Night Day Productions

Vlog 101!

2011-11-29T12:08:00.006-05:00

BIG NEWS! We’re in pre-production of an exciting VLOG series. It will be all about how to Vlog to market your business, and you’ll be able to tune in for FREE. So stay in touch, visit our site often, follow us on

Twitter
Facebook
LinkedIn

WHAT is a Vlog?

Video + Blog = Vlog

A Vlog is a type of website or part of a website that is periodically updated with content in the form of short videos. These videos have the potential to educate, entertain, and excite! They can also market your business to a captive audience.

WHY Vlog?

* position yourself as an expert in your field of expertise

* create content to attract potential clients to your site

* adding video to your site or blog will improve your SEO (Search Engine Optimization), which means you will rank higher in Google searches (and other search engine searches)

* video is more persuasive and easier to digest than written text; visitors tend to dwell on video much longer than they do on text, giving you more of an opportunity to drive your message home

* As business owners, we all have a product or service we want to sell. But web-savvy audiences aren’t interested in being bombarded with more advertising; it’s all become background noise o them, so if you approach your potential buyer with a sales pitch, they will block you out. What they DO want is content; that is, free advice and education.

WHO Should Vlog?

Business owners, entrepreneurs, coaches, speakers, teachers… pretty much EVERYONE should Vlog! Anyone who craves a following, needs original content, seeks credibility, and wants to get their message out there, should Vlog!

If you’re an event planner, vlog wedding and event planning tips. If you’re a fitness guru, vlog exercise demos and health tips. If you’re a chef, vlog your very own online cooking show. If you’re an interior decorator, vlog design ideas. If you’re a business coach, vlog your wisdom and insights.

WHEN should you Vlog?

You want your Vlog to do two things:

* Grab someone’s attention

* KEEP their attention

So it’s not enough that you produce one kickass video; you want to unleash a series of kickass videos, so your following stays tuned, so they become your captive audience. Releasing a new video periodically is ideal; often enough so that your audience doesn’t tune out, but not too often so that they don’t feel over-inundated with information overload (which can feel like spam). You can intersperse your vlog entries with written blog updates, audio files, photographs, graphics, etc. and definitely make sure you have something to say whenever you post an update.

WHERE should you Vlog?

To be effective, your Vlog should be backed up by a social media campaign. Broadcast your Vlog, along with your Blogging activities, on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and e-newsletter.

HOW do you Vlog?

You can certainly do it yourself. And many people do. However…

For those approaching a more exclusive following, who are more image-conscious and want to appear more savvy and sophisticated to a more discerning viewer, we recommend you hire a professional videography studio to handle your Vlog production (and, by that, yeah we mean hire us). You hire a pro to cut your hair, you hire a pro to do your taxes, you hire a pro to fix your basement, and you hire a pro to handle your video.

What can Night Day Productions do for you?

We can offer a wide range of services to create your Vlog series from start to finish:

PRE-PRODUCTION

* Script creation and/or script consultation

* Studio time or on-location shooting

PRODUCTION

* HD cameras and camera operators

* Required lighting, external microphones, green screen, etc.

POST-PRODUCTION

* Digital edit, incorporating titling, animation (2D and 3D available), transitions, cutaways to photos, graphics, slides, additional video, stock footage, etc.

* Final output of edited high quality video files, appropriate for upload to web

* Creation and maintenance of a YouTube channel

* Creation and maintenance of Facebook and Twitter accounts (consultation also available)

* DVD authoring and production for resale

For a custom quote and FREE consultation, please contact Nishi Dias for a meeting:
Nishi@NightDay.ca
416-821-8669

Wedding Prequel Video! Now With Photos!

2011-10-31T18:22:00.003-04:00

Not too long ago, we unleashed our first wedding prequel video...

Photographer Brett Gundlock, of Brett Gundlock Wedding Photography, captured some great stills during the shoot, and we just wanted to share them here. You can see them by visiting Brett's blog here.

Wedding Prequel Video!

2011-09-28T07:31:00.004-04:00

Our new wedding product, the "Prequel Video" - can be used as a Save the Date (on Facebook, YouTube, DVD, etc.) and modified to be a reception video (a more personal alternative to the usual slideshow).

3 Signs You Need a Less Crappy Headshot

2011-09-20T13:24:00.002-04:00

If you’re in business, it goes without saying that you need a good-looking headshot. It’s a seemingly small thing but you’ll find uses for one pop up everywhere:

- as a profile photo on social media sites (LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, etc.)
- as an author/contributor photo on newsletters, blogs, online and printed publications
- on your business card, advertising and marketing materials

A great-looking headshot is an opportunity to put your best foot forward, to make a positive impact on your potential client.

So don’t muck it up ;)

Here are 3 signs you need a less crappy headshot:

1) If you like Pina Coladas… If your headshot is a cropped vacation photo, you’re in need of a better headshot. Seriously, we can all tell that you cropped out the margarita in your left hand and the salsa dancer in your right. Is this really the image (not to mention the composition, the lighting, the glaze in your eye) you want to portray for business?

2) Karma Chamelon… If you get a lot of people exclaiming “That’s you?!?” it may be time to get a new headshot. If your headshot is too old, or your fashion sense, facial hair, or hairdo has changed since your last photoshoot, it’s time for an update!

3) If Looks Could Kill… The whole point of a headshot is to make you seem approachable and familiar. You want to come off as professional and trustworthy, not aloof or pretentious. It’s got to make people want to invest time and money in you, not shirk away in fear or hit you up for a one night stand.

Looking to hire a professional to shoot your headshot? Night Day Productions has a great special going on:

Night Day Productions – HEADSHOT MARATHON
Monday, September 26, 2011
10am to 3pm (you must book a 20-minute time slot in advance – no walk-ins, please)
Danforth and Greenwood neighborhood
Regular Price: $250 Marathon Price: $125!

For a time slot, please contact Nishi Dias:
Phone/Text 416-821-8669
Nishi@NightDay.ca

Ever Felt Awkward?

2011-09-03T15:40:00.005-04:00

Big news! Night Day Productions, along with Business of Manners has produced “International Etiquette & Social Graces,” a light-hearted but deeply informative DVD for anyone who has felt the slightest bit awkward in formal dining or business and social situations.

Click here to purchase!

Learn more about “International Etiquette & Social Graces” at Business of Manners.

Headshot Marathon - September 26-27

2011-08-24T17:03:00.010-04:00

My photographer and I are planning on doing another one of our famous headshot mararthons, September 26-27, 2011 (Danforth and Chester)

Basically, how it works is each client would get a scheduled 15-20 minute time slot. Each client gets a touched up high resolution file of a corporate headshot, set against a gray background like the shots here:

These shots are appropriate for web and print use. Use them on your web sites, social media profiles, your newsletters, your business cards, your advertising, etc.

Normally, we would charge $250 for a basic shot like this (or $400 for a 2 hour session if you want a more elaborate shoot with lots of poses, wardrobe changes, on location). But for the marathon, the price would be $125 + HST per head. If this sort of thing interests you, or if you know someone who would dig this limited time discount offer, please let me know. I can add more days to the marathon if there is enough interest.

Book your time slot today, before all the good ones are gone :)

Thanks so much!!

Nishi Dias
Nishi@NightDay.ca
416-821-8669

SUMMER SPECIAL: 10% off tape to DVD transfers

2011-07-13T13:57:00.005-04:00

From now to August 31, 2011, Night Day Productions is glad to offer a 10% discount on tape to DVD transfers. We can transfer the following tape formats to DVD:

Video 8
Analog 8 mm cassette
Mini DV
SVHS
VHS
VHS-C

Our rate: $10 per hour of footage transferred. Editing and courier charges are extra.

To qualify for the discount, please mention you saw this post in our blog.

Wondering if it's worth it to get those old home movie tapes on DVD? Check out 5 Reasons to Transfer Your Old Home Videos to DVD

5 Reasons to Transfer Your Old Home Videos to DVD

2011-07-01T13:52:00.003-04:00

Who doesn’t have memories of their parents squinting behind some big honkin’ camera trying to capture your youth forever onto video? While those days are far behind us, the analog tapes remain. You know those old cassettes are out there in some shoebox gathering dust: the dance recitals, the Santa Clause parades, the family vacations, the first words, the school plays, the hockey games, the weddings, the first pet cat, the birthdays and the graduations. Precious memories: nostalgic, hysterical and sometimes embarrassing, all locked away where no one can access them… doesn’t seem right, does it?

Here are 5 reasons to transfer those old tapes to DVD…

Tape degrades over time

Even tapes that are stored properly are at risk for damage. The cassette cartridges break, the tapes degrade, wear out and snap. Backing the tapes to DVD (with little to no quality loss) not only gives you a safe and reliable backup copy, but it’s a format that stands the test of time. Once those tapes are damaged beyond repair, they’re lost forever. Don’t wait until it’s too late.

Your tape player might be dead or dying

These days, fewer people are likely to own a working VHS or Video 8 camera or deck, which means your old tapes can’t be played. It hardly seems worth it to invest in an extinct technology, especially when that money could go towards a shiny new HD camcorder. Updating your tapes to DVD means everyone can enjoy them.

Make some space!

Who doesn’t want some extra closet space? One bulky VHS tape recorded in SP can hold up to two hours of footage, while a slim, compact DVD can do the same.

Makes a great gift for that person who “has everything”

Looking for a great gift for that person who already owns enough gizmos, gadgets, knick knacks and closet fodder? Giving someone the gift of re-living their best moments is one-size-fits-all, and never goes out of style. Parents and grandparents are especially excited to watch old home videos; they don’t really need another sweater for their birthday or anniversary, they’d much rather see their baby take his first steps.

It’s not expensive

If you don’t have the equipment, time or patience to transfer your videos to DVD by yourself, you can hire someone to do it relatively inexpensively.

Located in the Greater Toronto Area, Night Day Productions can transfer the following tape formats to DVD or BluRay:

Video 8
Analog 8 mm
Mini DV
SVHS
VHS
VHS-C
Audio analog cassette

Night Day Productions can also make data discs from your old 35mm negatives and slides.

Contact Nishi Dias today for rates:

416.821.8669
Nishi@NightDay.ca

www.NightDay.ca

Haggling With Your Wedding Vendors – Smart or Stingy?

2011-06-28T15:20:00.005-04:00

Today's blog post was written by the seriously creative Sarah Spano of Hip Ink. Hip Ink's goal is to work with you to set the stage for your unique event with show-stopping invitations and stationery accessories – whether you choose to have them design and assemble your dream invite or let them supply you with the paper, tools and advice to create your own masterpiece. Visit their site here.

