Do You Follow Up?

Do you follow up with prospective clients? Multiple Times? After missing a scheduled appointment or not returning initial calls?

Those who contacted you first, or those YOU initiate - either, any or all?

Does this sometimes worry you, making you think you come off desperate? Unprofessional?

I absolutely follow up multiple times. I believe there's a way to do this that is professional, courteous and effective. I believe people, here in the states anyway are, if not receptive, certainly accustomed to repetitive marketing communication.

First - if THEY called YOU (OK, if THEY called ME, I tell myself: "...they're interested, or they wouldn't have contacted me..."). If they made an appointment, whatever, or if they voluntarily provided you with information including call-back/contact info, you have every right to suspect they ARE interested until they specifically say NO, don't bother me again!

Second - while many of us (me included) get aggravated after a few calls or junk mail, or spam or e-mail "blasts" (another word for spam, like saying "steak" instead of asking for a hunk of dead meat..."), there is still another side of many of us who appreciate straight-forward, professional, courteous information - especially from sources WE contacted at some point in time.

Third - it has been my experience that while people DO call or contact, or buy, on impulse, and then sometimes abandon the impulse wishing they'd never done it, what really happens is they get busy with the day-to-day living of life. Stuff happens - flat tires, sick parents, job firings, houses burn, groceries to purchase, bills to pay, shopping to do, that new movie is released...
...you get the idea.
When "things" happen, they get in the way of follow-through, YOURS or THEIRS, and people aren't always avoiding you because they regret initiating the original contact.

It is OUR responsibility to follow through, up to a point, for as long as it takes to get a yes or no. We're not being desperate or begging, we're simply being professional business people for whom EVERY potential client, inquiry or contact is a major and important part of the reality of our business - of DOING business with the public.

I think that using professional decorum in making repeated efforts to connect with inquiring potential clients goes a long way toward establishing that that person, his or her business, IS important enough to us to follow through until either of us has opted out. Well, at least three-to-five times anyway.

My usual approach after contact has been initiated, one way or another, by the potential client, is:

• I comply with or answer their immediate questions/request; reschedule the appointment...
• I follow up with an e-mail, or snail-mail card, thanking them for their interest, include the demo DVD if requested, and some general information also easily found on my web site, and I say so. I also note that I will "be in touch with them" in a "few" days to see if they have any other questions or concerns; or to reschedule the appointment...
• I call in a few days. If I get a message machine I leave a brief message identifying me, reminding them of their interest in my services, and tell them they are welcome to call me or I will try again the next day at a (later, or earlier) time. I invite them to e-mail me if they do not have time to call and talk.
• If they answer, I quickly identify myself, saying that I'm returning their call, and ask if they've received the requested information. Depending on how THAT conversation goes, I go away...
...or not.
Usually, they will tell you to go away, or continue to dance, or make a positive decision, apologizing for not having gotten back sooner... "those groceries, the house, that movie..." Then you have your answer.

But, what if they don't sign on, tell you off, or just say no?

• I tell them I'm booking consistently, courteously advise them that early booking with retainer is the ONLY guarantee of acquiring my services, and ask if they want to receive a "first dibs" call in the event another inquiry for their date comes in. Yes, I do this, and I see no reason why not.

When all else fails, and I've not yet received a specific NO response, about a month before the date, provided I've not noticed any other interest in the date, period, I'll e-mail AND follow up with a second coming letter, advising that this is their last chance to book.

I ask if they have any other questions or concerns that I've not addressed, then advise them that I will no longer "bother" them if the silence continues.

If I really want this, and have an incentive I'm willing to place on the table, I'll mention that as well.

I end by wishing them much luck, happiness and many returns on their upcoming special date.

I usually throw in that I provide video production services for ALL celebrations of life, then I finally go away.

IMHO, and not indicting those who don't, we as professionals do a disservice by not following up.

I think that people often simply get busy and other priorities (real or imagined) sometimes get in the way of taking decisive action.

Maybe the inquiring bride-to-be gained 10 pounds and finds that a dress alteration is required - possibly serious enough to cancel or postpone the wedding who knows what goes on in people's minds in any 24-hour period?

I also believe that human nature dictates that we follow up, follow through, with every inquiring potential client. I believe we leave stuff on the table for others to pick up easily, simply because they were/are more persistent, professional, courteous and helpful in their follow up strategy.

Find the perfect video producer

Earl Chessher, owner of California Wedding Cinema, offers points that help tomorrow's brides and grooms pick the right independent video production services provider for their wedding event. Avoid common mistakes by using the following information when selecting your wedding video producer.

(Huntington Beach, CA) September 22, 2007 -- Amateur wedding video producers enter this business daily, making it even more difficult for the discerning bride and groom to wade through the crowd in an effort to find the right professional for their wedding day.

The number one reason for getting stuck with a poor quality wedding video is not taking the time to properly screen your prospects. Screening on price alone can often generate a field of inexperienced players. you do not want to invest in a beginner video producer's education when your special day calls for a great video production.

Or, if you do make your selection based on price vs experience, at least be aware of the potential difference in quality you might have to accept. In all fairness there are amateurs and beginners who give a great production for the money, but that makes your screening process all the more important to ensure finding the diamond among them.

In many cases this is your first wedding planning experience. you are entering a world of mixed signals, overstated claims and unsure consequences. Referrals help, and so does research to identify vendors conveniently available to you. But you still must make the time to screen your prospects.

Key elements to consider, in addition to price and experience, when interviewing a prospective wedding video producer are how she approaches lighting, sound and overall production. You also want to be comfortable with the person who videotapes your wedding day, so during your screening, make sure you will meet and talk with that person.

These are your first steps in finding the right service provider. But what about while you are trying to narrow the field from the hundreds of potential producers that show up in your web search?

Stick with these points during your first cut: Presentation, price and product. Is the web site easy to follow? Are critical contact information, complete "about us" facts including experience, some idea of general pricing, and sample clips available?

The following tips will not always save you a bundle of money, but certainly will save you a bundle of grief.

Tip No. 1 - go beyond web site sample clips and the demo reel.
Those just getting started in the business may not have clips, or even a demo reel, but they should at least be able to provide you with a copy of a complete wedding video production they've produced, even if it was their first or only production. If she is reluctant to share something with you that represents her price vs quality position, move on to the next one.

While flashy demo DVDs are potentially a good way to judge a wedding video producer's general approach to videotaping, and creative style, always demand a full wedding production just as it was delivered to the client. It takes time, and you certainly do not want to spend hours upon hours watching complete weddings, but viewing enough to get a solid appreciation for the producer's work is important.

If experience is more important to you than pricing, within reason, then the quality of the actual wedding production will bear this out.

