Family Film package available for bids this weekend!

It sure has been quiet around here! Fall is always our busiest time filming weddings and now we are focused on getting every film edited and into the hands of our clients before the holidays. But there are always side projects that come up that inspire us to get involved and share what we do for a good cause.

One such project is Bettye Hyde’s Co-operative Early Learning Centre’s annual fundraiser.  Thanks in part to the generosity our wonderful post-production houses, Niagara Custom Lab and Frame Discreet, we are donating and { Day in the Life } Family Film to their silent auction. There will be lots of other amazing items up for grabs such as original artwork, spa gift certificates, tickets to the NAC, and a fabulous photography session from Kim Ing Photography.

So if you have been wanting to book a Family Film session with { First Kiss Films }, this may be your chance to purchase one for much less with all proceeds going to an amazing school.

EVENT: Bettye Hyde Silent Auction
DATE: Saturday, November 23, 2014
TIME: 5:30pm – 7:30pm
LOCATION: All saints Church, 317 Chapel Street, Ottawa
ADMISSION: Free!

Luxury wedding event this Sunday at Chateau Laurier

The fabulous team at Marry Me Productions has done it again – this time raising the standards of the wedding show experience. They have created a luxury event called ENGAGE and it is “dedicated to the stylish and sophisticated bride”. A select group of top wedding professionals were invited to showcase their work  and we are so excited to have been asked to be a part of this event! We’ll be setting up our signature 16mm film loop installation featuring a new handcrafted film and floral design by the talented Erin of Full Bloom. Tickets can be purchased in advance from the ENGAGE website or at the door.

The films of Bridget Farr

(AKA moi, Bridget Redmond).

I am honoured to announce that the Canadian Film Institute (CFI) will be hosting an evening showcasing some of my films! The program will include from the last 15 years – many of which were produced under my maiden name (Bridget Farr). Don’t expect to see any wedding films in the program though. Most of the films that have been selected are art films created for the festival circuit and are quite different from the films I craft through { First Kiss Films }.

According to the CFI’s Executive Director, “Bridget Farr’s work has been consistently daring, experimenting with film form and approaches to storytelling. She is one of Ottawa’s most talented film artists, and we are thrilled to present her works as part of our Cafe EX series.”

The big night takes place this Thursday, November 7th within Saw Gallery here in Ottawa. Nine films will be screened and even some will be projected on 35mm and 16mm prints – the way film was meant to be seen! I will of course be there to discuss my work.

On the big screen

Tonight, a film by { First Kiss Films } will flicker on the big silver screen.

Image courtesy Christophe Ledent

Come join us this evening when one of our vintage films, created in association with Amna Hakim Photography and Toast Events, will be screened at the grand old Bytowne Theater. The film was selected to be presented in The Independent Filmmaker’s Co-operative of Ottawa’s annual showcase along with 10 other shorts all shot on classic film.

DATE: Thursday, April 25, 2013
TIME: 7:00pm – 11:00pm
LOCATION: Bytowne Cinema, 325 Rideau Street, Ottawa

On the silver screen

Want to “get reel” this weekend? Then come join us on Saturday, April 21st, for a special gala screening of new films by celluloid artists!

This year marks the milestone 20^th anniversary of The Independent Filmmakers Co-operative of Ottawa and one of our films has been selected to screen at the gala alongside new work by other talented celluloid-based artists. The gala is being held at the National Library & Archives of Canada (395 Wellington Street) and tickets are $12 at the door. The curtain rises at 7:00pm and we’d love to see you there!

Crafty wedding show ideas

Wed By Hand is a unique and fabulous event for anyone interested in all things DIY, handmade, and eco-friendly. It’s designed as an alternative wedding show and will showcase clothing, flowers, planners, invitations, tasty treats, jewelry, and more! Enjoy some amazing DIY workshops, a tasting room, swag bags, raffles, giveways, and…a vintage film screening premiere! 

DATE: Saturday, February 11th
TIME: 11AM – 5PM
VENUE: The Glebe Community Center, 175 Third Avenue
TICKETS: $8 on-line, $10 at the door

{ First Kiss Films } is so looking forward to being part of this wonderful show so we are creating a very special 16mm film and installation just for you film lovers!

Visit us this weekend

Happy New Year film lovers!

Ottawa-Gatineau couples won’t want to miss the Wedding Palace Bridal Show taking place this weekend at the Ottawa Convention Centre. Come stop by our booth #407 this Saturday or Sunday from 11:00am – 5:00pm. We’d love to see you!

