I'm so pleased and honoured to be able to share this particular ‘glimpse' with you today. You may remember Bridget's stunning films from my previous posts: A Rock the Dress Film With a Barefoot Bride & a Horse and An Engagement Film With All The Fun of the Fair.
As you can probably tell, I'm a big fan of Bridget's films!
Name: Bridget Redmond of { First Kiss Films }
Location and coverage: Based in Ottawa, Canada, available world-wide, offering 16mm and super 8mm vintage cinema filmed on Kodak motion picture film.
Describe yourself in 3 words: optimistic + creative + determined
Describe your filmmaking style in 3 words: vintage + fine-art + dreamy
When and how did your love affair with filmmaking begin?
My dad is the reason I make wedding films. He experienced much of our lives through a camera lens and documented our early years on super 8mm film and then transitioned to video. He taught us the joy and importance of recording the big and little moments in life. I shot my first wedding with my dad was I was 14 years old (on video) but it wasn’t until I started studying film in university that I realized I wanted to make my own short films and shoot entirely with vintage cameras.
What inspires you?
Inspiration for me is truly everywhere and creativity is a practice. I know that the more you exercise expressing yourself through your own creative voice, the more easily creative thoughts and inspiration flow through you. I have a very creative brain – it is the way I see and process the world around me.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I love finding moments that give me butterflies…like when I realize that I’ve just captured an incredible moment or expression. Or the sweet anticipation of getting the footage back from the lab after it has been processed and digitized. I also love when a moment becomes even more powerful through the magic of editing. But overall, hearing people’s reactions to the films is truly the best. Making people happy with something I created for them is the greatest feeling.
What is your favourite wedding moment to capture on film?
Gosh, I can not pick just one! I adore weddings and because there are so many great moments that unfold and each wedding is different there isn’t one thing I enjoy filming more than another. Sometimes I get teary-eyed when shooting and it is in that moments I know I have capturing something incredible. Love when that happens.
What advice would you give to couples to help them to get the best from their wedding film?
Hire a wedding coordinator, or at least a wedding day-of planner. You don’t want to worry about any of the details on your wedding day. Having a professional on-site making sure the day is running as planned allows for you can enjoy each moment and be relaxed (it’ll show on your face and you’ll look even more radiant on film). I also ask couples to try to pretend the camera isn’t there because it is the undirected, real moments that are always the most touching.
Out of all the wedding moments you have filmed, which makes you go ‘Wow!’ every-time you see it?
Honestly, when I watch every single wedding I have filmed I see at least one “wow” moment. Sometimes it is the way the light is illuminating the frame, sometimes it is someone’s expression – it can be a big or little moment. I think because a wedding is a celebration of love there are naturally many “wow” moments that occur…and watching them unfold on film often makes them even more magical.
Are you ready for a plethora of ‘wow' moments? Here's Bridget's wedding filmography showreel:
2011 Showreel from { First Kiss Films } on Vimeo.
Tell us a little bit about your involvement with the Burundi Film Centre Project: In 2007, I spent a few months in Burundi volunteering with this non-profit film school in East Africa. My husband is the co-founder and it is through working on this project that we fell in love. The films that the students make as a result of the film training are incredible – each one is shot and edited in only one day. The last batch of films made by the students screened at over 50 international film festivals (even winning some awards along the way) which speaks to their uniqueness and quality.
Finally, what is your favourite cinematic film of all time and why?
I tell people my favourite film is Baraka because I have loved this film pretty much since it was released almost 20 years ago and enjoy it just as much each time I watch it. Watching Baraka is like meditating with the entire world for 90 minutes.
{I don't know about you, but I hadn't even heard of Baraka and yes, I'm hanging my head in shame right now.} So…what's a girl to do? Broaden her horizons! If you would like to get a glimpse of Bridget's favourite film watch the trailer here. It is extremely thought-provoking, beautiful, shocking and sad all at the same time…and that's just the trailer! As soon as I've typed my last word, I'm off to Amazon!
To find out more about Bridget and {First Kiss Films} visit her website or blog.
To find out more about the Burundi Film Centre click here.
Thank you so much Bridget, not only for sharing your beautiful showreel of vintage film perfection, the wonderful, worthy volunteer work that you do at the Burundi Film Centre and your heart-felt inspirations but also for broadening my horizons. It's so lovely to discover something new!
And on a personal note, since I first got in touch with Bridget, she has shared such kind words of support and encouragement about my very new little blog. I want to say a BIG thank you to her and ask that if you appreciate her work too, please show her some love & make her day by leaving a comment!
{Comments are the best!}
