Movie-Me

A Different Kind of Wedding Faire

2009-02-26T05:50:00.000-08:00

What are you doing Sunday, March 1 from 11 AM to 4 PM? The Hotel Cabana in Palo Alto is having a FREE wedding fair. But with a twist.

Our good friend Stacie Tamaki of The Flirty Guide will be moderating a panel discussion of how to DIY four elements of your wedding at 1 PM.

Joining her will be Ron Grandia who will talk about how to be your own DJ.

Sabrina Moyel of Hello!Lucky will talk about DIY invitations.

Sachi Yamazaki and Tina Thao of Fleurty will demonstrate how to DIY your flowers.

And I'll be giving practical tips on how to DIY your wedding video.

There will be food, displays and a fashion show at 2 PM.

Although it's free, your advance registration is appreciated.

Phone: 650.857.0787

Email: sales.catering@cabanapaloalto.net

Final Answer: Slumdog Millionaire

2009-02-25T13:21:00.000-08:00

There are plenty of other promotional photos of Slumdog Millionaire you will see, but none tell the story better than this one.

Slumdog Millionaire is about a boy born into dire poverty in Mumbai who finds a way out of the worst imaginable circumstances, motivated by love for a girl, armed only with his wits, intelligence and survival skills. He's like Oliver Twist, but scrappier.

He is at the whim of fate, but makes the best of it. He's thrown off a train in front of the Taj Mahal where he anoints himself a "guide", instructs tourists to take off their shoes, then steals the shoes and sells them.

We learn the details of his first 20 years when he is a contestant on India's TV show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. How does a poor boy from the slums, a slumdog, know all the answers? We learn in a series of flashbacks how life's tragedies and sorrows befell Jamel in his childhood providing him the answers to each question. A whole country is gathered 'round the TV rooting for the underdog in this movie. And the underdog prevailed at the Oscars.

It's one of those movies you keep returning to in your mind days and weeks later. My rating: 4 stars.

CAT FOUND

2009-02-21T13:04:00.000-08:00

I ran across this ad on Craigs List and thought I'd help this "cat" find its way home.

The ad read "I found this guy the other day on my back porch. I tried feeding him and it turns out that he is not very friendly because i think he may be scared. Not quite sure the breed but I am assuming he is part Siamese. I have him in a crate because he is not really house broken. If he is yours please reply."

Lisa N James

2009-02-18T07:38:00.000-08:00

Let me introduce you to one of our favorite photographic teams - Lisa N James.

They met while James was shooting a Super 8 film project. Lisa's background was in cinematography, then coordinating weddings at one of San Francisco's most prestigious hotels.

They bring all their talents to the field of photography along with a keen eye for detail, a willingness to try anything, a laid back attitude and an understanding about what a wedding day is all about.

I love the way they capture movement like this bride on a carousel.

I love the way they capture a casual moment between two people so that they look natural.

If you'd like to see more of their work, please come visit a private wedding faire. Lovely Details Showcase, this Sunday, February 22 from 11 - 3 PM at Fort Mason, Building A, Golden Gate Room. Open to the public and totally FREE!

DK Designs - Extraordinary Flowers

2009-02-13T13:16:00.000-08:00

Take a look. Take a close look. Isn't that a beautiful flower? Diane Phillips of DK Designs makes stunning flowers...out of clay! They are sooo realistic and light as a feather.

We saw them in the hair of the models at Wedding University; we've seen them as cake toppers. And last night at Lea McIntosh's party, I won my very own petite arrangement. I was so thrilled!

Diane Phillips is so sweet. Every time I see her, she is smiling and her eyes are dancing. That pure sweetness is infused into each of her works of art.

You have an opportunity to see Diane and her little treasures at the Bridal Faire at Ralston Hall Mansion on Sunday, February 22 from 1 PM - 4 PM. Admission is complimentary and as a great big bonus, you can WIN A WEDDING GOWN! Also, two free tickets to the MOVIE-ME SEMINAR will be raffled.

As for me, tomorrow I'm going to set a petite Valentine's Day table with this arrangement as the inspiration and centerpiece.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Cyber Dating Tips for Valentine's Day

2009-02-12T08:58:00.000-08:00

OK. You are deliriously happy that you have found "the" guy for you. But, maybe one of your friends is not so lucky.

A cyber-dating expert suggest 10 Top Tips for cyber-dating, based upon her 15 years of experience. My favorite is Tip #3 When in doubt, eat chocolate.

