The How To Film Weddings Show

Why Breaking The Rules Can Actually Make Your Wedding Films Better (Ft Alesia Films)

• Jaired Sullivan

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0:00 | 51:15

Alesia Films joins the show to talk about her wedding film journey to filming with intention, breaking camera rules to serve the moment better, and how showing up as yourself is far more important than which camera you use.

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SPEAKER_00

Shay, what do you want? Can you get this shot of the chairs through the flowers? I was just like, that looks good.

SPEAKER_01

There's a moment in every wedding filmmaker's journey where things start to shift. The way you capture weddings changes, the way you think about your work evolves, and the way you even show up to a wedding changes.

SPEAKER_00

When I first started, I definitely tried following the rules. I got the ND filters, I even had a giant matte box on my lens at one point.

SPEAKER_01

In this episode, we sit down with Alicia Hardy from Alicia Films to talk about that evolution. From stepping into higher-end weddings to raising her prices to completely revamping her filming philosophy. But this episode goes deeper than how she films the wedding day. Because what you'll realize quickly when you film weddings is how you show up as a person matters so much more than the camera that's in your hands.

SPEAKER_00

I'm really excited for everyone to kind of see how personality makes a huge impact on your wedding day. And when you look at like reels and TikToks of people being like, you want to hire someone that you actually want to be friends with.

SPEAKER_01

We talk about personality, client experience, solo filming, and why sometimes chasing technical perfection can actually cause you to miss the moments that matter most. And she also gives us a behind-the-scenes look into her new project, Unveiled.

SPEAKER_00

I am so happy with how it turned out because you can truly just see the human side of being a wedding videographer. It is never, not a single wedding I've done has ever been a hundred percent perfect.

SPEAKER_01

But maybe more than anything, this episode is about how to film weddings in a way that's not perfect, that's not performative, but that's honest and sincere to who you are. Welcome to the How to Film Wedding Show. On top of a woo. Alicia Films. Alicia Hardy now, actually.

SPEAKER_00

Oh my gosh, yes, yes. Hold on, let me flash the ring.

SPEAKER_01

There it is, there it is. Because four years ago when you were on the how to film wedding show, I don't think you were. I think you had a different last time.

SPEAKER_00

I was just dating James.

SPEAKER_01

Okay, okay. Alicia Hardy, we got her here back on the How to Film Wedding Show. Welcome back.

SPEAKER_00

Thank you. Thank you for inviting me back. I love what you've done with everything so far, and I'm really excited to chat with you.

SPEAKER_01

Of course. I if anyone is listening, I do highly recommend people go and watch your episode from four years ago. I rewatched it the other time. No, okay.

SPEAKER_00

I was going to tell you, Jared. I was like, that seems so outdated now. It was all about Instagram.

SPEAKER_01

I know, but it's still a good insight into how you started and like what helps you kind of move the needle in your business from like we'll get into all the things, we'll unveil all the things, pun intended. Yeah. Um, just like, you know, how you got started, which I found really interesting and super cool because just diving into that, your mom was a photographer, right?

SPEAKER_00

Still is, yep.

SPEAKER_01

There you go. That's it.

SPEAKER_00

And she is now she's 52, and I really look up to her and I'm like, gosh, I when I feel burnt out or tired, I'm like, she's still doing it. I have no room to complain, okay?

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, I have no room to complain either. I don't know. I have a hard time making I'm 34, and I'm like, I can't, I can't do more than like 20 weddings until I'm just like my body crashes out on me. It's like, what is happening? I need to do it. Also mentally, yeah, mentally too.

unknown

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01

Yes. 52 going strong. That's awesome. That's that's amazing to hear. But I do, yeah, I I love the insight that you provided in that episode because it was just it was very in like informative for beginners, I will say. Um, maybe the Instagram stuff is shifted, and and we can we can talk about that too. But um, yeah, just like how you got started in the industry was really um insightful, how you narrowed your focus, you niched down, um, you weren't trying to appeal to everyone at the start, and then I feel like that's really what helps you kind of build this incredible brand. So if you haven't watched that episode, I definitely recommend people do because it's so, so good. So, transitioning into the first question is if 2021 Alicia saw you filming a wedding this weekend, what would she be surprised by?

SPEAKER_00

Oh my gosh. Okay, a couple things. She would be very blown away by my pricing. I think in 2021, oh man, I was a couple years in. So I think I was in like the three to five thousand price range around that time. Maybe like my biggest package was like five to six because I needed to add on travel or something. But today I start at 12,000 for weddings, and that is like mind blowing. Literally for me and for anyone I share that number to, they're like, what? And I was like, honestly, I kind of was forced into that because I was so overbooked year after year that I was like, I have to raise my pricing so that I can set you know a better work-life balance boundary for myself. But it's been it's been great. That is awesome to just yeah, say, and pricing is definitely the biggest one. Um, she would also be surprised by how much I overshoot. Back in 2021, I was a very big like just get the shots and um that you need. I feel like I was a couple years in and I was very like okay, be more intentional. Back then, I felt like I was undershooting and I feel like I was being told to slow down and be more intentional and not overshoot. But once I started getting into more of a luxury bracket of weddings, which I think jump started in 2024 for me, was when I started shooting way bigger luxury destination. That was when I popped off in Italy and Scotland. That was when I was like overshooting and getting everything, all the A-roll, more B roll than I think I need. And those films ended up being like my best like portfolio pieces, and I ended up using so much of the clips, I would not have been able to do that back then with old me. So yeah, I would be very surprised by that with how much I overshoot now. Kind of crazy.

