As a SPC (Single Person Crew) most of the time, I work hard…which I certainly don’t mind. And because of the effort I put into the work, I just got one of the most remarkable testimonials since starting First Impressions Video. You can see the entire post in the “Leave A Reply” notes area of my home page, or just click this link: https://firstimpressionsvideo.com/comment-page-1/#comment-218.
Thank you Liz, for your kind comments!
Just wrapped a freelance camera operator assignment at the Catalyst West Conference on the campus of Mariners Church in Irvine, California. Catalyst West is a leadership conference for pastors and the event drew over 3500 pastors and church leaders from around the country–mostly Western states. I was part of the “Catalyst Backstage” crew and we interviewed over 25 speakers and key conference personnel, including the host and Senior Pastor of Mariners Church, Kenton Beshore. Several of our interviews appeared on USTREAM and can be found here: http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/45761014
Here are a few pictures from our Backstage set:
It was a great time and I’ve been invited to return for my third year in 2015…good Lord and good health willing!
Yesterday, I had the honor of being the designated videographer for Working Wardrobes’ VetNet Program, for their big event entitled, “Power Up For Success.” The event took place at Camp Pendleton and several dozen Marines and Sailors participated in a full day of presentations and break-out sessions designed to assist with those transitioning to civilian life. Or as CEO/Founder, Jerri Rosen would call it, “helping to create a soft landing.” The capstone of the event was a complete wardrobe consult including outfitting in full business attire. This is extraordinary work being done by an extraordinary organization (that is locally based, by the way) and I would encourage any who would want to participate to do so!
All is well…the shoot is perfectly planned. The set is positioned. The script or interview questions are prepped and ready. The cameras are loaded, white balanced, and in focus. Audio is double-checked, and there are batteries in the wireless mics! The on-camera subject comes through the door right on time. Everything is ‘good to go’… but then…OH-OH…I see it. The outfit. It is a disaster. The wardrobe breaks almost every rule in the book and the entire shoot is about to go down the drain–or at least get delayed–because the subject hadn’t been told what to wear, or what NOT to wear. All the best planning efforts just took a nosedive, or as is now said in contemporary lingo…epic fail!
Does it actually matter what subjects wear on camera? YES, it matters! An otherwise perfectly planned shoot can be adversely affected by a malfunctioning clothing ensemble. So before you jump in front of that camera and start waxing poetic about your product or service, please take heed of these five naughty no-no’s…heck, you might even want to write them on the palms of your hands! If you want your online video to look its best, avoid these 5 “oops’es:”
Oops #1 – Black and White
Video technology has made great strides over the last few years, but nothing wreaks havoc for video much more than wide swings in contrast. That clean, crisp white shirt becomes a great big reflector when the main light is turned on! Combine that with a black suit (that drinks that same light up, by the way) and I will be trying to balance polar opposites. Trying to find middle ground so that faces render nicely will be a challenge, and a good compromise can be realized through the use of more subdued tones, say, blues, grays, medium browns and off-whites. Because I shoot weddings, I see these challenges often (white bridal gown; black groom’s tux), and I work with what I have, but when possible, it’s better to opt for colors that help the production; not hinder it.
Oops #2 – Tight Patterns and Textures
Moire. Artifacting. If these terms don’t mean anything to you, it’s OK, but to the video producer, they’re just as challenging as the wide contrasts between black and white. I would recommend against patterns like houndstooth, or glen plaids if you want the image of your video to look its best. Especially since most shoots today are in high-def!
Oops #3 – Reflective Accessories
While a little jewelry can be fashionable, too much does not play well with lights. There is an axiom in production that says anything that distracts the viewer from the message is an error. Big, shiny, reflective buttons, rings, watches, necklaces, earrings, brooches and bracelets will catch lights and trigger flares and flashes that will draw everyone’s attention to the bling, and that’s not a good thing. Reflective accessories of all kinds are particularly horrific on green screen shoots. I know a story in which a director worked a “green screen” shoot on a soundstage in Burbank, CA where the talent showed up on the set with a giant gold anchor stitched to the front of her sailor dress. It reflected the green set around her and, if not caught, the effect would have caused a gigantic anchor-shaped hole right through her mid-section! With a few snips from a handy pair of scissors, the director had the offending object eliminated before the shoot and saved everyone a whole lot of post-production heartache. Of course, the dress had to be replaced!
Oops #4 – Jangly Jewelry
See #3. Sometimes, it’s just better to leave the bling in the jewelry box. And there’s another reason: If jewelry is banging, rattling or jingling, it will produce sounds that will likely be picked up by every microphone being used. You don’t want your sound track to be botched because of unwanted noises from wardrobe accessories. Just because your subjects’ watches, necklaces, buttons, earrings and bracelets aren’t shiny, doesn’t necessarily mean they are automatically approved. In addition to reflection, you need to be aware of your audio. A piece of jewelry that rattles or jingles will interfere with your sound. Also be aware of any noises made by the clothing itself. Certain fabrics (corduroy, for one) create their own sounds and can be equally undesirable. For problems #3 and 4, a sound check can catch these things before they become problems—unless you want these sounds in your audio!
