Chicago Wedding Films

Kris Malandruccolo attends a two-day Jeff Wright Workshop in Chicago

The Illinois Videographers Association brought in Jeff Wright from Blue Skies Cinema in California, to hold a two-day workshop in Chicago on July 20-21, 2009

There we are on the left in front of the Bean in Millenium Park, downtown Chicago.   I attended this workshop along with 30+ other videographers (some who flew in from others states).

Even though I'm a 20 year veteran in the video industry, I never pass up a chance to keep on learning -especially from someone like Jeff Wright who has won 15 WEVA CE Awards and is a well-respected videographer in the industry.   Not only is Jeff a very talented videographer, but more importantly, he's a decent, likeable all-around great guy! 

DAY ONE:  Our first day was held at the Bartlett Hills Country Club in Bartlett, IL.  I was able to leverage some networking connections, so I must give a huge thank you to Mary Gearhart, catering manager, for allowing to use their banquet room and adjoining patio to re-enact some wedding day activities.  The BHCC is a fabulous facility!  I've filmed several weddings there and a bride has so much to take advantage of all in one location!

Jeff is in blue, and standing in as the bride is Jennifer who just so happens to be married to our IVA President, Keith Anderson (standing next to the bride, above).  Jennifer did a fabulous job and turned alot of heads (see photos below).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY TWO:  We spent two hours in the classroom before heading to downtown Chicago.   We took alot of footage of our bride strolling up and down Michigan Ave. and all around Millenium Park.   By changing up the shutter speed & iris, we were able to get some cool shots.  The best for last:  Jen playing in the water in the middle of the water walls.

If you would like to schedule your "bridal elegance" video, please call me at 630-876-9604.  Please visit my website to learn more.  Are you game to have some fun in the water at Millenium Park?

 

 

EventDV magazine - Review of 2009 IVA Midwest Expo

EventDV magazine review:  The Untouchables - IVA Brings World-class Filmmakes to Chicago for Midwest Expo. 

The IVA Midwest held its third annual Midwest Expo on May 20, 2009.  Editor-in-Chief, Steve Nathans-Kelly, came down for the event.  Read his entire review.

I was a presenter at the IVA Midwest Expo in 2006.  This year, I was on the IIllinois Videographers Association (IVA) board that helped bring in three outside speakers along with three home-grown Chicago speakers.   Even so, I was mentioned in the opening paragraph - Thanks Steve for the nod!!  I took this group photo at Giordano's Pizza (we wanted to treat our speakers to the famous Chicago stuffed pizza).  Thanks again to our speakers (in pic):  Michael Wong, Patrick Moreau, Kevin Shahinian, Keith Kelly, Steve Zagata, Chris Chibucos

Kris Malandruccolo presents marketing seminar to the Professional Videographers Network of Southern California

  Kris Malandruccolo, owner of Elegant Videos by Kris, presents "The Elegant Queen's Rules of Marketing" to the Professional Videographers Network of Southern Calfornia on Tues. November 11, 2008.

Here I am afterwards with the group.   I received a very warm welcome and many thank you's afterwards!   At the Orange County PVN I had a chance to mix with several long-time WEVA friends and meet several new friends.   Special thanks to PVN President, Petr Hasa, for coordinating the event and for taking me to airport the next day!  I appreciated them moving their meeting date to Tuesday (from Weds.) to accommodate my schedule.  Thank you very much! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks to David-Chandler-Gick for climbing the rickety two-story ladder/staircase to take the photos.

Kris Malandruccolo speaks at the New England Videographers Association on June 16, 2008

r Kris Malandruccolo presents "The Elegant Queen's Rules of Marketing" at the National Professional Videographers Asssociation (NPVA)  in Boston on June 16, 2008.

I was invited to speak to the NPVA in Boston so I presented an updated marketing seminar called "The Elegant Queen's Rules of Marketing".  I was glad to be invited back to Boston - I spoke there last November on "The Power of Video".   Also presenting at this summer sizzling meeting was Steve Fowler (pictured in the middle chair - and I'm standing behind him) who spoke on Shoot Ta Thrill.

Overview of "The Elegant Queen's Rules of Marketing":  Tired of videotaping the ugly step-sister’s wedding with no budget for video? What is the best way to reach the Cinderella bride who wants the fairy tale wedding?   Want to avoid spending money on the “frogs” of advertising?   The best things in life are free says Kris Malandruccolo, owner of Elegant Videos by Kris, who is listed at the top of Google searches in her Chicago market.   With the wave of her scepter, Kris will share free and low-cost marketing tips that will take you straight to the top of the castle.   You will learn how to use digital media and press to get free publicity for your company.   Come learn how Kris found the glass slipper containing almost $12,000 by making just two phone calls.   Come learn what you can do to make your website, business card and magazine ad stand out amongst the peasants.  Learn about blogging, video emails and video iPods.  It’s all about YOU!   You too can offer the happily ever after “storybook” ending.  As an added bonus, bring your marketing materials and Kris will offer a critique of your marketing materials in a one-on-one setting.

