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Past Meeting – September 1, 2010

miva admin — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 19:59:59 +0000

Join us for a DSLR panel discussion – is this revolution for you and your business? Ask questions and hear from studios that are using DSLRs exclusively as well as serle Also, hear from attendees at the recent WEVA Expo about new trends in the event film industry.

Online Ticketing for DSLR Cameras: Panel Discussion powered by Eventbrite

Steve Zugelter of Studio+Z Films Presents on Concept Films and How They Can Transform Your Business

miva admin — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 18:23:39 +0000

Steve Zugelter of Studio+Z Films in Cincinnati, Ohio will be sharing his recipe for concept films on November 4th. Learn how Steve has used the concept film to create his own market within his market and set himself apart in his hometown. Especially in today’s economy, its important to make the brides notice you first and to set yourself above all others. Some of the topic covered in this session include:

+ The basics– how to get started in concept films
+ Advanced Techniques– how to combine concept films
+ How to create your own unique concept film
+ Maximizing your resources
+ Effective marketing of your new film

Even if you’ve never considered creating a concept film, Steve will show you every step and the tools necessary to create a one of a kind film that will truly set you apart. Steve is a 2009 recipient of a WEVA Creative Excellence Award for concept films and was featured in the September 2009 issue of EventDV Magazine for his Surprise Wedding Concept Film.
Reserve your tickets below!

August Recap – Audio Pointers

miva admin — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 20:15:16 +0000

August 2009 MIVA Recap Video from Lee Higginbottom on Vimeo.

Many thanks go to Wes from Wes Cardone Productions and Hyun & Adam from Two Penny Productions for sharing some of their recent work. They took part in a new portion of our MIVA meetings where they show an example of their work and MIVA members can tell them what they liked and did not like. Our attempt is to give feedback and suggestions to our members about how they might improve their work. It is also a chance for members to learn new techniques and basically ask, “How did you do that?” Next month we will see examples from Chris and Trish from Personal Touch Productions and Jamie from Jamie Honce Productions. If you would like to be one of the next ones to share in October, please contact Lee at Days to Remember.

The major portion of the meeting consisted of a discussion of audio tips and methods from Ralph Cabildo from RC DJ and Video and Matt Trubac from TruVision Studios.

Since Ralph’s business provides both video and DJ services, he helped us understand some of the technical issues we would be confronted with at the reception. He explained the benefits of using such devices like a Rolls Matchbox DB25 which is good for attenuating the signal between the DJ board and recording to your camera via wireless systems or another recording mechanism. Another device he stressed was the Pro Co MS-2 Mic Splitter which helps with ground lift. Using this when the DJ plugs into the house system can help eliminate the buzz that is created with most house systems. He gave us great tips on what to do and what not to do to improve our audio for productions.

Matt Trubac discussed helpful tips for audio at our ceremonies. He discussed the differences between the various types of mics that are out there (omni-directional, uni-directional, shotgun mics on cameras). He also discussed how you can incorporate using devices like the iRiver ifp-795 (found on on-line forums and auction sites) to backup your audio to .mp3 recorders. It is nice to monitor your audio through the camera and wireless systems, but it’s also nice to have a backup plan when interference enters the picture. Another helpful recorder is the ZOOM H4N or the H2N. The H4N has 2 XLR inputs as well as line and mic connections. There are many great features to these recorders and many uses throughout the wedding day.

Thanks to Ralph and Matt for presenting in August. Next month we look forward to Ryan Koral’s presentation he will be giving at WEVA this year as well. It focuses on winning brides and influencing other vendors. A lot of Ryan’s success can be attributed to how he networks with other wedding professionals and how he works with his clients or potential clients. It will be a meeting you don’t want to miss. Check back a little bit later in August for the official meeting announcement and registration page.

RSVP Here For Our Next Meeting (and save money!)

miva admin — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 17:02:54 +0000

Our presenter for August 5th at 7pm has changed. We will be featuring MIVA President Ralph Cabildo and board member Matt Trubac of TruVision Studios. They will be discussing the importance of audio in our productions. Here are some of the things they will cover:

- Hooking up your wireless system for projection presentations
- Why should you use the DB25 rather than just hooking system directly to dj mixer or speaker
- Recording backup audio and using devices like the Zoom H4N and Zoom H2, iRiver units, etc.
- Microphone selection
- When is the right time to use a shotgun
- What are the weaknesses of using a camera mounted shotgun
- How do I mic for a ceremony
- Audio mixing in post

The meeting will be packed with all kinds of audio goodness that you won’t want to miss.

Don’t forget to RSVP to the meeting to SAVE $5. Members are $10 at the door or $5 in advance if you rsvp online and non-members are $20. If you are a first time visitor, please let us know and you will get in for free!

Our meetings are held at Bastone Brewery in downtown Royal Oak. The address is 419 S. Main Street, Royal Oak, Michigan. We meet the first Wednesday of each month.

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Spring Film Festival Recap

miva admin — Sat, 09 May 2009 00:15:14 +0000

The votes are in! We had a great time at the Main Art Theater on May 6th for the MIVA Spring Film Festival. 15 area studios submitted wedding related films for the contest. A number of different styles were presented such as: the classical and traditional; cutting edge and contemporary; and, even concept and parody videos.

