POSH retreat is a filmmakers workshop just for women

Announcing Kim Freels of Lovestruck Films

admin — Fri, 18 May 2012 14:40:04 +0000

Bio
Knowing what you want to do with your life is not something that comes easy for most people. For me, working in video production was my calling since the 7th grade! After working various jobs in this field for several years after high school, I moved to Bakersfield where I landed a position as the main editor for HDM. Under the employment of Andrew Waite, I learned how to shoot and edit wedding films, corporate videos, and how to run the day to day tasks of a business. In the past three years, HDM’s wedding division, Lovestruck Films, has blossomed and thrived under the care of our HDM team. With my love of the industry and the knowledge I have gained, I have a passion to share what I have gathered with other cinematographers to help them on their journey!

“Becoming a big fish in a big pond”
I know all you ladies are wanting to stand your own in this male dominant industry! There is a way to take your business to the next level and show your competitors you are real competition. I have seen the company I work for grow from a one man band, to a working office with full time employees. I will go over the steps that our company took which directly made the growing of our business. I will show how important it is to have goals, good branding, and a solid day to day work flow.

“Shooting like a Pro” hands-on workshop
Storytelling is a must! But to stand out in this industry, you need to couple your story with impressive footage. I will go over how to get footage that looks like a movie when all cut together. I will do this by giving you hands on training showing:

- How to expose properly indoors and out
- How to diversify your shooting
- How to make it look like four people were shooting when it was just you!

Links to our work:

Most of you know my coworker Erin from our adventure blogs! This is our most recent highlight of her sister’s wedding in Arizona.

I got married September 26th 2010. I had the pleasure of having my team shoot my wedding. I got to edit my own highlight!

Announcing Cristina Valdivieso of Society Hill Studios

admin — Thu, 17 May 2012 16:07:35 +0000

Bio:

Cristina Valdivieso is a filmmaker based out of Philadelphia, PA. Her work spans many genres including documentary, commercial, and wedding and event filmmaking. She is co-owner of Society Hill Studios, a boutique wedding and event filmmaking company, that was named one of Event DV’s Top 25 Hottest and Most Influential Filmmakers in the World in 2010. She has done freelance work for numerous companies such as NBC, CBS, Showtime, and Primetime UK. In addition to her work as a filmmaker, Cristina is the co-founder of Shoot Edit Learn which is an on-going and evolving effort to educate, entertain, and hopefully inspire other independent filmmakers.

Cristina session is sponsored by Glidecam. During the Glidecam session Cristina will not only share different tips and tricks that she’s learned but she will also cover topics such as choosing the right rig, setting it up, finding your center of gravity, properly balancing and troubleshooting your Glidecam and deciding what accessories are right for you. Each attendee will have a chance to practice both basic and more advanced movements during this hands on session.

Announcing Joyce Tsang of StillMotion

admin — Wed, 16 May 2012 15:35:33 +0000

So excited to announce Joyce of StillMotion is joining our POSH Retreat lineup this year! She is not only presenting about storytelling and overcoming our fear as filmmakers but she is also leading a 3 hour hands-on workshop on advanced storytelling techniques. StillMotion recently was honored with three Emmys for A Game of Honor. They are one of the most sought after filmmaking studios in the World for both wedding and national commercial projects so we are honored to have Joyce in Scottsdale in November for POSH 2012.

bio //

They call me the ninja. More than just being fast I’m always looking to stay a step ahead and be there before things happen. My background is mechanical engineering, a totally different world than filmmaking, but it helps me to approach each project with an analytical mindset so that my choices are always pushing the story forward. Three years ago you could find me working on a 3D model of a new medical device where as today I’m likely on a commercial set, filming a documentary or sharing our ideas with you.

My transition has been quicker than I could have ever imagined. I remember looking through the lens on the sidelines of the Superbowl, just 18 months after I ventured into the cinema world, thinking how did I get here? Somewhere along that journey I discovered my voice and I’m excited to share what I’ve learned in this crazy journey, some key steps that can help you be a faster, more thoughtful, and confident filmmaker. More than just talking, I want to challenge you to try some of these techniques in an additional hands-on workshop.

StillMotion’s presentation and workshop are sponsored by Cinevate.

