Jun 18
Dec 09
In a November staff meeting, the fig team sat around and discussed new ideas for expanding projects and running holiday deals. Enter, the holiday video card. That evening, using twelve dollars and their studio at fig east- the team bought antlers and director Melissa Martens grabbed employees and asked them to sing Rodolph the Red Nosed Reindeer to the best of their ability. Using Go Green and Skip the Card. as the tag line- the holiday e-card became an instant hit.
“What we did not realize was just how sticky the idea would be. Once the video launched we saw a jump in views from 10 views to 350 in a matter of 24 hours. The idea was covered in BizBash as one of the top 10 best last minute holiday ideas and the requests started coming in,” Melissa said, “What started as a fun spontaneous morning meeting idea, has turned into an exciting new product that we have tons of fun filming.One of our corporate clients raved about the idea saying that it saved her so much time and money coordinating and signing over 5,000 holiday cards in a few weeks. She traded the hassle of blisters on her fingers and stamp licking for directing her staff in a rendition of “let is snow.” In one afternoon she got all she needed and we did the rest.Now they have a hilarious living video greeting to send to all their clients and friends.”
The newly engaged dynamic duo Andrew and Nicole posted their card on their social networks and watched the fun as it spread to family, friends, co-workers and even ended up in a corporations newsletter.
The requests and shoots keep pouring in for the idea, and as it gets closer to Christmas and new years we are finding people are eager to gobble up the opportunity to save some time and star in their own video. Fig plans on keeping the fun going, developing new ideas for custom video e-cards in the future, so keep an eye out.
For now you can book your holiday card shoot with fig, as a gift for someone, for yourself, for your company or even for next year by going here: BOOK YOUR HOLIDAY CARD! Time is running out, and next week is filling up with shoots-so get in early to lock in your shoot date.
Oct 27
Fashion Focus wrapped up on Sunday October 25th and ended a long weekend beginning on Thursday night. From exclusive backstage coverage, fashion shows featuring designers from students to up-and-coming – everything was about fashion.
figphoto photographers & videographers covered the shows and backstage during Fashion Focus Chicago! Check out photo galleries, & videos. You can also view the coverage on factio magazine, chicago reader, chicago magazine, Style Admirer, & More. Make sure you check out the videos done by billy rood on vimeo!
Abigail Glaum Lathbury Fashion Show – VIDEO -
Dress Code Fashion Show – VIDEO -
Horacio Nieto Fashion Show – VIDEO -
Elise Bergman Fashion Presentation - VIDEO -
GenART Behind the Scenes & Fashion Focus Show – VIDEO -
Oct 01
Bringing back the art of coordinated dances at weddings, more elaborate then the electric slide, wedding video dances are hitting high on viral video social status.
Check out some of fig’s favorites:
Feb 23
(photo by Brian Carey, fig photographer)
By Melissa Martens, Artistic Manager and Cinematographer
5. Have a visual reference of what you want your video to look and feel like.
Bring in a photograph, web-site, movie clip that you love and talk about why you enjoy them. If you have picked your photographer already, I like to look at their work, it helps me get ideas of what you like. I often ask couples what movies they like to watch to get a sense of their personalities and visual styles.
*click links to see you-tub clips.
For example: I once met with a couple who loved, Sex and the City (Bride) and Reservoir Dogs (Groom). In the meeting, I pulled up the Sex and the City Intro and the opening for Reservoir dogs on You-Tube and after talking about what we liked about them, we decided to shoot our own version for their wedding video. It turned out so cool!
See, Marianna & Mark . In our wedding portfolio to see the final video.
4. Have photos of important family members and friends that you want captured.
(photo by Brian Carey and Tim Musho)
It is so helpful to me to see faces before a wedding. I am a visual person by profession. I am also not a super human mind reader. With over 100 guests, even the best videographer can not guarantee that EVERYONE at your wedding make it to your video or get the same amount of attention that your key players will. I always try to cover all my bases as best I can, getting grandparents, kids and siblings outside the obvious key players that stand up in your ceremony. SO if you have someone who is special to you, that I may not know is that special, bring me a photograph.
3. The brighter the Better.
(photo by James Gustin)
If you choose an alternative space for your ceremony, take your videographer with you to design the lighting in the space. Dark spaces spell bad news for your video. Video needs lots of light, otherwise you get grainy, dark footage with little color range and depth. Alternative spaces and hotel ballrooms with no windows and ceremonies with chupahs need more attention paid to the lighting. I always try and make contact with the banquet manager at hotels, or your designer to work on the lighting.
My philosophy: mood lighting is romantic for an evening, your video is forever.
Take the extra step and work with your videographer, designer and manager of the space you choose on lighting your space for your video.
(if you are concerned about having a spotlight, stage like feeling…I assure you, there are tasteful ways of lighting that can still get you the feeling you want and have enough light for your video)
2. Talk to the camera and describe what you are going through as the day goes on.
(photo by Brian Carey)
This makes a great story that your editor can use to make something sweet and tailored to the both of you. One of my couples talked to the camera right before she walked down the aisle, later in the edit we used it to tell the story…and the groom had no idea. When they saw it for the first time, it was a very touching moment.
1. (Ok, so this is really 2 things.) Write your own vows and whisper to each other during your ceremony.
I have noticed that couples who write their own vows have a deeper connection with each other, more engaged faces during their ceremony and allow their emotions to flow. Which makes me shed some tears and tells a great story. I will use that audio later in an edit to make something that will pull the both of you closer to each other on the couch when you watch it.
Whispering to each other during the ceremony keeps the both of you alive and focused on the task at hand…even if you are whispering about how hot the room is, it makes a big difference in how you appear on film.
It is so easy to zone out at the alter. Brides often comment later while watching their ceremony video that they never realized how their faces looked.