SPEAKER_01

Look, I'm gonna tell you guys something that I feel like you need to hear, but I know is hard to accept. You gotta stop trying to do everything by yourself, especially if you want to grow your business in 2026. And I'm telling you guys this because I have been in that place where I just felt stuck. I felt like I was never gonna get out of this rabbit hole that I found myself in of editing day in, day out, never having enough time to work on my marketing or my social media or my website or different aspects of the business that can help me truly grow. Networking, attending events, all these different things. And outsourcing is one of those levers that can just give you time back in your day, back in your life, and alleviate a lot of that pressure that comes from editing. But the good news is I have that team that can help you do just that. And that team is Uncut Gems, the official presenting partner of Out of Foam Weddings. These guys are the real deal. I've been using them for over three years in my business, and they do exactly what they promise you they're gonna do. Save you time, kick backlog in the face, and turn your raw footage into some absolute gems. And they've been kind enough to offer you guys 60% off on your first edit. So head over to UncutGems, use my code HTFW at checkout so that you can kick backlog in the face and get back to growing your business in 2026. Yeah, that is wild. I mean, I I love the like the sentiment of overshooting, but maybe like intentional, intentionally overshooting, because there is like a difference between like getting the same shots over and over and over again versus like capturing multiple like you know shots or variety within the scene itself. Um because when I like got started in the industry, I would overshoot. I still tend to overshoot, but it's intentionally overshooting where I'm getting like a wide, a medium, a close, a creative, a you know, and then I'm reframing and I'm doing wide, medium, close, create like I'm just getting so much more variety than I'll would probably ever use. But as I've grown too, and I share the same sentiment with you, it's like when I'm in the edit, and I said this earlier on like a video, that I would rather have more of what I need than not enough of what I need. Yes, you got one, you got one day.

SPEAKER_00

Yeah. I'm glad you said that because like what I mentioned in Unveiled is do future Alicia, do future you the better problem of better safe than sorry, getting multiple angles of this one shot than not having enough. Because I think it looks so much more movie-like when you can cut to all the different angles and make just more of a faster-paced edit than well, I'm only forced to use this one shot because that's all I have, you know? So yeah.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah. Well, and also too, I feel like and I I can't attest to this because I haven't filmed really luxury events, but I mean, I feel like my mentality would be very much like I need everything. I I want I want I want it to feel like I have four to five different filmmakers here capturing this day so that I can make this entire, you know, cinematic Marvel experience, whatever it is. I feel like that would that would be that would be me. Like I would be like, I gotta get all the angles. So but I I I love that approach. I think it's it's very useful in today. Um, and especially if you want to create films that do feel like that movie is um, yeah, overshooting does help. Um so I love that. Um, let's talk about Unveiled for a second, because I when you released the like the promo for it, I was like, wait, no way. Like I love this idea of just I I personally love behind the scenes like documentary stuff, like how things are made, like how you know, um, whether it's food documentaries, whether it's like filmmaking, like I just I eat this stuff up. So when you had like released this, I was like, heck yes, I gotta hear more about it. Um so yeah, I'd love to just kind of like hear more about what like sparked the idea behind Unveiled and um what really the mission you had in mind for it.

SPEAKER_00

Yeah, absolutely. So something to know about me is that I have an education degree and I majored in psychology. So I was a teacher before I was um a wedding videographer. I was that was my whole thing. I wanted to be an elementary school teacher. And so I kind of know the basic principles of how to teach and all the different approaches and ways to teach a lesson visually, written, audio, all the different ways. Okay. So when I got started in wedding videography, I took a minute before I just started sharing knowledge because I still felt so new. But once I got my education like foundation running, it really was insightful to get feedback from other wedding videographers on what they wanted to see. I was teaching everything for the last like three years. I did have an Instagram subscription and I was going all out on it. I was teaching blogging, SEO, um, second shooting prep, uh composition, lighting, audio, gear, camera tutorials, like literally everything. But the biggest question and the most common recurring question was I want to see more BTS. Can you show more BTS? Can you show more of you in real-time action at the wedding as if I'm shadowing you? Or I get the question of, can I second shoot for you? I really want to shadow you. And I have to be like, no, because weddings are not the place to be educating. So Unveiled was literally my baby that I've been making for the last year. It's three weddings across 2025, and they're all big semi-luxury weddings that um I went, I had all the gear for and all the things. So I was like, this would be such a great opportunity to add on a BTS videographer and just capture the real raw stuff, not the stuff that I've seen where people like pull them aside and they start talking to the camera. I'm like, no, no, no, I'm still in that philosophy of like a wedding day, you need to be locked in. There is no like stop and educate. It's about the couple first and foremost. So I had the BTS videographers like literally just follow me, like a real document documentary. And it was honestly so much fun. And when I look back at all that footage, I'm like, I am so happy with how it turned out because you can truly just see the human side of being a wedding videographer. It is never, not a single wedding I've done has ever been a hundred percent perfect. You truly see the real mistakes that I've made, even after I can claim I'm like a seven-year-in-veteran. I still make mistakes and I talk about it. I'm like, oh, I shouldn't have done that. Or oh, I in a perfect world wish I did this. So there is a little bit of like a reflection after the fact, but on the day of it's very raw and real. And that's it was really cool to make. And so yeah, it definitely came from a lot of people asking for it.

