tucson wedding video | Black Sheep Filmworks

Feb 06 2015

Destination: Tucson

06/02/2015 | Comments: 0 | Posted by: filmworks | In: previews, wedding thoughts

Okay, so maybe I’m a little biased. I was born and raised in Tucson. I grew up swimming in our backyard pool from March through November. Flip flops, shorts and a sweatshirt (which I normally ditched by noon) were my cold weather outfit. Hiking to Seven Falls with a backpack full of my Humanities homework was my weekend hangout as I attended Salpointe Catholic High School.(GO LANCERS!) Many days were spent in the glorious sunshine on the U of A mall, writing scripts and honing my camera skills…and possibly checking out the Rugby team (BEAR DOWN ARIZONA!). Tucson is a very special place to me…it’s my hometown.

After graduation, I left Tucson. I couldn’t wait to leave. Bright lights, big city…LA, San Francisco, cable tv shows, studio services, feature films…it was fun. But it was hard. Feast or famine. So I came back. I couldn’t wait to get back. The mountains, the monsoons, the Mexican food, oh, and my family that I missed terribly. I met my hunky English hubby, started Black Sheep Filmworks, rescued an Australian Shepherd, a brown tabby cat and an Australian Cattle Dog. I also gave birth to two of the finest human beings you will ever meet, Alexa and Aidan. Okay, so maybe I’m a little biased. Tucson is the place that chose me from the get-go. And the place I chose to call home when I had a choice.

YOU have a choice as well, where to hold your wedding. That most ahhhmazing day with your dearly beloved(s)….why choose Tucson for a Destination wedding? Here are my top five reasons:

5. The Scenery. Search “Tucson, Arizona” in google images and you get choices: Mountains, Skyline, Sunset, Downtown and University of Arizona, all of which are spectacular, especially the mountains and the sunsets. All sunsets with high wispy clouds are pretty, but when you have a sunset with gorgeous color AND a huge saguaro in the background, that’s ICONIC.

4. The Venues. From The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain to the Arizona Inn to Hacienda del Sol, just to name a few, Tucson is full of world class resorts, spas and inns that want to pamper you and your guests with loads of Tucson hospitality. The views, the food, the pools, the golf…just basking in the warm Tucson sun, it’s AHHHmazing!

3. Margaritas. From prickly pear to mango habañero, you won’t find a better specialty cocktail. Enough said.

2. The Wedding Professionals. Or the Wedding Vendors, or “Friendors” as my friend Brie Dumais of Brie Dumais Designs likes to call us;) Hands down, some of the most talented, creative, fun, hard working, kick a** individuals you will ever have the pleasure of being around. From florists to photographers, event planners to filmmakers (!) Tucson’s talent is extraordinary. And we all like each other. We will scramble up a hill loaded with cacti and maybe a gopher snake or two (don’t worry, they’re non-venomous ;)) to get that dream shot of you and your beloved. We are used to this 100+ degree “dry” heat. We don’t over direct and under produce. Golf carts, Quarter horses and dirt bikes were probably our first mode of transportation, or our most recent, so we’ve got you covered. We know Tucson, we love it, and we want to share it with you and your besties.

1. The Feel. No place in the world feels like Tucson. It’s a sprawling city (over 227 square miles!) in the middle of four mountain ranges under a huge sunny sky 350 days a year, but it still feels like a small town. When I meet a new client, somewhere in my portfolio, you will know someone. 6 degrees of separation with Kevin Bacon? It’s about 2 to 3 degrees of separation in Tucson. From The Arizona Sonora Desert Museum to the Mission San Xavier del Bac, Tucson is full of natural beauty, wildlife, and history. And really nice people. Come to Tucson for your Big day, home of the best sunsets, warm sunshine, spas, saguaros…oh, I could go on and on. Okay, maybe I’m a little biased…

Want to see a destination:Tucson wedding in all its glory? Alison and Jelani, otherwise known as ALizona and Uncle Jeli ;), brought everyone out from Houston and beyond for an incredible wedding at the Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain. From some gorgeous royal blue Badgley Mischkas, to lobster mac n’ cheese, to sparklers, to some truly epic dance moves, THIS was a night to remember!
Thanks Alison & Jelani…and ENJOY!!!

Many thanks to the following wedding rockstars:
Venue: The Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain Event Coordinator: Madison St.Clair
Photographer: David Sanders Filmmaker: Black Sheep Filmworks Florist: Posh Petals DJ/ Band/ Musicians: Simply Three & DJ Andrew Photo booth:Clear Choice Photo Booth

98 Percent of Brides Regret this Choice after their Weddings

26/09/2013 | Comments: 0 | Posted by: filmworks | In: wedding thoughts

Re-printed from Huffington Post Weddings by Ariane Fisher

Not getting a wedding planner was my biggest regret. Nope, second biggest.
Like most brides, I looked forward to my wedding for 4 reasons:

• I was marrying a man better than I ever could have dreamed for myself
• The Big Day was a creative outlet for my DIY dreams
• Friends and Family were coming together from all across the country
• Biggest. Party. Ever.