Joyce will cover:

- connecting with what you do

- telling powerful stories the value of the couple / client relationship business vs. art

- becoming a great cinematographer 5 tips on how to grow quickly as a filmmaker

- taking risks and overcoming challenges

- making the most out of opportunities conquering your fear

Wedding film

Volunteer project for a youth organization

Announcing Meg Simone of Meg Simone Films

admin — Mon, 14 May 2012 18:15:44 +0000

Photo credit: Lisa Seaman McKendry of Story Lens

Bio:
Meg Simone may hail from Northern New Hampshire, some say “the sticks,” but as an Event DV Top 25, and two time InFocus 1st place film contest winner, she must be doing something right!? She is most known for her longer documentary style films, averaging 9-39+ minutes (gasp). Despite the short attention spans of todays modern couples, she is still able to come up with compelling story lines that make each couple feel like they were cast in their own blockbuster film (well, more like NPR meets Hollywood). Featured on websites clear across the country and rejected by Style Me Pretty’s LBB, her ability to tell a story and the secrets behind how she does it defies what the industry perceives as “swoon worthy.” Meg’s care free attitude and approach to filmmaking may not be for everyone, but her secrets to making better stories will have you racing to the sign up button to learn more and save your seat for POSH 2012!

Meg’s unconventional approach to business and life separates her from the pack. She will be sharing inside information to help you become a better storyteller and make compelling films that will withstand trends, time, and technology.

- Learn how to dig for a story even when your couple “doesn’t have one.”

- Learn how to create a story when couples insist you don’t interview them and remain “unobtrusive.”

- Meg will walk you though getting to know your client “virtually” through her custom online questionnaires and even skype meetings. This prep translates to easier story telling, faster editing, and less backlog

- Analyze real wedding footage of Meg in action demonstrating her success at crafting interesting wedding film stories.

- Through a series of conversation, video analysis, and hands on exercises you will be ready to attack any filming situation you are thrown into.

- Each participant will have the option to explore a one-on-one film critique with Meg before or during the event. Details and schedule to follow.

This film was captured using an interview method.

View on ExposureRoom

This film was captured from an unobtrusive standpoint, and meg was told not to talk to or interview anyone.

View on ExposureRoom

Baby and maternity films by Christina Fleming

admin — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 12:51:13 +0000

How did you get started doing baby and maternity films?

One day my 15 year daughter was watching home movies of when I was a little girl. I was so happy to see the look on her face as she watched me at various ages. After watching, she wanted more. Sadly, there wasn’t more. At that moment, I realized that video is not only important for weddings but also for other life events. When I was pregnant with my daughter, I had so many emotions and thoughts. Many of which, I no longer remember. I found that I am not the only mother with that experience and I wanted to change that for as many parents as possible. That is when the Baby Wish concept video was born. Baby Wish videos are designed to embrace the thoughts and feelings experienced through maternity and parenthood. They are video time capsules to watch over and over again, or to pull out when their baby turns 16, gets married, or has a baby of their own. The feedback has been overwhelming and I am excited to add this to our collection of services.

What do you love most about capturing this special time in a family’s life?

I love how precious the film is to the family. Each one is unique and special. I know that over the years, those special moments will be distant memories, but this video will bring it back to life instantly. Parents are eager to express what they are feeling to their children, the interviews we do are so pure and true. I am so lucky to be a part of it.

How do they differ from filming weddings?

Like weddings, Baby Wishes capture a life event. Maternity and baby moments are things that parents want to capture and they want it done beautifully. They are different because it is an organic experience and not orchestrated as an all day wedding. The stress level for the parents is low, there is time to relax and organize your shoot. The feedback I receive when a parent sees my demo is, “I want that”, “I love that”, and “I need that video”. It’s a necessity.

What advice would you give someone wanting to get into filming these experiences?

Other filmmakers should experiment with what works for them, try different perspectives and have fun with creating something non-wedding related. There are many areas of the maternity and baby market that are yet to be explored. I think every filmmaker will enjoy these films as part of their menu of services, especially when past wedding clients become pregnant.

Website: Murasaki Media

The Winner Is….

admin — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 13:23:21 +0000

First of all we want to thank all the ladies for submitting their videos. They were all very good and we have heard from all our judges it was a difficult decision. Without further delay, the winner of contest is Stepheny Keith of Black Sheep Filmworks.

We want to send a huge thank you to DP Slider for providing this opportunity for POSH 2012. A big thank you to SongFreedom for sponsoring the songs for this contest. We also want to thank all our judges for taking the time out of your busy schedules.

