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Thursday, April 22, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Vendor Spotlight - Main Street Productions
Angela Deaver, owner of Main Street Productions, and I have run into each other at so many wedding industry networks events over the past year that I had always hoped to get to know her and her husband, John, better. Finally, we had the chance to work two events (back to back, I might add!) together and it was so wonderful to learn so much more about their team. Main Street Productions specializes in high quality and compelling wedding videography and truly has beautiful work. One of my favorite things about John and Angela is that they truly care for each and every one of their brides! Here are some Q&A!
Why did you choose to work in weddings/events? How did you get started?
John and I met at the University of Montevallo where he was a Mass Communication major and I was in Marketing. Once he started his career teaching Broadcasting at Spain Park High School, people started asking him to film this wedding or that sporting event and it continued. At that same time, I joked with my good friend and current marketing manager, Kerri that we should go into business with each other in the wedding field. Little did we know that we would be working together now! In 2005 we were starting to get a little busy, so we took a BIG leap of faith and I quit my job. It was tough when we were growing like crazy and John was still teaching. But finally in 2009, he was able to "retire" from the state and we couldn't be happier!
How would you describe your style/product?
People look at our work and say "wow, it's like a movie." We approach a wedding event with the goal of creating a cinematic film for the bride and groom that captures the emotion of the event. Just as a Hollywood filmmaker's job is to evoke an emotional response from his audience, we as wedding filmmakers try to make the bride and groom feel like they did on one of the most important days of their lives. A close up on the groom's face as his bride takes her first steps down the aisle, a close up on the bride's mother during the first dance, a kiss stolen when the bride and groom are sure no one is looking, these are moments we use to evoke powerful memories.
What separates you from other Birmingham area vendors?
We work very, very hard to get it right. We spend between 40 and 80 hours in the editing process. We practice with new tools and techniques at home in our off time. We participate in contiuing education programs. We don't rely on special effects or a lot of flashy editing. We have very high standards for ourselves and shaky camerawork and poor audio quality is something you won't see in our final product.
What would you be doing if you didn't work in weddings?
For years I worked as an event coordinator for a local company. I enjoyed it, but when I became full time with Main Street Productions, I really felt like THIS is what I am supposed to do with my life. It is cheesy, but we get to be with people on the best day of their lives. We get to capture them when they feel most beautiful. It is a great job!
Favorite TV show and why?
Although I (Angela) see a lot of Dora, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, and Curious George, I tend to like shows with less counting! Ha! John likes TV with great stories. It doesn't matter if it is a drama or sci-fi, it needs to have a great story. It needs to be well-done and innovative.
What advice would you give to brides on the wedding planning process in general?
First of all, picking professionals for your wedding is of the utmost importance. You want to work with vendors that have your best interests in mind. Meet with them before you hire - make sure that you click. After all, you will be spending a lot of time with that person on your wedding day (and before). We are big fans of wedding planners! They make our job easier and they day flows so much better. The money you spend on a professional wedding planner will ensure that the rest of the money you spend, will go further. They know who to call, who to trust, and who will do the best job for you.
What advice would you give to brides in choosing a videographer?
Pick someone who is passionate about what they do. There is a story in every wedding: It's emotional, it's exciting, it is joyful and powerful. You are going to cry, and laugh, and feel sick to your stomach, and someone is going to fall down, or get cake on themselves, or the ring bearers are going to start a pillow fight during the ceremony (happened at our wedding).
Here are some basic guidelines for choosing a videographer for your wedding: Hire someone who is interested in your story, has been in business for a long time, who constantly is working to improve their own work, and who you feel comfortable with. Do not choose a videographer who's prices are too good to be true, who doesn't meet with clients prior to the wedding, who tries to sell you on their superior equipment, or who's best work is from three years ago.
The right videographer will bring your story to life in a way you and your new family will treasure forever. Every time you see it you will get emotional, you will be excited, you will feel the joy and it will be powerful.
Finally I would like to stress the importance of having a professional wedding video. Probably about 70% of our brides book us 9 - 12 months out, with the other 30% booking at 3 - 6 months out. We get numerous calls for last minute weddings when the bride just decided that she HAD to have video of her wedding. Sometimes we can help these brides, but most of the time, we can't. It is heartbreaking.
Why did you choose to work in weddings/events? How did you get started?
John and I met at the University of Montevallo where he was a Mass Communication major and I was in Marketing. Once he started his career teaching Broadcasting at Spain Park High School, people started asking him to film this wedding or that sporting event and it continued. At that same time, I joked with my good friend and current marketing manager, Kerri that we should go into business with each other in the wedding field. Little did we know that we would be working together now! In 2005 we were starting to get a little busy, so we took a BIG leap of faith and I quit my job. It was tough when we were growing like crazy and John was still teaching. But finally in 2009, he was able to "retire" from the state and we couldn't be happier!
How would you describe your style/product?
People look at our work and say "wow, it's like a movie." We approach a wedding event with the goal of creating a cinematic film for the bride and groom that captures the emotion of the event. Just as a Hollywood filmmaker's job is to evoke an emotional response from his audience, we as wedding filmmakers try to make the bride and groom feel like they did on one of the most important days of their lives. A close up on the groom's face as his bride takes her first steps down the aisle, a close up on the bride's mother during the first dance, a kiss stolen when the bride and groom are sure no one is looking, these are moments we use to evoke powerful memories.
What separates you from other Birmingham area vendors?
