photo courtesy of Ilona Lee from Foto Expression

If you are into wedding cinematography but you haven’t heard Mayad studios, you must be out of this world. They were one of the best 25 cinematographers based on Event DV in 2011. I was fortunate to attend their first overseas academy  in Singapore while I was on my work trip in South East Asia last July.

I have to admit I wasn’t a big fan of their works prior to the workshop, but I am now. But as an educator myself, if I could go home from a workshop and able to shorten one or two steps in my workflow, I would reckon the workshop was worth to go to. Obviously, I didn’t expect to change my style completely from the workshop. But I think it did. I learned a great deal about teamwork and many other things that helped to shape my new style of shooting.

I had a big and long thought from the workshop to digest what I saw and heard. My style of motion pictures had been similar to my still pictures philosophy, It’s more about real moment and storytelling. But from the workshop, I learned for the first time the word “Entertaining” in the wedding film-making. I never thought about it before, I only focused to create a story to remember for the couple. I felt it’s OK to hand-held the camera as long as I could get the feeling from the movie. But from this workshop, I learned the use of glidecam and many other tools could also create a story with the feeling, not only just to create something looking so cool. Thanks to them for opening my eyes in the workshop.

It could be it’s my real first time to use glidecam ever at the workshop. I had no clue of how to use it, but I remember just to try during the practical challenge. Yeah, it’s still no good. I could conclude that before the workshop I had no idea of being the real cinematographer. Pardon me, I am from photography world that inspires to be a cinematographer.

Not only that, I also learn teamwork is the key to succeed in wedding cinematography. Coming from the background of photography that always relies on myself all the time, I watched how their team’s work together, it was a mind blowing experience. I could imagine if I have three Wiki Lee on the team, it’ll be a super awesome. That’s how I realise I should stop thinking it’s always about me to perform when shooting. It’s always about the team to make the difference. That’s how I decided that there is no more Wiki Lee motion pictures anymore, we created a new revolution team under the BIG films.

the BIG films has been running fully since Mid August 2011. The reception we received from the same day edit presentation was phenomenal. Some of them dubbed our works to be the best wedding video ever. I wouldn’t dare to accept that. But we are definitely trying to be one someday. That’s our BIG dream to start with. But I think for sure, what I learn from the workshop and formulate into the team, it definitely worked for us. Even for us it’s difficult to believe that we’re able to produce something like that. I am turning to a big fan of our own team’s works. Fun, creative, entertaining and yet storytelling, it’s something that we aim for in every wedding.

On top of that, I met huge number of new friends internationally during the workshop. It’s definitely a big plus. I also got the chance to hang out with cool dudes from Wedding Cinematographers Guild. Not only just meeting up with fellow cinematographers, but I also got the chance to hear from someone like Oly Ruiz of Metro Photo learning about the other side of marketing

So thank you my friends from Mayad studio. I am sure you never expect that you change someone’s life but you have. Well done, I hope the best endeavor for the Mayad Academy to have more blessed people like me.

Here is our debut work. You are more than welcome to visit our official website to see all of our recent works as we will blog each individual separately. Join the facebook page if you like what you see

Man, internet in Indonesia was so slow. The video upload really frustrated me. Ops, I forgot to mention for anyone who’s not my friend in facebook. I am currently in Jakarta, Indonesia. I am in my sabbatical mode (as mentioned in Richard + Virginia post) that I am spending time here to learn more what wsp (Wiki School Pedia) can be for Asian. So I’ll make a short trip to KL, Malaysia and also Singapore soon.

But well it’s all just a plan. When I see my weekend was empty with no schedule and my family was not around, my hand was always itchy. That’s exactly what happened last Sunday on this Jakarta trip. My family was still in Sydney, so I was all alone over here. That’s when I asked my good friends from THEUPPERMOST to collaborate together. This could be my third times working alongside them ever since we knew each other. They are such good friends and inspiration to me. We may have some differences in what we believe in styles but I really acknowledge their teamwork/partnership on the field are second to none that I ever witness in my own eyes. For that, I thank them to inspire to shoot better in the team.