Photo from Hip Ink

Oooooh watch out – it might be a hot one ;)

Today I’m going to address something that all wedding vendors deal with, and that I think it’s important to talk about openly as a vendor.

What is it, you ask? Haggling. Bargaining. Negotiating. Asking for a discount. Whatever you’d like to call it, we’re talking about asking vendors to lower their prices for you.

Is is okay to do so? Are you being smart and frugal, or are you just insulting your vendors? Are you really just going to be paying less, or will you be getting less?

First, let’s look at it from a couple’s point of view. You’ve got your budget – it may be tiny, big or giant, doesn’t really matter in this case – and you are trying to stick to it the best you can. At the same time, you WANT things…you want them bad. What’s the solution? Ask the vendor for a discount of course…makes perfect sense, right? Maybe.

What about the vendor? Most wedding vendors I know price as fairly as they can – after all, I can tell you that most people aren’t in the wedding business because it allows them to come home, strip naked and roll around in $100 bills every weekend. Far from it in most cases. It’s important to realize that most, if not all, of your vendors do what they do because they are passionate about it, they mostly work for themselves or very small companies, and any type of discounting hits them directly in the wallet. Will a vendor discount their product or services if you ask? Maybe. Will they like it? Probably not.

So now it’s opinion time (I know you were waiting for it, right?)…is it cool to ask your vendors for a discount, or are you risking offending them by doing so?

That depends – how are you asking, why are you asking and what are you asking for?

Approaching your stationer and saying, “I absolutely have to have these programs, but I can’t afford $3 each. Could I get them for $1 each? It’s no big deal right? I promise I’ll recommend you to all my friends”, won’t get you very far. The fact that you absolutely must have something that doesn’t fit your budget isn’t your vendors problem, it’s yours. Straight up. I guarantee that no vendor is going to say, “Why yes, I’d love to take a loss on making these programs for you so that you can gloat to all your friends about the deal you got and then they can come and try to stiff me as well. When can I start?”

So, yes…this kind of approach *is* insulting, because it completely disrespects the vendors time and talent. Would you be happy if your boss walked in one day and said, “Hey, how about I cut your salary by 60%, but I promise I’ll consider you for a promotion someday”. Would your landlord be happy if you said, “Sorry, things are really tight right now. What if I give you 50% of my rent without paying you the rest. Is that cool?”. Yeah…thought so.

Approaching your stationer and saying, “I really love these wrap address labels, and I know they would complement our invites so nicely, but we just can’t fit them in our budget. Could we possibly split the cost with you somehow?”, may get some consideration. Asking politely always works. Asking for a discount on an upgrade often works much better than asking for a discount on the base product/service. And asking the vendor to suggest something that they are comfortable with means that they have the opportunity to provide a fair offer, rather than you (even if it’s unknowingly) insulting them with a ridiculous offer that amounts to asking them to work for free.

If you somehow end up berating a vendor into giving you a big discount, you have to wonder a few things. Why? Why are they willing to give you a discount. Is it because they need the work? And why is that? Do they have poor skills, bad reviews, no experience? If they give you a discount, will they really be giving their all, or are they going to be resentful and not perform to their capabilities? We’re all human after all, and everyone wants people to recognize the value of what they do.

I’ve said it before, and I’m going to repeat it here – we’re all on the same side. This isn’t a battle between you as a couple and us and vendors – it’s a partnership. We all want you to have the wedding of your dreams, we’re just not willing to work for nothing so you can have it.

So, should you ask your wedding vendors for discounts? It never hurts to ask – politely, respectfully and knowing full well that the answer may be no.

—

What’s my personal point of view, as a vendor on discounting?

I can tell you that I price as fairly as possible (in fact, probably too fairly) for what I do, and I never discount. Ever.

Why? Being completely honest, I feel like discounting send the message that my pricing is more than it needs to be, that I need to cut my prices to get your business, and worst of all that it devalues what I put my heart and soul into every day. I’m only speaking for myself here, not other vendors who may discount for other reasons completely, but I personally won’t do it. Value-adds (free upgrades etc.), sometimes. Discounting, no.

I make a deal with my clients – they pay me fairly and treat me respectfully and I do my damnedest to over-deliver. For me, that is the perfect client/vendor relationship.

If that is the kind of relationship and performance you want from your vendors, ask yourself if it’s worth souring that relationship to save a few bucks.

8 Things You Should Know Before You Hire A Wedding Videographer

2011-04-22T14:51:00.004-04:00

I wrote this article a long time ago, but it's still one of my most popular posts and I think worth re-publishing (I've updated some of the parts regarding technology... hey, it's been a while!). Plus, I feel it's a necessary refresher since I still get questions as to why I charge more than other vendors who claim they "get the same results for a fraction of the cost" (yeah, right). So without further ado... 8 Things You Should Know Before You Hire A Wedding Videographer:

1. Are they really pros?

Recent advancements in technology have made camera equipment and editing software very affordable. The downside of this is that now there are a lot of wannabes calling themselves "cameramen" and "editors" when really they are just "guys with a camera and some software."

How do you tell the difference? Experience. The ideal cameraman has experience shooting not only weddings but documentaries and live television. These are the people who really understand the art of "anticipate and respond," which what you want because when it comes to your wedding, there are no second takes.

A lot of wedding cameramen edit their own work, but editing is a craft in itself so a truly professional crew might have a separate person who edits. In professional video, cameramen tend to be outgoing and animated people whereas editors tend to be introverted, detail-oriented and prefer the solitude of a dark editing room. These are two separate art forms that demand different skill sets. Make sure that the company you hire to do your video is good at both shooting and editing.

2. What kind of cameras do they use?

Consumer camcorders you see at your local electronics store are typically "single chip" cameras. These are small and lightweight and great for home videos and vacations but are entirely inappropriate for shooting weddings. You want someone with a "three chip camera" (sometimes called "three CCD") which is bigger and several thousand dollars more expensive.

Three chips produce much clearer and more accurate colours (even in low light) than one chip.

You also want someone who has all the bells and whistles: a wireless lavaliere microphone, a camera-mounted light, a tripod and/or monopod and some extra lights just in case.

Pretty much everyone is shooting digitally these days so they can edit digitally as well and output digitally onto DVD. The benefit of keeping the capture, edit and output process in the digital domain is that the footage experiences little to no quality loss. You should definitely hire someone who is up-to-date with technology.

3. What kind of lights do they use?

You probably won't like it if your videographer mounts glaring hot lights on an elaborate scaffolding. After all, this is your wedding, not a film set. The camera equipment should absolutely not compromise the décor and ambiance of the wedding.

An adjustable camera-mounted light works really well. It moves around with the cameraman (who moves around with the couple) and it should be used only when necessary. It should be soft and subtle, and its intensity can be adjusted so it is not overly bright. The way to find out if the cameraman understands this is to look at his footage and watch for any "deer caught in headlights" reactions from his subjects. The people in the video should not even realize he's there: they should be enjoying the wedding!

4. What do the cameramen wear?

It's tough, physical work, but they should be dressed nicely. Asking them not to wear running shoes, jeans, etc. is not unreasonable.

5. Can they do multiple camera shoots?

You will benefit from a two camera shoot if you have a lot going on. Your coverage will be a lot more complete and then your editor can cut between the two cameras for a dynamic and entertaining wedding video.

Strongly consider having a second camera, at least for the ceremony portion of the day. You'll want to get both the bride's and groom's reactions and close-ups of the rings going on, etc. and everything happens very quickly and 2 cameras will catch a lot more than just one.

Just make sure that BOTH cameras are the same quality (three chip) and both cameras are manned by separate qualified cameramen; do not let them leave a camera unattended on a tripod.

6. What is their sound quality like?

It is easy to forget about sound when you are thinking of video, but please do not make this mistake. Insist on a videographer that uses a wireless microphone: they are small and unnoticeable and amazing at recording vows or people coming up to you to congratulate you, etc.

7. What is their editing style?

This is a very important question! Make sure their style suits your taste. Don't be seduced by a lot of dazzling animation and special effects - it might not be the look you want. And it might look cheesy in the years to come. Classic simplicity never goes out of style.

8. Do they have a demo DVD?

They had better! Don't fall for a "music video" or a series of carefully chosen shots timed to music, because anyone can look good that way. Ask to see actual, sequential clips from a wedding (or even an entire wedding) incorporating recorded natural sound mixed with music.

When you are watching the demo DVD, be sure to look for:

· clear, bright picture, even in low light
· clean natural sound
· audible, consistent audio levels
· smooth, non-jerky camera movement
· artistic camera composition
· seamless and dynamic editing
· relaxed bridal party and guests who hardly notice they are being taped?

Most importantly, ask yourself, "Is a story being told? Do you feel the emotion of that magical day?" Because after all, you want a video that becomes more valuable as time goes by, something that is true to your personalities and tastes and not some form of torture on your unsuspecting dinner guests in the years to come! A good wedding video will enable you to relive one of the best days of your life.

8 Things To Look For When Hiring A Wedding DJ

2011-03-20T18:11:00.002-04:00

I'm very happy to announce that we have a guest blogger today: none other than Terry Holdershaw from Scotia Entertainment Services. Terry and his partner, Michelle provide professional DJ and live entertainment services throughout the Greater Toronto, Mississauga, Kitchener, Muskokas & Surrounding Areas.

8 Things To Look For When Hiring A Wedding DJ

1. Personalized Service - You want to feel a personal connection and have your DJ's personality match you and your theme. You don't want to be just another # for that DJ Company, you want to feel important and treated like a Prince or Princess!

2. Professional & Experienced - You want to make sure that you are hiring a DJ that has experience with weddings and anything special about your wedding day. Meet with the DJ or the Company in person, are they professional? Do they have a professional website? You want a DJ who is dressed properly and has a professional attitude for their job.

3. Licensed & Insured - Every Professional DJ in Canada should have their music licensed by AVLA (Audio Video Licensing Agency). It is also highly recommended that your DJ carry liability insurance. There are many venues that are now making it mandatory for DJ's to have liability insurance. It is also a good sign for your DJ to be a member of a Professional DJ Association such as CPDJA.

4. Punctual - You want to ensure that your DJ will arrive on time and be set up prior to guests arrival. You wouldn't want to have your DJ loading in and setting up equipment during dinner or speeches.

5. Pricing - Shop around before signing a contract right away. Make sure that you are getting a service that is worth what you are paying for. Be weary of a deal that is 'Too Good To Be True' as well. Check out what the average prices are in your area and choose a DJ that you are most comfortable with within your budget.

6. Available - It's always best to give the DJ your date, venue and city right away so they can tell you if they are available or not for your wedding.

7. Music Library - Ask about the DJ's music library, do they carry a wide range of music genres to every gig and is it up to date with the current hits. You will also want to check to make sure that if they are using a 'digital library' that they getting high quality music from a legal source. All professional DJ's should have their music licensed by AVLA.

