New Bay Area Wedding Video Demo's Are Up

It has taken me some time to post some of the new video samples I have been working on for the last couple of months. Part of the reason is that it seems not very many people have the Quicktime Player, and even more that do have it, for one reason or another, still cannot view the files over the internet. So I have moved a bit to use one of the applications that gave me my start in multimedia. Flash, by Macromedia. I am very confident now that at least 96.7 percent of you will be able to view the new demo's I just posted. I will slowly remove the older stuff and start adding more Flash demo's. For now, please view our latest items on the Portfolio Page and please let me know what you think. One of the interesting things about this business is that it often comes down to personality. The videographer who gets along the best with the bride and groom usually gets the opportunity to work with the couple. On occasion I have even had a bride come to me and state that they really liked me, but there were a few effects that another videographer had done that they had not seen in my demo's and would I be able to do it for them. The answer is always yes, but it really solidifes my point about personality being a key factor. Enjoy the new stuff.

Memorial Day Holiday

No matter what you feel about the present war or past wars, or any war at all, you have to appreciate the people who have voluntarily offered eveything they have for all of us here at home. In fact, it is this home that our own soldiers are having a hard time making it back to on their leaves. So please take a moment, if you can and are willing, to visit this website and consider giving away your air miles to these heros who are struggling so hard for all of us. Operation Hero Miles And remember that Memorial Day is about a whole lot more than just a barbecue and a camping trip -- though those things are beautiful snapshots of what those hereos are trying to protect.

Shutters on the Beach

Last year I had an extremely forward thinking couple who booked me in May for a June wedding this year. The bride was moving to Indiana and it was very important to her to meet her videographer and photographer. So we talked a few times and decided to book us. The thing is her wedding is in Santa Monica. The nice thing about Simply Interactive is that we never gouge customers. We just don't do it. All we asked of her was to pay a reasonable sum for travel expenses (gas and wear and tear for our vehicles) and to pay for a hotel room (which we share) at a location not too terribly far from the location of the ceremony. And viola! It is now upon us and I have the unique opportunity to be a Northern California wedding videographer at one of the nicest resorts in Southern California. Shutters on the Beach. The fact is that personality and quality are very important. We understand that at Simply Interactive and if you want to book us and are worried about the distance -- just talk to us and see if we can work it out. We are not here to take advantage of you. In fact, most of our customers -- I'd venture to even say ALL of them -- will remember about us our extraordinary commitment to customer service. Last weekend I helped set up tables and design the head table. Why? Because it needed to be done, and I had no specific video that needed to be gotten at that moment. So rather than sitting down and waiting for it to be done I got up and helped. All of the people that work for me are like that (or they better be!!! -- ;-) *bossman sternly stares at employees*

Kind Words From a Client

I really love it when people take the time to let me know what they think about their wedding video. Sometimes the words are so kind I simply have to share them. This is an excerpt from an e-mail from a bride who got married in Burlingame last year: Brad and I just watched the video last night (I watched it 3 times!). We absolutely love it! It brought back so many fabulous memories and emotions from that wonderful day. It was also fun to pick up on things that we didn't notice during the day. I couldn't be more delighted with the editing. And of course we love the music. I really liked how you jumped back and forth between the bride and groom getting ready. I was totally laughing at that part (the girls' were being treated like princesses and the guys were watching football). I also loved listening to the organ and trumpet music and our vows during the ceremony. I loved listening to the toasts at the reception. And it was fun to listen to our guests well wishes at the end. Thank you for taking the time to incorporate our photo montage into the video as well. It is a great added bonus that made me cry. It is a superb video. We really appreciate all of the work you put into it (having someone tape our rehearsal, having all of your camera angles at the ceremony, the editing, etc). You are truly a class act - great to work with - and you create a fabulous product! Thank you so much! This wedding had three camera angles, two manned camera's on the floor and a third stationary camera in the balcony. The edited product is so beautiful on this one, it is the reason why all two camera packages now come with a third stationary camera, and all single camera overage packages come with a second stationary camera. It is obviously a very excellent way to shoot and edit a wedding.

Aerial Videography

Simply Interactive will soon be renting a helicopter to take aerial videography and photography of some of our favorite spots for weddings and events. This footage will become library foootage for our videos and also be available for sale to other event videographgers in this area. We will also be offering aerial footage of your specific venue upon request. This added depth to your wedding video is a once in a lifetime opportunity and is not offered by very many video companies. Contact Rusty Worden for more information at: 408-497-4339.

Looking for a videographer for 2005?

Simply Interactive would like to open the doors for those early planners out there. If you or someone you know is getting married in 2005, all you need to do to save is book between now and the end of June. Here's the Skinny: Simply Perfect Package: From 2875.00 down to 2625.00. You Save 250.00 Simply Divine Package: From 2075.00 down to 1875.00. You Save 200.00 Simply Sweet Package: From 1775.00 down to 1700.00. You save 75.00 Let your friends and family know :-)

Three Camera Ceremony Shoot

Typically people tend to go for two video camera ceremony coverage. I usually push that package a little harder because it enables me to create a more realistic ceremony as it actually happened, Recently I shot a wedding in Burlingame just down the hill from the Kohl Mansion. This was in an extremely gorgeous Catholic church with pillars lining the sides of the hall and a balcony miles above the seating below. They had, in fact, gone for the two camera package, but with that balcony up there I just could not resist. I set up my backup camera, a Sony PDX-10. Now, if you've ever seen this camera you'd never guess how much power was under the hood because, frankly, it looks like any old camcorder. But honestly, other than it's low light capabilities and its WAY OUT OF CONSUMER PRICERANGE (no, I'm not bitter), it is definitely a match (optically) for the PD150's (ok, enough techie junk). So now I had one camera on the altar (yes, they let me up there with no problems), another videocamera on the right aisle, and a third in the balcony getting a nice wide shot. And just today I finished editing that piece. It is awesome! Having two cameras to choose from during a live event is crucial -- having three just made the ceremony so rich and alive it is hard to believe... so perfect it almsot looks choregraphed. Eileen and Vrad are gonna be sooo happy when they get their video next week :-)