If your association or organization would like to have this newly updated marketing seminar, please contact me directly.  I was thrilled to receive rave reviews on my feedback form!

Videographers enjoy a Cubs win!

Videographers enjoy a Chicago Cubbie win!  Cubs 4 - Pirates 3

(click on photos to view larger image) Wrigley Field holds alot of charm for Chicagoans and out-of-towners alike, and the friendly confines didn't disappoint today. 

Bob and I are with Steve Fowler of VideoExperts in Hartford, CT.  Steve left his Boston hat at home and wore a Cubs shirt (the free giveaway today).  Thanks to John Zale, WEVA Director of Education, who scored the great seats!  We are gearing up for our 2nd Annual Illinois Videographers Association (IVA) Midwest Expo this coming Tuesday.  Steve is one of the speakers. Kerry Wood did an awesome job as the closer!  Cubs Win!!

I'm wearing a Fukudome headband in the photo above (I'm gearing up for my trip to Tokyo this July).  Check out the short video I found on YouTube regarding the Cubs & the headband.

Houston wedding professionals welcome Kris Malandruccolo & The Power of Video

Houston wedding professionals welcome Kris Malandruccolo & The Power of Video on Sunday, May 4, 2008.

(click on photos to view larger image).  Here are some of the local ABC members, Houston Professional Videographer (HPVA) members and WEVA members.

We gathered on a beautiful, sunny afternoon at the Omni Houston Hotel for networking and for my WEVA Power of Video presentation.  Karen Brown, Master Bridal Consultant, and owner of Karen for Your Memories organized the presentation.  She and a few of her fellow Houston consultants had seen this presentation at the ABC Florida Fusion last November, and they wanted to share this with area wedding professionals.

Afterwards, Teresa Westberry, Catering Sales Manager for the Omni Houston Hotel gave "hard hat" tours of the new renovations going on.  The new ballgroom will have a wonderful, large picture window overlooking the pool area with waterfall.

Here I am with Sandy Buller, President of the HPVA and owner of of Sweet Spirit Productions; and Teresa Westbury.  This is a beautiful hotel already and once the renovations are done, this will be an even better place.

We then adjourned out to the foyer area where we had light snacks & cocktails, and even more networking.  A bridal consultant joined WEVA after seeing the presentation because she wants to stay current with our industry.  One videographer told me "It's better for me if other videographers don't get the importance of networking and coming to meetings like these." 

When I left Chicago on Saturday it was in the 50s and raining, but I arrived in Houston to find it sunny and 85 degrees.  My time in Houston was short but full of whirlwind fun thanks to my wonderful friends, Steve & Sandy Dial of Minds Eye Film.   It was great to share a frajita dinner and margarita's - just what you would expect to have when you come to Texas:0   After the POV presentation, several HPVA members went out to dinner and we had more fun before I had to get on a plane back home.  Thanks everybody for the big ol' Texas welcome!!

Kris Malandruccolo is a panel speaker at the ADJA-IVA Meeting on April 15, 2008

Kris Malandruccolo, owner of Elegant Videos by Kris, is a panel speaker at the ADJA-IVA Meeting on Tuesday, April 15th, 2008.

Last night was the first time that the Chicago American Disc Jockey Association and the Illinois Videographers Association held a joint meeting together.   This was a moderated panel of four videographers and four DJs.  The topic was "10 Things I Hate About DJ's" but really it was a positive meeting about teamwork and what we can do to help each other, along with sharing any concerns.

I was one of the panelist along with Scott Scheman of A Family Affair Video, Adam Garland of Garland Video Productions and Geoff Slawson of TGS Video Productions.   It was very interesting and of course the issue of lighting came up and using the DJ's audio.  We also shared positive stories of working with DJs and videographers. I thought this was a good, well-received meeting and basically it boiled down to communication.  What I learned is that from now on I will contact the DJ ahead of time to discuss audio needs instead of waiting til the day of, or letting my bride handle it.   I think the DJs learned that a dark room is not good for a videographer.  Suprisingly, only a handful of videographers were using video to market themselves (the smart ones:)

Special thanks to Mike Dodson, (ADJA PR Chair) owner of Photo Booth Express and to the moderator of the panel, Jay Sims (ADJA Membership Secretary) owner Something 2 Dance 2 for setting up the meeting. They invited the IVA to participate and I thought it was a great idea! 

