I believe that our pets understand every word we say to them ... for how else would they ensure they do exactly the opposite to what is asked of them when I need to film them?
Derek Halls
DHP Digital Video.
Saturday, 28 November 2009
Sunday, 22 November 2009
Made for sharing.
The big day has arrived. Groom, Family and Friends are waiting. At last the Bride arrives and the ceremony commences. Then the reception with its speeches and dancing and all too soon, the day is over. Those special moments have come and gone ... or have they.
DHP Digital Video were there to capture the magic of the whole day; the venue, the guests, the bride in her beautiful dress, the hymns, the vows, the confetti. It's all there in glorious widescreen.
After many months of planning, for the Bride and Groom, the day will have passed in a haze but now they can watch every tiny detail again and again. Whether they enjoy it on their own or invite the world to share, their wedding video will bring back all the happiness of the day.
Why not join my many satisfied clients by having your wedding day filmed and edited by a caring professional who will help you to keep the memories alive for the years to come.
Derek Halls, DHP Digital Video
DHP Digital Video were there to capture the magic of the whole day; the venue, the guests, the bride in her beautiful dress, the hymns, the vows, the confetti. It's all there in glorious widescreen.
After many months of planning, for the Bride and Groom, the day will have passed in a haze but now they can watch every tiny detail again and again. Whether they enjoy it on their own or invite the world to share, their wedding video will bring back all the happiness of the day.
Why not join my many satisfied clients by having your wedding day filmed and edited by a caring professional who will help you to keep the memories alive for the years to come.
Derek Halls, DHP Digital Video
DHP Digital Video saves the day.
Can you imagine how disappointed the Bride was when she found that her Mother had not been photgraphed by the official photographer.
Also, the long-standing family friend who had offered her beloved Daimler to be the official car for the newlyweds, wasn't photographed either!
Upon hearing this news DHP Digital Video was able to save the day. The images captured by our High Definition broadcast camcorders make excellent stills when converted using a program such as Adobe Photoshop.
This I did, much to the delight of the Bride's Mother and also to the amazement of the friend and Chauffer for the day.
The one saving grace was that the official photographer did a fantastic job of all the other pictures.
Derek Halls, DHP Digital Video
Also, the long-standing family friend who had offered her beloved Daimler to be the official car for the newlyweds, wasn't photographed either!
Upon hearing this news DHP Digital Video was able to save the day. The images captured by our High Definition broadcast camcorders make excellent stills when converted using a program such as Adobe Photoshop.
This I did, much to the delight of the Bride's Mother and also to the amazement of the friend and Chauffer for the day.
The one saving grace was that the official photographer did a fantastic job of all the other pictures.
Derek Halls, DHP Digital Video
Thursday, 19 November 2009
Where has all the fruit cake gone?
As a film maker I am used to filming all sorts of wedding styles. Big weddings, Society weddings, Small and intimate weddings, Military weddings, Wacky weddings. All sorts as I said.
Over the years the changes have been equally varied ... not so often now is the car a Rolls Royce, quite often the first dance is a fast favourite of the Bride and Groom and the band has been replaced with a disco.
For me though, the most troubling change is the move away from the traditional fruit and icing wedding cake ... it's my favourite and I miss it when it's been replaced with a chocolate sponge or an apricot assortment.
I know I'm there to work ... which I do for many hours on the day ... and I know it's not my place to help eat and drink the spread away but I just can't resist a little piece of fruity wedding cake. It's just what I need when I start my journey home some ten hours or more after filming started that day.
Derek Halls, DHP Digital Video, Ipswich.
Over the years the changes have been equally varied ... not so often now is the car a Rolls Royce, quite often the first dance is a fast favourite of the Bride and Groom and the band has been replaced with a disco.
For me though, the most troubling change is the move away from the traditional fruit and icing wedding cake ... it's my favourite and I miss it when it's been replaced with a chocolate sponge or an apricot assortment.
I know I'm there to work ... which I do for many hours on the day ... and I know it's not my place to help eat and drink the spread away but I just can't resist a little piece of fruity wedding cake. It's just what I need when I start my journey home some ten hours or more after filming started that day.
Derek Halls, DHP Digital Video, Ipswich.
The joy of sensitive microphones.
A little while ago I filmed a wedding ceremony in Surrey before moving on to West Sussex to film the wedding reception.
The day was just right in so many ways ... the newlyweds, their families, the church, etc. Even the official photographer and I worked well together from the moment we met, that said I did film his wedding last year!
