Vantage Point Blog

WEVA 2009

2009-10-06T22:04:48-07:00

WEVA (Wedding and Event Videographers Association) 2009 Was Filled With Education and Inspiration ... Plus it was a wonderful year for VP!

• Vantage Point was the recipient of two Creative Excellence Awards

Awards dinner, Laura and Steve (Photo by Dominic Velasco)

• Steve and Laura were inducted into WEVA’s Hall of Fame

Steve, Laura, Ken Kurita (chairman special awards

committee) and Danny Sayson, also an award

recipient. (Photo by Terri Kurita)

• Laura, along with the two very talented filmmakers Maureen Taylor of VHVIDEO.COM and Brook Rudnick of Marc Smiler Video Artist, presented Weva's Angels: Taking Your Business Full Throttle, a seminar on harnessing the female perspective in a male-dominated industry.

Laura, Maureen, and Brooke (Photo by David Robin)

A ton of thanks to everyone!!

Laura and Steve

The New Math of Event Filmmaking

2009-10-06T20:22:17-07:00

My recent column in EventDV magazine looks at the New Documentary as a means of creating more authentic films.

"Real sound + real time = real life. It's the new math of event filmmaking. Though not a practical means of business for all event filmmakers, the new documentary style holds within its confines lessons to be learned by all..." Check it out HERE!

Genuinely,

Laura

A Story About Love

2009-06-03T12:03:51-07:00

Hello Friends,

This isn't exactly a Haute Tip but it's a lovely article about one true love ... the love of weddings. It provides insight into the exclusive and amazing world of video/film artists.

I hope you enjoy my love letter to a very special industry!

A STORY ABOUT LOVE

By Laura Moses - As Published in EventDV Magazine, February 2009

Love, madness, obsession—this story has it all. It’s mostly about love. But wait, I’m getting ahead of myself.

I’ll never forget the day I was smacked in the head with the value of video. This epiphany didn’t come from something devastating, such as the loss of a loved one. It was rather an ordinary event, but the concussion from its blow was indelible.

I had been shooting weddings for a few years when I had the unique pleasure of actually being a guest at a wedding that my husband and business partner, Steve, was filming. I remember a huge ballroom, and all the guests at their tables framed the vast expanse of the dance floor for the couple’s first dance.

Viewed outside of a lens, the bride and groom appeared small and insignificant—tiny floating drops surrounded by a sea of noisy and distracting onlookers. Disconnected, I watched this miniature, cake-top couple, feeling like a block of ice as the wind of the air conditioner sent cold chills down the back of my neck.

After Steve edited the footage, my awakening was complete. Could this possibly be the same wedding I watched from the sidelines? It was an entirely different reality. It was an intimate reality of whispers and glances, soft touches and exhales of breath, laughter and warm tears.

This was the turning point—the precise moment that I knew I had to be an editor. The circle became complete and I joined the ranks of wedding and event filmmaker. Then the nightmares began—literally.

As a member of a small, isolated colony, it was inevitable that I would be exposed to certain communal maladies. Nightmares were the first symptom, and my condition became chronic. I routinely spend fretful nights, heart racing, dreaming that I am desperately trying to focus through a viewfinder the size of a pea or attempting to press the record button only to find it has moved to another place on the camera.

Then there’s the recurring nightmare that simmers in our collective subconscious from which there is no immunity: the dream in which we realize with gut-wrenching horror that we have not been recording at all … and the ceremony is almost over.

We videographers suffer from back pain and backlog; and befitting the afflicted, as editors, we live the bulk of our lives in pajamas. We have oversized hearts.

Together we congregate sharing moments captured through that extension of ourselves we call a camera, and we weep. We weep for the beauty, the loss, and the sheer life we experience through the portal of our lens, which takes us deep into the lives of others.

Brawny men with bulging, Glidecam biceps, break down like little boys.

And we laugh. We laugh at the antics of the inebriated, the fad-fashion faux pas, the disasters, and all the drama; these are the ingredients that coalesce to create the deliciously, quirky gumbo of humanity known as a wedding.

The lack of a perfect wedding never stops us from pursuing the creation of a perfect film. Neurotically, we obsess over thrilling our clients. Our goal: to prove—once and for all—that a wedding film is priceless.

We will not rest until we enlighten the macrocosm to the magnificent glory of a great video. It’s a long road we tread on this mission, finding success one client and one gig at a time.