8. Recommended - Always check for testimonial and referrals. If brides, venues and other wedding vendors are highly recommending a service then there is a good chance that they have a good track record.

If you would like more information on Scotia Entertainment's DJ Services
Contact Michelle Today!

terry@scotiaentertainment.com
647.968.2729

Scotia Entertainment provides Professional DJ, Live Entertainment & Audio-Visual Services throughout the Greater Toronto, Mississauga, Kitchener, Muskoka & Surrounding Areas for Weddings, Corporate & Social Events.

Why Hire a Day Of Coordinator?

2011-03-07T12:43:00.001-05:00

Wondering if youshould hire a Day Of Coordinator for your wedding? Check out this video we created for LaFete Weddings (www.LaFete.ca)

DOC from Nishi Dias on Vimeo.

Convertible Bridesmaid Dress Video

2011-02-11T11:36:00.001-05:00

Check out this video we did for Gown Go Round; they sell a bridesmaid dress that can be worn more than once!

07 overview from Nishi Dias on Vimeo.

Night Day Wins "Bride's Choice": WeddingWire

2011-01-25T16:52:00.006-05:00

Toronto, Ontario – January 25, 2011 - WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, is thrilled to announce Night Day Productions has been selected to receive the prestigious annual WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011 for Videography!

Recognition for the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011 is determined by recent reviews and extensive surveys from over 750,000 WeddingWire newlyweds. Our past clients are among those that shared their experiences on WeddingWire, the largest wedding review site in the nation.

Night Day Productions stands among the top five percent of wedding professionals in the WeddingWire community, representing quality and service excellence within the wedding industry. Awards were given to the top wedding professionals across 20 service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers, and were based on the overall professional achievements throughout the past year.

“WeddingWire is honored to celebrate the success of the top-rated wedding professionals within the WeddingWire community,” said Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “With the annual Bride’s Choice Awards™ program, WeddingWire has the unique opportunity to recognize the best wedding professionals across the US and Canada. We applaud Night Day Productions for their professionalism and dedication to enhancing the wedding planning experience last year.”

We are happy to announce that Night Day Productions is among the very best Videographers within the WeddingWire Network, which includes leading wedding planning sites WeddingWire, Martha Stewart Weddings, Project Wedding and Weddingbee. We would like to thank our past clients for nominating us to receive the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011.

For more information, please visit our WeddingWire Storefront today at http://www.weddingwire.com/biz/night-day-productions-toronto/112b1e56acf7bfd0.html

For more information on the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011, please visit www.WeddingWire.com.

About WeddingWire, Inc.
WeddingWire.com, the nation's leading technology company serving the $70 billion wedding industry, is the only online wedding planning resource designed to empower both engaged couples and wedding professionals. For engaged couples, WeddingWire offers the ability to search, compare and book over 200,000 local wedding vendors, from wedding venues to wedding photographers to wedding cakes. WeddingWire also offers an online community and a suite of cutting-edge planning tools for weddings, including wedding websites and wedding checklists, all at no charge. For wedding professionals, WeddingWire provides free online management tools creating the only market opportunity that gives local businesses control over their clients, reviews, leads and performance. Businesses that join the WeddingWire Network appear on WeddingWire.com and other leading sites, including MarthaStewartWeddings.com (NYSE: MSO), ProjectWedding.com and Weddingbee.com (both part of eHarmony), and Celebrations.com (part of the 1-800-Flowers family of brands, NASDAQ: FLWS).

Give-Away-Palooza!

2010-12-09T12:10:00.006-05:00

Know anyone getting married in 2011 or 2012?

Tell them to check out this AMAZING contest... a bunch of great Toronto wedding vendors got together and are giving away over $10,000 in wedding services and products! It's called Toronto Wedding Professionals 2011/2012 GIVE-AWAY-PALOOZA! Please spread the word!

Night Day Productions will be giving away a "Prequel" Featurette Video. And look what else is up for grabs:

Photography by Blue Six Creative
Decor by Vivian's Decor and Designs
Stationary by Paper Bliss
Make-Up Artist by StylEyes
Hairstyling by Brides Etc.
DJ Services by Scotia Entertainment
Officiant by Enduring Promises
Wedding Planning by WeDDings Jubilee
Florals by Petals Stems and Leaves
Accessories by Buds and Blooms
Sweet Table Candy Display by Sweet Something Designs

Conditions apply. Please visit link for details and how to enter!

Wedding Videography Prices Going Up Oct 31!

2010-10-14T18:27:00.004-04:00

Book your wedding video now and save $400 before our 2010 rates turn into a pumpkin! Our 2011 rates kick in October 31, 2010. Details

5 Reasons to Book Your Wedding Vendors EARLY

2010-08-05T10:29:00.003-04:00

It’s summer! This time of year, I get a lot of last minute calls and emails regarding our wedding videography services. As much as I’d love to accommodate everyone, I’m sad to say that it’s often impossible to help these poor brides and grooms, simply because they waited too long to contact me.

To avoid frustration and disappointment, it is important that you book your wedding vendors early: for example, I recommend booking your wedding videography at least 9-12 months prior to your event. If you find yourself dragging your feet, keep in mind these reasons to book early:

1. Availability – The good ones get booked early. Most wedding vendors are small businesses and they can only do a certain number of weddings per weekend without compromising the quality of their services. If you want someone good, book early.

2. Cost – Generally speaking, pricing goes up the longer you wait, not down. Why not benefit from 2010 pricing even though your wedding is not until 2011?

3. Affordability - If you give yourself more time to save and plan your budget, you might be able to afford that vendor you REALLY want, instead of settling for the cheaper, less desirable alternative.

4. Practicality – If you book early, you’ll likely have the option of spreading out your deposits so they won’t hurt as much. For instance, at Night Day Productions, we take 1/3 deposit to hold a date for you, 1/3 a month before the event and then a 1/3 two months after the event. If you leave your booking to the last minute, you’ll be faced with fewer and larger deposits with less time to pay them off. Why not spread out your payments and make things easier for yourself?

5. Sanity – It’s tough enough making an informed decision with all the hoopla out there! Give yourself time to find the vendor that is right for YOU. Read articles about what to look for in a wedding vendor, research web sites and online demo reels and portfolios, do price comparisons. You can find lots of helpful articles here.

Planning your wedding should be fun, not an ordeal! Booking early means less stress in the long run. And we can all do with less stress, right?

Happy planning!

Yours Truly,

Nishi @ Night Day Productions

This article was written by Nishi Dias of Night Day Productions, a Toronto-based Videography and Photography studio. Night Day Productions specializes in event coverage, including: weddings, seminars, workshops, funerals, theatre and musical performances.

Nishi Dias, Producer
Night Day Productions
416.821.8669
Nishi@NightDay.ca
www.NightDayWeddings.com
www.NightDay.ca

How to Promote Your Seminar or Workshop with Professional Video

2010-02-24T14:06:00.001-05:00

You’re excited. You’ve just put the finishing touches on your brand new product or service and you need to reach out and let you potential customers know all about what you have to offer.

One of the most effective way of telling your story is to present a workshop or seminar: demonstrate how great your new product or service is and how it will benefit their business.

No easy task. Book a venue, rent audio equipment, promote the event. Lots of work. And if it’s a one-off event, hopefully you’ll make enough impact to send sales through the roof.

Making a good thing last

Problem is, your brilliant presentation will be mostly forgotten by the attendees after a few hours. It’s not that you were that bad (hopefully) it’s just that we have short attention spans.

We’re bombarded with so much information on any given day, that we just naturally filter most of it out. See, I told you that you weren’t that bad. So how do you keep your presentation on the top of every attendee’s mind?

Believe in Magic

Actually, it’s not magic at all. In fact it’s really a no-brainer. Video your event. Let your audience relive your presentation over and over again. We learn through repetition and a DVD of your event is a sure fire way to drive your message home.

Is it hard to do?

Simple answer is: it doesn’t have to be. And we all like to keep things simple: so hire a professional videograher. A professional videograher will take care of all of the details and fiddly-bits that will ensure that your product or service and you look the best they can be.

Can I do it myself?

Short answer is yes. However, based on your skills, you could come out looking brilliant or like a day one amateur on Youtube. Statistically, the latter is usually the reality.

Yes, Uncle Phil has a really neat video camera with the latest bells and whistles and he’ll do it for free but sadly, we get what we pay for. (No offence Uncle Phil). The question is: does your product and service require the best? I’m assuming your answer is yes. Then pro is the only way to go.

Is it expensive?

It doesn’t have to be, unless of course you have a few spare million in your wallet to create the latest James Cameron epic. A good videograher will sit down with you, explain what works and more important, what doesn’t work and plan something that will be memorable while still remaining in your budget.

Create added value for your participants

Give away the DVD for free. Use it as a bonus and entice people to come to your seminar. It’s a great way to harvest participant’s contact information. And follow-up with them: tell them about your next promotion, ask them to subscribe to your blog, Facebook fan page, Twitter, or whatever else you might have going on.

Make extra money

Why not sell the DVD for added income? Offer a discount to those who attended your workshop, and charge everyone else regular price.

Your DVD could be earning you dollars long after your workshop is over. Work with a videographer that can do small runs (rather than producing hundreds of DVDs at a time), order a few at a time as needed and keep your cost low.

Expand Your Audience

Now that you’re on DVD, the world’s your oyster. (Or clam, if you prefer.) Sell your DVD online. You could go global! Consider getting subtitles or voiceover done in different languages if you think there is a market for it.

Expose Yourself

Once your seminar is shot, get your videographer to edit a short promo. It doesn’t have to be very long, even 15 to 30 seconds could be enough of a teaser.

Make sure you include these three points:

• showcase yourself as a dynamic speaker

• feature your content as something exciting and cutting-edge

• tell viewers to subscribe to your blog, hit your website, follow you on Twitter and Facebook

Don’t forget to include your teaser on your DVD production, so that your captive audience will know how to get in touch with you and know to expect more presentations and DVDs from you.

Post your teaser online, on all your social media, on your website and blog, email it to your network and go viral!

Keep Going!

Once you get the ball rolling on a workshop video, why not turn it into a series and start to grow your audience. Who knows, your videos could generate greater income and larger audiences than your presentations. Now that’s added value.

This article was written by Nishi Dias of Night Day Productions, a Toronto-based Videography and Photography studio. Night Day Productions specializes in event coverage, including: seminars, workshops, weddings, funerals, theatre and musical performances.

Nishi Dias, Producer

Night Day Productions

416.821.8669

Nishi@NightDay.ca

Win Award-Winning Wedding Videography by Entering Our Contest!

