Mood for Love

Fairmont video production - for the Youth Olympics Games

2010-05-18T00:15:00.000+08:00

The next time you walk past the Suntec LED screen this month, do watch out for 2 Fairmont Singapore commercial clips that shows how their driveway doorman transforms into a weightlifter, and how an in-room-dining attendant becomes a sprinter. These 2 clips were produced by us for Fairmont Singapore as part of their marketing campaign for being the official hotel partner for the inaugural Youth Olympics Games 2010 in Singapore.

We certainly had great fun drafting the storyboards and eventually filming it.

The Fairmont Singapore sprinter!

The Fairmont Singapore weightlifter!

You may watch the final videos here.

Athletics version

Weightlifting version

Anyone wants to edit wedding movies with us?

2010-05-10T22:55:00.000+08:00

Yes, Alvinadelineweddings is hiring editors!
We've come a long way since we started in 2003. And it all started with a family handycam (that was used to film our convocations) and an ex-colleague's wedding...

Now we are seriously looking for ppe who
1) feel that they know how a wedding-day movie should be presented
2) feel that our editing sucks and want to change us
3) wants to have ultimate flexibility in his/her working hrs.

Editing experience required? Hmm... we'll say it will be good to have. But if you don't, be ready to pick up tons of it along the way.
Drop us a note on our website's contact page and we'll grab you to have a chat! Or email us at email@alvinadeline.com.

Music licensing

2010-05-09T01:47:00.001+08:00

The Recording Industry Performance Singapore (RIPS) introduced a dedicated licence for wedding videographs early this year (read here). Whilst all along, nobody paid anyone any licence fee for use of copyrighted music during a wedding function, this licence has certainly stirred sentiments within the local industry as well as amongst local wedding couples. From the responses that we've came across in forums and all the questions we've received from our couples, we realized that the general masses do not understand the workings behind this music licence thingy.

Hope we can help to clear up some doubts with what we know....

Some fundamentals about copyrighted music (i.e.music one buys from a CD shop)
1) every piece of music in the CD is an original artwork created by a) a composer, b) a lyricist, c) a recording company who employs a singer to sing in a studio and records it on CD for sales.
2) the composer, lyricist and the recording company each owns different kinds of rights to the music and wants to earn money from the music they create.
3) when one buys a music CD for say, $10, one only pays $10 for the right to enjoy the music on a personal basis. On the CD case, one can always find the words (or to a similar effect), "All rights of the producer and of the owner of the work reproduced reserved. Unauthorized copying, hiring, lending, public performance and broadcasting of this recording is prohibited." One agrees to these contractual terms automatically when one buys a music CD.

In other words, one cannot wilfully copy any music from that CD to another CD, then bring this duplicate CD to a hotel and broadcast the music to your relatives and friends at your wedding banquet as background music. Because if you do that, 500 of your relatives and friends will get to enjoy the music and the composer, lyricist and the recording company earn only a miserable $10 from you. They definitely need to earn more! Imagine their loss in opportunity cost if you were to put it on your website as background music. Anyone can just go to your website and keeping looping that music and enjoy it without paying a single cent!

THE REAL SITUATION
Scenario 1 - Playing of copyrighted music in the background at your wedding banquet.
Every respectable hotel in Singapore should have paid COMPASS (on an annual basis) for a licence to broadcast copyrighted music on their entire premises through their sound system. This will allow them to play music in their lobby, in their lounge, in their toilets, and of course, in their ballrooms during your wedding. So there is absolutely no problem in playing copyrighted music at your wedding banquet.

