I have been documenting Andrea and Chris’ pregnancy for the past six months. In October of 2015 Chris and Andrea got married and they hired me to shoot their wedding video. In December of 2015 I received a call from Andrea. She told me her and Chris were expecting and would like to know if I would be interested in documenting their pregnancy journey. I told them yes, but this would be a first for me. We both wanted to do it but we needed to brain storm ideas for the project. One thing was certain, Andrea knew she wanted to have the baby reveal recorded. After a few days of thinking about the project I called the couple up and explained my ideas. We would have three videos; one of the ultrasound, one of the baby reveal, and one of the baby at home. I told them that I would interview them about being new parents. The interview would be used throughout the three videos to help with the storytelling.
The ultrasound video was really cool. I was able to record them in the room during their baby’s ultrasound. We heard the heartbeat and were able to see the baby’s ultrasound picture displayed on the wall. After the ultrasound, I invited the couple over to my house so I could interview them.
I wanted to do something special for them for the baby reveal video. The couple loves baseball. Andrea planned on throwing a baseball full of blue or pink powder and Chris was going to hit the ball. Once the bat makes contact with the hollow baseball the powder is revealed and so is the gender of the baby. This was great to know and I needed to come up with plan that would tell this story. I myself was an avid baseball player, and used to watch and still do watch live baseball games. When you watch baseball on television, the cameras cut to different angles of the action. You’ll have one camera shot on the picture, the next shot on the batter, a close-up of the pitcher with the ball in their hand…you get the just of it. This gave me the idea on how I was going to shoot the baby reveal video. I was going to set up shots of both Chris and Andrea in the action. While Andrea pitched, I shot her adjusting her cap, then I showed a shot of Chris tapping his shoes with the bat. Similar shots were taken of the two in action. The glidecam came in handy during this scene as well. The movement and anticipation of the crowd looking on was a great touch. That bat hit the ball and we all found out the gender of the baby, it was going to be a baby girl. I interviewed some of Andrea and Chris’ family regarding the news. The quick interviews made the cut in the final reveal video.
I would like to thank Andrea and Chris for this opportunity. Not only was it interesting to shoot, but it allowed me to grow as a storyteller, and videographer. I have posted all three videos below.
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Jeff CookI have been working in television and media for over 18 years. My experience includes news photojournalist, editor, producer and storyteller. Archives
February 2019
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