After the wedding, here is what I had to show for it:

• Gorgeous photos
• A preserved wedding gown
• Stories from friends and family about it being the best party, not just wedding, they had ever attended

Cue the regret. Like most brides, I budgeted for photos, but not wedding video. Like 98 percent of brides who make that decision, I regretted not getting a wedding video.

The photos bring back great memories, but let’s talk first dance. My fiancé surprised me with dance lessons soon after we were engaged. We spent months with a choreographer learning our first dance. We were in our own world on that dance floor. It was like the whole world melted away as we waltzed to Louis Armstrong.
In my mind, we were going to dance it again every year on our anniversary. We would never forget the steps. Our first anniversary, I was away on a business trip. Our second anniversary was the due date of our first baby. By the third anniversary, the steps were long forgotten.

Now let’s talk family and friends. Big family. Lots of friends. About 200 people flying in from all over the country. The award goes to Australia. It was the last family gathering for both of our grandmothers. The last one. No one wants to think about it, but it’s real.

It was also one of the last times we were to see one of my husband’s good friends. He died just a couple of years later in a snowmobile accident. We partied with him til 1am that night. Good times.

Lastly, the party. Oh the party. The live bar band. The Jack Daniels, for which I took so much crap in my last post. Yes, I drank at my wedding. Yes, I drank a lot. So did all the guests. Except the kids. They were running around with straws up their noses. It was a blast. We all had a great time.

And photos just aren’t enough to hold on to years later.

Follow Ariane Fisher on Twitter: www.twitter.com/@WeddingMix

Dec 27 2012

Falling for a Tubac wedding film

27/12/2012 | Comments: 0 | Posted by: filmworks | In: previews

Black sheep filmworks had the amazing fortune to film this seriously gorgeous fall wedding in Tubac. While Laura and Kurt hail from the great plains and back east respectively, they chose to tie the knot at the Tubac Golf Resort and Spa. Laura’s grandparents had retired to Tubac and Laura had many great memories of the sunny southwest. It just made sense to make more while celebrating with family and friends on a balmy October day. The chapel was candlelit, the vows left not a dry eye in the house and DJ Corbin Dooley kept the dance floor jumpin’! My favorite moments? Well, it’s hard to choose, but I would say the first look, the flower girls and ring bearer coming down the aisle and Kurt being lifted up on a chair “hora style” during “Shout”. Many great moments…please see Laura and Kurt’s wedding day preview to get a glimpse of a great wedding, a great party and a grand love.</p

Many thanks to the following wedding pros that made the day run smoothly, look lovely and well, just ROCK!
Ceremony Location: Tubac Golf Resort & Spa
Event Coordinator: Melissa Knight
Photographer: Kelly Rashka
Florist: Katie Treat/Posh Petals
Photo booth: O Booth by Omer

Words of thanks from the black sheep (filmworks ;)

21/11/2012 | Comments: 0 | Posted by: filmworks | In: highlights

This fall has made me feel very grateful. I know it’s Thanksgiving and you are probably overly tired of hearing “What are you thankful for?” But wait…just one more, from your favorite black sheep filmmaker. I am grateful for the obvious things like my family, my health, my friends, my clients, my country, having a roof over my head, shoes on my feet and running water. All of the aforementioned bring so much to me, that I can’t quite comprehend my good luck.
I just returned from POSH, a retreat for female filmmakers in Scottsdale, Arizona. POSH was started three years ago by two friends of mine, Jennifer Moon of Northernlight Filmworks and Reagan Zuguelter of Studio Z films as a way to bring female filmmakers and photographers together for continuing education, networking and FUN. I have attended two POSH events, last year in Cancun and this year at the Valley Ho in Scottsdale. WOW! These uber talented ladies astounded me with their creativity, technical abilities and unabashed willingness to share all of the above. There were no “stupid” questions and the playing field was level. There were female filmmakers/photogs who were brand new to the video biz and those with 20 years of experience. We learned the “WHY” of lens choice, how to improve our branding and how to Glidecam like a ninja. We filmed with Amina and Joyce of Stillmotion, delved into corporate filmmaking AND learned to Glidecam with Cristina Valdivieso. Marketing and streamlining our work flow were deconstructed with skill and infectious energy by the amazing Meg Simone. Lens Pro to Go’s Meg Rodney brought tons of great lenses and other techie goodies for us to play with (she also sings a mean Bohemian Rhapsody karaoke style)….and that’s just a smattering of our “celebration of cinematography”;) We even did Yoga every morning! Each presentation was inspired and the round table discussions that followed left us with so many new ideas to bring our businesses and ourselves to the next level. We learned, hiked, shared and partied hard. It went by too fast. It made me realize what great female filmmaker friends I have and how lucky I am. The POSH experience made me grateful for all that I have and I that I can share. I have the best job and the best clients who become friends. I also have filmmaker and photog friends who inspire, challenge and LIKE me. After being in the wedding video/event filmmaking industry for 20+ years I still love what I do. Continuing educational retreats like POSH are a big part of that. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to the organizers, presenters and attendees.
Here’s a few pics from POSH 2012, and a link to their site for anyone who wants to join in the festivities for 2013. POSH
I’m also posting the video that I created (with the help of the amazing Yone Hauseman) for a contest to win a seat at POSH 2012. I won! Many thanks to all those that voted and supported me and beoucoup thanks to Don Pham of DP Slider, who sponsored the contest. Yes, every POSH needs a little black sheep…filmworks that is!
Happy Thanksgiving to all! Cheers!