2010-02-18T12:13:00.004-05:00

Getting married in 2010 in Toronto? How would you like to win a wedding video from Night Day Productions, winner of the 2010 Bride’s Choice Awards™ for Videography (WeddingWire.com)?

The Prize

Four hours of continuous 1-camera video coverage by Night Day Productions. Includes: 3CCD camera, lighting, wireless lavaliere microphone, digital edit (music, titling, chapter menu, effects), one copy of uncut footage on DVD, 5 copies of edited wedding on DVD, online streaming on your own web page (for proofing and sharing with friends and family), and a highlights montage.

Here’s how to enter the contest:

STEP 1
Become a fan of our Facebook Fan Page at http://www.facebook.com/NightDayProductions

STEP 2
Post your entry on our wall: tell us in 150 words or less, or in a photo or in a video (1 minute or less) WHY you want Night Day Productions to shoot and edit your wedding video. Be sure to mention your wedding date and location(s). You can be as creative as you want!

STEP 3
Get votes! Get your friends to be fans and post comments (comments = votes) on your contest entry. The entry that gets the most votes/comments by March 31, 2010 wins. Please note, a fan can only vote for you ONCE. They can comment as often as they want but their vote only counts as 1 vote. Fans can vote for more than 1 entry, but they can only vote for each entry once.

EARLY BIRD BONUS! Post your entry by February 28 and get 5 free bonus votes!

EARLY BIRD BONUS! Twitter this tweet and get 5 free bonus votes!

WIN award-winning wedding video by Night Day Productions http://tinyurl.com/yhbg64u 5 bonus votes if you RT #NightDay

Thanks for playing! Good luck!

Sincerely,

Nishi @ Night Day Productions

Is it necessary to feed your vendors the day of the wedding?

2010-02-16T11:16:00.003-05:00

Is it necessary to feed your vendors the day of the wedding?

My answer is yes, if we are talking about vendors that are with you for the better part of the day: such as the videographer, photographer, day-of-coordinator, and DJ, to name a few.

Here are a couple of tips to keep in mind:

- A vendor will perform better if his stomach isn’t growling (who doesn’t, right?)

- Ask your venue about “vendor meals.” These are less expensive, simplified meals (they might have less courses, for example) that are especially prepared for wedding vendors.

- There is an advantage to feeding your day-of-coordinator the same food that your guests get: if something is wrong with the food, she will know right away and she might have an opportunity to get it fixed on your behalf.

- You could get your vendors to take some time off and go hunt down their own food offsite, but I would advise against that. They could get lost, or there might not be anything available nearby (many banquet halls are in industrial parks, so typically there are no fast food places nearby). It will be time wasted when they could be working at your wedding.

- Remember to check beforehand if your vendors have food allergies or intolerances.

- You can seat your vendors with your guests or reserve a special table for them. DJs often eat at their booths so they can keep an eye on things, but ask them what they would prefer. Some venues plant the vendor table outside of the reception area; this could be counter-productive, especially for the videographer and photographer, as they could miss an unplanned, spontaneous video or photo opportunity.

- If you must have the vendors eat in the kitchen, or in the lobby, or anywhere separate from where you and your guests are eating, you should assign someone (your coordinator or perhaps a member of the bridal party) the task of notifying the camera crew when a speech or game is about to begin. However, if your Uncle Bob suddenly decides to tell a funny story in the middle of dinner, by the time your bridesmaid runs to the kitchen, notifies the camera crew, they drop the chicken wing and pick up their gear, get into position and focus… the moment may be over.

Don’t be shy about addressing this issue with your vendors… trust me, they’re used to dealing with it. In fact, many vendors (including myself) mention it in their contracts and pre-wedding consultations.

Happy planning,

Nishi

This article was written by Nishi Dias of Night Day Productions: a Toronto-based video production company. If you'd like to publish this article, please credit, link-back and contact Nishi at:

Night Day Productions
www.NightDayWeddings.com
416-821-8669
Nishi@NightDay.ca

ENTER OUR CONTEST AND YOU COULD WIN FREE WEDDING VIDEOGRAPHY! http://www.nightday.ca/fan.html

Wedding Videography 101: “Cinematic” versus “Documentary”

2010-01-30T15:56:00.002-05:00

“Can you make our wedding video look filmic?”

“Can you shoot documentary style?”

As a wedding Toronto wedding videographer, I hear these questions a lot. And truthfully there is no short answer. It is challenging trying to sum up our or anyone’s work in one word or phrase.

The terms, “filmic” and “documentary” get thrown around a lot, and can mean different things to different people. Often times, a videographer won’t strictly belong to one category or the other. If you’re not sure where a certain videographer fits in, just ask to see a sample of a complete wedding they have shot and edited… then decide if you like it. Then, who cares what it’s called? If you like it, you like it.

Usually, a “filmic” or “cinematic” look implies that a video has been shot widescreen or 16:9 (with the growing popularity of widescreen TVs, most videographers shoot widescreen these days anyway), with saturated colours, and some dramatic slow motion effects. It can also mean very stable moving shots created with the help of cranes or jib arms, steadicam apparatus, etc.

The advantages to going with a cinematic videographer, is that you literally get a chance to star in your own professionally shot movie. You will be beautifully lit, and captured from the right angles, and only the best, most glamorous shots will make the final cut. You may never look better!

The drawback, of course, is the cost. It takes a lot of people to put a production like this together, not to mention a lot of high end equipment. And finally, there is editing time: for a truly filmic experience, several hours in an editing suite is required to synch up footage from multiple cameras, mix sound and music, create transition effects and titles, etc.

Another drawback, depending on your point of view, is it is not an ideal setup for the camera-shy. You will be surrounded by a crew, lights, and equipment. You will likely be aware of the cameras. You may occasionally have to wait for the cameras to get in place or re-enact for the cameras if necessary.

A “documentary” approach implies that your video is shot with less bulky equipment, and you might only get one or two cameramen with this approach.

The drawback of a documentary approach is it’s going to have a grittier look than the filmic approach. How gritty? Again, this is going to vary from shooter to shooter, so ask to see a sample DVD to come to your own conclusion.

The major advantage of a documentary approach is that because the equipment is lighter, the shooters have more flexibility, so they can move and capture spontaneous moments as they happen naturally. The approach is less obtrusive, and when done correctly, you shouldn’t feel the cameras around you a whole lot. The cost for a documentary approach should be less: the equipment isn’t as high end or cumbersome and you can get away with less people on set. How smooth the final DVD looks depends on the amount of time allocated to editing, and this can vary from production house to production house.

Hopefully, this article has shed some light on the pros and cons of a filmic approach and a documentary approach. It should make finding a balance between these two styles easier, so that you end up with a wedding videographer that is right for you.

This article was written by Nishi Dias of Night Day Productions: a Toronto-based video production company. If you'd like to publish this article, please credit, link-back and contact Nishi at:

Night Day Productions
www.NightDayWeddings.com
416-821-8669
NightDayPro@aol.com

Night Day Productions awarded 2010 Bride's Choice Award for Videography (WeddingWire)

2010-01-20T11:53:00.002-05:00

Toronto - Ontario – January 20, 2010 - WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, just announced Night Day Productions has been selected to receive the 2010 Bride’s Choice Awards™ for Videography!

The annual Bride’s Choice Awards™ recognizes and celebrates excellence in quality and service within the wedding industry, as determined by recent reviews and extensive surveys from over 500,000 newlyweds.

Night Day Productions is among the top five percent of all vendors in the WeddingWire community, which includes over 100,000 wedding professionals across the US and Canada. Awards were given to winners across 19 different service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers.

“We are excited to recognize and honor the success of the top wedding professionals within the WeddingWire Community” said Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “The annual Bride’s Choice Awards™ program has given us the unique opportunity to highlight the best wedding professionals in each region as reviewed by brides and grooms who have utilized their services in the past year.”

We are happy to announce that Night Day Productions is among the very best Videographers within the WeddingWire Network, which includes WeddingWire and Martha Stewart Weddings. We would like to thank our past newlyweds for nominating us for the 2010 Bride’s Choice Awards™.

For more information, please visit our WeddingWire Storefront today.

About WeddingWire, Inc.
WeddingWire is the only online wedding planning resource designed to empower both engaged couples and wedding vendors. WeddingWire enables engaged couples to search, compare and book over 100,000 reviewed wedding vendors nationwide, from wedding photographers to wedding cakes. WeddingWire also offers an online community and a suite of cutting-edge planning tools, including wedding websites and wedding checklists, all at no charge. For wedding vendors, WeddingWire provides free online management tools creating the only market opportunity that gives businesses control over their clients, reviews, leads and performance. In addition, WeddingWire has partnered with Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. (NYSE: MSO) to provide its network of local vendors and online wedding-planning tools in the Weddings section of www.MarthaStewartWeddings.com. For additional information, please visit www.WeddingWire.com.

Survival Tips For Wedding Show Season!

2010-01-14T17:53:00.003-05:00

'Tis wedding show season! Here are a few tips:

1) Wear comfortable shoes and dress in layers so you can shed some clothes if it gets hot

2) Bring an empty backpack for fliers and swag: not too big, you have to manoeuvre through crowds

3) Bring pre-printed address labels so you can save time (and hand cramps) filling out ballots and request-for-info forms

4) Bring a bottle of water and a small snack

5) Ditch the dead weight. Don't drag a huge unwilling entourage to the show, you'll lose them in the crowd and they'll bring you down. Bring enthusiastic, energetic, motivated people with you... then you'll have fun!

6) Go in with a mission. Know which vendors you're looking for. If you've already booked a florist, get a site map of the show and skip all the florists. If you're looking for a band, bring a list of questions you want to ask a band.

7) Bring a notebook and pen so you can write down the vendors that impressed you. Be prepared with questions you want to ask them and record their answers.

All the best!

Nishi @ Night Day Productions

Wedding Videography 101: Editing versus Raw Footage

2010-01-04T17:09:00.001-05:00

When it comes to videography, don’t make the common mistake of thinking you are paying for just one day of service. A lot of prep time goes into any production, and after the shoot, as much as 50 or 60 hours might go into editing and refining your footage. Or not. It depends on the production company. So ask what your videographer puts into their editing process, and expect to pay accordingly for their time and efforts.

Your videographer might simply offer the raw (unedited) footage; in which case, a tape or hard drive to DVD transfer and some packaging is all that is required after the shoot. This is by far the cheapest option when scouting for video packages, but it is important that your expectations for this option are realistic.

There is a lot of software out there that can enable anyone to edit their own footage, but even if an amateur has the time, patience, and creativity to finish their own video, a professional editor is likely going to see more potential in the same batch of raw footage. If you don’t plan on editing your own footage and just want to leave it unedited, understand that everything is going to be left in, audio levels may be inconsistent, and without the benefit of chapters you won’t be able to skip to precise points of interest.

