I know that the top 25 list went out, I have not memorized the list but there are others worthy of being on the list or would have made it if it were top 30. Here's my list in no particular order 5 others if it is top 30.

1. Josh Green
2. Kevin- Pacific Pictures
3. Oleg Kalyan
4. Danny O' Neill
5. SiChung - SODE

3. Oleg Kalyan

Oleg will be on the list next year. Book it :)

Totally agree... with the Kevin one. The indian concept video is in a whole new league and while the product may not have the same commercial reach as a bog standard wedding video it just shows that there is more to what we all do than film, stick it on a DVD and run away with the money.

I dream about producing something just as good, but fear I may just embarass myself.

totally agree with that...

ESPECIALLY love Oleg's work....really damn amazing! shoots amazing stuff no matter what couple or weather conditions!!!

Agree... Kevin and Oleg are well deserving of making that list.

I would also like to see Mayad Studios in that list at some point in time.

What I'd really like to see is a vote by the people that are in a position to hire a videographer rather than those that produce them. Take a cross-section of future couples from around the country and send them a stack of DVD's - not highlights, not trailers. Final products. Tell them to decide, price notwithstanding, which one appeals to them most and has the most perceived value. That is what its all about if you want to keep doing this for any length of time - perceived value. It doesn't matter if the content has substance (i.e. "the new doc" style) or is strictly eye candy. Whatever is perceived as having the most value at the moment they sign the contract is deserving of recognition. What I see happening all too often is that what is different gets the attention of fellow videographers. Different isn't always better or more profitable, but in our self-contained microcosm that's what makes us take notice. I believe we need to find out what the people that hire us think, not what our peers think. That would end all discussion about who is deserving of being recognized.




I know that the top 25 list went out, I have not memorized the list but there are others worthy of being on the list or would have made it if it were top 30. Here's my list in no particular order 5 others if it is top 30.

1. Josh Green
2. Kevin- Pacific Pictures
3. Oleg Kalyan
4. Danny O' Neill
5. SiChung - SODE

Hi Noel, I will agree with 90% of that list!

Oleg a certainty.

Cheers,

John De Rienzo

Please tell me Ian Lim is on this list....he's got such natural talent!

Thanks a lot, everyone, for supporting me, words of encouragement are very important,
mean a lot to me!

Great thing is that in the process of this selection I got to see some excellent work of the colleagues that was not aware of before.

William Gaff @ Human Story Films wrote about me, thanks to him!
Featured Filmmaker, Oleg Kalyan Weddingbee PRO The Wedding Vendor Blog (http://www.weddingbeepro.com/2009/03/18/featured-filmmaker-oleg-kalyan/)


Joel
"What I'd really like to see is a vote by the people that are in a position to hire a videographer rather than those that produce them."

Not quite agree, I can tell you by Russian and some European market that lots of the clients do not know what they really want, in my experience, they go for our artistic vision, that can be based on some previous work, but not nessesarily, in essence everyone prefers original, that do not duplicate previous work.
That's the ideal!

Documetary and eye candy both have it's place, if executed well, yet I feel that there is a need to go beyond developed predictable pattern, the form, go for the substance, that makes both us and the clients more happy at the end and we leave something more of a timeless.

CHeers!

I think its important to remember the top 25 is the top 25 Influential videographers, not the best. These are the people we all watch and draw inspiration from and feel inspired by their work.

I am not familiar with the work of many of the top 25 but those I am do indeed inspire me to do better. Hope I can learn from them at re:frame :)

Not quite agree, I can tell you by Russian and some European market that lots of the clients do not know what they really want, in my experience, they go for our artistic vision, that can be based on some previous work, but not nessesarily, in essence everyone prefers original, that do not duplicate previous work. That's the ideal! Documentary and eye candy both have it's place, if executed well, yet I feel that there is a need to go beyond developed predictable pattern, the form, go for the substance, that makes both us and the clients more happy at the end and we leave something more of a timeless.
CHeers!

I'm speaking strictly from a recognition standpoint. The only way to be recognized is by what you've already done, not what you're capable of doing. And for a couple to take notice of you they will have needed to see something in your work that appealed to them. More often than not I'll hear from couples "we want it just like you did for their wedding", referring to a sample of mine they've seen. If they are going to invest in your work they want some assurances that it will look as good, be as comprehensive and have the same emotional impact as your samples.

(By the way - you're really doing a great job with your english!)

