Real Weddings Volume 1 - Mark and Trisha Von Lanken

Real Weddings - Volume 1
Category - DVD
Reviewed by: Damon Dietz
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Summary:
Real Weddings, Volume 1 showcases one wedding in its entirety as delivered to the client. The DVD offers Mark & Trisha's insight into the technical and creative aspects of creating and delivering such a wedding film. With commentary on shooting & editing of a "Real Wedding," volume one offers the following: camera placement & shooting assignments, editing styles & techniques, audio sources & voice overs, time shifting, and much more.

What Worked:
I was extremely impressed with the presentation and production value of Real Weddings. When you first put in the DVD, you encounter a well designed motion menu with an epic-cinematic trailer playing as the background. You are presented with numerous selections on the main title screen, with the most impressive being the option to watch the entire wedding or individual segments with no commentary, or to select to watch the entire wedding with your choice of commentary regarding the shooting or editing of the wedding. This allows three individual learning opportunities for the viewer. One additional feature I felt was extremely informative, was the "Information & Resources" section of the DVD, where you get detailed instruction on how to navigate all the features of the DVD, as well as gaining insight into the equipment used in the production of this "Real Wedding."

What Didn't Work:
At first glance, $125 may seem a bit steep for a single 60 minute wedding, but with separate audio commentary for shooting & editing, this DVD is a real gem.

The Bottom Line:
This DVD should be utilized as an educational tool for anyone looking to learn about the overall process of producing a wedding video. From beginner to expert, documentary to cinematic, this video is a definite must have.

The Rating Breakdown:
Content: 4.5 out of 5
Presentation/Production Value: 5 out of 5
Worth the Price? 4 out of 5
Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5