Tip No. 2 - go beyond getting referrals.
It is imperative that you get names and contact information of previous clients. Get at least three. I personally recommend five.

AND CALL THEM!
Any reluctance or hesitation to provide referrals, move on to the next prospect. And, when you call them you want to ask two specific questions if you ask nothing else: Are you happy with your production? How long did it take for you to receive it? Anything beyond 90 days is unacceptable.

Tip No. 3 - see Tip No. 1
Many, many independent wedding and event video services providers talk about broadcast experience, working television or cable production. That experience can be a solid factor supporting the quality and professional level of their work.

In and of itself, however, it may not be enough. While you might be impressed with long lists of awards, columns of corporate and business names you might recognize on the posted client list, and the fact that your prospect has a fleet of Humvees with blazing sign work on the side, you STILL need to view something that represents her wedding video production work. This is why I said see Tip No. 1.

Tip. No. 4 - after you have decided that experience, satisfactory full production quality and several good referrals take priority over price, toss out any service provider on your list whose highest priced package is less than $1,000!
What?
That's right! Use the same valuation you found acceptable for your photographer! Again, while there are exceptions, you will have to look long and hard to find a producer who can give you the professional quality, assurance of experience and an acceptable product delivery time for such a low price. When she is often doing video as a side business, holding down another job, and struggling just to deliver her inexpensive videos, it is virtually impossible for this person to compete against the full time seasoned pro.
Again, if price takes precedence then be prepared to look long and hard until you find a low budget producer who meets minimum standards for quality wedding video production.

Tip No. 5 - unless you are absolutely positive you want to take the risk, make sure this one is a RULE and not just a "tip." ONLY continue the screening process with a potential service provider if she can show you a full wedding production that is less than a year old. If you settle for price without some proof/guarantee that your prospect even knows what a wedding is like, you will not be happy with your video!

Tip 6 - take it all into consideration.
Product, Professionalism, Personality, Price and Enthusiasm! Anything less is represented, move on to the next prospect. Just so you know, Robert Gordman, president of The Gordman Group, and author of best seller, "The Must-Have Customer: 7 Steps to Winning the Customer You Haven't Got," in an article in Wedding & Event Videography Resource Guide, said:
"Another way (for a video company to gain customers) is to become known as the company to go to every time you need a video."
He further suggests that video companies offering a diversity of products and services may be well-equipped to offer experienced professional service.

Tip No. 7 - Keep in mind that numerous surveys conducted by participants in the bridal industry note that brides who do not have a video production of their wedding regret it after the fact. Use proper and informed active screening to identify the kind of professional wedding and event video services provider you want, and hire her today!

Earl Chessher is president of California Wedding Cinema, providing professional wedding and event production services for hundreds of discerning brides for more than 15 years. He has been involved with the preservation of family events, history, stories and weddings in photographs, publication and video production for more than 30 years. For more information on this award winning video producer, go to www.californiaweddingcinema.com; or www.corelann.com.

The POWER of Video

The potential power of video has never been so evident as in the following story shared by Natalie "Natty" Neal, a Lansdale, PA professional video producer and prominent participant in the wedding and event video community. She is the owner of Glass Slipper Productions at www.gspvideos.com The Power of Video and Friendship... You never know who you will impact or when. Let me tell you a true story. Four years ago I sent an unsolicited email to a potential bride. I know I was wrong and I don't do that sort of thing now - but that was then. The bride calls me to ask me to remove her from my email list - I was super friendly and apologetic - we actually talked for over an hour we clicked so well. I talked her into coming in - she booked us to cover her wedding. At the time I was also toying with photography and she volunteered to be my guniea pig and photograph her wedding as well. She loved all we did for her that day. We grew closer, her and her husband and me and mine became close - dinner, dancing, movies, bowling - friend stuff. Two years later we asked them to be a part of our bridal party when Rob and I renewed our wedding vows and we had a big ole wedding. Last year they had their first child a baby girl. Today I get a call from my friends husband telling me that his wife is dying. She has about a week to ten days he says. They didn't tell anybody (friends) because she didn't want her friends to feel sorry for her and to watch her wither away - it all started about 3 months ago. Today I am told she asked for us. Her husband in tears says "we value your friendship so much. I wouldn't trade it for the world. But it's what you did for us on our wedding day being our videographers that I will cherish for the rest of my life. Because of you, my daughter will see and know her mother. Because of the video I thought I could not afford, Olivia will hear her mothers voice. Her memories will be forged with your video". My God, I lost it. Sometimes we get caught up in the business of being in business. Climbing ladders that don't matter, or trying to be at the top. Today I realized that what we do with video cannot be be measured with a price tag or a plaque on the wall. It's value is in the legacy's we protect everyday - and we don't even realize it. My heart is breaking. But I know that what I did four years ago for a woman who didn't even want me emailing her, is the priceless gift she gave to her child. If you read this far I thank you. I thank you for being a part of the world of videography. We are the keepers of the past and the protectors of memories. Remember. Natty

Marketing Bridal Lists

E-mail should be the LAST resort in a marketing strategy for working lists from bridal fairs:

First - even though we're promised, and often receive, a definitive, accurate and effective list of registered bridal visitors by the bridal fair organizers, these lists often arrive as late as two or three weeks.

And, they are rarely as accurate as we'd like, often through no real fault of the organizers, but more that many, MANY bridal fair guests do not always GIVE accurate information. Also, they are usually full of multiple registrations by moms, sisters, friends, etc.

That being said, we do whatever we can to obtain a working list of our own, one that we can begin "working" immediately. We often obtain this list by having a end-of-show drawing at our booth, sometimes requiring that the entrants be present to win, other times stating that we will notify the winner by phone and/or mail after the show.

We approach obtaining this list in many ways, but the most effective for us has been that my assistant engages the bride and/or groom with a few questions about their engagement, when or where he or she popped the question, etc. We do this TV interview style, with a camera focused on them, and microphone in hand. I have DVDs with pre-recorded demo content on a chapter, or chapters, then record these interviews, slip the DVD into a case with custom insert and business card, and hand it to them. While the bride, usually, is talking to my assistant, and being recorded, I get the groom or a friend or accompanying family member to fill out the entry card for our drawing.

Sure, we lose a few people this way, but the ones who's "stories" we capture to DVD, then hand out to them along with our demo are very effective, with a longer "shelf life" than an ordinary demo, although we do hand out those as well.

We use a multi-faceted approach when following up, regardless of how our lists are acquired. We do this in the following order USUALLY:

• Send specially printed post cards with pertinent information and hand-signed with an expression of appreciation for visiting the bridal fair, and/or our booth. This also offers an opportunity to request via e-mail, mail or phone (no sales pressure applied) to acquire a
demo DVD that includes a full wedding production, and our web site of course.