Scenario 2 - Playing of video clips or photomontages that uses copyrighted music
To produce the video/photomontage clip, the videographer/photographer has to copy the music from a CD and blend it together with the visual images to create the clip. To even use the music as an ingredient in the clip, the videographer/photographer needs to seek permission from the composer, lyricist and recording company. The composer, lyricist and recording company will usually not agree to let the videographer/photographer use the music they produced for free. They'll want to earn some money from it. They will quote the videographer/photographer a fee based on the estimated number of audience who will be enjoying the music, the number of copies produced, etc. Yes, they can quote any figure they individually want. When you sum up these 3 quotes, it becomes the licence fee. This fee only give the videographer/photographer 2 rights, a) the right to synchronise the music to his visual images, b) the right to make a physical copy on CD for playback at the hotel. They do not have to factor in the fee for broadcasting rights because the hotel has supposedly paid for it (as explained in Scenario 1).

The new music licence by RIPS
14 recording companies (such as Sony Music, Warner Music, etc) all come together to get RIPS to collect all kinds of music licence fees on their behalf. This includes the use of their music in TV commercials, in movies, at Karoake lounges, at outdoor events, etc. And now, from videographers/photographer for their video/photomontage clips. This licence fee, priced at $2000 per yr, enables a videographer/photographer to synchronise any music (from the 14 recording companies) to their video/photomontage works, and burn CD copies for wedding couples. The playback of these video/photomontage works is limited to wedding banquets and private viewing by the couples themselves. It does not permit the sharing of the video/photomontage on the internet domain for mass enjoyment.

So what about the composers and lyricists? Don't they want a share of the pie? Yes, they certainly do. They are represented by Music Publishers Singapore (MPS) who will collect licence fees on their behalf.
To date, MPS still working out a licence similar to that by RIPS for wedding. When they have finalised it, it will be another licence for videographers/photographers to subscribe to.

All these licences will inevitably increase the operating costs of all videographers/photographers. This cost will be factored into the package prices eventually. Hence do expected wedding videography prices to rise in the near future.

Here at Alvinadeline Weddings, we are already licenced by RIPS since April 1st 2010.

All our couples will not face any legal issues pertaining to their wedding video works produced by us. They can get married with a peace of mind.

Oliva Ong's Photoshoot

2010-04-03T00:26:00.003+08:00

We were called up by Kose a month ago to shoot the behind-the-scenes of Olivia Ong's photoshoot for the current Nu You magazine covershot as well as the editorial write up. Olivia, who is making waves in Japan, is the current model for Kose beauty care products.

I arrive early at the Crown Plaza hotel at Changi T3 at 9am. I was early. Altho it wasn't my 1st behind-the-scene proj for celeb photoshoots, I was quite excited. Coz one of the local top fashion photographers, Wee Kim, would be directing the day. I just hoped that I wun get in his way.

When Olivia arrived, I didn't know it was her (sorry, but I really dunno our local singers well). I thot she was one of the reps from the record label, helping to carry a guitar. Oops... Anyway, here's some of the screen captures from my footage.

Makeup session! I covered it just like any bridal makeup. It's the same to me!

Ok, that's the guitar she carried in at the hotel lobby when I met her in the morning.

Wee Kim and his assistant in action. Oh, the big guy on the top left is the art director for the shoot.

He had the "BIGGEST" say on the set.

Gorgeous right?

Touch up again at Wee Kim's studio in the afternoon. David Gan was on hand to help.

I must say he was really friendly. Had some nice chat with him in-between the shoot. Very humble and down-to-earth guy. He brought pineapple tarts to share on the set. And gave everyone an Ang Pow too (it was still CNY)!

Olivia in action. I believe everyone else on the set had an easier time than Olivia. We could sit, slouch, walk around whenever we want. But she had to stand on high heels the whole afternoon (2-8pm), posing to the demands of the art director and Wee Kim. Had to take my hat off to her for still being able to smile at the end of everything.

Throughout the day, I found Olivia a simple girl who loves music. The description of "the-girl-next-door" will suit her aptly. She is a very approachable person. She even asked for my namecard (for her sister who is getting married soon...)

Kose Singapore has put up the video here.

Our original clip.

