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We can’t thank our supporting sponsors enough for their generous support we provided to the POSH 2011 attendees!

POSH 2011 kicked off in tropical style on November 6th at the Beach Palace Resort in sunny Cancun, Mexico. Talented women from all over the globe shared information, stories and inspiration for their filmmaking businesses.  POSH 2011 started off with a welcome party on the Sky Deck overlooking the ocean sipping on the signature purple and blue POSH cocktails as we mingled and met everyone.

Day 1 of POSH was lead by the infamous Karen Abad discussing the “Cinematography of Feel” the technical and theoretical aspects of storytelling filmmaking. Karen knows her stuff when it comes to breaking down the basic elements of filming with camera settings, lens choice, lighting and more. Next up was Jessica Ringor of LoveSpun Films who gave us everything we wanted to know about enhancing our storytelling skills from what to do prior to the wedding, to things we can improve on the wedding day, to finding the story in the edit. The afternoon was spent with Karen leading a hands-on workshop where attendees had discussions about their gear, storytelling and more. Karen then broke ladies off in groups to create a concept and film a 2-4 story based piece.

Day 2 was our free day. As busy business owners and employees, we get so caught up in the day to day to running our business, shooting/editing that we rarely take time out for ourselves. This was one thing that we knew was important to the POSH experience and made it more unique for our group. Whether it was some just chatting at the pool, sighting seeing at a nearby location together or getting zen with an amazing massage, we spent the day reconnecting with not only ourselves but also really developing deeper relationships with each other. The night was enjoyed with our favorite past time, karaoke where several of us took the stage and sang with a live band.

Day 3 was lead by Michelle Loretta of Sage Wedding Pros breaking down the Mystery and Mastery of pricing. She had us fill out a spreadsheet prior to POSH and then we crunched numbers which was very eye opening to many studios in what we spend in expenses, to labor to what it would take to have employees run our studio if we chose to do that some day. Last but not least was Julie Hill of Elysium Productions talking “How we Market Ourselves as the Must Have Option” which gave us a lot to think about with who our ideal clients is, to how we brand and market ourselves to appeal to these clients, to networking. POSH 2011 ended with a private POSH dinner that included a cocktail hour, some delicious food and a finale party where we gave away some amazing prizes from our sponsors.

Check out this album to see more photos from the POSH 2011 experience.

We can’t thank attendees enough to choosing to spend the week at POSH. We were honored to meet each and every one of the beautiful women that joined us this year! We can’t wait for what is in store in 2012.

Meet Jessica Ringor, owner and chief filmmaker at LoveSpun Films, a boutique film company specializing in handmade wedding films. Jessica has been able to harness a unique combination of technical skill infused with feminine storytelling techniques to make LoveSpun Films break away from the pack.  In doing so she has caught the attention of the wedding industry, celebrity designers and high profile brides alike.  She is honored to have become the choice of some of the most distinguished clients, from television and film producers to Olympic athletes, to the editor of ELLEuk.com.

Jessica loves to travel and always dreamt of a career that would enable her to do so.  LoveSpun Films has been the vehicle for this goal and has taken her to many exciting places such as Mexico, Texas, Las Vegas, San Diego, LA and with upcoming shooting trips to New York, London & Paris she is living her dream.

She is honored and thrilled that her work has been extensively featured in some of the wedding industries hottest publications: ELLEuk.com, Style Me Pretty, Green Wedding Shoes, The Daily Candy, The Wedding Chicks, Snippet & Ink, Hindsight Bride , Nonpareil Wedding Magazine, Dessine Moi Un Mariage, and more.

Jessica will be talking to us about the art of storytelling at POSH 2011! Check out a clip of her work to see her amazing storytelling talent.

According to Wikipedia:
Collaboration is working together to achieve a goal; it is a recursive[2] process where two or more people or organizations work together to realize shared goals, (this is more than the intersection of common goals seen in co-operative ventures, but a deep, collective, determination to reach an identical objective) — for example, an intriguing endeavor[3][4] that is creative in nature[5]—by sharing knowledge, learning and building consensus. Most collaboration requires leadership, although the form of leadership can be social within a decentralized and egalitarian group.[6] In particular, teams that work collaboratively can obtain greater resources, recognition and reward when facing competition for finite resources.[7]

In its negative sense it is working as a traitor.[1] Although a lot of us may have stories of this usage – in this article, I am sticking with the most common usage as defined above. : )