As unsung specialists in extreme guerilla filmmaking where each successful production can be compared to a minor miracle, we’re lucky to receive a fraction of the respect and earnings most photographers command. The mainstream has yet to get the memo that this vocation requires us to be expert cinematographers, documentarians, and storytellers, as well as gaffers and audio acquisition and engineering virtuosos.

Though sensitive to a fault, we’re tougher than nails. We have to be. We deliver—despite rain, sleet, snow, or suffocating sauna heat—and we do it while starving. Circumstances rarely allow us the time to eat our little “banquet-in-a-box.” Sometimes we’re lucky enough to be provided with an actual vendor’s buffet. But if the band gets there first—which it always does—we go back to work, starving.

Moreover, we work without the luxury of a script, our cast usually shows up late, and our shooting locations can change due to a drop of rain—or the drop of a hat. Under similar conditions, most cinematographers in the motion picture industry would never be able to accomplish what we pull off every weekend. Still, the public and more than a few relatives think our job is easy because we spend it at a party.

What madness has befallen us to choose this profession? Are we clinically insane? Perhaps we are because we’re in love, a separate madness unto itself. We are in love with the rush we get after playing back a sequence that clicks; with the joy of sculpting fractured images into a tangible, cohesive narrative that glows with beauty, life, and light; with delighting our clients; and with the deep-rooted conviction that we are creating something of value.

We work with music, hearts, and dreams. We’re the keepers of the flame for future generations. After we’re gone there will be pieces of us—little bits of our hearts—scattered across the globe, telling stories about love.

Sebastian & Fallon

2009-03-10T09:41:40-07:00

Tears from hearts; tears from heaven; the universe celebrates as Sebastian and Fallon seal their love forever; and then dance into a romantic, jazz filled evening.

Notice Fallon as she floats down the grand staircase at Villa del Sol d'Oro in Sierra Madre, California. This is the very same staircase Elle Woods cascaded down to meet the no-good Warner for a date in Legally Blond. Villa served as the sorority house for both Legally Blond films and is a favorite location for film companies as well as brides!

It’s your Wedding so Join the Party!

2008-12-28T00:08:00-08:00

If you wrap up your pictures before the cocktail hour is over … by all means join the fun! The cocktail hour is a marvelous time to relax and chat with family and friends - and one of the few times during the day you'll be able to intimately mingle with your guests. They will love having a “special appearance” by the bride and groom; you won’t have the pressure of visiting all the tables after dinner; and your grand entrance will still be fantastically grand. Just slip out a few minutes before everyone is seated and when the music swells to announce the new Mr. and Mrs. it will be as dramatic and exciting as ever!

With champagne in hand,

Laura ~ Vantage Point

Style Me Pretty Gets the POINT!

2008-09-24T22:22:54-07:00

Style Me Pretty has asked Vantage Point to be one of the preferred vendors in their Little Black Book. They hand pick only the very best wedding vendors and we are proud and honored to be on their list!

Brides, if you haven't checked out the Style Me Pretty blog - you absolutely must! It's beautiful, fun ... and most of all filled with all kinds of fabulous wedding tips, information, and advice. It's an amazing resource, and super cool place to just hang out and peruse.

Style Me Pretty. Why not go and have a bit of wedding fun?

Stylishly,

Laura

Dazzling Demos

2008-09-02T17:53:44-07:00

A demo should work as a "hook" to draw observers in quickly.

Great films open with an intriguing or exciting setup to pique a viewer's interest so they'll want to stick around until the third act. A good demo works in much the same manner.

Think of your demo as an introduction to your work. By leading your website and demo DVD with a brief, stylized wedding segment you will give a wonderful first impression, so that a potential client will want to look further into your work. To achieve this every clip must count. Each shot has to have emotional impact, provide information or be beautiful. We prefer the collage approach (clips from many weddings) because it gives us a greater pool of excellent shots to pull from. Plus, the variety of brides and locations will make the piece more interesting. One of the benefits of this type of demo is that many types of shots - from any part of the wedding day - can be used; and they can be arraigned to best create a message regardless of chronological order.

It's vital to keep a demo succinct because time is of the essence. When a bride is visiting your web site or walking past your booth at a bridal faire you must get her attention immediately. You need to "wow" her quickly - again, so that she'll want to look further into your work. This type of demo is not about showing how great you can film and edit a ceremony; it's all about impact – fast.

Our WEVA Expo Experience

2008-08-29T15:34:25-07:00

Florida in August? Well, the weather was actually quite nice for the Wedding and Event Videographers Association's annual convention. This is one of the places we go to teach and to learn, to inspire and be inspired, and to say connected in a fast-paced, hot, and exciting field.

