test from phone

“Can you make our wedding video look filmic?”

“Can you shoot documentary style?”

As a wedding Toronto wedding videographer, I hear these questions a lot. And truthfully there is no short answer. It is challenging trying to sum up our or anyone’s work in one word or phrase.

The terms, “filmic” and “documentary” get thrown around a lot, and can mean different things to different people. Often times, a videographer won’t strictly belong to one category or the other. If you’re not sure where a certain videographer fits in, just ask to see a sample of a complete wedding they have shot and edited… then decide if you like it. Then, who cares what it’s called? If you like it, you like it.

Usually, a “filmic” or “cinematic” look implies that a video has been shot widescreen or 16:9 (with the growing popularity of widescreen TVs, most videographers shoot widescreen these days anyway), with saturated colours, and some dramatic slow motion effects. It can also mean very stable moving shots created with the help of cranes or jib arms, steadicam apparatus, etc.

The advantages to going with a cinematic videographer, is that you literally get a chance to star in your own professionally shot movie. You will be beautifully lit, and captured from the right angles, and only the best, most glamorous shots will make the final cut. You may never look better!

The drawback, of course, is the cost. It takes a lot of people to put a production like this together, not to mention a lot of high end equipment. And finally, there is editing time: for a truly filmic experience, several hours in an editing suite is required to synch up footage from multiple cameras, mix sound and music, create transition effects and titles, etc.

Another drawback, depending on your point of view, is it is not an ideal setup for the camera-shy. You will be surrounded by a crew, lights, and equipment. You will likely be aware of the cameras. You may occasionally have to wait for the cameras to get in place or re-enact for the cameras if necessary.

A “documentary” approach implies that your video is shot with less bulky equipment, and you might only get one or two cameramen with this approach.

The drawback of a documentary approach is it’s going to have a grittier look than the filmic approach. How gritty? Again, this is going to vary from shooter to shooter, so ask to see a sample DVD to come to your own conclusion.

The major advantage of a documentary approach is that because the equipment is lighter, the shooters have more flexibility, so they can move and capture spontaneous moments as they happen naturally. The approach is less obtrusive, and when done correctly, you shouldn’t feel the cameras around you a whole lot. The cost for a documentary approach should be less: the equipment isn’t as high end or cumbersome and you can get away with less people on set. How smooth the final DVD looks depends on the amount of time allocated to editing, and this can vary from production house to production house.

Hopefully, this article has shed some light on the pros and cons of a filmic approach and a documentary approach. It should make finding a balance between these two styles easier, so that you end up with a wedding videographer that is right for you.

- Nishi Dias
Night Day Productions
www.NightDayWeddings.com
416-821-8669
NightDayPro@aol.com

At the moment I’m painstakingly starting an Etsy shop. Because I’m lame and am too much of a perfectionist for my own good, the blog is kinda suffering. Soooooo … here’s a cal out to all of you for guest blogging submissions. I’ll take anything bridal or lifestyle related. Just send me an email to inquiries{at}momentsthatshine.com and I’ll get you set up with more details. I’m looking for a good five-ten entries over the next couple weeks with the possibility of a recurring spot. It’s great advertising for those of you with businesses and it’s a great outlet for those of you who just want to write!

Once again, email Susan at inquiries{at}momentsthatshine.com for more info

I was born in Victoria, British Columbia. I lived there for over 25 years and, quite frankly, it’s where my heart is. That’s not to say other cities aren’t fabulous but when people ask me where home is, Victoria is always my answer. As a bit of an homage, I decided to ‘Shop Local’ on .: Etsy :. and show off a few of the artisans from there. Have fun browsing!

Where is Victoria? It’s the capital city of British Columbia, Canada and on a wee Island! .: Urban Combing :. can show you on this map necklace!

And .:A2SeaPhotography :. can show you the gorgeous Parliament lights … oh how I miss them!

Keep Reading .: Your Golden Sun Will Shine For Me :.

