Michael and LaDonna’s Blog

Staci and Jon had a beautiful and elegant wedding in October. Everything was picture perfect, and the day was glorious! Their coordinator, Sally Jones, had every detail covered for this classic wedding at Highland Park United Methodist Church. The gorgeous flowers were provided by The Garden Gate, and reception at the Dallas Country Club. You’ll find lots of beautiful ideas for your own wedding in their highlights.



Coordinator: Sally Jones
Photographer: Torin Halsey

The final cue sheet is in, and the last episode is off to post production as I write. For those who aren’t aware, our music, along with several other terrific composers, has been used as the sound bed for the series “Genesis of Healing”. A beautifully shot, well produced program that not only gives an insight into natural healing and modern techniques, but the histories and origins as well.
When first contacted by longtime friend John Dennis at The Sound Spot in Dallas regarding the use of my material for this project, I wondered, being involved in visual medium myself, how it would best be utilized. I didn’t actually get to see their vision until the wrap party of the first season. WOW! It was amazing. Shot from every corner of the globe, the footage was truly spectacular. I found myself wanting to avoid questions being asked about the music, and ask a few of my own. Like when can I meet either the DP or cinematographer. I got to meet both, they were one and the same Bill Elliot of Brush Fire Films. He was a pleasure to talk to, and graciously took time with LaDonna and I to explain and show some of his camera equipment and techniques. Shot entirely on HD, I swore most of it was film stock. It was that good. He has a camera crew of three or four assisting him, and then of course the entire post production team, who also did an outstanding job. Watching it gives you the feeling there was a marriage between the History, Discovery and National Geographic Channels (my personal favorites). The producer took a particular liking to “Faded Pictures”, which was used as the closing musical theme of every episode. I was very flattered.

And of course, last but not least, the madman of sound design, John Dennis. As always, his job is one of the most tedious; to find or create music and sound then make it fit. It can take me six months to a year to compose and record one CD, and I feel like I am losing my mind every now and then. But to do what John does and under very stringent time constraints, is more than I could bear. You’re the best, my friend.

To catch these shows go to Dish Network’s Veria TV (www.veria.com), or see clips at brushfirefilms.com , or soundspot.com.

Michael

In January we attended Video 08, the 4EVER Group’s annual video convention in Orlando. We were honored to receive an Emerald Award for our memorial video honoring Sgt. Brand. In addition, I presented a seminar called “Beautiful Women”.

This was the culmination of several interviews with our brides, where we focused on those things that make the bride, and her video, beautiful. We had a great response from attendees! They enjoyed hearing the actual opinions and thoughts from brides regarding how they look on video, and those things that are important in the overall finished edit. Beauty is found in the details, the relationships, the emotions, and in the music you choose to edit with.  I see the beauty in my brides, in their day, in their families, and it’s just a joy to show that in their videos.

~LaDonna

Just the sweetest couple; so full of energy and fun! I can’t watch this without tearing up. Beautiful church in downtown Dallas (First Baptist), and such a fun reception venue at the Dallas World Aquarium. Enjoy the highlights!

Coordinator: Tie the Knot
Photographer: Davy Knapp