Maharani Weddings
It’s a great honour to be invited by a highly respected company such as Maharani Weddings to contribute to their blog. Soon after being awarded the Rising Star status in Event DV, I had been contacted by Kalah, Director of Sales who had watched our trailer clip. She was so impressed by what she had seen and even more so that our company was headed by me, a female. Maharani Weddings is also a female run company and an advocate for women in business. It’s a true honour to be asked to cotribute to their site and share our work.

Film-y Friday Finale all the way from Australia!
With the weekend around the corner, I know everyone is getting ready to pack up and call it a day. But before you head out the door for a weekend full of brunches, lunches, and mani pedis, I have the most scrumptious treat for you. All the way from Melbourne, Australia comes this magical highlight reel from Sauvignon Media Creations. This video made me fall out of my chair, twice. The first time, I was in shock about how our little company has spread its wings all the way to the land down under. And, second because for the cinematography junkie in me, it’s a DREAM.

This was one world wind of a wedding. We have over the last year, met with a few wedding planners and the Concierge to the Bride is actually the first one we have “officially” filmed a wedding with. Our very good friend & colleague Andrew Noble from Andrew Noble Photography, referred us to them.

As this wedding was taken on board by the planners 2 weeks prior to the event, Andrew & I were both booked on the Tuesday prior to their big day. In such a brief time it was obvious how much Chao & Jacki loved each other. I said this to Jacki and she asked me how I knew. We have filmed so many wedding and it doesn’t take much to notice LOVE.

Love can be a touch of a hand, a gentle smile, tender kiss or a comforting arm – I could see this instantly as Jacki rested her head on Chao’s shoulders after an obviously busy day of planning…it was after all literally days before the BIG day.

Congratulations to all the teams who performed amazingly to make the day & night a huge success for Chao & Jacki. A huge thank you to Marcus for coming on board with short notice to support us on this Same Day Edit. To Dean, you are an amazing editor & a talented film-maker…a tremendous job given the few hours of sleep prior and the huge of task of making sure all the amazing stories of the day were captured.

Event DV is an international videographer’s resources guide that awards producers around the world. Since 2006, members of our wedding film-making community have been among the Top 25. Last year I was among the 25 finalist. This year I have been voted as one of the 9 “Rising Stars” as voted by our international community.

Rochelle is a true leader in Australian filmmaking with co-founding Exposed Down Under. She is truly passionate about furthering women in the filmmaking industry and has done so much to support POSH.—Reagan Zugelter, Studio Z Films and POSH

http://www.eventdv.net/Articles/ReadArticle.aspx?ArticleID=74264

As an avid support of females in the film-making industry, POSH is a major event that I forsee bringing women forward to the limelight. There are so many talented women who are either working their own studios or are pivotal & leading their team. The film-making industry like many others, have been primarily dominated by men and although there is no intention for our world to be dominated by women, recognition of our influences is changing. I am truly humbled by the comments of Reagan Zugelter, who is one of the Top 25 world film-makers.

The featured clip is that of Anujan & Narayani’s Wedding trailer. This was my first 5D experience and the imagery that our combined teamwork produced is brilliant. Working with DSLR’s are much harder than video cameras because there are so many different variables to aware of. I will still however say that a camera doesn’t make you a good film-maker. The more I have been priveledged to work alongside Dean who is an amazing teacher plus network with our world industry colleagues, the more I value the storytelling elements pivotal to a wedding film.

It truly is an honour to be voted among these elite group of professionals and I’m proud to say that of the 9 finalists, 5 are Australians. I also congratulate Daniel Cartwright, Dave Cowling, Abraham Joffe & Santo Widjaja.

Ain’t they so cute
Lol, well I think so anyway…I love how Francesco – AKA Frank, kisses Elianne at the altar with such tenderness – and she has the most divine innocence as she smiles back.

So to their story. Elianne was referred to us by her cousin Pierre & his beautiful wife Mary. We filmed Mary & Pierre last year and it was a natural following that all the best suppliers were people that Frank & Elianne enquired about. Leading to their day was hectic and these two planned such an amazing wedding. All I can say was that it was a full reception celebration…fireworks, dancers and off course our Same Day presentation.

Celebrating their wedding day at Sacred Heart in Kew Melbourne, with their reception at the Ashton Manor.
In was uber cool to have Peter Szilveszter from Living Lens join us and photographer Jodee from Field of Vision.

Our clients are amazing. This week Dean has headed off to New York with Dave from DnM Wedding Films to interview and spend time with one of our beautiful couples. They aren’t there to shoot a wedding but a pre-wedding…we call it a life story because our belief and approach is to go beyond traditional and delve deeper. The premier of this clip will be on their wedding day in December this year…it almost feels like ages away but no doubt it will come soon.

Today is their first day of their journey & they headed of to do some shopping – no, not for clothes but for gear. B&H in New York is an iconic location and a producer’s dream shop. They have then journey to meet up with Kristen from Artifact Documentaries. As I write, they are headed to meet up with my client for dinner. I can’t wait to share some of the photos that Dave has been taking and cannot wait to hear their updates of their 1st day – will keep you posted

There is beauty, colour & magic in a traditional Hindu wedding. In true style, this teaser represents all these elements with a pinch of mystery & a touch of aura.

