Held at the Beverly Wilshire, this wonderful event was produced by Sequoia Productions. It was a fantastic star studded affair, where Jack La Lanne unveiled a new program in which a percentage of the sale of his Jack La Lanne’s Power Juicer will benefit the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance.

The birthday celebration included bodybuilders-turned-TV/movie stars Lou Ferrigno and Arnold Schwarzenegger, the governor of California.

“At 95 years old, Jack LaLanne is an extraordinary portrait of strength, character and determination,” Gov. Schwarzenegger said. “He has inspired me and millions of others around the world by the way he lives his life every day and is the perfect example of what staying active, eating right and working out can do for a person. Jack is a great friend who truly embodies the fountain of youth.”

I was honored to be there capturing these memories.

Three thousand five hundred guests attended the 61st Primetime Emmy® Awards Governors Ball. This event is recognized as the largest annual formal dinner in the United States. For the twelfth consecutive year, Sequoia Productions produced the Ball. david robin | films was there for the third consecutive year to capture this amazing event.

Xanadu was an extravaganza of vivid colors, a Sultan’s Palace replete with 2,000 yards of Fortuny-like patterned silk hanging tent-like from the Convention Center’s 36’-high ceilings. Forty-eight oversized, brightly-colored hanging lanterns helped illuminate the vast interior-tented expanse. Tablecloths and napkins came in a rich kaleidoscope of striking colors: cerulean, royal plum, zanzibar, cerise and lime.

Tables were adorned with signature floral creations by LA Premier Floral Event Design. The floral statistics were staggering: nearly 9,000 orchids; 20,000 roses; 3,000 pheasant and peacock feathers – all arrayed on and around 600 colorfully-painted Manzanita branches.

Also staggering were the food-preparation statistics. Under the watchful (and exacting) eyes of Chef & Founder Joachim Splichal and Executive Chef Alec Lestr of Patina Restaurant Group, 177 on-site chefs prepared food for the 3,500 guests. This is the 14th year Patina has prepared superb dishes for the Emmy mega-events.

We are delighted to announce that we will be documenting the 61st Annual Primetime Emmy® Awards Governors Ball at the Los Angeles Convention Center, on Sunday September 20th, 2009.

This will be the third Emmy® Awards Governors Ball for us. We have also documented the last four Academy® Awards Governors Balls.

The event is produced by the insanely talented Cheryl Cecchetto of Sequoia Productions. We are very excited and looking forward to a great event.

At the 60th Annual Primetime Emmy® Awards Governors Ball

Once again we were honored by being asked to document the 2009 Oscars Governors Ball at the Kodak Theater. It was very exciting being behind the scenes shooting this event, culminating in the arrival of all the guests and celebrities. The Asian inspired theme was drop dead stunning, created by Cheryl and her amazing team at Sequoia Productions.

Twenty-four of the hottest photograhers in North America converge on Universal City for a “secret mission.” All they know is that it will be a project that will last 24 hours. They’ve come as far as Vancouver and Chattanooga, without a clue as to why. When they arrive, they find out that they’re being split into two teams. Each team is given 24 hours to write, shoot, and edit an original short film. Each team is also playing for one of two charities: Thirst Relief and Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep.

I was brought in as creative consultant for Team B, and my responsibilities included brainstorming ideas, as well as, shooting and editing the original short film. Ultimately, the viewing audience will determine the winner, which will be announced at WPPI 2009.

TEAM B (My Team)

TEAM A

Is it me, or is Team B having SO MUCH MORE FUN!!!!!!

Very excited to announce that we have a three page feature in the latest Wedding & Event Resource Guide. Please click on thumbnail to view it full size!

Published quarterly, Wedding & Event Videography Resource Guide also includes links to related video in the Members-Only section of the WEVA website. “It’s WEVA members who are leading this industry worldwide and sharing their experience,” said Dan Argenas WEVA’s Director of Association Communications. “Each edition of Wedding & Event Videography Resource Guide reveals what they’re doing, how they’re doing it, and more.”

Ron Dawson invited me to participate in a groundbreaking production. He assembled a cast of over 20 of the top wedding and portrait photographers in the world to star in a short reality TV series. This was to be the buzz-builder leading up to the WPPI Convention, as well as to raise donations for two very worthy charities: Thirst Relief International & Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep. With collaborative effort and support from these great sponsors (Microsoft Expression Media 2, Triple Scoop Music, Asuka Book, Kubota Image Tools, ShowIt Sites, Photographers’ Edit, and Loktah), we were able to raise over $5000 to donate to these two charities.

The photographers were divided into two teams. Each team were given 24 hours to write, shoot, and edit an original short film related to photography. I came on board as creative consultant for one team (Team B) and “field reporter,” reporting to the reality TV cameras my opinions of how the team was doing. I also shot, and edited the piece. It was exhausting (i was working for 30 hours straight) but we had a blast!
My good buddy Loyd Calomay did the same for Team A (the definitely weaker team ).

Photo by Kenny Kim

Photo by Amber Holritz

Photo by Gustavo Fernandez

AN ALL STAR CAST

Jim Garner
Jessica Claire
David Jay
Joe Photo
Michele Celentano
Kevin Kubota
Brook and Alisha Todd
Becker
Jen and Steve Bebb
Gene Higa
Catherine Hall
Ann Hamilton
Jules Bianchi
Amber Holritz
Jasmine Star
Chris and Katie Humphreys
Bronson Pate
Kenny Kim
Rob Evans
Bambi Cantrell

The finished videos will be posted on line at a later date, and episodes of the “making of” should appear shortly. These short films will then be posted for the viewers to watch and vote for! After the votes are in, the winning team will be announced at the WPPI Convention.

Orlando, Florida
August 11, 2008 WEVA Wedding & Event Video Expo

http://www.wevaexpo.com/ceawinners.shtml

“Each year, WEVA invites members and non-members to enter their finest work in our industry’s most prestigious awards competition,” said Roy Chapman Chairman of Wedding & Event Videographers Association International. “The Creative Excellence Competition, in its 18th year, is once again open to all professional wedding and event videographers worldwide. It is a WEVA peer-reviewed competition and represents the highest awards honor in production achievement in our industry. There is always a new panel of judges every year, and each year brings a fresh opportunity for new productions to be honored. All videographers are encouraged to enter their best work!”

david robin | films won Gold in two categories:

Short Form Wedding Production
Photo Montage Production

Since 1994 we have won an unprecidented 25 Creative Excellence Awards, and continue to have the headache of where to put them. Seriously we are truly honored as competition gets stiffer and stiffer each year, with much amazing new talent emerging around the world.

Here are some photos of DR accepting the awards:

Here at david robin | films we rarely talk about our production equipment. For one thing it can be really boring. We are storytellers, and can successfully recount our tales with any kind of recording camera.

However, this one is really special.

Not only is this camera full HD, has superb fujinon optics, records at many different frame rates including 1080 24P, 30P, & 60P, but it is also completely tapeless. It records images onto a brand new card system developed by Sony and Sandisk.

So what does this mean to you the client?

Well, stunning images that look the closest to 35mm film as I have ever seen. Phenomenally low light sensitivity, that virtually eliminates the need for any camera lights. It also gives us the ability to shoot, edit and deliver in HD, with the end product being a Blu-Ray DVD Disc for you!

I’m very excited!