A wedding workshop presentation

In the process of planning your wedding? If so, next week is your chance to attend one of the wonderful Wedding Workshops hosted by STARFISH. In one evening everything you need to know from etiquette to essentials will be covered to help you plan the wedding of your dreams – on time and on budget.

The exciting workshop theme is “Ideas to Reach Beyond your Imagination” and I will be one of industry professionals selected to speak next Wednesday evening. The workshop will be held from 6-8pm at the Details Ottawa showroom (1010 Polytek, Unit 4). Reserve your spot at www.wedworkshop.com

For those of you who may not be able to make it to the workshop, here’s a taste of what I will be covering:

How is vintage cinema different from traditional video?
– Vintage cinema is captured on motion picture film stock, not digitally
– We film discreetly so do not use lighting, tripods and large cameras
– Sound is only captured if requested allowing the images to speak for themselves therefore maintaining the magic of your special day
– We believe less is more so the highlights of your day are condensed into a short and sweet final film (5-15 minutes) and each frame is shot with great care and awareness

Why shoot on film?
– Film is breathtaking and other formats often want to mimic it’s dreamy, flattering & timeless qualities
– Guests love to see vintage cameras in action
– Film is truly archival and will remain beautiful for a lifetime

I dream of Genies

The Genie Awards were held here in Ottawa last Thursday evening and { First Kiss Films } was busy the entire week preparing, creating, presenting and enjoying the filmy festivities. Here’s a recap of the exciting days past:

~ SYNOPSIS ~
{ First Kiss Films } was invited to screen a vintage film in the Starfish Celebrity Gift Lounge so I decided to create something custom just for the event. With only a few days to finalize the film, I had to come up with a concept, select talent, costumes, and locations in about 24 hours.

The black and white film was shot in few hours and all the footage was handprocessed and handprinted by a local film artist. I then edited the 16mm film on a flatbed editing suite and a film loop was custom-built so it could play continuously over the two days. The film, inspired by the fact that this was the 31st Annual Genie Awards, was simply titled “31”, ran for 31 seconds with the number 31 appearing multiple times in vintage-style throughout. It was a hit!

~ CHARACTERS ~
Twenty-one retailers were selected to be part of the official Genie Awards swag bag which was valued at over $1,200. The bag was filled to the brim with goodies and included amazing products from Pook, Stella & Dot, iStyle Originals, Valley Girl Naturals, Geek Sweets, Lisabel Gallery, MAC Cosmetics, Kania, We Vibe, Bode Spa, Little Cakes, Lilac Lingerie, Green & Black’s Organic, John Frieda, zip.ca and luckily for us, { First Kiss Films }. Our contribution was of course cinema inspired: stylish bags of gourmet caramel popcorn. Thanks to Sara from Inky Design for such a quick turn-around with the labels.

~ SPECIAL APPEARANCES ~
Many celebrities saw the “31” film loop when they dropped by the lounge to pick-up their swag bags. A few familiar faces included Bruce Greenwood, George Stroumboulopoulos, Mia Kirshner, Don McKellar, Shannon Tweed, and Kardinal Offishall. But meeting Gordon Pinsent, star of Away From Her (one of my most favorite Canadian films of all time), was definitely a highlight. We chatted for a bit when he arrived and then he actually made a point of coming up to me before leaving to tell me he “loved my work”. Hearing such a nice comment from one of Canada’s most beloved and well-known actors was such a thrill!

~ COMING SOON ~
Wish you could have witnessed it all? Well you can – 16mm film footage of the Starfish celebrity gift lounge, the cocktail reception, the awards gala, and the after party will be made available late spring.

Wishing you all a lovely week!
Bridget

{ First Kiss Films } invited to screen vintage film at 31st Annual Genie Awards Celebrity Lounge

Ottawa movie buffs and celebrity-watchers are buzzing about the 31st Annual Genie Awards being held here in the capital! Sometimes referred to as “Canada’s Oscars”, the awards gala will be taking place this Thursday at the National Arts Center and will honour the best in an art form I am extremely passionate about: Canadian cinema.

So it was such an honour when { First Kiss Films } was invited to screen a film alongside other “exceptional products from local and international brands” within the Celebrity Gift Lounge at the Arc Hotel. According to Aaron Deane, Event Designer of STARFISH creative events, the lounge is a “curious space honouring times gone by.” 

Keeping in alignment with the Let’s Bring Back theme of this whimsical space, { First Kiss Films } has created a very special vintage 16mm film loop inspired by the 31st Genie Awards and the lounge’s theme.

I’m really looking forward to unveiling the film tomorrow evening and hopefully getting a chance to speak with some of the talented people who work in the Canadian film industry!

~Bridget