Comments on: WEVA is Getting Exciting Again http://bladeronner.com/2009/09/weva-is-getting-exciting-again/ Musings on Business, Branding, Social Media and The Visual Arts Sat, 21 Aug 2010 17:28:43 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9 hourly 1 By: bladeronner http://bladeronner.com/2009/09/weva-is-getting-exciting-again/comment-page-1/#comment-4937 bladeronner Thu, 10 Sep 2009 20:50:07 +0000 http://bladeronner.com/?p=791#comment-4937 Your biz plan sounds identical to ours. :) Your biz plan sounds identical to ours. :)

]]> By: timdanyo http://bladeronner.com/2009/09/weva-is-getting-exciting-again/comment-page-1/#comment-4936 timdanyo Thu, 10 Sep 2009 20:26:49 +0000 http://bladeronner.com/?p=791#comment-4936 I haven't completely given up hope for doing weddings I still do about 10 a year, but the business plan has less and less focus on having that part be the main stay. I would love to travel and shoot international weddings now and again, but having it be my main focus would not be beneficial in the long run. Corporate, documentaries, and narrative film, are the bigger focus now. Narrative film being a dream to plan and work towards. Corporate being a great revenue and steady work flow generator to keep food on the table and money in the bank. Documentaries being a direct evolution from weddings and tribute videos. <br><br>As an artist, I have a gift to communicate ideas and concepts in entertaining and engaging ways. So many opportunities are opening up for us all! I haven't completely given up hope for doing weddings I still do about 10 a year, but the business plan has less and less focus on having that part be the main stay. I would love to travel and shoot international weddings now and again, but having it be my main focus would not be beneficial in the long run. Corporate, documentaries, and narrative film, are the bigger focus now. Narrative film being a dream to plan and work towards. Corporate being a great revenue and steady work flow generator to keep food on the table and money in the bank. Documentaries being a direct evolution from weddings and tribute videos.

As an artist, I have a gift to communicate ideas and concepts in entertaining and engaging ways. So many opportunities are opening up for us all!

]]> By: bladeronner http://bladeronner.com/2009/09/weva-is-getting-exciting-again/comment-page-1/#comment-4935 bladeronner Thu, 10 Sep 2009 19:53:05 +0000 http://bladeronner.com/?p=791#comment-4935 Thanks for your very open and honest comment Tim. I hear you man. As I was<br>reading your first paragraph, I thought "marketing nationally, market<br>nationally! You don't have to be limited to your local market." But, then<br>you aptly addressed that issue in saying you don't want to travel and be<br>away from your family. That is the BEST reason I've heard so far to my<br>"market nationally" soap box. :)<br><br>I hope your plea will be heard by the powers that be at WEVA to offer<br>programs that apply to a whole host of videographers. I think this year they<br>are trying that. There are a number of programs geared specifically towards<br>corporate video production. But, there is always more room to grow.<br><br>Lastly, thank you for spelling "camaraderie" correctly. I think only 2 out<br>of 10 people I ever come across know how to spell that word. :) Thanks for your very open and honest comment Tim. I hear you man. As I was
reading your first paragraph, I thought “marketing nationally, market
nationally! You don't have to be limited to your local market.” But, then
you aptly addressed that issue in saying you don't want to travel and be
away from your family. That is the BEST reason I've heard so far to my
“market nationally” soap box. :)

I hope your plea will be heard by the powers that be at WEVA to offer
programs that apply to a whole host of videographers. I think this year they
are trying that. There are a number of programs geared specifically towards
corporate video production. But, there is always more room to grow.