Hi Danny, good points, and therefore, from my perspective, I will definately conclude to 4 out of those five!

Cheers.

Joel, thank you, got your point, good idea, not easy to realize...
Still think that selling point is not a greatest criteria to evaluate work and influence

I personally against ratings at all. In a large sense we all influence each other!

My English... I lived, studied and worked in the US for more than 10 years :)

Oleg for sure, but I would also like to add Andrew Melikov.

You can checkout his work on vimeo: http://vimeo.com/savemoment/videos

I stumbled across savemoment the other day and really enjoy their work. Similar in parts to stillmotion but also different. Their productions seem to be more planned but I love it, really love it.

Agree... Kevin and Oleg are well deserving of making that list.

I would also like to see Mayad Studios in that list at some point in time.

Agreed Mayad Studios is a very influential company in my books. Hopefully soon they will appear on that list.

Wow, thanks Noel, what a wonderful compliment. Here's my faves that I didn't see on the list:

1. Mayad Studios
2. Denver Riddle
3. Savemoment
4. Mind Castle
5. Timeless Films NY

Yup, just wondering why Mayad, Oleg and Kevin were not on the list... I guess in the future, it will become EventDV 30 or 50 or maybe 100, since the number of great videographers are growing :D

ps: Hey, I just realized, someone's mentioned my name... ^0^

I've got to say I was surprised that some people made the top 25, and very disappointed that some others didn't (Kevin S., Mayad, etc.). At the end of the day, though, the EventDV top 25 is a bit of a popularity poll .. so take it for what it is.

Despite the fact that I definitely disagree with some of the selections, I do wish ALL of them congratulations.

It was great to see great to see some new people make it to the list.

Although some of my favorite videographer did not make it. Hope they will keep u[ their good work at have a place in next year top25.

some of my not-on-the-list favorite:
Arthur Inamov@Savemoment
Oleg Kalyan
Mayad Studio
Ian Salim

Thank you Noel for mentioning me in the post! There is still a lot for us to learn but I hope some day, one of the NZ studio can make it to the list.

by the way, how to get into the selection?

The difference about this conversation and the EventDV25 is that we're now talking about the actual work, not how much time they spend on discussion boards, creating how-to DVD's, writing articles, hosting training sessions and speaking at conventions and videographer association meetings. There are people on the list that have incredible work and somehow manage to be completely immersed in working with other videographers. Amazing.

Wow, thanks Noel, what a wonderful compliment. Here's my faves that I didn't see on the list:

1. Mayad Studios
2. Denver Riddle
3. Savemoment
4. Mind Castle
5. Timeless Films NY

I was just thinking of something similar yesterday. I always hate checking for new videos on this board only because the work is so exceptional to mine. I agree 100% that all of the names mentioned produce stunning products. Truly the best in the world is displayed on this forum. This is why I hate watching sometimes ;-)

Steve

Kevin & Oleg get my votes. Some of them I have never heard of, so they must be industry people that aren't on DVinfo (which is about 99% of what I follow).

That list has actually introduced me to some new names and loving their work.

Oleg, I just viewed the two clips. Beautiful work. I particularly loved the first clip. The bride is just lovely and natural and the whole thing just worked so well.

Can I ask you a couple of questions?
How many cameras do you use at a wedding?
What cameras do you use?
What was that beautiful music? It worked so well with the clip and brought a tear of joy to my eye. A rare thing.

Steve, thank you, I will answer in my thread, here it's about the list of videographers,

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/wedding-event-videography-techniques/145507-zima-narrative-highlights-shot-5d-2.html

Interesting discussion ...

Not to take anything away from some of those who made the Top 25 but here's a few that I thought would be in the running:

Ray Roman
Savemoment
Mayad Studios
Michael and Konrad from StillMotion
Casey Warren from Mind|Castle
Denver Riddle
Ian Lim
Oleg should be on the list just for the last 2 videos of his that I've watched

The fact that there are so many great names that didn't make the list speaks volumes for how the industry is going from strength to strength.

There's nothing wrong with debating who should have made the list, and having made the list I know I'm biased, but I think we should be thankful that something like the EventDV Top 25 exists rather than poo-poo-ing it too much. Even having such a list lends credibility to an industry that is sadly (but possibly deservedly) lacking credibility in the eyes of most of the public.