But what if you don't have a date on Saturday night? Join 100s of people on Sat, Feb 14 in Justin Herman Plaza for the flash mob annual San Francisco pillow fight. When the clock strikes 6 PM, let the games begin.

Bella Bridesmaid, You're Beautiful

2009-02-09T09:23:00.000-08:00

If you asked a friend you REALLY liked to be your bridesmaid, where would you go to find her a beautiful dress? Bella Bridesmaid, of course! And what dress might you choose? One from Hannah Williams who just happens to have a trunk show of her Queue dress collection on February 14. Great fabrics. Great colors. And I love the little flower appliques the designer carefully places on the bodice, around the hem or even on the whole skirt, like the full length gown in the picture to the left.

Another adorable little detail you just have to see are the cocktail length dresses with a tiny bit of tulle peeking out. The designer created her collection so each dress worked well for weddings as well as for other events. Finally. It's no longer a lie - you CAN wear that beautiful dress again.

As I was looking at all the gorgeous bridesmaid's dresses at Bella Bridesmaid, it occurred to me that some of these bridesmaids dresses could be worn by a bride. Some of the designers such as Alix & Kelly and Jenny Yoo offer just that - simple silhouettes, in white or off-white, in sensational fabrics such as silk, chiffon or taffeta for as little as $650. For a non-traditional bride, imagine accessorizing with a metallic shoe or just a touch of feathers in the hair. For the groom? Maybe a '40's or '50's retro tuxedo or dark suit with tie to complement the bridal party.

The ladies at Bella Bridesmaid are just so nice and the store is airy and inviting. So before the big Valentine's Night celebration, take your bridesmaids to 2250 Union Street and have a bella, bella beautiful day.

San Francisco Indie Film Festival

2009-02-03T13:18:00.001-08:00

Is it that time of year again? Time for the 11th Annual San Francisco Independent Film Festival from Feb 5 - 22.

The buzz is the opening night film Somers Town by Shane Meadows may be an Oscar contender. It was hailed as the best British film of the year and received the top award at the 2008 Edinburgh Film Festival and won the Best Actor award at the Tribeca Film Festival. It follows two teenage boys on little adventures around town and is a story of the social environment in London. It started out as a short film that eventually grew into a full length feature and was shot in just 17 days.

Another topical film is Abraham Obama in which a street artist creates an image that merges Lincoln's and Obama's faces and in a grassroots campaign, slaps up posters across America to get Obama elected. I guess it worked.

For more information or to buy tickets, click here.

Freedom to Marry Day

2009-02-02T06:16:00.000-08:00

Q: What do Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Mayor Gavin Newsom have in common?

A: A belief that Proposition 8 should be overturned.

On Thurs, February 12, Freedom to Marry Day, there will be a fundraiser for Equality California at Amy Kuschel Bride, 23 Grant Street, 5th & 6th Floors, San Francisco, between 6 PM and 8 PM.

Everyone is welcome. Anyone making a donation of $50 or more will receive a goodie bag filled with lots of great items - but shhhh! It's still a surprise just what's in there! For anyone making a donation of $25 or more, you will receive raffle tickets to win some wonderful items. Have you always thought it would be fun to go 'round town with your very own Flip Video Camera? You could win one, courtesy of Movie-Me. There will be quite a range of items You could win personal training sessions from Body Core to get in shape. Adorn yourself with custom jewelry from Dilek Sezen. Then memorialize yourself in a lifestyle photo session (including makeup!) by Jennifer Skog and PMA's Maria Chang.

Other great items worth up to $500 will be raffled, like a beautiful one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry from Dilek Sezen, beauty/spa/fitness packages, club memberships, travel/hotel packages and so much more. For info call 415-956-5657. Can't make it to the party? Click here to make a contribution to Equality California.

By the way, isn't the postcard terrific? My good friend Stacie Tamaki at GIRLgoesGEEK.com is a talented illustator. If you would like her to capture your likeness, please contact her! I saw a recent illustration for a girl celebrating her Sweet Sixteen birthday and it was sooo perfect.

Let 'Em Eat Cake Coquette

2009-01-30T14:22:00.000-08:00

Who doesn't love cake? And who doesn't love Gabreille at Cake Coquette? Gabrielle is vivacious, smart, witty, creative and sweet. She has had plenty of experience baking cakes, first as a student at the California Culinary Academy, then as pastry chef at the W Hotel in Seattle, then at Cake Divas, a prestigious cakery in Los Angeles.