Vote for your favorite POSH 2012 Contest Entry

admin — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 13:59:07 +0000

We have some very creative and fun entries for the video contest. The grand prize is a spot at POSH 2012 thanks for our sponsor DP Slider! And thank you to SongFreedom for being our music sponsor this year and providing songs to the filmmakers for their entries.

Vote for your favorite entry below. There will be a popular vote and a judging portion to this contest. The populuar vote and judging will start on Monday, April 9th and end on Friday, April 20th. The winner will be announced on Monday, April 23th.

Video #1 Sarah Pendergraft of Penn Weddings

Video #2 Amy Staub

Video #3 Stepheny Keith of Black Sheep Filmworks

Video #4 Tammy Akard of Sweet T.E.A. Productions

Video #5 Leeann McKeon of Keon Films

Loktah sponsoring POSH 2012!

admin — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 14:23:45 +0000

We can’t be more excited to announce that of Loktah is sponsoring POSH again for the third year! They will be giving away some amazing prize packs at POSH 2012 that include their high end cases and other goodies. Plus each attendee gets a Loktah thumb drive in their swag bag and an exclusive POSH discount to purchase Loktah merchandise after the event! How amazing is that!

Joshua founded Loktah which is inspired by the natural beauty of the earth, featuring products that recall the planet’s majestic form. Loktah’s essential element is the organic paper, a renewable source in the foothills of the Himalayas. This green product rises from the earth to showcase your work to your client. Each product is dipped in bee’s wax to preserve the quality of the paper yet allow the product to age with natural beauty. Soft twine encircles the product with an organic bead completing the look. Created by hand, each case is slightly unique. The mystery and beauty of the Himalayan region offers inspiration like no other place on earth.

Check out a few of the organic, high end DVD cases sure to impress your clients from Loktah.

Win A FREE Seat at POSH 2012 from DP Slider

admin — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 20:19:10 +0000

Who doesn’t want to win a FREE seat to POSH 2012 in Scottsdale, Arizona? We are so proud to announce one of the POSH Retreat’s biggest supporters and sponsor DP Slider is giving away one FREE seat to this years event ($725. value, hotel accommodations and airfare not included). Here is the low down on how to win.

You must submit a video no longer than 3 mins telling us, What the POSH Retreat means to you, why you need the POSH Retreat, and why you need to attend the POSH Reteat 2012.

The Rules

You must have the DP Slider logo at the beginning of the video for at least 3 seconds. Download the DP Slider logo HERE.

The video cannot be longer than 3 mins.

You MUST use licensed music. SongFreedom is sponsoring the music. Please contact SongFreedom at info@songfreedom.com to get your free song. The slide for song credit must be at the end.

Here’s how it works

Email us the link to your video at info@theposhretreat.com to submit your entry. There will be a popular vote and a judging portion to this contest. All videos must be submitted to us by Friday, April 6th. The populuar vote and judging will start on Monday, April 9th and end on Friday, April 20th. The winner will be announced on Monday, April 23th.

Announcing POSH 2012

admin — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 18:12:38 +0000

We are so excited to announce our third annual POSH retreat is taking place November 12-14, 2012 at Hotel Valley Ho in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Hotel Valley Ho was cool back in 1956 when it first opened its doors, before Downtown Scottsdale was downtown. It’s every bit as chic now, after an expansive but meticulously groomed renovation. This mid-century modern landmark offers posh, playful rooms and suites, fab fare at ZuZu, and VH Spa for Vitality + Health. Hotel Valley Ho is centrally located in Downtown Scottsdale, just a short walk from shops, restaurants, and Old Town’s renowned art galleries. Hotel Valley Ho. The evolution of cool.

Our POSH boutique retreat/workshop is different in that it combines the best of both worlds, education from the top leaders in event filmmaking as well as plenty of time to connect, learn and share with attendees and presenters in a relaxed and fun atmosphere. This year we are planning some great learning experiences that are sure to be very interactive and hands-on so stay tuned on more announcements in the next few months on what is in store.

Since we are limiting POSH 2012 to a small group of attendees make sure to register early before we are fully booked. To register check out our registration page. For more information on reserving your hotel room click here.

Of course we had to include some pics of the Hotel Valley Ho so you can see why we chose this unique, chic and hip hotel.