Your videographer might offer light editing; a “clean-up,” if you will, where some of the rougher, darker, uneventful footage is taken out, and dissolves are put into to soften the transitions between scenes. DVD chapters might be added. Some music might be added. A light edit will cost more than no edit (obviously), but it will give you a nicer finished product that is more entertaining to watch.

Of course, if you really want to dazzle your friends and family, you might opt for a full-on edit: which includes effects, titling, colour-correction, evening out of audio levels, montages where video is edited to music, etc. This edit takes the most time and so it will cost more.

Other factors to take into consideration: are you able to screen the first edit and have input on the final product (will your editor re-edit?). Does the editor upload your video to a website so you can proof your edit and share it with friends and family? How many copies of the finished product do you get? All these perks take more time and resources, so they will add to the cost of your wedding video.

When shopping around for a wedding videographer, you are going to encounter a lot of different packages and a lot of different price points. Hopefully this article will help you understand the amount of time that goes or doesn’t go into a wedding video production, so you’ll know why some videographers charge what they charge.

This article was written by Nishi Dias of Night Day Productions: a Toronto-based video production company. If you'd like to publish this article, please credit, link-back and contact Nishi at:

Night Day Productions
www.NightDayWeddings.com
416-821-8669
Nishi@NightDay.ca

© 2009 Night Day Productions

Wedding Videography 101: Single-Camera versus Multi-Camera

2009-12-20T15:15:00.001-05:00

If you’re in the market for a wedding videographer, you’ve probably noticed by now that most wedding video companies will offer either one or two cameras with their packages. Some higher-end companies might offer even more than two cameras.

So how many cameras are too many? Or how many cameras are not enough?

Single-Camera Shoot (Pros and Cons)

If you opt for a single-camera shoot, and your shooter needs to zoom in or out or re-locate for a better angle, your editor will not have alternative footage to cut to in order to mask the “bumps.” This is why your edit will be smoother and more polished if you opt for a multi-camera shoot.

The fewer cameras you have, the less coverage you’ll get, and the less angles you’ll have to edit between. However, a single-camera shoot is definitely less costly and also less obtrusive.

That said, if you are having a smallish wedding (less than 50 guests) in an intimate venue, consider having just one videographer. Because once you throw your photographer into the mix, you and your guests might start to feel a little outnumbered by the “paparazzi.”

Multi-Camera Shoot (Pros and Cons)

The more cameras you have, the more angles (close-ups, wide shots, etc.) and coverage you’ll have, and the more dynamic an edited finished product you’ll end up with.

You’ll also be able to cover two separate locations at once. For instance, after your ceremony, when you and the bridal party go to a park to get your photos done, one camera can come with you while the other camera hangs back at the reception venue and gets footage of the guests during cocktails.

The only drawback of adding cameras is the increased cost. Obviously, more cameras mean more people and more equipment, so higher costs.

Another thing to consider: adding a camera means adding several more hours of footage, which means even more hours in the edit suite. See how it all quickly adds up?

Ready for your close-up?

Bottom line, there is no “right” or “wrong” way to produce a wedding video, because we all – vendors and clients alike – have our different sets of priorities. Decide what is important to you, and budget accordingly. A wedding video is a tremendous keepsake of your special day; so choose wisely.

This article was written by Nishi Dias of Night Day Productions: a Toronto-based video production company. If you'd like to publish this article, please credit, link-back and contact Nishi at:

Night Day Productions
www.NightDayWeddings.com
416-821-8669
NightDayPro@aol.com

© 2009 Night Day Productions

Born Yesterday!

2009-12-11T10:50:00.004-05:00

My new niece, Anya! This was taken at the hospital, when she was about 9 hours old. She's already looking around and very "aware!"

Best wishes to my brother and his family.

Our Kung-Fu Inspired Ad for Scene Card

2009-12-11T10:45:00.004-05:00

Watch only if you have a sense of humour and if you love kung-fu! This is our contest entry fro Scene Card's Director's Cut video contest. Judging will de done in January. Wish us luck, okay?

How to Choose Music for Your Wedding Video

2009-11-16T09:30:00.007-05:00

So your wedding was fantastic, you hired a great videographer who did an excellent job capturing the day and you’re anxiously waiting to see the final edited product so together, you can relive the most wonderful day of your lives.

First, your video editor wants to know what music you’d like for the montage sections of your wedding video. Suddenly, you feel immense pressure having to pick music for this important document. You’ll have to live with the decisions you make today for the rest of your lives. Maybe picking that trendy dance track will seem like a mistake five, ten, twenty, forty years down the road when you’re sharing your wedding video with your children, grandchildren, long lost aunties, and new and old friends?

Don’t stress! Here are a couple of tips to help you with your choices:

Choose something that means something to YOU, not something that fits the “wedding music mould.”

Do you remember the song that was playing the first time you danced together? The first time you kissed? When he proposed? Do you remember that song you couldn’t get out of your heads that summer you traveled together? Do you and your new husband or wife have an anthem? A private “joke” song?

Choose something you’re going to love forever.

Your video is going to last forever, and it’s going to be passed down generation to generation. Don’t think so? Ask yourself this: if you had the opportunity to watch footage of your grandparents getting married, would you want to see it? So pick music that is going to withstand the test of time, not something trendy that you’re going to get tired of in a couple of months.

Your wedding video soundtrack should reflect the tone of your wedding.

Was your wedding fun and quirky? Elegant and jazzy? Retro chic? The music should complement the visuals and the overall vibe you created for your wedding. Think of it as the soundtrack to the movie that is your wedding day.

Think of the soundtrack as a whole, not its individual parts.

It’s not as complicated as “the art of making a mix tape” according to the John Cusack movie, High Fidelity but do put thought into the soundtrack as a whole: start it off with a bang, build up to something, then bring it down a notch. The music pieces don’t all have to all be the same genre or from the same era, but they should fit together, maybe even tell a story. Otherwise the transitions might seem abrupt: unexpected is alright, but abrupt is not.

Don’t pick something that reminds you of something (or someone) else.

Is there a tune that always reminds you of that famous scene of that famous actor drowning in the ocean while the love of his life cries and looks beautiful? You know the one. EVERYONE does. Is that really the imagery you want to conjure up when you watch your wedding video? Worse, what if your wedding video doesn’t measure up to that other, more famous scene with that actor you kind of had a thing for in grade nine? Be as original as possible and you can’t go wrong.

Instrumental music is better if you’re layering in natural sound.

If your video editor is talented enough to mix source/natural sound with music, consider instrumental music over vocals. For instance, I always include a highlights montage with my packages and bring in the natural sound of the vows, ring exchange, some applause to add emotional impact to the piece.

If you pick a music piece with heavy vocals, your vows are going to have to battle with the singer’s voice and so will have less presence. Instrumental music will back you up and empower your voices. See an example here:

I hope you found these tips useful. Most of all, have fun. It shouldn’t feel like homework!

This article was written by Nishi Dias of Night Day Productions: a Toronto-based video production company.

Night Day Productions
www.NightDayWeddings.com
416-821-8669
NightDayPro@aol.com

© 2009 Night Day Productions

Seminar/Presentation Video Promo

2009-11-04T13:47:00.000-05:00

Greek/Persian Wedding

2009-11-04T10:15:00.003-05:00

This wedding was a day full of culture and heritage: it was a double ceremony, embracing both the Greek and Persian faiths. But when it came time for the first dance, I think it's safe to say this sparkling couple forged their OWN path... check out the wicked awesome dance moves at 2:37... definitley a highlight of my 2009 season.

Glencairn Golf Club Wedding

2009-09-29T17:24:00.003-04:00

A fantastic wedding that took place in the modern yet gothic Queen of Peace Church in Norval, followed by a reception at Glencairn Golf Club:

On top of everything, the newlyweds made my week with this email:

Hello Nishi,

I have to say that you and Kwoi [and Dave] have done an amazing job! Kwoi did a great job capturing significant moments, and you've done an incredible job in putting it together with music to make it so meaningful. I especially love how you've put together the highlights section of the video, the scenes match perfectly with the song! Thanks again.

Night Day Productions Nominated "Best" by Bloorwest Villager

2009-09-25T11:23:00.002-04:00

We've been nominated "Best Business Service, Photo Studio" by the Bloorwest Villager! Please vote.

Thanks to all those who have nominated and voted for us in the past.

Best regards,

Nishi

Shangri-la Wedding & Chinese Banquet Highlights

2009-09-16T19:56:00.003-04:00

Tip: send out a wedding highlights "music video" with your Thank You cards... your guests will get a kick out of the keepsake!

We already include a highlights montage edit with our wedding packages (so there is no extra charge for the edit). It is an overview of the best parts of the wedding day and resembles a music video or movie trailer. We can then burn copies ($3 per disc if you are a wedding video client) with your full-colour photo on the cover (inkjet printed directly on the disc, no cheesy labels!). Or, if you'd rather save some bucks and DIY, we can hand over the master DVD to you and you can burn and print your own copies :)

Videos for Martial Arts School

2009-09-03T10:54:00.006-04:00

Here are a couple of examples of videos we can create for a martial arts school. these can be used to market yourself as an expert in the field of martial arts, promote your school, and even raise extra income through DVD sales.

Instructional Martial Arts Training:

Self-Defence Videos for women:

Self-Defence Videos for kids:

Of course, we can also do a straight-forward promo:

We can also videotape and edit testing and award ceremonies; makes a great keepsake for the students!

Check out Synergy Martial Arts at www.synergymartialarts.ca , they have a very progressive approach and the owner, John is very cool.

Synergy Martial Arts Video

2009-08-21T11:29:00.002-04:00

Our new marketing video promoting a local martial arts school:

Check out Synergy Martial Arts at www.synergymartialarts.ca , they have a very progressive approach and the owner, John is very cool.

Update on the Kitten Situation

2009-07-02T12:52:00.002-04:00

Just wanted to post a quick update on my foster kittens: they are now 6+ weeks old and doing great!

For more information on saving cats and kittens, contact Toronto Cat Rescue
www.torontocatrescue.ca

Leather & Velvet - Part II

2009-06-04T10:13:00.003-04:00

As promised, here are some more shots of Nicki and Ursa's wedding.

As they planned a fairly intimate affair, they were originally not going to hire a professional photographer, but then Ursa decided to surprise her bride with... us! Our base package starts at just $400 (for two hours), which is perfect for small events (includes the high resolution images on disc and an online gallery). Prints can be purchased down the road when it's convenient to the client.

Our best wishes to the happy couple; we truly felt honoured to be a part of this special day.