It's hard to decide which is my favorite flavor - the dark chocolate cake glazed with coffee Kahlua syrup and filled with mocha buttercream or the light lemon cake with tart citrus syrup layered with smooth citrus creme. And it's even harder to decide which is my favorite design. From elegant to whimsical each cake is unique and special.

And now, I'm not the only one who has discovered Cake Coquette. Gabrielle's work will be featured at the prestigious Gump's Wedding Chic Bridal Show on Sunday, February 8. Visit and taste!

Want a Good Video Tip? Go See a Good Movie!

2009-01-29T13:40:00.000-08:00

Q: Do you have to have an expensive camera to shoot good video?

A: Go to the Disposable Film Fest to find out! Films from all over the world shot with amateur video camcorder devices such as cell phones, point and shoot cameras, one-time-use video cameras and web cams will be shown at the Disposable Film Festival tonight through Sunday night in San Francisco.

These days, you can get a cheap video camera and teach yourself how to video. That opens a world of possibilities you wouldn't dream of taking with an expensive camera. Now you can get really creative and launch a camera attached to a bunch of balloons and see what happens. Imagination is the only limiting factor.

But is it worth watching? If not, throw it away.

Contest Giveaway - Free Trip to Tahiti

2009-01-26T19:38:00.000-08:00

Do you remember when Clint Eastwood as Dirty Harry said "You gotta ask yourself one question: Do I feel lucky? Well do you?" Well if you do, run don't walk, to...

Wedding University

Sunday, Feb 8, 11 AM - 5 PM

Four Seasons Hotel Silicon Valley

$25 for 1 person | $40 for two people

You could win a honeymoon stay at one of three luxurious Four Seasons Resorts including Lanai and Bora Bora!

Some other great reasons to come:

1. Learn tips and honest practical information from a full slate of the best of the best wedding professionals in the Bay Area.

2. Sample delicious food and wine supplied by the incomparable Four Seasons Hotel.

3. Get lots of great decorating ideas.

4. Learn to dance in one easy lesson.

And here's a chance to win two free tickets to the seminar compliments of The Flirty Guide. Enter to win before February 1. If you know of any engaged couples tell them about Wedding University and Tahiti - you really wouldn't want to keep it to yourself, now would you? :~) Hope to see you there!

DIY Do It Yourself

2009-01-23T18:25:00.000-08:00

What is DIY? Well, it's just the hottest trend this year! There is a thirst for DIY knowledge, and numerous websites and communities have sprung up to meet the demand. Almost 3% of queries online start with "how to", making it the most common search question. I blush to mention what the Top 10 queries are, but here goes:

1. How to tie and tie (we can give you a how-to on that, based upon two grooms' preparations :~)

2. How to have s*x

3. How to kiss

4. How to lose weight

5. How to write a resume

6. How to levitate (ooooookay)

7. How to draw

8. How to get pregnant (see #2 and #3)

9. How to make out

10. How to make a video

Well now, we can help you out with #10 in our Movie-Me Seminar on Sun, Feb 22. See top of the left sidebar for details.

Obama Inauguration in High Definition

2009-01-20T11:41:00.000-08:00

We were glued to the TV this morning watching President Obama being sworn in. What an exhilarating moment! You could see 1000's of people being swept up in the moment. When was the last time that happened, in a good way?

We lived in Washington, D.C. for several years and believe me, The Mall is a huge area. And to be filled with so many people? The experience must have been indescribable for those who were there. Simply historic.

It made me reflect back on the last time a President was sworn into his first term of office. Technology has made remarkable leaps since then. One of the most obvious to us, watching a large high-def TV, was how crisp the picture was. But then, the director switched to some of the cameras covering the crowd which were recording in standard definition and yuck! the picture was noticeably poorer. Lots of pixilation, and hard to see any details that we had just seen so clearly. The standard definition was quite clearly inferior to the high def.

So, when considering how you'll be filming your wedding, make sure you watch the images on a standard def TV and on a high-def TV. Because is a relatively few years, high def will be the new standard.

3 Keys To Better Exposure

2009-01-20T09:30:00.000-08:00

What is exposure?

Exposure is controlling the amount of light entering the camera.

Why is exposure important?

It's necessary to have good exposure in order to capture good quality images.

How do you know whether to use the auto or manual exposure setting?