• We follow up this contact within 10 days with a one-page letter offering something special if they "act now," repeat our offer of a free demo DVD, and state that we will give them a "call within the next five days," to answer any questions they might have.

• We follow up this contact with a phone call. The contact will often CALL us - some kind of "preemptive strike" effort, I guess, but often they'll leave a message, ask a few questions or decline or say they've already selected a video services provider and not to waste our time with them. In so many words or another, but essentially this is their message. Often, however, we will actually field the call in person, affording us an opportunity to win them over with our personalities (smile goes here), and so forth.

• We follow this contact up with all but those who specifically said they had booked elsewhere and not to bother them by sending the demo DVD anyway, usually within another 10 days. We enclose a business card, brochure and a brief note that if they haven't made up their minds for
video (or not), haven't booked, or whatever to PLEASE call or e-mail. We promise to answer ANY questions or concerns they might have and promise in bold letters to NOT pressure them if they do so.

• We hang onto these lists and our notes regarding who we've contacted, who we've talked to, mailed to, etc. We have a month/year file and 60 days prior to their designated event date we e-mail (FINALLY) and/or send a one-page letter or post card, making some kind of offer if they book within the next 5 working days, even at this late hour, as we've not yet booked their date and would "love to work" with them.

We get a lot more out of our lists when we work this program faithfully.

Sure, we sometimes stumble, lose information, don't follow up, whatever (maybe I'm just in a bad mood or something, or don't FEEL like communicating with people - you know how it is.) but when we've worked the marketing system this way, and do it with consistency and conviction, our closing rate goes way up.

We are diversified, and do not focus exclusively on wedding video production. Being full time we offer video production services for (our mantra - "ALL CELEBRATIONS OF LIFE!") milestone celebratory events, funerals, memorials, montage and projection work, youth sports, martial arts, school plays and events, and productions, dance studios, swim club competitions, water polo yearbooks, rowing team yearbooks, children's birthdays, senior graduation and grad night celebrations, and more.

But when we do a wedding it doesn't end there. We keep a file of every wedding we've produced. We send an anniversary card on their first anniversary and often every anniversary, a holiday greeting card during the Thanksgiving, Christmas (or related religious holidays) and New Year's season.

We have MANY who keep in touch, expressing their appreciation for our remembering them, telling us they've had their first child, etc. As a result of this we get countless referrals, not only for weddings, but for many of the other celebrations of life people celebrate through the years. We offer them our updated multi-production demo that shows elements of the many other things we do in addition to weddings.

Marketing takes work, energy, planning, money and organization, consistency, persistency... ...but it pays off in huge dividends if you stay with the program. I sometimes allow myself to become slack and lazy, thinking I have so much ongoing business, calls, and production work to get done, I don't have time to market. But when I let it go the feast can quickly turn to famine. Every week, if not every day, requires that some kind of marketing endeavor - handing out a card, making a call, tweaking the web site, mailing a demo, etc. - takes place.

Sure, most of us know this, know that "great ideas won't work..." unless we do, and SOME of us, including myself, might stick with such a program more or less. Conducting a marketing plan with as much consistency and organization as possible really works.

There's a HUGE amount of business opportunity "out there" not only for wedding producers, but full time independents offering services for other celebrations and events as well. This kind of approach to keeping in touch with your clients, and working those lists pays major dividends.

Who Makes You Comfortable?

Price, product, quality and other pertinent issues aside, when it comes time to pick a professional independent wedding video services provider to produce your wedding, everything boils down to: "Am I comfortable with these people?"

The professional community bats such issues around constantly - which is more important? Price? Product? Marketing? Personality? Something else?

A service provider who comes off comfortable with you, with your questions and concerns, who takes time to listen to what you are saying AND what you are NOT saying; one who knows and shows her business, who walks the walk and can talk the talk, who makes YOU comfortable, will prove an asset for you on your wedding day.

Just as a lot of people who get to know and appreciate the skills and talents of their planner or coordinator know they can pretty much let it go and enjoy their wedding celebration, the same transfer of concern should come about with you and your video producer.

After the research, interview, establishment of the usual business credits, and your follow-up on referrals, trust your instincts. If something about her makes you uncomfortable - whether or not you can put your finger on it - then look some more. If, however, you experience a great overall sense of comfort with her, sign the agreement. Odds are in your favor that you are now in good hands.

Video Producers! Diversify and Survive!

