Development: encore

Another issue to be dealt with was how to make this accessible for everyone.

As both bride and groom pointed to me, some guests are not strictly Internet-literate, some of the older generations is not even keen on using computers.

Now, given it would be easy to burn a couple of autorun cds for everyone, I had to change the plan a bit.

As such I had to go back to the possibility how the only medium in which the movie would be accessed is through a domestic DVD player.

For this reason I went through a short course on DVD authoring (notably it was on a Mac so must have been either iDVD or DVD Studio Pro).

As it turned out (a valuable fact, or so it seems), the domestic dvd players cannot handle HD files.

So I had to go back to my project and render another version with lower settings applicable to PAL dvd players.

Adobe Encore allows for full DVD authoring, so I designed an intro splash screen (well, designed might seem a bit big, given that it was a rather not promising screengrab of the final product) and made a quick menu which would allow for playing on a loop.

Initial idea I had was to have subsequent chapters/dividers but in after consulting with the couple we decided not to include them as the content is relatively short and the breaks in between one sequence can get in the way more rather than help navigate.

Development: all together now

So, updated with two more sessions and the titles, here it is.

Development: next chapter + titles

We had  two more sessions to gather more footage.
The final length of the sequence was not important at all as it was aimed at the closest friend and family who would watch the entire full length feature as long as it featured the people so close to them.

As a result it did not shorten the song, more over added further sequence which was meant to summarize all the information in case it was missed during the message display thing in the chorus. In this way the information would appear for way longer than in the short music sequences.
As the invitation will also be sent to non-english speakers, I have to design it in a way so it is understandable for them as well.

Researching for more audio backgrounds, I came across a song written specifically for the Desigual clothing line

This track has been used throughout the Desigual campaign in 2011.

The track composed by Maia Vidal (also known as Your Kid Sister) has several language version and has been used in several videos advertising the clothing company.

Due to the 'light and emotional' aesthetic of the song I decided it would be a great addition to the invitation.

Development: structure

As we accepted the model of displaying the information via the means of messages on paper, I decided to adapt this structure to the couple's song of choice.

In this case I would divide the song into segments featuring ordinary footage (verses) and then proceed to the informative messages over the chorus.

Development: first sequence

So we did shoot the first sequence.

Unfortunately I could not dig up the very first version with no film burns and raw edits but I have a hunch it looked awful.

This one was compiled after the first session:

Development: something worth reading

After picking the locations to shoot we proceeded with the filming.

This was a relatively easy task, all I had to do from my perspective was to follow the couple, make stops at the more  charming corners of the parks, rotate the camera to have the couple either with or against the light etc.

To give the picture further warmth I tried to shoot using the warm white balances. Given that we shot in September/October the days were still long and sunny.

To further enhance the warmth (positive energy, hah) of the sequence, I got a set of film-burns.
I remember what a discovery this was to me to realize how 'these funky colours like flashing into the reel and stuff' were made.
The film burns are not only a perfect tool for raising the emotional value of a sequence (this is probably written very wrong, but you might have an idea what I mean), but also help blending the footage together so that the cuts don't appear so... violent?
Either way, a good addition to just about any footage (given it's not monochrome. Or maybe?) which helps the sequence raise at least one step away from the amateur. It surely helped me, as back when I was shooting it I had hardly any knowledge on resolutions etc.
Anyway.

The couple decided to pick Foster the Kids - Pumped up Kicks.
The lyrics might not be the strongest asset of the video, unless the couple are planning a violent divorce, yet the tune of the song has some charm to it.

was meant to be rings, and funny, hah

Besides, in personal projects such as these, I am not really meant to make suggestions. The couple are sending this as a message 'that's us, that's who we are, that's what we like, join us, be happy'. So especially if the song has some secret meaning to them or they simply like it, that's ok.
This makes me especially happy that I don't have to justify this decission.

Sweet.

Case study: fairytale wedding - wow!

From technical point of view - opens with a time-lapse.
Food for thought: would a stand-alone camera operator have time to stand about for 20-30 minutes while his camera is taking pictures for the timelapse?
If I would want to get one, I would have to be at the wedding beforehand and record a certain details as an important part of the wedding ceremony might be omitted.

Anyway, back to the video.
I loved how this one was put together, especially the second part.
The first sequence is an ordinary coverage of the ceremony, but the session in the part two is an amazing movie. Loved the contrast between the ruined abandoned building and the bride with all her make-up.
This video also seemed a bit more with character, I think because it had a bit more emotion than just people hugging and smiling.
Final sequences have been very nicely edited to the music (4:47 -4:50).
Food for thought for the videographers - don't just shoot them, shoot them in some creative way!