Over the last few months I have been asked the question, How to choose the best cinematographer? Well I thought it would be best to meet and ask a professional who has mastered his vision and storytelling through cinema. I met with Lee Morton from Clickspark and was immediately impressed and learned so much. Since, video and photo are starting to merge with one another, I thought it would be a fantastic time to share information about cinematography and videography!
“The critic has to educate the public; the artist has to educate the critic” -Oscar WildeClickspark is led by Lee Morton and a small group of hand selected film makers. Collectively, they go to great lengths to push creativity and find emotion as it’s unraveling. They’re an easy going group that love to be in the moment. Being a creative, you often respond mentally different than those around you. Aware of light, color and composition, you’re able to capture beauty and quickly document the story.
What is cinematography?
Oh boy that’s a fun loaded question. A motion picture. The responsibilities of a cinematographer is often related to the roles of a DP, which is Director of Photography. On a motion picture set, the DP is responsible for the composition of the shot, how it’s lit, arrangement of elements in the frame, etc. The director explains and shares his vision with the DP – who then makes it come to life. A DP knows how to execute a vision by lens choice, color, light, shape, etc..
How is cinematography different from videography?
Videography carries a stigma that has hindered the potential of new age cinema. There are many artists in the industry making wedding films that will blow your mind. The thought behind light, audio, equipment positioning, forward thinking, dialog throughout a wedding day – your role is much like a cinematographer in an live event situation. Where commercial DP’s have hours and hours to manipulate and calculate their lighting ratios and sets, we have minutes (sometimes less than that) filming a wedding. We evaluate our settings and adapt to produce cinematic angles, movement and compositions. We have lens choices to make, assign audio and capturing the moment before it actually unfolds. Most of all, above ALL us – we’re telling stories nowadays in wedding films – not just taking all your footage and putting your favorite 4 songs behind it. Which is great if that’s your thing.
What is your style of cinematography?
Our style is translucent. Our style is collaborative. We’re guilty of asking the question “what if?” a lot and following the path it takes us on. We’re photo-journalistic in the sense that we always try to be in the moment to position ourselves ahead of pivotal times of the day. At times we may guide our subjects with certain placement or direction, but we try our best to be unobtrusive.
What would your ideal wedding film look like?
More so, how would it feel? After watching do I feel like I was a told story that was worthy of telling?
How do you choose the best cinematographer?
Now there’s a goodie.. Live event cinematography is a bit different because there’s an extreme amount of forward thinking, anticipation and adaptation. You have to hustle. You have to appreciate light and let it inspire your decisions. Our team is always learning and being challenged by any given lighting scenario we’re in. Besides the abilities of anticipation, thinking like an artist helps you see line, shape and color and how it is effecting your subject and scene. Even color temperature – we don’t have the ability to change it later so dialing in Kelvin on the fly to an accurate white is a must.
Does sound play a vital role in a film?
It’s probably more important than the imagery you’re recording. I think imagery stimulates you but audio has the joyous ability of connecting you. Laughter, rain, a baby’s laugh, engine’s roaring, drink’s clinking, etc are all examples of moments that are strongest heard (more than seen). If we can see it and hear it – then we feel it. Dialog can navigate your story and a soundtrack can relay the mood of the day just right..
How can your experiences help your future films?
So many lessons. Every wedding I capture I walk away from learning a new approach or more efficient ways of filming. Biggest experience is just learning to be present and that will afford you with capturing those unfolding moments. Also carry mints, that helps in the future.
Do you have a game plan you use on most wedding days?
We try to be as educated on the couples wedding timeline as we can so we’re not rushed or thrown curveballs. However, we all know there’s monkey wrenches!! Different than photography, we have fairly heavy rigs and no on-camera lighting and we have to worry about audio. It’s important we’re educated and all on the same plan. Then we always say, “okay, what’s our normal set up for this sequence” then we say, “how can we push this even farther?”
Are there tricks and tips you have learned from your experience that help you “see” what will unfold?
The ability to be present. May be a lame answer but being aware of your surroundings on a day like this will reward you two fold. Thinking ahead. Being educated by asking good questions ahead of time and predicting the future possibilities during an event are key!
Is it true that you get what you pay for with a wedding film?
It has to be. I think if you look at a $1500 wedding film versus a $3000 wedding film you will notice the strength of storytelling. The quality of audio, the production value with newest technologies, & the imagery through lenses. Most of all, you pay for the experience of someone who catches the moments you didn’t notice or won’t remember. There are different ways to invest in a wedding day: choosing a live band that will rock your party, investing in floral arrangements that complete your vision, maybe treating your guests to a fancier meal than they thought.. but to us, (we’re a bit biased 😉 a wedding film is investing in how you will remember it all. Because the truth is, and it’s said a bajillion times, chances are you won’t remember much of your day! Why would you? You’re having the time of your life and time flies when you’re having fun… Be sure to invest in the best visual artists, so you can view your wedding memories and have amazing snipits of the past to show your families in the future!
Fun outtakes of Lee in action!
Below Image courtesy of Dani Leigh Photography
Below Image courtesy of Maria Linz Photography 