Dallas & Shem Wedding

2010-04-01T20:34:00.000+08:00

The wedding day can be a routine affair, but just a bit of creativity with a personal touch, can make the wedding really special and memorable. Dallas and Shem are indeed one creative pair whose wedding was fun and entertaining.

Knowing their personality and as much as we had anticipated, we can't help but we were still surprised with many Firsts. This is the first time we had a bride penning "Just Married" on the bridal car... first time we had a bride wearing super high heels on an AD... first time we had a bride who made goofy faces amidst laughters throughout the day yet still exuded grace... first time we had a bride wearing pants for tea ceremony... first time we had a couple who walked into the banquet hall like mega stars with a sea of fans waving torchlights and cheering for them... first time we had a super lively emcee who chatted up the crowd and asked the bride to stop talking. Boy! Shem could have talked for the next hour or so if not for the emcee....and first time we saw a bed on the stage in a banquet hall. The couple was being cheered on to do an amusing performance. It was an easy feat for them and they carried it off well. .

Guess many of the guests could not forget the toasting match between the 2 sexes on the stage. The floor was so engrossed in the match til they forgot to do the toasts. Last but not least, they showed many videos that traced their love path to entertain the guests.

Click here to watch their Pre-wedding video.

Dallas and Shem's personality exudes every aspect of their wedding. It was truly a memorable one.

Ban Ban and Lan Lan - the 2 adorable baby sharks that signifies the couple's love for diving.

Marcus & Priscilla Wedding

2010-03-31T10:34:00.000+08:00

Marcus and Priscilla's wedding had the elements of a romantic affair. From the point of fetching the bride in her room to the end of the church wedding ceremony, romance was in the air.

Best wedding photos in the world

2010-03-09T23:48:00.003+08:00

Never have we come across wedding photos so well taken! Some of these really captures moments like no other!

You can view them here!

http://wedinator.com

Hun Khim & Yoke Chee

2010-02-28T00:37:00.017+08:00

A simple wedding day with the usual customary wedding need not be mundane. Hun Khim and Yoke Chee had made their day interesting with Hun Khim being engaging especially during the gate-crashing and Yoke Chee being bright and relaxed.

Throughout the day, the couple made the guests felt so-at-home. It was heart-warming and memorable for everyone.

StillMotion Aussie Xperience

2010-02-24T22:41:00.000+08:00

16.02.10 - 18.02.10

Sydney, Australia

This has got to be the greatest and most interesting trip I've ever experienced till date. I came to know about the workshop slightly less than 3 weeks prior to commencement. Filled with excitement and enthusiasm, I signed up almost immediately (the last slot), paid the deposit, re-new my passport and VISA, booked hotel and airtix, packed luggage + 5D MKII and head to Sydney on the 1st day of CNY.

To be able to attend workshop conducted by the current hottest (or coolest?) wedding studio in the world is a mind-blowing experience. Cool guys from all around the country got together for some hilarious and creative projects. You think you know it all? Wait till you've seen what these guys are capable of.

After the workshop, I still have some time to roam around in Sydney. visiting the Sydney tower (the highest observation point in southern hemisphere), Sydney Opera House, Manly Beach, Darling Harbor and also the famous Blue Mountain (3 sisters) etc. Took some photos & video along the way with my reliable 5D MKII, 24mm f1.4L and 70-200 f2.8L.

What an XPERIENCE!

Catch me in this awesome video by the Stillmotion team!

Kenny

Sydney Opera House, taken on-board ferry to Manly

Darling Harbour

Amina, me & Patrick

Koala Bear, lovely isn't it?

Konrad & me, after a hearty steak dinner

Blue Mountain (Three Sisters)

Santos, Allen, Shayne & me (from left to right)

City center, view from Sydney Tower

Rob, me, Shayne, Allen & Craig (from left to right)

Merry Christmas

2009-12-24T06:30:00.001+08:00

We always enjoy the Christmas season as we can hear lots of Christmas songs and feel the festive mood. Finally, we can take a breather, singing our favourite christmas songs for this year - "Rudolf, the Red-nosed Reindeer" and "Frosty, the Snowman".

