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We know from high school writing class that character development is an important tool for a writer to have. In filmmaking, some of the same rules apply and character development is equally important..
Photos by Eagle Eye Photography
In wedding films, of course, we tell the story of our protagonists (our couple), but it is often our supporting cast and their stories that add a richness to the film. These supporting characters tell us so much more about our couple, about who they are and how they found their place in this world.
Megan’s stepfather came into her life and immediately found himself in unchartered territory. He was the new guy, trying to figure out how to be a husband and a father all at the same time. To say Megan didn’t like him at first may have been an understatement. How he went from the new guy to the only man Megan would let walk her down the aisle is the stuff family stories are made of.
From Megan and Drew's wedding film, here is the story of the New Guy.
From the New Guy to Father of the Bride from William Gaff on Vimeo.
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Bill, I can not even explain how beautiful this piece is and how much I treasure it. It’s incredible how well you put all the pieces together to make this video. I cry everytime I watch it even though I know what is coming next. Thank you for being a part of mine and Drew’s day and helping tell my story.
Bill, Megan & Drew’s wedding was so beautiful and we can not wait to see all that you captured, just the little bit we have seen has touched our hearts . I am Megan’s mom and John’s wife and I can tell you I have watched the little clips over and over and cried everytime it is so touching . It is just amazing how you put it all together and you really are telling our Humanstory and it is a beautiful one.
Bill…this goes to show you that every wedding has a story. I loved the fact that you were able to capture her Dad practicing for their first dance. I don’t know him but just seeing that told me how important this was to him and how he wanted it to be just right, if not perfect. These are moments in time that are so very important and you were there to get it. Very nice.
Bill, What a beautiful video! I am Kelly’s cousin (Megan’s second cousin) and I remember when she was just barely walking. I am so proud of the woman she has grown up to be. Again, excellent!!!
My name is Lizzy and Megan is one of my dearest friends from high school. I was unable to attend her wedding, because I was at home on bed-rest while 7 months pregnant with my daughter, Grace. I cried so hard because I had to miss Megan’s wedding and this video means so much to me, because I can see how much she enjoyed her special day. Thank you for doing such an amazing job! I can’t wait to see more!!
I’m one of Megan’s brothers girlfriends and watching this video every time i cry. I know how much all of this means to the family and how this clip and the whole movie will be so important to them. You have done a wonderful job capturing Megan and Drew and the family and how they really are. It’s amazing!
I love the two clips of Megan and Drew’s wedding day that I have seen so far! I know that the video will be beautiful and they will watch it over and over. I can’t wait to see the rest of it!
Thanks everyone for the comments. As wedding filmmakers, it is so easy to forget that there are so many lives and stories that revolve around the couple. It was very nice to hear from people close to Megan. She is truly loved.
I would like to also hear some more opinions on what people think makes a good wedding film and why some people have their wedding filmed and why some don’t. If you know of people who absolutely did not want their wedding filmed, I would love to hear from them too.
Thanks.
Take care.
William
People with a more nostaligic spirit seem to be the biggest fans of their wedding videos. As I’m planning my own wedding and making room in the budget for videography, I’ve talked to other brides about the value of saving wedding day memories to dvd. Sure, most people want their big day documented, but it’s people who see their video as an heirloom - a chance to capture the sound of grandparents’ voices before they fade or an opportunity to package their own love story to show their children - who are most enthusiastic about the moments they have captured. As blurry camcorder video is trumped by more sophisticated, documentary-style productions, couples recognize a wedding film as a chance to star in their own romantic comedy of sorts. Marry that to the memories, and it seems worth the investment!
William, that was absolutely beautiful. You are so talented -and to know that you are filming something that is not rehearsed and is from the heart is even more amazing.
I think people who want their weddings preserved on film, particularly in a photodocumentary fashion, are those who see the wedding as the marrying of 2 lives and understand the emotion of the moment. It is more than just the event, it is about how these people came to be who they are, how they found each other and the impact of the moment on those closest to them. Those who realize that would definitely hire a videographer!
I have to agree with Patra. When Drew and I decided that we wanted a videographer it was because of the grandparents and to have for our future children. Pictures are beautiful but video captures the feelings of the day so much more. Now I am excited to have it documented to be able to go back and enjoy it since the day was went by in a blur. I know we would have regretted it so much if we had decided not to have it all recorded.
This is just great Bill. I adore the shots of the dad practicing outside. Telling the backstory here, the history, creates layer upon layer of meaning for the video. It’s not just a one-dimensional retelling of one day. It’s more like a 3D piece that delves into the past, captures the present, and points to the future. Love it!
Wow. What an incredibly beautiful story.
Can you imagine how much would have been missed if we only had a shot of the dance without the story? These are the kind of films that the grandchildren are going to watch and feel as if their great grandfather is sitting right next to them.
The shot of the father dancing in the parking lot was enough to melt anyone’s heart.
Just beautiful.
Great work Bill.
Bill
You can tell a story like no other, you are an incredible asset to the film making community.
Bill’s talent for storytelling has been a huge influence in the world of weddings and family legacy film making.
Megan and Drew are very lucky and smart to have hired him!