Night Day Productions is a supporter of same-sex marriage.

The Brides Wore Leather & Velvet

2009-06-02T17:41:00.004-04:00

We recently covered a very sweet wedding for two lovely ladies, Nicki and Ursa. The brides wore black leather and purple velvet, and exchanged custom-made rings.

Photos by: Maylynn

Night Day Productions is a proud of supporter of same-sex marriage.

More pics from the ceremony coming soon! Stay tuned.

- Nishi

Video Blowout Sale

2009-05-27T10:23:00.002-04:00

Wedding video sale on all remaining 2009 dates...

Includes: 6 hours of coverage, two 3CCD cameras, lighting, wireless lavaliere microphone, digital edit (music, titling, chapter menu, effects), one copy of uncut footage on DVD, 5 copies of edited wedding on DVD, online streaming on your own web page (for proofing and sharing with friends and family), highlights montage and unlimited locations.

$1,400 + tax

Get in touch if you would like to see a sample link to a complete wedding.

Have an awesome day,

Nishi
NightDayPro@aol.com
416.821.8669

EDIT: Sale is now over, thanks all!

A Different Kind of Blog Post - Newborn Kittens!

2009-05-12T12:21:00.006-04:00

I usually use this space to show what we've been up to at Night Day Productions, usually a new wedding video or baby/family photos, or a corporate shoot. But today I am posting something a little different.

We've been fostering this cat named Toffee through the Toronto Cat Rescue (TCR) and last night she had three kittens! This home video shows them less than 12 hours after the first one (the white one) was born. It was our first time witnessing a cat birth and it was truly fascinating; also remarkably easy with the guidance of the TCR volunteers. I strongly recommend saving a cat, either by adopting or even just fostering until a forever home can be found. It's a lot easier than I think most people think it is and incredibly rewarding.

For more information on saving cats and kittens, contact Toronto Cat Rescue
www.torontocatrescue.ca

Best regards,

Nishi (new kitty grandma)

We're Published on the Pink Blog

2009-03-30T12:08:00.003-04:00

The Pink Pages Directory has just published my piece "The Cost of Video Production" on their new Pink Blog.

Night Day Productions is a proud supporter for equal rights and we fully support same-sex marriage.

Nishi

Now Booking 2010! Take advantage of Recession Rates while they last!

2009-03-06T12:46:00.002-05:00

Now booking 2010! (2009 dates still available)

Book your wedding video now and get our "recession rates" while they last.

We only require 1/3 of your total as a deposit to hold the date for you, and your next payment isn't due until 1 month before your event. If your wedding isn't until next year, that's a lot of time to save!

"Why Don't All Wedding Videographers Cost the Same?"

2009-02-11T12:25:00.002-05:00

Professional wedding videographers can range in price from $500 to over $5,000. What gives? As long as they’re professionally trained, properly equipped and experienced, why the drastic difference in price?

First of all, it’s important to understand that videographers (this goes for photographers and other artists too), assign a value to their work based on their time, effort, equipment, expertise, and a whole lot of factors that can vary from artist to artist, depending on their approach and demand for their product.

That said here are a couple of factors for you, the engaged couple, to consider when picking a wedding videographer. Rather than making a decision based solely on price, this information will hopefully help you compare “apples to apples” and cut costs only where you really want to cut costs, and spend where your money is being put to good use, according to your priorities.

Filmic versus Documentary

The terms, “filmic” and “documentary” get thrown around a lot, and can mean different things to different people. Often times, a videographer won’t strictly belong to one category or the other. If you’re not sure where a certain videographer fits in, just ask to see a sample of a complete wedding they have shot and edited… then decide if you like it. Then, who cares what it’s called? If you like it, you like it.

Usually, a “filmic” look implies that a video has been shot widescreen or 16:9 (with the growing popularity of widescreen TVs, most videographers shoot widescreen these days anyway), with saturated colours, and some dramatic slow motion effects. It can also mean very stable moving shots created with the help of cranes or jib arms, steadicam apparatus, etc.

The advantages to going with a filmic videographer, is that you literally get a chance to star in your own professionally shot movie. You will be beautifully lit, and captured from the right angles, and only the best, most glamorous shots will make the final cut. You may never look better!

The drawback, of course, is the cost. It takes a lot of people to put a production like this together, not to mention a lot of high end equipment. And finally, there is editing time: for a truly filmic experience, several hours in an editing suite is required to synch up footage from multiple cameras, mix sound and music, create transition effects and titles, etc.

Another drawback, depending on your point of view, is it is not an ideal setup for the camera-shy. You will be surrounded by a crew, lights, and equipment. You will likely be aware of the cameras. You may occasionally have to wait for the cameras to get in place or re-enact for the cameras if necessary.

A “documentary” approach implies that your video is shot with less bulky equipment, and you might only get one or two cameramen with this approach.

The drawback of a documentary approach is it’s going to have a grittier look than the filmic approach. How gritty? Again, this is going to vary from shooter to shooter, so ask to see a sample DVD to come to your own conclusion.

The major advantage of a documentary approach is that because the equipment is lighter, the shooters have more flexibility, so they can move and capture spontaneous moments as they happen naturally. The approach is less obtrusive, and when done correctly, you shouldn’t feel the cameras around you a whole lot. The cost for a documentary approach should be less: the equipment isn’t as high end or cumbersome and you can get away with less people on set. How smooth the final DVD looks depends on the amount of time allocated to editing, and this can vary from production house to production house.

Editing versus Raw

When it comes to videography, don’t make the common mistake of thinking you are paying for just one day of service. A lot of prep time goes into any production, and after the shoot, as much as 50 or 60 hours might go into editing and refining your footage. Or not. It depends on the production company. So ask what your videographer puts into their editing process, and expect to pay accordingly for their time and efforts.

Your videographer might simply offer the raw (unedited) footage; in which case, a tape or hard drive to DVD transfer and some packaging is all that is required after the shoot. This is by far the cheapest option when scouting for video packages, but it is important that your expectations for this option are realistic.

There is a lot of software out there that can enable anyone to edit their own footage, but even if an amateur has the time, patience, and creativity to finish their own video, a professional editor is likely going to see more potential in the same batch of raw footage. If you don’t plan on editing your own footage and just want to leave it unedited, understand that everything is going to be left in, audio levels may be inconsistent, and without the benefit of chapters you won’t be able to skip to precise points of interest.

Your videographer might offer light editing; a “clean-up,” if you will, where some of the rougher, darker, uneventful footage is taken out, and dissolves are put into to soften the transitions between scenes. DVD chapters might be added. Some music might be added. A light edit will cost more than no edit (obviously), but it will give you a nicer finished product that is more entertaining to watch.

Of course, if you really want to dazzle your friends and family, you might opt for a full-on edit: which includes effects, titling, colour-correction, evening out of audio levels, montages where video is edited to music, etc. This edit takes the most time and so it will cost more.

Other factors to take into consideration: are you able to screen the first cut and have input on the final product (will your editor re-cut?). Does the editor upload your video to a website so you can proof your edit and share it with friends and family? How many copies of the finished product do you get? All these perks take more time and resources, so they will add to the cost of your wedding video.

Single Camera versus Multi Camera

Most wedding video companies will offer either one or two cameras with their packages. Some higher end companies offer more than 2 cameras.

The more cameras you have, the more angles (close-ups, etc.) and coverage you’ll have, and the more dynamic an edited finished product you’ll end up with. Obviously, more cameras mean more people and more equipment, so higher costs.

The fewer cameras you have, the less coverage you’ll get, the less angles you’ll have to edit between, but it will definitely be less costly and also less obtrusive.

Another thing to consider: adding a camera means adding several more hours of footage, which means even more hours in the edit suite. See how it all quickly adds up?

Ready for your close-up?

Hopefully, this article has shed some light on the costs and time and expertise involved with putting together a wedding production, so as to demystify the various packages and price points out there.

Bottom line, there is no “right” or “wrong” way to produce a wedding video, because we all – vendors and clients alike – have our different sets of priorities. Decide what is important to you, and budget accordingly. A wedding video is a tremendous keepsake of your special day; so choose wisely.

© 2009 Night Day Productions

If you are an event planner or wedding vendor and wish to publish this article on your website, please give credit to Nishi Dias, Night Day Productions and link back to www.NightDay.ca and notify us at NightDayPro@aol.com

Night Day Productions Nominated "Readers Choice" (Etobicoke Guardian)

2009-02-05T13:05:00.005-05:00

A very important awards ceremony is about to take place... no, not the Oscars; The Etobicoke Guardian Reader's Choice Awards! Night Day Productions has been nominated for "Reader's Choice" in Photography. Please vote for us! If you vote in enough categories you become eligible to win some prizes.

How to vote for us:

1) Register here and click Submit
2) On the pull-down menu at the top left (where it says "Best Shopping"), select "Best Business and Service" (it's the last one
3) Scroll down to "Photography" and select Night Day Productions

Many thanks to those who nominated us and to those who are voting for us!

See us at Staples!

2009-01-21T11:35:00.004-05:00

If you happen to be browsing through the Staples Business Depot at St. Clair and Keele this month (hint: they have a ton of new DIY wedding stuff), stop over at our display at the store entrance; Night Day Productions is Staples' "recognized small business" of the month!

Thanks, Staples, for the shout-out and for helping small businesses.

Nishi

"How do you light a church?"

2009-01-16T17:07:00.013-05:00

Question: What's the best way to light a church?

Our Answer: Don't! If you don't want lights set up in your church (they're often prohibited) we usually make do with natural light.

See results:

Keep in mind that video quality is even brighter and clearer on DVD, as clips here are compressed for easy viewing on the web.

Wedding: Jenny and Samuel's elegant church ceremony
Videographers: Kwoi and Alannah
Editor: Nishi

Raise School Funds With Professional Video Productions

2009-01-13T15:44:00.019-05:00

Need to raise school funds? Instead of organizing another bake sale, consider having your next school play, church production, talent show, martial arts exhibition or dance recital professionally shot and edited. You can then sell professionally produced DVDs for profit, capturing your students' achievements in the process.

We are currently running a special INTRODUCTORY no-risk package for new clients interested in this service. All that is required is a minimum purchase of 25 completed DVDs at $20 each. Additional DVDs can be purchased at $20 a piece if desired.

If 75 or more DVDs are pre-ordered, we will add a second camera to the shoot, for a more dynamic and fluidly edited product. Using two cameras will enable us to cut between close-ups and wide angles without missing any action.

All video productions (1 camera and 2 camera) include:

- up to 2 hours of video coverage
- clean cutting/dissolving between shots/scenes
- titling
- even sound levels
- colour correction
- "library" case and full-colour wrap-around insert for each DVD
- full colour graphic printed directly on disc (no cheesy labels)

Contact Nishi at 416-821-8669 or NightDayPro@aol.com to book a shoot.

