artisan wedding videos by studio msv

This is Why I Love What I Do

In tomorrow's post on the Re:Frame Blog where I'm interviewed about my work and my business, I talk about how the liking the people you work is AT LEAST just as important as liking the work that you do.

Well, here is a photographic personification of why I love what I do.

Although I would have loved to be home with family on July 4th, American Independence Day, I was, instead, shooting a wedding in Sonoma wine country at the Chateau St. Jean winery. But I didn't feel sorry for myself at any point during the 12 hours that I worked that day because I loved my co-workers. Pictured above, left to right, Skog, Maria, me, Robbie, Alex, and Mauricio.

We had a great time laughing together, bantering with one another, colaborating and inspiring each other.

What's even crazier is that the bride, the lovely Tami, is good friends with my brother! They were in a production or Miss Saigon together. My brother was the one that made the connection a few months ago and it was really cool to see him as a guest at the wedding.

(What's even crazier than that is that my high school friends were also guests at the wedding. One of them was a bridesmaid. Crazy coincidences! )

Needless to say, for many reasons, I love working with my friends on wedding gigs and that makes me happy. (And happy vendors make for better products and services!)

Posting Videos - an Introspective

Some of my blog readers have expressed to me - either in writing or in person - that they enjoy reading my blog because it's evocative; that it helps them to wax philosophical or reconnect with themes they've lost touch with. I find this very encouraging and exciting.

However, it's been a while since I've written something of import. This isn't because I've suddenly become shallow or even because I'm too busy (although my busyness is a factor) but mainly because I've felt the pressure of posting a lot more videos than I traditionally do.

If you look at my pattern of posts during or prior to my Hawaii trip, there was a lot more writing about my personal activities - events, opinions, family and friends, etc - and a lot fewer videos. I've always thought that the power of the blog - or, better, MY blog - was that it was a way my readers could get to know me and have a sense of my character and personality. In a world where people are increasingly looking at the price tag, I think your SELF is an absolutely crucial element in what differentiates you from the others. So, because of that philosophy, I was always more about sharing my thoughts and goings-on than I was about showcasing my work.

But when I started getting more and more exposed to the excellent work that is out there (see, for example, the Re:Frame Collective and its band of merry men and women. What incredible talent!) I started to feel like I had to "prove myself" to gain respect or find a place in that crowd. To be one of the "popular kids."

Well, where are we now? I've probably posted more videos in the past two months or so than I have in the previous 10 months! And to what end? Sure, I'm proud of the work I'm displaying and I certainly do think that there is merit to doing so, but I feel like I've lost some of the personality in my blog that made it different and personal to me.

So, in short; I will, of course, continue to post videos (afterall, I *AM* a videographer!); but I think I'm going to go back to my "roots" - so to speak - and post more personal articles as well. I wouldn't want the reason for my videos posts to be out of a sense of obligation or competition. I'd rather it be natural and meaningful to me. That is the stuff that really speaks to who I am as a shooter and editor anyway.

I hope the change isn't too jarring or unwelcomed! Please do feel free to comment and let me know what you think.

Cheers!

Oh... and because blog posts are always better with photos, here's a photo of my son, Zach. Just for fun.

Baby Meira

My good friend, Kerman, just had a baby girl. I had the pleasure of meeting baby Meira while she was less than even a half-day old! What a little miracle she is. :-) She had two sisters waiting at home for her and as I'm typing this now, everyone is home resting.

Congratulations Kerman and Michelle!

Here's a video that I made of the new baby. Enjoy!

Meira Lau from andrew msv on Vimeo.

Reframe Austin part 5

One of the many cool experiences at the Re:Frame conference, Austin, is that I got to test out many other cameras and hang out with some cool friends. Here's a quick video shot entirely with the Canon 5D Mark II.

Re:Frame Austin MkII Footage from andrew msv on Vimeo.

Hawaiian Vacation - Day 8

On our eighth day in paradise, we did the touristy drive up to the north shore area of Oahu where the we watched sea turtles swim, ate garlic shrimp and shaved ice at Oahu's most famous eateries. No wait. We didn't watch sea turtles at famous eateries... that sentence was weird.

Anyway, here are some pictures of that excursion!

Looking for sea turtles.

Looking...

...still looking...

Oh look! There's one! I think it's a robot (see the antennae on its back?)

There's another.

Yikes! It's coming up on shore! RUN!!

 

Good times.

Reframe Austin part 4

Yesterday was great. I managed to get inspired by some of the top wedding cinematographers in the country and from around the world. And the week isn't over yet!

After some great industry discussion over drinks and food and impromptu gatherings have happened already and I'm still looking forward to more inspiration and lively discussion. Right now, I'm sitting in a talk by UK cinematographer, Philip Bloom. His stuff is ridiculous. Feel free to Google him - rad.

But just real quickly, an update on last night's after-hours hangout/karaoke time:

Joe Simon looks uncannily like Plastic Man.

Ryan Koral and Jen Moon

Tina and Kyle (Both recent "Mrs. Simons")

Kristen* and Bruce - 2/3rds of the Collective. (Julie was prepping for her Karaoke run.)

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By the way, you can check out some videos and other media here (some funny, some not as funny, all rad):

See what Re:Frame people are doing via their Twitter updates!
See the Re:Frame Confession Booth video!

Reframe Austin part 3

Thanks for following along with my trip. So far I've learned a good deal of new info and we've only just wrapped up ONE workshop.

We're at the Alamo Theater for our talks (yes, like an actual movie theater!) and all the stuff has been projected on the big screen. It's like a dream-come-true for us videoguys. :-)

More to come!

Re:Frame Austin part 2

So I've just checked into the Omni Hotel in downtown Austin. Everything has gone really smooth thus far. I knew it was going to be a good day when my departing gate at Oakland Airport was literally the closest gate after the security check. And my prognostication was further confirmed when the Starbucks was immediately next to my terminal AND there was no line!

So far, so good.

We don't officially start the festivities until tonight, so I'm going to try to catch a quick bite before It's Time!

If you have any suggestions about what to do or see at night in Austin, leave me a comment!
The picture is of my view.

Austin part 1

As excited as I am to attend another Re:Frame conference, see old friends, make new friends, create new stories and memories, inspire and get inspired, and learn things to help me grow my business, I'm already a little homesick. And I'm only in the airport!

So far, I've been able to find comfort I'm the fact that the trip will only last a few days and I'll be home to my wife and kids soon enough. (oh, and that I have a grande no-foam soy hazelnut latte in my fist.)

I'm ready to rock it!

We Hate Myelodysplastic Syndrome

I haven't posted in a long while because I've been so busy. :-(

But really, what are the most important things in life if not the life, welfare and relationships of people?

My friend Stacie Tamaki has started a website called www.helpingtami.org for the purpose of raising awareness, and help for her cousin Tami who has been diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome (similar to leukemia.)

I've registered on the AADP (Asian American Doner Program) website (www.aadp.org) to receive a free test kit to see if my bone marrow might be a match for Tami.

I don't want to say too much because all the info is already on Stacie's Helping Tami site. Go there and see if you can help save a life. (And pray for Tami and her family!)