If you have been a professional independent video production services provider, full time or part time, for more than two years and have not been able to earn the profits you seek, diversification is the answer. It can financially augment primarily weekend wedding work, and can generate cash flow, and weekday work that solidly reinforces your bottom line while broadening your marketing reach.
Another potential benefit is that the variety of production experiences from simple and quick to complex, immediate cash flow to long term income generation can possibly prevent the stress, burn out and boredom some experience by doing the same thing day in and day out. For my company diversification was key to survival from a financial, creative, physical and mental standpoint.
Some video producers prefer to specialize exclusively on one aspect of production - wedding video, for example. I elected to specialize in video production. Period.
Up front, let me say that there is absolutely nothing wrong with focusing on a weddings only business plan. Furthermore, there is nothing wrong with doing it part time. There are many success stories all over the video production world where independent and small companies are successful and profitable focusing exclusively on wedding video production services.
On the other hand there are countless individuals, small independent companies, and even some of the larger operations who express the difficulties they experience when attempting to make a profit, or even remain in business, producing wedding video exclusively. As an added income resource, being exclusively a wedding video production services provider on a part time basis certainly has its benefits, and often can lead to a stronger business base when the decision is made to move into full time operation. For the rest of us, and many of those working part time as well, there's diversification.
Many of you are already aware of this. Others continue to ponder the benefits of focusing primarily on wedding video production services while also seeking work outside an industry based on love, romance and commitment.
Many also are aware of the benefits of marketing production services to the overwhelming number of video related possibilities that exist. Anyone who has been in the business for a few years has discovered for themselves, or read countless magazines, web sites and books focusing on a broad range of video production opportunities.
The list is infinite, but on it are included youth sports, ranging from private, to community, to public schools; adult sports; community plays; events such as pow wows, car shows and renaissance festivals, concept videos for the young or mature market, martial arts events, special interest productions, projection services, memorials, funerals and music montage productions.
There are also endless opportunities for creating and marketing your own productions - work once, sell many. Well, sell a few anyway. The market doesn't have to be huge to pay off. Independent productions from music to art, to entertainment to instructional, can be quite satisfying as well as profitable if you have the talents and resources to pull it off.
The one key rule to apply here is: "Great ideas won't work unless you do." - author unknown.
All the ideas, from creativity to marketing, to concept to application, you come up with, read about or study will not work unless you are willing to do the work necessary to assure success.
That success begins with marketing.
If you are going to diversify your production business you have to increase your marketing efforts. Simply being open to production of video beyond weddings will not cut it. You market your wedding video production services and products. You must do the same for other areas of video service. While you do get the occasional inquiry via your wedding marketing efforts regarding other events from birthdays to retirements, to funerals or montage work, it is rare that potential clients who respond to your marketing perceive you as anything more than a wedding video producer.
I opted to establish a general services web site that outlines the many types of production work we perform. I established a weddings only web site under a unique name that will soon not only exclusively represent wedding production services, but aim at a higher end market. Meanwhile, wedding production services information will be removed from the general services web site. I anticipate, in time that I will also have a dedicated site for funeral, memorial montage and projection services, also one geared specifically toward production for small business, special interest and corporate production work. While it is nice to think of myself as an all things to all people video producer, that isn't always the perception.
Keeping your diverse video productions segregated will sometimes make a difference. The jury is still out on my decision to handle all aspects of my video business under the roof of a parent company, or keep them isolated. Otherwise, related production work can be kept in one basket - say, school and community events; youth sports and other competitive fields such as martial arts, rowing, even auto racing; celebrations of life.
Many of these other production possibilities are held weekdays and evenings, involve hundreds of participants, and are highly receptive to approaching "in progress" a la guerrilla marketing, or lend themselves to an effective direct marketing approach with sample DVDs, cover letters or post cards, and a special proposal.
Doors can be opened by offering speculative promotions where you do the work then take your chances on winning them over, special offers for a bare minimum guaranteed sales to parents or via the organization - both of these are great "get acquainted" approaches, but do require some risk on your part. My experience is virtually all our approaches have paid off in the long run, most of them immediately.
Another approach is to offer a special one time production cost approach with a good rate based on number of copies sold - price breaks at minimum, 100 units, or 200 or more units.
I know this. Every hour of every day, individuals, groups or organizations are doing something that can be served by video. The best approach of all to get their business is to figure out how to show these people what's in it for them.
Diversify and survive.

Without Video It's All Just a Memory

A video of your wedding...
If you view a wedding video and like it, are comfortable with the professional you are interviewing, and can fit her price structure into your wedding budget, then do it!
The usual concerns include reading the small print on the agreement, asking for and following up on referrals and, if you are looking for someone with experience, how many years the video company has been business - full time or part time. Is this a real business or a side job to a non-related career?
...just remember, without a video everything will be just a memory.

Photos Don't Talk

Video generates 1,800 images per minute, and they move.
Photography does not.
In your video you hear friends, family and guests talk, laugh, cry, joke, often sing, and move to music.
People in photos do not.
People in video hug, kiss, walk, run, dance, spin, act goofy, drink, play, smile, and show off their personalities.
They also do this in photographs.
Photographs capture, preserve the moment.
Video captures, and preserves the day...
...the event, its sights, and sounds.
With photographs you provide the memories, movements, and music score.
With video, you don't have to.

Some video producers care

We are many, and most of us in the professional independent wedding & event video service provider community care very much about how you are treated, how your video production preferences are met, and how we can provide you, the bride and groom, with exactly the approach, price and quality you deserve in a video that will become a cherished and valued family heirloom.
Great independent video producers are GREAT listeners. They pay strict attention to your questions and concerns, and they offer without hesitation the answers you are looking for. There are an abundance of styles and deliveries available to the discerning bride and groom when it comes to exploring the possibilities. While a bit of time is necessary to interview, confirm and follow up on potential video service providers, the investment can be well made.
Product, personality and price are viable elements in the interview process. Brides and grooms making the effort to explore each facet of this in deciding on a personal professional producer will gain much in return. A professional producer will have on hand suitable quality samples of her work, will prove herself flexible, friendly and caring, and will offer much more for your investment than dollars and cents.
She will provide not only the elements, from experience to technical knowledge, equipment redundancy and emergency human resources, necessary to get the job done, but will herself be personally invested in assuring and ensuring your production reflects the day as it was. She will also provide you with the artist's eye, making available to you, depending on your special preferences, creative components that will further enhance the memories of your wedding day.
She sees the interaction, the poignant moments, the little, and big, things that occur during your event - those times when you are so much a central part of the event that you never would have noticed, were it not for her watchful eye. She is rewarded personally, artistically and financially for not being a part of your celebration, but being a dedicated and focused professional observer of the moments and capturing them on your behalf.
Many in our business talk the talk, and can impress with technical soundbites, but few can show the empathy unless it exists. A professional independent video services provider can be proud of his or her equipment, knowledge, experience and abilities, but the real value is in finding one who also truly cares.

Traditional Wedding Videos Suck!

