Nominated for Best Videographer on the Jersey Shore

We were just notified and we are excited to announce that we have been nominated for the myfoxphilly HOTLIST Jersey Shore Edition. We're listed under "Videographers" as Dave Williams Films.

We shoot in South Jersey quite often because it is one of my favorite areas of the country to shoot. We are recommended by most respected venues from The Seaview Marriott near Atlantic City all the way down to the Congress Hall Hotel in Cape May.

To see some of the work we've produced in South Jersey, check out these clips:
Atlantic City Wedding Video Bridal Prep Chapter at Trump Marina
Cape May Wedding Video Recap at Congress Hall
Save The Date Wedding Video in Ocean City NJ
Congress Hall Promo Video - Congress Hall Wedding Video

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The Sound is More Important Than The Picture

One of our recent grooms (a new york wedding and event videographer himself) recently asked me how we do our audio. In fact, when I speak to professional videographers associations, it is one of the top questions I am asked. Well, I let my audio engineer, Tamer Tewfik, answer this question directly and I thought you might want to read his response. . .

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Hi Michael,

I'm happy to be available to you to talk about the logistics about improving audio for your productions. I have spoken to many videographers about this since I started working with Dave. Basically, the biggest question I get from videographers is how to get Dave Williams Films quality audio on their own. It always makes me chuckle inside because I suppose they believe it's a secret and that the only reason I am at a DWF shoot is because Dave just doesn't want to be bothered with audio. False. My answer is always, if anyone could do it alone, there would be no need for professional audio engineers. I'm sure there's a way to improve your audio - down and dirty style - but I'd need more information to see where you are with your audio now.

Keep in mind that I met Dave after 15 years of experience freelancing mostly for broadcast television and film so my experience comes from those realms. The result is a high standard of audio equipment I need to be able to work in that market. The equipment I know best and use is of the utmost quality that can only be purchased from specialty audio places and, as you may have already realized, the equipment is pricey. For example the SoundDevices 744T that records 4 track for Dave is about $4000 and the 4 channel field mixer we use (SoundDevices 442) to send the audio to the 744 is about $3000. So your talking about $7K before you even talk microphones. We use 2-4 Broadcast quality Lectrosonic wireless, standard for broadcast television, which cost about $3K each and Sennheiser Evolution wireless to send wireless to cameras. The camera mix is also just for reference as the 744T records everything as separate feeds so the editor can have full editorial control over the final mix. So, in all, we are bringing almost $20K in equipment to a wedding. This equipment is essential since it determines what sound goes onto tape. The better the wireless, the quieter the noise floor, the stronger the wireless signal and all around control over the audio "environment", if you will.

If I sat you down to tell you all the components involved, it would become obvious to you why Dave's audio is exceptional. I don't have much advice as to how you can improve the audio alone without an audio engineer as even I get nervous about not monitoring the audio feeds when I play cameraman and audio engineer at the same time. When I have to leave the mixer, I still wear a broadcast quality IFB in my ear so I can monitor the mixer while I shoot, but it's still not ideal. Even with the best equipment in the world, you really need a second set of ears to monitor and babysit the audio. One will never have TRUE quality audio without an audio engineer. Good audio depends on mic placement, knowledge of how to use the equipment, ect. There are so many components that quality audio depends on.

Now, that being said, there are some prosumer recorders out there that can at least help you improve your audio (down and dirty style) but I'd need to talk to you personally. To assess your situation, I'd need to know what you're doing now and what you're looking to do. In other words, I'd need to know what your doing to assess how much you can improve doing it on your own. Feel free to call me anytime at the contact information below.
Best,
Tamer

Top 25 Videographers of 2007

Orlando, Florida, Jan 21, 2007 — The top 25 videographers in the world were honored this evening by EventDV Magazine at the 4Ever Group Video 08 educational conference in Orlando's Wyndham Resort

I want to thank my entire team for putting our name on the map for the second year in a row. Sheryl and I want to also thank the professional videographers around the world for this great honor.
Dave and Sheryl Willliams
Dave Williams Films

The Nostalgic Feel of Super8 Wedding Films is Back

The future of wedding film making is not always about utilizing the newest technology. Sometimes, in order to evoke the right emotions, we borrow from the past.

What's more nostalgic than the old films many of us have stored away in our attics and basements? The body language and the personalities that come through on moving images give us that timeless link to the past. Even a wedding shot yesterday on film will immediately resonate with viewers as a classic, timeless keepsake like no other medium.

Today's leading wedding film makers and videographers keep pace with major media trends. For example, even as HD digital video cameras get more sophisticated, several national ad campaigns have utilized the look and feel of real film, specifically lower resolution formats like Super8 and 16mm. The organic feel, the colors, and the cadence of film can have as much impact on our wedding film clients as it does on a national viewing audience.

Our clients who order Super8 or 16mm film vignettes truly have an appreciation for that vintage look of film. This particular Super8 vignette was shot for a bride who is a fashion designer in New York. Like many of my film clients, she wanted the documentary feel of HD for the majority of her day but she also wanted film for her highlight reel.

Variety Club Honors Amanda McGrory - World Champion

Next week, the Variety Club will honor World Champion Amanda McGrory. Meeting and working with Amanda on this Dave Williams Films project was extremely rewarding. What a beautiful person and a wonderfully supportive family!

I'd like to thank John Zale and Robert Busch of the Illinois Videographers Association for the local help in Chicago as I had to fly there to interview Amanda. Also, I'd like to recognize our own Jordan Oplinger for his part in the post-production.

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JDRF turns to Dave Williams Films

Dave,

It was great!! We received such a positive response regarding the video (and, of course, we informed patrons about you - the award-winning videographer who put it all together!)! And the mosaic ‘sold’ for $12,500 (way beyond what we thought it would go for); and the fund-a-cure (which shortly followed the tape) raised almost $600,000 (our goal was $490,000), of which 100% goes to diabetes research. Overall, the evening proceeds raised $1.3 million (our goal was $1.16 million).

The silent auction room looked great and Don’s trio sounded beautiful. The ballroom looked elegant, the food was very good, and Don’s band was, of course, terrific!! I think the patrons had a great time and also came away with new insights about diabetes, both daily handling of issues (via the tape) and chronic concerns (via the honoree (Kathy Crothall, who started Animas) and her friend and business colleague John McDonagh, who spoke before fund-a-cure.

Thank you again for taking us on…it is truly appreciated!!

Take Care,
Nancy

Dates still available in 2009

I am now booked for 2008. 2009 dates still available.

Last year's destinations included St. Thomas, USVI, Melbourne, Australia, Las Vegas, NV, and Los Angeles, CA.