How many of you out there have collaborated on shoots? If you haven’t, why not? I did not start in this industry working for myself but for others. First as an employee then as a freelancer, so collaborating for me is second had nature and I love it. Some companies are afraid to collaborate with other people in the business thinking they may “steal” or copy their work (thus the second usages of the word), especially when using local companies/shooters. I say blow caution to the wind, OK … also know who you are working with.
So how is collaborating different than just hiring a freelance shooter? First off, experience. Collaborating with another company you are combining your own years of experience with the partnering companies years of experience. Knowing that a person has experience in weddings and can follow directions so you do not have to “baby sit” them is priceless! You can give them a shot list and know they will give you at least that but probably more. As apposed to a really good freelancer who has never shot a wedding. Pfssst! By the time they get a shot set up the moment is gone. Run-and-gun and anticipation shooting is something you learn from experience, not a book. Professionalism is another great reason. Owning my own company I know I am responsible for everything, whether it is good, bad, or ugly. I bring this to all shoots and act, look, and work like it is my own. Attitude is another huge plus; if you own your own business and shoot weddings you do not have an attitude that weddings are easy. You know you have to bring your A game, bladder control, and energy supplements.
Collaborating is a learning experience; for all parties involved. No matter how long you have been shooting weddings, I guarantee you, you can always learn something new. The key is to open up, discuss, ask questions, and listen. Of course, the company that was contracted for the shoot is in charge of the day and as such you must put your ego and personal ways in your back pocket. This doesn’t mean you should not make suggestions but in the end you do need to listen and shoot as the lead person asks. And yes, you just may surprise yourself at shooting differently, capturing audio differently, interacting differently. I have been hired by a few local company’s that just tell me to go shoot, and I usually then shoot pretty conservatively not knowing what they are expecting from me. A true collaboration is shared ideas and a direction of how to shoot the event. Who is getting what so everything is covered and nothing missed.

My favorite part of collaboration – getting to play with new equipment. It may be used to you but new to me, and there is nothing more fun than trying out new lens, learning new audio tricks, and of course learning new ways to capture a shot. Are you giving up your deepest most sacred secrets? Maybe, but at the expense of creating a spectacular film? Why not? Are there really that many secrets left out there? How much do you trust who you are collaborating with?

Name Dropping – Yes I am!
By collaborating I have experienced some first in my career, some issues, and overall some spectacular weddings.

Here are just a few of my most recent collaborations:
A couple of weeks ago I collaborated with three other local companies: Digital Imaging Direct In., C. Douglas Howard Photography & Cinematography, and Reminisce Productions. The wedding took place at The Orange County Regional History Center in downtown Orlando. The first here was to work with so many other companies at one shoot. For all of us being in the Orlando area and competing against each other some would think this would be a bad idea, but like wise, it was a blast. We had a plethora of equipment (sliders, gliders, and a crane oh my!) shot a music video throughout the day, and for the first time in my career, more video shooters than photographers.

Last weekend I was flown to Houston to work with Elysium Productions. Really! What a huge honor and what a spectacular wedding. The lovely Julie was off in New York shooting, so I worked with the other half, sir Alex. It was a three camera shoot with 450 guests, shot in St. Martin’s Episcopal church of which president George HW and Barbara Bush are members. (I didn’t see them there, but hey you never know) This would be the most beautiful chapel I have ever shot in, but alias so many restrictions. Upon arriving at the River Oaks Country Club one could see the decor starting before even entering the building. It was simple but extremely elegant with too many candles to count. There was even a separate room for the party which included…well you will just have to wait to see the film. Seriously, this wedding is one for the magazines – I’m sure it will be in a few. Even the door stops where replaced – details details details! So you can imagine the logistics of collaborating for this shoot. This is where Alex’s professionalism and experience really shined. We discussed everything from equipment, to shoots, to transportations – which is tricky when you only have one vehicle. He introduced Randy (on the glide cam) and I to all the important people and answered all my many questions. Alex is amazing to work with and I am truly blessed to have had the honor. BTW, the gift basket was sent from the couple to all the guests room plus Randy’s & mine. Alex was somehow missed but stated is was an “Elysium shooters perk!”

Ok, last but not least, a wonderful collaboration weekend with Isabel Gonzalez Videotique. I flew out to Long Beach, California to visit my friend Isabel and collaborate on two weddings with her over the Memorial weekend. So much fun to get to work with a friend and a muse. The first wedding took place at the Cicada, a 1928 art deco landmark in downtown LA. The perfect location for this wedding with a 40′s swing, big band error theme. This was not only my first time experiencing a live stream wedding, but Isabel’s as well. My first day in Long Beach was pretty much filled up figuring out and testing the live stream (which went off perfectly on the wedding day). Plus going over the timelines for the weekend, shot list, etc. Planning, preparing, and packing.

The second wedding took place at The Adamson House in Malibu which is designated as a National Historical Site and a California Historic Landmark. The house is a Museum and off limits to cameras thus all the wedding took place outside. It was a beautiful sunny day with a lovely ocean breeze and good surf, as I shot some mighty fine surfers (hubba hubba!). And thank god for those heat lamps as I forgot my jacket and it does get cool after the sun sets in California. By the end of day two Isabella and I could hardly walk, but of course got some incredible footage and had each other to feel compassion for. What are friends for!

