KRISTEN AND DAVID'S GOLD COAST WEDDING

I think Kristen’s mom said it best in the speeches when she said that “Kristen and David like each other.” I hope I do justice to this sentiment in words but there is something particularly endearing when you see how much a couple genuinely likes being around each other. Love is always present at a wedding day but there is so much charm in the “liking” of one another. The “like” is where you witness the silly moments in between formalities, the inside jokes and the foundation of the love responsible for the day. There was no shortage of love but an abundance of “like” at this wedding too. 

Getting married in the midst of a pandemic also speaks volumes about their commitment to each other. With the world not in anyone's favor they still wanted to celebrate their love with a special day and make the bond official. There is a poeticism to getting married in the world we are in and not only do I wish the best to Kristen and David but I commend them on their dedication, their positivity and their kindness. 

TECHNICAL MUMBO JUMBO

This was the first wedding season where I committed to using multiple BMPCC6K cameras and I couldn’t be more pleased. I love the color space, the tones, the feel that the camera provides with weddings. Timing almost couldn’t be better to commit to these cameras since they certainly aren't champions of the low light like Sony cameras. But nightlife really isn’t a staple of wedding during COVID so the footage during the day is what absolutely counts the most and again I couldn’t be more pleased.

I also started using the F6 by Zoom to record audio and the 32bit quality is somewhat of a lifesaver to work with. There ceremony in this wedding video is a great example. The priest while undeniably charming and beautifully introspective in his message delivered it in a way that I could only describe as a projected whisper. That projection mixed with a very echoey room did not make for good raw audio. Had I not had the range in the quality I’m pretty certain I couldn’t have mastered it to the level that I did. Again, lifesaver.

Team Involved

Planner: Amy Champagne Events

Photo: Melani Lust

Makeup: Simply Gorgeous by Erin

Gear Links

Black Magic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K

Zoom F6

Sennheiser G4

MoviPro

Cheers - Will

Will Talamelli - Cinematographer Director DP

Founder/Owner Will Talamelli Films

LAUREN AND ANDREW - MICRO WEDDING DURING QUARANTINE

I’ve done small weddings, intimate weddings, weddings at restaurants, some that were basically cocktails parties with nuptials, backyard weddings, town hall weddings and even an elopement. None of those were as small as Lauren and Andrew’s though. In the middle of quarantine Lauren and Andrew had an extremely secret ceremony with only 8 people in our friends backyard. This day was incredible for a couple reasons, first off Andrew is dear friend of mine and I couldn’t have been happier for him. Secondly, I almost can’t describe the happiness of just feeling normal for a day. This was about the point when we all hadn’t left our homes for two months. Everyone involved was responsible, adhered to social distancing and quarantining guidelines so after months of not seeing anyone we all got to spend some time together, laugh and celebrate the love of our friends. We all did what we had to do so Lauren and Andrew could have their wedding and they’ve thanked us a million times already but I want to say thank you to them for having their wedding, giving us some hope and reminding us how incredible our friends are. I love you guys and I can’t wait for the real deal wedding!

I was incredibly happy to be involved in their amazing wedding. Big thank you to Matt Branscombe of BSC Studio for offering his backyard and Bryan Avigne of Bryan Avigne Photography for offering his home for the bride prep and being an incredible JP.

Cheers - Will

Will Talamelli - Cinematographer Director DP

Founder/Owner Will Talamelli Films

Namaste NYC - Commercial video for Namaste NYC Wellness Brand

Namaste NYC is a wellness brand based in New York City.

We wanted a video that highlighted all of their services and the unique capacities they provide them in.

Technique/ Cinematography:

It’s great to have a style but cinematography many times is about adaptability. It was essential that this video was visually “on brand” with Namaste straight out of the camera. This wasn’t the time for moody lighting scenarios, each situation needed to feel bright and airy without being overexposed. The beautiful mid century home I shot in was an ideal situation aesthetically but like many homes from that era, I was fighting the contrast of light all day. Either it was just overhead lighting in a dark room or giant open windows with the morning sun blaring in. Every scene was lit with two Aputure 120Ds and an Aputure 300D. A Sony A7SII with a Canon 50mm 1.2 lens on a Ronin M was used for the moving shots along and an FS7 for the interview section.

It was also important to break production up into two sections. Ones with movement and ones stable as a reflection of the brand. So much of what Namaste NYC does is about slowing down, breathing, stillness so I wanted to camera to reflect those feelings.

