Aardvark Wedding Films http://aardvarkweddingfilms.co.uk/blog Fri, 03 Sep 2010 21:59:00 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-09-03 http://aardvarkweddingfilms.co.uk/blog/?p=278 http://aardvarkweddingfilms.co.uk/blog/?p=278#comments Fri, 03 Sep 2010 21:59:00 +0000 Jim http://aardvarkweddingfilms.co.uk/blog/?p=278
  • Mary and Gary's wedding going swimmingly – finally about to eat something. #
  • Wow- massive plate of sandwiches provided by the venue for us vogs and tog. Now we wait for the speeches. #
  • Just back from Mary and Gary's wedding. Great day – the rain held off until everyone was inside, lovely family, and great speeches. #
  • Sorry I couldn't make it to @CLNPhotography 's big shoot today – sounds like everyone had a great time. #
  • Thanks @JamesBlatch for 2nd camera-ing today – it was fun. Look forward to working together again on Sept 11th, with @jack9903 along too! #
  • Fantastic shots Caz, well done! RT @CLNPhotography: A few pics from yesterdays @wimagazine @thewedcommunity forum shoot http://bit.ly/aAA4Fa #
  • Thatsh the Chicago way… RT @jack9903: The legend is 80. "They put one of yorsh in the hoshpital , you put one of theirsh in the morgue…" #
  • Why am I most productive in the middle of the night? #
  • Trying to decide between Van Morrisons 'Someone Like You' and Sting's 'Fields of Gold' for a wedding highlights montage. Any votes? #
  • Fantastic – 6 words & I know exactly what show you're talking about! RT @daraobriain: Keywords: Milky Bar Kid, Gillian McKeith and "Listen" #
  • Ouch #

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]]> http://aardvarkweddingfilms.co.uk/blog/?feed=rss2&p=278 0 Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-09-03 http://aardvarkweddingfilms.co.uk/blog/?p=277 http://aardvarkweddingfilms.co.uk/blog/?p=277#comments Fri, 03 Sep 2010 21:59:00 +0000 Jim http://aardvarkweddingfilms.co.uk/blog/?p=277
  • Mary and Gary's wedding going swimmingly – finally about to eat something. #
  • Wow- massive plate of sandwiches provided by the venue for us vogs and tog. Now we wait for the speeches. #
  • Just back from Mary and Gary's wedding. Great day – the rain held off until everyone was inside, lovely family, and great speeches. #
  • Sorry I couldn't make it to @CLNPhotography 's big shoot today – sounds like everyone had a great time. #
  • Thanks @JamesBlatch for 2nd camera-ing today – it was fun. Look forward to working together again on Sept 11th, with @jack9903 along too! #
  • Fantastic shots Caz, well done! RT @CLNPhotography: A few pics from yesterdays @wimagazine @thewedcommunity forum shoot http://bit.ly/aAA4Fa #
  • Thatsh the Chicago way… RT @jack9903: The legend is 80. "They put one of yorsh in the hoshpital , you put one of theirsh in the morgue…" #
  • Why am I most productive in the middle of the night? #
  • Trying to decide between Van Morrisons 'Someone Like You' and Sting's 'Fields of Gold' for a wedding highlights montage. Any votes? #
  • Fantastic – 6 words & I know exactly what show you're talking about! RT @daraobriain: Keywords: Milky Bar Kid, Gillian McKeith and "Listen" #
  • Ouch #

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]]> http://aardvarkweddingfilms.co.uk/blog/?feed=rss2&p=277 0 Company profile video for Andy Fountain Photography http://aardvarkweddingfilms.co.uk/blog/?p=268 http://aardvarkweddingfilms.co.uk/blog/?p=268#comments Sun, 29 Aug 2010 15:32:44 +0000 Jim http://aardvarkweddingfilms.co.uk/blog/?p=268

About a month ago I tagged along with Cambridgeshire Wedding photographer Andy Fountain while he photographed Emma and Elliot’s wedding in Bury St Edmunds.  We headed up to a nearby derelict church for some great shots before making our way to the reception at Ravenwood Hall.