For example, there's going to be a whole bunch of people in Australia who are educated about quality wedding films due to me making the list. And hopefully it will give me a platform in Australia amongst videographers to push the industry forward and help drag it out the cheese-riddled-white-vignette-loving-80's-rubbish that still somehow gets produced :)

Anything that promotes our industry in a positive light can't be all bad.

Cheers,

Matthew.

How can I forget Mayad Studios? I just saw Ian Lim's work and I uttered the F word. Stunning. You guys are not human beings, life is unfair. LOL

Yep thats another vote for savemoment, as previously stated I love their work.
john

Looks like voting is closed for this year (duh!) but I guess that at some point we can all vote for our 2009 choices. I for one will be putting my 2 pence worth in.

I wonder if Chris H would be so kind enough to come out with our very own DVI top 30 list, we can send in our votes.

I wonder if Chris H would be so kind enough to come out with our very own DVI top 30 list, we can send in our votes.
If he did Noel it would have to be by categories. This place is diverse with event videography, film makers, DOP's, and many more. It would be hard to do in my opinion. It is a cool idea though.

You are right Monday. Wedding/event Videographers perhaps. Just throwing it in.

All we need is another top whatever list. The last thing I want is to have people here sending me messages to vote for them on the DVI top 30 list. We can leave that kinda thing to other places.

Now if they want to award cash prizes I might reconsider and get out my best policing hat and start shaking hands and kissing babies.

All we need is another top whatever list. The last thing I want is to have people here sending me messages to vote for them on the DVI top 30 list. We can leave that kinda thing to other places.

Now if they want to award cash prizes I might reconsider and get out my best policing hat and start shaking hands and kissing babies.

Ethan did people really send you messages asking for votes?
I didn't realize people did that.

I know of at least one person who received emails with vote requests. It's kind of weird, but at the same time I suppose I understand it. There are A LOT of potential candidates and A LOT of people who never even hear of the voting. That's why I tried to make a post on here back when the voting started, but it disappeared (shhhhh). I don't suppose there's anything wrong with contacting people to let them know about the voting ... seems like a lot of work though to go and contact everyone.

I like the idea of a DVinfo "top whatever" list, but I tend to doubt that kind of venture will be smiled on here. Doesn't hurt to propose it though, I guess.

I doubt it would work on here Travis!

Unfortunately I fear there would be too many votes based on friendship and familiarity if you get what I mean!

Cheers

John De Rienzo

Terry - it hasn't happened to me here because there is nothing to vote on here but I've had countless "vote for my this or that" emails or notices or whatever from other sites. (not all video related mind you) I think having a contest would open the door for that type of thing here. Not so long ago when the top 25 voting for another place was announced there was a post put up here that was subsequently taken down where someone was basically asking for votes in a nice way.

I would love to see more Filipinos on the list, especially Mayad and Bob Nicolas.

Oh well, a year, isn't that far too long to wait. =)

What I'd really like to see is a vote by the people that are in a position to hire a videographer rather than those that produce them. Take a cross-section of future couples from around the country and send them a stack of DVD's - not highlights, not trailers. Final products. Tell them to decide, price notwithstanding, which one appeals to them most and has the most perceived value. That is what its all about if you want to keep doing this for any length of time - perceived value. It doesn't matter if the content has substance (i.e. "the new doc" style) or is strictly eye candy. Whatever is perceived as having the most value at the moment they sign the contract is deserving of recognition. What I see happening all too often is that what is different gets the attention of fellow videographers. Different isn't always better or more profitable, but in our self-contained microcosm that's what makes us take notice. I believe we need to find out what the people that hire us think, not what our peers think. That would end all discussion about who is deserving of being recognized.

I know how this suggestion just really wants to legitimize the list or somehow assure that the honorees are well deserving.

But I've always viewed the EV25 list as a peer award rather than "people's choice."

Terry - it hasn't happened to me here because there is nothing to vote on here but I've had countless "vote for my this or that" emails or notices or whatever from other sites. (not all video related mind you) I think having a contest would open the door for that type of thing here. Not so long ago when the top 25 voting for another place was announced there was a post put up here that was subsequently taken down where someone was basically asking for votes in a nice way.

That was me. I caught wind that the EventDV25 voting was open. I had never participated before because I never knew when the vote was. So I voted for my fav's (all of them made it - woot!), and then thought I might as well post about the voting here, and I ended up saying something like "I wouldn't mind if some votes were tossed my way" at the end of the post. It was half-joking/half-serious, but it didn't matter because the post disappeared within like 5 minutes.