The hotel was gorgeous, and outside of the seminars, the bar - with it's scattered couches and cozy chairs - turned out to be the perfect environment for sharing knowledge and tossing about ideas.

It was there, sipping a Grand Marnier, that I was able to get inside the mind of Jan Arden, (Artistic Video Productions) an accomplished musician; who, along with his talented wife, Cathy, still performs - to this day - for delighted audiences in Minnesota.

Effective and intuitive use of music has been one of the hallmarks of Vantage Point's success; but we have not been classically trained in music, so gaining insight and tips from Jan was a rare treat!

It was beautiful seeing so many of our friends glowing with the flush of the sun after lounging in the lazy river or relaxing poolside beneath lush, waving palm trees. (Kris Malandruccolo, {Chicago Wedding Films} Jennifer Anderson, {All Occasions Video} specifically come to mind. Girls, you looked absolutely radiant!) Now that made us feel on vacation, even if we weren't able to find time, ourselves, for basking in the sun!

We presented two seminars. Our main baby was Sound Design, which is part of our Reaching the Next Level Series. This seminar was developed to give videographers a solid foundation in sound editing and to open up the treasure chest of sparkling possibilities available with the creative use of sound. Unfortunately, the AV staff had technical difficulties with our presentation. The ultimate bummer - I assure you - is having audio problems during a sound seminar!!! Regardless, attendees left truly excited about sound and with tips to immediately enhance their productions.

Because we had the good fortune of winning a gold Creative Excellence Award in the Pre-ceremony category last year, we were asked to share our pre-ceremony m.o. in WEVA Live!, along with the infectiously exuberant and abundantly talented Chris Chubucious of FurlaVision. Cams in hand, the three of us had a blast filming our model bride and groom, while our shots were projected onto a big screen.

Steve set up an "authentic" groom's room; with booze, beer cans, remnants of pizza, cigars and overflowing ash trays - and had the crowd in stitches, myself included.

WEVA 2008: At the end of the day we all walked away better in business and artistry. Thanks to all who attended our seminars, we look forward to re-connecting with you again soon!

Laura

Special thanks to Joe Micalizzi (The Motion Picture Co.) for the WEVA Live! photos!

Olympic News! Team VPP Wins Gold at WEVA!!!

2008-08-19T11:23:50-07:00

We feel blessed and fortunate to have won the highly-coveted Gold Award in Demo Category for our Dreams of Little Girls wedding collage. (To view the clip, go to our website and enter our Cinematheque.)

WEVA's (Wedding and Event Videographers Association) international Creative Excellence Award competition is the Academy Awards of event filmmaking. We, at VPP, congratulate each and every award winner and all those striving to bring innovative excellence to the industry. We salute you for bringing beauty and magic into this medium of amazing possibilities!

The Tools to Make You an Original

2008-08-03T23:05:13-07:00

Steve and Laura Moses are offering informative, instructional and inspirational DVDs for your consideration. Learn from the masters of real-world success in wedding videography.

Read Review from EventDV Magazine

Winners: 8 WEVA CEA Awards - 6 4EVER Group AAA Awards - 2006 & 2007 EventDV Top 25 Honorees.

Instructional and Inspirational DVDs geared toward educating new videographers and veterans alike.

____________________________________________________________________

_{The DIrectors Boxed Set for $200 includes:}

Reaching the Next Level - Stylized Productions
Reaching the Next Level - Marketing & Artistry
Reaching the Next Level - Sound Design

Purchase all 3 DVDs for $200 and save $67

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Reaching the Next Level - Marketing and Artistry $89

Includes our recent WEVA Gold Demo from the WEVA 2008 CEA Awards

Wedding video artistry must be combined with effective marketing to create and sustain a successful business. In this DVD, Steve & Laura Moses share the artistry, marketing, and networking techniques that have enabled them to build a highly profitable business.

This DVD includes:
An array of inspiring productions accompanied by a narrative track that provides filter descriptions, plus insight into the creative editing process.

A list of amazingly beautiful and quirky music - as well as traditional tracks.

The informative companion Marketing and Artistry transcript is included and can be accessed through your computer.

