you just kinda feel like you need the whole room to be red, and people can do that here.” Cue the Halleluiah Chorus.

She’s already hosted a myriad of events from a private party for a professional chef to a club-like fundraising party to a fireside concert complete with cozy rugs, lamps and a faux fireplace upon which guests roasted marshmallows.

Loft227-Musicians-w-logo-pxm

Loft227-Theater-Audience-BW-w-logo-pxm

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“People always ask me, ‘What is this space?’ and I always respond, ‘What do you want it to be?’” Robin’s biggest aspiration for the space is for people to make it their own. There’s a fifteen foot retractable movie screen, two  flat screen TVs, a VIP area, a full (and fully-stocked) kitchen, fifty chairs and eight tables, and a private bathroom – all available to anyone who books the space with no extra charge.

Robin noted of her own experience working with venues, “I worked casting commercials for four years, and rental spaces just weren’t cutting it. I wanted to give people a little more.” With Loft227, you don’t just get more – you get it all. With full use of everything in the venue and full freedom to rearrange and decorate based on each event, this is the ideal space for any event for 20-100 people. Check out New York’s best new venue and book your event today here: www.loft227.com

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DJ Spotlight: Graeme Cowgill

This week we’re excited to brag about one of our own – Graeme Cowgill. Graeme has been with BBoy since 2008, and has been one of our most-requested DJs for quite some time! He’s based out of California, and in true Cali fashion is one of the most “chill” people you could ever meet. We’re excited to share some fun facts and insights into the very tall man behind the DJ booth.

Graeme Cowgill

Q: Why did you decide to be a DJ?

A: I actually just got into it because my wife needed a DJ for an event, and I had a significant musical background – my mom used to be in operas. I have an eclectic music taste, so I decided I would give it a shot. I stayed with it because I just really enjoy using this skill that I’m blessed with. Wedding coordinators and venue people aren’t always treated the best, so I enjoy using the platform I have to really get to know them and make them feel valued.

Q: What’s your favorite part about being a DJ?

A: I enjoy DJing, and I’m not bad at it, but I’m certainly not the greatest. My favorite part about doing so many events is being able to connect with the audience, the bridal party and the bride and groom. I really let their personalities run the show. With weddings, the entire event is based on the relationship between bride and groom, and that needs to be carried out through the whole experience. I love the formalities of weddings when personalities come out.

Graeme Cowgill

Q: What’s the weirdest song request that you’ve ever gotten?

A: One time, an eight-year old requested Peter, Paul, and Mary. It would have just murdered the party, but I had no idea how to respond. I didn’t want to say no because it would’ve ruined her life, but to say yes, the wedding would have just ended right there. “Puff the Magic Dragon” just wasn’t going to kick it right then. I didn’t play it.

Q: Ever witnessed any strange or terrible wedding toasts?

A: The best and weirdest toast was when one guy during an open mic toast said to the bride and groom, “It just looks like you’re meant for him and that he’s meant for you. So it’s kinda like ‘Matrix Revolution.’” And then he sat down.

Q: What do you do when you’re not DJing?

A: I work for FCA Volleyball in Southern California. I meet with different coaches and, during the summer, manage a team of forty-two interns. I also used to be a youth pastor in the panhandle of Florida, which is where I grew used to being in front of a large crowd.

FCA volleyball tournament

FCA volleyball tournament

Q: Any good stories from those days?

A: Oh, so many. One time I let some kids borrow my truck to pick up a gumball machine, and they brought it back absolutely covered in paint. They said they got in a paint war, which I didn’t even know existed.

Q: Any advice to DJs or wannabe DJs out there?

A: From an events perspective, the biggest thing is to be someone people feel comfortable with. The vendor, wedding coordinator and DJ – we are all hired so that the bride and groom can relax on their big day and not have to worry about logistics. Meet and talk with the bride and groom before the event. Establish a relationship so that they know they’re taken care of and so that you’re taken care of in the unusual event of something going wrong. There’s a lot of grace established when there’s a relationship.