Thank you Aloysius and Gwen for your lovely presents and early Christmas greetings from our couples.

The year is drawing to a close really soon. This has been a challenging and fun year for us.

We are grateful that we are working with like-minded people whom we enjoy the company and working on things that we are truly passionate about.

We are thankful that our sincere couples appreciate what we do, that gives us immense satisfaction, motivating us further to achieve greater heights.

Here, we would like to give our heartful thanks to all our couples who placed their trust in us to capture one of their most precious moments in life.

And apologies to our family and loved ones who we have neglected amidst our hectic work schedule.

With Christmas round the corner, we like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year.

Joke of the Day

2009-12-10T13:22:00.000+08:00

Kenny told me that many times when he turned up on AD at the bride's house, the bride and her family (and even the photographers) got a good surprise by the amount of gear he carried.

I was mistaken a few times too for just touching down and came straight from the airport with my 'luggage' too.

As for Alvin, we laughed out really loud when he told us the trolley that he uses to carry his gear has snapped recently due to the heavy load.

Adeline

Redco becomes a member of the WPN

2009-12-10T08:09:00.000+08:00

Altho this post comes kinda late, we still wish to congratulate Jeremy for being part of the WPN. We've worked together and shared many projects in the past years and have seen each others' work evolved. Joining the WPN will definitely bring more recognition to his works henceforth. Who knows, he may become the "Pre-wedding Specialist" in the network...

Visit his shrine here

Paul & Imelda Wedding

2009-12-08T13:19:00.001+08:00

Paul & Imelda's wedding may seem similar to others, but they made it different in their own special way. There's no gate-crashing; there was the church wedding ceremony followed by the tea ceremony and a dinner reception. Instead of the usual march in just by the bride and her dad during the mass, Paul walked in together as well with his parents and other family members. It is not just a union of 2 people. It is the union of 2 families.

It was really heart-warming, especially the friends of the couple joined in the celebration. There was a surprise lion dance performed by the couple's good friends during the dinner and the emcees did a great job to liven up the ambience.

The couple also added their personal touch to the wedding by preparing bookmarks for all the guests invited together with the wedding favors.

3 video clips were shown during the banquet. Family and friends got to know how Paul proposed to Imelda, what the couple usually do during their leisure time and the actual day morning events.

It tugged our hearts when Paul came up to us even when he was busy entertaining his guests and said that he had seen our works over the years and each time we never fail to impress him. Especially this time.

Sweet.

Paul & Imelda Pre-Wedding

2009-12-02T13:11:00.001+08:00

Finally, finally, Paul's wedding is round the corner. Though it was last minute that Paul and Imelda decided to do a pre-wedding shoot, there was no anxiety or hastiness from the planning til the shoot.

We are thankful that the couple left the planning to us. I guess they had no idea what they were expecting at all. They were simply so natural and cheerful that made it so easy for us to complete the shoot.

We love the clip! And to know they love the clip as much as we do, really really made our day! You may view it here!

We look forward to their coming AD....

Christopher & Shiao Wei

2009-12-02T02:10:00.000+08:00

How about brushing teeth with Wasabi as toothpaste? I've not seen it before in other weddings, but Christopher had supposedly done it for his best man when his best man got married.

Enjoy the fun here.

Last weekend was a crazy weekend for us. We handled 3 weddings over 2 days!

Sylvester & Yong Ying Wedding

2009-11-23T21:12:00.003+08:00

Pictures are extracted from video

It is not easy for the grooms these days to fetch their lovely brides home when they have to go through challenging gate-crashing games that go beyond the usual "Suan, Tian, Ku, La" food stuff.

The current "in" games are "Lion dance" or "Cai Qing" and "Breaking the eggs". We and the ladies were highly entertained by the guys. And we believed the guys had fun living it up! I'm sure they can't find other more suitable occasions that they can be involved in such acts to make the day a more memorable one.