Fifth and Main Productions won the People’s Choice Award and also won the runner up prize for the Producer’s Choice Award. Here is that entry:

April 25, 2009 Milica & Andreas wedding trailer from Fifth and Main Productions on Vimeo.

The winner for the Producer’s Choice Award was Take One Productions with this entry:

Click here to View Don’s winning entry from his blog.

Here is the People’s Choice Runner Up by Two Penny Productions:

“People’s Choice Award” at the 2009 MIVA Wedding Film Festival. from Two Penny on Vimeo.

Here are the links to the companies who entered a video (As listed on the voting forms):
RC DJ and Video Productions
Personal Touch Productions
A1 Video Professionals
Fifth and Main Productions
W. Cardone Productions
Epic Motion
Joseph F Bauer Studios
Lee Thomas Films
Jamie Honce Productions
Two Penny Productions
TruVision Studios
Video Magic Productions
Take One Productions
Days to Remember
Mel’s Video

Please get involved with the MIVA Association and join us for fun and exciting events like this.

April Recap: Canon and MIVA present: StillMotion

miva admin — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 01:49:34 +0000

To get a short glimpse of what went on, check out the video recap… This was not produced by StillMotion, please check out their work at: StillMotion.

Canon and MIVA present StillMotion from Lee Higginbottom on Vimeo.

There was not a regular April meeting because we planned an all day seminar with the guys from StillMotion. It was a great day with lots of opportunities for hands on with Canon XH-A1s and Brevis Extreme adapters. We also got some exposure to working the Canon 5D Mark II into our video workflows. Canon has a full line of HDV cameras and lenses that produce professional results for StillMotion and many others. Check out what Canon has to offer at: Canon.

Wow! The day was awesome and we had so much good interaction with some of the nicest people in the business. Thanks Patrick, Michael, Conrad, and Troy. Also, thanks to Paul McAniff from Canon and the Royal Park Hotel for the good food and meeting room.

March Meeting Recap

miva admin — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 16:26:12 +0000

MIVA Meeting Recap – March 4, 2009

MIVA March 2009 from Lee Higginbottom on Vimeo.

This month, we were glad to welcome Daren Bossenberger, founder and President, of Phono Creative, a metro Detroit design studio that develops branding, interactive, print marketing communication and environmental graphic design solutions for its clients. Daren has designed marketing solutions for small start-ups to some of the world’s largest companies including Dell, Microsoft and Ford Motor Company. Daren serves on the board of directors for the Boys & Girls Club of South Oakland County and LifeBuilders. Daren also is the founder and President of Ideation Signs & Communications, Inc., a metro Detroit company specializing in the production and installation of signage and environmental graphic solutions.

Daren shared some great information to help us in our companies. Each of us offers a unique product and service. How do you relate to each customer since every interaction will be different? How do you connect these customers to your product and or service? Daren gave some of the basics in how developing a brand can help shape clients’ perceptions about you and your company.

Developing your brand encompasses several things:
1. Visual stuff like: your logo, business cards, website(s), ads, and online gossip.
2. Personal Interactions like: how you answer the phone, responsiveness, communication style, and your personality.
3. Finished product: the film/video, turnaround time, and the price.

You want to reveal the reality of your business and if things need to be changed, change them.

This is just a sampling of what Daren shared. Make sure you participate in the MIVA meetings to get great value out of your membership.

Coming up in the next several months will be some exciting events and meetings.

We have pretty well confirmed the majority of our speakers for the rest of the year:
April 1st: StillMotion Seminar (This takes the place of the normal meeting)….
Where: The Royal Park Hotel in Rochester, MI
When: April 1st, 8:30am – 7:00pm
Cost:
*$159 Early Bird for MIVA Members (until March 13th) *includes out of state PVA members
$229 Early Bird for non-Members (until March 13th)
$269 Regular Price for Everyone after March 13th
**WORKSHOP SPECIAL: Add $89 to your workshop fee to receive 1 Year MIVA Membership (for new members only).

Registration is open. Click here to begin registration.

Details will follow for the following months:
May 6, 2009 – Spring Film Festival
June 3, 2009 – Terry White will present Adobe CS4 Master Collection followed by:
June 4, 2009 – All Day After Effects Seminar with Cassidy Bishar from Motivity Pictures.
Check out some of Cassidy’s AE templates at: http://www.aeprojects.biz
July 8, 2009 – John Zale from WEVA and The Editors’ Showdown
August 5, 2009 – Matt Davis from Lifestage Videography
September 2, 2009 – Ryan Koral from Epic Motion
More to follow next month…

We also had our board elections:
Ralph Cabildo – President
Ryan Koral – Vice President
Joe Bauer – Treasurer
Lee Higginbottom – Secretary
Scott Bert – Past President
Lee Thomas – Board Member at Large
Matt Trubac – Board Member at Large

Don’t miss the StillMotion Seminar, register now!

Registration is open. Click here to begin registration.

See you there!

Epic Motion

miva admin — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 03:06:13 +0000

Here is a trailer created by Ryan Koral of Epic Motion.

Angela + Abe: a 700 person wedding at the Rock Financial Showplace from Ryan Koral on Vimeo.