If the entire scene is evenly lit like the image on the left, then the auto exposure setting is fine. But if there is a discrepancy between the lighting on your subject (people or objects) and the lighting on the background, then it all depends on what you decide is the focus of the shot.

Example #1: Background is Brighter than the Subject

Let us say you have a bunch of people in the foreground, in the shade and the area behind them is in bright sunlight. If your camera is set to auto exposure, the people's faces will be dark without much detail because they camera is trying to "average" the dark and the bright spots of the image.

So, you would have to set the camera to a manual exposure, focus on the faces and select an exposure that allows you to see the details in the people's faces. You will lose detail in the background because the background will be overexposed. It's not ideal, but that's all you can do.

Maybe you want the lush landscape behind the people to be the focus. If that is so, the people in the foreground will be silhouettes in order for the background to be correctly exposed.

Here's an example where auto exposure would have made the bride's face too dark. By setting the exposure to manual and compensating for a bright background, we can see the bride's face.

Example #2: Background is Darker than the Subject

Let us say you have a spotlight on a bride and groom as they dance their first dance together. Most auto exposure systems will overexpose the subject (the couple) to compensate for the dark background. So in this case, you would switch to manual exposure and bring the exposure down so the couple is well exposed and let the background go dark.

What are three ways to get a better exposure?

TIP 1:. Change your angle and composition so you don't have a bright background. Make the foreground and background as equal as possible in terms of lighting.

TIP 2: Zoom in or get closer so that the primary subject fills most of the frame. Therefore, the lighting on the background is not an issue.

TIP 3: Add supplemental light to the foreground subject.

What is the key to good exposure? Understand how YOUR camera responds to different lighting situations and experiment with different settings to get the best results.

In Sharp Focus

2009-01-12T09:50:00.000-08:00

Sharp focus is one of the five basic requirements of a quality image. It's so fundamental, I think it's the most important. If you have bad exposure or bad color, you can sometimes correct in post production. But focus? It's very difficult to correct. So, best to be sharp right off the bat.

To focus, you need to zoom all the way in, set the focus, then zoom out to your preferred framing.

Many people rely exclusively on auto focus. But, depending upon your camera, this can be dangerous. You have to understand the idiocyncracies of your auto focus. Our auto focus wants to focus on the brightest spot. So, if we're watching a couple on the dance floor, but the walls are washed in lights, you guessed it. The focus will be on the back wall! Or, if you are focused on the aisle that a bride will be walking down and the back door opens to a brilliant sunny day, your auto focus will be pulled to the back of the church and will stay there until the doors are closed.

The auto focus also loves vertical lines. So, if you are trying to focus on someone walking on the sidewalk, the focus will be pulled to the vertical slats of a wooden fence. These are at least two reasons that it's important to master manual focus so that you can stay focused where you want to.

It's much easier to focus in daylight. But what happens indoors after sundown? It is MUCH more difficult to focus. Why? Because the contrast is low. The subject you are trying to film must be lit to some degree in order for the camera to focus. So, if you'd like to become proficient, try practicing focusing in low light conditions.

When to Use Manual Focus

I can think of at least four situations where manual focus is a must.

1. In low light conditions.

2. Shooting through glass, wire fences, or veils. The camera gets confused where to auto focus, so manual focus will avoid this.

3. Fast moving objects (or people). It can be very difficult to keep a fast moving object in focus. One way to overcome this is to set the camera to manual focus, prefocus on one fixed point and watch the subject move through it.

4. When filming people, make sure their eyes are in focus, especially when shooting them close up.

When is it OK to use auto focus? When the dance floor is lit and the surrounding area is dark.

Three Tips on Manual Focus

TIP 1: Try to get your focus when the camera is off so the raw footage doesn't have constant zooming.

TIP 2: If your subject is a constant distance from you, note the distance. Then, you can always return to that focus.

TIP 3: When in doubt, zoom out. The wider the angle of view, the more of the scene appears to be in focus.

Old Fat N*ked Women for Peace

2009-01-09T13:52:00.001-08:00

What is the moving image really about? Moving You! Intention and heart are often more important than technique. Here's a good example: Old Fat N*ked Women for Peace. This might not end war or famine, but it entertained and moved me. Putting aside politics, why is this an effective piece?

1. Because it surprises you.

2. The lyrics and music fit the images very well.

3. The editing is good - each cut is right on the beat; each movement of the singing group corresponds with the ting-a-ling of the triangle.

