WEVA Expo 2008, Three Top Videographers Share in Orlando

Dave Williams of DVideography, David Hohenthaner of VHVideo, and David Robin of David Robin Films team up this summer for one show and one show only.

The Three Daves
WEVA Wedding & Event Videography Hall of Fame inductee and Bob LeBar Vision Award honoree David Robin, along with fellow WEVA Creative Excellence Award recipients Dave Williams and David Hohenthaner have collectively amassed 42 CEA's. Find out how these three completely different event videographers (and personalities) have been so successful in each of their highly-competitive metro markets. This session offers you a first-ever opportunity to compare and contrast three of our industry's leading businesses and their three different shooting/editing styles side-by-side.

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Post a Comment to the Three Daves Here

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The JW Marriott located on the breathtaking 500-acre Grande Lakes Orlando Resort, Florida's premier destination, is the host hotel for the WEVA 18th Annual Wedding & Event Video Expo. 2008.

For more information, visit WEVAExpo.com

Wedding Videographer Training and Education

I have been fortunate to attract the most talented folks in the Philadelphia wedding video industry to my team. We are always striving for perfection and continuously raising the bar to give our clients the best possible product for their money. This team is the reason we have been voted the Best Videographer in Philadelphia by MyFox Philly as well as one of the Top 25 for two years in a row by Event DV magazine.

Recently, I assembled my team at the Waterford for a one day workshop meeting. We discussed new technologies and techniques, focusing on establishing the best operating procedudures to continue to deliver the best wedding videos possible. We even held a small mock wedding!

I want to thank Geoffrey Horowitz of Leap Frog Photography for being a good sport and 'playing photographer' for the day. You have to check out this great montage of photos he put together.

I also want to thank Nick Waller, catering manager at the Waterford for his hospitality.

The Sound is More Important Than The Picture?

One of our recent grooms (a New York wedding and event videographer himself) recently asked me how we do our audio. In fact, when I speak to professional videographers associations, it is one of the top questions I am asked. Well, I let my audio engineer, Tamer Tewfik, answer this question directly and I thought you might want to read his response. . .

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Hi Michael,

I'm happy to be available to you to talk about the logistics about improving audio for your productions. I have spoken to many videographers about this since I started working with Dave. Basically, the biggest question I get from videographers is how to get DVideography quality audio on their own. It always makes me chuckle inside because I suppose they believe it's a secret and that the only reason I am at a DVideography shoot is because Dave just doesn't want to be bothered with audio. False. My answer is always, if anyone could do it alone, there would be no need for professional audio engineers. I'm sure there's a way to improve your audio - down and dirty style - but I'd need more information to see where you are with your audio now.

Keep in mind that I met Dave after 15 years of experience freelancing mostly for broadcast television and film so my experience comes from those realms. The result is a high standard of audio equipment I need to be able to work in that market. The equipment I know best and use is of the utmost quality that can only be purchased from specialty audio places and, as you may have already realized, the equipment is pricey. For example the SoundDevices 744T that records 4 track for Dave is about $4000 and the 4 channel field mixer we use (SoundDevices 442) to send the audio to the 744 is about $3000. So your talking about $7K before you even talk microphones. We use 2-4 Broadcast quality Lectrosonic wireless, standard for broadcast television, which cost about $3K each and Sennheiser Evolution wireless to send wireless to cameras. The camera mix is also just for reference as the 744T records everything as separate feeds so the editor can have full editorial control over the final mix. So, in all, we are bringing almost $20K in equipment to a wedding. This equipment is essential since it determines what sound goes onto tape. The better the wireless, the quieter the noise floor, the stronger the wireless signal and all around control over the audio "environment", if you will.

If I sat you down to tell you all the components involved, it would become obvious to you why Dave's audio is exceptional. I don't have much advice as to how you can improve the audio alone without an audio engineer as even I get nervous about not monitoring the audio feeds when I play cameraman and audio engineer at the same time. When I have to leave the mixer, I still wear a broadcast quality IFB in my ear so I can monitor the mixer while I shoot, but it's still not ideal. Even with the best equipment in the world, you really need a second set of ears to monitor and babysit the audio. One will never have TRUE quality audio without an audio engineer. Good audio depends on mic placement, knowledge of how to use the equipment, ect. There are so many components that quality audio depends on.

Now, that being said, there are some prosumer recorders out there that can at least help you improve your audio (down and dirty style) but I'd need to talk to you personally. To assess your situation, I'd need to know what you're doing now and what you're looking to do. In other words, I'd need to know what your doing to assess how much you can improve doing it on your own. Feel free to call me anytime at the contact information below.

Best,
Tamer

Photo by JordanOplinger.com

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.

The Best Lighting for HD Weddings

The other day a photographer who had never worked with us before asked me, "Do you use bright lights?" I thought, "To the blog, Robin. Time to bring our audience up to speed."

Some folks think of the stereotypical videographer who uses bright camera lights, blinding guests and destroying the mood of an otherwise perfect evening. Sure, those guys are still out there, but anyone who shoots truly candid moments knows that the path to a truly gorgeous and unobtrusive production is illuminated professionally and artistically.

Many planners, florists, and caterers understand the power of light when used properly. Light is what brings centerpieces to life, bathes the walls with color, and gently paints a romantic dance floor.

However, great lighting not only sets the mood, it helps preserve the beauty of the day and night in photographs, film, and especially high definition video. Details that would otherwise be lost are remembered.

Professional lighting tips:

• Ask your planner, venue coordinator, or florist if they do lighting or if they can recommend someone.
  
• Ask about uplighting walls, or drapes.
  
• Ask about double pinspotting the centerpieces, cake, or any element worth attention like an ice scuplture.
  
• Ask about a splash on the dance floor. Gobos and broken light patterns will bring a three-dimensional energy to the dance floor and enhance the mood.
  
• Light the band or other entertainment, drawing attention to the energy driving the party.
  

View a short demonstration of what lighting can do for your event.

Please feel free to post a comment about this post.

Professional Videographers: Tackle Your Backlog

Wedding Edit Backlog Got You Down? Get Relief - 9:50am Thursday!
August 11, 2007

Las Vegas, NV - Nothing deflates an event videographer's creative high faster than those three little words: "Where’s my video!" Stop letting that aching backlog hold you back. more. . .

WATCH THE TRAILER

DOWNLOAD THE iPhone/iPod VERSION

The Showdown

And the winners are:

Scott Hayes
James Rolfe
Joe Donato

Listen to the WedVidTalk podcast HERE

View and vote on all of the entries HERE