11-22-2008 Complete Overview

Erica and Shaun are two sweet and cool people! We created a video for Shaun's sister's wedding in 2006. This wedding took place at a church in Newhall and the reception was at The Odyssey in Granada Hills.

The entertainment was provided by J&M Entertainment with Sean as the MC. He has the most amazing tricks and activities to keep the pacing of the reception frantic and the guests on their feet all the time.

The coordinator and the person who designed the flowers, lighting, tables and decorations was Ada Doron from Fleur Creations. We worked with her on Erica and Shaun's maid of honor and best man's wedding a few years ago and it was just as gorgeous.

The photographer was Digishots Photography who had a lot of pocketwizards and was able to quickly setup a studio right in front of the Odysssey as we fought the setting sun and rising darkness.

Enjoy this short-form 15 minute video of their full wedding! Happy Thanksgiving! We will have a lot to post after the turkey!

Into the Fire

This past weekend was a very stressful and tragic time in our Southern Californian wildfire history. Thankfully, David and I, as well as our home was safe. We are always thankful during the fire season every year that we are urbanites in our living situation and don’t have to worry about the possibility of our home being destroyed in a wildfire. However, many of our videography/clergy/and photography friends are not. Many of them are very much in the outer realm of urban sprawl. They live in some of the prettiest areas, but the most dangerous as well.

This blog is dedicated to them :

The Clergy Network (Yorba Linda) whose entire family is safe-yay!, Honored Occasions (Brea), Jeff (a videographer)(Diamond Bar), Robles Video (Brea), Mike (a videographer)(Brea), Anaheim Hills Golf Club (venue site)(Anaheim Hills), Nixon Library (venue site)(Yorba Linda) And Kelsey’s family (in Brea/Carbon Canyon).

And everyone else-who has been affected…

David and I had a shoot on Saturday morning in Norwalk at the McKenna BMW. We got on our way at around 9am getting onto our Freeway (the 405 by Venice Blvd.) Immediately, since we had known the Sayre Fire was burning, we looked toward the valley. A terrifying gloomy bowl of smoke seemed to be just over the Hollywood Hills layering the San Fernando Valley with ash and smoke. At once David and I said a prayer thanking God that it wasn’t November 22^nd , 2008. We have a wedding where the church is in Valencia and the reception is in the San Fernando Valley right next to Sylmar. As we all know the 5 FWY was closed and the wedding probably would have been canceled.

Next, as we made the interchange from the 405 FWY to the 105 FWY, David and I saw a big plume of white smoke toward Anaheim/Brea Hills. David and I literally at the same time exchange a gasp and said “holy smakers!” under our breath or something to that effect-if you get our drift. We knew another fire had started. By the afternoon when we were still filming, the black smoke enveloped us and the BMWs. Outside the ash was everywhere. When we had our lunch break, there was a TV in the lobby and our worst fears were confirmed. The fire had begun to overtake Orange County. We knew Southern California was now in the midst of another awful fire.

The film shoot was over in the evening. Once we got home, we immediately called our relatives in Brea- to find out they had been asked to evacuate and were able to escape with their documents and important things in their car. Their house was 5 houses from being destroyed. Thanks to the firefighters it was saved. As I also told you, we have heard from our friends at the Clergy Network whose entire family experienced the fire in one way or another, but came out well and with their houses too. They told us the apartment they use to live in was one of the 50 units consumed by the fire.

As our population increases, so does our urban sprawl and the potential for wildfires to come into the backyards of the ones we love. My family loves where they live and couldn’t see it any other way. We on the other hand will take being on a boring paved street in the middle of a dense beach community anytime- even though we miss the deer and bobcats! I guess we will have to be thankful we have the squirrels and raccoons.

And lastly, thank you to our firefighters in LA and Orange County. They did an amazing job. Many people lost many things, but most importantly all of our families are safe and in the end that’s what matters.

This is a video clip of what the guy we were filming that day said about the fire...

Luis and Amanda's Wedding November 8, 2008

This was Luis and Amanda's wedding. Until about a week ago they had not planned to have their big day filmed. We had just worked with Alexandra who is the owner/wedding coordinator from Sterling Engagements . She called us about a week ago and told us she was a bridesmaid in her friends wedding and they didn't have a videographer-so we answered the call. Thanks to Amanda's parents and family they chipped in for the wedding video. The family and friends kept the video as a surprise to Amanda until the day of the wedding. When we showed up, Amanda was excited and thrilled to be having a video. After all it is once in a lifetime- we wish Amanda and Luis all the best!