Learn:
- How to structure a demo for major impact in minimal time
- How to get professionals in the event industry working for you, providing a constant stream of referrals
- How to create a profit making business
- Methods of effectively producing venue demo DVDs
- Why diversity in production translates into increased income
- How to beautify raw footage through basic filters
- How to structure shots for dramatic impact
- How to effectively use sound bites

"Outstanding video and tons of great tips, both creative and business oriented!"
Mark Briody - Weddings of the Rockies

View Sample: Marketing and Artistry

________________________________________________________________________________

Reaching the Next Level - Sound Design $89

NEW!!!!

In this DVD Steve & Laura will take you on a journey of sound - with their award winning clips, humor, and practical, no-nonsense instruction - that will enable you to create premium productions that command top dollar. Join them as they break down sound effects and sound principles into simple techniques that generate big results.

Don't stop with great cinematography - and limit your earning potential - when you can maximize emotional impact, establish a connection with the audience, and create the ultimate multi-sensory viewing experience with sound design.

Vi ew Sample: Sound Design

"Innovative real world concepts that will assist every videographer at any skill level."
David Hohenthaner - VHVIDEO.COM

"By playing clips without sound design and then playing them with, I could see the light bulbs coming on."
Chris Jones - MasonJarFilms.com

"You will be amazed and inspired!" Former WEVA CEA Judge, Kris Malandruccolo - Chicago Wedding Films

__________________________________________________________________________________

Reaching the Next Level - Stylized Productions $89

2nd Edition!

Stylized clips are the icing-on-the-cake of wedding productions. They overflow with beauty and emotion that will attract a bride's eye and captivate her heart.

In Stylized Productions, Steve & Laura Moses share the artistry that has made them hot, must-have video producers for over 25 years.

This DVD contains numerous examples of stylized productions with creative editing tips and more magical music finds from the Moses'.

Includes:

1 Complete Short-Form Wedding

5 Highlights

2 Love Stories

Wedding Demo Collage

Pre-Ceremony

Bonus Feature: Extremely Informative Director's Commentary. Go behind the scenes with Laura & Steve as they film a love story in WEVA's Battle of the Love Stories.

View Sample: Stylized Productions

“The Moses' work is not only beautiful - but timeless. As soon as you play one of their DVDs it becomes quickly apparent why they are industry leaders. They have been an inspiration to me!” Jeff Wright - Blue Skies Cinema

Helpful Links

2008-07-25T21:42:29-07:00

Music, Sound Effects and More

Sound Effects: Sound Dogs

Royalty Free Music:

Triple Scoop Music

NightSong Productions

Musical Inspiration: Pandora Radio

REACTION SHOTS - Public Domain Clips and Sound Bytes

Forums

WedFACT - The Wedding Filmmakers Alliance Of Creative Talent

Associations

WEVA - Wedding and Event Videographers Association International

Workshops

Blue Skies Cinema Training for Wedding Cinematographers

VonTraining.com Mark and Trisha Von Lanken - Training Videographers for Success

Interesting and Informative Reads

Books

Indie Filmmakers: The Ultimate Film Festival Survival Guide

Filmmaking Basics: The Five C's of Cinematography (It's old - but classic!)

Magazines

EventDV Magazine - The Event Videographer's Resource

Articles

Video Editing:The Kindest Cut of All

Marketing Tips from the Industry’s Finest

2008-07-12T09:15:55-07:00

At WEVA’s 2007 convention we were able to record a number of run and gun marketing tips from of some of the most talented and successful event filmmakers in the industry. Check it out for some hot tips and cool fun!

A big THANK YOU to ALL who so generously shared their knowledge!

TRT 1:27

Event DV Articles by Laura

2008-06-30T13:22:30-07:00

I am honored to be a columnist for Event DV Magazine. Below are links to my most recent articles. They offer practical advice, the female perspective, and a unique look into video artistry. I hope you find them useful and entertaining!

A Story About Love

Keeping the Faith in Videoland

Creating a Mood that Lingers

Catering to the Female Psyche

The Silent Majority

Choker Close-ups and Other Deadly Shots

Plugging Into the Video Network

Why Would Advertisers want Women to Feel Insecure?

2008-06-17T12:09:05-07:00

Vantage Point is all about capturing beauty. Beauty is everywhere. It comes in large and small packages, it comes in unexpected places ... it is always a joy to behold. There is no precise recipe for beauty - because true beauty is intangible. It's far more than the picture of a model on a magazine cover.

Advertisers would have you think otherwise. The following is a video clip that asks the question, Why would advertisers want women to feel insecure? The answer: "Because women who feel insecure about their appearance are more likely to buy beauty products, new clothes or diet aids."

