new Summer Nights wedding spoof

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Anonymous

This is a new Summer Nights, which I filmed on Sunday and edited Monday (the couple will show it during the speeches at their upcoming wedding).

The film day went well (and the weather held up), most people had learnt the lines and the edit went relatively straightforward too. I’m really pleased with it. What do you think?

EDIT ... The film has been removed from my site until after the wedding (August) because it will be a surprise on the day for all the participants

Thanks for everyones comments :-)

branny
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Joined: Nov 6 2001

Have I got this right . . this was filmed 'before' the wedding?
Either way, I'm being picky ( I know), and you probably had no control of this, but there just seemed tooooooo many people taking part to look relaxed.

Do not follow, I may not lead. Do not lead . . . I may not follow.

Anonymous

Hi Branny

Yes, we try to do these sequences before the wedding now (apart from the Perfect Day sequences - which we have off on the day to a 't' now). It's just so much easier without the time constraints and other pressures on the couple that exist on the wedding day - and it gives then something novel to show at the wedding - projected during the speeches.

There certainly were a lot of people - 30 or so I think - but it was a fairly relaxed day, and, for a change, most people had learnt the words! It was shot in the parents garden and took about 3 hours to shoot. (the car was hired in).

Sometimes these sequences can be a nightmare to film and/or edit, but I was really pleased with this one because it all came together quickly and cohesively - which is the only way really of making them viable!

Chrome
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Joined: May 26 1999

Nice one Gerry... car was a very nice touch; great to have a central focus like that. It most likely really would not have worked without it. As you say it's a nuisance when they haven't learned the words (as I've had a few of times). Some nice editing :)

Dave R Smith
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Joined: May 10 2005

Excellent Purple.
I share the philosophy that all wedding videos don't have to be the same with some imagination.
Having contributors picking up on the vibe (not being co-erced )makes it fun.

P.S. If it was my car they wouldn't be standing on it!

David L Lewis
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Joined: Jan 11 2006

Gerry I think both the original and this new one are superb and they looked a whole lot of fun to do. However If i was asked to choose which i prefered I would have to say the original...seems like the participants just got more "into it" than the second lot.

David L Lewis

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nash
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Joined: Nov 20 2003

Quality.

Taking David's comment, I like the fact that they are both different, even though they are obviously the same. This works IMO from a marketing viewpoint too as people can see they can make it original while following the genre.

I especially like the "gingger" bloke in the original who obviously doesn't get out much and was "throwing" himself into it big style (top man)!

One question I have though, "How timeless will these pieces be?" Will the couple look back and cringe or will it stand the test of time?

Good work again sir!

.............Neil

Neil Ashcroft
Fastroc is Media in Motion
http://www.fastroc.co.uk
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rjpobrien
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Joined: Jul 30 2005

Loved it and I hope you don't mind me saying, much better than your previous version (although I thought that was brilliant when I first saw it). If I were to be uber picky I would say the titles at the beginning were a bit quick but I realise this is necessary for them to fit with the slick editing. Great job!

Richard

rbarry
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Joined: Mar 27 1999

I enjoyed both Summer nights performances for the different reasons already stated, although the original one has more of a feeling of spontaneity about it.
My favourite from your examples web site has to be Perfect Day, and while I prefer Lou Reid singing his original recording, the video is superb. Yes, those involved will cringe after a few years, but not for too long, and they should really appreciate the unique momento of the occasion.
Well done Gerry in having the faith that you can pull this type of shoot off and make a good job to boot, when potentially the "talent" could be more interested in larking around or floundering about in self conscious paranoia!
Rick.

fuddam
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Joined: Nov 19 2005

good work, good work

:)

hedleyw
hedleyw's picture
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Joined: Oct 3 2000

Good one Gerry :) Liked the pace, mix of angles, bit of camera movement. A shame that the groom wasn't singing to camera quite as much as the bride was, a little self-conscious perhaps?

Very enjoyable, I'm sure it'll go down a treat at the reception.

Hedley Wright Web design: brettvalestudios.co.uk/webdesign.html Follow me on Twitter twitter.com/bvstudios

Anonymous

Thank you all so much for the positive comments – I’m really chuffed.

I particularly liked this shoot and edit, mainly because it all came together and made my work much easier, and I’m very pleased with the final result.

The main difference between this and the original was in terms of time – the original was shot at the wedding, in just over an hour, with almost no-one having learnt any words or actions – but then the spontaneity does come across – so every cloud!

On this one we had the luxury of time (although the clouds were very threatening for much of it!) and I could direct more into the action because most people had learnt the words.

The groom was very shy, and kept looking at me when being directed, but the bride was just a star – really natural in front of the camera.

With regard to standing the test of time, I think these type of sequences will be a fabulous keepsake for everyone involved, particularly when it’s a large bunch of friends such as these. Imagine looking back on it in 10/20/30 years. Nostalgia heaven!

Thanks again for all your comments – much appreciated

JMCP
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Joined: Nov 21 2000

Hi Gerry,

really enjoyed that, very well done.

Cheers John

David L Lewis
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Joined: Jan 11 2006

Gerry, Just out of curiousity , how much do you charge for this extra???