SPEAKER_01

So many people love seeing like the filmmaker in the field, like how you're you're you're communicating with the couple, how are how are you composing your shots? Like, what how are you solving problems like on the wedding day? Um, and that is something that is yeah, is I haven't been able to fully like grasp yet because I'm like, like you said, the wedding day is about the couple and you gotta lock in and serving first. You're that that's your job. You are there to for the couple, you're not there to like serve like the the filmmaker. Um and so yeah, just thinking about what you said too about how it's just so like that you see the human side of being a wedding videographer is so awesome to hear because I feel like a lot of like content in general doesn't feel like that. It feels like it's very manufactured, it's very uh like or it's it's it's designed in a way to to entertain versus actually getting to the like the real raw nature of like what like what it means to do this job and do it well. Um and and not saying that that other content isn't valuable because it it definitely has a time and a place, but um, um yeah, I I gosh, I I can't wait to to like sit down and fully watch like this whole thing because I'm I'm so psyched about it. Um and so because I was going through the list of some of the different like lessons and I was like, oh, you have how to film solo, you got filming solo, filming with a second shooter, you've got literally everything jam-packed into this thing. And um, as someone who just geeks out over that stuff, it's very exciting. So if you can share any, you know, insights um from you know things that you've either learned through Unveiled or just over the years of filming, like when it comes to filming a wedding day solo, um I would love to hear like your approach to just managing those expectations, multiple cameras, and yeah, just what's your what's your best kept secret?

SPEAKER_00

Okay. If we're talking about filming solo, um something to know is I always have a second shooter at every wedding besides elopements and it unveiled because these were big weddings. The only time I filmed solo was the welcome parties and rehearsal dinners. I was like, oh I can do it by myself. That's fine. So yeah, that's why you get like a little best of both worlds. When it comes to being solo, like you said, managing expectations is huge. Something I value so much, and something I think that my brand is very like centered around is client experience and giving my couples um a lot of pre-wedding attention. So when they even from the consultation call, I'm like, I want to know everything. I want to know the napkins and why we chose the napkins. I want to know what you were doing for the seating chart. Do you need help with shoes? Like these shoes or these shoes? DM me. DM me photos of both, and I will help you pick. And I'll tell you from my experience of like filming hundreds of weddings why most b brides in the past have chosen those shoes. You know, I'm very much for that. So when it comes to filming solo, I am already in talks with my couples. And I'm like, listen, I'm by myself. As a reminder, my second shooter isn't gonna join me until the wedding day. So I want to make sure that like I have enough time to set up the tripod and the lights for the speeches at the rehearsal dinner. I'm gonna like be in talks with like your DJ and you back and forth. So nothing should start until I give a good thumbs up that everything is going, you know, and I know wedding day, you're gonna have wedding brain. I got you. Okay. I'm gonna be on your hip all day, like helping you out. So it's definitely a lot of client experience. Like you said, managing expectations and knowing that, hey, I need time and I make cute little graphics and like my questionnaire forms. So they know where my tripods are gonna be and that I need time to set that up and what micing the suit looks like, and that nothing should start until that's done, you know. So they are like fully aware of like the back end of my process, which I feel like is a little extra. It's like, why do you need to know, you know? But like, no, it's really helpful for them, you know, to know that I have a whole setup and nothing should start until I'm done. Or if it does, then I'm gonna miss the first like minute or two of it, you know, which has happened. So yeah.

SPEAKER_01

It reminds me of just the philosophy of, you know, proper planning prevents poor per performance. It's really hard to say five times fast because it's a lot of peace, but proper planning prevents poor performance. Proper planning prevents poor performance. And yeah, I I keep thinking about that because I'm like, you know, one thing that's really helped uh me in my process is is doing a little bit more homework before like wedding day. Um, you know, truly getting to know the couple for one is because I have really been trying to lean deeper into story-driven wedding films, um, and really just telling those deeper stories. And so I can't do that just showing up on wedding day, like, hey, I'm Jared, your videographer, nice to meet you for the first time. Um, and plus too, it's just it never really feels like a great experience from the couple's side, from your side, because it's just like it's a little awkward at first. So like having that that more like personal connection before the wedding day is is so helpful for so many different reasons. And um, yeah, I one thing you said too, because I always feel like, and maybe this is a a myth or a misconception, um, because I know like you're doing more like luxury-based weddings. Do you still get that intimate time with the couple like before wedding day, or is it more so your communications like directed to planners?