The couple had their solemnisation by the beach at Sentosa, followed by the dinner. The setting was lovely with the sunset as the backdrop while the couple exchanged their vows.

What came totally unexpected is the sweet email from the couple. Every word from them touches our hearts. Great chemistry working with Paul from Paul Goh Photography (http://www.paulgohphotography.com)

An extract from their email to share:

"You guys are plain fantastic, of the many decisions we made with regards to our wedding, engaging you two has got to be the best. A lot of our relatives and friends including ourselves are very much impressed with your artistic instinct and brilliant ideas when it comes to creating picture perfect moments, which I am very sure will be talking points whenever we reminiscence about our wedding day...."

Photo by Live Studios

Ivan & Wan Shin Wedding

2009-11-23T21:01:00.000+08:00

We met up with Ivan and Wan Shin only 2 days before their wedding when we flew back from overseas. The couple are based in Japan and came back to host their wedding here for their family and friends. Given the short time we spent with them, we did our best to understand their requirements.

Despite the hot weather, Ivan and Wan Shin were readily obliging when I requested them to put up some challenging acts for me. Try running in suit and gown and you will know it's not easy. After a few takes, Wan Shin took off her heels and gosh, she ran really fast... The shots were well-taken and we appreciated it.

After the wedding, we received an email from the couple that the video was exactly what they wanted it to be. There was a sweet tingle in our hearts when we read that.

Kenny

Ezra & Twinkle Dance MTV

2009-11-23T17:50:00.000+08:00

A impromptu dance video that Alvin and I did for fun and it started over a cup of coffee. One fine evening, Ezra phoned and arranged to meet me for a quick discussion of his actual day wedding proceedings. Midway through, he popped up the idea of doing a dance video between him and his fiancee Twinkle as they had met and knew each other thru dance. The video was to be screened during his church proceeding. Right away I suggested the idea of doing both indoor and outdoor setting to him. He loves it and a date was fixed. Simple...fast...decisive...

I never expect Ezra and Twinkle to be such good dancers! I've knew Ezra for years and this is the first time I've seen him so upbeat and full of energy. It was during the shoot that I came to know that Twinkle was in fact, a full time dancer instructor.

We use Canon XH-A1 on the steadicam for the smooth moving shots and handheld Canon 5D MKII with lenses 50mm f1.4, 135mm f2.0L and 24-105mm f4.0L IS.

Enjoy the clip here

Kenny

Maverick & Mavis Wedding

2009-11-23T14:52:00.001+08:00

When we first met M&M (that's what they proudly call themselves!) a few mths back, we thought they are an odd match. Mavis exudes a sense of coolness and clamity that contrasts with Maverick's exuberance. But after meeting them several times for banquet rehearsals and such, and having gone thru their childhood/paktor photos as we prepared their photo montage, we began to see their passion for each other. Their outward differences are inconsequential.

The fetching-of-bride was a hi-energy affair. Maverick and his groomsmen were all gamed up in everything that came their way. Watch the SDE clip here

We are very happy that the highlights was very well-received during the banquet. All this was made possible with the couple being so natural and expressive. Especially Maverick and his team of brothers, who were highly spirited to make everyone exceptionally entertained.

A Fun Shoot

2009-10-26T23:22:00.000+08:00

Matthew & Elaine Wedding

2009-10-12T20:24:00.000+08:00

Matthew & Elaine had a lovely wedding with some gate-crashing in the morning followed by solemnization and wedding lunch. The moments that we really enjoyed capturing is the way the couple kissed each other. The kisses were looooong and passionate! That's what we like. It gives the extra "oomph" in the video with a romantic touch.

So our couples, don't be shy. Do kiss passionately! You are the star of your wedding day. Nobody will say no to your loooong passionate kisses!

Presenting French Cuisine

2009-10-06T21:19:00.000+08:00

We were commissioned by Swissotel Singapore to produce this promotional clip for Andre. Poached all the way from France, he is the one of the top chefs on the 71st floor of Swissotel SG (no pun intended!).