Narayani had contacted me to film their wedding celebration. She was a referral from one of my very beautiful brides who celebrated their wedding a year prior. Cultural weddings are always an amazing event to film. There is always loads of energy and an amazing amount of aspects to capture.

Filmed at the Shri Shiva Vishnu Temple in Carrum Down and reception at Luxor in Taylor’s Lakes, it’s a priveledge to showcase the wedding trailer of Anujan & Narayani

Yes, “Finally”

As many marriages would have it, they are a union of a couple that have know each other for many years. So is the case for Siwei & Esther & oh what a day it was.

Siwei contacted me last year as he searched for the right producer that would characterise his day with awesome shooting and ultimately an awesome edit. I think I may have spoken to him many times before he left to Hong Kong for his new job. It was only after meeting Esther and her sister that they decided that we were the one to make it happen for their wedding film. In the end, I only met Siwei at his rehearsal which was like a day or so prior.

In corresponding with Esther, it’s so obvious why Siwei loves her…she has a beautifully kind nature about her, which complements the more charismatic & “out there” personality of Siwei.

So to their day. We started off early at Esther’s There was going to be loads of games followed by 2 traditional tea ceremonies. As I was listening to what the girl’s planned for Siwei’s initiation to the family, I couldn’t help giggle at the thought of what he had to do. In true fashion it was absolutely hilarious to see the guys complete their challenges.

Following this, Mauro from Dezine by Mauro, took the group to some beautiful locations and the day was completed by the ceremony & reception at Leonda by the Yarra.

Sit back & enjoy Siwei & Esther’s highlight

Bride Magazine
I came across this article from Bride.com.au and found that at last there is a magazine that appreciates the value of a producer. In the wedding world, there are videographers, cinematographers & wedding storytellers. Most people would ask, “but will they record my wedding?” Ultimately yes but the styles have emerged somewhat like the diversity there now is for photography.

So what’s the difference and what will suit you?

There is no right or wrong choice for a couple…just the choice that suits them. These definitions are very much my own perception of the terminology that may help you understand the lingo in the industry.

Documentary Videographer
Often a videographer will tend to follow a documentary style and have a very much of the “fly on the wall” approach. For some couples, this is perfect for them as they just want whatever happens in a clean & no fuss presentation. It’s a traditional style that has been around for many years.

Cinematographer
A Cinematographer uses movement in their filming & editing. It has become a popular term to describe an evolution in wedding productions & certainly can add flair to a piece. It doesn’t become the salt of the wedding but a complementary addition that has added some spice to a wedding film.

Storyteller
Storytelling is not new in film-making…all good movies revolve around a good story. Weddings have a story – a wedding is a story. The filming & editing style though for storytellers are far more intricate as the thought process involved requires planning for events that have happened, are happening and will happen. A producer needs to give thought to how to best shoot what is happening, consider the angles, lighting conditions and obviously the audio elements that make a movie.
One of my all time favourite scenes is from Jerry McGuire – yes, I love Tom Cruise

If you look at the angles, the varied scenes and the connection of one shot to the other – it gives perspective & it tells the story.
This is what we do. I guess I will be biased in saying that we are one of the best storytellers in Melbourne ~ you will need to see our films to make that choice. Just like there is a right photographer for a couple, there is the right professional wedding video producer to capture your day.

Michael & Priscilla are an awesome & sweet couple. Being from Lebanese background, we needed to look at catering for a cultural need as well as producing a wedding cinema film.

Starting their day with what naturally happens on a wedding day, the musician arrived and added to the excitement that was already there. Traditional poems were sung by family to herald the dawning of the new beginning…dancing & celebrations filmed the rooms.

Celebrating their wedding at Our Lady of Lebanon Church & reception at the Brighton International, the night continued with some awesome speeches, both filled with touching moments and an equal amount of humour.

Filmed in conjunction with Marcus from Couch Media, this runs for 14mins so sit back, relax & enjoy.

Asher & Alia ~ Trailer from Sauvignon Media Creations on Vimeo.

We were lucky enough to come across Asher & Alia as a result of one of our favourite photographers, Andrew Noble.

I got a call one morning from Andrew who was trying to help find a producer for a couple – their videographer had to pull out due to ill health. When I spoke with Andrew and he told us of their date, we were fortunately available.

Andrew passed on our details and I spoke with Asher. Coincidentally, we had recently shot one of their friend’s weddings so it was good to meet Khong (Fred) & Pauline again.

So a bit about Asher & Alia. Well, I’m sure their friends will know them best but this wedding has some special significances. Asher plays the bagpipes. For their wedding day, Asher & Alia celebrated their vows at Scotts Church in Melbourne. They had a bagpiper churning out melodic tunes that were symbolic to the feel of the day. And in good old traditional Melbourne weather, it rained after the ceremony. Fortunately photos were done in the morning, after they shared their first meet at the Hotel Lindrum which proceeded within Scotts Church and then at Poets Lane.

So sit back and enjoy at little glimpse of a very beautiful day with a very wonderful couple.