Lastly, I used to be super nervous because I was responsible for so much on someone’s big day. I used to have my announcements printed out, but the quicker I went from having it printed to just being myself was always good. I realized that people aren’t buying my announcement skills; they’re buying my personality. So I let that show instead of trying to be perfect.

Win a FREE DJ for Your Holiday Party!

B-Boy Productions Inc. is giving back this holiday season! We are giving away a FREE 4-hour party set, complete with expert DJ/Emcee and professional sound system for three separate events, one in each category:

November Giveaway – Thankful for Our Troops!
B-Boy is so thankful for our military servicemen and servicewomen and all you do to keep our country safe. Here’s your chance to win a free weekday DJ for your squadron! One winner will be chosen on November 15, 2013 and notified immediately. See complete details below.

november-giveaway

December Giveaway – Giving to the Givers!
You volunteer hard all year … Here’s your chance to win a free weekday DJ to celebrate your volunteer team and their efforts – or to continue giving, by turning the party into a charitable event itself. One winner will be chosen on December 1, 2013 and notified immediately. See complete details below.

december-giveaway

January Giveaway – Celebrating the Servers!
During the holidays each year, restaurant and event space employees go the extra mile and work tireless hours to create memorable celebrations for other people. Now you can reward your hardworking team with a free weekday DJ for your holiday party. One winner will be chosen on January 6, 2014 and notified immediately. See complete details below:

january-giveaway

The Giveaway Details:

  1. Entry requires a brief synopsis of why your group deserves to win the party / who you’re celebrating / or other relevant details about the party you’ll throw if you win!
  2. One entry per person, per event.
  3. Must be 18 years or older to enter; U.S. residents only.
  4. New clients only.
  5. Winners must claim their prize within 72 hours or a new winner will be chosen.
  6. Prize includes DJ services and all music/gear required for one weekday party, up to 4 hours, for an unlimited number of people.
  7. Party must be held within 3 months of winning.

ENTER TODAY! ALL ENTRANTS GET 25% OFF THEIR HOLIDAY PARTY BOOKED WITH B-BOY PRODUCTIONS – SO YOU ARE A WINNER EVERY TIME!

Vendor Profile: Sugar Flower Cake Shop in NYC

Sugar Flower Cake Shop

Note from Brian Buonassissi:

I’ve always known the importance of networking in the event industry. Blame it on my semi-introverted personality; I’m just not great at those things. However, when I do go to meetings, I’m always so glad I went. I meet fantastic individuals and usually always gain a nugget or two out of the content. A few months back, I went to a networking lunch in NYC and met Amy Noelle from Sugar Flower Cake Shop. She brought her iPad and started showing off some of her work. I was blown away. The creativity was the first thing to catch my eye. With each image, I saw the attention to detail and the uniqueness she brought to each cake. Then she started sharing about how she used as many locally grown ingredients she could find and that nothing was fondant (I’ve never been a fan of fondant). Her signature is the sugar flowers. They look so intricate and some could actually pass for real flowers!  Needless to say, she’s one of a kind. I ended up hiring her to make my wife’s birthday cake and she nailed it! The design was awesome and the taste was unbelievable. When I find someone of Amy’s caliber, I have to share it with the rest of you!!  Enjoy.

Tara's birthday cake from Sugar Flower Cake Shop. Awesome!

Tara’s birthday cake from Sugar Flower Cake Shop. Awesome!

When an outdoorsy couple tied the knot at the Central Park Zoo in New York City, Sugar Flower Cake Shop created a massive, six-tier cake, and offered it up on slices from a tree.

When an outdoorsy couple tied the knot at the Central Park Zoo in New York City, Sugar Flower Cake Shop created a massive, six-tier cake, and offered it up on slices from a tree.

When another groom proposed in front of NYC’s Alice in Wonderland statue, they created a “toppling” fantasy cake.