Anyway, I met Herry and Vivi for the first time on their wedding day. I was fortunate that they have heard my name before so it’s not difficult to sell myself (Yes, I am cheap… I love to sell myself ). What they don’t know, I have also learned about them from their facebooks. So it’s not surprise that I could get along easily with them.

Herry is such a gentleman, Vivi is such a friendly one. That’s how I can describe them in such a short meeting. I am sure our lives will cross path more in the future, because I can see they have what it takes to be good friends So let’s keep in touch in facebook OK!

About the wedding, this is my first time shooting motion pictures in Indonesia. Luckily, I have been shooting weddings in still pictures quite a few. So the culture shocks didn’t bother me much. Well, it’s still a little. But I guess I survived (especially with only 3 hours sleeps. I call a jetlag homesick). This could also be the first time that I shoot motion pictures in weddings by myself for a long long time. It’s been a while. But I love it. It definitely freshed me up to shoot more creatively. I came to Jakarta unprepared to shoot motion pictures so I didn’t bring many tools. This below films was completely filmed using Canon 5dmk2 + 50mm f1.2/135mm f2.0 + manfrotto monopod.

In order to make my life more challenging, I also made the attempt to shoot the behind the scenes (BTS) of THEUPPERMOST in actions too I definitely can’t promise much about it, it’s definitely difficult to shoot two stories at the same time. I have shot so many times shooting in still and motion pictures in one wedding. But shooting two stories in one wedding is a complete different beast. Let’s see the result soon (I hope).

Without further ado, here is the wedding trailer of Herry and Vivi:

I title the video “Take me, I’m yours” based on the label on Vivi’s bag. One side says “Take me”, the other says “I’m yours”. It’s a custom in Indonesia influenced by Chinese tradition that the bride prepare one bag to be brought with her to her new house/room. So I shoot “Take me” before Vivi brought up to her new room in Herry’s house. “I’m yours” was when in Vivi’s new room . Hopefully, you get my drift

If there is any project that I really regret that I couldn’t do it due to my schedule this year was Amanda and Des’s wedding. I seriously hate the situation that I needed to be overseas trip on the wedding day. From the start, they showed the potential to be my perfect couple. But well, it’s all good at least, my boys from Foto Expression will surely look after them with special care *lol*.

But well, at least I could still play a little bit of them for creating this simple portrait films for them. Love love love love… you can call me bias. But I really think this really suits to their personality – cheeky and lovely. Please check it out!

You know that I am good of picking up songs for my couples based on the personality, but this time I couldn’t take the credit out of this. It’s too perfect, it’s so them. They also brought up how they never liked something that’s too commercial. I guess how they love me too, low profile *lol*.

I love the fact of this simple concept how it doesn’t overwhelm the connection or chemistry between them. According to Amanda, Des was always romantic. So she had no clue of whatsoever that Des would propose to her on that day. It’s because Des always treated her like any other day. He’s always relax, fun and treat her with care . It’s really great to hear their relationship story.

They reckon that people started thinking that they never got married any time soon as they have been engaged over 2 years. So they felt that they need a reminder to their friends and families.

Most of footages were mostly filmed in palm beach, so we needed to drive a bit. In fact, it was my first trip there. It’s totally worth it. I guess the location spots were all decided because of Des’ bike. Do you all see the bike? I admitted that I am no a bike person. But I totally call it as one of the best piece of art in motorcycle I ever seen. It looks so cool and vintage (what Des mentioned it was an old restoration). When we parked for lunch, everyone just stopped by to have a look at it. Now, I knew why Des really insisted to have the portrait films done. He wants to have a piece of memory to remember his darling (Of course, it’s Amanda ).

