AGENDA NEWS
Wedding and leads festival Grow your matrimonial video business by saying ‘I do’ to the Filmmaker of the Year Awards T here are two main reasons why professional filmmakers might wince when asked about filming weddings. Firstly, to some, a panel of experts who decide the winners in all categories – including weddings. In 2024, husband-and-wife duo Drew
love to capture the precious moments that happen on the day between guests, like having a giggle over a wee dram!” Being north of the border, the pair have also branched out into elopement videos, which are relatively novel. “Scotland is an epic place to have an elopement. We work with couples to help craft their day into a much bigger affair,” says Drew. “Things like the stunning landscapes, the vows – cinematic shots next to a waterfall – can produce a much greater experience for an elopement and the film. “Afterwards, we edit the film and post it to the client in a wonderful gift box. Each elopement is different, so we have a casual chat with the couple about their plans for the amazing day and ideas to make the videography more personal.” If this doesn’t prove wedding films have moved on so very much, then nothing will. promotional films, documentaries, music videos, social media and more. So watch out for it in the next issue of Pro Moviemaker in 2025 and have a go. It could be you! COULD YOU BE OUR 2025 WINNER? The Pro Moviemaker Filmmaker of the Year Awards are truly unique because they are not all about big-budget films or art-house shorts, but honour independent filmmaking that shows style and creativity without huge budgets or big teams. Each January, we launch this contest for long-form or short-form content in commercial categories including
and Tracy Johnstone took the award for a stunning film shot by Jst Married Wedding Films, part of Jst Roll Media, which they have been running for over 12 years. “Amazing! Thank you so much, it’s very exciting. It’s great to know that what we are doing is the right thing,” Drew tells us upon hearing the news. The couple promote their business as offering natural, storytelling and cinematic wedding videography based in Scotland for adventurous couples. The landscapes in many of their films are incredible, and the duo are skilled at using these majestic backdrops to make their work stand out. “We search for distinctive, delicate moments that showcase the couple’s personalities. With natural light and a bit of artistry, we create cinematic wedding videos in a non-intrusive way,” adds Drew. “I like to give lots of care and attention to our films and aim for a high level of detail to transform simple shots into cinematic ones. What I love about filming weddings is how much individuality we get from our couples, shining through in their wedding style and details.” His wife Tracy, who shoots the day alongside Drew, says: “The inspiration for our videos comes from the build-up in the morning preparations, seeing the bride and groom all nervous and excited. I
the business still smacks of the eighties camcorder man shooting wobbly footage with little creativity but lots of pressure from picky bridezillas and their families. The second is constantly having to attract new business because you are unlikely to get repeat bookings so will always be hunting for new clients. Neither of these are what gets creatives out of bed in the morning, but nowadays, the truth is far from these old clichés. The contemporary technique for filming weddings is to make the work look cinematic, stylish and romantic – ideally in wonderful locations with couples who buy into the whole process. To score these shoots, market yourself online – ideally with a major accolade such as a Pro Moviemaker Filmmaker of the Year award to help endorse your work. These prestigious awards are judged annually by
WEDDING BELLES The modern couple want stylish films, which is perfect for creative filmmakers
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