My lovely friends and colleagues Irina & Mihkel from .: Irina Photography :. are expecting a bundle of joy any day now. We were working a wedding together earlier in the spring when they shared the good news with my own family. To say I’m overjoyed for them is an understatement. Ever since having Seraphina I’ve been a touch excited when other friends are about to take the leap into parenthood

Irina just shared this fun contest with me. I thought I’d pass it on to my circle of readers as I’d love one of you to win! But beware … I entered, too … and I totally need to be pampered

The following excerpt is by Irina but don’t forget to visit her .: BLOG :. for more goodies!

Keep Reading .: Who Can It Be Now :.

Every once in a while you stumble across something that makes you wish you had seen it a LOT sooner. That’s what happened to me when I read about .: The Spotted Box :. Admittedly it did take me a few minutes to figure out what it was. But when I did, the light-bulb wasn’t just on, it was flashing ‘BRILLIANT’!

April & Jordan have made a business helping other businesses. At the same time, they’re helping consumers. Every month they gather product samples from WAHMs (Work-At-Home-Mom). They package the samples up all pretty and put them up for sale to you. It’s a win-win-win situation. Businesses gain more exposure, consumers can sample their favourite shops and .: The Spotted Box :. makes a well-deserved profit. All boxes are designed with young families in mind & focus on moms and children. The vendors who take part are independent crafters usually with eco-conscious minds. If you purchase a box you could receive anything from bath and body goods, candles, bookmarks, candy, stationery, bibs, toys, paper arts, dish clothes, teas, food, dog treats, gift certificates, magnets, pens, jewelry and more!

Keep Reading .: Precious Box :.

As you may have noticed, it’s kinda quiet in here. Apparently I broke something. All the fancy bells and whistles of blog posts are currently kaput and I’m left scratching my head. Until I figure out what I did (and how I can fix it), updating will be on a brief hiatus

Topic: Jersey Shore

Talk amongst yourselves

Congratulations to TANJA C!!! She’s the winner of the bracelet set via random.org!

The blog is experiencing technical difficulties still so I had to find the comments through the behind-the-scenes part of the site. Her winning entry was:

Submitted on 2010/10/22 at 10:27pm
Tanja C
i would love to see something in purple and brown

Can’t wait to start working on this creation! <3

A loooooong time ago I used to do something called ‘Friday Footwear’ … in an attempt to get a routine started again, let’s do a quick one!

Many years ago I was introduced to a woman with wicked fashion sense. She was my boss at the time but I’m now very happy to call her my friend. When I moved to Toronto from B.C. I remember asking her where she went show shopping. Instead of laughing at me (I would have worn Birks to work if it had been allowed ), she gracefully told me where but that it was a bit pricey … then she offered up some alternatives. Now that I’m older, ‘wiser’ and have lived here over a decade, I should really buy a pair. What are the shoes?

.: Fluevogs :.

Madonna wore them in the Truth Or Dare movie, Marilyn Manson owns some even Sonic Youth and Jane’s Addiction are fans. But I noticed them on Leah first A few years after that, one of my favourite brides, and now friend, bought a blue pair for her wedding day (you can see them at the header of the blog and below in the collage).

I could go on about the quality, comfort, vegan-aspect, whatever … but I love them because of how they look. They’re fun. They’re bold. They actually say something about you. Must.Buy.Some. Until I do, here’s an inspiration pic I put together

Yum.

**please note this entry is meant for Friday, October 22nd but my blog isn’t co-operating with scheduled entried today!**

Today’s the day!!!

It’s a bit of an unofficial kick-off to Moments That Shine getting back in the swing of things. And what better way than with a give-away … or two?

As posted earlier below, today if you head on over to Facebook and ‘Like’ both the .: Moments That Shine Page and the .: Go Shop Momma Page :., you’ll find details on how to win this gorgeous bracelet & earrings set (valued at $50).

Actually, if you go to the .: Go Shop Momma Page :., you’ll find details on an all-day SCAVENGER HUNT!

BUT WAIT! THERE’S MORE! (make sure you click the link to keep reading!)

Keep Reading .: Let’s Get It Started :.