SPEAKER_00

I am still a hundred percent with my couples. I've had planners be like, listen, everything needs to go through me. And I know there is a level of luxury that you get to where you are only communicating with the planner and the planners are jumping on the calls, and that's totally fine. I set my phone down and I say, Listen, the reason I can result in like the type of films I make, very story-driven and client experience, I have to get on the call with the couple, even though they're ready to book me. I need to meet them. I just want to start getting to know them. I want to start reading their personalities and who they are and what they want. I want to make sure that I can do that for them before they book me and I take their money, you know? And I had one player that was like, you know what? I totally understand that. Okay, I'll let you get on a call with them. And I was like, okay. And now I'm like super looking forward to that wedding. We've gotten on multiple calls now, so I'm just like excited about that. But yeah, no, I put my foot down and I'm like, I still give the same client experience to everybody. So yeah.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah. What would you say is the I guess the most like valuable part about Unveil? Or like what's like the part of it that gets you excited the most? Let's just put it that way.

SPEAKER_00

Well, I feel like I'm really excited for everyone to kind of get to know me more intimately because it is literally hours and hours of just me. And I am kind of crazy. I am like very hyper on a wedding day. And I feel like some people, when they meet me, they're like, oh my God, you are so bubbly. And I'm like, yeah, maybe I should show that more on social media. But I I definitely get very excited and I get very um hyped. I don't know. I I'm very excited for people to see that because we talk about it a lot in an in Unveiled, where I'm like, listen, I kind of pause sometimes in Unveiled, and I'm like, you do not have to be a little Psycho bunny like me. Okay. There is a time and place where there's couples and there's weddings and videographers for everybody. You can have the more slower, intimate, quiet, fly-on-the-wall approach, but this is what I do. And I feel like it works really well with my couples because I've gotten so much feedback on because of who I am and how I'm like a girl's girl, you know, where I'm like, oh my gosh, you let me do this for you, you know, and I just want to be that person, like an extra bridesmaid, you know what I mean? That um they really appreciate it and it makes them feel more comfortable with me in front of my camera. And then they all run and get me at the end of the day. We're like, Alicia, Alicia, like, oh my gosh, like um, my uncle is like doing shots and with us. That's crazy. You want to come get that over here? Like, I spend all day hanging out, laughing with the bridesmaids and the grimsmen and the family at the cocktail hour. And now they are advocating for me at the end of the night for the dance floor where it's like, oh my gosh, Alicia, like uncle's like stuck in the bathroom. Like, we gotta get that. I'm like, oh my god, I'm there, let's go! Like, I just yeah, I feel like that's gonna be very insightful for people is to see my personality and how that translates into client experience and capturing moments because I feel like that goes very hand in hand. And I talk about comfortability and how that like just all comes from talking and yapping and being with the people and making them comfortable with me, you know. I just want to be everyone's friend and I got you, and I'm helpful, and yeah. So I'm really excited for everyone to kind of see how personality makes a huge impact on your wedding day. And I've when you look at like reels and TikToks of people being like, you want to hire someone that you actually want to be friends with, or there's the other side I was like, oh no, you just want someone professional and good at their job, but then there's another side which I think there's more demand of this side, where it's like, you want someone that you really click with and you can spend eight to 10 hours with this person on your wedding day. You have to like them, you know? So I try really hard to just be kind and fun for everybody, and that really translates into capturing good moments with everybody in camera.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, no, and I absolutely see it. I mean, you definitely have that bubbly personality, like you said, and and it's great because it's like you you have that I'm your biggest fan energy, and there's a lot of couples that like absolutely love that. And um, it's funny because I feel like I'm the total opposite of like of like the bubbly, and like, but what you said is so true because there's couples for everyone. So like you could have like you know, that I'm your biggest fan, I'm your hype girl energy. You could have the introverted like guy that's a fly on the wall, like me, that's just very that's that has this calm presence to him that doesn't like feel like it's like he's gonna be obtrusive, he's gonna interfere in any way, or he's gonna direct and like stage and do all the things. Um so yes, there is uh there's a couple for everyone. I feel like a lot of couples, at least uh the sentiment that I have received is like um like Jared was great, he's just like he really makes you feel comfortable and like seen and heard, and um it is because I'm I'm not very like like in your face on wedding day. I'm very much like like, hey, I'm so happy to be here. Like you're gonna know, you're always gonna see a smile on my face. And I'm I'm always gonna be like affirming you in in any way, like I can. Um, but I'm also gonna be just like very in the moment. I'm gonna be very present. And um, and you know, when couples look back at their wedding film, they they see it and like think about their when they think about their wedding day, they're like, oh my gosh, yeah, like he was he was great. And like, you know how you get those comments like at the end of the wedding day, it's like, oh my gosh, you did amazing. You were so great. We're like, Well, you haven't seen anything yet. What do you mean? It's but it's because like they just felt so comfortable with you. Um, and that's and it's so important.