Lastly, thank you for spelling “camaraderie” correctly. I think only 2 out
of 10 people I ever come across know how to spell that word. :)

]]> By: timdanyo http://bladeronner.com/2009/09/weva-is-getting-exciting-again/comment-page-1/#comment-4934 timdanyo Thu, 10 Sep 2009 19:28:02 +0000 http://bladeronner.com/?p=791#comment-4934 Thanks for posting Ron. I haven't renewed my WEVA membership in the last two years. It got stale for me as well. There was also some bitterness involved. Not with WEVA or with any one person, but the wedding industry as a whole. I poured my heart, soul, time and finances into building a great wedding video business and it turned out that my area can not support it. (not the higher end creative work anyway) I thought I could be the best in my area, which I was, but the amount of advertising and education involved to spur people into purchasing a product they didn't see the value in was too much. I believe in always making every video be your best, or to strive to push yourself to do great stuff whenever you can, but I was working HUGE hours, making massive sacrifices and the ROI was dismal.<br><br>I see Videographers doing great wedding video work, pushing the creative limits, buying expensive gear, getting connected with thew top 1 percent of the wealthiest americans, and that's great. As far as I'm concerned, in my area, it's a pipe dream. I know, there is a national and international market for doing high end weddings, but quite frankly, I don't want to travel every weekend and be away from my family constantly. And then you have the very time consuming editing process awaiting you at all times. It's a vicious cycle. <br><br>I love story telling. I love the celebration of life that weddings hold. I love the emotional reward, but all that is for not if it ain't paying the bills. I do love WEVA for the practical business side of things and the awesome fellowship and camaraderie we share as video/media professionals. That's how I met you, Ron! Anyway... I would like to see WEVA get away from the "rock star" fantasy world of celebrity Videography and focus more on the reality many, many wedding Videographers face. It's bleak out there. I hate to say it, but in all honesty, If you want to work less for more, and still do weddings, get into wedding photography. Thanks for posting Ron. I haven't renewed my WEVA membership in the last two years. It got stale for me as well. There was also some bitterness involved. Not with WEVA or with any one person, but the wedding industry as a whole. I poured my heart, soul, time and finances into building a great wedding video business and it turned out that my area can not support it. (not the higher end creative work anyway) I thought I could be the best in my area, which I was, but the amount of advertising and education involved to spur people into purchasing a product they didn't see the value in was too much. I believe in always making every video be your best, or to strive to push yourself to do great stuff whenever you can, but I was working HUGE hours, making massive sacrifices and the ROI was dismal.

I see Videographers doing great wedding video work, pushing the creative limits, buying expensive gear, getting connected with thew top 1 percent of the wealthiest americans, and that's great. As far as I'm concerned, in my area, it's a pipe dream. I know, there is a national and international market for doing high end weddings, but quite frankly, I don't want to travel every weekend and be away from my family constantly. And then you have the very time consuming editing process awaiting you at all times. It's a vicious cycle.

I love story telling. I love the celebration of life that weddings hold. I love the emotional reward, but all that is for not if it ain't paying the bills. I do love WEVA for the practical business side of things and the awesome fellowship and camaraderie we share as video/media professionals. That's how I met you, Ron! Anyway… I would like to see WEVA get away from the “rock star” fantasy world of celebrity Videography and focus more on the reality many, many wedding Videographers face. It's bleak out there. I hate to say it, but in all honesty, If you want to work less for more, and still do weddings, get into wedding photography.

]]> By: bladeronner http://bladeronner.com/2009/09/weva-is-getting-exciting-again/comment-page-1/#comment-4304 bladeronner Thu, 10 Sep 2009 13:50:07 +0000 http://bladeronner.com/?p=791#comment-4304 Your biz plan sounds identical to ours. :) Your biz plan sounds identical to ours. :)

