artisan wedding videos by studio msv

Four Seasons, Westlake Village

A few weeks ago I realized I was gaining weight. Not enough sleep, a lack of exercise, and too much soda catches up with anyone. Even those with a historically fast metabolism like myself. Couple the weight gain with an unfortunate haircut and suddenly my face looked like a Marie Calendar's apple pie. Not cool.

So I started running and trying to eat better which has helped tremendously. The cool thing is this:

Last week, my friend, Julie from Elysium Productions - a wedding videography company in Orange County sent me a direct message on Twitter (follow me on Twitter here!) that asked if I was free to help her shoot that Saturday. But, unfortunately, I replied I was already shooting a wedding (at the beautiful Ritz Carlton SF, in fact.) But she clarified that it was the NEXT weekend that she needed me.

So after some text messaging, some emails, and a few phone calls, I found myself staying at Four Seasons, Westlake Village (nestled between California's Simi Valley and Malibu Hills) for a corporate job that Julie and the Elysium team didn't want to pass up.

I shot there for three days total and culminated the weekend with a Same Day Edit. Well, I guess, technically, a three-day edit that consisted of footage from all three days' events. I won't be able to show the video here just yet - Julie gets to blog about it first, of course - but after she blogs it, I will be able to show it.

I shot the first two days with my friend, James Burkart of Burkart Video Productions and the final day with one of Julie's trusted second-shooters from the LA area named, Chris Aguilar (of Soul Surf Media.)

And the cool thing that I was alluding to is that the event was unique because it was held at the Westlake Village Four Seasons which has a world-class wellness center built into the facilities. It's one of only a few of its kind in the world.

I got to sit in on some talks led by industry leaders on health, nutrition, aging, and wellness. Listening to them talk about these topics from the stand point of being world leaders in their field really gave me a great perspective on how I should treat my body. So I continue the journey - like many of us - to try to do better in taking care of ourselves. I'm on this journey with you so let's encourage each other to do our best!

(And, since we all know blog posts are better with photos, here are some pictures I took while in LA for this shoot.)

^ At the Saddlerock Ranch

^ Saddlerock for dinner

^ Live music

^ "A Vanity Affair" closing night soirée

^ Four Seasons Logo Gobo projected onto a hillside about 300 yards away

Beltane Ranch Photoshoot - Brides Northern California

I have a new video I am very excited about and I want to share it with all of you!

I was invited to be a part of a photoshoot for Brides Northern California Magazine by Taylor and Mimi of Thi Cosmetics (home of the famous "lush lashes"!) This awesome photoshoot was designed by Gloria Wong (www.gloriawongdesigns.com) and shot by the fabulous Lisa Lefkowitz (www.lisalefkowitz.com). The supporting cast of outstanding visionaries and leaders of their field included:

www.NancyLiuChinDesigns.com
www.CakeCoquette.com
Ameliana Kamstra amelianakamstra [at] gmail.com
www.GoodOnPaperDesign.com
The wonderful people at Beltane Ranch,
... and others!
Please take a moment to check out their wonderfull work!

The full featured photo spread will be published only in Brides Northern California Magazine, the Fall/Winter 2009 issue hitting newstands September 1st! Keep your eyes peeled for it!

Until then, please enjoy one of my favorite highlight videos to date - The Beltane Ranch Photoshoot!

Beltane Ranch, Sonoma Photoshoot from andrew msv on Vimeo.

Hacienda de las Flores, Moraga CA

Saturday was the first time I filmed at Hacienda de las Flores, a beautiful estate property in Moraga, CA.

The weather ws perfect; not too hot, not at all chilly.
The light was stunning; bright sun but we were in the shade 90% of the time.
The couple was gorgeous; Phil and Jen were perfect, fun-loving and destined for one another.

Here is a super short trailer I made of some of the shots I got from the wedding.

Jen and Phil's Wedding Teaser Trailer from andrew msv on Vimeo.

Photog: www.getcaptured.com
DJ: www.fantasysound.com
Catering: www.wildthymecatering.com
Venue: http://moraga.ca.us/production/moraga_hacienda.php

[for industry folks and tech geeks: the footage was shot entirely on my new Canon 5D mkII, edited with Canopus Edius Pro 3, no color correction. All the clips are straight from the cam.]