SPEAKER_00

Yes, I almost always get the day after text message saying, Lisa, thank you so much. My entire family loved you. And I'm like, that's my favorite text, thank you. I was like, and now I can't wait to edit your teaser film.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, diving into like the community segment. So I'm doing this new thing with the show where I'm asking the community and bringing them into the conversation. We had uh a few people say ask some awesome questions, so I'd love to just go ahead and have you answer those. So let's start with Morgan Reese. She said, love her work. Exclamation point, exclamation point. I've seen that Alicia doesn't abide to the camera rules, like keeping the same shutter speed to match the frame rate, etc. Uh, would love to hear more about this and why she doesn't do that and how it's affected her work. Do these technical rules really matter as much as we think? I think this is a great question, by the way. I don't think it's a knock at at all. I know it can probably sound like that because it's like technical, but no, I think this is a great question. So, like, yeah, I'd love to hear your thoughts on this.

SPEAKER_00

When I first started, I definitely tried following the rules. I got the ND filters, I even had a giant mat box on my lens at one point. Okay, so I was really trying to follow like double the frame rate, shutter speed.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00

And it was just so complicated for me. I just kept missing moments. I just I have a very distinct memory where I finally was like, I'm done. Because we were in the getting ready suite for the bride, and grandpa walked in, just not planned. As we know, so many times things are not in, and there was a moment it felt like a slow motion movie. I was like, and he walked in. My camera settings were like, you know, not there yet. And I had like three seconds until they were about to hug. And I was like, oh, like, dude, and then I just went and I clicked record, and of course it started recording after they like were in the hug, and I was like, that's it. And I took everything off and I just started cranking the shutter because I was like, you know what? I don't care. I'm gonna deal with this in post. And then in post, I was like, why does it look the exact same to me? And then I was like, okay, so then for the next like year or two, I was like cranking the shutter, and people started commenting on my films or DMing me, being like, Oh my gosh, what ND filter are you using? And I'm like, nothing, I'm cranking the shutter. I am team one eight thousandth of a second. And they're like, wait, really? I couldn't even tell. And that is so telling because I'm like, if you can't tell the difference, no one, no one can tell the difference. I'm like, I don't know. That is my just I vary like minimal gear. The less, the better I am handheld. I am like zero gimbals. I have like a DJI mini for my drone, like I use a shotgun mic and a monitor like half the time. Okay, I'm really just rocking a handheld FX3. So yeah, the more minimal, the better.

SPEAKER_01

There's no one size fits all approach when it comes to how you film the wedding day. I've I will say, I mean, of course, there's just if you want to get technical and you want to go down the purest rabbit hole of filmmaking, like, yes, there are rules. And there's rules for a reason, but when it comes to weddings, your ultimate job is you're creating a feeling. And however you go about creating that feeling, uh whether you're breaking the rules, whether you're following the rules, ultimately it doesn't matter as long as the outcome is the same, as long as your couples are just beyond thrilled with the end product, as long as you feel like you're creating your best work, and I mean, like you said, you can't tell the difference when I I didn't start using an indie filter until two years ago. Okay. And I've been filming weddings since 2013. So it's, you know, I crank shutter, I was one eight thousandth of a second as well. It's like, you know, you you don't have to feel the pressure of following the rules just because every someone's telling you to. Um, I think what you should do is you should experiment. You should see, hey, if I crank the shutter here and I use an ND, like do like like a compare and contrast, you know, like how does this look? How does this feel? You know, and just make that decision for yourself. I don't, I don't think, you know, these filmmaking rules at the end of the day, it's in my opinion, I might get flacked for this, but I don't think it matters. I I really don't.

SPEAKER_00

I'm with you there. I feel like having more fun and capturing just the actual raw emotional moments that are happening all around us. Oh no, the window was slightly blown out. I promise you, as like a past bride, I'm not looking at that window. I'm not looking at the exposure of the window. I am looking at my face. I'm looking at my hair. I'm looking, I'm like, no, the window is the last thing I'm paying attention to. So yeah, I get that question a lot. Like, well, what do you do about blown out windows? I'm like, nothing.

SPEAKER_01

Let it roll.

SPEAKER_00

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00

I hope that's a good idea.

SPEAKER_01

Well, I mean, and you said too, that would no, that was a great answer because what you also said too was you experienced this friction between creating when you tried to have all of these things to follow the rules. And so you felt more free, more creatively, like capable of capturing the wedding day, not missing moments because you, you know, were able to just like hey, ditch the the matte box, ditch the indie filter because this is causing more chaos than it is, you know, anything. And yeah, you can't miss those moments. And so you don't want to be limited by your tools. Basically, what I'm trying to say is like you don't want your your tools to get in the way of doing doing your job. So that was a great answer. I love that question too. All right, who's next? We have Carlo Timothy Belosis, and I hope I'm pronouncing that last name right. Um, he says, as I know you and Alicia both shoot Super Eat, and I've been doing it for a few years. Curious if you guys ever had film that was lost in transit or were any issues during the development scanning.