When another groom proposed in front of NYC’s Alice in Wonderland statue, they created a “toppling” fantasy cake.

How about a cake that looks like a Monet or a Dutch Master’s painting?

How about a cake that looks like a Monet or a Dutch Master’s painting?

Whatever you need for your wedding or special occasion, the Sugar Flower Cake Shop can build it … your imagination is the only limit!  And the best part? No gross fondant! It’s all make from local and sustainable ingredients iced in delicious buttercream. Sign up for one of their cake tasting parties to mix and match all of their different flavor combinations. SO much fun!

flower_cake

flower_cake2

Have you ever thought of learning to decorate cakes yourself? You’re in luck! New York City natives can sign up for a multitude of decorating classes at Sugar Flower Cake Shop, including classes for sugar peony making, sugar rose making, advanced piping techniques, and even a special three-hour carved Jack-O’-Lantern Cake class in time for Halloween. Not in NYC but still interested in learning some cake decorating skills? Check out their cake decorating videos for some professional training.

And now an introduction to the owner of Sugar Flower Cake Shop, Amy Noelle:

In 2005, Amy Noelle didn’t envision herself founding one of New York’s most innovative food businesses. She didn’t think she’d be hiring staff, indoctrinating hundreds with her techniques, or seeing her creation featured in The New York Times.

The baker was no stranger to accomplishment. Growing up, she’d been one of the country’s most fiercely competitive—and highly awarded—baton twirlers. After college, she became an actuary, then a math teacher. Her life was quiet: she lived in the Hudson Valley, and raised fruit and vegetables—albeit in a dress and heels. “I got milk from the local dairy, and everything else from my soil,” she says.

But life would not stay peaceful for long. Driving her tractor, Amy was struck by an idea. Why make overly sweet cakes from pre-made mix, when you can get explosive flavor from scratch? she thought. So she learned how to bake well. She developed her recipes, then opened Sugar Flower Cake Shop, which designs custom wedding cakes using local ingredients, tasty buttercream, and an impressive range of sugar sculpting talents.

Before long, Amy was demonstrating her cakes in Martha Stewart’s test kitchen, and at Macy’s. Later, she opened her first cake studio in NYC’s fashion district—an ideal spot for her vivid, “couture”-style cakes. Still later, a Sugar Flower cake appeared in The New York Times. Word spread, and business boomed.

Now, Amy and her staff have baked hundreds of wedding cakes … and counting. They also lead lively sugar flower and cake-making classes in the cake studio, plus online video learning sessions.

Amy is glad she made the leap. “Running a business gives me enormous energy. I can’t imagine life now without this daily challenge,” she says.

Contact the Sugar Flower Cake Shop:
Phone
– 212/993-6441
Webhttp://www.sugarflowercakeshop.com
Facebookhttp://www.facebook.com/SugarFlowerCakeShop
Twitterhttp://twitter.com/SugarFlowerShop
Pinteresthttp://www.pinterest.com/SugarFlowerCake
Instagramhttp://instagram.com/sugarflowercakeshop

 

 

Insider Advice: The Importance of Having a Professional Wedding Videographer – Part 2

Importance of Having a Professional Wedding Videographer

In the first installment of this post we introduced our two expert cinematographer teams – Sixpence Productions and Momentus Films – and we covered some of the basics of why you should consider adding a wedding film to your wedding budget. (If you missed it, catch Part 1 of this post here.)

Moving on from the basics, our experts explain how to choose a filmmaker that fits your unique aesthetic, plus answer some questions about copyrights and working with other vendors. Let’s dig in.

What should a couple look for when choosing a professional videographer? Is seeing examples of their films enough? Or are there other considerations?