]]> By: timdanyo http://bladeronner.com/2009/09/weva-is-getting-exciting-again/comment-page-1/#comment-4303 timdanyo Thu, 10 Sep 2009 13:26:49 +0000 http://bladeronner.com/?p=791#comment-4303 I haven't completely given up hope for doing weddings I still do about 10 a year, but the business plan has less and less focus on having that part be the main stay. I would love to travel and shoot international weddings now and again, but having it be my main focus would not be beneficial in the long run. Corporate, documentaries, and narrative film, are the bigger focus now. Narrative film being a dream to plan and work towards. Corporate being a great revenue and steady work flow generator to keep food on the table and money in the bank. Documentaries being a direct evolution from weddings and tribute videos. <br><br>As an artist, I have a gift to communicate ideas and concepts in entertaining and engaging ways. So many opportunities are opening up for us all! I haven't completely given up hope for doing weddings I still do about 10 a year, but the business plan has less and less focus on having that part be the main stay. I would love to travel and shoot international weddings now and again, but having it be my main focus would not be beneficial in the long run. Corporate, documentaries, and narrative film, are the bigger focus now. Narrative film being a dream to plan and work towards. Corporate being a great revenue and steady work flow generator to keep food on the table and money in the bank. Documentaries being a direct evolution from weddings and tribute videos.

As an artist, I have a gift to communicate ideas and concepts in entertaining and engaging ways. So many opportunities are opening up for us all!

]]> By: bladeronner http://bladeronner.com/2009/09/weva-is-getting-exciting-again/comment-page-1/#comment-4295 bladeronner Thu, 10 Sep 2009 12:53:05 +0000 http://bladeronner.com/?p=791#comment-4295 Thanks for your very open and honest comment Tim. I hear you man. As I was<br>reading your first paragraph, I thought "marketing nationally, market<br>nationally! You don't have to be limited to your local market." But, then<br>you aptly addressed that issue in saying you don't want to travel and be<br>away from your family. That is the BEST reason I've heard so far to my<br>"market nationally" soap box. :)<br><br>I hope your plea will be heard by the powers that be at WEVA to offer<br>programs that apply to a whole host of videographers. I think this year they<br>are trying that. There are a number of programs geared specifically towards<br>corporate video production. But, there is always more room to grow.<br><br>Lastly, thank you for spelling "camaraderie" correctly. I think only 2 out<br>of 10 people I ever come across know how to spell that word. :) Thanks for your very open and honest comment Tim. I hear you man. As I was
reading your first paragraph, I thought “marketing nationally, market
nationally! You don't have to be limited to your local market.” But, then
you aptly addressed that issue in saying you don't want to travel and be
away from your family. That is the BEST reason I've heard so far to my
“market nationally” soap box. :)

I hope your plea will be heard by the powers that be at WEVA to offer
programs that apply to a whole host of videographers. I think this year they
are trying that. There are a number of programs geared specifically towards
corporate video production. But, there is always more room to grow.

Lastly, thank you for spelling “camaraderie” correctly. I think only 2 out
of 10 people I ever come across know how to spell that word. :)

]]> By: timdanyo http://bladeronner.com/2009/09/weva-is-getting-exciting-again/comment-page-1/#comment-4294 timdanyo Thu, 10 Sep 2009 12:28:02 +0000 http://bladeronner.com/?p=791#comment-4294 Thanks for posting Ron. I haven't renewed my WEVA membership in the last two years. It got stale for me as well. There was also some bitterness involved. Not with WEVA or with any one person, but the wedding industry as a whole. I poured my heart, soul, time and finances into building a great wedding video business and it turned out that my area can not support it. (not the higher end creative work anyway) I thought I could be the best in my area, which I was, but the amount of advertising and education involved to spur people into purchasing a product they didn't see the value in was too much. I believe in always making every video be your best, or to strive to push yourself to do great stuff whenever you can, but I was working HUGE hours, making massive sacrifices and the ROI was dismal.<br><br>I see Videographers doing great wedding video work, pushing the creative limits, buying expensive gear, getting connected with thew top 1 percent of the wealthiest americans, and that's great. As far as I'm concerned, in my area, it's a pipe dream. I know, there is a national and international market for doing high end weddings, but quite frankly, I don't want to travel every weekend and be away from my family constantly. And then you have the very time consuming editing process awaiting you at all times. It's a vicious cycle. <br><br>I love story telling. I love the celebration of life that weddings hold. I love the emotional reward, but all that is for not if it ain't paying the bills. I do love WEVA for the practical business side of things and the awesome fellowship and camaraderie we share as video/media professionals. That's how I met you, Ron! Anyway... I would like to see WEVA get away from the "rock star" fantasy world of celebrity Videography and focus more on the reality many, many wedding Videographers face. It's bleak out there. I hate to say it, but in all honesty, If you want to work less for more, and still do weddings, get into wedding photography. Thanks for posting Ron. I haven't renewed my WEVA membership in the last two years. It got stale for me as well. There was also some bitterness involved. Not with WEVA or with any one person, but the wedding industry as a whole. I poured my heart, soul, time and finances into building a great wedding video business and it turned out that my area can not support it. (not the higher end creative work anyway) I thought I could be the best in my area, which I was, but the amount of advertising and education involved to spur people into purchasing a product they didn't see the value in was too much. I believe in always making every video be your best, or to strive to push yourself to do great stuff whenever you can, but I was working HUGE hours, making massive sacrifices and the ROI was dismal.