Traditional wedding video production sucks!
There's not one thing a traditional amateur or professional video producer claims that cannot be created or produced by any person who knows how to turn a video camera on and off, keep it in focus and hold it steady.
Anybody can do that!
Anybody attending the wedding can manage to capture what happened. With the trend toward traditional, some call it journalistic, others call it documentary, style coverage there's no reason to pay someone to videotape the event. In fact, why even burden anyone with the responsibility? Just have somebody place the camera on a tripod, feed it a tape, set the angle to capture a medium range framing and press record. Depending on the media used, check every 55 minutes, reload with a new tape, hit record and get back to the party.
Want to take it a step further?
Get a dozen or so friends or family members to bring their various quality, size, brands, format camcorders. Have each of them responsible for acquiring specific elements - the vows; the kiss; the processional; the recessional; the toast; cake cutting; garter/bouquet toss; first dance, mother/son & father/daughter dance(s).
Collect all that stuff when you return from your honeymoon, borrow what cameras you need to get all the footage into your new 24" screen iMac, load your favorite songs, and put it all together with software from iLife '06. Piece of cake!
You'll get all the conversations in their entirety. You'll get various angles of shots on some elements, one angle for others.
You'll get plenty of candid footage to reminisce over for years to come.
In fact, let's go back to step one, sort of...
...instead of fretting for 40 or more hours to put all that footage together, since you're not really gonna watch it again, if you even bother to watch all of it once, just burn it to a DVD with auto chapters say every 10 minutes and watch it, move around in it to your heart's content.
This is all your wedding video is really about - preserving it for future generations. Keep the reality of what happened intact, and playing it for laughs occasionally when the old gang gets together. Or, for that occasion when grandma and grandpa, mom and dad, or other family members who were there come over for dinner.
Somebody mentions "the wedding video" and you drag it out of the back of the drawer (You do remember where it is, don't you?)
Wait a minute, grandma and grandpa aren't coming over because they're no longer alive. Mom's divorced, and dad never takes the time to call, much less come by. But remember that little number dad and grandpa did together at the DJ's station, singing a couple of wacky tunes? It's worth pulling that video out and watching just to revisit a few of those moments so many years ago. You've got a couple of photos in the album, but it'd be a treat to hear that again. And the words dad shared during his heart-felt toast. Grandpa added something and gave you that...
Oops, that's where one of the cameras ran out of tape. No, wait! Remember! The guy who was in charge of shooting the fun stuff wanted to get in on the act so he set the camera down for a few minutes - missed that take.
Well, what do you expect for free, huh?
Especially when you consider the probability that even self-professed professional wedding and event video service providers will miss the mark occasionally. At least you got something, and it didn't cost you a dime.
You have a video that documents, more or less, your wedding day - none of that cute, creative stuff with all the slow motion (Nobody moves in slow motion in real life, do they?) That's only in the movies - went out with "The Right Stuff." Or, the black and white where only the blue car or red bouquet are in color - what does that have to do with reality?
Or the soft, dreamy segments that focus on you, your eyes, face, veil, hands, rings, lips (really sensuous lips), that expensive dress, your beautiful hair styling, earrings and more...
That wasn't really a part of your wedding, or what happened when you were getting ready for the ceremony. The girls were mostly talking about shopping for stuff, getting a speeding ticket on the drive down, there was that slight, sort of, argument with mom, then everybody yelled something incomprehensible when some guy stuck his head in the door.
You need the reality of it!
Why would you want some creative elements that might interpret what you felt in your heart, some romantic moment that passed through your mind as you were putting on the necklace he gave you as a special present. Why depend on something visually that might reflect poignant moments during the day? You can remember those things, how you felt inside...
...it's all that loud, mixed up conversation that mixes together on the video like vegetable soup - you know there's celery, carrots, peas but they're all mixed together. Anarchy in conversation, nothing discernible.
When you hire a video producer who does this for a living, you hire someone who depends on the quality of her product and her reputation to survive in a highly competitive business.
When you hire a video producer to come to your event, she comes with one thing in mind - covering every aspect of a very important day.
When you hire a video producer to come to your wedding, she is not your guest! She focuses on having the right equipment, getting the right angles, capturing the things that are said and done, and putting them all together in a way that not only documents your wedding day, but reflects the essence of you, the poignancy of your many moments, the smiles, the tears and the comments. The creative stylization of her special sequences, featuring special moments between you and your husband, you and your parents, grandparents, friends goes beyond simply setting to video what happened - it reflects how you felt.
Get past the thought that all you need is a videotape documenting the day. Hire a professional, and get an artist who knows how to paint a moving canvas with scenes and moments colored with your emotions, your smiles, the romance, and the beginning of your married life. Life can be strewn with disappointments, but for a reasonable price and extraordinary value, your wedding day video doesn't have to be one of them.

Effective Marketing

Many in the business often ask what kind of advertising efforts produce the most effective returns - specifically asking about advertising in publications. First and foremost, newspaper advertising is one SURE way to burn money without a match. On the rare occasion when you can afford page dominance (full or half-page) and have a special deal you're offering for a limited time, you can get some action, depending on the publication. But it remains a gamble.
As far as what works, what doesn't and possibly why: This is our experience, mileage may vary.
By far, when we have wanted to get some momentum going in the bridal community it has been through participation in the various bridal fairs held in the Southern California area.
We have an ongoing policy, also, of checking out new, old or otherwise active wedding related sites through Google, and listing with any and all of them that feature a free listing, regardless of how the listing is placed. We also list with a few paid sites, of which the most effective one appears to be weDJ.com.
We do occasionally get leads from these paid sites, but we are cutting back this year when renewals come up on most of them. Last year we dropped two, this year we'll discontinue with three others, leaving weDJ as the last hold out in hopes that it will pay off in the long run.
Printed advertising is basically a waste of money, and I have 30 years in the publication and advertising field to admit first hand that the medium is largely ineffective.
Published advertising is a lot like government assistance programs and bank loans - you virtually have to prove you DON'T need it in order to get it. How's that?
Well...
...if you have a LOT of money like, say McDonald's, Coca-Cola, most of the car companies, etc. then constant advertising via all the media channels is great for national/international awareness campaigns.
It is the visibility and linkage, constancy and ad media dominance that establishes a brand, etc.
When advertising in printed media there are basically TWO ways that such advertising might prove effective (note, I didn't say 'might give you a decent ROI') in establishing who you are - page dominance (half- or full-page ads only, translates into EXPENSIVE) and repetition (smaller ad running continuously over a LONG period of time, sort of the old Yellow Pages effect - you're always there so you MUST be a valid company). These are effective, if you have the money, but are negligible when it comes to proving profitable over the long or short term.
Will people KNOW you you are? Likely. Will they remember you when or if they need professional video services? Possibly. Will they, and enough others, spend enough with you to return the investment? make a profit? NOPE!
Page dominance and repetitive ad publication in known publications distributed to the bridal community are saturated with advertisement. You pay extra for placement (the theory that one page or location is better than another in the publication - front half, right side page, front or back inside/outside cover, etc.) that may or may not give you an edge. Again, EXPENSIVE! Actually, so are the other umpteen dozen pages, with ads going for anywhere between $1,000 and $10,000 for color, placement, etc.
Paying web sites are pretty much the same experience, basically. They are becoming saturated and there's NO way a popular site like, say The Knot, can guarantee you first page or top of page listing ALWAYS, no matter WHAT price you pay.
That takes us BACK to square one. It is my personal experience and educated opinion that direct marketing is the ONLY way to fly if you want to invest in a campaign that has some hope of giving you ANY ROI.
Even bridal fairs can be a crap shoot, but at least you are THERE, visible, pressing the flesh, handing out information to people who have SOME degree of interest - enough to make the effort to attend. The lists generated by some of these bridal fair organizers are no better than a list of old jokes, but others are quite effective in after event marketing efforts.
Any list, however it is obtained, MUST be MILKED for all it is worth, with direct mail, phone calls, e-mails (not your best approach due to the universal attitude toward SPAM or the perception of it). Depending on the posted anticipated wedding dates of the brides on our lists we'll follow up first with a phone call thanking them for visiting the event, then a letter and brochure or even a demo if requested, post cards, THEN an e-mail or two.
Our final contact with ANY of them is about 30 days prior to their event date - sort of a "one more shot" effort.