We decided to have our wedding filmed because we were worried we might miss some of the special moments on the day, and we wanted to be able to share the good feeling of the wedding with people who couldn’t make it.
This was especially true for us as we’re from different countries, so we wanted to document the day for our friends and family who won’t be able to come.
Bill, that shot of the dad practicing outside is awesome! You have so many stories and images of the day that would be easily forgotten if not for video. Nice work, bro!
Bill,
As storytellers ourselves we feel so blessed to be able to give precious memories back to our clients so that they may enjoy them and share them for generations. Your ability to tell stories is stellar. I have to agree that as much as I love the message that still photos can tell it fails to compare to the raw, tender emotion that only video can capture.
Awesome work!
Hi Bill!
I thoroughly enjoyed watching this piece! I think you’ve done a wonderful job of capturing the emotion that is a wedding day!
To video or not is always a question that brides and grooms come across. It has been my experience that those who choose the video route do it because they know that the day goes by very fast and you just can’t remember everything that happens. I think most people who do choose videography do their research and see how expertly they are made.
I think those who choose not to have video may have reservations about being on camera and/or don’t feel its necessary or can be worked into the budget.
I think that if you keep making wonderful/memorable videos like this one those brides and grooms riding the fence on to video or not will video!
What a great selection of comments. Thanks so much everyone.
I am curious of the specific things that people would love to see in a wedding film. Or hear. I suspect that the use of sound in the films may have more of an effect than video. In fact a friend of mine just made that observation. I hope she posts here because she put it so well and I would not do it justice. Hearing not only the parts of the ceremony and toasts but also bits of conversations, the sounds of the location, interview audio. That stuff makes the films for me and draws me into the story.
I wonder if it is also the fact that video captures sound that might also scare some people off.
Any thoughts on that?
It is amazing how not knowing Megan or her family — I feel like I know her after watching that clip. That is a true talent — capturing the story which means so much to those involved, but totally understood by those just watching. Nice job!
This is a great piece because I think many people can relate that have a step-dad in their lives. It truly demonstrates that you can be a dad without having a blood relationship. This video clip also shares that the stories do play a bigger part in the video than just capturing the video. Wonderful job!
From a planners prospective, I tell my clients that ” If you could actually watch your parents or even more Grandparents walk down the aisle, and you could catch a glimpse of there reception and see their mannerisms and experience there laughter and joy, how could you say no. A picture says a thousand words yes, but I would have loved to see my Nana on the happiest day of her life in video. I never met her so this piece of technology that we have right in our hands is soooo AMAZING to me. We can relive moments, our children and their children can be apart of magic!!! That is priceless to me. Not to toot HumanStory’s horn, but the way that Bill captures a wedding is timeless, its a capsule for your family. I love VIDEO 
Thanks Bill for continuing to share your time, insight and work with us
Stellar work as always, Bill. You have such a talent for setting up and telling these stories in a honest and genuine manner. You get to the heart of the day and the heart of who the couples really are, as we get to experience a true connection with the cast. An heirloom treasure that is sure to capture the hearts of future generations.
As a bride who is planning my wedding for next year, we knew were going to hire a videographer because my friend had hired one for her wedding this summer and we loved being able to watch her wedding day again when she received her DVD.
I think it is important to have a videographer in addition to their photographer because the video just adds so much because you are able to hear the vows, the best man and maid of honor speeches and just conversations between the bride and groom with their bridal party, stuff you just might not remember in full detail. From what everyone has told me, they say it is such a whirlwind day that they barely remember the actual ceremony or reception and before you know it the day is over! The videographer and the photographer together will be able to catch all the details of the day so you have 2 formats to remember your day in, DVD and pictures
I have never had a video camera or had important moments in my life captured on video and am excited that my first videotaped moment in my life will be my wedding day!
As an event planner I always highly encourage clients to capture their event with photography and film. They both capture such different things. Photography is self interpretation - captures one moment. Film captures movement and sound - it shares more - captures more. Really to capture the whole true sense of your event you need both. If you are going through all the effort and cost to create a meaningful celebration for yourself and loved ones - why won’t you want to preserve the day!
Speaking to your work specifically - it is just amazing and rich! You are not just telling a story but creating memories that can be viewed forever. The way you document and film is so beautiful and expressive. I have watched several of your videos and I feel like I know the couple and they are all so different. Unique to each couple not one documentary the same. I think the way you find the story and film it is what really sets your work apart from the rest. You approach your subject from all angles. Your work is NOT point and shoot. You research and obviously have a great eye to what to get on film. You are definitely on my recommendation list!
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William Gaff, Washington, DC
Vendor: Videography
Website: Human Story Films
About Me: Welcome to this conversation about wedding films. I am a filmmaker of course, but also a son and a husband and a father. In addition to those things, I consider myself to be a storyteller. However, my love for stories started long before I ever picked up a camera. Through the years I have come to believe that story is really the breath of life. I hope that these blog posts encourage the conversation not only of how great wedding films are made, but also, and maybe more importantly, why they are made.
Thanks for sharing that piece Bill. You really brought out the character in that bride and her father. What a great relationship they have, and now a great memory too!