November 20, 2009

Need a Holiday Idea? How about a photomontage or family history video?


While Tim Alan Smith is mainly a company focused on being a NYC wedding videographer, we are often asked by clients to put together photos and video clips for a photomontage or family history video. Many times the client is doing this as a surprise anniversary (any special year such as 5th anniversary, 10th anniversary, 20th anniversary, 25th anniversary, 40th anniversary or 50th anniversary celebrations). We are also asked to do them for special birthday milestones as well as graduation or bat/bar mitzvah surprises. We also take VHS clips that you have collected over the years and combine them with photos and music to create that special heirloom video. Some people simple want us to take their photos and put or scan them to a DVD for safe keeping. We can do all of this. Most people realize that their family won't be around forever and want us to come film and interview everyone at a holiday or other special family gathering. Whatever your need, we are able to help you create that unique holiday gift and family . In fact, my family doesn't even know it yet, but I'm bringing all the video gear home for Thanksgiving and everyone is going to get interviewed soon after the turkey is eaten! To read more about what kind of NYC family history or photomontage project we can do for you, click on the link or give us a call today!

November 19, 2009

Marcy & Barry; November 14, The Metropolitan Pavilion: New York, NY


NYC wedding videographer Tim Alan Smith spent Saturday night filming the wedding of Marcy and Barry at the Metropolitan Pavilion in downtown Manhattan. I have been to the Metropolitan Pavilion many times for the New York Magazine wedding showcase, an annual event for those having a wedding or in the wedding industry. However, this was the first time I have had the chance to film there. Kim Pilson of the Wedding Sitter (full service or day of NYC wedding planner) did an amazing job ensuring romantic ambiance of the space with their choice of decor. The couple saw each other before the ceremony as they took photos under the amazing Chuppah with NYC wedding photographer Alex Z before moving to another room to sign the Ketubah. After that, the couple had exchanged vows under the Chuppah in front of their closest family and friends before a happy exit (pictured above) and cocktail hour. The reception was fun starting with first dance and the Horah with the very entertaining Hank Lane musicians the Russell Bennett Band keeping the crowd on their feet until the very last song!

A happy bride writes in after receiving her video



Being a wedding videographer in NYC is a fun way to make a living, and letters like the one below make it even better! Many people who are unsure about whether or not to have a videographer for their NYC wedding, will see through the bride's eyes how it feels to watch it....


"Hi Tim,

We just watched the video and it is AMAZING!!! At first I didn't see the separate clip of super 8 footage and all those extras. I love it. you used most of the songs i asked for and I like all the others. funny thing is after i thought about it more I really wanted that version of somewhere over the rainbow, you you used it anyway, which is great! you read my mind. I have to be honest I reallly didn't know what you meant when you kept saying this if for the outtakes the day of the wedding, but we loved the outttakes...so much fun!! If my little sister wasn't in it I have to say everyone else would have lacked, but it all came together great!!!
We really loved everything and it captured the whole day! I dk if I told you but right after you left the dance floor went crazy and one of our friends is famous for breakdancing, and he got down...oh well, we have the memories....

Alex and I were wondering if it would be possible to get a separate disc just for us with the Super 8 clip and then the TAS Signature clip too so we can put them on YouTube and share them with everyone?
Thank you for everything. I can't wait to watch it all again and share it with everyone!
have a good weekend,

Lauren"

Super 8 Video....It never seems to get old!

Although Tim Alan Smith is a NYC wedding videographer and focus mostly on video, we often get asked if we can also shoot super 8 film. The answer is YES! If you don't know what Super 8 is, picture the opening sequence of "The Wonder Years" and it will come back to you quickly. That nostalgic grainy, choppy look of film cameras of the 50's and 60's brings many brides in the door hoping we can create that effect on their wedding video.

Super 8 cameras take actual film and many don't perform well unless it is really well lit, so typically we use for outdoor sequences or inside when the lighting is very good.

This particular wedding was at the Pius X church and Scarsdale with the wedding reception at beautiful Trump National Golf Course in Briarwood Cliff, NY, using both black and white and color film stock.

September 17, 2009

WEVA Expo: Orlando Florida Wedding Video Conference



I have spent this past week in sunny Orlando attending the WEVA (Wedding and Event Videographers Association) yearly expo at the week-old Orlando Hilton. The WEVA Expo is a yearly tradeshow/seminar for videographers from around the world who gather to share ideas and expertise, network and to learn the new and exciting trends in wedding and event video. Days are long with seminars starting at 8 a.m. and ending at 10 p.m. with a huge tradeshow floor filled with new technology and products/services on display in between. Being a wedding videographer in NYC is great but it's also good to get new perspectives and ideas from artists working around the world. In addition to some new equipment that I purchased (always fun) I have picked up a few ideas and techniques that I think will make my video productions even better moving forward. My only regret this week is that I have been so busy I haven't had time to enjoy a few minutes at the amazing pool!

August 12, 2009

Josh & Danit; Schlitz Audobon Nature Center: August 1, Milwaukee, Wisconsin



Once in a while I get to attend weddings as a guest, so it was great fun for me to spend the weekend with friends Josh and Danit in Miwaukee a few weeks back at the Schlitz Audobon Nature Center. This is the first of 3 weddings I will be attending this year and even as a guest, I can't help myself from bringing a small camera along! Clients who are fun and want their wedding to embody that spirt of fun, are typically are our favorite weddings at Tim Alan Smith. For Josh & Danit, fun was the theme of the day!

Untitled from TimAlanSmith on Vimeo.

July 14, 2009

Miriam & Zeyad; The Hotel Pierre; July 11




Miriam & Zayed had a weekend of non-stop partying after exchanging their vows a few weeks ago in a private ceremony with family. It started on Friday night at the Hudson Terrace with Tim Alan Smith & friends and family whogathered to celebrate with the couple before their Saturday wedding at the Hotel Pierre on 5th Avenue. When NYC wedding videographer Tim Alan Smith arrived, the couple was preparing to head to Central Park for some photos with Dante from Great Neck Photographers. The couple then returned to Hotel Pierre where they practiced their tango routine and helped family and friends get all the name cards set for their nearly 500 guests! All then gathered for family photos before guests arrived for cocktails. Miriam headed back to the bridal suite with her sisters to rest up for her grand entrance while Zeyad worked the room and excitedly exchanged calls with Miriam discussing their grand entrance. Dancers and music met Zeyad and his friends as they entered the ballroom to a standing/clapping crowd of family and friends and started what became a non-stop dance party all-night. Beautiful Miriam soon followed escorted by her father and met by Zayed where the festive dancing continued. Total Entertainment's Soul Connection/White Light relieved the Arabic musicians and the two alternated all night to provide a special and unique sound for the wedding night. Other highlights included toasts by Zeyad's two brothers and Miriam's brother, a tribute from Zeyad to his mother and the music and dancing. When Soul Connection announced that the party was ending in the ballroom, it really was just the beginning as guests moved to a new room designed like a NYC club where the party kept going until the wee hours of the night!