As an editor, I feel that this video runs a bit too long at 7:55 but its message is profoundly eye-opening. Check it out to make sure you're really getting the message.

Look Closer: Women's Magazine Covers - created by 999Sugarplum999

Beauty is found in uniqueness. Be yourself. Be sexy and beautiful, your way. Don't let male dominated advertising dictate who you should be.

Independently,

Laura ~ Vantage Point

Don't Let the Wind Blow It for You!

2008-06-09T21:40:37-07:00

Garden receptions can be sublimely beautiful... and a joy to experience with a little planning in advance. One of the things to consider when planning an outdoor reception is the wind, which can whip up without warning.

Wedding coordinator, Mary Jo Gallegos, An Affaire of the Heart, has a number of fabulous tips that will keep the wind from getting the upper hand at your garden party.

First, she suggests tucking menu cards into napkins so neither will blow away. She additionally notes that place cards can be anchored under ribbon strips on the place card table to keep them firmly in place. Or, a guest list seating chart can be designed in lieu of using place cards at all. Mount the seating chart in a lovely frame and set it on an easel being sure to position it against a wall, tree or large bush so that it doesn't topple over if it gets breezy.

Lastly, Mary Jo shares that it's a good idea to keep centerpieces low so they don't blow over. If you have your heart set on tall arrangements make sure the stands are heavy, such as those made of iron or large vases filled with water.

Candles in the Wind

2008-06-03T19:31:41-07:00

Candles in the wind, just the words sound romantic; they bring to mind thoughts of love, romance... even Marilyn Monroe. But, there's nothing romantic about seeing the eternal flame of love flicker out right before your very eyes; assuming, of course, that it ever gets lit at all. Not to mention the absolute suffering mothers endure trying to fulfill their candle lighting duties in the open air.

For the garden wedding, a fabulous alternative to the unity candle is the sand ceremony. Symbolically the sand ceremony is identical to the unity candle in that it represents the joining of two lives.

Typically there are three vases; one for the bride and one for the groom - each filled with colored sand - and a third empty vase in which the two sands are poured, never to be separated again.

If you truly can't bear the thought of forgoing the lighting of the unity candle be sure to use hurricane lamps.

To keep your ceremony classy - seaside or on the altar - never use a lighter. Instead, have your wedding coordinator light two votive candles before the ceremony, to be used as flames for lighting the tapers.

Eternally,

Laura ~ Vantage Point

LOOK

2008-05-11T09:56:00-07:00

The more you look, the more you realize ... there is so much more beauty to be seen.

In a Vantage Point film each viewing reveals another nuance that distinguishes us from any other production company.

LOOK ... See ... Feel ... the emotion.

Inside the Vantage Point web site, click on CINEMATHEQUE to enter an intimate world of bridal bliss. Or, see what's NOW PLAYING on the homepage of our blog!

Top 25 - Two Years Running

2008-05-10T19:36:39-07:00

Jan 08, we were honored and delighted to be voted, for the second consecutive year, one of the Top 25 Hottest and Most Influential Videographers in the Industry by EventDV magazine.

Congratulations to the other honorees, and to all the devoted and talented video producers who share their time, skill and knowledge to improve the state and reputation of our industry. The world of event filmmaking is experiencing a new wave of quantum leaps because of you!

Video 08

2008-05-10T19:20:46-07:00

At the 4EVER Group Video 08 convention, we were proud to win a Ruby Artistic Achievement Award for Wedding Day Highlights.

We also had the additional pleasure of being instructional speakers. Our very fun and informative seminar, Sound Design: Creating the Ultimate Multi-Sensory Viewing Experience was a resounding success. Thanks to all who attended!!! We sincerely appreciate your enthusiasm and support!

Solid Gold at WEVA!

2008-05-10T19:06:52-07:00

Aug 07, 2007, we were thrilled to win BIG at WEVA's international wedding film competition with a GOLD award for Pre-Ceremony Production and SILVER award for Wedding Highlights Production.

This was a great expo of education, inspiration and the re-uniting of friends from afar. Additionally, Steve enjoyed being on a marketing panel with some of the most business savvy video producers in the industry; while Laura joined the sound experts as a panelist for an audio seminar.

Here we are at the awards dinner with, from left to right, David Robin of David Robin Films, Steve Fowler of Video Experts and Andee and Jeff Wright of Blue Skies Cinema. Proving, once again, that networking and continued education keep event filmmakers at the top of their game. (Click on image to enlarge.)