Sacramento Videographer Speaks with Sacramento Chic

Ok everybody has a friend that is always cheerful and makes everyone around them laugh and lightens any mood; Eric Leas is just that individual.  Eric is a true professional, who’s love for his clients and the Wedding Industry is apparent in the service he provides.  In fact, there was a fire this weekend that could have put a damper on his client wedding day but because of his fast thinking he was able to…I’m getting ahead of myself. I’ll let Eric tell you the story in his own words.

• Who is Acti-Video? Primarily Acti-Video is “ME” Eric Leas- but I have a team of Videographer’s who care about the client and the activities at their event. We enjoy our work and we are team players doing all we can to help allow the client to have a stress-free,  happy event and to be completely satisfied with our service.
• When did you know you wanted to be a Videographer? I have a few productions I filmed in college in 1983. I look at the work done in those and I realize that I was very much into the cinematic aspect of filming even then…So I’ll say 1983- Even though back then I really wanted to be a Rock Star. J
• Where did you train for this discipline? CSUS-Sacramento (I hold a Media Communications Bachelor Degree & a Music Minor) and on my own time.
• How long has Acti-Video been in business? Since 1996 officially
• A word that best describes Acti-Video? Unique
• Do you have a team and if so tell us about them? Yes- 4 gentleman- Respectfully- Steve (been with me since 2000), Rusty (Since 2001), John (Since 2004), and Marciano (The newbie, since 2008). They all are talented in various ways with AV production and each has their strong & weak points, so I am able to match them up accordingly and make a strong team and use them for their talents. Usually we will only do up to 2 events in a day, occasionally it works out that we can handle 3, but that’s rare.
• If Acti-Video were a movie which one would describe it? “Good Fellas ”  J
• What is your favorite thing about being in this business? I Love, Love Love, Filming. Being behind the camera at an event no matter what the stress level, is my favorite thing about being in this business!
• What would you consider Acti-Video’s style to be? Customized work for each client. I like to get a feel from the client & produce for each one individually. We don’t put our style into any category.
• What would a movie night be like in your home? Action, Suspense, Drama, Horror and Sci-Fi all wrapped up into one! Oh and tons of snacks & goodies to much on while watching the flick!
• Where do you draw your inspiration from? I draw it from various places. What I see through the lens, who I am working with at an event or function, the music I am using in the post production, whatever is said at the event as I am filming, etc. Inspiration is all around us and as a videographer, we have to be able to see those inspiring moments and catch them on film. As an editor we have to present them in their best light!
• What professional in your discipline do you admire? Creatively, Mike Jensen, Sheffield Multimedia
• Is there ever a moment, when doing an event, that you get butterflies? Sometimes I get emotional during the toasts of a wedding or the vows, if they hit me just right. Sometimes at a corporate gig, if it’s a live shoot to a big screen set-up, where you have to be as perfect and steady as possible; I will get butterflies, when we go live.
• Any wedding stories you are willing to share with us? The big story this last weekend was the Wedding of Pedro & Jodi Vergara at the Ridge in Auburn, it was on the news.  The wedding that was evacuated two times from two venues due to the Auburn Fires, but we ended up holding the event at Sun City Roseville and it went over real well. If you have not heard about it, here is a link with more info and a spot on the newscast http://www.news10.net/news/story.aspx?storyid=66135&catid=2
• What is your ideal client? Hmmm, not sure about this one. Ideally, I would say the ideal clients are the one’s who come to me knowing that they want “ME” for their event, either from a referral or from seeing me at another event.
• How far in advance do you recommend a potential couple should start looking for a Videographer? I usually recommend 6 months to a year in advance, but for some reason, most clients do not take that seriously and end up somewhere in the 3-6 month range and yet even others lately seem to be on this 1-2 month kick! (Many times I am not available, and either try to get them to go with one of my teammates if available, or I have to send them away because we have no availability.)
• What questions should a Bride & Groom ask when interviewing a videographer for their wedding? Ugh…There are a bunch of places to get this info. On-line, or in a magazine like Sacramento Bride and Groom, or Real Wedding Magazine, etc. I would say talk to them in person if possible, meet them, see their work & go with your feeling overall about who you like, who you would want at your wedding all day & who you get along with best!
• What words of wisdom are you willing to bestow upon a young couple ready to make the leap into marriage? As far as for the wedding, do not think that good ol’ Uncle Bob will be able to make you a great video of your day. I have had many, many couples call & come show me footage that they have from some “Friend or Uncle who supposedly is pretty good with a camera” and it is just terrible and I cannot fix it for them; particularly not for a price that is cheaper than if they just hired a professional in the first place! There is no magic trick I can perform with BAD footage; bottom line. There are several surveys out there on the internet that discuss “The one thing brides regret not doing on their wedding day” and some 95% of brides who do not hire a professional videographer, wish that they had done so for the wedding. So be for warned.
• Why should they hire Acti-Video? If you have read my responses to this interview so far & you like what I have said, or find it interesting, then I think you have a great reason right there.
• Where or how can they find more about Acti-Video? 916-788-1690-Call me & let’s talk. Or if you want the safe route- www.acti-video.com and you can get more information there.
• Who do you recommend that I interview next? Sonny Gallardo-Exquisite events or Matt Brys- Extreme Productions
• If you were a shoe would you be Flats, Boots, Pumps, Sneakers, Thongs or Loafers? Most likely Sneakers. You know the pair you have owned forever because they really are comfortable and fell great on your feet. They are worn a bit, but they feel so good you just can’t let them go. J