SPEAKER_00

I sure have. So I, of course, have it in my contract that the client understands the risk of film and that it can get lost in the shipping part, it can get destroyed by the lab. There could be third-party issues. The second it leaves my hands and I have to trust someone else, I don't want to be liable. So the client, I educate that with them on the very first consultation call. I'm like, look, Supra and digital, that's my thing. That is my overarching like artistic style, but there's a risk for it. And just so you know, nothing is captured on just Super 8. There will always be a digital version of that. So it's not like I'm capturing the ceremony kiss on Super 8 and all digital cameras get turned off. Okay. Everything is shot simultaneously. So even if we did lose the Super 8 footage, um, that's okay. Nothing was missed. Okay. I mean, it's a bummer. Yeah. So I had a story time with that. I was like, that did happen once. The lab emailed me and said, so we had a giant light leak and hundreds of roles were destroyed. And that included your most recent order with us. And I had sent them like three weddings worth of film rolls. And I went, oh my gosh, okay, which ones was it? Can you email me um the files so I can like immediately let my couples know? And they were like, Well, you didn't pay for that. So they were like, Well, uh, sorry, we'll send you like a free roll for the for like an apology. And I was like, these were wedding.

SPEAKER_01

You don't get it, yeah.

SPEAKER_00

So when I finally got the files back, because I actually know the owner of the lab, so I called her and I was like, um, I need the emails filed to me right now. And she goes, Oh, I got you. So she was awesome. She sent me the files, and oh, I was so disappointed. You could see like all of it was destroyed, and then it was a huge light burn at the end, and there was like the last like 10 seconds survived, and it was like the bonfire at the end of the night. So I told the two weddings that that happened to, and one of them was one of my Italy like micro weddings, and I was so scared. Okay, so I emailed the both of them and I screenshotted the email from the lab and was like, this is what I got. I am so sorry. Like, I just wrote out like a giant professional apologetic email, but also reminded them nothing was lost. You know, we always got a digital version of things and that to make up for it because there is no like refund, you know. I already spent that money. I don't get that money back. So neither do you, you know what I mean? So to make up for it, I said at the end of those emails, like, um, I'm gonna go above and beyond. I'm gonna make you a longer highlight film than the one you purchased because the way my packages are set up is like by the length of the edit. So um I was like, I'm gonna give you like the longest length possible to go above and beyond for you and throw in like an extra doc edit, which is like the full ceremony at the full speeches, whatever the like they didn't end up buying because of their budget, I'm now giving it to them. And that has only ever happened to me once. So that was the story of like what I did and want to know something so sad. I mean, this is just like the risk of film and like what you're getting into get into super 8. And something I told all of my super 8 course students was like, you have to have these conversations, you have to educate them, right? But when they emailed me back, it took like two weeks, and one of them I emailed her again and I was like, Hey, did did you get my last email? I just wanted to make sure you did that. And she ended up texting me and was like, I'm sorry, I've just been crying for the last week. I've I'm I'm trying to get over it. And I'm like, I'm sorry. I was like, if it helps to know I cried too, because that was that sucks. Like, I totally got that. So yeah, but I mean, it was never like a bad, thankfully, not a bad, like, okay, well, we want to remain, you know. Thankfully, they understood because we had those pre-wedding conversations and film education tidbit on listen, lower your expectations. So if it comes out, awesome. If it doesn't, dang. But at least nothing was missed.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, that's so that's so crucial to have that clause in your contract because yeah, film is unpredictable. Um, you you really can't plan for the unexpected. And for me, I have had it happen once, thankfully. Um, but it was salvageable. Um really. Meaning, yeah, they had like an overheating issue. Huh. Um, yeah, it so because I they sent me the file and I was like, this does not look right. Um, because I get um I use Pro 8 millimeter. I don't know if if you use them or someone else.

SPEAKER_02

Um it's just that.

SPEAKER_01

Okay, okay. So yeah, I've I've been using Pro 8 for yeah, ever since I've been doing Super 8, which is like since 2017. Um and yeah, they had like an overheating issue once, and they were super nice about it. I mean, they like they gave me like a free scan. Um because it was just it was just one roll, thankfully. It was just one roll.

SPEAKER_02

Okay.