To collaborate or not to collaborate; the only answer is yes. Maybe not with every company but with your friends or companies you admire. If you are not able to run off at the last minute to help out on a destination shoot then collaborate with some local companies. Another way is to schedule vacation time with your friends in other areas of the country. Like Isabel and I; I wanted an excuse to get out of town and she needed some help with those two weddings. Badda boom badda bing, we both win. I had a blast hanging out at Casa de Isabel, drinking wine, meeting her cat Nute (sorrta), chatting about the biz, plus of course shooting with her. Of course by the end of everything I think Iz was over me : / (sorry about the tooth brush) so you may want to get a hotel. Just saying…
How to start collaborating. Discuss it with some local companies you trust, go to video and film workshops around the country and meet other owners, get on forums, get your name out there and that you are interested in collaborating. If you pick up a wedding outside your local area, look for companies in that area to collaborate with. This can even save you money on all the traveling expenses – bonus! I also really love shooting with women, so of course POSH is the number one way to find talented women to collaborate with!!! Call me ; )

Wedding film from Isabel Gonzalez Videotique collaborated with Kat

The experience getting to connect, learn and be inspired by other women image makers and business owners from all over the world is what makes POSH so unique to other conferences. Who doesn’t want to learn from some of the top women in the film and event industry at a resort in Cancun, Mexico that is right on the beach? Plus you throw in the all-inclusive of this year’s event. That’s right. The POSH 2011 rate includes not only all of the educational seminars, DSLR hands-on workshop, welcome party and networking but it also includes your hotel room accommodations, all your food + drinks (yes alcohol too) along with taxes, tips, wireless internet, room service and more.

Check out this article by Steve Nathans-Kelly featured in EventDV magazine about POSH 2011 to learn even more about the event and our mission.  Here is a blog post from past attendees on the POSH experience.

Our sponsor, DP Slider is giving away the prime 480 slider valued at $450 at POSH!

Check out this piece on the prime series.

Karen Abad leads a DSLR hands-on workshop and presents “The Cinematography of Feel” at POSH 2011
Getting the most out of your tools to create cinematic and emotionally driven images. This presentation will touch on the technical and theoretical approaches to cinematography as a storytelling device. Some topics that will be covered are lighting, composition, camera movement, finding your perfect camera, and networking as a cinematographer.

Karen has received numerous praise for her varying cinematography work. She enjoys experimenting with different mediums such as 16mm, 35mm, Super 8, HDSLR video, 2D illustration and construction paper animation, 3D stop motion and digital animation. Recently, her films have been screened at the 2010 SPARK Family Film Festival (Akron, OH), 2010 Epidemic Film Festival (San Francisco, CA), 2010 Filmed by Bike Film Festival (Portland, OR), 2010 Disposable Film Festival (San Francisco, CA), the 2010 ArtWars in DeFabriek exhibition in the Netherlands, the 2010 Short Film Festival in Denmark, the 2009 Reblog This! Film Festival (Los Angeles, CA), Vimeo Offlines in California, New York, Berlin, Paris, London, MTV2′s Subterranean, and IndyMogul’s 2009 Best Short Films in the World. Karen’s other work has also been featured on Kodak’s official photography blog.

By integrating her former education in psychology with filmmaking, she is able to create visually intriguing and compelling films. Karen mostly enjoys DPing short narrative films and music videos. She also enjoys sewing, animating, graphic design, color correcting, and photography. Regardless of the medium, she produces work with a genuine sense of passion and creative whimsy.

SongFreedom is an amazing music license company for filmmakers. Basically signup and start picking music. Make digital copies of your productions and/or keep your video online for 1 year from the date you download the song. It’s that SIMPLE.

They are giving away a grand prize platinum membership and second prize silver membership at POSH!

Loktah is giving away some awesome prize packs at POSH!

First Prize: One Loktah 8×8 Album with matching Slip Cover includes (Album of Choice, Paper Option of Choice, 10 Full Spreads and Slip Cover)

Second Prize: Featuring the Entire Alabaster Signature Collection Set: One Alabaster Single DVD/CD Case, One Alabaster Double DVD/CD Case, One Alabaster DVD/CD Print Box Case, One Alabaster Portfolio Folder, One 4×6, 5×7 and 8×10 Alabaster Photofolio, One Alabaster DVD/CD Slip Cover, One Alabaster Large Print Box, One set of Album Sample Prints. Value: $207

Third Prize: 10 DVD/CD Single Cases of Choice with Logo Imprint.

Kristen* presents “The Art of Storytelling”

Kristen* is the film maven + sassy pants behind Bliss* Productions Inc., a destination wedding film company specializing in Super 8 & 16mm films. Based in San Francisco she began Bliss* in 2002 on a whim while working in feature film. Nine years and million different video formats later Kristen* travels the world documenting the private lives of fascinating people and feels blessed to be the go-to gal for many celebrity planners and photographers throughout the country. Creating couture wedding films with a kick-ass soundtrack is how she does it. In 2006 she was the first filmmaker to be awarded a Modern Bride 25 trendsetter and for the past 4 years has received Event DV Magazines “25 Most Influential Videographer” award.

Another one of our amazing sponsors, Cinevate is giving away a Simplis DSLR Stabilizer Rig at the finale party at POSH! Check out this piece on this awesome rig.