Full on Media Representation

Normally we don't get too obtrusive when filming weddings- but Evan and Elena's wedding was a little exception. They gave us the go ahead to be right next to them when they had their "first look" at each other before their wedding, because they didn't want to miss capturing the once in a lifetime moment on video. David and I were literally 1/2 a foot from failing into the pool at Shutter's on the Beach in Santa Monica and we didn't mind- the close ups show it all and what a first look is all about!

Once Is Never Enough

Usually, I don't post too many movie review comments on our blog, unless they are wedding related- "Did anyone see that amazing movie Father of the Bride?"- just kidding. In all seriousness though, there is a movie that you will fall in love with more than once- and that movie is strangely enough called "Once". While I was watching it I kept telling David that it really looks like it was shot in High Definition, he agreed. We then popped in the behind the scenes and low and behold our High Definition camera we shoot the weddings with, the Sony Z1U was the sole camera for the film! This might not seem so cool, but it's just fun to see our equipment getting time on the big screen. This was a real story and it was shot with a real camera. Sometimes Hollywood forgets that when they shoot their blockbuster films. Not that blockbusters are bad, but it’s good to focus on the real stories. That’s why we do what we do at CL Films, we want to focus on the real stories of people and the special once in a moment events that happen in their lives. You are the real story, you are the movie- let us film you once and capture the love and memories of the greatest moments in your lives. That way they will be replayed…more than once and should be. Go see the film too while you’re at it and see what my HD camera is smiling about.

The Journey Homeward Bound

Misa Hasalikova is perhaps the sweetest and kindest person you will ever meet- unless it’s on a volleyball court opposing her and the LBSU team. While Alexis is off to the Olympics, Misa is homeward bound. She joined the team 2 years ago- coming from the Czech Republic. It was a difficult road to pursue, leaving her family and everything she knew behind to come and play- but when you want to play the best volleyball in the world you come to the beach to do it. The video says it all- watch it and be inspired to take your own journeys in 2008!

The New Year Takes Us to the Olympics in Beijing

We produced this video of volleyball player Alexis Crimes, who will be joining the Woman's USA Volleyball Team in Beijing at the 2008 Olympics. She was the middle blocker for the LBSU Woman’s Volleyball Team and is said to have been one of the best middle blockers in the country. Unfortunately, the team was defeated in the NCAA tournament against USC- but we will never forget what a remarkable and powerful team we had play volleyball at the pyramid and beyond this year. They were the truest representation of LBSU Volleyball and they will be sadly missed. So, with their season being over it was our job once again to commemorate it. Enjoy the following clip and be sure to look and root for Alexis Crimes in Beijing! Go Beach and Go USA!

Merry Christmas!

This is an excerpt from the Winter Festival Concert, a two hour video we produced for the Department of Music at CSULB. We had a blast filming it- and the President had requested that Charles Lauren Films film it, so we we're pretty thrilled about that too. Please enjoy the following presentation of The Winter Festival Concert by the Department of Music at CSULB.

Marketing Video for the College of the Arts CSULB

This is a marketing video we produced for the College of the Arts at California State University Long Beach. They will be using this video to attract top students from around the nation to come to "The Beach" and also to attract donors to give funding that is desperately needed to the College of the Arts. The College is the largest and most comprehensive publicly supported arts college west of the Mississippi. There are 6 departments in the college, Art, Dance, Design, Film and Electronic Arts, Music and Theater Arts. This video focuses on the College itself and the Department of Music. As the year progresses we will be filming all the other 5 departments and showcasing their talents and tributes as well. Being a fellow Alumni of the Department of Film and Electronic Arts- we were totally psyched to be able to bring notoriety and publicity to our Department and the College of Art as well. So with that, enjoy the following clip and Go Beach!

The Test of Marriage

Last week we had the honor of filming at the Trump National Golf Club at Palos Verdes Peninsula...but before all of the fanfare and partying was to take place, the groom- Stephen- had to pass “the test” back at his bride's house to see if he was worthy enough to marry Yenyao. The following is a video clip of what sort of ordeals he had to go through before he could see Yenyao and take place in the tea ceremony at their home with their families. It is quite amusing how far one man will go for the love of his life…

Public Service Message: Don't Smash the Cake

We have seen a few cake smashing incidents. More commonly, the groom knows that his only chance of a great honeymoon is to keep his bride looking good - a tasteful dollop of frosting on the nose or cheek is acceptable. Also, if you are a guest at a wedding, don't throw cake at the groom because he is your ex. Thank you.

Public Service Message: Save Your Invitation

9 times out of 10 when we are with a bride as she is getting her makeup and hair done, multiple people will call her cell phone asking what time the ceremony is, how you get there, what kind of gift to bring - this is distracting and out of place for a bride and she will start to regret inviting you. Please watch this clip.

Palm Springs Blossoms on Thanksgiving Weekend

David and I got to film a wedding in Palm Springs this weekend! We had originally filmed Gabe’s sisters wedding in Santa Barbra- so when Larry (Twilight and Gabe’s Dad) invited us to come back for a weekend at the Hyatt Grand Champions, in Palm Springs we couldn’t refuse.

As always Jessica, the bride looked stunning thanks to make-up artist Keturah, who did everyone’s makeup for the event. Keturah travels, but is based in the Palm Springs area and we hadn’t worked with her before. Let’s just say she made bridal getting ready about as fun as it gets- and she is a dear friend of Jessica’s, they have known each other since high school- so it made it that much better.

Stay tuned for a clip from the event in about a week- we have something special we are working on for Jessica and Gabe…. ;-)