Joanna of Sixpence Productions – Like your choice of photographer, your choice of wedding filmmaker is a matter of personal style and taste. And there is a huge range of talent out there to choose from. There are videographers who simply record the wedding and transfer to a digital media for you. There are cinematographers who work with multiple cameras and advanced editing techniques to tell the story of your wedding day with a cinematic style. There are video producers who create something akin to MTV music videos with brides, grooms, and the wedding party lip-syncing to the couple’s favorite song. And, there are documentarians who produce wedding films in a documentary style with extensive interviews from family and friends. The possibilities for recording your wedding are only limited by your imagination.

So here are some important things to consider before you start searching for this vendor … Do you want your film to have any emotional impact? Do you want the tone to be romantic or edgy? Do you want the camera crew to be by your side capturing every conversation, or do you want them to be unobtrusive. What style of wedding film do you like? Once you’ve identified these things, it’s time to start looking for a cinematographer who fits your needs.

First and foremost, you should ask any filmmaker whom you are seriously considering hiring to provide you with an entire wedding film from start to finish. Any editor can piece together a great three-minute highlight reel from a wedding day, but it takes a filmmaker to tell your story and sustain the energy of a highlight reel throughout an entire wedding film.

Secondly, be sure to request a sample wedding for the type of package you are considering. There has been a trend in the last several years towards “short-form” wedding films. Short-forms are generally 15-30 minutes long and include all the key moments of your wedding day. What they do not include are complete sequences, like the full ceremony (your sister’s solo, your grandfather’s reading of Corinthians) or something like the entire choreographed first dance you and your fiancé have spent months perfecting. By viewing an entire wedding, you’ll get an idea of what your finished product might actually look like. This way you can be sure both you and your wedding filmmaker have clear understanding of what kind of film you would like to have produced.

Thirdly, evaluate their technical expertise. Are their shots smooth and well composed? Is there good picture quality and clarity? Is the natural audio clear? What types of transitions, special effects, and graphics do they utilize? You do want to ask if they shoot in standard definition or high definition. Surprisingly, there are still folks out there shooting in standard definition.

Finally, be sure the filmmakers’ personality will mesh well with your own. Honestly, this is almost more important than anything else! They are likely to be with you all day, and they interact with your family, bridal party, guests, and other vendors, so look for someone who is professional, tactful, and friendly.

Jenny and Jesse | A Rosemary Beach Wedding Film

Jenny and Jesse | A Rosemary Beach Wedding Film

Celia of Momentus Films – Look at the work, and lots of it. If you like the first film you watch, view four more. What do you love about their style? How does it make you feel? Do you feel like you know the couple and their story after you’ve watched their film? Are you rooting for them? Could you replace any sweet couple in their place, or do you take away that their story is uniquely their story? Do you feel the seamlessness of the editing and music? Or does the music feel like an after thought? You should be able to view enough work online to narrow your choices. From there, you should look at client reviews and recent reviews as well. You can also ask to view a DVD of any work not presented online if you feel you need to see versions longer than 25 minutes.

Once you found a filmmaker whose work you love, talk to them. Ask them any questions that matter to you such as hours of coverage, turnaround time and optional edits or add-ons such as Super 8mm or same-day edits. Experience matters too. There are a lot of things that can go wrong in event filmmaking, and if you hire a kid to shoot your wedding, you’re vulnerable to paying the price their learning curve exacts, including: botched audio, bad lighting or wrong exposure, inappropriate camera placement, lack of stabilization, inappropriate dress, shirked delivery promises.

Check your filmmaker’s track record. How long have they been at this? How many weddings have they filmed? Do they film alone? (A minimum crew of two filmmakers is required to adequately handle all the demands of filming a wedding day.) We use three for the ceremony, two for the remainder of the day. It’s the right way to do it, and your film will suffer otherwise.

But mainly, and most importantly, view the work … and lots of it.

Epic Love Story | Feature Film

Epic Love Story | Feature Film

Can the video be shared in digital format so that all guests can relive the important moments — without copyright infringement?