The reception venue, The Ravenswood in Sharpthorne, is set amidst 20 acres of lawns, gardens and lakes and is among the most picturesque of settings for the most demanding of wedding schedules. But, adding that extra little something was the sound of The Bluebell Railway in the distance.
The finished wedding film has not only captured the beauty of the venue, the intimacy of the friends and family and the joy of the day but also the splendour of the English countryside complete with the sound of steam trains and whistles gently puffing their way through the soundtrack.
Without this extra dimension the film would not have been lacking ... but with the added sound picked up by my faithful Sennheiser film-making microphones the scene was enhanced so much.
Good sound is just one of the many reasons for booking a professional film-maker to capture your once in a life-time day. Only then can you truly enjoy it time and time again.
Derek Halls, DHP Digital Video.
The day was just right in so many ways ... the newlyweds, their families, the church, etc. Even the official photographer and I worked well together from the moment we met, that said I did film his wedding last year!
The reception venue, The Ravenswood in Sharpthorne, is set amidst 20 acres of lawns, gardens and lakes and is among the most picturesque of settings for the most demanding of wedding schedules. But, adding that extra little something was the sound of The Bluebell Railway in the distance.
The finished wedding film has not only captured the beauty of the venue, the intimacy of the friends and family and the joy of the day but also the splendour of the English countryside complete with the sound of steam trains and whistles gently puffing their way through the soundtrack.
Without this extra dimension the film would not have been lacking ... but with the added sound picked up by my faithful Sennheiser film-making microphones the scene was enhanced so much.
Good sound is just one of the many reasons for booking a professional film-maker to capture your once in a life-time day. Only then can you truly enjoy it time and time again.
Derek Halls, DHP Digital Video.
Keystone Cops for real.
The other day I had to travel to meet a client in East Sussex. As I was travelling from Suffolk I needed to use the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge crossing the River Thames at Dartford.
The winds were racing so all traffic travelling south from Essex to Kent were advised to remain at a safe 30 mph.
Half way across the bridge I noticed blue flashing lights in the distance behind me. I moved across to the slower lane three to allow the emergency vehicle to pass. Then it arrived, a super-fast black, highly marked Police Volvo, it was followed by another, and another, and another. In all there were around six or seven marked and un-marked Police cars zooming past me. They approached the toll booth and got stranded there.
No doubt they had called ahead but when they arrived the un-manned barrier remained down ... despite the wailing of their sirens and the mass of blue and red lights flashing away.
I approached the scene and opted for a different auto-barrier, dropped my £1.50 into the basket, the barrier raised and I continued my journey into Kent.
Whilst passing the stranded high speed cars I did catch a couple of glances from the officer's within ... they were clearly 'miffed' so I decided I would keep out of the way when their barrier was eventually lifted. When it was they sped off and continued to do their duty, for which I for one thank them.
I know they were doing a job of great importance and urgency but it did look quite comical.
Derek Halls, DHP Digital Video, Ipswich.
The winds were racing so all traffic travelling south from Essex to Kent were advised to remain at a safe 30 mph.
Half way across the bridge I noticed blue flashing lights in the distance behind me. I moved across to the slower lane three to allow the emergency vehicle to pass. Then it arrived, a super-fast black, highly marked Police Volvo, it was followed by another, and another, and another. In all there were around six or seven marked and un-marked Police cars zooming past me. They approached the toll booth and got stranded there.
No doubt they had called ahead but when they arrived the un-manned barrier remained down ... despite the wailing of their sirens and the mass of blue and red lights flashing away.
I approached the scene and opted for a different auto-barrier, dropped my £1.50 into the basket, the barrier raised and I continued my journey into Kent.
Whilst passing the stranded high speed cars I did catch a couple of glances from the officer's within ... they were clearly 'miffed' so I decided I would keep out of the way when their barrier was eventually lifted. When it was they sped off and continued to do their duty, for which I for one thank them.
I know they were doing a job of great importance and urgency but it did look quite comical.
Derek Halls, DHP Digital Video, Ipswich.
The Cameraman strikes back.
Imagine the scene ... camera, lights, microphone and Darth Vader!
The toy shop chain, The Entertainer, have just opened their new store in Chelmsford, Essex and DHP Digital Video were invited to film the fun and excitement of the day.
The manager, Michael, and the team had a 'Hill Street Blues' type team briefing before moving to the shop floor to welcome the hundreds of new customers through the doors.