Letter to Brides

Dear bride:
If you have not kept one bit of home movie memories, saved one single blockbuster movie DVD for your personal collection, recorded every episode of ''Friends'' on TV, or collected any footage on video of one birthday party, graduation party or trip to the beach, mountains or Paris...
...then PLEASE! Do NOT read further.
Oh, you HAVE done one or more of the above? Then I'm sure you plan to have your upcoming wedding professionally produced on video to preserve the atmosphere, sights and sounds of the day.
And, therefore you do not need to read further.
Years from now, when you cannot remember who was there, what they said, how well you used to dance, you are one of those rare people who were smart enough to save those memories to visit again and again.
Right? So, you do not have to read any further.
And if you were so inclined to NOT collect old movies, new movies, old or new television shows, any home movies your parents might have made, or home videos of celebrations from childhood to college graduation, you would NOT have read this far and changed your mind about the possible value of keeping a professionally produced video of your wedding day.
You would not come to the conclusion that having a video now, to preserve today for the future, might be a great value after all.
Professional wedding and event video producers. Look us up, we're easy to find.

Brides NEED Wedding Day Video!

Literally thousands of brides every year say they regret not including video in their wedding planning. Now, it's too late.
According to many members of the professional wedding and event video production community this reaction has been their collective experience when talking with these brides.
''Our company is always marketing through direct mail, client referral programs, participating in area bridal fairs and other events,'' says Mary Ann Osness of CorElAnn Productions in Southern California. ''We get to speak with many newly wedded brides as a result and the vast majority of them tell us they regret not having a video of their wedding day.''
Osness says that a good number among this group admit they got portions of their wedding day on video, taken by friends or family.
''They will tell me it's a good thing to have some of their wedding videotaped, but that often the things they wanted to see the most were not recorded, or that they could not hear the vows, readers or other special commentary due to bad audio,'' says Osness.
Osness says her experience isn't unique. She says many of her associates in the professional wedding and event video production community have similar experiences.
Osness points out that such experiences can be viewed first hand on the many wedding web sites available.
''I read post after post on wedding web sites where brides say how disappointed they are now that their day is over and they have no video,'' says Osness. ''These brides are the very ones who, posting before their wedding, strongly advocated the lack of need for video.''
On posts prior to their wedding day, according to Osness, these brides claim photography is enough.
''A bride told me recently that she loved her photographs, wouldn't give them up at any price,'' says Osness, ''but she added that, now that it's too late, she would gladly spend the same or more to have had a wedding video.''
Osness says this is just one example, but the story is universal. She says that brides often mention not having actual live representation of their wedding day, expressing regrets.
''The professional photography community is a strong, solid, well-represented service provider group in the wedding industry,'' says Osness. ''They are aggressive, adding instant services, musical montage creations, even creations with narrative, and hundreds, sometimes thousands, of images for their clients.
''They continue to provide the trophy enlargements hanging in foyers, over fireplaces and in other prime home display areas,'' Osness says. ''But as important and valid as this service is it remains essentially a silent, two-dimensional outline of the event.''
Video is warm, says Osness. She says it has ''life'' and contains elements that enhance and compliment photographs.
''It is essential that photography and video are taken together,'' says Osness. ''Emotionally, they complete the memory. A photograph offers reflection, the video offers reality - that's what many people are into these days,reality, right?''
Osness says her primary frustration, one she shares with her many associates, is finding a way to get brides to realize and address the need for video before they realize and regret the absence of it.
''Yes, there are thousands of us who produce professional wedding and event video product,'' says Osness. ''We do have a personal interest in this. But so does the bride. When so many of them tell us how they wish they had realized the importance of video and are now sorry they didn't, that's saying we as professionals somehow need to reach them.''
Osness notes that a search on the web will reward every bride, regardless of budget size or limitations, with quality video at a price that works for them.
She says the vitality of video will reward the bride, her friends and family with a lifetime of living memories.
''People often think the memory alone will sustain them,'' Osness concludes. ''But there are so many instances caught on video of which celebrants have no memory because they didn't even know it occurred.''

The Wedding Video Registry

NOTE: Since writing this entry the Wedding Video Registry has been temporarily discontinued.

This is the most exciting development yet in a qualified and viable resource for obtaining professional wedding video production at little or no cost to you! This program offers you a way to experience virtually "ZERO!" impact on your already difficult to manage wedding budget while getting a professional video production of your wedding day events far beyond what you thought possible!
Now you don't have to depend on a friend, associate or family member with a video camera to videotape your wedding. They deserve to be a part of the celebration, not a working stiff! And, the pressure of providing some degree of quality with less than professional equipment can often result in headaches, heartaches and hassles - a lot of hurt feelings on both sides of the camera.
Now you don't have to "settle" on a low budget video production company/individual with low experience and mediocre equipment. Sure, there are many "newbies" out there just getting into the business and willing to make you a deal! But, if they are not prepared for contingencies, if they are not backed up with redundant equipment and prepared for those inevitable emergencies, equipment failures, that can arise, it might not be such a bargain after all.
Granted, there are some inexpensive video producers available who do some pretty darn good work for the price, charging anywhere from $800 to $1,000 for a two camera production - well, that's two cameras and one operator, and one camera at your reception.
The Wedding Video Registry professionals ALWAYS provide TWO cameras AND TWO operators at both your ceremony AND your reception! You get limited preceremony coverage, as well as creative coverage of your on site formal photo session, representation of your attending guests before and after the ceremony, the cocktail hour before your reception gets under way, six hours coverage, up to 40 hours of digital editing...
...and EVERYONE who participates in The Wedding Video Registry will get a complete and professionally edited DVD of your wedding day video production.
How can this be?
Simple! Add The Wedding Video Registry to your gift registry listing and notification!
You are probably already familiar with the web and local retail store gift registries. You have likely established a gift registry already. It is helpful for those who need/want to know what you need/want, cuts down on duplicate gifts, helps individuals work together to get you more expensive items an individual normally might not be able to afford.
The Wedding Video Registry works the same way, as a cooperative effort among your family, friends and associates where, based on the number of guests/invitations/announcements you send, and they participate, they are simply purchasing a copy of your professionally videotaped, edited and produced wedding day DVD video. One hundred participants would pay only $18 each, 150 guests, $12 each. More participants could make the individual orders less, or keep the price at $12 to $20 and use the extra to obtain one or more of the many available creative options from The Wedding Video Registry professional video producers.
There's another option in the event you do not have enough guests or participants. Just 50 participants would cut your costs in half. You would budget and pay, out of pocket, just $900 for a production that would cost you three or more times that! And, everyone of those 50 participants will receive a copy of your professionally produced wedding day DVD!
Their participation in The Wedding Video Registry is truly the gift that keeps on giving! The Wedding Video Registry is not intended to replace or eliminate regular gift registry participation. Its purpose is to provide an alternative gift suggestion for those who want to give something more, something unique! Their participation will not only assure the creation of a memorable, meaningful future family heirloom, it is a gift they give that actually GIVES BACK! And it is affordable enough that your video can be in addition to their regular gift presentation from your gift registry suggestions.
Believe me this is a gift that will "be there" probably far longer than any other gift you might receive. Another bonus is that you now have protection against the loss of your wedding day DVD video. With so many exact digital copies of your video available there will always be a resource for replacement in the event yours, or a guest's, copy is lost, damaged or somehow destroyed!
Is this a bit gauche? Well, tell me, do people in general perceive the ongoing tradition of retail gift registries gauche? No! The Wedding Video Registry IS a gift registry! One that is not only reasonably priced, affordable instead of, or in addition to a more traditional gift, but returns its value to the giver who actually will get something for her money!
That's not their intent, but that is still what will happen!
Every participant in The Wedding Video Registry receives a professionally produced digital copy of your soon-to-be heirloom wedding day video! Each and every participant will be named in a special segment at the end of your traditional video production. Each will have the satisfaction of giving you a truly unique and personal gift and, something we all appreciate, being recognized for being so thoughtful.
Complete details regarding The Wedding Video Registry are available at www.weddingvideoregistry.com. You will love the special quality of your professionally produced wedding day video and the knowledge that a lot of people put a lot of love into making it possible.

