An Affair to Remember loves to spotlight our vendors who are amazing to work with. The first time we got to work with Tampa Wonderworks was back in December at the Grand Bohemian Hotel and we are so excited that they are offically apart of AATR’s vendor family. We asked Bryan to answer a few questions about Tampa Wonderworks and we added a few bonus questions for fun!

What is your videography style — cinematic, documentary, or a mix of both? We often refer to ourselves as “anti-videographers.”  Sure videography still exists but what we and others like us do is truly cinematography or wedding filmmaking. We make movies! Amazing, heart-pounding, thrilling films. We don’t just stick a camera on a tripod. We are storytellers. Plus, we use the most amazing cameras.  There is no better time to be alive as a filmmaker!

How long have you been in the industry and  many weddings have you done? What is your storytelling approach when it comes to taping a wedding? We started in May of ‘07 and my wife and I went full time with the company at the beginning of ‘09 (at the height of the recession!) It took a lot of belief in ourselves, our talent and our passion for wedding filmmaking to make the move during such an uncertain period of time, but it was the best thing we ever did. We really grew our business!! Doing what we love is a dream come true. We are so lucky to be able to do that. We have filmed many weddings but every couple is so different and their relationships unique. We really try to learn as much about the couple as we can and showcase them rather than the individual events of the day.

Have you won any awards? Are you a member of any national and local videographer associations? We have won the best of the knot, and wedding wire the last two years. We have won awards for our independent film work. Bryan is the President of the Tampa Area Professional Videographers Association and Tracey is the Webmaster. We are members of the Tampa NACE chapter and members of WEVA. Bryan is also producing the Tampa/St. Petersurbug 2011 48 Hour Film Project.

How do you coordinate with a wedding photographer? Wedding Coordinator? It’s funny because of the amazing cameras I spoke of , the Canon 5D Mark II, were not made for filmmaking but professionals recognized the amazing film quality produced by these cameras almost three years ago and it has changed the landscape of filmmaking. Because we are using the same cameras as most of the photographers we work with, it has brought us closer together. We speak the same language. I mean I suffer from lens envy, now, but hey that is par for the course. We admire photographers and their craft. They are creative professionals just like us and we have collaborated to put some amazing shoots together. Photographers have traditionally been better at directing the bride and groom to get the shots they need and that the couple will love. We have learned a lot from them and use similar techniques during the bridal session (directing.) The difference is they freeze a moment in time and in ours we just manipulate time itself.  We LOVE coordinators! They make our job so much easier. Without a coordinator it is up to the photographer, cinematographer and/or DJ to play that role. A good coordinator understands the importance of what we are doing and shares the same passion for a killer event so we work together to make sure everything happens as it should, when it should. We know they are the boss, you could say they are the producers!

Bryan Coward & his wife Tracey!

How many people work for Tampa Wonderworks? 3

What types of cameras, tapes, and microphones do you use? How new is your equipment? I have already talked up the Canon 5D Mark II. So we are huge advocates of the Canon DSLR. Did you know that SNL shoots DSLR for their Digital Shorts? The show “House” has been shot on DSLR. We are also one of a handful of FL studios to shoot on Super 8mm film and 16mm film. The film “Black Swan” was shot in 16mm as well as DSLR. Film offers something that digital can ever compare to. JFK’s wedding was shot on 16mm. If you have not seen some of our film work you should really check it out. So cool!

How long does it usually take to edit the video and receive it back? It takes a while. Photogs have us beat on that one for sure.  We don’t template our movies. They are highly personalized. Then we deliver on Blu-ray disc. Sure computers are fast but it still takes a while.  For instance, a typical Blu-ray movie can take 8 hours just to build and encode the disc image, which does not include all the time it takes to edit the film. It can take up to 6 months and at times even longer for us to deliver a feature film. But we are constantly trying to improve our workflow because we are always so excited to get the film into the hands of our couples!

How do you charge for services? Are there packages? Yes we have packages. We also have extras. So we can fit into many different budgets.

How far do you travel? We travel worldwide. We love to travel and we love to make movies. So it’s a great combination.

What makes Tampa Wonderworks unique? I think our approach to wedding filmmaking and our ability to translate on film or video the emotion of the day is vastly different from anyone else using the same equipment. We like some “edge” to our films, too.  We shoot on film, which is very different in the digital age. We also make concept movies, from script to screen, fun for the whole family. Where you are the star of your very own movie!

Super 8

Fun Questions:

What made you get into the cinematography industry? I graduated college with a TV production degree because I could not afford film school . Ever since I saw ET i have wanted to make movies. I found a niche in weddings where I could wear many hats and be my own boss. It was a natural progression for me. Most production guys can not handle the run and gun and guerilla style of shooting a wedding but a good wedding guy can shoot anything!

What is your favorite movie? Amélie and Mometo

What is your favorite venue that you have filmed for a wedding? I really like the Grand Bohemian in Orlando. Even though our equipment  does not like sand  -beach weddings can look truly amazing through our lenses. We did a 16mm shoot at the throwback Postcard Inn (St. Pete Beach) recently. I would LOVE to shoot a wedding there!

Have you ever cried while filming a wedding? I think my wife cries at every wedding. I am so locked in and focused I don’t think I could? But I cry or should I say tear up….(im not a crier) during the father /daughter dance, every time I edit. What can I say I miss my dad!

What is the one piece of advice you would give to every couple you work with about their wedding day? About Marriage? I don’t think I am one that should be offering advice…I think you should ask my wife that question…lol She teaches me to be a better person every day!

Check out Tampa Wonderworks Video from Brittany & Brett’s wedding! An Affair to Remember loved being a part of their special day!