I also shared with them that I thought Peter Merry's book, The Best Wedding Reception...Ever! was a great educational book for DJs.  Peter & I were both speakers at the 2007 AFWPI National Conference, and the July 2007 Los Angeles Professional Videographers Association meeting.  I did a review of Peter's book for the October issue of EventDV magazine.  Read the review here.

Cleveland Rocks!

Cleveland Rocks tonight!  It was a great meeting with the ABC Local Cleveland Chapter and the Northern Ohio Videographers Association (NOVA).   There were about 40 people in the house and I received a warm welcome from everyone. The Richfield Quality Inn provided delicious appetizers.  Since I was the speaker, I didn't take advantage of the cash bar in the room:) Special shout-out to Paul Perhacs of Mystic Image Video Productions for providing the projector/speakers/DVD player, and to David Childs of Video Memory Productions Corporation for playing chauffeur at the last minute.   Jill Babbush of Auntie Jills Weddings & Invitations who organized the meeting hopes to hold more networking meetings like this in the future.   I have a special fondness for Cleveland since this is where I grew up.  I actually started my video business in Cleveland in 1988, then moved to Chicago in 1990 where I've been ever since. 

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Here I am in the middle of Paul & Lana Perhac.   Congrats to Lana on earning her WEVA MPV award!  (Paul already earned his).

Kris Malandruccolo to speak in Cleveland, Ohio on March 25, 2008

 Kris Malandruccolo to speak in Cleveland, Ohio to the Association of Bridal Consultants (ABC) Cleveland Local Chapter & the Northern Ohio Videographers Association (NOVA) on "The Power of Video" on March 25, 2008.

I am excited to be coming to Cleveland to speak.  It's great to bring videographers and bridal consultants together for a night of education and networking. Special thanks to Jill Babbush of Auntie Jill's Wedding & Invitations who organized this meeting!  I met Jill at the ABC Florida Fusion last November in Orlando.  Jill spent countless hours on the phone organizing this for WEVA & NOVA.   Thanks Jill - you're the best!

Read the WEVA Industry News Story here on Cleveland ABC & NOVA teaming up to present "The Power of Video". 

The Power of Video in Hartford on November 6, 2007

(click on photos to view larger image).

Here's a group photo of the Professional Videographers Association of Connecticut (PVACT).  I spoke on The Power of Video and Marketing Tips for Savvy Videographers (I give great low and no-cost marketing tips).  The PVACT group was very friendly and I enjoyed meeting everyone!   Lois Pearce, owner of Beautiful Occasions and the ABC Connecticut Chapter President was at the meeting.    We laughed and said to each other "See you next week in Orlando!"  Lois is very involved in ABC, and we were both at the ABC National Conference.   At the meeting, as I was discussing the WEVA Nationwide Bridal Survey & bridal consultants, Lois provided great feedback that really hit home with those in attendance.

Santa Claus made an early appearance ...actually his name is Charles Allen, Sr. (but he said I could call him Santa).   Charlie has been hired many times to play Santa.  He lives in the Rocky Hill, CT area.  Charlie served as a florist for ten years and 20 years as a videographer.   

Charlie is selling the Bride's Wedding Planning Kit that he put together (with the help of his family).  I have never seen such a comprehensive planning kit.  It even comes with a DVD!  There is such detail in this kit.  This kit sells for $27.25 (including shipping/handling).  Please call 1-860-563-6374 to order.  All wedding professionals would benefit from this knowledge.  It has great planning ideas and organizational forms.  This gem of a kit needs to be advertised so I'm starting now!

Special thanks to Steve Fowler of VideoExperts in Windsor who so kindly played chauffeur while I visited.    Anyone who knows me, knows I have a bad sense of direction and I would have ended up in another state if I had been driving. 

When you first enter the VideoExperts studio, all these awards greet you!  Steve's studio is pretty cool with a reception desk area, three edit bays, a couple offices and a 12-seat theatre viewing room!   The green edit room is called the "Shrek" room, the purple edit room is called "Purple Rain" and the yellow edit room is called "Gold Member".

Here I am with some other WEVA Hall of Famer's from Connecticut:  Vicki Alton, and Bill & Marleen Cafarelli (president of the video association) - I was just inducted into the WEVA HOF this past August.  There is only around 30 people in the WEVA HOF so I'm honored to be joining such an elite group!