Anyway, I really had a great time even though it was such a short time that we enjoy each other companion. I am sure listing you guys are one of my favourite couples that I ever work with. Please check out a bit of behind the scenes photos here of how much fun we had.

Felix and Dianne are friends of the coolest couples rob + cindy and james + arlene. I seriously love shooting for their circle of friends. Simply I have this theory of friendship “if you are tall, then your friends are not much different too in height.” In other words, if you are friends cool, most likely you are cool too. vice versa

What can I tell you about Felix and Dianne? Opposite attracts is my answer. One is the sensitive one and the other one is straight to the point, no fuss.. I seriously think they are a heaven match especially knowing how they got together. Faith definitely played the part Check it out how they went out on their portrait films.

I still remember their wedding was frickin hot. It was in December last year. I regretted to let Marcel, my assistant of the day, to stay in the cafe to work on our surprise same day edit (SDE) to be presented at the reception. Yes, it was a surprise because they thought we were going to show their portrait films only. So as soon as the first presentation was over, we straight away showed this surprise sde. I gave a full credit to Marcel who picked the song for this sde video. I think it really suited to their personality.

Here is the SDE video.

I am happy with the trailer (below) as it gives a different feeling to the same day edit version. I love how the innocent Felix responded “It’s a start” when Arlene asked whether their red pocket to buy out the bride was good enough and how Felix’s speech to say that he’s glad that Dianne is still with him after how long she had to wait until he pop up the question

So go and check it out

Their wedding is the last motion pictures project in 2010. I am very proud that I hit another milestone in motion pictures career in such a proud note. In this opportunity, I really thank you to all of you who believed in me and had faith in me. It’s definitely encouraging to know there are people who believe in me without seeing. I remember vividly Felix was so keen to book me after Rob + Cindy’s wedding. He tried the best of what he could do to make it happened. So thank you guys, it really means a lot to me For the future couples, you have seen my works now. I could only tell you that my works will only get more awesome hahahhaha *lol* especially after the Mayad workshop this July that I attended in Singapore. The price is definitely up soon *lol*. So book me for 2012!! *Desperate mode* HAHAHHAHAHAHAHA…

So thank you Felix and Dianne for giving us a great time And also special thanks to the old familiar faces at the party who helped to get some foods for us during the reception and of course crazy times

Wow, I can’t believe that I am late for 6 months to blog this post.

Their wedding was back in last December. I promise to blog their wedding video next week at the latest.

Today is the turn for their portrait films.

Check it out the teaser before watching the full version one below:D

What can I say about them? I think for someone who know them, this films clearly tells about them. How photography and cars describe who they are.

Both of them are driving Honda type R. They both love photography.

On the meeting when we discuss about the story for the making of the portrait films, Dianne said that she wanted to have to be based on something real but not a cheesy one. She loves the idea of the movie from “Sliding doors” that tells what happens if Helen (Gwyneth Parlow) misses the train that she wouldn’t catch his husband cheating.  Dianne felt the same way if only she didn’t agree to do a favour for Felix, it wouldn’t be the same now. What favour? I think you should check out the video below

They met each other in one unplanned meeting (not stated on the movie). It leaded one another until they exchanged ICQ details. But then they lost contact for a while, until one day Felix randomly called her. And that’s how it all began.

The concept “sliding doors” on this films is if only Dianne didn’t backspace “No” on her chat, Dianne’s car drifts away from Felix (btw, anyone notice both of them have cool number plates). However, the reality is that Dianne accepted to do a favour for Felix to buy a lens on his behalf to get a staff discount. I hope Canon didn’t see this because I don’t think Dianne allowed to do that But I almost title this film “Canon change our lives” hhahaha *lol*

I really love the ending from this films that we shot the scene after their ceremony was over. I gave Felix, “Here is a camera for you to shoot Dianne”

Thank you thank you thank you. It’s been awesome shooting the portrait films especially we shot them on the rain. I had so much fun, and of course my canon didn’t