We work very, very hard to get it right. We spend between 40 and 80 hours in the editing process. We practice with new tools and techniques at home in our off time. We participate in contiuing education programs. We don't rely on special effects or a lot of flashy editing. We have very high standards for ourselves and shaky camerawork and poor audio quality is something you won't see in our final product.
What would you be doing if you didn't work in weddings?
For years I worked as an event coordinator for a local company. I enjoyed it, but when I became full time with Main Street Productions, I really felt like THIS is what I am supposed to do with my life. It is cheesy, but we get to be with people on the best day of their lives. We get to capture them when they feel most beautiful. It is a great job!
Favorite TV show and why?
Although I (Angela) see a lot of Dora, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, and Curious George, I tend to like shows with less counting! Ha! John likes TV with great stories. It doesn't matter if it is a drama or sci-fi, it needs to have a great story. It needs to be well-done and innovative.
What advice would you give to brides on the wedding planning process in general?
First of all, picking professionals for your wedding is of the utmost importance. You want to work with vendors that have your best interests in mind. Meet with them before you hire - make sure that you click. After all, you will be spending a lot of time with that person on your wedding day (and before). We are big fans of wedding planners! They make our job easier and they day flows so much better. The money you spend on a professional wedding planner will ensure that the rest of the money you spend, will go further. They know who to call, who to trust, and who will do the best job for you.
What advice would you give to brides in choosing a videographer?
Pick someone who is passionate about what they do. There is a story in every wedding: It's emotional, it's exciting, it is joyful and powerful. You are going to cry, and laugh, and feel sick to your stomach, and someone is going to fall down, or get cake on themselves, or the ring bearers are going to start a pillow fight during the ceremony (happened at our wedding).
Here are some basic guidelines for choosing a videographer for your wedding: Hire someone who is interested in your story, has been in business for a long time, who constantly is working to improve their own work, and who you feel comfortable with. Do not choose a videographer who's prices are too good to be true, who doesn't meet with clients prior to the wedding, who tries to sell you on their superior equipment, or who's best work is from three years ago.
The right videographer will bring your story to life in a way you and your new family will treasure forever. Every time you see it you will get emotional, you will be excited, you will feel the joy and it will be powerful.
Finally I would like to stress the importance of having a professional wedding video. Probably about 70% of our brides book us 9 - 12 months out, with the other 30% booking at 3 - 6 months out. We get numerous calls for last minute weddings when the bride just decided that she HAD to have video of her wedding. Sometimes we can help these brides, but most of the time, we can't. It is heartbreaking.
If you are one of these brides that don't think that you will watch your wedding video, then you picked the wrong videographer (direct quote from one of our grooms). Yes, the video allows grandparents and/or family members that can't come to the wedding a chance to see it, but it is so much more than that! We capture what happens between the photos. Imagine having a video of your parents or grandparents on their wedding day. We actually had a bride last summer that unexpectedly lost her father just weeks after her wedding. The footage that we had of she and her dad dancing suddenly meant so much more to her. It was priceless.
Check out these two sample teaser videos of recent M. Elizabeth brides. Thank you John and Angela for capturing such special moments for these two couples.
To see more from Main Street Productions, visit their website or blog. If you are a Birmingham vendor and would like to be featured on the M. Elizabeth Events blog, shoot me an email!
Monday, April 19, 2010
Bromberg's Diamond Dash Recap
We arrived at Linn Park at 11 am to see a crowd much larger than I anticipated, but when the grand prize is a $15,000 Ritani diamond ring, why would I expect a light turnout? The sun was shining brightly and we were working up a sweat just waiting in the registration line.
After Jim Rooney with Unique Sounds officially kicked off the event, the first text messages were sent to everyone's cell phones simultaneously. What a sound...600 cell phones all going off at the same time with the first clue.
The first clue sent via text message lead us to a location in Birmingham. Once we texted back the name of the location, you would receive a text message confirming whether or not you had given the correct answer. If you were correct, you received a second text which would involve answering a question about that location to confirm you were actually there. For example...here are a few samples text messages about one location:
Q: "This hotel on 20th Street North is a new version of the historic original that existed fro 1914 to 1972. Head to its location and send back its name."
A: "The Tutwiler"
Q: "You got it! Take a look at the rather royal looking crest that is the hotel's logo and send back the words you will find there."
Looking back through our texts, here are some of the stops we made over the 2.5 hour hunt:
Start - Linn Park
Jefferson County Library Annex
Boutwell Auditorium
Birmingham Museum of Art
Jefferson County Courthouse
Bromberg's Jewelers
First Presbyterian Church
Alabama Theatre
Cathedral of St. Paul's
The Birmingham News
Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
First Presbyterian Church
Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame
The Birmingham News
16th Street Baptist Church
Wachovia Towers
McWane Center
Harbert Plaza
City Federal
As you can see, we zig-zagged all over the downtown area riding a grand total of 12 miles. After two and a half hours, we ended up with 335 points. We were extremely proud of ourselves, regardless of the outcome. Unfortunately, the grand prize winners had 401 points and were awarded the diamond ring at the after party at Rogue Tavern. We did not finish in the top 6, but I have a sneaking suspicion that we ended up in the top 20.
All in all, we had an absolute blast. It was great to see hundreds of people in blue t-shirts running, biking, and rollerblading all over downtown Birmingham on a beautiful Saturday morning. A big thank you to Arden photography for snapping these great action shots at the event!
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