All this is in aid of a project I’m working on with the Wedding Partners, where I’m filming most of the members in their natural habitats, creating videos for their websites, and then using bits from each of the shoots to create one big ensemble video for the Wedding Partners website.  In theory, this will all be done in time to show the video at the Wedding Partners exclusive wedding open day at Anstey Hall, Cambridge on October 17th.  If you’re getting married anywhere in the Cambs, Herts, Suffolk area you’d be crazy to miss the chance to come along and meet the Wedding Partners – elite professionals, working together.

Here’s Andy’s video:

]]> http://aardvarkweddingfilms.co.uk/blog/?feed=rss2&p=268 0 Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-08-28 http://aardvarkweddingfilms.co.uk/blog/?p=261 http://aardvarkweddingfilms.co.uk/blog/?p=261#comments Fri, 27 Aug 2010 21:59:00 +0000 Jim http://aardvarkweddingfilms.co.uk/blog/?p=261

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]]> http://aardvarkweddingfilms.co.uk/blog/?feed=rss2&p=261 0 Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-08-20 http://aardvarkweddingfilms.co.uk/blog/?p=258 http://aardvarkweddingfilms.co.uk/blog/?p=258#comments Fri, 20 Aug 2010 21:59:00 +0000 Jim http://aardvarkweddingfilms.co.uk/blog/?p=258

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]]> http://aardvarkweddingfilms.co.uk/blog/?feed=rss2&p=258 0 Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-08-13 http://aardvarkweddingfilms.co.uk/blog/?p=256 http://aardvarkweddingfilms.co.uk/blog/?p=256#comments Fri, 13 Aug 2010 21:59:00 +0000 Jim http://aardvarkweddingfilms.co.uk/blog/?p=256
  • just back from Jean-Mare and David's wedding. Fantastic couple, she looked stunning & the Rev. asked if she would take David to be her wife! #
  • Off to hols in sunny Kent in the a.m. Mostly packed, only taking a bit of work. Looking forward to spending time with my lovely wife & kids. #
  • Off to see a castle on a steam train today. The castle's not on a train, obviously. That would be cool, though. #

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]]> http://aardvarkweddingfilms.co.uk/blog/?feed=rss2&p=256 0 Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-08-06 http://aardvarkweddingfilms.co.uk/blog/?p=254 http://aardvarkweddingfilms.co.uk/blog/?p=254#comments Fri, 06 Aug 2010 21:59:00 +0000 Jim http://aardvarkweddingfilms.co.uk/blog/?p=254

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]]> http://aardvarkweddingfilms.co.uk/blog/?feed=rss2&p=254 0 Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-07-30 http://aardvarkweddingfilms.co.uk/blog/?p=252 http://aardvarkweddingfilms.co.uk/blog/?p=252#comments Fri, 30 Jul 2010 21:59:00 +0000 Jim http://aardvarkweddingfilms.co.uk/blog/?p=252
  • Looking forward to filming Andy Fountain at Ravenwood Hall later – should be interesting! #
  • This video is brilliant – schoolkids cover Pixie Lott's Boys & Girls for charity – and they're actually great! http://youtu.be/RtWeq3dFgZM #
  • @wimagazine Are tickets to the awards VERY expensive? I'd love to be there, but I'm very poor :) #wimagazineawards #
  • @CLNPhotography definitely thinking about going to the @wimagazine awards – be good to meet up with lots of tweeps! #
  • Busy day. Finished corporate edit for Just Originals gallery, Battersea; arranged meeting with my 07/08 bride; worked on newsletter. Bed now #
  • Check out my latest article for @thewedcommunity on what to look for in a videographer's contract – http://bit.ly/agfxbs #
  • Thanks! > RT @Midwaymediauk: @aardvarkfilms a very interesting article. #
  • Yay! Congrats > RT @Weddingsplanned: Hurray page 2 of google! No help from expensive ad campaigns! :) #
  • @heidisevents not SEO tips as such, my expertise is in creating videos which improve google rankings and customer engagement. in reply to heidisevents #
  • @FlowerBarLtd Of course! I'll be in the office all day – just give me a call. in reply to FlowerBarLtd #
  • @Alexandra_Diana Hi Alexandra – just wondering whether you managed to find a videographer for your wedding? #
  • Just got a nice video job for Friday – unfortunately I've got to go to Brighton for it! #
  • Ok, that's enough time watching @timminchin videos on YouTube. Back to work now – I can fit in another hour before sleep takes over. #
  • Grr- just had 2 turn down filming local ballet recital bcause I cant b sure I'd b back from the Brighton job in time. Hate turning down work #
  • @Alexandra_Diana We're still free on Dec 4th – I'd be happy to meet with you to discuss your wishes. Look forward to hearing from you. in reply to Alexandra_Diana #
  • Filming in Brighton all day today, so I'm having lunch in a cafe by the sea. #
  • Nearly finished filming in Brighton. Client says he wants one video like this per month! (Great, but why can't it be in Herts!?) #