Perhaps it was deleted because of that last bit. If so, that really sucks because my whole intention was to simply let everyone here know that the voting was open ... because no one had ever informed me in the past. Oh well, the post was deleted and I was never told why. Someone else mentioned to me that in a previous year they had try to post about the vote on here and their post was deleted as well. Perhaps it's viewed as advertising somehow?

I don't know. d:-)

That was me. I caught wind that the EventDV25 voting was open. I had never participated before because I never knew when the vote was. So I voted for my fav's (all of them made it - woot!), and then thought I might as well post about the voting here, and I ended up saying something like "I wouldn't mind if some votes were tossed my way" at the end of the post. It was half-joking/half-serious, but it didn't matter because the post disappeared within like 5 minutes.

Perhaps it was deleted because of that last bit. If so, that really sucks because my whole intention was to simply let everyone here know that the voting was open ... because no one had ever informed me in the past. Oh well, the post was deleted and I was never told why. Someone else mentioned to me that in a previous year they had try to post about the vote on here and their post was deleted as well. Perhaps it's viewed as advertising somehow?

I don't know. d:-)
Well Travis, we are already border line with what we do with music so I can see why the posts would disappear. The best thing is for us to follow eventdv to see when the next time comes to vote. I hope Mayad and Oleg hit it big.

Monday

But I've always viewed the EV25 list as a peer award rather than "people's choice."

That's a good way of putting it.

Can someone compile a list of the top 25s average wedding revenue? Maybe taken from a price list on their websites?

I would also be interested in the number of people involved in the shoots and editing for some of these awesome productions.

I am just curious if any of the top producers are putting out the high end products at a less than high end cost.

Can someone compile a list of the top 25s average wedding revenue? Maybe taken from a price list on their websites?

I would also be interested in the number of people involved in the shoots and editing for some of these awesome productions.

I am just curious if any of the top producers are putting out the high end products at a less than high end cost.

I know Jason Magbanua does 100 weddings a year at $ 3500 a pop. This is really high end considering the average income is $ 300/month back home. 3 shooters, SDE. So my Philippine standard Jmags is a multi-millionaire around 15M. Sorry Jmags =)


Still Motion I think is $ 4,500 with 40 weddings? They are being selective I think. 3 shooters no SDE

It's just an estimate.

Hi Jeff,

You're on the right track in that you need to take into account overhead and payroll, along with all the associated costs that go along with both. There just isn't a way to quantify profit without knowing all the details - its not just the cost of the product that leads to success and longevity.

Can someone compile a list of the top 25s average wedding revenue? Maybe taken from a price list on their websites?

I would also be interested in the number of people involved in the shoots and editing for some of these awesome productions.

I am just curious if any of the top producers are putting out the high end products at a less than high end cost.

As fun as it would be to go through other studio's books, unless the information is offered it's impossible to even estimate.

Like mentioned above, we don't know the overhead costs, but we also don't know what customers are paying. Most of the EventDV 25 list their prices as "Starting at $X" and that doesn't tell us anything. Just because pricing starts at X, it doesn't mean people aren't paying more.

Joel & Matt:

I don't mean to pry into any of these companies finances, I just want to learn more about what it takes to move a video business to a sustainable higher level in terms of the number of employees/partners and revenues.

If we had some numbers to look at, we might be able to establish some general information. I am a one man show, so I am curious about expanding or merging with another company and what it takes to make it work.

If any of the EDV 25 have any words of wisdom or lessons learned, I would like to hear their advice.

Jeff, I agree with you about the one man show, you just can't make the high end video with one shooter and a second camera operator, you can't take a chance to do creative shots when you are the only shooter, I will love to work with other videographers on a shoot and be creative and not worrying about the whole event on my shoulders.

Not to go off the subject, today on TV I saw two shows talking about how brides can save money for their wedding and not once video was mentioned, they talked about the dress,food,guests,photography..... video is not in the picture.

Michael, that is because video is probably not in the vendors list in the first place ;-)

You don't need to have a big crew to come up with a 'high end video'. Crew of two is more than enough for a more complete and cinematic production.

I used to be an one-man show for a few years. Last year, I've added a trustworthy 2nd shooter and multiple camera shooting technique into the mix and immediately saw a drastic change in the production value. Only time I felt that it would be nice have a 3rd person was for the times we did SDEs. Even for SDEs, if you have a tapeless workflow and both your crew members are fast editors, I think it will be manageable with the crew of two.