We learn something new and beautiful about the Indian culture with every South Asian wedding film we produce. Sapna and Vijay’s gorgeous destination wedding in Aruba was no exception. The week of festivities would be a memorable departure from the norm, with the island serving as a picturesque backdrop for the Atlanta natives’ lavish two-day South Asian wedding. The celebration joined friends and family from all over the world to partake in the couples’ Vidhi and Pithi, outdoor Sangeet and Hindu wedding ceremony overlooking Palm beach. In this piece, the challenge was blending the rich visual symbols of a modern Hindu wedding with an homage to the distinct sights and sounds of the Caribbean islands. Central to our approach was a focus on water as a theme, for its recurrence in the rituals of a Hindu wedding ceremony, to its ever-presence as a symbolic motif in Bollywood cinema. From the blue/green hues in the color palette to the literal moments of washing and rainfall itself, water as a symbol of renewal and purity was a link common to both Hinduism and the couples’ chosen destination of the island.
But the idea to attempt a pseudo concept engagement session in the rain was inspired at the last minute by weather reports showing scattered showers the week of the trip. We are always looking for inventive ways to try new things. So to pull off the shoot, Sapna and Vijay were “on call” the day before festivities were set to begin, and none of us knew if or when we would see rain. But it managed to fall at the perfect moment and we hurried to produce the impromptu shoot on the very same beach as their ceremony. The same-day-edit premiered at their reception just prior to their grand entrance on the last night of the trip. We couldn’t be more pleased with the results and were honored to document this memorable event for such a fun couple. Wedding coordination by Nirjary Desai of KisCubed Events, with Mehndi, hair & makeup by Susmita Patel of Studio Sush, and florals by Ragini Patel. Production assisted by Matt Mangham, Ray Tsang and Ishwar Daryanani.
Ceremony & Reception Venue: Westin Aruba Resort | Event Coordination: Nirjary Desai, KisCubed Events
Mehndi, hair & makeup: Susmita Patel, Studio Sush | Florals & Decor: Ragini Patel | Photography: 6 of Four
Christian & Tatiana’s spring wedding in Miami, FL was filled with classic European and Parisian themes in honor of their engagement in the gardens of the Musee de Rodin in Paris, France. The Spanish inspired Coral Gables Congregational church and Catholic ceremony were a thoughtful homage to Christian’s Argentian roots and heritage. At first sight Christian and Tatiana knew the breathtaking Vizcaya Musem and Gardens would serve as the perfect backdrop for their reception, which was selected for its reminiscent architecture, manicured garden and views. Held on the east terrace overlooking Miami’s Biscayne Bay, the evening festivities included Tango dancers, an ice luge, and a traditional “La Hora Loca,” complete with authentic costumes for all their guests. The many carefully selected details that made this celebration unique were coordinated by Joy Wallace Events under the supervision of Mayrelis Febles, and it was our pleasure capturing all the details for such a great couple. Production assisted by Travis Cossel and Ed Ballart.
Ceremony Venue: Coral Gables Congregational Church | Reception Venue: Vizcaya Museum & Gardens
Event Coordination: Joy Wallace Events | Photography: J Garner Photography
How far would you go to execute the perfect plan?
How far would you go for love?
Ravi thought he had it all figured out. The night of his proposal to Rekha was set to be perfect. When suddenly things take a wild turn - in the most unexpected way at the most inopportune time. Finding the right words is one thing. Proving it with actions is something else entirely. A string of high profile jewelry store heists has kept authorities baffled. A break leads Police to a pair of suspects: two couples, two well-laid plans. For one, the biggest obstacle will come at the worst possible time.
Putting it all on screen posed an entirely new set of challenges. Although action and romance may appear to be an unlikely pairing, we’ve had many unique opportunities to explore the ways genre conventions and narrative fiction can enhance documentary storytelling and were excited to take a leap into the action genre with our latest film, “FLAWLESS.” The all-DSLR, Canon 5D Mark II production spanned four nights in Los Angeles and included the use of a process trailer and Porsche Cayenne with Gemini crane furnished by Camera Car Industries. Amazingly realistic picture vehicles were provided by Picture Car Warehouse. Shooting a police chase on-location with world class stunt drivers under the supervision of stunt coordinator Gianni Biasetti was one of many highlights, as was staging a full-blown heist of the gorgeous Stuart Moore in Fashion Island.
Pacific Pictures presents “FLAWLESS”
Starring Ravi Gandhi, Rekha Velisetty, Kavi Ladnier & Roger Narayan
Written & Directed by Kevin Shahinian
Produced by Kevin Shahinian & Snehal Patel
Director of Photography Kevin Shahinian
2nd Unit Director Snehal Patel
Gaffer Tom Myrdahl
Key Grip Jefferson Miller
Sound Recordist Christopher Wilson
Glidecam operator Alex Sax
Film Editor Kevin Shahinian
Stunt Coordinator Gianni Biasetti
Wardrobe Kristen Anthony
Makeup & Hair Kurumi Uchino
Cameras: Canon 5D Mark II
Canon EOS L-series lenses
Additional equipment furnished by Cinevate & Glidecam.
Pushing the boundaries and exploring unexpected genres, particularly the suspense-thriller, were the cornerstones of heightening the romance and emotional drama in one of our early concept films, “Snow.” But when we heard the length’s Ravi went through to make the night of his proposal to Rekha absolutely perfect, and the way more than a few things didn’t go to plan, I knew we had the framework for an all-out action-romance film on our hands. The ambitious production would bring the relatively conservative east coast natives to the west coast to shoot on-location in Los Angeles; a surprise spectacular set to debut at their two-day South Asian wedding in Miami, FL. It’s not everyday a couple get to star in their very own action film and it’s not often we get to close down streets and use some pretty amazing toys to bring such a large scale vision to life. The process trailer and Porsche Cayenne chase car with Gemini crane pictured above (recently used in “The Dark Knight” and “Transformers” movies) were among the many highlights.
If you’re heading to NAB, catch “FLAWLESS” sneak peeks at the Canon USA booth main stage (Wed, 4/13/11 at 10:00am) and the Cinevate booth (Mon, 4/11/11 at 1:30pm and Tues, 4/12/11 at 2:30pm).
Let the countdown to the online release of the official trailer for “FLAWLESS” begin.
In the mean time be sure to check out:
Megan & Narbeh’s Sweden thriller concept movie “Snow”
Melissa & Samir’s epic Indian wedding concept trailer “City of Lakes”
Ami & Sidd arrived in California by way of Boston just days before their epic week of South Asian wedding celebrations. Friends and family arrived from all over the world to participate in the festivities, nearly one year in the making. The fall coast, overlooked by Pelican Hill in Newport Beach and The Ritz Carlton in Laguna Niguel, could not have served as more perfect backdrops for the auspicious occasion. The stage was set with stunning decor and event design by Pink Rock Events, makeup by Jeannie Jeffries, and an all-star photography team of Dina Douglass, Yoshi Morimoto and Robert Evans. But it was Ami & Sidd’s infectious joy, the true love they share for one another, and their families’ reverence for the timeless traditions of a Hindu wedding that made it easy to celebrate their incredible 2-day event in this very special same-day-edit, which we premiered at their reception. Assisted by Drew Renner and Matt Mangham.
Ceremony Venue: Pelican Hill Newport Beach | Reception Venue: Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel
Event Coordination: Pink Rock Events, LLC | Photography: Andrena Photography
Be sure to check out:
Sameepa & Beeren’s South Asian wedding film in New York City
Melissa & Samir’s epic Indian wedding movie “City of Lakes” shot in Udaipur, India
