Wedding and Event Videographers Association International

The Wedding and Event Videographers Association International, WEVA for short, is a non-profit professional organization for wedding and event videographers.
History
WEVA International, the world's largest trade association for professional wedding and event videographers, evolved from "Wedding Videography Today" an industry newsletter for videographers first published in 1990, and from Wedding Video Expo, the first national/international convention and trade show dedicated to professional wedding videographers. Both were founded by Roy Chapman a professional wedding and event videographer working in the greater Washington DC area. The inaugural EXPO was held at a Washington area hotel (Crystal City Hyatt) in the summer of 1991.
Early contributors to the publication, EXPO, and WEVA included
John Goolsby (Cannon Video), John Cooksey, Mike Jensen, Jenny Lehman (Jenny Lehman Videography) Sandy Brooke (Brooke Video), Mark Goldberg (Spectrum Productions) and many others whose combined efforts jump-started the evolution that has led to, and continues to lead today's contemporary videography industry.
As the early 1990s progressed the small publication grew from a newsletter grew into a magazine and the convention became an annual industry event that presents three days of cutting-edge sessions and a major trade show featuring vendors large and small, including key industry manufacturers such as Panasonic Broadcast, SONY, JVC, Canon, Adobe, Matrox, Avid, Bogen, Azden, Sennheiser, and many others.
Wedding Video Expo '91 & '92 were held in the Washington DC area. In 1993, Wedding Video Expo was held at the Sahara Hotel in Las Vegas, NV and moved to Disney World's Contemporary Hotel in 1994. Encouraged by the support from videographers nationwide, including the leaders of regional videographers associations, Roy Chapman announced the official formation of Wedding & Event Videographers Association International (WEVA) in Orlando, FL at Wedding Video Expo '95 held across from Sea World at the Stouffer Rennaisance Hotel.
In recognition of the growth of professional videography, the magazine title was changed to "Wedding & Event Videography" and the annual convention became Wedding & Event Video Expo. WEVA EXPO 2008 marked the convention's 18th year and a return to Orlando where the show for 2008 was held at the JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes.
Accomplishments
The most notable accomplishment that WEVA has made externally was brought about by the Camera Sub-committee. WEVA was able to lobby the manufacturers for lower light capability and more professional features on lower priced cameras.
Members Impacting The Industry of Wedding & Event Videography
Time Shift is a style of video initially developed by California videographer David Robin and introduced in 2003 at WEVA Expo Las Vegas. Time shift was influenced by Hollywood movies like Pulp Fiction and Memento which did not follow the linear progression of events from the event. A time shifted wedding video may open with the cake cutting and then jump to the bridal prep and then jump in time again. Time shift videos can have a dramatic impact on the story if done properly.
The 30 Minute Edit Also commonly referred to as Short Form was introduced in 1996 by Robert Allen Ehrlich, The short form style is a video that condenses the entire day's proceedings down to a 30 minute video.
Super 8 mm film The industry came full circle when in the mid 1990s Australian videographer Dennis Illic reintroduced the use of film stock in wedding videos during his WEVA Expo seminars. The grainy, old fashion appearance is a hit with a small percentage of the market that enjoys it's nostalgic look. While not a major part of the market, it has developed a sub-niche within the industry, promoted by the likes of Robert Allen Ehrlich, Jenny Lehman, David Robin and Mark Goldberg.
Bridal Elegance Also known as Bridal Spotlight was introduced by Michael Nelson of Remember When Videos. A 10 minute and under video showcasing the beauty of the bride, her personality, life, bridal gown and jewels.
Artistic Recognition
As the industry of wedding videography has matured, it has evolved from being a simple documentation of a day(s) events in linear progression to a production where only the imagination is the limit. To honor the artistic achievements of videographers, Creative Excellence Awards are awarded in 15 categories. Gold, Silver, and Bronze are the main awards but Finalist awards are given to notable entries.
Accreditation
In 2004, the WEVA Continuing Education Committee, chaired by Daniel Krieger, announced the formation of the WEVA Merited Professional Videographer (MPV) accrediation program as a way to recognize professional wedding and event videographers. The MPV program is voluntary for WEVA members and is the first such North American association accreditation at the national level for professional wedding and event videographers. Members of WEVA who have earned MPV accreditation are permitted to display the post-nominal letters of "MPV" following their name, and display the MPV logo online and in print.
Written Evaluation
To earn MPV accreditation, videographers must be members of WEVA and have attained a passing score of 80% on a written examination of technical and practical knowledge, adapted from the established college course in television production developed by Herbert Zettl. The written exam can be taken online or on-site at the annual WEVA EXPO.
Video Evaluation
Successful candidates who pass the MPV written exam have one year to pass a double-blind peer review evaluation of their video submissions.
Graduates
In April 2005, the first class of graduates from the MPV program was announced and included:
* John Deyo, MPV, of ViDeyo Arts Videos (Austin, MN).
* John Goolsby, MPV, of Cannon Video Productions, Inc. (Riverside, CA).
* Chip Goolsby, MPV, of Cannon Video Productions, Inc. (Riverside, CA).
* Michael Kolowich, MPV, of DigiNovations, Inc. (Concord, MA).
* Shawn Lam, MPV, Shawn Lam Video (Coquitlam, BC - Canada).
* Eric Model, MPV, of Reel Moments Video (Nanuet, NY).
* Michael Nelson, MPV, of Remember When Videos (Salt Lake City, UT).
* Fred Tims, MPV of Fred Tims Video (Mastic Beach, NY).
As of 2008, 15 members of WEVA have earned the voluntary MPV accreditation.

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