For more information visit www.namasteny.com

Will Talamelli - Cinematographer Director DP

Founder/Owner Will Talamelli Films

PURE GREY - Promotional Video for Pure Grey restaurant consultants in NYC

A visual narrative and fashion forward approach to a commercial for Pure Grey restaurant consultants in New York City. “Day in the life videos” are always fun and provide great insight into a company. We didn’t need a big story for this one we just followed the experts around for a day and documented their approach to menu development and cooking.

Technique/ Cinematography:

Shot in 4k60 on the Black Magic Pocket Cinema Camera which is truly my favorite camera to use. The place needed light badly, so at all times we had two Aputure 120Ds and an Aputure 300D on set. We weren’t trying to stylize with the light but we wanted an abundance of light to make the environment feel clean and open like a Michelin star kitchen. When working with food it’s so important to keep colors honest, it’s not the place for artistic liberties with color grading which is why we went with prisming and flares for affect opposed to post production styling.

For more information visit www.pure-grey.com

Will Talamelli - Cinematographer Director DP

Founder/Owner Will Talamelli Films

"PERKS" Short film featuring "The Coffee Pedaler" in New Haven CT

This was a short film shot at my great friend Ryan Taylor’s coffee shop “The Coffee Pedaler” in New Haven CT with the intention of being displayed at a class about storytelling with video.

Turning the shop blue.

Technique/ Cinematography:

Soft light on our subject eluding that the shop is not open for business. Also the detail of the Chartreuse in the reflection.

Because this was shot for a class based in storytelling I wanted to make a point that you can do a lot with just a little. One camera, one lens and two lights. I chose to use two Aputure 120Ds, one with a China lantern above our subject and one on the back wall with a blue gel. The coffee shop has a very warm, inviting look but I really wanted to emphasize the fact that it was not open and this isn’t a time for everyone to enjoy. By using the blue light I really changed the whole color palate of the environment and the china ball above Ryan made it feel like there was light coming from a street light in front of the building. The video itself was shot on a Black Magic Pocket Cinema Camera with a Canon 50mm 1.2 lens simply put on a tripod.

Final scene.

Where I had the most fun was the subtle gestures made to really highlight our subject Ryan, his personality and his relationship to the coffee shop. I put Chartreuse bottles in the reflection of Ryan’s espresso machine. It’s his favorite spirit and the machine is how he affords his “finer things” lifestyle. I kept the camera on one side of the counter to make it seem like we aren’t a part of his world, the camera has the exact relationship that a customer would. As well as the final scene where Ryan has his back to the camera and looks out the window from the table, a perspective he never gets to enjoy during the day further emphasizing the idea that it is closed for business and he is enjoying the “perk” of his own coffee shop.

Will Talamelli - Cinematographer Director DP

Founder/Owner Will Talamelli Films

Rye Ballet Conservatory

Promotional piece for Rye Ballet Conservatory with commentary by owner and prodigal ballerina Ashlee Stewart (Knapp). Ashlee was actually my first bride when I started Will Talamelli Films in 2015 and when she started her own studio she contacted me for a company video.

I know what ballet means to Ashlee and how much of her life has been dedicated to the art so I really wanted to showcase that. I wanted the viewer and potential client to understand that with Rye Ballet Conservatory you aren’t just getting ballet lessons, you are getting a developmental experience from one of the greatest to ever do it. I wanted Ashlee to discuss what ballet can do for a young dancer, what it did for her and the emotional connection she has to the art which really highlights her dedication.

Technique/ Cinematography:

Shot in 4K60 on the Black Magic Pocket Cinema Camera using the incredible Sigma 18-35 f/1.8 lens on a Ronin M. There is movement in every scene and I intended it to be that way. I wanted slow steady movement that went with the dancers and replicated their gestures. Which was tricky because I’m not a dancer lol. Thankfully Ashlee was next to me like a producer would be, explaining and demonstrating the moves ahead of time to prepare me.

Stylistically I wanted it to look like her instagram photos, it had to be on brand with what she puts out. Very bright, full contrast, true tones. That meant soft light and a lot of it. Using 2 Aputure 300Ds and 2 Aputure 120Ds for lighting with China balls and soft boxes I was able to fill the studio with very complimenting, soft, even light.

For more information vist ryeballet.com

Will Talamelli - Cinematographer Director DP

Founder/Owner Will Talamelli Films