After working with Andre closely for the few weeks (and having tasted his creations), we wouldn't call him a chef. To us, he is a food artist. The menu at Jaan is solely his creation. From conceptualization to the presentation, he is the brain behind it all. And the menu can change without notice! Andre creates the menu according to the ingredients he has on that day. His loyal fans often leave it to him to whip up a full course dinner on the spot! Imagine the exhilaration of not knowing what you'll be having for dinner, but knowing that what comes out of the kitchen is definitely top-notch French cuisine!

Some says he is temperamental and demanding, but we found him rather nice and soft. Perhaps it is because we are not working under him? We even saw the occasional boyish side of Andre during the shoots! And he knows exactly what he wants for the video (he even drew us the storyboard during the consultations!). But it wasn't difficult for us to pre-vision the shots exactly the way he wanted. I guess we can communicate well.

Total amount of HD footage gathered for this 2.5 min clip = 2.5 hrs. Whoa!

We used the Sony FX1E (with Brevis and nikon 50mm F1.8, 100mm F1.8), Sony Z7P, and Canon 5DMkII with 50 mm F1.8 for the shoot.

Brian & Lydia Full-day Highlights

2009-10-06T18:34:00.000+08:00

Brian and Lydia's wedding has to be one of the grandest wedding we've covered. We've finally finished up their album recently (after all the workshops and bridal fairs!). Their full-day highlights can be found here.

I still remember Lydia's dad being quite "uncooperative" in the morning. He wasn't willing to veil up Lydia. I only realised the reason at the church.... He loves Lydia so much that he couldn't bear to marry her off to Brian. I could see the uneasiness in him when he walked Lydia down the aisle. It all came to light as he shed some tears when the priest asked , "who is the man who gives up his daughter". What a loving dad!

Certainly a very photogenic couple! I won't say more, watch the full-day highlights clip and enjoy!

Nicholas & Amanda Pre-Wed Shoot Main Feature

2009-09-23T13:21:00.000+08:00

With Nicholas and Amanda's permission, their pre-wed shoot MTV clip is now available for viewing by everyone. Here it is,
http://www.vimeo.com/6626621

Nicholas & Amanda Pre-Wedding Shoot with Redco

2009-09-18T07:33:00.000+08:00

Nicholas and Amanda's Pre-wedding MTV (done with Jeremy of Redco) is out. Some screen grabs were posted up a few weeks back...

Remembering the shoot, we went out with the song "Lovebug" (by the Jonas Bros) in our head and some printed pages of a foxtrot dance sequence and left everything else to instinct. The results turned out pretty good....

And I must say that our chemistry with Jeremy is getting better all the time. We build on each other's ideas during the conceptualization phase, and during the shoot, we know when to retreat to give each other space and when to go in for the shots. For example, when he sees my cam on the stabilizer with the wide angle lens on, he knows exactly my arc of fire and my impending cam movement, and he'll do his best to stay out of my shot by running alongside me or hiding behind obstacles. And by the same account, I know how his composition when he merely dish out posing instructions to the couple. It feels even better whenever we work together on an AD wedding. We dun even have to say a word.

Here's the trailer which Nic and Amanda had disseminated to their friends to save the date.

The full MTV will only be allowed for public viewing on our Vimeo collection after Nicholas and Amanda's wedding this Sun 20.09.2009 (i.e. we'll remove the password lock). Provided the couple agrees of course... They'll be screening it from the projector prior to their march in. Hence it is to be kept under wraps for now.

Sad to say, we wun be covering their AD wedding, for our 2 slots are already booked 1 yr ahead for this hot date.

So for couples reading this, please book all your wedding services early if your AD falls on a hot date (e.g. we've rejected more than 20 couples for 3rd Oct 09! More than 10 for each of 25th Oct, 21st Nov and 6th Dec, etc.)