Don Eaton Orchestra Heats Up Greystone Hall

The Don Eaton Orchestra recently put some heat on a chilly night under the tented pavillion at Greystone Hall in West Chester, PA.

This is one of the tightest bands I've heard in a long time. The dance floor was never empty. Their music was so good I decided to use their live music for the soundtrack of our client's Monday Morning Movie Trailer.

Also, check out their new Promo Video.

A big thanks to Jeffrey Miller Catering for feeding us well, to Michael and Velda of Greystone Hall for your hospitality, and to Phyllis Richárd of Your Fairy Godmother for making it all happen.

Also, if you want to check out a super-talented photographer, visit Leap Frog Photography. Geoffrey and his crew were a pleasure to work with.

DVideography's Ultimate Editor Showdown 2007

Special thanks to our sponsors: Action Duplication and Midatlantic Media

Action Duplication is a full-service, licensed DVD & CD molding and High-Speed VHS duplication facility located in the Philadelphia region. A majority of our work is performed for the Healthcare, Video Production, Printing, and Publishing industries.

We provide competitive pricing and quick delivery on any quantity of high quality DVD, CD, and VHS duplication.

We also offer Closed Captioning, International Video Conversions, DVD Authoring, broadcast tape duplication, and creative design, printing, packaging, and distribution services.

The Contest

Two and a half years ago we held a contest to find, showcase, and even hire the best editors in the business. Gary Hanna took first place in that contest and continues to edit for DVideography today. As DVideography and Media Wave Video Productions continue to grow, we've decided to hold another contest and look for new talent. It's time for DVideography's Ultimate Editor Showdown 2007.

I asked Gary to reflect back on the first contest and why he entered:

I liked the idea of actually proving yourself on the spot, in a task that's directly related to what the company does. Portfolios, demo reels, and resume's aren't an efficient hiring process, since whatever you have done in the past will most likely differ from any company you apply to and on top of that you're being judged on paper amongst a sea of other potential suitors.

The contest provided a more democratic and efficient approach. The contest was a very high scale "free" opportunity: not only did I get to show off my editing skills, but since there was a time limit of one week, I was able to display my ability in a workflow environment. Once I received the the tape in the mail, I knew my foot was already in the door - the days of waiting for someone to fish me out of a google search were over.

Pete Tyson - our senior editor - also believes the contest is a great opportunity for people to join our team. I asked him who he thinks should enter the contest:

Who should enter? Anyone looking to get more editing experience and learn from experienced shooters/editors. Also anyone with experience who is looking for more work, income, and networking.

I also asked Pete to give some insider tips to the contestants:
1. Key word: cinematic.
2. Ask yourself if you'd enjoy watching the edit multiple times.
3. Don't ignore the soundtrack.
4. Knowing how to use fx and knowing where to use fx are two very
different skills.


How the contest works:
Anyone not already editing for DVideography may enter. Each contestant will be sent the same raw footage and asked to edit it into a short recap in one week's time. All of the edits will be viewed and judged on many levels by my crack team of pizza-fed professional colleagues. The three top edits will be publicly showcased on our site for 3 months. Top editors may also be chosen to interview with us for employment. In addition, the first place editor wins $500.

The Challenge: Create a professional and fun recap of the day, less than 3 minutes in length.

Who Qualifies: Anyone not already editing for DVideography. Although one of our goals is to find new talent, you do not have to be seeking employment to enter.

Direction: Edit it as if you are delivering this to a DVideography client. We are looking for creativity and professionalism. You must use only the footage and voiceover that is provided. Feel free to use any music or motion graphics.

Guidelines: In order to keep your entry anonymous to our judges, please do not use any identity logos in the video. Your final edit should be recorded back onto the beginning of the raw footage tape you were sent and shipped back to us. No other tapes or DVDs will be accepted.

Timeframe: Raw footage will begin shipping on January 2nd, 2007. Each contestant will have one week from receipt of footage to complete this task. All entries must be received by 1/31/07.

Judging: The edits will all be viewed internally at DVideography and narrowed down to the top three. The top three edits will be displayed at DVideography.com for three months. Winners will also have the opportunity to interview for a position at DVideography.

Exposure: In addition to the top three video online, studios looking to hire editors will have the opportunity to view all of the edits and contact information. There will be a nominal administration fee for this service.

Contact: Please email Dave@DVideography.com your name, address, phone number, and the reasons you want to enter the contest.

DVideography retains all rights to the raw and edited footage. Footage may not be broadcast, copied, or distributed without the written consent of DVideography.

Meet Jackie and Jonathan. Their wedding footage will be used for this contest.

Wow! Jonathan and I would be so honored if you used our footage for your contest!! This sounds like a wonderful concept and we wish you the very best. -- Thank you for your kind words about our wedding footage. We are so eager to see the finished product and to view the entries for the contest!
Please let me know what we can do on our end (i.e. view them, add comments, rank them, etc.) Jonathan and I are happy to do whatever will help you! --This is so exciting!!!
Thank you again for EVERYTHING! And please don’t hesitate to ask for help/input on our end!
We wish you and your entire staff/family the very best this holiday season,
Warm wishes,
~Jackie

And the winners are:

Scott Hayes
James Rolfe
Joe Donato

View and vote on all of the entries HERE

16mm Wedding Films

As a kid, I shot some Super8 film with my friends. Fast forward 30 years. With all of the technology available today, some of my clients long for that nostalgic look of film. The cadence, the color, and that vintage feel of film.

Super8 film has long been a popular upgrade at DVideography. And people like Paul Korver of Fifty Foot Films have helped promote on a national level the use of real film at weddings and other events. Thanks Paul!

And now we at DVideography also offer 16mm film vignettes. With four times the clarity of Super8, 16mm film is simply beautiful. WATCH A SAMPLE

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Steadicam at the National Constitution Center

On Saturday the 18th, I was brought in as the Steadicam Op for a large private affair at Philadelphia's National Constitution Center. Janis Productions of Plymouth Meeting, PA hired me to get shots that without Steadicam would otherwise have been impossible.

I'd like to thank my assistant Jim, from Top Hat Productions in Philadelphia. Great job, Jim!

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