SPEAKER_01

Um and so yeah, it was some overheating issue when they sent the digital file to me. It just like, it was more it had a lot of scratches in the um final product. I was like, this doesn't look right. This like That's really dirty. It's way too dirty. Yeah, it was way too dirty. Um, and I just like was really bummed because I was, you know, I and plus I had ordered log, it wasn't in log, so there was a couple issues with it, but um we're all across the board here. Yeah, thankfully they fixed it and I was still able able to salvage it in my film. Um, and honestly, couples couldn't tell a difference. It was only me that could tell the difference. Um but yeah, everything you said was just right on the money. You gotta have that clause in your contract to you know make sure you're just being transparent about it because this is just the risk you do take when when you offer film. Um and yeah, that's gosh, that is such a bummer that hurts my my heart every time um I I think about that. Yeah, but there you go, Carlo. That's that's everything you need to know.

SPEAKER_00

Also, shout out Carlo, he was the first person to buy Unveiled.

SPEAKER_01

Hey, now I noticed it, yep.

SPEAKER_00

Right when the email launch went, he like immediate he was the first. And I was like, ah, that's so awesome. Love him.

SPEAKER_01

That is awesome. I love that. Great question, great question. All right, last question is from Brian Sellers. He says, He says, Alicia is awesome. All caps. As someone who's dipping his toes into shooting super eight, I'd love to know one, how she chooses what to capture on film and what to capture digitally, and then two, how her shooting techniques differ uh between film and digital.

SPEAKER_00

Okay, so the first one, um, how I differ between like choosing what I'm going to shoot on film and digital.

SPEAKER_01

Um, yeah, what to capture on film and what to capture digital. Yep.

SPEAKER_00

Yes. What I love capturing on Super 8 the most is up close faces. I talk about this in Unveiled where because it's a film medium, it's so nostalgic and it has that like home movie factor. You found grandma and grandpa's wedding film from 1960 kind of vibe. Or even like us millennials, when we watch like the one to two childhood videos we have, it has that feeling that like, oh my gosh, this aged because I was so young and look at how it all looked. And it just has that like baked-in vintage feeling. So when I see a moment for supreme, it is like an up close, very loud emotion. I don't know if that makes sense, but like there's laughing like this, like and then there's like rocking in your chair laughing. That is a loud emotion. Then there's smiling with teeth, smiling without teeth. There is crying like this, and then there's wiping a tear. So supreme, I've talked about now in both my supreme course and unveiled, is I wait for a loud emotion. So there's a lot in the ceremony episode where I am just, I get all my establishing shots, and then for the remaining of the ceremony, I am up at the front standing with the bridesmaids and groomsmen with my supreme, and I just sit there through the viewfinder. Maybe I peek around and I look around like this, and then I just sit there, and then I see someone reach for the tissue. I'm like, bam, like literally like a hawk, waiting for I know that moment's coming, that movement, that loud emotion, and I'm on top of it. So it's moments like that I know I want on Super 8 because it has that like that factor, that like it factor, that wow look that just makes it look good, rather than like your basic establishing shots. Don't be wrong, I sprinkle in some of the B roll, some like flowers and like shots of the venue on Supra 8 because I make a Sup Rate highlight film for my couple. So it's like like a mini highlight film, you know? But that is like the money shot for me on Sup Right. And then we have even more fun with it at Cocktail Hour in the Cocktail Hour episode. I'm literally going around like on digital, it's just candidates. It's like establishing shots of the design, the bartenders in action, people grabbing drinks and like wide shots of people like of the space. But then when I switch to Sup Rate, you literally see the shift of like, oh my gosh, you girls, oh, can you just like cheers to the camera? Because I want that like up close looking right at the camera. Because now imagine that footage aging in 20 years, those girls are gonna look so different. So I definitely talk about kiddos, the flower girls and the ring bears. I actually talked about this. Brian, we're talking to Brian right now. He was in Iceland with me, and in Iceland, I was an educator on the history of Super 8. And if you look at the old 1960s wedding films, the first ever wedding videos ever were shots on Super 8 and 16mm, okay? But Super 8 was the big one because it was the first, like cheaper version. Not a lot of people couldn't like like homes, like normal people were buying 16 millimeters. Only professionals had that back then. Super 8 was the first like video camera in normal households. So for the first time in history, birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and weddings were being filmed. If you can find an old wedding video shot on Super 8 back then, they focused more on the children than they did on the couple. Wild. I'm like, we have like a whole 30 seconds of the flower girl just standing there with her basket like this. That's how that was like the first ever wedding video. It's kind of wild. So, but then now you're looking at this video from 1960. It has that, like, oh my gosh, look at Grandma Jane. That was her as a flower girl. That is crazy to see that, you know? So I feel like aging and getting a good shot of people in their like a timestamp of who they were at that age is like important, you know? So yeah, I'm kind of in that mindset of like between digital and super eight, super eight has more of loud emotion and getting like a timestamp of, especially the children of people having that emotion on camera.