4. There is good content - the images are worthy of being seen.

5. There is a good mix of pathos and humor.

6. The sound quality is very good.

So, if you're looking for a way to develop your skills as an editor, it's not very hard to do. Watch lots of videos, movies, TV shows, anything with a moving image. Find something you like. Then ask yourself - why does it stand out? Why does it move you?

Elizabeth Anne Designs Says...

2009-01-07T06:37:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I was following Elizabeth Anne Designs blog, as usual. They actually have two blogs on the same website - one on living well and one on weddings. Without doubt, they are one of the Top 50 wedding blogs in the country.

They are currently writing a mini-series of posts on Ami's very recent 10-year vow renewal (the blog's name is derived from two friends' middle names, Ami Elizabeth and Rebekah Anne). I was surprised by how Ami felt about videography before and after her ceremony and the many comments she received on the post. Click here to find out what she had to say.

Five Basic Criteria for Making a Good Video

2009-01-06T12:33:00.000-08:00

Whenever you're starting a new endeavor, it's helpful to know what you're aiming to achieve. What are the basics? Here is a short video which presents the five basic criteria of producing a good movie or video.

1. Steady camera

2. Sharp focus

3. Good exposure

4. Correct color balance

5. Capture the moments worth capturing

QUICKTIME

WINDOWS MEDIA

It doesn't matter whether you are using the most expensive broadcast-quality high-definition video camera with every bell and whistle or a humble video camera in your cell phone. The basic criteria are the same. The only way to get better is to practice. During the wedding season, I go out 2 or 3 times mid-week to keep my skills up so that on the wedding day, all these skills are in top working order. In the next several blog posts, we'll explore each of these criteria.

The first criterion is Steady Camera. It may look artistic, cool and hip to have a shaky image. It's your choice whether you want that to be part of your aesthetic style. But here's my thought. Shaky camerawork accompanied by the words "I'm an artiste" is often an excuse for poor camerawork. In that case, it isn't a conscious choice, it's an afterthought. The point is...be skilled enough to hold it steady or shake-shake-shake, then choose the style that suits the mood and situation. Then consider the audience. Does this enhance their enjoyment or detract? And, if the techniques draw attention away from what you are trying to watch, it is a poor choice of a technique.

I try to make these practice outings fun for myself. I'll take a half hour to an hour and go to a dog park, an outdoor history museum, an orchard, or a California mission. Sometimes I'm just challenging myself to hold the camera steady for 10 seconds (is it better if I breathe out slowly or if I hold my breath?). Sometimes I'll walk with the camera. How much shake is there? When is it acceptable shake - when I'm walking with people who are also walking so you don't notice so much? How can I lessen the shake?

Someone can tell you how to do it. Or you can read a manual. But this is one of those things where you just have to go out and do it. Why? Because with different body shapes, different people will hold a camera differently. Some people tuck the camera in tight to their shoulder, others like to hold the camera a little further out. Only by practice do you learn what works for you.

So, go out and enjoy the day and see if you can steady your hand just a bit. Here are some tips:

TIP 1: Lean against a wall for a steadier shot.

TIP 2: Notice how hard it is to hold the camera steady when you are zoomed in vs when you have a wide shot. What is realistic for you to get a steady shot?

TIP 3: Note how steady you think you are when you are in the midst of shooting. Then, notice how much shake there really is when you play it back.

The Premiere of Movie-Me

2009-01-01T00:00:00.000-08:00

New year, new blog.

Welcome to the Birth of a Nation...well, actually just the birth of a new blog. Like the world needs one more blog. Maybe brides and grooms who are considering asking a friend to film and or edit their weddings do.

There are four (just 4?) good reasons a friend should NOT film your wedding:

1. The image quality will be poor - out of focus, shaky, absurd color, baaad exposure, graininess and poor framing

2. The sound quality will be poor (think wind tunnel)

3. You will miss a lot (the camera guy will be at the bar trying to charm a beautiful bridesmaid)

4. It will be boring (poorly edited)

But what if, by waving a magic wand all Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse could be gone? Then, it might very well be a good idea to ask two reliable, competent, intelligent, dedicated friends to shoot and/or edit your wedding.

This blog aspires to give Ordinary People information directly from some of the best wedding cinematographers in the business with which to do a decent job of filming your own wedding.

Oh, and what's with the phrases in bold? As a movie buff, I'll work in movie titles here and there just to amuse myself.

More to come...