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]]> http://aardvarkweddingfilms.co.uk/blog/?feed=rss2&p=252 0 Interview with Matt Carter – Event Pianist http://aardvarkweddingfilms.co.uk/blog/?p=243 http://aardvarkweddingfilms.co.uk/blog/?p=243#comments Wed, 28 Jul 2010 11:34:25 +0000 Jim http://aardvarkweddingfilms.co.uk/blog/?p=243

In the fourth of my monthly series of interviews with members of The Wedding Partners – (a local group of fantastic wedding suppliers that includes Aardvark Wedding Films), I have asked Suffolk Wedding Pianist Matt Carter to answer a few questions.

Hi Matt.  How long have you been playing the piano?

I’ve always loved music and started playing the keyboard in 1985. I moved onto the piano in 1990, then got a degree in Pop Music (no – I’m not joking!) where I got the opportunity to play the piano with amazing musicians every day. I still enjoy every moment I’m playing.

How did you get into playing at weddings?

I started off as a pro playing jazz standards in hotels and restaurants. When I looked at what other events I could play at, weddings were the number one choice. I played at a couple of wedding fairs (with a whole new repertoire) to test the water and got inundated with bookings. Weddings are now around 80% of my business!

During which parts of the day do you usually play?

The ceremony, drinks reception and wedding breakfast are when I usually get asked to play. I have occasionally been booked for evening receptions too when the bride and groom have wanted an alternative to a DJ or live band.  Having said that, I am also in a wedding band and get many evening bookings from this.

Do you have a standard playlist?

I have a repertoire of songs that is increasing all the time. I’m happy to learn new songs for couples and have had some fantastic and sometimes challenging song requests in the past.  I will play anything, from Chopin to Snow Patrol, Frank Sinatra to Beyonce, Beethoven to The Beatles. Having this wide range of songs to hand allows me to create the right atmosphere and surprise guests when I can play their impromptu requests!

What if there’s no piano at the venue?

I have a portable Roland EP880 digital piano that I can bring along, as well as a 300 Watt amplification system. With the constant advances in music technology, it now actually sounds like a grand piano is in the room with you!  It also means that I can set up outside as I’m fully portable. I’ve had the privilege of playing on many beautiful terraces, ornate verendahs, and in marquees and private gardens for brides and grooms.

What’s your favourite part of the job?

I genuinely love everything about my job! But to choose a favourite part – I’d say it has to be putting smiles on people’s faces with what I do. To give you an example: a bride’s father used to play Beethoven’s ‘Fur Elise’ to her when she was a little girl. The bride requested it and I said I’d incorporate it into my set. During the wedding breakfast, I saw the bride’s father talking to the bride and linked from the song I was playing (Sting’s ‘Fields Of Gold’) into Fur Elise. They both stopped talking and stared at each other for what seemed like ages to me. Then they turned around together, misty eyed, and both gave me the biggest smile. Music is an extremely powerful and emotional force.

