Same Day Edit - Part 1 - What's all the Fuss?

Back in late 2004, I was interviewed for an EventDV article on "The Art of the Wedding-Day Edit". We had a lot of experience already producing Wedding Day Edits (also known as Same Day Edits) and I knew it would take off. Here we are, three years later with new technology, more creative video producers, a real appreciation for this art form, and the Same Day Edit is all the rage.

Now entire lectures are held on the topic each year at conferences hosted by the largest videographer association in the world - the Wedding and Event Videographers Association (WEVA) - and a younger organization, The 4Ever Group. With all of this new interest, I figured I would break it all down for our readers and demystify today's Same Day Edit with several episodes over the coming weeks. Of course, we should start with what a Same Day Edit (SDE) is.

An SDE can be something as simple as a montage of the moments of the day displayed at the cocktail hour or as complex as a mind-blowing short film including pre-produced segments shot and edited days, weeks, or even months before the event. The possibilities are limited only by imagination and the budget. But one thing is certain; a good Same Day Edit can bring real energy to the party. Guests will laugh, cry, and be amazed.

Most videographers have always offered some sort of large screen projection at events. But until the Same Day Edit became popular, what went on those screens was mostly limited to pre-produced segments or a live feed from on-site cameras. But videographers have gotten more creative as technology allows them to work more efficiently.

Editing systems are faster, smaller, and lighter, and the gear is easy to set up and tear down. Cameras are now equipped with hard drives or solid state media (like the memory card in your point and shoot still camera), doing away with the time-consuming task of capturing taped footage into the computer in real time. This all means that the bottlenecks that used to get in the way of actual editing time are virtually gone, allowing talented editors to create an emotional, high quality production in the time it takes to get from the ceremony to your first course at the reception.

For our first example in this series, let's take a look at Maria and Ron's Same Day Edit:
Maria and Ron
As a dancer her entire life, Maria convinced Ron to take dance lessons with her to prepare for their wedding. In our first meeting, Maria explained that she not only wanted her first dance to be perfect, she wanted her friends and family to see how their lives (and the dance) all came together. We came up with the plan to show their love story to the guests while Maria and Ron ducked out of the room to change into their dance attire. Maria and Ron's Same Day Edit was a customized hybrid of pre-production and day-of coverage that gave the perfect introduction to their first dance. As the video faded to black, the lights on the dance floor brightened just enough to reveal Ron and Maria live. It was magical.

Next time we'll take a look behind the scenes of Same Day Edits. Stay tuned.

For more information on Same Day Edits, visit SameDayEdit.com or call toll free 866-989-0158.

Glidecam & WEVA to Present 2-Day Stabilizer Workshop January 27-28

Glidecam & WEVA to Present 2-Day Stabilizer Workshop January 27-28

December 03, 2007
Sarasota, FL - Glidecam Industries, Inc., and WEVA will present a two-day workshop on Glidecam skills and techniques taught by multi-year WEVA Creative Excellence Award winner, and trainer, Dave Williams of DVideography January 27 & 28, 2008 at Harrah’s Imperial Palace Hotel in Las Vegas, NV.

This special hands-on workshop, being presented on the eve of WEVA's Wide World of Weddings & Events at PMA 08 (click here!), is ideal for experienced camera operators with or without stabilizer experience.

The workshop is open to all who want to learn or improve their skills with the V-Series (V-8, V-16, V-20, V-25) or Hand-Held series (2000 Pro or 4000 Pro).

Space is limited to allow for personalized attention and there is still time to pre-order a Glidecam rig. Enrollment fee for this intensive 2-day workshop is $600. There is a $50 registration discount for current WEVA members.

Register now (and get questions answered) by calling DVideography toll-free at 866-989-0158 and visit DVideography for more information.

Two Bar Mitzvahs and a Bat Mitzvah

When I first met Dave Williams, he impressed us as the ideal professional-combining skill & expertise in his field with a personal warmth & ease that made him a pleasure to work with. That was five years & three shared projects ago. The initial impression was surpassed.

To be honest, I approached having a videographer with some ambivalence & saw it as an expendable extravagance. But now we see the opportunity to relive these precious moments in our family life as priceless. We cherish having them. The landmark events in our lives fly by us in a whirlwind of emotions, but Dave artfully captures the heart & spirit of these occasions. We are grateful to him for going the extra step to produce an extra special product. He is the best.

Barb and Bart Mellits
Mom and Dad to Josh, Sam, and Zara

---

Philadelphia Area Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah Videos by DVideography

Here's a look at Josh in 2002, Sam in 2004, and finally, their little sister Zara in 2007. It has been an amazing journey. With this 90 second trailer, we flash back over the last five years of producing movies for this fantastic, loving family.

Post a Comment About This Trailer

Bat Mitzvah Video: DVideography
Photography: Jordan Cassway Photography
Music: Ken Ulansey Ensemble

New Advances in Wedding Videography

Check out my friends Brett Culp of The CVP Experience and Joshua Smith of Cinematic Bride who were just featured on GetMarried.com.

Brett discusses the advantages of high definition weddings, showing off your highlight reel on portable devices ( the Bridepod ), and wowing the crowds with same day edits. Josh covers the allure of cinematic love stories. Finally, Jason Silliman of Vowcast.com reviews the latest in live streaming your wedding to loved ones who cannot attend.

Congratulation on the press, guys!

Super 8 Wedding Films; Something Old, Something New

I recently blogged at Dave Williams Films about the romantic allure of real film productions, specifically Super8 Wedding Films. Ever since I shot backyard films in the 70s, I've always had a special place in my heart for real film. The look, the cadence, and the organic feel of film is often imitated in the digital world but rarely matched.

It is cost-prohibitive for many of our clients to produce an entire wedding film with Super 8 or 16mm film so several opt for our 'Film Vignettes', allowing us to pepper our HD video with real film segments.

In the case of Araks and Seth - recent clients of ours - we designed a film for them that included a highlight reel on their DVD made entirely of Super 8 film clips. As a successful designer in New York, Araks simply loved the look of film. Although most of her production was shot in HD as in this trailer, she wanted to be sure we captured the special moments in an artistic and romantic way with film.