Joanna of Sixpence Productions – We use music licensing sites which are specifically designed for the wedding filmmaking, and indie film producing industries, to ensure that we don’t abuse another artist. You’ll see the license slides at the end of every wedding film sneak peek that we put online.

Celia of Momentus Films – This is a big topic in our industry. One of our fellow filmmakers on the West coast was sued by EMI for using unlicensed songs in wedding videos to the tune of $150,000 per song. Thankfully, a well spring of really great music has come up as a result of the need for affordable, good licensable music. Prices range between $20 and $100 per song, a price we are happy to pay to protect our work and our clients when they share it online.

Do the photographer and the cinematographer “compete” and what is the best way to ensure they don’t get in each other’s way?

Joanna of Sixpence Productions – Hiring professionals who work together regularly is a great way to ensure that there are no “real estate” battles taking place on your wedding day. The other thing I would do is ask both your photographer and wedding filmmaker how they approach other vendors to establish a mutually beneficial working environment. It will give couples some insight as to how well these vendors “play well with others.”

Celia of Momentus Films – We seek clients whose budget for their film equals or exceeds their photography budget. After all, we spend approximately 10X the hours per wedding film as photographers do per wedding album/CD. On the flipside, if you can’t afford a great photographer, we’d rather you not hire a photographer at all.

We work alongside some of the most talented photographers in the area and in the country even, and share mutual respect for each other’s work. At this level, we all have the experience and sensitivity needed to share the work space, get the shots we need, and give each other the room each needs, without creating distraction.

For us, the problem arises only with package deal photographers who are paid little and expected to get a lot of shots in an hour or two. It’s not their fault, but the fault of the design of the photo frenzied cheap package. We’ll give you free stills from video just to not hire these guys. (We do, by the way, shoot 24 pictures per second per camera.) Still, we encourage you to hire the best filmmakers and the best photographers you can afford.

Please take a moment to visit these fantastic filmmakers and view some of their work.

Sixpence Productions
Joanna Banks-Morgan
850.249.2300
joanna@diva-productions.com

Best place to see our work is our website: www.sixpenceproductions.com

Social Media Links:
www.facebook.com/sixpenceproductions
www.twitter.com/joannaraebanks
www.pinterest.com/sixpencefilms
www.instagram.com/joannaraeb

Sixpence Productions

Joanna Banks-Morgan of Sixpence Productions has spent most of her 44 years in newsrooms or on sets. The daughter of a journalist and an actor, she was bitten by the producing bug early. She attended Cardiff University’s Journalism, Film, and Television program in Wales and started her career in 1992 with British broadcaster Westcountry Television. Before creating Diva Productions (the predecessor of Sixpence) in 2007 with husband/business partner Robert Banks-Morgan, Joanna worked for CBS 42 KEYE in Austin, Texas where she also attended St. Edward’s University, graduating Summa Cum Laude with a degree in Communications. Joanna is a regular blogger for the leading event filmmaking industry education group In[Focus]  — and will be leading a break out session on interview techniques at their 2014 event in New Orleans.

 


Momentus Films
Celia Hilton
850.450.3135
celia@momentusfilms.com

Visit us online at: www.momentusfilms.com

Social Media Links:
www.facebook.com/MomentusFilms
www.twitter.com/momentusfilms
www.vimeo.com/momentusfilms

Momentus Films

Celia Hilton is the founder of Momentus Films, a wedding and event production company that serves the Florida Panhandle. 10 years running, Momentus Films has been the Panhandle’s standard bearer of cinematic filmmaking excellence with a high dedication to customer service and the development of industry relationships. Clients include Visit Pensacola, HarborWalk Village, and the Santa Rosa Educational Foundation, not to mention the hundreds of happy couples who the Momentus team has been blessed to have served over the years. Previous to founding Momentus Films, Celia was an advertising creative director in Dallas, Texas, having received her Bachelor of Science in Advertising from the University of Texas in Austin.