I see Videographers doing great wedding video work, pushing the creative limits, buying expensive gear, getting connected with thew top 1 percent of the wealthiest americans, and that's great. As far as I'm concerned, in my area, it's a pipe dream. I know, there is a national and international market for doing high end weddings, but quite frankly, I don't want to travel every weekend and be away from my family constantly. And then you have the very time consuming editing process awaiting you at all times. It's a vicious cycle.

I love story telling. I love the celebration of life that weddings hold. I love the emotional reward, but all that is for not if it ain't paying the bills. I do love WEVA for the practical business side of things and the awesome fellowship and camaraderie we share as video/media professionals. That's how I met you, Ron! Anyway… I would like to see WEVA get away from the “rock star” fantasy world of celebrity Videography and focus more on the reality many, many wedding Videographers face. It's bleak out there. I hate to say it, but in all honesty, If you want to work less for more, and still do weddings, get into wedding photography.

]]> By: bladeronner http://bladeronner.com/2009/09/weva-is-getting-exciting-again/comment-page-1/#comment-4236 bladeronner Sun, 06 Sep 2009 11:08:16 +0000 http://bladeronner.com/?p=791#comment-4236 I totally agree with you Sandy about experienced videographer still needing to grow and evolve. We never stop. I just felt for a while that I was no longer "growing" from the material offered at WEVA. But this year the tides have changed. I think the reason we've seen events like ReFrame, InFocus and that other one form was b/c there was something missing for a lot of people. That's all.<br><br>I too am looking forward to the networking "reunion." :) I totally agree with you Sandy about experienced videographer still needing to grow and evolve. We never stop. I just felt for a while that I was no longer “growing” from the material offered at WEVA. But this year the tides have changed. I think the reason we've seen events like ReFrame, InFocus and that other one form was b/c there was something missing for a lot of people. That's all.

I too am looking forward to the networking “reunion.” :)

]]> By: sandybuller http://bladeronner.com/2009/09/weva-is-getting-exciting-again/comment-page-1/#comment-4223 sandybuller Sat, 05 Sep 2009 13:48:59 +0000 http://bladeronner.com/?p=791#comment-4223 Great write up Ron. Your comments on the "lost it's luster" and the great experience WEVA provides when starting out and but not so much when one is more experienced. Well, I like to add that even "the experienced" have to continue to change and reinvent themselves, and WEVA is a place that cultivates innovation through collaboration from individual created possibilities. Looking forward to sharing some possibility and time with you at WEVA, glad that you are attending and leading the way for a great networking reunion. Great write up Ron. Your comments on the “lost it's luster” and the great experience WEVA provides when starting out and but not so much when one is more experienced. Well, I like to add that even “the experienced” have to continue to change and reinvent themselves, and WEVA is a place that cultivates innovation through collaboration from individual created possibilities. Looking forward to sharing some possibility and time with you at WEVA, glad that you are attending and leading the way for a great networking reunion.

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