Photo? Video? Ice Sculpture?

I hear a lot of people claim they live in the moment. When I hear this I often wonder if they really know what they are talking about - live in the moment...
...life for the moment.
What moment?
And, after the "moment" is that it? The moment never to be revisited or called to mind? Never to have a high enough value that it is worth recalling, remembering, reliving?
The ice sculpture soon melts, gone forever. Unless, of course, it was captured on film or memory chip, or videotape.
On film that sculpture can be captured forever in all its frozen glory. Its once wonderful, glistening detail can be reaffirmed at a glance...
...a memory of what once was and is no more.
Another photo can freeze the results of its demise, capturing virtually forever that melted masterpiece's remains - what was and is no more, but for the photograph, the memory.
Yes, photography captures the moment doesn't it?
But video, ah yes, video captures the event, the passage, the occurrence, the story like nothing photography could hope to achieve. The video of that melting ice sculpture can be long, excruciatingly boring; like real time.
Or, in the hands of a talented editor, the passage of time, while depicting the painful passage from reflective, diamond-like art to nothing more than a puddle awaiting the cleanup crew, can be a beautiful thing. There's a story here. Is the story of the ice sculpture reflective of the story of the marriage celebration where it gave its life?
Like the sculpture, will the wedding and reception that followed, the marriage that resulted, soon melt away into nothing?
A pause for thought, huh?
Can the photographs do that? After a fashion. Say, one of the sculpture's delivery - solid, hard, defined. Another of the sculpture sweating out its midlife, rivulets cutting lines into its once solid facade. Then a photo of its half-life, less than it was, still showing some of what it must have been, a series of moments rapidly fading. A final photo of the puddle, nothing to reflect on what that shapeless body of water had once been.
Sure, photos can do that, leaving much of it to the mind to recall.
But video, ah yes, video captures every moment, every fading of reflective glory. It conveys passage of time in a reality show. The drops move, the ice diminishes, the shape of things change until there remains only that body of water. Music enhances, highlights the event, underscoring a change from something to nothing.
What do most care?
They, after all, live for the moment, in the moment.
Like the marriage.
Life would, then, have to be a series of moments to live for, live in. Something a mere photograph cannot convey, provide.
Video is more about life, what it was, what it is, what it has become.
It is more artistic than a painting, more reminiscent than a photograph.
After the event, the video remains.
But what of the ice sculpture? the wedding? the marriage?

Good, Fast and Cheap

The best you can hope for is two out of three.
Take video production for example. Independent wedding and event video producers are all over the board with this one. Are the majority of them good? Probably, but that is subjective and from the perspective of the service provider, the client and/or her relatives and friends.
There are a lot of cheap video services providers out there. The technology is certainly affordable, providing a great starting point for newbies. Working out of home generates low overhead, start up costs...and that's good to a degree. Inexpensive is a relative term. It sounds a bit better than "cheap" still giving the impression that a video service provider who is "inexpensive" might be somewhat more credible than one who is cheap. To a certain extent, unfortunately, you do get what you pay for.
Fast. What's that? What's fast? One or two months? Less than one month? Two, three weeks? Ten days? The fewer days spent on editing a video product, depending on length, complexity and content, can result in omission of quality. A lot depends on what the service provider charges. What equipment, technology, creative resources does she have at her disposal? Today's tools can help be fast, and good, but it isn't likely your service provider will be cheap.
There are a few things you must do whatever your budget may be for video production.

• Set your budget, but make an effort to be flexible a few hundred dollars either way

• Make it a point to interview a minimum of five video production services providers

• Make every effort to obtain a minimum of two of them via references from people you know and trust

• Do preview samples of their work

• Do follow up on references: liked work, liked the people, performed as promised, any surprises good or bad

• Do establish how long (how many weddings or events actually produced) they've been in business

• All else being equal, what are your instincts telling you - run? Are you comfortable? Do you like them?

• Good instincts, a comfortable, agreeable feeling is one thing, but is she going to be there behind the camera

• You might have 12 months to get everything locked down, but give yourself more than a couple of months

• Wait til the last minute and availability (see above) diminishes, potential for making a bad call increases

• Whatever the promises - get it in writing. For your own protection you simply must get a definitive agreement

Follow the above suggestions and you might just be able to find a video services provider who is affordable (based on your flexible budget) - avoid "cheap"; fast - anything under four weeks can be considered so; and good - you saw their work, right? They've been in business for a few years, produced several similar events - right? The references were positive, you did contact them, right?
Keep in mind that while there certainly is an abundance of talented individuals out there who started producing yesterday, experience plays a major role in the positive outcome of a video production. People who have been in business for a few years, with a number of productions under their belts, tend to understand Murphy's Law that if anything can go wrong it will. They are prepared for equipment failure, with sufficient backup resources to get the job done, and get it done professionally.
You will pay for that experience but, more than talent, looks, production samples, production content, contract inclusions, or even personality, the premium for experience will be the single most significant portion of your investment in a professional video services provider.