I had a chance to film customers and kids trying the demonstration toys and games and also to film the Haribo boy. Standing at some 6ft plus, the Haribo boy (a chap in a football mascot type of outfit) wandered around both inside and outside the store handing out Haribo goody-bags to the delight of recipients young and old.
Fifi, the most famous flowertot came to play as well.
Then they appeared ... Star Wars' Stormtroopers and Darth Vader. Even though I had been briefed by the actors prior to donning their costumes; I found myself completely intimidated when confronted by them in their gleaming white Stormtrooper uniforms. Then came that stare ... Darth Vader slowly turned to fix a pitch-black soul-less gaze at me. I can still feel the shudder.
The completed in-store training video brings the moment to life and has brought more than a few sniggers when the full character line-up is seen. Haribo Boy standing next to Darth Vader and Stormtroopers with Fifi waving and bouncing about beside them!
If The Entertainer comes to open a store near you I suggest you go and join in the fun ... take the children, if you need to.
Derek Halls, DHP Digital Video, Ipswich
The toy shop chain, The Entertainer, have just opened their new store in Chelmsford, Essex and DHP Digital Video were invited to film the fun and excitement of the day.
The manager, Michael, and the team had a 'Hill Street Blues' type team briefing before moving to the shop floor to welcome the hundreds of new customers through the doors.
I had a chance to film customers and kids trying the demonstration toys and games and also to film the Haribo boy. Standing at some 6ft plus, the Haribo boy (a chap in a football mascot type of outfit) wandered around both inside and outside the store handing out Haribo goody-bags to the delight of recipients young and old.
Fifi, the most famous flowertot came to play as well.
Then they appeared ... Star Wars' Stormtroopers and Darth Vader. Even though I had been briefed by the actors prior to donning their costumes; I found myself completely intimidated when confronted by them in their gleaming white Stormtrooper uniforms. Then came that stare ... Darth Vader slowly turned to fix a pitch-black soul-less gaze at me. I can still feel the shudder.
The completed in-store training video brings the moment to life and has brought more than a few sniggers when the full character line-up is seen. Haribo Boy standing next to Darth Vader and Stormtroopers with Fifi waving and bouncing about beside them!
If The Entertainer comes to open a store near you I suggest you go and join in the fun ... take the children, if you need to.
Derek Halls, DHP Digital Video, Ipswich
Wednesday, 16 September 2009
Lenny Henry is correct!
You know, making films involves more than just pointing a camcorder and editing the results ... and I'm not thinking about microphones, tripods, lighting, optical filters, music licenses and the such like ... I'm thinking of the journey to and from the event that is the subject of the film.
In recent months I have filmed in a great number of varied and, in the main, beautiful places. They may not be that far from home to visit and enjoy but when it's on business with filming starting at around 9.30am and finishing at, say, 10.00pm, locations as near or as far away as Leicestershire, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Worcestershire, Warwickshire, Surrey, West Sussex and the like are simply too far to travel to on the day.
It's all very well getting stuck in a traffic jam on the M25 when I'm on the way home ... that's just "flipping" annoying but, to be stuck en-route to a client and to be late, that's a no-no in my book. To that end I have become a great fan of the Lenny Henry endorsed Premier Inn chain of hotels.
I know that even the best that Premier Inn has to offer won't, as likely as not, pamper me like the Oakley Court in Windsor, The Randolph in Oxford or even the Roxborough in Edinburgh but then I'm not paying their prices ... neither are my clients via their bill! That said, I still wake up refreshed and then well fed ... the Premier breakfast is great, just be careful not to 'eat as much as you like' which is their offer. It is possible to indulge in too much bacon you know?
I must congratulate the Premier Inn at Banbury, what a welcome. The one at Ashby De La Zouch was poorly signed but sat nav got me almost to the door. Inside the bar was open and the atmosphere was just right.
In High Wycombe all was well and so to in Sevenoaks and in Ashford, both of these in Kent and again both a good place to stay when traffic chaos was to be avoided at all cost ... well at reasonable cost anyway!
Keep safe on the road,
Derek Halls, DHP Digital Video
In recent months I have filmed in a great number of varied and, in the main, beautiful places. They may not be that far from home to visit and enjoy but when it's on business with filming starting at around 9.30am and finishing at, say, 10.00pm, locations as near or as far away as Leicestershire, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Worcestershire, Warwickshire, Surrey, West Sussex and the like are simply too far to travel to on the day.