Oops #5 – Logos and Messages
If your video is going to be broadcast on television, you will probably not be allowed to wear just any logo or convey any message on your clothing. In TV land, this is mostly because they make their money by selling advertising, so any logo seen on screen is a freebie for the company it represents. And sometimes, use of a trademark without permission can have consequences of its own. In the non-broadcast world this isn’t as crucial, but there is still a line of good taste that will need to be drawn. Unless I am interviewing a NASCAR driver, I probably don’t want the interview subject adorned in logos like, well, a NASCAR driver. The same goes for printed T-shirts with messages. Depending on the type of video being produced, the shirt that says “I’m with stupid” or “Eat at Ace’s BBQ!” may be inappropriate for a number of reasons. If you’ve watched a TV program and logos and messages on clothing have been “pixelated out,” this is why. Now, if your video is intended to market your product/service and your wearing apparel displays these messages, feel free to dismiss this paragraph!
So there you have it…sound advice to heed before the cameras start rolling! If you’re in doubt, bring a couple clothing/accessory options. Here’s a hint: Take a look at the best broadcast talent and TV anchors around, and observe what they are wearing. Follow their lead, and everything will go well in your production. And we’ll all be happy!
Yesterday, I delivered the final wedding video DVD to my friends Kim and Scott Timmins. In addition to the video of the ceremony and reception were slide shows of both. It was a monster project and the slide shows required keyframing of over 100 pictures to create the “Ken Burns” effect for each one.
Feedback from the couple: “Just watched the video…it is AWESOME!! THANK YOU!! Can’t wait to show our family back east. Love it! Love it!!” And for added measure, they added the emoticon for a big smiley face! I guess you could call that a happy customer!
Here’s a shot of me just before going to work. Weddings on the beach can be magnificent, but you get sand everywhere, so I have to use brushes and compressed air to remove the sand out of my gear!
Picking a wedding date can have its unfair share of challenges. When The Fetching Mrs. Wall and I got married (20 years ago!), we chose February 19th. No particular reason, but over time, we noticed how snug it was to Valentine’s Day. Not bad, mind you, but we’d exchange cards for Valentine’s Day, only to turn right around and do it again for our anniversary! This got me to thinking about the impact of booking weddings on or near holidays, which is relevant since we’re in the early part of the year.
Holiday weekend weddings have ups and downs. Yes, you’ve got an extra day for the celebrations (and recovery!). Also, a Sunday wedding is often less expensive than one on a Saturday. However, costs of travel and hotels may be higher. And remember what I said about Valentine’s Day! Be mindful of your floral bill, especially if your choices are centered on red roses — they’ll likely be more expensive than at any other time of the year. In the case of reception locations, trying to book a venue for New Year’s will—no doubt—command a premium. Lastly, think of the impact of a holiday wedding on your guests—especially those farther than driving distance away (see earlier comment). Air travel and hotel accommodations will be more expensive and availability may not be as abundant. And as a practical matter, some families may just have standing plans or traditions that they’d prefer not to miss.
That said, here are a few holidays to think about. If you want to find the exact date(s) for a holiday, simply “Google” it. Thanks also to “Reverend Joe” of Savannah Georgia, for the comprehensive list. And may your wedding—whenever you plan it—be everything you want it to be…and more!
Martin Luther King Jr. Day (always a Monday)
Presidents’ Day (always a Monday)
Mother’s Day (always a Sunday)
Observation: Make sure your moms are okay sharing this weekend with your wedding. And ask yourself, do you want your anniversary to fall the same weekend as Mother’s Day when (or if) you become a mom? Also, flowers are very expensive that weekend.
Memorial Day (always a Monday)
Father’s Day (always a Sunday)
Observation: Like you would with your moms, check with your dads about doubling up on this day. And grooms, make sure you’re okay with celebrating your anniversary the same weekend as Father’s Day if you decide to have kids.
Independence Day
Labor Day (always a Monday)
Columbus Day (always a Monday)
Halloween
Observation: Avoid it if you’re terrified that someone might actually show up in costume (OR…embrace it if you want them to!).
Thanksgiving (always a Thursday)
New Year’s Eve
Religious and Cultural Holidays
Be mindful of religious and cultural holidays (your own and those of your guests) when planning your wedding. There may even be restrictions at your house of worship as to whether you’re allowed to marry at these times.
Palm Sunday
Easter Sunday
Passover (begins at sunset the night before)
Tisha B’Av (begins at sunset the night before)
Rosh Hashanah (begins at sunset the night before)
Yom Kippur (begins at sunset the night before)
Hanukkah (begins at sunset)
Christmas
Kwanzaa
Eid al-Fitr (dates may vary based on how each family observes)
Eid al-Adha (dates may vary based on how each family observes)
Major Sporting Events
If you’re die-hard sports fans — or if you’re worried your guests might have a hard time choosing between your wedding and the big game — avoid getting married during popular sporting events. And if a lot of your guests come from the same alma mater, watch out for homecoming weekends and bowl games that might conflict.
