A few weeks ago, we got into contact with Patrick Moreau at Stillmotion Photo + Cinema, a Toronto firm that’s been making waves recently. Their video and photographic work is original and refreshing and we were especially interested in the video as that profession seems to be going through a metamorphosis of sorts.

Here are 5 questions with Patrick:

The Wedding Co.: In general, what do you look for when you are shooting?

Patrick Moreau: When we are creating our imagery, whether it be photography or cinematography, we are looking for moments that speak to the originality of the couple and their true spirits. For example, you might see a bride in one of our films enjoying a big mac before she puts on her dress. A wedding day, to us, is much more about those little moments that often go unnoticed.

TWC: How do you edit all the footage to come up with your final piece?

PM: Our editing process is very much from a storytelling perspective and we assume the viewer doesn’t know the couple — we try to make a compelling story that anyone could interact with. Our methods are often unconventional (you will see very little black and white or slow motion in our films) as each is an original piece with a fresh look and feel.

TWC: The audio is always something we notice in your films, whether it’s a speech or the couple’s vows or a song … can you tell us about the audio component of a wedding film?

PM: The audio portion is just as important as the visuals. It is not just about having quality audio, but also really poignant sounds that propel the story forward. A sound bite can often communicate more in a few seconds than any visual can.

The soundtrack is often a struggle within the industry. Some studios choose the music, others like to reserve that creative decision {for the couple}. We do the research and make the final selects with the couple’s personalities as the motivating factor in our choices.

We can often go through hundreds of options before finding the perfect fit. It can certainly be a detriment to the overall connection you feel to a piece if the music selection is not perfect. In Hollywood, the soundtrack is often composed for the visuals, after the film is complete. If we are to learn anything from that, it would be just how crucial it is to get the right sound at the right time.

TWC: What do you give couples as the final product?

PM: Our final films come in different sizes. At one end of the scale, we offer a same day edit where we shoot, edit, and show a finished 4 min film at the reception whereas at the other end, we can produce a feature film, which is generally 15-30 minutes in length and in the same style as a same day edit, we can also put together highlights of the visuals and pacing of the day.

TWC: What is the best part of your job?

PM: The best part of our job, if you can call it that, would be two big things. One is the education we provide around the world, exchanging ideas and inspiring others to connect more with their films and their couples is very valuable and fulfilling. The second would be when our couples really let us in, really share with us who they truly are, and then allow us to translate that into an honest and emotive film.

TWC: Thanks Patrick! Now, if you will, introduce us to the sample of your work above:

PM: This video is of Ildiko and Aiden who were married at Graydon Hall. Aiden is a doctor who mixes on the side and Ildiko used to be a model, and now practices law. We really wanted this film to capture their unique personalities by being fresh and fun while also have a sophistication to the piece.

Patrick’s answers came via email and have been edited for brevity.

Footage courtesy of Stillmotion.