Dennis Menendez Showcase at City Club, SF

  My good friend, James Burkart of Burkart Video Productions was asked to shoot a promo video for photographer, Dennis Menendez. They had initially met at the Martini Madness event at Mist (see my post about that here) and seemed to hit it off.

Fast forward three months and James invites me to support him at Dennis' premiere party. The cold winter months of the year is more or less "networking season" so of course I said I'd go to support him and shake a few hands while I'm at it.

At each networking function I go to, I try to meet at least ONE new person. I managed to do that this time, as always and I had a fun time doing it.

The party was planned by Duncan Reyes - who else?! - and was hosted at the the City Club, SF; a beautiful venue in downtown that I had not been before.

Here are some pics from that night:

Dennis, the man of the hour:

Back row, left to right: Claudia, Nicole, Crystal, Melissa, and Katelyn
Front row: Dia

Clockwise from top left: Armando, Lea, Stacie, Annie, Melinda, MB, Tanja, me!

 

Wente Winery Wedding Excerpt

Here's a short excerpt from a wedding movie shot at Wente Winery...

Here's the thank you card I received from Jessie and Ray...

A Casa Real Thank You Note

Not too long ago I shot a wedding at Casa Real in Pleasanton, CA and I received this thank you note from the bride:

Hi Andrew!

We just recently got back from our honeymoon and I had to write to say a HUGE thank you to you!  It was an absolute pleasure to work with you throughout this process, and you were so easy to work with on the actual event day!  We cannot wait to see the video and relive that day!  Thanks again for everything.  I will definitely be recommending you to others. 

Thanks again!

It's always great to feel appreciated, isn't it?

Here are some images from Super 8mm Film that we shot at the wedding.

 

Casa Real Wedding Update

A few weekends ago, I worked with Ed and Monica Pingol as well as Maria Chang and Karen Alumno of Professional Makeup Artistry and Fresh Bloom, respecively. I posted about it here, but promised some more photos. Well, here's me making good on my promise.

Maria is the consummate professional. She really is the photographer's best ally on the wedding day. She's constantly touching up makeup, helping to bustle the dress, refreshing the curls, herding the crowds and doing whatever else needs doing. It almost makes me wonder how photogs get along without a Maria Chang in the mix! Here are two candids of Maria rocking the glam without even trying.

Here's Ed, Maria, and Karen.

Karen had this awesome minimalist floral display set at the front of the ceremony area, but a curious little girl accidentally knocked it over causing glass and river rocks to skitter across the floor. After checking to see if the little girl was OK, Curtis - Karen's husband and assistant as well as old videographer colleague of mine - cleaned up the glass and rocks before anyone got hurt or was the wiser. Karen and her quick-thinking re-made the display with a spare vase and the show was back on in no time.

Weddings are never perfect, but with a crew of top wedding professionals at your disposal, your wedding can be darn close to it!

The Pingols

Last Saturday I shot with Ed and Monica Pingol (see their Take-A-Look Tuesday interview here) at Casa Real, Pleasanton.

Here are a couple of silly photobooth pictures that we took together. (Photos by Project Photobooth)
Click thumbnails to enlarge.

 

I also got a chance to work with the lovely and talented Maria Chang of Professional Makeup Artistry and the lovely and talented Karen Alumno of Fresh Bloom (don't worry... I have pictures of them coming up! ha ha!)

Second Shooter

I've been recently fielding a lot of calls from my fellow Bay Area videographer friends about helping them shoot second camera. I've been able to help out with some but not with others due to scheduling conflicts and other factors.

It's always an interesting situation when you offer other people your assistance in this way. Some people feel too proud to shoot second camera because it seems below them or somehow demeaning. Even the term "second camera" or "second shooter" conotes a level of unworthiness, doesn't it?

Well, my policy is kind of different. I have no problem shooting second camera for my friends whatsoever. And, to be honest, I don't even charge them very much at all! In fact, I'm downright cheap. :-) My philosophy regarding helping others is to always do my best to share. Share my time; share my experience; share my equipment; share any small level of success I might have enjoyed.

Fogarty Winery Instant Video

Saturday I spent some time over in Woodside at Cindy and Dave's wedding shooting their Instant Video. (Do you remember Cindy? She was the fifth and final winner of our Promises and Pearls Sweepstakes drawing from March of this year.)