School Performance Video Rates:

1 camera, 25 DVDs..... $500 INTRODUCTORY OFFER
Additional DVDs are $20 a piece

Regular Offer:
1 camera, 50 DVDs..... $900
2 camera, 75 DVDs..... $1,350
2 camera, 100 DVDs..... $1,700

"It's too cold!"

2009-01-10T12:49:00.003-05:00

"It's too cold to shop for a wedding videographer."

As a full-time video editor, I can work from home; and I appreciate not having to leave a nice warm house during the winter months. This time of year, I don't blame anyone who hesitates before battling through the slush, ice and traffic to go vendor shopping.

If you're considering hiring a wedding videographer, I highly recommend seeing an ENTIRE wedding video they shot and edited start to finish, not just highlights set to music.

If you're wondering what could make the hunt a little easier, I've got some advice: ask if you can see an entire wedding online, in the comfort of your own home in front of your computer. The video quality won't be as good as it will be on DVD, but at least you can get a good idea of the editing style, the coverage, the audio levels, the camera-work, etc. Then, if you're impressed, you can make the trek out to meet the vendor in person. At least then you'll know the trip is worth your while.

For anyone who is interested in seeing a complete wedding online, I can send you links by email: just send me a PM, email or call and let me know what type of wedding you're having (indoor, outdoor, church, banquet hall, what culture(s) etc.) so I can send you something that is relevant to you.

You'll see an entire wedding, as it appears on a client DVD:

- continuous documentary-style coverage of the ceremony, first dance, cake-cutting, speeches, etc. with natural audio, edited so it plays as it really happened
- montage sequences set to music of arrivals, cocktails, etc.
- "congratulations" from guests
- highlights trailer set to music, incorporating voiceovers of the vows and ring exchange, etc. for a "movie trailer" type piece to encapsulate the day

Here's to an easy 2009 and a pleasant vendor shopping experience!

Nishi

Videotaping Your Ceremony

2009-01-07T16:13:00.008-05:00

There are MANY approaches to shooting a wedding ceremony, and of course it all comes down to personal preference. Here's how we tackle it:

1) Shoot with 2 cameras: to make sure we get a good angle of both the bride and groom, plus lots of close-ups of the ring exchange, etc. Use only 3CCD cameras (better for low-light situations)

2) Full edit without distracting cheesy effects: for seamless, timeless storytelling. Audio levels should be even (you shouldn't blow your ears out when the audience applauds, you shouldn't struggle to hear the vows). Colour balance (in-camera and/or in the editing process) for a nice, warm "film" feel.

3) Use little/no external lighting: it's not a film set, it's a wedding, right? We don't want the "deer caught in headlights" look from our bride/groom.

4) Use a wireless lavaliere microphone: a tiny mic concealed on the groom, picks up all the vows, the officiant, and any funny comments you might want to treasure.

5) Use a shotgun mic on the camera for ambient (room) sound: and mix this with the lav mic audio during the editing process.

6) Be unobtrusive: no cranes or distracting equipment and the camera (wo)men should dress neatly and discretely. You should barely know we're there!

7) Shoot, edt and output digitally to maintain picture quality. Yes, film is known to have a "warmer feel" but don't knock video before you've tried it. The credentials and talent of the shooter is more important than the format: cameras don't shoot people, people shoot people.

Kim & Azzam's First Dance

2008-12-29T16:13:00.003-05:00

This super-cute couple set the tone for their reception with some razzle-dazzle for their choreographed first dance... check out the big finish!

Lion Dance

2008-12-24T16:13:00.005-05:00

Jenny and Sam treated their guests by hiring Lion Dancers for their Liberty Grand Reception... quite a show!

Night Day Crew:
Videographers: Kwoi and Alannah
Editor: Nishi

Wedding Forum 2008

2008-10-29T23:17:00.002-04:00

Meet us on Nov 9, 2008 at Wedding Forum 2008. This isn't a wedding show, but a chance to learn trade secrets from wedding pros and ask them quesions. Attendance is free and there will be many free giveaways and door prizes.

Maureen & Verinder

2008-10-27T13:22:00.004-04:00

Just received a great card from an unforgettable couple who were married this summer on August 16 (my birthday!). There were lots of unexpected laughs throughout the day, which is why I particularly enjoyed editing their wedding DVD.

- Nish

Dear Nishi, Kwoi and Kate,

We want to thank you so much for filming and editing our wedding on August 16 with such professionalism and skill. Your experience made the day easier for us, and the results are wonderful. We love the DVD, and our friends and families are very impressed. You did a great job mixing the music with the action and you captured many moments that we didn't even remember until we watched the video.

We hope the fall and winter bring great things for you all and for the business, and that the coming new year holds happiness and promise.

Yours very truly,

Maureen and Verinder

Carlos & Keith!

2008-09-24T17:49:00.003-04:00

Well, it's been a while since I've posted wedding photos, mostly since it's been an incredibly busy summer for us (which is good... not complaining!).

We've been really lucky this year, covering the weddings of some truly memorable couples. One that stands out has to be Carlos and Keith, who came all the way from Chicago to get married!

Photos by Night Day's Maylynn

Night Day Productions proudly supports same-sex marriage.

Old Mill Ceremony Video

2008-07-17T17:49:00.004-04:00

Here it is! The ceremony video from Jennifer and Shozib's outdoor wedding at the Old Mill:

We used two manned cameras and, as always a wireless lav mic on the groom to record the vows and officiant.

Lead Videographer: Kwoi
Editor: Nishi

Thanks for watching!

Nishi Dias
Night Day Productions

Old Mill Fairytale Wedding

2008-06-24T12:08:00.003-04:00

The theme this Sunday at Toronto's Old Mill was "Jennifer and Shozib's Fairytale Wedding"! We all had our fingers crossed for the rain to hold out until after the outdoor ceremony was over, and in true storybook fashion, clear skies all the way!

Here are a couple of shots of the gorgeous Mr. and Mrs. Charming.

Photographer: Maylynn

Stay tuned... we have video (shot by Kwoi and edited by me) coming up!

- Nishi

Kwoi Gets Clipped!

2008-06-05T03:26:00.004-04:00

Anyone who has worked with us in the past is familiar with the long, luxurious locks of Videographer Kwoi. Imagine our surprise when he came back from shooting a hair makeover show with a Bruce Lee-esque coiff; turns out they were short a few male models so Kwoi stepped up to the plate.

Check out excerpts of the Slice show here:

The Bride Wore RED!

2008-05-30T05:10:00.004-04:00

Ivy and JV were married earlier this month at Officiant Pamela Covert Slater's Victorian House (a fantastic location if you are planning a private, intimate wedding, by the way). We couldn't have asked for a more charming and beautiful couple.

And... Ivy wore a RED dress, which we LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! Here's a sneak peek:

(photos by Maylynn)

For small weddings like this one, we can do as little as 2 hours of photo coverage for $400 + GST (includes disc of images and an online gallery for 1+ year).

Thanks for looking!

Nishi

Chinese Restaurants

2008-05-11T10:43:00.006-04:00

If you happen to catch this amazing documentary show now airing on OMNI... be sure to stay till the end credits, especially Assistant Editor (it's me!). The show is being broadcast in Chinese, but even if you don't follow the language you can appreciate the amazing images, captured by our very own Kwoi.

- Nishi

Chinese version of Chinese Restaurants debuts this weekend on OMNI 2

The Chinese version of Cheuk Kwan’s Chinese Restaurants series will debut this weekend on OMNI 2 Television, broadcasting one episode a week for the next 15 weeks. Starting May 10, each half-hour episode will be shown at 7:00 pm Saturday, and repeated at 11:00 pm Saturday and 9:30 pm Sunday. The series is narrated in Cantonese by John Sham, with original language dialogue and Chinese subtitles.

For information about OMNI 2 schedule, click here.

WEDDING SPECIAL... 2 free hours!

2008-05-09T14:48:00.002-04:00

We're now booking 2009 weddings! Some great 2008 dates still available!

OUR CURRENT SPECIAL: when you book our 2-video camera wedding package, get 8 hours of coverage for the price of 6!

Please see our site for details and clips.

Have an amazing day!

- Nishi

Fashion Event

2008-04-25T17:31:00.006-04:00

We recently covered a fashion event during L'Oreal Fashion Week, featuring Diesel Kids, Jeanne Beker (Fashion Television), her new book launch and a new Bratz doll made in her image!

Videographer: Kwoi
Editor: Nishi

Thank you, Amy and Thien!

2008-03-07T23:18:00.005-05:00

We had the privilage of shooting Amy and Thien's wedding video a few months ago and they wrote us this great testimonial...

Videographer: Kwoi
Editor: Nishi

"Nishi and Kwoi at Night Day Productions are the epitome of professionalism and their final product for us - exceptional! I’m very skeptical when I meet vendors and suppliers. Videography wasn’t a top priority on our wedding list, in fact we were going to skip it all together. We’re glad we didn’t. Nishi and Kwoi sure are the dynamic duo. Any skepticism I had was put to rest as soon as my wife and I met Nishi, the Editor. Her demeanor is calm, her personality is fun and she exerts high energy levels. These assets are a direct reflection in her work. Our wedding day was captured exactly how we wanted to remember it. Kwoi did an amazing job shooting our video without the intrusiveness from my past experiences. He worked his magic with the camcorder and at times we didn’t notice his presence because he let us do our thing and captured all the beautiful moments of our very special day. All in all, my wife and I are extremely happy we chose Night Day to capture one of the most important days in our lives. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for putting the time, effort and dedication in finishing our video so beautifully and promptly. Our expectations were surely surpassed and we will not hesitate to recommend Night Day Productions to our friends and family in the future."

Thanks for the testimonial, Amy and Thien, we had a great day too.

- Nishi

Limited Time Offer!

2008-02-21T14:38:00.001-05:00

Our $1,000 video package will be GONE by the end of March, but there is still time to take advantage of this deal if you are getting married in 2008 (subject to availability, of course!). This price gets you:

- 6 hours continuous coverage
- 3CCD camera, wireless lav mic, lighting, etc.
- digital edit (music, menu, title, non-cheesy effects)
- 5 copies of the edited version on DVD
- 1 copy of the unedited footage on DVD
- online streaming on your own web page
- highlights montage
- unlimited locations

You can add extra hours for $115 per hour. GST not included. Please visit our site's "Gallery" page to see video samples.

Have a great day!

- Nishi

Happy Valentine's Day!

2008-02-13T09:18:00.000-05:00

Click here to get more mini-SharkBreak widgets - http://www.sharkbreak.com/redirect-sharkbreak.php

We've been nominated!