Insider Advice: The Importance of Having a Professional Wedding Videographer – Part 1

Importance of Having a Professional Wedding Videographer

As professionals in the event/wedding business, we have heard from brides over and over again that there are a million details to attend to when planning a wedding – and often just as many unexpected costs. Having been privileged to work with some of the best videographers and cinematographers in the nation, we wanted to share an “insiders” perspective on why having a videographer at your wedding is so well worth the investment.

We’ve asked Joanna Banks-Morgan of Sixpence Productions and Celia Hilton of Momentus Films for their unique perspective on why a professional wedding film is a must have, and some tips to ensure you’re getting your money’s worth. Let’s jump right in …

Taking all the other “traditional” wedding expenses into consideration, why is a videographer/cinematographer a worthy investment?

Photo courtesy of Momentus Films

Photo courtesy of Momentus Films

Joanna of Sixpence Productions – When I was a little girl, my grandmother would set up our old Bell & Howell projector in the living room and we would watch old home movies. Sitting in the dark room was like going back in time for me. We would watch things which ranged from my great-grandparents visiting the 1939 World’s Fair in New York to me learning to ride a bike in the next door neighbor’s driveway in 1974. My grandparents would talk about the people in the movies, funny stories and sad stories, but the one thing I remember is being mesmerized by the flickering images on the screen.

Those old movies have all been transferred to DVD now, but they still hold the same pull for me. Pop in one of those DVD’s and suddenly, I’m a little girl sitting in a darkened room listening to the people I love talk about the past. When we produce wedding films, that’s the type of impact I want to create for our couples. I want them to be transported back to a happy time in their lives, warmed by the feelings of love that they have for their family and friends who surrounded them on their wedding day. Apart from photography, a wedding film is the only thing that couples will have after their wedding day to transport them (and future generations) back in time to that moment! It really is about creating a legacy.

Celia of Momentus Films – A wedding film is not only a worthy investment, it’s considered by many of our clients to be the best money they spent on their wedding altogether. Besides photos, a wedding film is the only piece of your wedding that lasts beyond the wedding day itself. Unlike photos, a well produced wedding film viscerally takes you back in time, allowing you to relive the feeling, the sounds, movement, emotion and action you experienced on that day. A film also lets you see and hear what you missed or what blurred past you. Destination couples can also send their film to all those who attended, and share it with those who could not make it. Many of our destination couples show their films at receptions held later on back in their home towns.

Nowadays though, video can also be used to wow guests on the day of the wedding, at the reception, with Same Day edits that recap the day’s highlights to music presented on the big screen. We’ve also produced highly creative concept films in cahoots with our couples ahead of time to surprise their guests with at the reception. For couples who want to share their wedding video live, we also offer live streaming in 1080p, with professional audio, directly to YouTube.

What does the videographer/cinematographer catch on film that the bride and groom might otherwise miss?

Photo courtesy of Sixpence Productions

Photo courtesy of Sixpence Productions

Joanna of Sixpence Productions – Oh my goodness, where to start … Rob and I are particularly good at anticipating moments: The grooms mom going in for a long hug after their mother/son dance, the bride’s dad hesitating before he walks her down the aisle, the fidgeting ring bearer who decides it will be more fun to play in the sand at his feet (we do a lot of beach weddings) than listen to the ceremony. That kind of thing we are ready for, but we are also constantly on the lookout for the other “stories” going on around us. Is dad practicing his father/daughter waltz on his own, in the living room, while the girls are upstairs getting ready? Is the bride’s mom getting teary eyed during the father/daughter dance? Is the groom’s grandmother blowing bubbles for the flower girls to keep them entertained? Is the father of the groom searching for the lost yamakas? There are so many things going on during a wedding day that a professional filmmaker can help document. You might not get married every weekend, but we are shooting a wedding every weekend, so we’re ready, and we know what to look for!