Having Your Wedding Video Produced

You may not realize it now, or even think it's important to preserve your wedding day events on video. And, if you do, you may not think it is important to spend money for a professionally produced wedding video, opting instead to allow a friend, relative or guest provide that service at no charge.
Arguments for having a professionally produced wedding video can be found everywhere, and the specific points for doing so are often redundant to the brink of nausea.
Sadly, solid arguments for having a professionally produced wedding video are rarely given on the countless web sites for brides seeking information regarding professional services.
The photographers and their products are ALWAYS mentioned, but video production rarely gets the same degree of positive nodding. Why?
Doesn't matter.
What matters is that a family member, friend or guest isn't going to get the important elements of your event simply because they are not professionally committed to doing so. They want, and rightly so, to be a part of the celebration, the event. None of these groups will EVER provide a clean, audible, solidly produced and edited representation of the day. In addition, they rarely have the necessary equipment for professional acquisition, editing or production.
The cheap route isn't always the way to go either, although it usually will provide something a step or two above what you can expect for free. Many people just starting out in the wedding and event video production business will at least provide audio enforcement, stable camera work via tripods or other stabilization, and are often professionally committed to providing a better product than friends, family or guests. They are not a part of your celebration, thus they are usually less distracted.
Experienced professionals, provided samples of work uphold their claims to quality and experience, are usually worth consideration and the expense to hire them. Why?
They have redundant equipment and assistance to ensure production quality even in the most negative of conditions. They are usually prepared for contingencies - spare batteries and alternate power sources, backup camera gear, extra audio batteries, mics and bulbs for lighting equipment.
Rare is the bride who opts out on a professionally produced wedding video and later upholds that decision. Rare is the bride who takes the same degree of interest in selection of a professional video producer as she does the photographer, who invests equally between the two, and later regrets the investment of time and effort, and cost.
Those who do not have a professional service provider produce their wedding video usually come to regret it; those who do don't!

Special Service for Armed Forces

NOTE: The following has been taken down from its original source. However, after some recent (February 5, 2007) discussion with others in the independent professional wedding and event video production industry it is possible that another resource for this worthwhile program will develop.

A member of the Wedding and Event Videographers Association (WEVA) recently posted something I thought might be of interest, not only to those in the video production business, but those members of our armed forces, and their families who could benefit from this program.
Get in touch with Perry Hillis, info@hillcoservices.com, 706-935-5543, for more information.
Hillis' Operation Bedtime Story (www.operationbedtimestory.com) project offers one free DVD or VHS video of anyone actively serving in the military reading stories to the camera. This, says Hillis, will allow their families to have something to remember them by when they cannot be present.
Hillis, and participating video producers across the country, are providing this service free of charge as a way "to show support for our troops," says Hillis. "I know if I had to be away from my family, with the possibility of not returning home alive, I would appreciate something like this."
The product is created by connecting the video camera to a DVD or VHS recorder and burning the video in real time as the participant is reading from a book, diary, journal, or other reading resource. There is no editing involved as the project is based on reality, not creativity. "They will leave with their video in hand," says Hillis.
Hillis, limited to doing this in the Chattanooga, TN area, has posted on the WEVA members forum web site, offering other members the opportunity to extend this project into their service areas. If there is enough response and interest from both people in the service and video producers across the country, "I will buy a domain name so that people can find a local videographer to read to," Hillis concluded.

Perry Hillis
info@hillcoservices.com
706-935-5543

Memories Get Trashed

Maybe it was the Coca-Cola Classic Young Movie Maker series that played some time back at theaters during the preview "advertainment" segment.
While most everyone else is waiting in line for the popcorn, drink, candy, hot dog and/or pretzel that will triple their out-of-pocket entertainment experience, I can usually be found actually watching not only the "advertainments", but even those boring movie history questions inserted between local, homegrown business advertisement movie billboards - slides, actually.
But I'm pretty sure it was the current Young Movie Maker reel that captured my awareness. That, and the fact that I am a full time professional commercial, wedding and event video producer.
In the Young Movie Maker reel the scenario is that an older woman is cleaning out her closet? basement? and comes across an old reel of movie film. She tosses it, probably because she doesn't have anything to project it.
Or, she hasn't thought (doesn't know) about people like me who provide (sometimes for a reasonable price) services transferring film, old videotape formats and images-photos-mementos-graphics and other stuff to the current storage medium. The current medium is DVD, although some are still transferring home movies and stuff to videotape.
Anyway, for whatever reason she tosses the old reel of film. Then we see a dumpster diver digging it out, other characters come into play and in a series of disconnected events the film winds up spilled and spooling around a bicycle wheel sprocket with the sun shining "just so" through a Coca-Cola bottle in the street and onto the side of a perfectly parked, perfectly flat, perfectly reflective, white delivery truck.
The older woman is looking out her window to see such commotion, and everyone freezes into an awed Kodak Moment while the nostalgic scenes play out on the side of that truck.
For someone who makes a living helping others preserve such memories, that was one of the most wonderful cinematic experiences I've ever enjoyed. It blew me away.
Maybe it was that recollection that caused me to notice some old reels and videotapes in a trash can as I was walking a neighborhood. I am not by nature a dumpster diver. I rarely, if ever, shop yard/garage sales...
...Wal*Mart is about as cheap as I'll go.
But there were those moments from the past, probably some person's memories carelessly discarded. Maybe not. But, there they were. I'm seeing that emotionally charged Young Movie Maker segment. So I took them. I am going to play and review what I can. If they are commercial rejects then I'll toss them again.
But! If they are not! If they are someone's memories...
...I'll likely see if I can find an address. A name. I'll put what looks right onto a DVD and mail or hand deliver a sample of it. If they don't want to pay for it, depending on how I read the circumstances, judge their reaction, I might just give it to them anyway.
If THAT happens, I'm going to want an interview on video, or an article for a magazine.

Long Term Loan

Nearly 15 years ago a guy approached me as I was making an ATM withdrawal. It was during the holiday season.
He presented me with a pretty good story - nothing I had not heard before, but pretty good nonetheless. Being a writer, a journalist, a wannabe fiction novelist, I enjoyed the story, doubtful as I was.
I made him a deal. I gave him a twenty dollar bill and told him it wasn't a loan, simply a gift. "But," I told him, "if you really want to improve my attitude toward people in general, people with really good stories specifically, here's my post office box number. When you get situated, overcome your problems, if you return that twenty dollar bill you will have proven more to me than I am currently able to believe about people in general."
I've not ever really forgotten the incident, but I certainly had not been dwelling on it. I love a lot of people and a lot of people continue to disappoint me.
But somebody recently sent me a wrinkled twenty dollar bill in an envelope with no return address. I could not read the badly applied cancellation mark. I'm going to keep the twenty. Was it that guy? I'll never know, but he sure got even with me.
Now I don't know if I should work to improve my attitude toward people in general, or just those who have a good story.