unknown

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, that's so good. I feel like this has been a challenge for me because I have always struggled with like, yeah, what do I? Do I just get the same shot that I'm getting on digital? Do I and over time I've started to realize like the moments that I feel like leave such a stronger like emotional footprint are the moments that are like you're saying, those loud emotions, those unscripted parts of the wedding day that are like that you just have to be kind of like right place, right time, like fully anticipating, fully present to capture. Um and yeah, I I feel like every time I'm able to really lock in on those moments on Super 8, so much better than if I got it on digital. Not saying that you know digital is not as important, it still is, but um, but yeah, like what I've started doing, and I don't know if this this helps Brian, I'll give you my little uh anecdote of how I've been capturing Super 8 lately, is I'll wait for those lull moments um in between like where let's say the photographer's doing bridal party stuff or like family, and you know, the photographer gets her pose shot. I'll sit there and wait with my Super 8. And as soon as the photographer is like, all right, perfect, we got that one. Sometimes you can strike gold. And I did like there was just the sweetest family that I was like capturing their wedding, and like they just all look at each other, and like they say like a little inside joke, and they just start busting out in laughter. It's like boom, rolling. I got it, I got it, five seconds deep. And it's just like those lull periods are where you can really strike gold sometimes. It's just like you have to be patient, um, and just try not to um, I guess get so in your head, because I can I I tend to do that all the time. Um, it's like I'm like, I gotta move, I gotta do this, I gotta do that. Um, and so being patient and just like sitting still in those lull periods can can do wonders. Um man, Nate Bustamante, love this guy. He says, really need to know y'all's go-to post-wedding fast food stop.

SPEAKER_00

Oh, what wait, that's so funny. Okay, I feel like it's basic, it's Taco Bell. I have a crunch wrap supreme post-wedding. Oh, yes, and with the Cinnabon delight for a little treat to me.

SPEAKER_01

All right, so well, you're in Oregon.

SPEAKER_00

I want that question.

SPEAKER_01

You're in Oregon, so you probably don't have a cookout. Have you ever heard of you ever heard of cookout? Okay. No, do y'all have in and out out there?

SPEAKER_00

You know what? We just opened up our first one in McMinnville like a couple years ago, and there is a line that goes for like an hour long for the last couple years. Jared, a new one is opening up two blocks from me, and my husband and I are so scared about the traffic that's gonna hit our neighbor. I'm like, an in and out right next week. That's dangerous.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, yeah. Well, in and out is a very similar, I guess, to cookout. Cookout is is special in like the East Coast because they do um, they got like so many different like handcrafted milkshakes. So, like my go-to would be like going to cookout, getting like a double burger tray with like some Cajun fries and like a really late. Oh, yeah, they're they're open usually. It was like I can't remember if they still stay open that late, but I like 2, 3 a.m. sometimes. Um that's awesome. They do have some that are 24 hours, but yeah, cookout would be my go-to. Um, especially like a cookout milkshake right after like a East Coast. East Coast, yeah.

SPEAKER_00

I have a wedding in Charleston I'm looking forward to. Is that by Charleston?

SPEAKER_01

There might be a cookout in Charleston, yeah.

SPEAKER_00

Okay, I'll look it up.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, you should look it up.

SPEAKER_00

We will do that after the Charleston wedding. That's gonna be fun.

SPEAKER_01

They got great milkshakes. You can't go wrong with um any other flavors. They got so many options, so it's kind of overwhelming.

SPEAKER_00

But okay. Love that a little fast food portion. I love it.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, that was uh yeah, that was a good question, Nate. It's all the insider information on what we what we get for our post-wedding meals. But oh man, well, this has been such an awesome conversation, Lisa. Thank you so much again for just like taking the time. It's been so much.

SPEAKER_00

I love this so much. Thank you for having me.

SPEAKER_01

Of course, of course. Well, for anyone listening who hasn't seen the Unveil promos or um been able to really connect um with you, where can they find all the all the deets, all the information?

SPEAKER_00

Yes, so um I have it on my shop page on my website. It sits there. This was not something that I like released, and then you only had a short window of time to get in before doors closed. This is I like education that is very self-paced. You can invest in it at any time, and then you can go and actually start it and work on through it on your own time. So it will always be on my website on my shop page next to the Super 8 course, which was my last big launch. Um so yeah, uh there. And then I definitely want to work on getting a how to film weddings like discount. I will talk to Jared afterwards about that. So you can find that on his side somewhere soon. And yeah, but also just so people know, like, I am such an open book. I am so anti-gatekeeping. If you have any questions, like, hey, so I had a lot of photographers ask me, like, is this for photo? And I'm very for no. This was very this was made for wedding videographers. All of the education, voiceovers, settings, mindset was all filmmaking based. So um, yeah, I'm very straightforward, very straight to the point. Like, there's no lollygagging in there. You will get exactly what you need and what you would expect from it. So yeah, that's where you can find it. But DM me anytime if you have questions about it or follow-up questions after you have watched it. I am so open to having that. I am very like a one-to-one, let's talk, let's chat. I'm very about that. So yeah.

SPEAKER_01

Same here. Love it, love every second. Thank you so much again. And yeah, um, everyone go check out Unveiled. I can't wait to watch. I'm gonna get all my snacks, my notepad, some some everything I need to just like level up. It's gonna be great. And um, I can't wait.