2008-02-07T20:20:00.000-05:00

Amazing News!

We've been nominated for a Reader's Choice Award by The Etobicoke Guardian (in the Best Photographer category)!

Please feel free to vote for Night Day Productions at http://www.tcnreaderschoice.com/etobicoke/index.php

(you get a chance to win prizes for submitting a ballot).

Thanks!

- Nishi

Small and Sweet City Hall Wedding

2008-02-05T12:27:00.000-05:00

Balazs and Timea got married in January 2008 at Scarborough Civic Centre. It was a private and intimate affair with only their closest friends and family around. I especially enjoyed the traditional Hungarian outfits they wore! Without a doubt, a very special day, congratulations!

This couple hired us for just a few hours of photography, as it was all that they required. Our new photo package is $200 per hour (2 hours minimum) and includes the images on disc and an online gallery.

- Nishi

(Photos by Maylynn!)

The boys insisted lol...

Awwww! Family pics!

2008-01-28T08:30:00.000-05:00

Just a couple of pics from a recent shoot with a beautiful family...

Pics by Maylynn.

- Nishi

Emma & Daren's Highlights Montage

2008-01-02T01:15:00.000-05:00

Click To Play

Yoga & Pilates Video

2007-12-19T13:33:00.000-05:00

Here are some highlights from a yoga and pilates instructional video that Kwoi shot and I edited for release on DVD. It features the lovely Anita Bostok and you can contact her at Anitabway@aol.com to purchase the 1 hour instructional DVD if you are interested.

- Nishi Dias

Click To Play

Extremely Squeezable 1-Year Old

2007-12-13T10:44:00.000-05:00

Another more recent baby photoshoot with Maylynn, our photographer and this extremely squeezable 1-year old...

She loves the camera...

"The End"

Like most of our baby shoots, this was done in the baby's home, so she was relaxed in her own environment and could take a snack break when she needed a moment.

- Nishi Dias, Night Day Productions

She's 8 Days Old

2007-11-13T10:15:00.000-05:00

She's 8 days old and holding onto her Dad's thumb!

Photo by Maylynn.

Van Halen? Why not?

2007-11-10T09:24:00.000-05:00

Click To Play

When we got signed on to do the video for Amy and Thien's wedding, we knew we were in for a great day: traditional Vietnamese tea ceremonies at each of their houses followed by a full-on banquet feast. We couldn't have wished for a better party! There was lots of love and tradition circling this wedding.

Then came the big twist: when it came time for Amy and Thien to select their highlights montage music they decided on... Van Halen's "Right Now!" So much for tradition LOL! Sometimes I have way too much fun editing these things. Anyway, I hope you feel the same way watching it.

Congratulations, Amy and Thien! If your marriage is half as fun and memorable as your wedding, you are both in for a thrilling ride!

Best of luck,

Nishi

Portrait Sessions

2007-11-07T14:22:00.000-05:00

Mother and Daughter portrait by the incredible Maylynn...

Night Day Productions

2007-11-02T09:21:00.000-04:00

BIG NEWS! We are changing our name... or rather, we are going back to our original name: Night Day Productions (as opposed to Night Day Weddings).

We are still doing weddings, in fact we're doing more than ever before, but we are also going to be expanding our efforts in other areas as well:

- video and photo coverage of all events (live music, sports, corporate)
- video shooting, editing and web streaming promos for events and businesses

- maternity/baby/family portraits

- head shots/fashion/glamour/product

- documentary, short film, and feature film development

- DVD authouring, Streaming, 35mm Scanning, Tape Transfers

We're excited about this expansion and look forward to working on a variety of new projects in 2008.

- Nishi Dias

Concert: Three Days Grace

2007-09-28T20:10:00.001-04:00

Just uploaded some video I edited of Three Days Grace performing at the Opera House in Toronto.

- Nishi

Click To Play

Concert: The Trews

2007-09-28T20:04:00.000-04:00

Just uploaded a concert I edited. The band is The Trews performing at the Operhouse in Toronto.

- Nishi

Click To Play

New Slideshow

2007-09-05T10:04:00.000-04:00

I have added a new photo slideshow to Night Day Wedding's homepage. It features the work of my photographers and the song was actually my first dance!

Click To Play

Durham Bridal Show

2007-08-31T14:59:00.000-04:00

We're sponsoring the Durham Bridal Show: Please pass this on to anyone you know who is getting married! Thanks!

http://www.planitright.ca/bridalshows.html

Date: Sunday, September 23, 2007
Time: 11a.m. – 4p.m.
Location: Tosca Banquet Hall (800 Champlain Avenue, Oshawa, ON)

Admission to the show is only $5 per person (sold at the door). Door prizes, refreshments and a live fashion show are all planned so please come on by!

For more information please contact Sonia at 905-242-1223 or slanzillotti@yahoo.ca

Nishi Dias
Night Day Productions
Night Day Weddings

Emma & Daren's First Dance

2007-08-27T12:58:00.000-04:00

Can't resist posting Emma and Daren's first dance from a few weeks ago! They hired a funky band and held their reception at the gorgeous Rosewater. Watch out for falling veils!

Click To Play

The Whole Picture

2007-08-20T19:29:00.000-04:00

It's one thing to see a highlights montage where the absolute best shots from a wedding (or several weddings) are cut together to music with lots of effects and fast transitions, but you should really ask to see a complete wedding - not just highlights - in order to get a real feel for what your Wedding Videographer can do for you. Things you want to pay close attention to:

image quality, of course; not just outdoors in beaming sunlight, but also in a dimly lit church
sound quality; Can you hear the vows? Is there distortion when audio levels go from a very quiet "I do" to thunderous applause or has the editor done a proper sound mix?
coverage; are there close-ups, tears, shots of the whole family and bridal party? Are all the magic moments (the exchange of rings, the ever-important first kiss) all caught on tape?
camera movement; you want shots that vary and cover different angles, lots of close-ups, and NO jerky movements

Here is a complete church ceremony from beginning to end. Emma and Daren's wedding was so beautiful and elegant, it was such an honour to be a part of this amazing day. I hope you enjoy it as well...

Click To Play

Chasing Sam

2007-07-19T13:25:00.000-04:00

A couple of weeks ago, we had the pleasure of shooting Chasing Sam's performance at the Drake Hotel in Toronto.

Their pint-sized drummer, Sam, is eleven! Don't let that innocent smile fool you... she's a powerhouse, I assure you. You might recognize her from the Mazda commercial on television.

It was a great night of music and DOP, Kwoi and photographer Maylynn and I got to hang out and flex our "non-wedding event" muscles a bit!

Click To Play

Photos by Maylynn Quan (more from Chasing Sam here)
http://www.quanheffron.com/

Video by DOP Kwoi
http://www.kwozimodo.com/

Second Camera and Edit by me, Nishi Dias
http://www.nightdayweddings.com/

Tai Photo Shoot

2007-07-04T10:48:00.000-04:00

More pics from the photo shoot with Tai are online!

Update

2007-06-21T15:41:00.000-04:00

Hi there,

Just thought I would update you on what's been happening at Night Day Weddings:

1) Check out our new Wedding Special...
*6 continuous hours photo
*6 continuous hours
All of the above for $2500
Unlimited hours (same day) for $4500

Order now and ALSO get...
*2-3 hour engagement photo shoot (may be substituted for $200 of prints)
*2nd 3 CCD video camera at ceremony

2) We are now listed in The Perfect Wedding Guide's online directory. Our ad will also be in the new book that gets printed in January.

3) I have added an Advice page to my website and am encouraging wedding vendors in my network to submit short articles that brides will find helpful. Naturally, if you would like to submit something, I will give you full credit and link back to your site.

Best regards,

Nishi

Tai Photo Shoot

2007-05-29T11:08:00.001-04:00

Another shot from last week...

Tai Photo Shoot

2007-05-24T09:22:00.001-04:00

My superstar photographer, Maylynn and I were out last night on a photoshoot. You can hardly call it work; we had such a blast. Here is just a sneak peek (we shot three outfits).

Update

2007-05-15T10:24:00.000-04:00

There have been a couple of recent changes at Night Day Weddings :

1) I have a new web site layout with more tips, video clips, and a monthly contest giveaway
2) I now have this blog so vendors, clients and prospects can see what's new

All feedback is welcome!

Bride Prep Video

2007-05-14T10:08:00.000-04:00

Most of my wedding DVDs start with a scene of the bride getting ready for the most important day of her life. I love watching the transformation.

Surprise Shower

2007-05-10T17:03:00.000-04:00

Editor's Note: I love it when the client has a sense of humour!

We had the extra challenge of having to surprise our own client at her bridal shower for this clip, but her friends and family were more than helpful. The party had a "California twist," hence the 90210 theme. Shown at the reception a few weeks later, we wanted this piece to reflect our clients' sense of fun.

Photo Shoot & Church Ceremony

2007-05-10T17:01:00.000-04:00

Editor's note: In this clip, I go from montage to documentary style and back.

Taping the photo shoot is a great opportunity to catch the excitement that is in the air the day of the wedding.

For the ceremony portion of this clip, we concealed a wireless microphone on the groom so that we could properly record the vows (vows should be loud and clear!). This wedding was shot with only one camera, but through the magic of editing and clever camerawork, we were able to create something that can pass as a two camera set-up.

Cocktails

2007-05-05T09:10:00.000-04:00

It's nice to have a segment like this in your wedding video just to have a memento of who attended your big day and all the details that you (and your planner) put so much thought and care into: the ice sculptures, the chocolate fountain, the flowers, etc. These are often moments that the bride and groom are too busy to be around for, so the video helps them see what they missed.

First Dance Videos!

2007-05-04T08:19:00.000-04:00

We love first dances. For the shoot, my steadicam-certified DOP, Kwoi goes in handheld and moves along with the action, capturing the intimacy and the spirit of the action in a single, fluid shot. It's like he is dancing along with the couple so you really feel the grace and movement of the dance. Most importantly, he gets the facial expressions and smiles of the couple in close-up, something a standard tripod shot just isn't going to get in this situation.

For the edit, I mix in the live natural sound (so you can hear the crowd going "woooh!" and "aahh!"), to preserve the excitement and the joy of the moment, with the soundtrack music from CD for that extra bit of "oompf."

Documentary Trailer

2007-05-03T08:34:00.000-04:00

Here is a trailer I just finished cutting for an upcoming documentary called "The Last Falsetto." I also designed the website that goes along with it:

http://www.kwozimodo.com/

Tea Ceremony Videos!

2007-05-03T08:25:00.000-04:00

I finally managed to upload these tea ceremony videos. I love tea ceremonies; they are such a wonderful wedding tradition with lots of special, intimate moments between close family and friends.