Celia of Momentus Films – For the bride, the entire procession before she walks in. What she looks like from the groom’s point of view. Groom prep. The scene of the day. Guests arriving and interaction. The ceremony from various point of view. Savvy brides already know this. But a well done wedding film should not merely document, but exalt the emotions of the day and express the personalities of the couple. Brides who appreciate the difference are the brides we want.

Why choose a professional wedding video instead of something shot by Uncle Al?

Joanna of Sixpence Productions – Have you seen Uncle Al’s videos? We’re not making videos, we’re making wedding films which are meant to become a family legacy. We have the best gear, cameras, audio and lighting. We’re expert storytellers and professionals who know how to interact with your other wedding vendors.

Sarah Jane and Brad | A Carillon Wedding Film

Sarah Jane and Brad | A Carillon Wedding Film

Celia of Momentus Films – Well first of all, Uncle Al is a guest and should be enjoying your wedding. In fact, all your guests should be present and focused on your moment, not in documenting it. Even if you have a guest or family member who is a professional filmmaker, you may not see that film for quite a long time. Editing takes a long time, and because they did you a favor, you’re now beholden to their generosity of getting around to it when they can. Good luck with that one.

Amanda & Tom | Beautiful Dallas Couple | Stunning Tallahassee Wedding

Amanda & Tom | Beautiful Dallas Couple | Stunning Tallahassee Wedding

In next week’s blog we will discuss what to look for when choosing a wedding filmmaker, and also some professional considerations such as digital rights and working with multiple vendors. Stay tuned!

In the meantime, please visit our contributors and view more of their exceptional work:

Sixpence Productions
Joanna Banks-Morgan
850.249.2300
joanna@diva-productions.com

Best place to see our work is our website: www.sixpenceproductions.com

Social Media Links:
www.facebook.com/sixpenceproductions
www.twitter.com/joannaraebanks
www.pinterest.com/sixpencefilms
www.instagram.com/joannaraeb

Sixpence Productions

Joanna Banks-Morgan of Sixpence Productions has spent most of her 44 years in newsrooms or on sets. The daughter of a journalist and an actor, she was bitten by the producing bug early. She attended Cardiff University’s Journalism, Film, and Television program in Wales and started her career in 1992 with British broadcaster Westcountry Television. Before creating Diva Productions (the predecessor of Sixpence) in 2007 with husband/business partner Robert Banks-Morgan, Joanna worked for CBS 42 KEYE in Austin, Texas where she also attended St. Edward’s University, graduating Summa Cum Laude with a degree in Communications. Joanna is a regular blogger for the leading event filmmaking industry education group In[Focus]  — and will be leading a break out session on interview techniques at their 2014 event in New Orleans.

 


Momentus Films
Celia Hilton
850.450.3135
celia@momentusfilms.com

Visit us online at: www.momentusfilms.com

Social Media Links:
www.facebook.com/MomentusFilms
www.twitter.com/momentusfilms
www.vimeo.com/momentusfilms

Momentus Films

Celia Hilton is the founder of Momentus Films, a wedding and event production company that serves the Florida Panhandle. 10 years running, Momentus Films has been the Panhandle’s standard bearer of cinematic filmmaking excellence with a high dedication to customer service and the development of industry relationships. Clients include Visit Pensacola, HarborWalk Village, and the Santa Rosa Educational Foundation, not to mention the hundreds of happy couples who the Momentus team has been blessed to have served over the years. Previous to founding Momentus Films, Celia was an advertising creative director in Dallas, Texas, having received her Bachelor of Science in Advertising from the University of Texas in Austin.

Recommended Creative Vendors on the Emerald Coast

This week on the blog we wanted to highlight two of our favorite Emerald Coast, Florida companies – two vendors that specialize in capturing moments to last a lifetime!

