Yesterday we wrapped principal videography for Wedgwood Christian Services' 51st Annual Dinner Video.  It was a typical full-day shoot; we started at 7am and finished at 5pm.  We had mostly sunny skies and cool temperatures so we decided to record a few of the interviews outside, to showcase the campus more.


View more pictures on our Facebook page.

Many people outside of the film and video community are unaware of the details in their surroundings from day to day.

One would think with sunny skies and a nice breeze shooting outside would be perfect.  Enter the industry professional.  He or she will take the time to educate the client on the array of different details that affect the final product, and why it is necessary to take steps to perfect those details.

The most noticeable of them is the sunlight.  Direct sunlight casts harsh shadows on faces and makes on-camera talent squint their eyes.  Time of day is also a factor, as early morning and late evening the sun will be directing it’s rays on a straighter path to the eyes (unless, of course, you are facing the opposite direction).

There are many tools we use to make shooting in these conditions acceptable.  One is called a silk.  These come in varying densities and sizes so that we can achieve the best look.  We also use flags and bounce cards to manipulate the path of the sun’s rays.

Shooting in mostly sunny conditions with these tools is fine until the clouds start to block the sun.  This changes our ‘scene’ lighting dramatically, therefore we must either adjust and keep recording, or stop tape and wait until a break in the clouds so that continuity is still maintained.

Not the most noticeable is sound.  Wait a minute … do you hear that cricket in the background?  What about that plane, train, sirens, automobile, lawnmower, etc.?  These are sounds that are often unnoticed because we hear them all the time and tend to tune them out.

We do our best to avoid shooting in noisy conditions.  When we have to deal with some noise, like the rumbling of the planes yesterday, we have tools in post-production that can minimize and sometimes completely remove the unwanted sound.

So, that’s just a couple small nuggets of information about film and video production.  KVP is always about educating our clients, prospective clients and anyone else who is curious about the details, and why paying attention to them matters.

We're currently in production on a narrative commercial for Eastern Floral in Grand Rapids, Mich.  Monday is the full day shoot.  It's a romantic comedy piece where a boyfriend (Wayne Hildebrandt), sends his girlfriend flowers from a big box florist before their date night.  The big box florist hires Joe (Evan Koons) working out of his dingy basement with almost-dead flowers to design and deliver the flowers.  Joe gets the flowers to the girlfriend's house via bicycle, throws the junky box on the front stoop and leaves.  The girlfriend is disappointed, then gets mad at her boyfriend, and ends up slamming the door in his face later.

The boyfriend wises up and orders from Eastern Floral. A professional designer arranges a beautiful vase of flowers and a well dressed delivery person hands them to the girlfriend.  You'll have to wait and see the commercial to find out what happens next.

Also in production is an agency image video for Wedgwood Christian Services.  Working in their 51st year, this piece will highlight the history, growth and potential of helping more hurting kids.  We've interviewed the guest speakers of the annual fundraising dinner, Marvin Sapp, Dr. Stan Mast, Pastor Jim Samra and Jim Boelkins - board president.  Next Wednesday we interview some staff from the various departments and gather b-roll from the campus.  Praying for good weather so we can shoot outside.

In pre, pre-production (still waiting on budget approval) is a training video for a local chiropractor and his new state-of-the-art spinal decompression table.  

Dan Malone, Sr. Vice Pres. of Dist. and Customer Operations, is sharing about Consumers' commitment to MIchigan.  They've got a large windfarm on the east side of the state.  They want Michigan suppliers at the heart of their business.  They are pushing the envelope on developing green technology and practices.

One of the smaller suppliers they support is Jackson Coffee Co. in Jackson, Mich..  All of their offices in Jackson use Jackson Coffee Co.'s products.  http://www.consumersenergy.com/content.aspx?id=2028

Can Entrepreneurs Be Made?  Scott Hill from Varnum LLP presenting right now.  Managing risk and balancing with opportunity .  Vision, passion and drive.  

Focus on Michigan - approx. 1 out of 5 jobs has disappeared since 2000.  More than 24% of all private sector job losses nationwide occurred in Michigan during this time.  US Dept. of Labor and Statistics.

Varnum has launched the MiSprinboard which offers free legal services to entrepreneurs in start-up and/or early growth stages.  Targeting giving to Mich. universities and colleges' economic development programs.  $200,000 commitment per year over a 5 year period, up to $1 million in total.  They hope to serve about 60 clients a year.  

Who can receive these services?  Businesses that have the potential to grow jobs, desire to substantially grow business and a written business plan.

Meeting today with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (michiganadvantage.org) at Prince Conference Center on Calvin College's campus.

Tom Rico from the MEDC is speaking right now on the economic gardening initiatives.  Other speakers and partners include Huntington Bank and Varnum Law, both are providing dollars to help small businesses grow.

It's nice to see a few familiar faces - Joy Fossel from Varnum Law and Mark Allen from the GR Chamber.

Launching in a few months, the MEDC is providing a Mich. Business-to-Business Network.  Two of the larger companies in town may join, which means other businesses can register and become suppliers as needs arise.

It's comforting to know that even in these down economic times, there are companies and organizations committed to this community, our state and helping their peers.

I'm not a business man, I just play one on TV.  It doesn't come natural for me, but I'm slowly learning the ropes.  It definitely helps to already be an organized person.

Creating a business plan has often eluded me, but it is always a work in progress.  The current plan includes hiring an intern, then a couple staff.  It would be nice to find another like-minded production person to co-own the company and help continue moving it forward.  

The one-year anniversary of being in a real 'office' is approaching.  We moved into the Goei Center (www.thegoeicenter.com) last September and it has been a wonderful place to work.  The owner of the Goei Center and Eastern Floral, Bing Goei, has been nothing short of amazing in sharing his connections and helping us grow, both as individuals and as a company.

There's a ton of work - marketing, advertising, office 'stuff', producing, directing - and it gets tiring after a while.  But, I keep moving forward with Kharmai Video Productions doing what I love and being thankful that I can make a living at it.

Final Cut Pro X is here, and most of the reviews are not favorable.