Here’s a short excerpt from Greg and Tara’s wedding that I thought was really neat.

Well I did it.  I now have a facebook page so you can “like” stuff.  If you like to “like” stuff you can “like” my stuff.  I also added a “share” button for easy posting to facebook.

Tim Seley Studios Facebook Page

Just posted a teaser for Meg and Matt’s wedding.  Click here to view the teaser.  Make sure to watch the whole thing… I think the end can only be described as epic.

I really like some of the shots I got from this wedding.  Here’s a few of my favorites…

Here’s a little teaser of Meg and Matt’s wedding.

It was a really fun wedding.  The rehearsal dinner was one of my favorites that I’ve been to.  I also got to meet a few new faces.  Jenny from the Bliss List was awesome to work with and did an amazing job of coordinating all of the events and keeping everything on track.  She’s been building a really cool brand over at blisslistkc.com where you can go to find all sorts of resources for weddings and premium vendors in the Kansas City area.  Check it out.

The photographers were also really easy to work with.  The guys from Blixt Photo just opened up a new studio as well so make sure to check them out.

The song for the video is from a great little indie band I found via thesixtyone.com called “The Belle Game.”  They were kind enough to let me use their song “Shoulders and Turns” for the video and I think it turned out great.  Please support them by buying their EP below.  Its tough being an indie musician these days so if you like their music please send a few dollars their way.  Also visit them at www.thebellegame.com.

Wedding locations and links:

Primp Boutique Salon, The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, Hallbrook Country Club, Intercontinental at the Plaza, Blixt Photo, Bliss List KC

I spoke with a bride this week asking me a few basic questions that I realized I didn’t have examples for.

Question 1:  What does a basic ceremony edit look like?

The ceremony edit is included in all of the packages.  The Spielberg includes both the basic ceremony edit and then an abbreviated edit that is a part of the wedding film.  The typical setup for a ceremony shoot uses 2 or 3 cameras.  One will be in the back somewhere providing a wide shot.  One may be in the front shooting towards the bride and groom assuming the space in the church is suitable  And the third camera will be manned by me as I roam around getting different angles and focusing on different little moments as they occur.  The groom wears a wireless mic that will pick up all the vows from both the bride and groom and when available I’ll plug into the soundboard to get a feed of audio from there.

Then in the edit I can pick and choose the best angles and the best audio for that particular moment.

Question 2:  How does the basic edit of the Scorcese compare to the Spielberg? For an example from the Spielberg click here

The basic edit is just that: a basic edit.  The moments and events will still be recorded but the final presentation won’t be as polished.  It’ll consist of basic cuts, no added music, narration, voice over, or use of B-roll.  It still makes for a nice clean presentation, but it won’t be the same experience as the more finely tuned Spielberg.  When it comes my “packages” I like to be flexible so there’s definitely some latitude if there’s things you like and don’t like.  If you have any questions about any of my packages or techniques contact me.

This wedding was unique in a lot of ways.

First… I didn’t book it.  My friend (and fantastic photographer/videographer) Mike Varel did.  He unfortunately had a conflict that he couldn’t get out of, so he hired me to shoot the wedding for him.  This was my first wedding I’d ever shot as the lead shooter where I’d been hired by another videographer, instead of a bride and groom.  I was honored that he trusted me enough to have me shoot a wedding that he would ultimately edit and deliver with his name on.  Mike is doing the final edit, but he was nice enough to let me use some footage for my own website.

Second… I got to hang out with Isaac Alongi and his wonderful wife Sandra.  They were the photographers for the wedding and do amazing work. It was fun getting to know them and it always helps the wedding day go smoother when the photographers are talented AND enjoyable to be around.

Third… eight words: Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church.  This church was stunning.  I don’t know if I’ve shot a wedding in a more beautiful building.

Kate was a really fun bride to be around and has a very genuine personality.  It was a beautiful wedding and I wish the couple luck (and Mike since he’s editing all the stuff I shot!)

Wedding Locations and Links: Skyline Salon, Visitation Church, Intercontinental at the Plaza, Kansas City Country Club, Issac Alongi, Mike Varel

The song in the video is by a band from Colorado called The Autumn Film.  They just released a new album called the Ship and the Sea which is excellent.  The track is “Ocean Blue” and is used with the band’s permission.  Visit theautumnfilm.com for free downloads and more about the band.

A common subject amongst the small, independent video world (including wedding filmmakers) is the topic of music in projects.  Mainly, what music can I or should I use in my projects?  As an independent business person, but also as a creative I want to make the best possible film I can, but I also don’t want to be a criminal.  I want to use music with etiquette…

courtesy of Hartboy and Creative Commons

My perspective is a little different because I’ve got one foot firmly planted in the music world (as a musician) and one in the video world (as a filmmaker).  Here’s a few things I want to say up front:

1) Creative people should be compensated for their work by people that enjoy their work

2) Lots of great musicians are barely making anything and want all the exposure they can get

3) I want to share things that I enjoy with people I enjoy

From the perspective of a wedding filmmaker I’m not terribly concerned with the legalities of using copyrighted music in my films, because

a) they will primarily be watched at home by the couple that hires me

b) I go out of my way to purchase that music (and maybe plus some) to make sure the artist receives some compensation

c) I’m going to include a copy of the soundtrack on a CD with the artists and track info clearly included so the couple can know what that great song is in their film, and possibly even become fans of that artist.  If I’m putting a song in a wedding film its because I genuinely enjoy it and would love it if my clients went out and bought more of that artist.

But…

Using an artist’s song to complete a wedding film seems like it should be worth more than a dollar or ten.  Because it is.  Unfortunately standard licensing of music is waaaay too expensive for this type of project, and frankly unnecessary (speaking as both a musician and filmmaker).  The little wedding filmmakers like me haven’t had a good system in place to compensate musicians for using their music on a small scale.  Even though we want to!  And the little musicians like me haven’t had a good system in place for filmmakers to compensate me for using my music in their films.  Even though I want them to use it!

Until now…

I discovered With Etiquette courtesy of my twitter feed and it looks like a great solution for this problem.  They’re a go between for small indie artists and wedding filmmakers.  Its brand new so I’m sure things will evolve, but its great to see someone stepping in and filling this niche.  Musicians get compensated properly and the licenses are affordable for smaller indie filmmakers.

The catalog of artists at With Etiquette is still small, but contains some very nice musicians like Amy Seeley (great name) and Zachary Lucky.  The With Etiquette crew let me know via email that they’re looking to expand their offerings in the near future which makes me excited both as a musician and a filmmaker.  My hat’s off to them (if I had one) and I selfishly hope that they succeed.

-T

PS In the spirit of sharing great music here’s a few of my current favs…

The Autumn Film, Copeland, Eisley, Zoe Keating, Bon Iver, Kyle Blake, Fiction Family, Phoenix, the list goes on…

Me: Just checking to see if you got the DVDs?

Will: WOW! O MY STINKING GOODNESS!!! we grabbed the box and brought it with us to her place last night and just watched it!!! We will hire you for anything! it was so awesome!! We both are so impressed & love it!  just a heads up, Lese is probably going to watch it non-stop, so we might need another one after its worn out-sorry

Me: Awesome! Glad it got there and you like it!  Happy Thanksgiving!

Check out Will and Alese’s trailer here.

Picture courtesy of

click image for more

If you’re going to the trouble of hiring someone to document your wedding and turn into a film, then I think it merits more than your usual DVD case.  I just got these in and they’re probably the most elegant DVD case I’ve seen.  They’re hand made in silk brocade and will come with the Spielberg package.  You can order additional copies or as an add on for $50 per copy.