11-08-08 Highlight Reel

I had a great time at Eva and Steve's wedding on Saturday. The location of the reception, Arbat Banquet Hall in Burbank, was really interesting. The area where the guests can mingle during the cocktail hour is painted with clouds and a blue sky, like a hotel in Las Vegas. The food came in waves and the bridal party did the wave! Both families were great to work with, which you will see in this Highlight Reel. The toasts were heartfelt and there were so many musical groups the party never stopped. The photographers were Connie and Jeff from Chou Photography. They are so much fun to work with and make being a videographer very easy. Please watch this video and let Eva and Steve know what you think!

When Your Favorite Man Chips Your Favorite Bowl

This is a personal blog, in case you hadn't guessed by the subject title. David and I live in a house that was built in the 1930's. We have always liked retro things. I am in love with its alcove ceilings, art deco bathroom and the back deck that looks onto my yard of orange trees and bougainvilleas that the squirrels and raccoons frequently visit. This is home. This home however, is a little on the elder side and as such it doesn't have a dishwasher. Since it's just David and I for now we haven’t had the need to update it yet. I see washing dishes as a time to chit chat with David and just chill out. It's no problem to do a little washing in the sink. I am the washer and he is the dryer. This way we get it done twice as fast and can hang out together. Even though we already work with each other, sometimes you need your "own time" as you probably know. Well tonight I had to finish up a love story and David had finished his work early. I asked him if he would mind washing the few dishes we had in the sink. He said that it would be fine and left me to the editing bay, while he went to wash the dishes. About 15 minutes later he comes into my editing room. I ask him what's up. He says he chipped one of my bowls. I said “Which one?” secretly hoping it wasn't my starfish/seashell decor one that I really like. He said "Oh that one with the seashells on it." I know it's just a bowl and he's my guy- but I was a little miffed. After all, I had bought this bowl on Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts. This bowl isn't just a bowl. This bowl reminds me of the idyllic days of summer, the Island Home ferry coming into port at Vineyard Haven and the lighthouse signaling the end of the day with its beam so bright. This was THEE bowl. But, I love David more so, I kindly replied "You do know what this bowl means to me don't you?" and he replied with his head hung low "Yes, I do." I then said "Well, I guess you'll have to take me back to Martha's Vineyard to get me another one." and smiled coyly. He said "Sure thing." After all it is just a bowl.

Alvin and Ann Marie's Highlight Reel

     This was a fantastic day for us and Alvin + Ann Marie! They had amazing locations so we were able to get some amazing shots. It also helped that Alvin and Ann Marie are so in love. Their pre-ceremony was at the Hilton in Long Beach- which is where they had their first look.  We teamed up with Nate and Jaclyn from The Image is Found who are super creative photographers, so we worked well together, since we like being super creative too!

Their wedding then went to St. Anthony's church and then the Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA). Being at MOLAA was awesome because through our years in Long Beach we've done many video projects for them. We have seen MOLAA become what it is today, thanks in large part to the former museum director, Gregorio Luke. He has now left that position, since the museum is finally completed. If he had not been the vision behind the museum Alvin and Ann wouldn't have had such a cool dive to have their reception at! 

      All in all everything turned out amazing, as you will see from this clip. Congratulations once more to Alvin and Ann Marie- you guys are truly one of a kind!  

Matt and Kerry's Highlight Reel

Matt and Kerry were amazing from the beginning.  We could definitely tell that we were going to have some fun with them, since they both have amazing personalities and can't seem to stop smiling- we wonder why?! They saw each other beforehand at the hotel since Kerry inadvertently left her dress at home- we think she did it on purpose! That didn't matter though, since she was getting dressed in the park- their first look would still be a big surprise. We then follow them to their amazing reception at The Hacienda in Santa Ana. Go ahead and take a peak!

Why Hire A Professional Videographer?

     Our groom Matt decided to have a little fun. He wasn't suppose to see Kerry before hand, but Kerry inadvertently left her wedding dress at the house- so Matt had to bring it to her. We secretly think that she did it on purpose to see Matt beforehand! 

     So here is Matt with no video training whatsoever filming his wedding day. No offense Matt, but we can see why it is necessary to hire a professional! :-) And how very important it is not to assume "Uncle Joe" will get those amazing shots. Your wedding day is the most important day in your life- and the biggest regret of all brides is not hiring a videographer. 

     We all know we are in a bit of an economic crunch, but don't crunch out in videography just to save a few dollars for your honeymoon- it is your wedding day, a once in a lifetime event, so go ahead splurge a little .... you will be glad you did.