Aug 06 2012

Reflections at the Buttes wedding preview-Brandy & Phil

06/08/2012 | Comments: 0 | Posted by: filmworks | In: previews

So…Brandy and I have a lot in common. We both know and love Amelia and Aron Schmidt, she’s a collegiate swim coach at LSU, I love to watch competitive swimming and eating spicy cajun food and we both LOVE the Good Egg restaurant. She loves it because it’s her family business and it’s amazing. I love it because it has a special connection with my son Aidan. 11 + years ago we were having lunch at the Good Egg where I gave my husband a card with a really cute mama and baby polar bear. Yes, I was telling him that we were pregnant for the second time. He should have guessed as I only ordered decaf coffee, which is normally not my style. Nine months later, I was having breakfast at the Good Egg with my mom, and I started having contractions. Cut to TMC and later that day we were blessed with Aidan James Keith. I had no idea that Brandy’s family owned the Good Egg, but when I suggested Starbucks as a meeting place, she suggested the Good Egg and I was very happy. After our meeting, during which I got to chat with her fiance Phil, her mom, dad and brother, she sent me home with pancakes and bacon for Aidan. All was right in the world.
Cut to April 27, 2011. This was a day unlike any other. From soccer to swimming, suspenders and bow ties, beer brewed by Brandy’s Dad, goggles and redcards (Phil is the soccer guru), to a surprise “Thriller” flash mob…ummm…WOW! Brandy was beautiful, Reflections at the Buttes looked grand, and Phil was simply the cutest groom ever. Family and friends were overjoyed by this union, and partied until the wee hours.
Many thanks to the Collins, Maben and Schmidt families. You treated us like family.
Thanks also to Neal Kreuser, and the staff at Reflections. We had a great time creating with you!
WARNING!!! VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED: Many cupcakes were harmed during the filming of the gorgeous love fest 😉
Music:Leslie and the Badgers
Old Timers (Edit) Licensed through Song Freedom

Jun 11 2012

Z mansion’s finest day

11/06/2012 | Comments: 0 | Posted by: filmworks | In: previews

Fun, happy and random. Great moments at the Z Mansion on a gorgeous March afternoon. Melaney and Richard didn’t stop smiling the entire day, except for a few tears of joy during the vows. This was a great party, with a beautiful and clever crowd.
Many thanks to the wedding experts who made this great day even better:
Venue: Z Mansion
Photographer: Amanda Rockafellow
Filmmaker: Black Sheep Filmworks

May 18 2012

Spring has sprung–more of my favorite wedding moments!

18/05/2012 | Comments: 0 | Posted by: filmworks | In: previews

This perfect spring day was one that I was really looking forward to. I had never met Heidi and Dave, but they were flying in from NYC to meet with little ol’ me and go over their wedding plans. The first thing that struck me about this pairing was, besides their obvious physical beauty, their CONNECTION. They were so in tune with each other about every little wedding detail, finishing each others sentences…you know…connected! I asked them what they were most looking forward to and Heidi got tears in her eyes as she said “Just to say ‘I do'”. Dave wiped her tears away and gently held her face in his hands. WOW! Now do you see why I was looking forward to it?

So my favorite moment was their “first look”. Normally, I don’t like the whole “first look” concept. I am a romantic, and one of the best moments from my wedding was hearing the string quartet, taking my dad’s arm, walking a few steps down the aisle and seeing my husband to be for the first time that day. His eyes welled up a bit, and then he smiled at me. I couldn’t wait to get to the end of that aisle! The drama of that moment still brings tears to my eyes. BUT, sometimes “first looks” are perfection. Heidi and Dave’s was the best one ever. It’s in the preview, so watch it. His reaction to her is priceless.

Lot’s of other favorite moments…shooting with the fantastic Jacob Chinn and his talented second shooter Holly Seeber. The floral design from Tanya Krantz of In Full Bloom Floral Studio was truly inspired. And of course, working with Cindy West at Tucson Country Club is a delight. And not just because they have a mesquite grove for lovely ceremonies, or just because you can have fireworks after your cake cut! No, it’s just such a warm and elegant venue. From witty groomsmen and charming bridesmaids, to a ceremony full of love and an enthusiastic hora, to heart-felt toasts and fireworks…I had lots of favorite moments. Heidi and Dave…thanks for choosing black sheep filmworks to film all of those fabulous moments!

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