David L Lewis

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Anonymous

They vary obviously, depending on a guesstimate of the work involved, but that one was £1400 (and the couple organised and paid for the pink car)

Anonymous

PS - I've now got it streaming in a properly sized 16 9 window - it was a bit sideways squished before!

tom hardwick
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Joined: Apr 8 1999

Much enjoyed watching it Gerry. Would have loved to film it, too. Super-wides and flowing movement. Like the others say - so many people to control - and one of the girls caught hoisting her bra back into p[lace I see.

branny
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Joined: Nov 6 2001

Were there any reservations about dressing in their wedding kit prior to the wedding day?

Do not follow, I may not lead. Do not lead . . . I may not follow.

Wicked
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Joined: May 9 2005

I think I'm a fairly lone voice in not liking the music video thing in wedding films. I can appreciate the nostalgia factor etc, and don't get me wrong, Gerry, yours is a good film that is well made - my comment is about the idea in the first place. Still, the good thing is that there are a number of us who are happy to make one of these films, and some that are reluctant - as always, the market will dictate and if there is a variety on offer then we will please more people more of the time and continue to improve the take up of our industry. For £1400, however, I can definitely see the appeal....!
I did toy with the idea of offering an amarillo spoof which is quite easy to do once you have the set up, but have put that on hold for a while. Good luck to those of you who make these films, but I have to say that it seems a bit tacky and cheesy for me - maybe it's because the Grease and Perfect Day films are a bit obvious and everyone (who makes these films) seems to do them. Does anyone actually make any that are different to these two songs? I think I would just like to see some more variety.

Anonymous
for Branny

Branny, I think you've been looking at the wrong Summer Nights - click on the small link marked 'SN sample' down in the bottom left of the screen, under the main display of films. The Summer Nights in the main display is from a couple of years ago and was filmed at the wedding.

Anonymous

Obviously I’m biased, but I don’t see them as either tacky or cheesy – they’re just great fun for everyone involved – great fun to make and great fun to watch afterwards; and they just add a little more to the traditional wedding video – and of course to the speeches, if shown at the reception.

Even at £1400 they’re not necessarily particularly lucrative. Generally I reckon on a one-day shoot and a two-day edit. This one was edited in one day but only because I was on a roll – and I didn’t get to bed to 1.30. Don’t get me wrong – they’re a very welcome additional income – but no pot of gold.

I haven’t seen anyone else do a Summer Nights, but Perfect Day is (certainly for us), popular, simply because it’s so easy to do on the day – we even take a portable backdrop along. It is also more affordable than any of the more ambitious ones.

There are potentially lots of flavours to these pieces (I don’t really like the term ‘pop videos’ – ‘cos they’re not) – our ‘Pirates’ is a great example of something quite different – and that was certainly potentially lucrative – we have twice been offered upwards of £6000 (half to us, half to the couple) to have it shown on American TV, and we’ve also had a Japanese station interested – but the couple are now divorced, and won’t give permission!

We’re also doing a ‘Top Gun’ sequence for a RAF pilot later in the year – well actually I think it’s going to be a sort of ‘Top Gun/Officer and a Gentleman’ type thing.

These are certainly not for everyone and possibly not to everyone’s taste – and for many couples they are simply not affordable, but we do get a lot of interest in them – and for me, anything that raises the profile and awareness of the wedding genre generally just has to be good.

Of course none of this can really be discussed without a substantial nod in the direction of Graham Fenton. I have loads of his early stuff here (given by Graham – not pinched!) and he was just so innovative and visual in what he wanted to produce – ‘Tragedy’ has really gone down in folklore and should remain an inspiration to us all – not just for the novelty value, but as reminder that all wedding videos do not have to follow the same path.

caryjoy
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Joined: May 10 2005

Gerry, great idea, big aspiration, huge success!! Nice one, I thought it great to watch & IMHO so will the couple!!

Cary

branny
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Joined: Nov 6 2001

Hi Gerry - I'm sure I clicked on the SN the first day, and got the other one - have you switched it just to throw me? if so it worked!
This one is brill! well filmed, edited and a great performance by all. I also think these will get better down the years, and having done a couple I know the magical effect they have on all involved. A really BIG acknowledgement and tribute to Graham Fenton is always in our pitch to clients - the greatest lift wedding videos have ever had worldwide - period! Keep up the great work!

Do not follow, I may not lead. Do not lead . . . I may not follow.

Anonymous

Ian - Really pleased that you enjoyed this one - it must have been getting confusing with the various comments not quite making sense!

NOTE. The film has now been removed from my site altogether as it's going to be a surprise showing on the wedding day for all the participants. Thank you for all your comments - Much appreaciated :-)

dvcam
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Joined: Nov 25 2004
summer nights

" from wicked" Good luck to those of you who make these films, but I have to say that it seems a bit tacky and cheesy for me - maybe it's because the Grease and Perfect Day films are a bit obvious and everyone (who makes these films) seems to do them.

Jeremy, I think the reason everyone seems to do these is because they are very popular with the public and they can sing along to them.
Last Saturday our "Summer Nights" was filmed live with three cameras and the lead singer was a ten year old girl with the bride/bridesmaids & friends as the backing group. Grease will live on forever and everyone had a lot of fun especially the Scot who lifted his kilt in front of the unmanned camera. (yes, it is true what they say about a true Scotsman).
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