January 2012 Marcella Hoekstra, Heirloom Pictures
Each month at our meetings, we provide the opportunity for one of our members to showcase his or her work, and to talk about the process of creating the work we view. Here are excerpts of the videos we watch, along with a videographer (or filmmaker) interview.
1) What do you like best about what you do?
The things I love the most about my job are the people I meet, the places I go and the things I learn. I get to go hang out with people and families I might never meet in my regular life, I have been to some of the most beautiful rooms in Boston. Right now one of my clients is a cook book author, she specializes in Asian cooking, dinner at my house has been pretty exotic lately.
Katy & Paul July 24, 2011 from Heirloom Pictures on Vimeo.
2) Do you prefer ‘videographer’ or ‘filmmaker’?
Filmmaker. Videography is just one aspect of what I do. There is so much more that goes into my work that just straight videography.
3) What are your specialties?
I think the thing that makes me unique is my filmmaking background. It really enhances the way I shoot, edit and produce my work. If I do your wedding film I am essentially creating a documentary of your wedding day, that’s no small feat. Couples spend a tremendous amount of time and effort creating a style and feel for their wedding day. With experience as a filmmaker I approach my wedding films as a story teller which means I am not only interesting in capturing your day on a grand scale but also I pay attention to the little things, the little moments and details that are so important in really telling the story of your day.
4) How long have you been a videographer/filmmaker?
I graduated the RISD film department and almost immediately started writing and producing my first feature film. Ten years later I had finished my second feature and started video production so 15+ years.
5) Why did you choose videography as a career?
I didn’t really choose video production – it sort of chose me. The artist community is Boston is pretty tight so around the time I had finished the festival circuit of my second feature, which was shot on video, people started coming to me to edit footage, record a live performance, do a music video or shoot promo materials. That segued into shooting for some non profits and street festivals and other events and eventually I started shooting weddings. So it really did choose me.
6) What advice do you have for people looking for a wedding/corporate videographer?
Inevitably you will have a lot of questions for any vendor your hire for your wedding day. My advice for couples is to find a wedding videographer who has a lot of questions for you. If they are asking you questions about your vision for the day, what is most important to you and maybe even some questions about you as a couple I think you are on the right track. Also ask for a full demo dvd. Highlights are so fun to watch but they are only a small part of what your wedding film will be when you get it.
