Six of the best wedding filmmakers in the world got together and started a new movement called Re:Frame. It’s aim is to share their knowledge with like-minded filmmakers who are actively changing the face of wedding video with contemporary, cutting edge films.
Imagine my surprise when they contacted me to inform me that I had been voted as “The Peoples’ Choice Speaker” by the attendees to come and speak at their first event!
At the time it seemed like a great idea and a free holiday… until I got on the plane; now there was no turning back. Reality hit home when Re:Frame had a limo driver collect me at New Orleans Airport and drop me off at The Royal Sonesta Hotel on the famous Bourbon Street. I was informed on check in that I was a VIP guest (I tried to argue that I was a simple towns person from Ireland but they were having none of it) and there was a wad of cash waiting for me in an envelope: speakers fee and expenses…. now I was really nervous.
The seminars kicked off and I felt humbled by the quality of the speakers. I didn’t bring a pen and notepad but believe me, my brain was feeding on every morsel of information that these guys were sharing out! Truth be told, I was hoping that at least one of these guys would present a horrible, boring seminar but no such luck – they were awesome!
My turn. Just before I’m about to deliver my presentation a mischievous journalist (who spent some studying in Galway – no wonder!) asks me how I feel about all these people who have paid thousands of dollars to come and hear what I’ve got to say. “Are you nervous?” he asked. Well I am now, thanks to you!
I figured that my strange accent would buy me a good ten minutes where I could waffle on before the novelty factor wore thin so I did my best to shake off the nerves during this period. And it worked a treat.
The seminar and Re:Frame event was one of the best professional experiences of my life. My storytelling seminar hit a positive nerve and confirmed my own belief that wedding video needs good storytellers. Their next convention is being held in Austin, Texas and these people are definitely moving the wedding video industry in the right direction.
I wonder if I can convince them that Re:Frame Ireland is a great idea?