Momentus Films is a wedding and event production company that has been serving the Florida Panhandle for over ten years. Founded by Celia Hilton, Momentus Films creates cinematic masterpieces that resonate with the spirit of a truly creative and passionate team. Their talent for creating sentimental, unique and artistically professional films is unmatched … but don’t just take our word for it, check out the film from Laura and Shannon’s wedding in Seaside, FL. We dare you not to tear up when you see the groom’s face the first moment he sees his bride walking down the aisle:

We dare you not to tear up

Look for next week’s blog post for more from Celia Hilton as she shares her insights and insider advice on hiring a professional wedding videographer. Visit Momentus Films online at momentusfilms.com and on Facebook.

Michael K Photography is a Destin, Florida wedding and portrait photography studio specializing in a fusion of contemporary and traditional photography, with a keen eye for seeing light and capturing moments. Check out a few recent images below … and visit the Michael K website for more! And don’t forget to stop by and “like” the Facebook page – the images posted there are jaw-droppingly good.

Michael K Photography

Michael K Photography

Michael K Photography

And to wrap it all together, check out this new DJ Brian B promo video that features the film work of Michael K Photography and the mad editing skills of Momentus Films:

DJ Brian B promo video

July and August Event Recap – in Photos!

So far, event season 2013 has been filled with special events, bright smiles, delicious details and memorable moments. Here’s a recap of some of the fun in July and August.

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A trendy cake with succulents! Mmmmm.

A trendy cake with succulents! Mmmmm.

 

And an equally trendy cupcake station – with gluten free option!

And an equally trendy cupcake station – with gluten free option!

 

We’ve been rockin’ events from NY …

We’ve been rockin’ events from NY …

 

To California …

To California …

 

To Florida … and many points in between.

To Florida … and many points in between.

 

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The DJ has ‘em all lined up for a dance!

The DJ has ‘em all lined up for a dance!

 

And then the bride busts a move!

And then the bride busts a move!

 

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As you can tell, we always have a lot of fun! Want to party with us? Hit us up! You can get a FREE consultation, right here on our website!

 

Blog Contributors Wanted!

Write for B-Boy Productions

CC photo courtesy of Sarah Reid via Flickr

While the B-Boy management team is extremely talented, we realize we can’t do everything ourselves. Because of that, we are looking for a couple of blog contributors to show their stuff!

We’re not in this for ourselves. We want to help promote you and your business as well so this is a great way to cross-promote your brand. We’d like to select our contributors soon and have everything in place by September 1st!

We’d love to recruit 5-6 contributors to blog on B-Boy Productions, Inc. We’ll choose bloggers for each category below. Categories are:

  • Decor/Event Design/Event Planning
  • Music
  • Photography
  • Catering/Desserts

We’ve outlined the details below:

HOW OFTEN WILL YOU POST: 1-2x per month for 6 months.

EXPERIENCE: Yes – Must have an active/updated blog. We’re looking for bloggers who have some knowledge of programs like Photoshop & have a ‘similar aesthetic‘ as B-Boy Productions. The posts you write for B-Boy cannot be posted on your own blog, but you can link to it from your blog.

WILL THERE BE COMPENSATION: Not at this time. But it’s a great chance to gain more exposure & collaborate with the B-Boy blog.

BIO PAGES: We’ll be adding a page with photos & short bios of all the current contributors.

RESOURCES: It’s very important to credit all images properly.

CREATIVE POSTS PLEASE: We consider ourselves creative. That said, we love reading interesting and quality posts with pictures throughout. So please put some LOVE into it!

PHOTOGRAPHER SUBMISSIONS: While pictures are awesome and we do want them posted, please make sure you add some written words to tell the story.

HOW DO YOU SUBMIT: If you want to give this a try, email us and let us know which category you’re interested in. Write ‘Contributors‘ in the email subject please. Also, please include a link to your blog so we can see your writing style!

WHEN WILL WE SELECT CONTRIBUTORS: If you don’t hear from someone at B-Boy in about 2-3 weeks from this post, it means someone else was selected. Unfortunately, we may not be able to respond to everyone. We will post the selected contributors in an upcoming post!

Thanks & looking forward to hearing from you!