It's all very well getting stuck in a traffic jam on the M25 when I'm on the way home ... that's just "flipping" annoying but, to be stuck en-route to a client and to be late, that's a no-no in my book. To that end I have become a great fan of the Lenny Henry endorsed Premier Inn chain of hotels.
I know that even the best that Premier Inn has to offer won't, as likely as not, pamper me like the Oakley Court in Windsor, The Randolph in Oxford or even the Roxborough in Edinburgh but then I'm not paying their prices ... neither are my clients via their bill! That said, I still wake up refreshed and then well fed ... the Premier breakfast is great, just be careful not to 'eat as much as you like' which is their offer. It is possible to indulge in too much bacon you know?
I must congratulate the Premier Inn at Banbury, what a welcome. The one at Ashby De La Zouch was poorly signed but sat nav got me almost to the door. Inside the bar was open and the atmosphere was just right.
In High Wycombe all was well and so to in Sevenoaks and in Ashford, both of these in Kent and again both a good place to stay when traffic chaos was to be avoided at all cost ... well at reasonable cost anyway!
Keep safe on the road,
Derek Halls, DHP Digital Video
Sunday, 6 September 2009
Hectic is good ... it keeps you fit.
Hello,
Busy as ever ... DHP Digital Video is a busy place to be and was made even more demanding after I was involved in a car crash in January. A drunk, un-licensed and un-insured driver drove on the wrong side of the road and head-on into the front of my Vauxhall at over 50 MPH, my shoulder was whiplashed to bits! The London Hospital A&E dept at Whitechapel were brilliant ( as were the London Ambulance Service and the Met Police). I was doped up on Diazepam, Codeine, Ibuprofen and Paracetomol for weeks. All is well now and back on course.
Filming has been going well. Lots more weddings "in the can" so to speak. I've filmed couples in Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Worcestershire and Warwickshire as well as locally in Cambridgeshire, Suffolk and Norfolk.
Two of the weddings that I have filmed have been in the church above the Hell Fire Caves in West Wycombe, Bucks. I went to the caves as a child and could actually recall the cave entrance portal from my childhood memories, even though that was a good while ago!
The edit suite is looking great now. The damp patch and redecorating is complete and the desks have been refreshed in a Cianti red Formica finish with red leatherette arm rests and pine rounded edging to the desk sides. I am not mean but much prefer to spend money on technical toys for filming and editing than on office furniture. That said, I am concious not to aquire RSI and am currently seeking a new chair so as to look after my back ... that's also been with me since childhood and is no longer in perfect working order!
Right, I'm off now. I have an appointment to call another lady who will be filmed at her wedding in Kent this weekend by DHP Digital Video, edited and ready for her and her new husband to watch a little after their honeymoon.
Bye for now, I'll update you again soon.
Derek Halls, DHP Digital Video
Busy as ever ... DHP Digital Video is a busy place to be and was made even more demanding after I was involved in a car crash in January. A drunk, un-licensed and un-insured driver drove on the wrong side of the road and head-on into the front of my Vauxhall at over 50 MPH, my shoulder was whiplashed to bits! The London Hospital A&E dept at Whitechapel were brilliant ( as were the London Ambulance Service and the Met Police). I was doped up on Diazepam, Codeine, Ibuprofen and Paracetomol for weeks. All is well now and back on course.
Filming has been going well. Lots more weddings "in the can" so to speak. I've filmed couples in Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Worcestershire and Warwickshire as well as locally in Cambridgeshire, Suffolk and Norfolk.
Two of the weddings that I have filmed have been in the church above the Hell Fire Caves in West Wycombe, Bucks. I went to the caves as a child and could actually recall the cave entrance portal from my childhood memories, even though that was a good while ago!
The edit suite is looking great now. The damp patch and redecorating is complete and the desks have been refreshed in a Cianti red Formica finish with red leatherette arm rests and pine rounded edging to the desk sides. I am not mean but much prefer to spend money on technical toys for filming and editing than on office furniture. That said, I am concious not to aquire RSI and am currently seeking a new chair so as to look after my back ... that's also been with me since childhood and is no longer in perfect working order!
Right, I'm off now. I have an appointment to call another lady who will be filmed at her wedding in Kent this weekend by DHP Digital Video, edited and ready for her and her new husband to watch a little after their honeymoon.
Bye for now, I'll update you again soon.
Derek Halls, DHP Digital Video
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