Unlucky Dates
If you’re superstitious, you might want to watch out for these historically inauspicious dates from across several cultures.
The Ides of March
For ancient Romans, an “ides” was simply a date that marked the middle of the month — until Julius Caesar was assassinated on March 15 in 44 B.C. Since then, “Beware the Ides of March” has become the mantra of this superstitiously unlucky date, though it must not have been a problem for my mom and dad, since this was their anniversary date!!!
Friday the 13th
The unluckiest date of the year has questionable origins. Some historians say it comes from the 13 diners who were present at the last supper, but the famous Code of Hammurabi doesn’t include a 13th law, which suggests this superstition is as many as 3 millennia old. And it wasn’t until a successful novel titled Friday the Thirteenth was published in the early 1900s that Friday became part of the unlucky equation.
Leap Years
Greeks and Romans thought that starting any new life event — from getting married to baptizing a child — in a leap year would bring bad luck.
Renewed subscription for 2014!
When I look back over the first year of First Impressions Video’s “official” existence, perhaps the one area that has surprised me most is memorial videography. Nearly half of all the projects I shot last year were memorials. And for some reason, this seems like an area that should not be tampered with out of respect for the deceased. Yet, it is because of respect for the deceased and concern for the living that video is becoming an increasingly important part of the grieving process. There are two reasons for this.
First of all, there has been significant change taking place in the funeral industry overall. Mostly due to the rise of the Baby Boomer generation, contemporary thinking is to now personalize the funeral or memorial service. Add to that the rise in cremation, which allows for great latitude on the part of those planning services. No longer are you limited to a funeral home or a house of worship. Once cremation has taken place, the cremated remains can be released to the family, and they can do whatever they want without the involvement of a funeral director. Think of scattering ashes in the ocean, for example.
The second factor is technical advances in the video industry. With the marriage of video and the computer, it has become possible to offer high-quality video in a relatively short time and at a reasonable cost. I’m sure this contributed to my sudden surge in memorial videos last year. I could shoot and turn them around relatively quickly, and the families have been profoundly appreciative of the service I provided.
There are two distinct ways video can be used for memorial/funeral services: One way is the memorial tribute video. This is a video usually made up of about 30 to 50 photos—and can include short video clips—and lasts around five minutes. The key elements necessary for a compelling memorial tribute video are time, quality, and movement. Fast turnaround times are crucial; most of the tributes I do have to be completed within 24 to 48 hours. To control my schedule, I like to pick up the photos at the funeral home shortly after the family brings them in. If the funeral home is too far away, I ask the funeral director to scan the photos and send them to me using Google Drive, Dropbox or some other file sharing service. Once I have the photos I may do some modest retouching in my computer. My editing includes use of a “pan and scan” effect (sometimes called the “Ken Burns” effect) to put movement in the photos. This will provide a nice distinction from a more traditional slide show.
The second way video is being used is in the recording of the service itself. With the personalization of services and the stories that are often told about the deceased, it becomes a wonderful way to capture memories of an individual that will be treasured by those left behind. What’s more, with families being scattered, it is often hard to get everyone together for a service. A funeral or memorial service captured on video can easily be shared with loved ones anywhere in the world, which I recently did for a client who had family in Norway! For 2014, I am exploring streaming as yet another way to deliver the service to people at remote locations. Right now, the cost may make streaming prohibitive, but as pricing comes down (and it always does, where technology is involved), I will update this blog accordingly.
This kind of videography requires great sensitivity as I am entering a space typically packed with emotion. Whereas weddings are by nature joyful events, memorials involve grieving family members and friends. I must be able to conduct myself unobtrusively so as not to intrude when people are often at their most vulnerable. I am honored to say that I have this gift, and if I can ever offer such a service to you, a friend or family member, I will take great care to show respect and dignity to the task to which you have entrusted me.
Today, I was part of a video crew that shot a memorial service for an 11-year-old girl, who succumbed to an incredibly courageous 7 year battle with multiple cancers. As if this isn’t too much for a family to bear, they also lost a young son to cancer about a year ago. It was a touching tribute to a beautiful youngster and to the immeasurable strength of a family that has had to say goodbye two too many times. We should feel privileged for every day we have here, and should strive to never take it for granted.
A year ago, I lost my job in internet marketing. Rather than continue in that field, I took a risk and with the blessings of a supportive spouse, started First Impressions Video. After all, if not now…when? It’s been an interesting journey and have worked on a myriad of interesting projects. And while there could have been more jobs, every starting entrepreneur says the same thing. That said, I convey thanks to every customer who entrusted their projects to me, and thanks to Laurie Probasco Wall, for believing in me! And here’s to an even more prosperous year 2!!!
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