How far in advance do couples need to book you?

The majority of couples tend to book 9-12 months in advance. Leaving it any later will always increase the risk that I’ll be booked. Please contact me to check availability.

What do you wish couples already knew before they came to you?

Some couples book their evening entertainment before coming to me for their afternoon entertainment and ceremony music. I wish they already knew about my wedding band, Cupid’s Wish, beforehand. Then they’d have their entire day’s music sorted!

We’ve played alongside some of the top names in the music industry, including Jimmy Page from Led Zeppelin, The Verve, Newton Faulkner, Bonnie Tyler and Brian May from Queen. We’re available as a trio (with professional backing tracks), or as a completely live 5-piece band and will have your guests on their feet all night! Our website is www.cupidswish.co.uk

And finally, what makes Matt Carter – Event Pianist special?

Apart from it being an anagram of a tongue-in-cheek marriage reference (Matt Carter Event Pianist = ‘Entrapment is attractive’)….

I’m different to most people’s idea of a pianist; I’ve found that the word ‘pianist’ typically conjures up images of either classical recitals in large halls or late-night cocktail bars. I play classical music and jazz of course, but there’s a whole range of popular music to choose from too: classic rock, pop, soul, disco, indie, motown, Rat Pack, right up to the songs in the Top 40 right now!

Why restrict yourself to a certain musical style when I can turn your favourite songs into piano instrumentals especially for your wedding day?

I’m passionate about detail. I pride myself on providing a very personal service. And I cover the whole musical package for you, from pre-ceremony music as guests arrive through to the last encore when the bar shutters have come down.

For MP3s, Youtube videos, my repertoire and more, visit Matt’s website at www.eventpianist.co.uk. And for enquiries, or just to have an informal chat about your music requirements, contact him on his mobile, 07770 734414, his landline, 01284 700014, or you can email: matt@eventpianist.co.uk

]]> http://aardvarkweddingfilms.co.uk/blog/?feed=rss2&p=243 0 Does the camera really add ten pounds? http://aardvarkweddingfilms.co.uk/blog/?p=202 http://aardvarkweddingfilms.co.uk/blog/?p=202#comments Tue, 27 Jul 2010 22:17:00 +0000 Jim http://aardvarkweddingfilms.co.uk/blog/?p=202

One of my favourite lines in the sitcom Friends came when Monica defended her fuller figure in her old prom video by claiming ‘The camera adds ten pounds!’ Chandler’s retort was ‘Oh… so how many cameras are actually on you?’

It’s a commonly held belief - a Google search finds almost 16 million pages for the words ‘camera adds ten pounds’, but is it true? Well, yes and no…

It is true that objects (or people) close to the camera can look wider than they do in ‘real life’, and the reason is that cameras see the world differently to how humans see it because a camera has only one eye (the lens) whereas we have two.

You can see the difference for yourself by placing a round object - a bottle, mug, grapefruit, whatever - about two feet from you, somewhere where the background isn’t just a blank wall. Now look at it with just your left eye, then just your right eye. With your right eye closed, you’ll see a bit more of the background on the left of the object and vice versa. When you look with both eyes, your brain blends these images together and the object looks a bit thinner simply because you can see more of what’s behind it on both sides at once. The camera’s single lens doesn’t have this luxury.

So does this mean you’ll look fat in your wedding photos and video? Absolutely not. Try that experiment again, but this time look at the object from across the room. You’ll see that the effect is significantly reduced, and the further away you get, the smaller the effect. This is one of the reasons videographers prefer to stay further back rather than taking shots from a couple of feet away from you.

The illusion of depth can also be created by paying attention to light and shadow and, on video at least, by using subtle camera movement when appropriate. Speak to your videographer if you’re worried how you’ll look on film and they should be about to put your mind at rest. A good wedding videographer will know how to create beautiful, flattering images. It shouldn’t be hard – with the perfect makeup, hair and dress you’ll already look fantastic.

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